In vitro induction of NETosis: Comprehensive live imaging comparison and systematic review

__Background__ Multiple inducers of in vitro Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) formation (NETosis) have been described. Since there is much variation in study design and results, our aim was to create a systematic review of NETosis inducers and perform a standardized in vitro study of NETosis inducers important in (cardiac) wound healing. __Methods__ In vitro NETosis was studied by incubating neutrophils with PMA, living and dead bacteria (S. aureus and E. coli), LPS, (activated) platelets (supernatant), glucose and calcium ionophore Ionomycin using 3-hour periods of time-lapse confocal imaging. __Results__ PMA is a consistent and potent inducer of NETosis. Ionomycin also consistently resulted in extrusion of DNA, albeit with a process that differs from the NETosis process induced by PMA. In our standardized experiments, living bacteria were also potent inducers of NETosis, but dead bacteria, LPS, (activated) platelets (supernatant) and glucose did not induce NETosis. __Conclusion__ Our systematic review confirms that there is much variation in study design and results of NETosis induction. Our experimental results confirm that under standardized conditions, PMA, living bacteria and Ionomycin all strongly induce NETosis, but real-time confocal imaging reveal different courses of events

On the tectonics of the Ligurian Apennines (northern Italy)

Four nappes have been recognized in the Ligurian Apennines. In the Lavagna Nappe very low-grade metamorphism is combined with very large, originally W-facing isoclinal folds. In the other nappes, no evidence for metamorphism is found and all eutectonic folding was originally E- to NE-facing. Tectonic transport along the major nappe contacts was in an E- to NE-direction. A tectonic model is presented, which explains the generation of the large, originally W-facing folds as a result of originally E-inclined subduction within a young oceanic basin. Young oceanic lithosphere (maximum age approximately 25 Ma) subducted beneath oceanic lithosphere with a maximum age of approximately 40 Ma, under the influence of horizontally oriented compressional forces. Within the tectonic wedge, associated with the subduction, originally W-facing isoclinal folding and metamorphism occurred. Decrease and/or termination of compression resulted in the cessation of the subduction movements, followed by uplift of the region above the subducted plate by means of buoyancy. This uplift formed a slope from which sequences slid in an E- to NE-direction, causing E- to NE-facing folds. Ultimately, detachment and thrusting of gravitational nappes took place, by which process rock sequences of oceanic origin have been externally transported to attain ensialic (continental) domains. The Triassic-Early Oligocene tectonic events recognized in the Ligurian Apennines correlate quite well with the events that preceded the collision phase of the Alps

Conodont biostratigraphy of the Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician of north-western Öland, south-eastern Sweden

This paper forms part of the author's thesis "Lithostratigraphy, environmental interpretation and conodont biostratigraphy of the Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician of north-western bland, south-eastern Sweden". The purpose of this investigation was to unravel the lithogenesis and the history of the Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician rocks along the north-western coast of bland (figs. 1 and 2). To obtain a picture of the sedimentary environments of these deposits a close investigation was carried out into their lithologic characteristics; the rocks were classified lithostratigraphically on the basis of these characteristics. Considering the amount of detail of the resulting subdivision it appeared necessary to find a method of comparable refinement for the biostratigraphic correlation of the lithostratigraphic units. None of the existing biozonations suited this purpose and therefore a detailed conodont-zonation has been established. Lindstrom (1963) has shown that these fossils occur in enormous quantities in the strata of bland and they proved to be extremely suitable for detailed biozonation. After a short introduction into the lithostratigraphy this paper will deal especially with the conodont-biostratigraphy, the chronostratigraphic position of the lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic units and with the conodont systematics. The lithostratigraphy, the sedimentary environments and the sedimentary history of the area will be treated in a separate paper under the title "Lithostratigraphy and environmental interpretation of the Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician of north-western bland, south-eastern Sweden.