Reproduction Immunity Trade-Off in a Mollusk: Hemocyte Energy Metabolism Underlies Cellular and Molecular Immune Responses

Immune responses, as well as reproduction, are energy-hungry processes, particularly in broadcast spawners such as scallops. Thus, we aimed to explore the potential reproduction-immunity trade-off in Argopecten purpuratus, a species with great economic importance for Chile and Peru. Hemocytes, key immunological cells in mollusks, were the center of this study, where we addressed for the first time the relation between reproductive stage, hemocyte metabolic energetics and their capacity to support immune responses at cellular and molecular levels. Hemocyte metabolic capacity was assessed by their respiration rates, mitochondrial membrane potential and citrate synthase (CS) activity. Cellular immune parameters such as the number of circulating and tissue-infiltrating hemocytes and their reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capacity were considered. Molecular immune responses were examined through the transcriptional levels of two pattern recognition receptors (ApCLec and ApTLR) and two anti-microbial effectors (ferritin and big defensin). Their expressions were measured in hemocytes from immature, matured and spawned scallops under basal, and one of the following challenges: (i) in vitro, where hemocytes were challenged with the β glucan zymosan, to determine the immune potentiality under standardized conditions; or (ii) in vivo challenge, using hemocytes from scallops injected with the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio splendidus. Results indicate a post-spawning decrease in the structural components of the immune system (hemocyte number/quality) and their potential capacity of performing immune functions (with reduced ATP-producing machinery and exhaustion of energy reserves). Both in vitro and in vivo challenges demonstrate that hemocytes from immature scallops have, in most cases, the best metabolic potential (increased CS activity) and immune performances, with for example, over threefold higher ROS production and tissue-infiltration capacity than those from mature and spawned scallops after the bacterial challenge. Agreeing with cellular responses, hemocytes from immature individuals induced the highest levels of immune receptors and antimicrobial effectors after the bacterial challenge, while spawned scallops presented the lowest values. Overall, results suggest a trade-off between resource allocation in reproduction and the immune responses in A. purpuratus, with hemocyte energy metabolic capacity potentially underlying cellular and molecular immune responses. Further research would be necessary to explore regulatory mechanisms such as signaling pleiotropy which may potentially be underlying this trade-off

Impact of route and adequacy of nutritional intake on outcomes of allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation for haematologic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is often associated with poor oral intake due to painful mucositis and gastrointestinal sequalae that occur following a preparative regimen of intensive chemotherapy and/or total body radiation. Although attractive to assume that optimal nutrition improves HCT outcomes, there are limited data to support this. It is also unclear whether artificial nutrition support should be provided as enteral tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: We analysed day-100 non-relapse mortality (NRM), incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), acute gastrointestinal GvHD, 5-year survival and GvHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) according to both route and adequacy of nutritional intake prior to neutrophil engraftment, together with other known prognostic factors, in a retrospective cohort of 484 patients who underwent allogeneic HCT for haematologic malignancy between 2000 and 2014. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed increased NRM with inadequate nutrition (hazard ratio (HR) 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-7.2) and adequate PN (HR 2.9; 95% CI 1.6-5.4) compared to adequate enteral nutrition (EN) both P < .001. There were increased incidences of gastrointestinal GvHD of any stage and all GvHD ≥ grade 2 in patients who received PN (odds ratio (OR) 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.3; P = .006, and OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.0; P = .018, respectively), compared to adequate EN. Patients who received adequate PN and inadequate nutrition also had reduced probabilities of survival and GRFS at 5 years. CONCLUSION: Adequate EN during the early transplantation course is associated with reduced NRM, improved survival and GRFS at 5 years. Furthermore, adequate EN is associated with lower incidence of overall and gut acute GvHD than PN, perhaps because of its ability to maintain mucosal integrity, modulate the immune response to intensive chemo/radiotherapy and support the gastrointestinal tract environment, including gut microflora

Evolution and trends of the dietetics profession in the United States of America and in Argentina: North and South united Evolución y tendencias del profesional nutricionista en los Estados Unidos de America y en Argentina: Norte y Sur unidos por desafíos similares

Since the early stages the profession of dietetics has been characterized as a multifaceted discipline and influenced by scientific and social changes. Today, health and nutrition-related diseases are becoming more global - as is the dietetics profession. The aim of this article is to review the history, education, work and challenges for dietetic practitioners in North and South America, specifically in the United States and in the Argentinean Republic. It was in Argentina where the first Latin American dietetics school was established. Both countries have since shaped the profession creating standards for education and practice in response to advances in the biopsychosocial sciences and economic and environmental changes. Reviewing both the past and current diversities in both Americas contributes to a better understanding of professional strengths and weaknesses, and can prepare dietetics specialists to meet today’s needs. Regardless of local disparities, it is interesting that current and future challenges for the dietetics profession are similar between the two countries, such as growing rates of obesity, limited access to and choice of healthy diets among various income groups, busy lifestyles and decline of family meals. These common issues and the availability of Internet tools offer a unique opportunity for partnership and research that can lead to successful creative nutrition interventions and programs. In turn, such joint initiatives will confirm the essential role for the profession - not only in the western hemisphere - but also globallyDesde sus comienzos la dietética ha sido caracterizada como una profesión multifacética e influenciada por cambios científicos y sociales. Actualmente las enfermedades relacionadas a la nutrición se están convirtiendo en asuntos globales, como así también la profesión. El objetivo de este artículo es contrastar la historia, educación, ejercicio y desafíos de la profesión entre Norte y Sur América, específicamente entre Estados Unidos de América y la República Argentina. Fue en Argentina donde se estableció la primera escuela de dietética de Latinoamérica. Desde entonces, cada país ha dado forma a la profesión, creando estándares para la educación y el ejercicio profesional en respuesta a los avances científicos, socioeconómicos y ambientales. El análisis de la historia de la profesión y de su diversidad contribuye a un mejor entendimiento de sus fortalezas y debilidades, y a preparar a los nutricionistas para satisfacer las necesidades de hoy. A pesar de las diferencias regionales, existen desafíos actuales y futuros para la nutrición y dietética que son similares entre los dos países analizados, tales como el incremento de la prevalencia de obesidad, el acceso limitado a dietas saludables en grupos de diferente nivel socioeconómico, el estilo de vida moderno y la depreciación de comidas en el hogar. Estos desafíos en común y la disponibilidad de Internet ofrecen una oportunidad única para el trabajo en colaboración y para el desarrollo de intervenciones nutricionales efectivas. En definitiva, estas iniciativas conjuntas confirmarán el rol esencial de los nutricionistas - no solo en el hemisferio occidental - sino también a nivel globa

Evolution and trends of the dietetics profession in the United States of America and in Argentina: North and South united

Since the early stages the profession of dietetics has been characterized as a multifaceted discipline and influenced by scientific and social changes. Today, health and nutrition-related diseases are becoming more global - as is the dietetics profession. The aim of this article is to review the history, education, work and challenges for dietetic practitioners in North and South America, specifically in the United States and in the Argentinean Republic. It was in Argentina where the first Latin American dietetics school was established. Both countries have since shaped the profession creating standards for education and practice in response to advances in the biopsychosocial sciences and economic and environmental changes. Reviewing both the past and current diversities in both Americas contributes to a better understanding of professional strengths and weaknesses, and can prepare dietetics specialists to meet today’s needs. Regardless of local disparities, it is interesting that current and future challenges for the dietetics profession are similar between the two countries, such as growing rates of obesity, limited access to and choice of healthy diets among various income groups, busy lifestyles and decline of family meals. These common issues and the availability of Internet tools offer a unique opportunity for partnership and research that can lead to successful creative nutrition interventions and programs. In turn, such joint initiatives will confirm the essential role for the profession - not only in the western hemisphere - but also globall

"Association of calpastatin with inactive calpain: a novel mechanism to control the activation of the protease?"

It is generally accepted that the Ca2-dependent interaction of calpain with calpastatin is the most relevant mechanism involved in the regulation of Ca2-induced proteolysis.Wenow report that a calpain-calpastatin association can occur also in the absence of Ca2 or at very low Ca2 concentrations, reflecting the physiological conditions under which calpain retains its inactive conformational state. The calpastatin binding region is localized in the non-inhibitory L-domain containing the amino acid sequences encoded by exons 4\u20137. This calpastatin region recognizes a calpain sequence located near the end of the DIIdomain. Interaction of calpain with calpastatins lacking these sequences becomes strictly Ca2-dependent because, under these conditions, the transition to an active state of the protease is an obligatory requirement. The occurrence of the molecular association between Ca2-free calpain and various recombinant calpastatin forms has been demonstrated by the following experimental results. Addition of calpastatin protected calpain from trypsin digestion. Calpain was coprecipitated when calpastatin was immunoprecipitated. The calpastatin molecular size increased following exposure to calpain. The two proteins comigrated in zymogram analysis. Furthermore, calpain-calpastatin interaction was perturbed by protein kinaseCphosphorylation occurring at sites located at the exons involved in the association. At a functional level, calpain-calpastatin interaction at a physiological concentration of Ca2 represents a novel mechanism for the control of the amount of the active form of the protease potentially generated in response to an intracellular Ca2 influx