Bacterial Infection Elicits Heat Shock Protein 72 Release from Pleural Mesothelial Cells

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) has been implicated in infection-related processes and has been found in body fluids during infection. This study aimed to determine whether pleural mesothelial cells release HSP70 in response to bacterial infection in vitro and in mouse models of serosal infection. In addition, the in vitro cytokine effects of the HSP70 isoform, Hsp72, on mesothelial cells were examined. Further, Hsp72 was measured in human pleural effusions and levels compared between non-infectious and infectious patients to determine the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid Hsp72 compared to traditional pleural fluid parameters. We showed that mesothelial release of Hsp72 was significantly raised when cells were treated with live and heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae. In mice, intraperitoneal injection of S. pneumoniae stimulated a 2-fold increase in Hsp72 levels in peritoneal lavage (p<0.01). Extracellular Hsp72 did not induce or inhibit mediator release from cultured mesothelial cells. Hsp72 levels were significantly higher in effusions of infectious origin compared to non-infectious effusions (p<0.05). The data establish that pleural mesothelial cells can release Hsp72 in response to bacterial infection and levels are raised in infectious pleural effusions. The biological role of HSP70 in pleural infection warrants exploration

Klinisch-zeitlicher Verlauf eines solitären retinalen Astrozytoms

Zusammenfassung: Retinale Astrozytome sind benigne Tumoren der Netzhaut. Ihr Auftreten kann solitär oder multipel, selten auch bilateral oder als teil eines Syndroms (tuberöse Sklerose, Neurofibromatose Typ I) sein. Am Auge zeigt der Tumor nur eine geringe Wachstumstendenz, weswegen lediglich jährliche Kontrollen ohne Intervention als ausreichend erscheinen. Selten kommt es zu einem aggressiven Wachstum, welches eine Therapie erfordert. Neben der Enukleation des betroffenen Auges gibt es zahlreiche anderen Therapiemöglichkeiten (z.B. vitreoretinale Chirurgie, Brachy- oder Kryotherapie, photodynamische Therapie). Aufgrund des Auftretens retinaler Astrozytome als Teil eines Syndroms sollte die jährliche Kontrolle interdisziplinär erfolge

Fichte and Hegel on Recognition

In this paper I provide an interpretation of Hegel’s account of ‘recognition’ (Anerkennung) in the 1802-3 System of Ethical Life as a critique of Fichte’s account of recognition in the 1796-7 Foundations of Natural Right. In the first three sections of the paper I argue that Fichte’s account of recognition in the domain of right is not concerned with recognition as a moral attitude. I then turn, in section four, to a discussion of Hegel’s critique and transformation of Fichte’s conception of recognition. Hegel’s transformation consists, I argue, in the claim that a comprehensive account of recognition in the domain of right must be concerned with recognition as a moral attitude

Combining [(11)C]-AnxA5 PET imaging with serum biomarkers for improved detection in live mice of modest cell death in human solid tumor xenografts

BACKGROUND: In vivo imaging using Annexin A5-based radioligands is a powerful technique for visualizing massive cell death, but has been less successful in monitoring the modest cell death typically seen in solid tumors after chemotherapy. Here we combined dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using Annexin A5 with a serum-based apoptosis marker, for improved sensitivity and specificity in assessment of chemotherapy-induced cell death in a solid tumor model. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Modest cell death was induced by doxorubicin in a mouse xenograft model with human FaDu head and neck cancer cells. PET imaging was based on (11)C-labeled Sel-tagged Annexin A5 ([(11)C]-AnxA5-ST) and a size-matched control. 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]-FDG) was utilized as a tracer of tissue metabolism. Serum biomarkers for cell death were ccK18 and K18 (M30 Apoptosense® and M65). Apoptosis in tissue sections was verified ex vivo for validation. Both PET imaging using [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST and serum ccK18/K18 levels revealed treatment-induced cell death, with ccK18 displaying the highest detection sensitivity. [(18)F]-FDG uptake was not affected by this treatment in this tumor model. [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST gave robust imaging readouts at one hour and its short half-life made it possible to perform paired scans in the same animal in one imaging session. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The combined use of dynamic PET with [(11)C]-AnxA5-ST, showing specific increases in tumor binding potential upon therapy, with ccK18/K18 serum measurements, as highly sensitive markers for cell death, enabled effective assessment of modest therapy-induced cell death in this mouse xenograft model of solid human tumors.VetenskapsrådetPublishe

Building social capital through breastfeeding peer support: Insights from an evaluation of a voluntary breastfeeding peer support service in North-West England

Background: Peer support is reported to be a key method to help build social capital in communities. To date there are no studies that describe how this can be achieved through a breastfeeding peer support service. In this paper we present findings from an evaluation of a voluntary model of breastfeeding peer support in North-West England to describe how the service was operationalized and embedded into the community. This study was undertaken from May, 2012 to May, 2013. Methods: Interviews (group or individual) were held with 87 participants: 24 breastfeeding women, 13 peer supporters and 50 health and community professionals. The data contained within 23 monthly monitoring reports (January, 2011 to February 2013) compiled by the voluntary peer support service were also extracted and analysed. Results: Thematic analysis was undertaken using social capital concepts as a theoretical lens. Key findings were identified to resonate with ’bonding’, ‘bridging’ and ‘linking’ forms of social capital. These insights illuminate how the peer support service facilitates ‘bonds’ with its members, and within and between women who access the service; how the service ‘bridges’ with individuals from different interests and backgrounds, and how ‘links’ were forged with those in authority to gain access and reach to women and to promote a breastfeeding culture. Some of the tensions highlighted within the social capital literature were also identified. Conclusions: Horizontal and vertical relationships forged between the peer support service and community members enabled peer support to be embedded into care pathways, helped to promote positive attitudes to breastfeeding and to disseminate knowledge and maximise reach for breastfeeding support across the community. Further effort to engage with those of different ethnic backgrounds and to resolve tensions between peer supporters and health professionals is warranted

Antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of different Raphanus Sativus L. extracts

This study aimed to investigate the phenolic and flavonoid levels, antioxidant activities and antiproliferative effects of Japanese, Chinese, Black, and Kohlrabi radish species on HEK293 immortalized human embryonic kidney cells in cell culture medium. DPPH radical scavenging activity, total polyphenol, and flavonoid content of the extracts were measured spectrophotometrically. The highest total flavonoid content in sap of radish extraction and methanolic extraction was 0.12±0.02 mg/g RE and 0.10±0.00 mg/g RE in Chinese radish; the highest total polyphenol content was 0.32±0.03 mg/g GAE and 0.23±0.03 mg/g GAE in Black radish; the DPPH radical scavenging activity is approved 39.68±2.43 µg/g GAE in Japanese radish in sap of radish extraction and 84.59±3.50 µg/g GAE in Black radish in methanolic extraction respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity was higher in the methanolic extraction of all radishes. The antiproliferative effects of different extracts in HEK293 cells were investigated by the MTT method. The IC50 concentration was found at lower doses in the methanolic extraction of whole radishes compared to the sap of radish extractions. The lowest dose of antiproliferative effect was observed in red radish (160 mg/ml) in methanolic extraction, and the antiproliferative effect increased dose-dependent. As a result, both antioxidant content and antiproliferative effect may vary depending on the type of radish, soil, and geographical conditions of the region where it is grown

Food-induced Emotional Resonance Improves Emotion Recognition

The effect of food substances on emotional states has been widely investigated, showing, for example, that eating chocolate is able to reduce negative mood. Here, for the first time, we have shown that the consumption of specific food substances is not only able to induce particular emotional states, but more importantly, to facilitate recognition of corresponding emotional facial expressions in others. Participants were asked to perform an emotion recognition task before and after eating either a piece of chocolate or a small amount of fish sauce – which we expected to induce happiness or disgust, respectively. Our results showed that being in a specific emotional state improves recognition of the corresponding emotional facial expression. Indeed, eating chocolate improved recognition of happy faces, while disgusted expressions were more readily recognized after eating fish sauce. In line with the embodied account of emotion understanding, we suggest that people are better at inferring the emotional state of others when their own emotional state resonates with the observed one

Metaholistic paradigm. A new paradigm shift through the development of the complexity integration nursing theory

To νοσηλευτικό επάγγελμα βρίσκεται μέσα στη δίνη επαναστατικών αλλαγών, σε χρονικό πλαίσιο όπου οι ηγήτορες της Νοσηλευτικής προσπαθούν να επανακαθορίσουν ένα νέο πρόσωπο και χαρακτήρα, επιπρόσθετα, το νοσηλευτικό επάγγελμα είναι στενά συνδεδε- μένο με την απόσυρση, την αλλαγή και την εξέλιξη των κανόνων δράσης του, δηλαδή των κυρίαρχων παραδειγμάτων. Τρεις βασικές όψεις της πραγματικότητας εκφράσθηκαν μέσα από αντίστοιχα παραδείγματα στην ιστορική διαδρομή της νοσηλευτικής ως επιστήμης, το μηχανιστικό παράδειγμα, το ολιστικό και το παράδειγμα της εσωτερικής οικολογίας. Η θεωρία της Νοσηλευτικής Γνώσης και Πράξης εξελίχθηκε για να συμπεριλάβει ένα νέο παράδειγμα υιοθετώντας αυτό της εσωτερικής οικολογίας και ταυτόχρονα υπερβαίνοντας στο Μετα-ολιστικό παράδειγμα μέσα από την ανάπτυξη της ενοποιημένης νοσηλευτικής θεωρίας της πολυπλοκότητας. Το Μετα-ολιστικό παράδειγμα είναι μία εσωτερική διαδρομή πνευματικής αυτοολοκλήρωσης, είναι ένας νέος τρόπος δράσης, πράξης, ζωής, εργασίας και κατανόησης.Nursing profession is in the throes of revolutionary changes, a time when nursing leaders are frantically preoccupied with change itself, in addition, the nursing profession is involved in receding, shifting and evolving paradigms. Three visions of reality are expressed in the three paradigms in existence within the nursing profession including the mechanical paradigm, the holistic paradigm and the deep ecological paradigm. The Theory of Nursing Knowledge and Nursing Practice has evolved to incorporate the worldview of deep ecology and is transcended with the formulation of The Complexity Integration Nursing Theory to a metaholistic paradigm. Metaholistic paradigm is a spiritual inner self development, is a new way of thinking, understanding, acting, working, and living evolved through the development of the Complexity integration Nursing Theory

Environmental cues and constraints affecting the seasonality of dominant calanoid copepods in brackish, coastal waters: a case study of Acartia, Temora and Eurytemora species in the south-west Baltic

Information on physiological rates and tolerances helps one gain a cause-and-effect understanding of the role that some environmental (bottom–up) factors play in regulating the seasonality and productivity of key species. We combined the results of laboratory experiments on reproductive success and field time series data on adult abundance to explore factors controlling the seasonality of Acartia spp., Eurytemora affinis and Temora longicornis, key copepods of brackish, coastal and temperate environments. Patterns in laboratory and field data were discussed using a metabolic framework that included the effects of ‘controlling’, ‘masking’ and ‘directive’ environmental factors. Over a 5-year period, changes in adult abundance within two south-west Baltic field sites (Kiel Fjord Pier, 54°19′89N, 10°09′06E, 12–21 psu, and North/Baltic Sea Canal NOK, 54°20′45N, 9°57′02E, 4–10 psu) were evaluated with respect to changes in temperature, salinity, day length and chlorophyll a concentration. Acartia spp. dominated the copepod assemblage at both sites (up to 16,764 and 21,771 females m−3 at NOK and Pier) and was 4 to 10 times more abundant than E. affinis (to 2,939 m−3 at NOK) and T. longicornis (to 1,959 m−3 at Pier), respectively. Species-specific salinity tolerance explains differences in adult abundance between sampling sites whereas phenological differences among species are best explained by the influence of species-specific thermal windows and prey requirements supporting survival and egg production. Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic (environmental) factors influence the production of different egg types (normal and resting), regulate life-history strategies and influence match–mismatch dynamics

The Achievement of a Decentralized Water Management Through Stakeholder Participation: An Example from the Drôme River Catchment Area in France (1981–2008)

International audienceDifferent water Acts (e.g., the European Water Framework Directive) and stakeholders involved in aquatic affairs have promoted integrated river basin management (IRBM) over recent decades. However, few studies have provided feedback on these policies. The aim of the current article is to fill this gap by exploring how local newspapers reflect the implementation of a broad public participation within a catchment of France known for its innovation with regard to this domain. The media coverage of a water management strategy in the Drôme watershed from 1981 to 2008 was investigated using a content analysis and a geographic information system (GIS). We sought to determine what public participation and decentralized decision-making can be in practice. The results showed that this policy was integrated because of its social perspective, the high number of involved stakeholders, the willingness to handle water issues, and the local scale suitable for participation. We emphasized the prominence of the watershed scale guaranteed by the local water authority. This area was also characterized by compromise, arrangements, and power dynamics on a fine scale. We examined the most politically engaged writings regarding water management, which topics each group emphasized, and how the groups agreed and disagreed on issues based on their values and context. The temporal pattern of participation implementation was progressive but worked by fits and starts