Neutrophils in Tuberculosis: Cell Biology,Cellular Networking and Multitasking in Host Defense

Neutrophils readily infiltrate infection foci, phagocytose and usually destroy microbes. In tuberculosis (TB), a chronic pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), neutrophils harbor bacilli, are abundant in tissue lesions, and their abundances in blood correlate with poor disease outcomes in patients. The biology of these innate immune cells in TB is complex. Neutrophils have been assigned host-beneficial as well as deleterious roles. The short lifespan of neutrophils purified from blood poses challenges to cell biology studies, leaving intracellular biological processes and the precise consequences of Mtb–neutrophil interactions ill-defined. The phenotypic heterogeneity of neutrophils, and their propensity to engage in cellular cross-talk and to exert various functions during homeostasis and disease, have recently been reported, and such observations are newly emerging in TB. Here, we review the interactions of neutrophils with Mtb, including subcellular events and cell fate upon infection, and summarize the cross-talks between neutrophils and lung-residing and -recruited cells. We highlight the roles of neutrophils in TB pathophysiology, discussing recent findings from distinct models of pulmonary TB, and emphasize technical advances that could facilitate the discovery of novel neutrophil-related disease mechanisms and enrich our knowledge of TB pathogenesis.     

Natural Antioxidants in Anemia Treatment

Anemia, characterized by a decrease of the hemoglobin level in the blood and a reduction in carrying capacity of oxygen, is a major public health problem which affects people of all ages. The methods used to treat anemia are blood transfusion and oral administration of iron-based supplements, but these treatments are associated with a number of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain, which limit its long-term use. In addition, oral iron supplements are poorly absorbed in the intestinal tract, due to overexpression of hepcidin, a peptide hormone that plays a central role in iron homeostasis. In this review, we conducted an analysis of the literature on biologically active compounds and plant extracts used in the treatment of various types of anemia. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the use of these compounds and plant extracts, in order to explore their therapeutic potential. The advantage of using them is that they are available from natural resources and can be used as main, alternative, or adjuvant therapies in many diseases, such as various types of anemia.     

Surface and interface properties of functionalized polysulfones: Cell‐material interaction and antimicrobial activity

Quaternized polysulfones with different ionic chlorine content tested for biomedical applications were obtained by quaternization reaction of chloromethylated polysulfones with N,N‐dimethylethanolamine. The relationship between the different physical and chemical characteristics of these polymers and their biocompatible and antimicrobial properties was established for maximizing the selectivity and performance of these materials for biomedical applications. Therefore, topographic reorganization of the polysulfonic films induced by the type of nonsolvent in casting solutions of polymer significantly influences films morphology, depending on the charge density of polyelectrolytes, the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics, as well as on the history of the formed films. Furthermore, the study of the adhesion of red blood cells and cohesion of platelets on the surface of quaternized polysulfone films, as well as analysis of antibacterial activity, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 microorganisms, contribute to extending the possible applications of quaternized polysulfones as semipermeable membranes in biomedical domains. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2184–2194, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The impact of childhood symptoms of conduct disorder on driver aggression in adulthood

Background

Despite limited empirical investigation, existing scientific literature suggests that individuals with a history or current diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD) may be more likely to demonstrate reckless and aggressive driving. Much of the limited research in this field examines the impact of childhood CD on driver behaviour and collision risk in young adults. Few if any, studies assess the impact of this disorder on driver behaviour beyond age 21 years. The current research is a population-based study of the impact of CD symptoms during childhood on the risk of engaging in driver aggression during adulthood.

Methods

Data are based on telephone interviews with 5230 respondents who reported having driven in the past year. Data are derived from the 2011–2013 cycles of the CAMH Monitor, an ongoing cross-sectional survey of adults in Ontario, Canada aged 18 years and older. A binary logistic regression analysis of self-reported driver aggression in the previous 12 months was conducted, consisting of measures of demographic characteristics, driving exposure, problem substance use, alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and childhood (before age 15) symptoms of CD.

Results

When entered with demographic characteristics, driving exposure, and other potential confounders, childhood symptoms of CD increased the odds of reporting driver aggression more than two-fold (adjusted OR = 2.12). Exploratory analyses of the interaction between childhood symptoms of CD and age was not a significant predictor of driver aggression.

Conclusions

Results suggest that symptoms of CD during childhood are associated with significantly increased odds of self-reported driver aggression during adulthood. Limitations and future directions of the research are discussed.     

Salmonella in eggs: From shopping to consumption—A review providing an evidence-based analysis of risk factors

Nontyphoidal salmonellae are among the most prevalent foodborne pathogens causing gastrointestinal infections worldwide. A high number of cases and outbreaks of salmonellosis are associated with the consumption of eggs and egg products, and several of these occur at the household level. The aim of the current study is to critically evaluate the current status of knowledge on Salmonella in eggs from a consumer's perspective, analyzing the hazard occurrence and the good practices that should be applied to reduce salmonellosis risk. Following a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) based approach, some steps along the food journey were identified as Critical Consumer Handling (CCH)—steps in which consumers, through their behavior or choice, can significantly reduce the level of Salmonella in eggs and egg products. From shopping/collecting to consumption, each of these steps is discussed in this review to provide an evidence-based overview of risk factors of human salmonellosis related to egg consumption. The main message to consumers is to choose Salmonella-free eggs (those that some official entity or producer guarantees that does not contain Salmonella), when available, especially for dishes that are not fully heat treated. Second, as guaranteed Salmonella-free eggs are only available in a few countries, refrigerated storage from the point of collection and proper cooking will significantly reduce the risk of salmonellosis. This will require a revision of the actual recommendations/regulations, as not all ensure that eggs are maintained at temperatures that prevent growth of Salmonella from collection until the time of purchasing.     

Ammonia borane thermolytic decomposition in the presence of metal (II) chlorides

In the present work, we studied the effect of metal chlorides, MCl₂, on the thermal decomposition of ammonia borane NH₃BH₃ (AB). Some metals from row n = 4 of the periodic table were chosen and used as MCl₂: namely, FeCl₂, CoCl₂, NiCl₂, CuCl₂, and ZnCl₂. In addition, three metals from column VIII of the periodic table were considered: NiCl₂, PdCl₂ and PtCl₂. The AB decomposition was followed by TGA and DSC; the decomposition gases analyzed by μGC/MSD coupling, and the solid by-products identified by XRD, IR and XPS. We observed that the presence of CuCl₂ in AB is beneficial, making the decomposition occur in much milder conditions than for pristine AB; for example, the dehydrogenation of CuCl₂-doped AB started at 25 °C, with the sample losing about 14 wt% at 85 °C. However, MCl₂ does not hinder the evolution of the undesired borazine; it only contributes to a decrease in its content compared to pristine AB. To rationalize the better performance of CuCl₂, we propose that Cu offers an optimal doping activity with intermediate binding energies for the intermediates: i.e. with H not too strongly bonded but optimally bonded to the N of AB. The germ Cu?NH₂–BH₂, then formed, acts as a Lewis acid through B and has an optimized reactivity towards a new AB molecule (head-to-tail dehydrocoupling). This is discussed herein.     

Computational modelling of shaped metal deposition

Shaped metal deposition (SMD) is a novel process for rapid prototyping that employs tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding controlled by a robot inside an inert gas chamber to build parts by successive layer deposition. This process can be enhanced through modelling and control. Industries are interested in developing systematized models to explain observed phenomena and to predict processing conditions for process planning and optimization. In this work, thermal and mechanical finite element (FE) modelling of SMD is presented. The thermal problem is solved with linear tetrahedral finite FEs that take into account the liquid/solid phase change phenomenon. The mechanical problem is solved with hexahedral elements with tri‐linear interpolation of displacements and constant interpolation of mean stresses (Q1– P0). Special techniques to account for material addition were developed, based on activation/deactivation of FEs. Numerical tests were conducted to determine the heat source model parameters. An experiment using Ti‐6Al‐4V material was developed to validate the formulation. The test consisted of a TIG‐wash procedure (arc passing without wire feeding to preheat the plate) followed by a single welding layer. The results, including temperatures and residual displacements, are compared with those obtained with the finite element method (FEM) code. Finally, a multilayer SMD numerical example is presented. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparitive study on facilitated pertraction of succinic acid using TRI‐n‐octylamine without and with 1‐octanol

Succinic acid has been pertracted with TOA using free liquid membranes without or with 1‐octanol. The addition of the alcohol led to the increase of up to 2.8–3 times of the acid's initial and final mass flows. At the same time, the influence of 1‐octanol on the transport capacity of the pertraction system was negative, its addition inducing the accumulation of succinic acid into the liquid membrane. A mathematical model describing the acid accumulation inside the liquid membrane has been developed for pertraction systems without and with 1‐octanol and offers good concordance with the experimental data. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Synthesis,characterization and (electro)chemical polymerization of triphenylamine‐end‐functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone)

Triphenylamine‐based oligomers and polymers with linear, hyperbranched, star‐shaped or dendrimer architectures have been synthesized and studied due to their interesting electro‐optical properties. In many cases insoluble materials are obtained. In this study, we report the synthesis of grafted polytriphenylamine by chemical and electrochemical polymerization of triphenylamine‐end‐functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone). Functionalized ε‐caprolactone oligomers were obtained by ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by 4‐hydroxymethyltriphenylamine/stannous octanoate (tin 2‐ethylhexanoate). The ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone using 4‐hydroxymethyltriphenylamine/stannous octanoate as initiating system provided ε‐caprolactone oligomers, with well‐defined molecular weights, containing a triphenylamine terminal group. Chemical and electrochemical coupling oxidation of the triphenylamine ends allowed the formulation of polyarylamines with ε‐caprolactone oligomers as grafts. Graft copolymers with an aryleneamine backbone and short poly(ε‐caprolactone) grafts were obtained by (electro)chemical oxidation of oligomers containing triphenylamine terminal groups. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry