scholarly journals The impact of the lung environment on macrophage development, activation and function: diversity in the face of adversity

Author(s):  
Calum C. Bain ◽  
Andrew S. MacDonald

AbstractThe last decade has been somewhat of a renaissance period for the field of macrophage biology. This renewed interest, combined with the advent of new technologies and development of novel model systems to assess different facets of macrophage biology, has led to major advances in our understanding of the diverse roles macrophages play in health, inflammation, infection and repair, and the dominance of tissue environments in influencing all of these areas. Here, we discuss recent developments in our understanding of lung macrophage heterogeneity, ontogeny, metabolism and function in the context of health and disease, and highlight core conceptual advances and key unanswered questions that we believe should be focus of work in the coming years.

Sensor Review ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna Chandra Persaud

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review recent progress in electronic nose technologies, focusing on hybrid systems combining biological elements with physical transducers. Design/methodology/approach Electronic nose technologies are moving rapidly towards hybrid bioelectronic systems, where biological odour-recognition elements from the olfactory pathways of vertebrates and insects are being utilised to construct new “bionic noses” that can be used in industrial applications. Findings With the increased understanding of how chemical senses and the brain function in biology, an emerging field of “neuromorphic olfaction” has arisen. Research limitations/implications Important components are olfactory receptor proteins and soluble proteins found at the periphery of olfaction called odorant-binding proteins. The idea is that these proteins can be incorporated into transducers and function as biorecognition elements for volatile compounds of interest. Practical implications Major drivers are the security, environmental and medical applications, and the internet of things will be a major factor in implementing low-cost chemical sensing in networked applications for the future. Social implications Widespread take up of new technologies that are cheap will minimise the impact of environmental pollution, increase food safety and may potentially help in non-invasive screening for medical ailments. Originality/value This review brings together diverse threads of research leading to a common theme that will inform a non-expert of recent developments in the field.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Erickson-Levendoski ◽  
Mahalakshmi Sivasankar

The epithelium plays a critical role in the maintenance of laryngeal health. This is evident in that laryngeal disease may result when the integrity of the epithelium is compromised by insults such as laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this article, we will review the structure and function of the laryngeal epithelium and summarize the impact of laryngopharyngeal reflux on the epithelium. Research investigating the ramifications of reflux on the epithelium has improved our understanding of laryngeal disease associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux. It further highlights the need for continued research on the laryngeal epithelium in health and disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake R. Thomas ◽  
Praveena Naidu ◽  
Anna Appios ◽  
Naomi McGovern

The placenta is a fetal-derived organ whose function is crucial for both maternal and fetal health. The human placenta contains a population of fetal macrophages termed Hofbauer cells. These macrophages play diverse roles, aiding in placental development, function and defence. The outer layer of the human placenta is formed by syncytiotrophoblast cells, that fuse to form the syncytium. Adhered to the syncytium at sites of damage, on the maternal side of the placenta, is a population of macrophages termed placenta associated maternal macrophages (PAMM1a). Here we discuss recent developments that have led to renewed insight into our understanding of the ontogeny, phenotype and function of placental macrophages. Finally, we discuss how the application of new technologies within placental research are helping us to further understand these cells.


Author(s):  
Urszula Jaremba ◽  
Machiko Kanetake ◽  
Ingrid Koning

This Europe and the World: A law review special issue comprises selected papers presented at a RENFORCE workshop on the theme of tensions between the EU’s trade and non-economic values, held at Utrecht University in November 2017. The symposium addresses normative dilemmas underlying the EU’s trade law and policy. Normative dilemmas subsist between, on the one hand, the EU’s basic pursuit of its commercial interests and trade liberalization, and, on the other hand, the EU’s mandate to promote and safeguard a number of non-economic values, including human rights and sustainable development. The journal symposium aims to unveil normative tensions existing in the EU’s trade and investment policy, and understand some of the key actors and processes through which normative tensions are created and also mitigated. While the tensions between economic and non-economic values in the EU’s trade law and policy have been extensively discussed in literature, the present symposium highlights some of the recent developments in the EU’s trade relations, analyses not only human rights but also sustainable development, and examines the impact of new technologies.


Author(s):  
Nadia Mansour Bouzaida ◽  
Mohamed El Amine Abdelli

This chapter analyses the impact of innovation on business tourism success and the relationship between leader and employee to develop the hotel's ability to become competitive. Recent developments in the hospitality industry are a challenge not only for leader, but also for employees, and then they are forced to perform innovations activities. Today, the most visible innovation in tourism is that brought by new technologies, which modify behavior and facilitate and enrich travel experiences in multiple ways. So, the leaders of this industry must always be very close to their employees and must really encourage participation and innovative ideas within the organization.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Elke D’hoker ◽  
Chris Mourant

This chapter provides an overview of the methodological and historical frames that inform the book’s analysis of the manifold interactions between the short story and British magazine culture, from 1880 to 1950. It discusses the material turn in short fiction studies which has led to a better understanding of the impact of publication contexts on the production, reception and development of the short story. This holds true in particular for the role magazines played in the emergence of the modern short story as a specific and successful literary form in the final decades of the nineteenth century. The chapter also presents an overview of recent developments in periodical studies, providing useful methodological tools for analysing the status, presentation and function of a particular genre within the heterogeneous, dialogic and time-bound format of the periodical.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1228
Author(s):  
Jane C. Fenelon ◽  
Bruce D. Murphy

Implantation is essential for the establishment of a successful pregnancy, and the preimplantation period plays a significant role in ensuring implantation occurs in a timely and coordinated manner. This requires effective maternal–embryonic signalling, established during the preimplantation period, to synchronise development. Although multiple factors have been identified as present during this time, the exact molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. Polyamines are small cationic molecules that are ubiquitously expressed from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Despite being first identified over 300 years ago, their essential roles in cell proliferation and growth, including cancer, have only been recently recognised, with new technologies and interest resulting in rapid expansion of the polyamine field. This review provides a summary of our current understanding of polyamine synthesis, regulation and function with a focus on recent developments demonstrating the requirements for polyamines during the establishment of pregnancy up to the implantation stage, in particular the role of polyamines in the control of embryonic diapause and the identification of an alternative pathway for their synthesis in sheep pregnancy. This, along with other novel discoveries, provides new insights into the control of the peri-implantation period in mammals and highlights the complexities that exist in regulating this critical period of pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonu Bhaskar ◽  
Jeremy Tan ◽  
Marcel L. A. M. Bogers ◽  
Timo Minssen ◽  
Hishamuddin Badaruddin ◽  
...  

The tragic failure of the global supply chain in the face of the current coronavirus outbreak has caused acute shortages of essential frontline medical devices and personal protective equipment, crushing fear among frontline health workers and causing fundamental concerns about the sustainability of the health system. Much more coordination, integration, and management of global supply chains will be needed to mitigate the impact of the pandemics. This article describes the pressing need to revisit the governance and resilience of the supply chains that amplified the crisis at pandemic scale. We propose a model that profiles critical stockpiles and improves production efficiency through new technologies such as advanced analytics and blockchain. A new governance system that supports intervention by public-health authorities during critical emergencies is central to our recommendation, both in the face of the current crisis and to be better prepared for potential future crises. These reinforcements offer the potential to minimize the compromise of our healthcare workers and health systems due to infection exposure and build capacity toward preparedness and action for a future outbreak.


Author(s):  
Cecy Balogun ◽  

The role of new technologies in driving agricultural sustainability is crucial for the socio-economic survival of rural households in Nigeria. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the livelihood of farm families as they had difficulties accessing inputs, supplies and farm labour needed for maximum productivity of their farming enterprises, and in selling farm produce due to the lockdown restrictions policies imposed by the government.Additionally, the income of farm families was affected as a result of spoilage of perishable produce. This review highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural activities of rural families, constraints to accessing agricultural information, responses of the government in providing information to farmers and the innovative information sources for improved livelihood outcome. This review concluded that innovative information dissemination methods can enhance the livelihood of farm families in the face of crisis like the covid-19 outbreak.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document