CRP Induces NETosis in Heart Failure Patients with or without Diabetes.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is recognized as a biomarker of chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with vascular disorders. Lately, the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has been investigated as a potential source of chronic inflammation and cardiovascular complications. This study investigated NETs as a marker of inflammation in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) with or without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and examined the correlation between NETs and CRP.

Synthesis of Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Contributes to Angiopoietin-Mediated In Vitro Proinflammatory and Proangiogenic Activities.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are composed of nuclear DNA in a web-like structure extruded from neutrophils in response to either bacterial infection or inflammation. We previously reported the expression of angiopoietin Tie2 receptor on human neutrophils and the capacity of both angiopoietins (Ang1 and Ang2) to induce proinflammatory activities, such as synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor, upregulation of β integrin complex (CD11/CD18), and neutrophil chemotaxis. In contrast, only Ang1 but not Ang2 is capable of promoting translational and transcriptional activities in neutrophils.

New Insights into the Pro-Inflammatory Activities of Ang1 on Neutrophils: Induction of MIP-1β Synthesis and Release.

We reported the expression of angiopoietin Tie2 receptor on human neutrophils and the capacity of angiopoietins (Ang1 and Ang2) to induce pro-inflammatory activities, such as platelet-activating factor synthesis, β2-integrin activation and neutrophil migration. Recently, we observed differential effects between both angiopoietins, namely, the capacity of Ang1, but not Ang2, to promote rapid interleukin-8 synthesis and release, as well as neutrophil viability. Herein, we addressed whether Ang1 and/or Ang2 could modulate the synthesis and release of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β) by neutrophils.

Angiopoietin-1 but not angiopoietin-2 promotes neutrophil viability: Role of interleukin-8 and platelet-activating factor.

We previously reported the expression of angiopoietin receptor Tie2 on human neutrophils. Both angiopoietins (Ang1 and Ang2) induce platelet activating factor (PAF) synthesis from endothelial cells (ECs) and neutrophils. Both angiopoietins can also modulate EC viability and since PAF can promote pro-survival activity on neutrophils, we addressed whether Ang1 and/or Ang2 could modulate neutrophil viability.

Angiopoietin-1 but not angiopoietin-2 induces IL-8 synthesis and release by human neutrophils.

We previously reported Tie2 receptor expression on human neutrophils, which promote chemotactic activities upon activation by both angiopoietins (Ang1 and Ang2). Moreover, we observed that neutrophil pretreatment with Ang1 or Ang2 enhances interleukin-8 (IL-8) chemotactic effect. Therefore, we assessed the capacity of Ang1 and/or Ang2 to modulate neutrophil IL-8 synthesis and release.

Deodorant effects of a supercritical hops extract: antibacterial activity against Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus epidermidis and efficacy testing of a hops/zinc ricinoleate stick in humans through the sensory evaluation of axillary deodorancy.

Background: There is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of natural deodorants and therefore, such products may be perceived as inefficacious. The evaluation of the in vitro antibacterial activity of a hop extract and the evaluation of the odor-reducing capacity of a hops/zinc ricinoleate-containing product by a sensory evaluation panel is employed to verify deodorant performance.

Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of a hop extract against Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus epidermidis and to verify in vivo deodorant performance of a hops/zinc ricinoleate-containing product.

Best practices in compound management for preserving compound integrity and accurately providing samples for assays.

Preserving the integrity of the compound collection and providing high-quality materials for drug discovery in an efficient and cost-effective manner are 2 major challenges faced by compound management (CM) at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). The demands on CM include delivering hundreds of thousands of compounds a year to a variety of operations. These operations range from single-compound requests to hit identification support and just-in-time assay plate provision for lead optimization.