Primed polymorphonuclear leukocytes from hemodialysis patients enhance monocyte transendothelial migration.

Increased counts and priming of peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are associated with future or ongoing atherosclerosis; however, the role of PMNLs in enhancing monocyte transendothelial migration is still unclear. Our aims were to examine endothelial and monocyte activation, transmigration, and posttransmigration activation induced ex vivo by in vivo primed PMNLs and the effect of antioxidants on the activation. A unique ex vivo coculture system of three cell types was developed in this study, enabling interactions among the following: primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), monocytes (THP-1 cell line), and in vivo primed PMNLs from hemodialysis (HD) patients and healthy control (HC) subjects.

Controlled exogenous enzyme imbibition and activation in whole chickpea seed enzyme reactor (SER).

Chickpeas are of excellent quality (protein, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids) and very low in phytoestrogen, making them a potentially promising source for vegetarian-based infant formula (VBIF). However, their high starch and fiber concentration could hinder their utilization for infants. To overcome this natural shortcoming, a solid-state "enzymation" (SSE) process was developed in which imbibition of exogenous enzyme facilitates hydrolysis within the intact chickpea seed.