Immunity

Three interconnected positions are advocated: (1) although serving as a useful model, the immune self does not exist as such; (2) instead of a self/nonself demarcation, the immune system 'sees' itself, i.e., it does not ignore the 'self' or attack the 'other;' but exhibits a spectrum of responses, which when viewed from outside the system appear as discrimination of 'self' and 'nonself' based on certain criteria of reactivity. When immune reactions are conceived in terms of normal physiology and open exchange with the environment, where borders dividing host and foreign are elusive and changing, host defense is only part of the immune system's functions, which actually comprise two basic tasks: protection, i.e., to preserve host integrity, and maintenance of organismic identity. And thus (3) if the spectrum of immunity is enlarged, differentiating low reactive 'autoimmune' reactions from activated immune responses against the '...

Previous works revealed the presence of the nPKC enzyme p105 in hemocytes of M. galloprovincialis Lmk. Specific mussel antibodies were obtained from mouse and used in confocal microscopy and Western blotting. These techniques allowed the observation of p105 cytosol-to-membrane translocation induced by TPA for the first time in hemocytes of molluscs. The incubation of mussel immune cells with TPA for longer than 30 min also triggered a down-regulation process. Mussel hemocytes are an excellent model to study the molecular processes of innate immunity.

Researchers keep striving so as to reach cheapest and optimum ration formulation that lead to better broilers performance and carcass characteristics. Feed represents about 70-80 % of the cost of broiler meat production. Protein is considered as the most expensive ingredient in the formulated feed for broilers. Recently the concept of the use of high quality protein in feed formulated for broilers has been adopted. High quality protein, mainly, means protein with an adequate amount and an appropriate balance of essential amino acids. The most important essential amino acids in poultry diets are methionine, lysine and threonine. They also are known as first, second and third or fourth limiting amino acid, respectively. Till now some nutritionist formulating broilers feed on basis of crude protein, and that might make broilers diet to contain level of amino acids higher than required, and hence increase the cost of feed. Recently synthetic amino acids become available and that help in...

Lampreys are a jawless vertebrate species belonging to an ancient vertebrate lineage that diverged from a common ancestor with humans ~500 million years ago. The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) has a filter feeding ammocoete larval stage that metamorphoses into a parasitic adult, feeding both on teleost and elasmobranch fish. Lampreys are a valuable comparative model species for vertebrate immunity and physiology due to their unique phylogenetic position, unusual adaptive immune system, and physiological adaptions such as tolerance to salinity changes and urea. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a phylogenetically conserved enzyme family which catalyses posttranslational deimination/citrullination in target proteins, enabling proteins to gain new functions (moonlighting). The identification of deiminated protein targets in species across phylogeny may provide novel insights into post-translational regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane vesicles released from cells that carry cargos of small molecules and proteins for cellular communication, involved in both normal and pathological processes. The current study identified deimination signatures in proteins of both total plasma and plasma-EVs in sea lamprey and furthermore reports the first characterisation of plasma-EVs in lamprey. EVs were poly-dispersed in the size range of 40-500 nm, similar to what is observed in other taxa, positive for CD63 and Flotillin-1. Plasma-EV morphology was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Assessment of deimination/citrullination signatures in lamprey plasma and plasma-EVs, revealed 72 deimination target proteins involved in immunity, metabolism and gene regulation in whole plasma, and 37 target proteins in EVs, whereof 24 were shared targets. Furthermore, the presence of deiminated histone H3, indicative of gene-regulatory mechanisms and also a marker of neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis), was confirmed in lamprey plasma. Functional protein network analysis revealed some differences in KEGG and GO pathways of deiminated proteins in whole plasma compared with plasma-EVs. For example, while common STRING network clusters in plasma and plasma-EVs included Peptide chain elongation, Viral mRNA translation, Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, STRING network clusters specific for EVs only included: Cellular response to heat stress, Muscle protein and striated muscle thin filament, Nucleosome, Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, Nucleosome and histone deacetylase complex. STRING network clusters specific for plasma were: Adipokinetic hormone receptor activity, Fibrinogen alpha/beta chain family, peptidase S1A, Glutathione synthesis and recycling-arginine, Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate metabolic process, Carbon metabolism and lactate dehydrogenase activity, Post-translational protein phosphorylation, Regulation of insulin-like growth factor transport and clotting cascade. Overall, for the EV citrullinome, five STRING network clusters, 10 KEGG pathways, 15 molecular GO pathways and 29 Reactome pathways were identified, compared with nine STRING network clusters, six KEGG pathways, two Molecular GO pathways and one Reactome pathway specific for whole plasma; while further pathways were shared. The reported findings indicate that major pathways relevant for immunity and metabolism are targets of deimination in lamprey plasma and plasma-EVs, with some differences, and may help elucidating roles for the conserved PAD enzyme family in regulation of immune and metabolic function throughout phylogeny.

The commensal microbiota, host immunity and metabolism participate in a signalling network, with diet influencing each component of this triad. In addition to diet, many elements of a modern lifestyle influence the gut microbiota but the degree to which exercise affects this population is unclear. Therefore, we explored exercise and diet for their impact on the gut microbiota. Since extremes of exercise often accompany extremes of diet, we addressed the issue by studying professional athletes from an international rugby union squad. Two groups were included to control for physical size, age and gender. Compositional analysis of the microbiota was explored by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Each participant completed a detailed food frequency questionnaire. As expected, athletes and controls differed significantly with respect to plasma creatine kinase (a marker of extreme exercise), and inflammatory and metabolic markers. More importantly, athletes had a higher diversity of gut micro-...

Microgravity and its environment have adverse effects on the immune system. Abnormal immune responses observed in microgravity may pose serious consequences, especially for the recent directions of NASA for long-term space missions to Moon, Mars and deep Space exploration. The study of space flight immunology is limited due to relative inaccessibility, difficulty of performing experiments in space, and inadequate provisions in this area in the United States and Russian space programs (Taylor 1993). Microgravity and stress experienced during space flights results in immune system aberration (Taylor 1993). In ground-based mouse models for some of the microgravity effects on the human body, hindlimb unloading (HU) has been reported to cause abnormal cell proliferation and cytokine production (Armstrong et al., 1993, Chapes et al. 1993). In this report, we document that a nutritional nucleotide supplementation as studied in ground-based microgravity analogs, has potential to serve as a ...

- L'ostéopathie, prévention et soins dès la naissance
Page :13,
Fabien Collombelle
Avant-propos
Déclaration de liens d’intérêts
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.melaen.2018.06.002

- Les bienfaits de l'ostéopathie pour le bébé
Page :14-16,
Dany Heinz-Blondy
Mots clés : corps, ostéopathie, prévention, santé, vaccin
Résumé :
La prévention en ostéopathie prend en considération la capacité du corps à s’adapter aux contraintes et à s’en libérer. La précocité de la visite chez l’ostéopathe après la naissance est fondamentale. La libération de dysfonctions mineures à ce stade permet d’éviter l’apparition d’un certain nombre de troubles fonctionnels pouvant perturber l’équilibre général de l’enfant.
Plan :
Les principaux motifs de consultation
Un dialogue subtil
Prévention dès la naissance
Ostéopathie et vaccination
Conclusion
Déclaration de liens d’intérêts
http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.melaen.2018.06.003

- Prise en charge ostéopathique des pathologies de la sphère ORL chez le jeune enfant
Page :17-19,
Thierry Leboursier
Mots clés : immunité, ostéopathie, prévention, sphère ORL, thérapie manuelle
Résumé :
Les pathologies ORL de l’enfant sont le motif de consultation le plus fréquent en ostéopathie pédiatrique comme en pédiatrie. L’ostéopathie est adaptée à la prévention et à la prise en charge des situations de récidives et de chronicité en s’intéressant à l’amélioration du terrain immunitaire de l’enfant.
Plan :
Signes d’appel et diagnostic
L’otite
La sinusite
Nécessité d’un diagnostic spécialisé
Définition de l’ostéopathie
Cadre et principes thérapeutiques
Le traitement ostéopathique
Conclusion
Déclaration de liens d’intérêts
http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.melaen.2018.06.004

- Plagiocéphalie et torticolis du nouveau-né
Page :20-22,
Jean Ducourneau
Mots clés : asymétrie, ostéopathie, plagiocéphalie, psychomotricité, torticolis
Résumé :
Repérer la plagiocéphalie et les “attitudes en torticolis” du bébé est fondamental pour pouvoir orienter les parents le plus judicieusement possible. Des éléments d’observation permettent de mieux comprendre cette problématique. Le travail en continuité avec les professionnels de la petite enfance est précieux, en relais des ostéopathes et des kinésithérapeutes.
Plan :
Définitions
Traitement de la plagiocéphalie
Évolution du traitement
Conclusion
Déclaration de liens d’intérêts
http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.melaen.2018.06.005

- De la fusion à la capacité d’être seul, apports de l’ostéopathie
Page :23-25,
Chantal Ropars
Mots clés : ostéopathie, pare-excitation, portage, séparation, toucher
Résumé :
L’ostéopathe, intervenant précoce dans le suivi des tout-petits, a un rôle important auprès des parents. Il les guide notamment dans l’apprentissage d’un portage et d’un toucher justes, respectueux des besoins du bébé, qui vont de la fusion à l’apprentissage de la séparation, c’est-à-dire à la capacité d’être seul en présence d’un autre.
Plan :
Première séance d’ostéopathie
Aider l’enfant à construire son pare-excitation
Conclusion
Déclaration de liens d’intérêts
http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.melaen.2018.06.006

Specificity and memory are the defining characteristics of adaptive immune responses. Vaccines are predicated on the existence of immune memory, and the robustness of immune memory is a primary determinant of vaccine efficacy. How is immune memory maintained? Much progress has been made in this area over the past several years, and new human studies have added key insights into the longevity of B and T cell immune memory in the absence of antigen.

Dietary fiber (DF) was considered an antinutritional factor due to its adverse effects on feed intake and nutrient digestibility. However, with increasing evidence, scientists have found that DF has enormous impacts on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, digestive physiology, including nutrient digestion, fermentation, and absorption processes of poultry. It may help maintain the small and large intestine's integrity by strengthening mucosal structure and functions and increasing the population and diversity of commensal bacteria in the GIT. Increasing DF content benefits digestive physiology by stimulating GIT development and enzyme production. And the inclusion of fiber at a moderate level in diets also alters poultry growth performance. It improves gut health by modulating beneficial microbiota in the large intestine and enhancing immune functions. However, determining the source, type, form, and level of DF inclusion is of utmost importance to achieve the above-noted benefits. This paper critically reviews the available information on dietary fibers used in poultry and their effects on nutrient utilization, GIT development, gut health, and poultry performance. Understanding these functions will help develop nutrition programs using proper DF at an appropriate inclusion level that will ultimately lead to enhanced DF utilization, overall health, and improved poultry growth performance. Thus, this review will help researchers and industry identify the sources, type, form, and amount of DF to be used in poultry nutrition for healthy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly poultry production.

Eucalyptus oil (EO) and its major component, 1,8-cineole, have antimicrobial effects against many bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), viruses, and fungi (including Candida). Surprisingly for an antimicrobial substance, there are also immune-stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and spasmolytic effects. Of the white blood cells, monocytes and macrophages are most affected, especially with increased phagocytic activity. Application by either vapor inhalation or oral route provides benefit for both purulent and non-purulent respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is a long history of folk usage with a good safety record. More recently, the biochemical details behind these effects have been clarified. Although other plant oils may be more microbiologically active, the safety of moderate doses of EO and its broad-spectrum antimicrobial act...

Adaptive evolution is, to a large extent, a complex combinatorial optimization process. Such processes can be characterized as "uphill walks on rugged fitness landscapes". Concrete examples of fitness landscapes include the distribution of any specific functional property such as the capacity to catalyze a specific reaction, or bind a specific ligand, in "protein space". In particular, the property might be the affinity of all possible antibody molecules for a specific antigenic determinant. That affinity landscape presumably plays a critical role in maturation of the immune response. In this process, hypermutation and clonal selection act to select antibody V region mutant variants with successively higher affinity for the immunizing antigen. The actual statistical structure of affinity landscapes, although knowable, is currently unknown. Here, we analyze a class of mathematical models we call NK models. We show that these models capture significant features of the maturation of the immune response, which is currently thought to share features with general protein evolution. The NK models have the important property that, as the parameter K increases, the "ruggedness" of the NK landscape varies from a single peaked "Fujiyama" landscape to a multi-peaked "badlands" landscape. Walks to local optima on such landscapes become shorter as K increases. This fact allows us to choose a value of K that corresponds to the experimentally observed number of mutational "steps", 6-8, taken as an antibody sequence matures. If the mature antibody is taken to correspond to a local optimum in the model, tuning the model requires that K be about 40, implying that the functional contribution of each amino acid in the V region is affected by about 40 others. Given this value of K, the model then predicts several features of "antibody space" that are in qualitative agreement with experiment: (1) The fraction of fitter variants of an initial "roughed in" germ line antibody amplified by clonal selection is about 1-2%. (2) Mutations at some sites of the mature antibody hardly affect antibody function at all, but mutations at other sites dramatically decrease function. (3) The same "roughed in" antibody sequence can "walk" to many mature antibody sequences. (4) Many adaptive walks can end on the same local optimum. (5) Comparison of different mature sequences derived from the same initial V region shows evolutionary hot spots and parallel mutations. All these predictions are open to detailed testing by obtaining monoclonal antibodies early in the immune response and carrying out in vitro mutagenesis and adaptive hill climbing with respect to affinity for the immunizing antigen.

Exercise represents a physical stress that challenges homeostasis. In response to this stressor, autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are known to react and to participate in the maintenance of homeostasis. This includes elevation of cortisol and cathecholamines in plasma. However, sustained physical conditioning in highly trained athletes is associated with a decreased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal response to exercise. On the other hand, highly trained athletes exhibit a chronic mild hypercortisolism at baseline that may be an adaptive change to chronic exercise. In addition the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 is also activated. Moreover, exercise stimulates the secretion of GH and prolactin, and may influence the type of immunity by stimulating TH2 response profile. Besides, the stress of exercise inhibits the gonadal function, through the production of glucocorticoids and cathecholamines, as well as through activation of the CRH neurons. Nowadays, ...