International Journal of

Molecular Sciences

Review

Neutrophils: Beneficial and Harmful Cells in Septic Arthritis

Daiane Boff 1,2, Helena Crijns 1,2, Mauro M. Teixeira 1, Flavio A. Amaral 1,† ID and Paul Proost 2,*,† ID

1 Imunofarmacologia, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; daiane.bff@hotmail.com (D.B.); helena.crijns@kuleuven.be (H.C.); mmtex@gmail.com (M.M.T.); dr.famaral@gmail.com (F.A.A.)

2 Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium

* Correspondence: paul.proost@kuleuven.be; Tel.: +32-16-322-471 † These authors contributed equally to this work.

Received: 31 December 2017; Accepted: 1 February 2018; Published: 5 February 2018

Abstract: Septic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is induced by pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. Infection of the joint triggers an acute inflammatory response directed by inflammatory mediators including microbial danger signals and cytokines and is accompanied by an influx of leukocytes. The recruitment of these inflammatory cells depends on gradients of chemoattractants including formylated peptides from the infectious agent or dying cells, host-derived leukotrienes, complement proteins and chemokines. Neutrophils are of major importance and play a dual role in the pathogenesis of septic arthritis. On the one hand, these leukocytes are indispensable in the first-line defense to kill invading pathogens in the early stage of disease. However, on the other hand, neutrophils act as mediators of tissue destruction. Since the elimination of inflammatory neutrophils from the site of inflammation is a prerequisite for resolution of the acute inflammatory response, the prolonged stay of these leukocytes at the inflammatory site can lead to irreversible damage to the infected joint, which is known as an important complication in septic arthritis patients. Thus, timely reduction of the recruitment of inflammatory neutrophils to infected joints may be an efficient therapy to reduce tissue damage in septic arthritis.

Discussion: Pesticide and Antibiotic Resistance

Viral diseases, such as HIV, SARS, and Ebola strike fear in the hearts and minds of those who understand the nature of these illnesses. Every year, people throughout the world visit medical clinics to receive vaccinations to protect them from seasonal influenza, another kind of virus. Deadly viruses and bacterial infections are among the evolving enemies to which the title of Chapter 11 in your course text refers. How do these enemies evolve? What makes them especially dangerous?

For the Discussion, you learn about the evolving enemies known as pesticide and antibiotic resistance and propose a strategy for addressing one specific resistance example.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Think about the title of Chapter 12: “An Evolving Enemy” and consider this question: To what enemies does the title refer, and how did they evolve?
• As you review Chapter 12, also focus on the following:
  • What the term resistance means
  • How resistance is related to natural selection
  • The impact that different forms of resistance may have on human health
• You may consider your personal knowledge or experience regarding pesticide or antibiotic resistance. For example, you may be aware of a news story about a troublesome insect that is difficult to control with pesticides. Or, you may be aware of a friend or acquaintance that contracted an infection that did not respond well to antibiotics. You may draw upon your knowledge and experience to narrow your search for a topic for this Assignment.
• Conduct additional research, focusing on either pesticide or antibiotic resistance. Choose one particular example of resistance to address in the Discussion. This week’s Optional Resources suggest websites where you could start your search.
• Based on what you have learned about resistance and on the information you have gathered during your research, consider strategies that could address the resistance.
• Read the Discussion Spark topic/question or comment posted by your Instructor in the Discussion Thread on Day 1.

With these thoughts in mind:

Where do we fit in?

This week you are exploring the characteristics of our species and the role we play in our ecosystem. Two terms commonly used to describe an organism’s place in the environment is their “habitat” and their “niche.” A habitat is defined as an area inhabited by particular species. A niche is defined as the role (job), activities and resources used by an organism. For example, a polar bear’s habitat is the arctic whereas its niche is to swim, eat fish, walruses and seals, and to take care of polar bear cubs. Have you ever considered the characteristics of your habitat and niche or thought about what might happen if you were forced to move and occupy another habitat, and switch to another niche? This Assignment will give you the opportunity to compare and contrast your current habitat and niche with an assigned niche (described below).

Your essay should include:

• A description of your personal habitat and your assigned habitat highlighting the similarities and differences.
• A description of your personal niche and of your assigned niche highlighting the similarities and differences.
• Consider what characteristics would provide a survival advantage to you or to the individuals who currently occupy each niche and habitat.
• How have humans adapted to the two habitats and niches?
• What difficulties might you have living in the assigned niche and why?
• What types of cultural adaptations have evolved from living in your niche? Your assigned niche? What are the benefits and challenges of these cultural adaptations?
• Your discussion should consider any biological adaptations as well; things such as dealing with food spoilage, insect vector control, food and waterborne illnesses, etc.
• Consider the organism you have been assigned to study in your assigned niche. Would you classify it as a biotic or an abiotic component of the environment? Explain your reasoning by applying the characteristics of life covered in Chapter One.

To support your work, use your course and text readings and use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

Nutrients

Choose a pair of nutrients (one mineral and one vitamin) that works together in the body and then answer the following questions:

• What is a common deficiency disorder of these nutrients? What diet and/or lifestyle factors contribute to risk of deficiency?
• What diet recommendations could you make to a patient with this deficiency disorder?

For the vitamin you chose, suppose that it is likely to reach toxic levels in the body from excessive supplementation and then answer the following questions:

• What are the risks of toxicity? What is the solubility of your vitamin choice?

How can the level of the vitamin that you chose be measured in the body?

1. Professional Development Program Proposal
   Overview
   In your first assignment, you conducted a research analysis of the company and proposed strategic solutions to the CEO. As you continue your consulting role, the next task is to deliver a professional development program to the CEO of your chosen organization.
   It is important that your program’s proposal be based on your research of emotional intelligence (EI) and specifically details how a new incentive program, based on an EI management approach, will:
   • Foster teamwork.
   • Strengthen interpersonal relationships.
   • Enhance communication.
   • Increase overall performance.
   • Benefit not only managers but the bottom-line.
   • Instructions
     Write a 5–7 page, double-spaced proposal that includes the following components:
   1. EI and Motivation:
      • Which of the EI building blocks would impact management’s ability to enhance employee performance and job satisfaction?
      • Based on your research on motivational theory, describe which motivational theory you would utilize to influence the members of the organization and aid in helping to resolve the issue. Provide examples to support your solution.
   2. EI and Social Skills and Decision Making:
      • Explain how the core concepts of emotional intelligence would enhance the decision-making efficacy of the management team.
   3. Effective Teams:
      • Describe the core attributes of an effective team and the strategies you would implement to develop team dynamics that will benefit the organization.
   4. Reward Systems:
      • Create an effective reward system for this organization based on how you want to resolve the organizational issue. Determine the strategies you would incorporate to motivate employees and influence behavior.
   5. References and Citations:
      • Go to the Strayer University Online Library to locate two quality resources.
      • In-text citations are required when paraphrasing or quoting another source.
   6. Formatting and Writing Standards:
      • This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course.
   7. Confidentiality: Since you will be addressing real issues in real organizations in your assignments, it is important to respect confidentiality. Feel free to use an alias for any company or individuals you might mention in your assignments. Remember that all discussions about these organization should only occur within this course and not be shared with people outside the course.
      The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
   • Develop a proposal for a program to help managers use reward systems and emotional intelligence to motivate team members.

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