Comparative RNA-seq analysis of resistant and susceptible banana genotypes reveals molecular mechanisms in response to banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) infection.

Bananas hold significant economic importance as an agricultural commodity, serving as a primary livelihood source, a favorite fruit, and a staple crop in various regions across the world. However, Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), which is caused by banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), poses a considerable threat to banana cultivation. To understand the resistance mechanism and the interplay of host suitability factors in the presence of BBTV, we conducted RNA-seq-based comparative transcriptomics analysis on mock-inoculated and BBTV-inoculated samples from resistant (wild Musa balbisiana) and susceptible (Musa acuminata 'Lakatan') genotypes. We observed common patterns of expression for 62 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both genotypes, which represent the typical defense response of bananas to BBTV. Furthermore, we identified 99 DEGs exclusive to the 'Lakatan' banana cultivar, offering insights into the host factors and susceptibility mechanisms that facilitate successful BBTV infection. In parallel, we identified 151 DEGs unique to the wild M. balbisiana, shedding light on the multifaceted mechanisms of BBTV resistance, involving processes such as secondary metabolite biosynthesis, cell wall modification, and pathogen perception. Notably, our validation efforts via RT-qPCR confirmed the up-regulation of the glucuronoxylan 4-O-methyltransferase gene (14.28 fold-change increase), implicated in xylan modification and degradation. Furthermore, our experiments highlighted the potential recruitment of host's substrate adaptor ADO (30.31 fold-change increase) by BBTV, which may play a role in enhancing banana susceptibility to the viral pathogen. The DEGs identified in this work can be used as basis in designing associated gene markers for the precise integration of resistance genes in marker-assisted breeding programs. Furthermore, the findings can be applied to develop genome-edited banana cultivars targeting the resistance and susceptibility genes, thus developing novel cultivars that are resilient to important diseases.

Medial incisional ventral hernia repair with Adhesix® autoadhesive mesh: descriptive study.

Nowadays, the gold standard for the surgical treatment of abdominal wall defects is the use of a mesh. There is an extensive variety of meshes, self-adhesive ones being among the most novel technologies. The literature on the self-adhesive mesh Adhesix® (Cousin Biotech Laboratory, 59117 Wervicq South, France) in medial incisional ventral hernia is scarce. We performed a retrospective descriptive study with prospective data collection from 125 patients who underwent prosthetic repair of medial incisional ventral hernia-M1-M5 classification according to European Hernia Society (EHS)-with self-adhesive mesh Adhesix® between 2013 and 2021. Follow-up was performed 1 month and yearly after the surgery. Postoperative complications and hernia recurrences were recorded. Epidemiological results were average BMI 30.5 kg/m2 (SD 5), highlighting that overweight (41.6%) and obesity type 1 (25.6%) were the most represented groups. 34 patients (27.2%) had already undergone a previous abdominal wall surgery. The epigastric-umbilical (M2-M3 EHS classification, 22.4%) and umbilical (M3 EHS classification, 20%) hernias were the predominant groups. The elective surgery technique was Rives or Rives-Stoppa with an associated supraaponeurotic mesh if the closure of the anterior aponeurosis of the rectus sheath was not surgically closed (13 patients). The most frequent postoperative complication was seroma (26.4%). The recurrence rate was 7.2%. The average follow-up length was 2.6 years (SD 1.6 years). According to the results of this study and the literature available, we consider that the self-adhesive mesh Adhesix® is an appropriate alternative mesh option for the repair of medial incisional ventral hernias.

A novel SNP panel developed for targeted genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) reveals genetic diversity and population structure of Musa spp. germplasm collection.

The Philippines is situated in the geographic region regarded as the center of diversity of banana and its wild relatives (Musa spp.). It holds the most extensive collection of B-genome germplasm in the world along with A-genome groups and several natural hybrids with A- and B-genome combinations. Management of this germplasm resource has relied immensely on identification using local names and morphological characters, and the extent of genetic diversity of the collection has not been achieved with molecular markers. A high-throughput and reliable genotyping method for banana and its relatives will facilitate germplasm management and support breeding initiatives toward a marker-based approach. Here, we developed a 1 K SNP genotyping panel based on filtering of high-quality genome-wide SNPs from the Musa Germplasm Information System and used it to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 183 accessions from a Musa spp. germplasm collection containing Philippine and foreign accessions. Targeted GBS using SeqSNP™ technology generated 70,376,284 next-generation sequencing (NGS) reads with an average effective target SNP coverage of 340 × . Bioinformatics pipeline revealed 971 polymorphic SNPs containing 76.9% homozygous calls, 23.1% heterozygous calls and 4% with missing data. A final set of 952 SNPs detected 2,092 alleles. Pairwise genetic distance varied from 0.0021 to 0.3325 with most pairs of accessions distinguished with 250 to 300 loci. The SNP panel was able to detect seven (k = 7) genetically differentiated groups and its composition through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with k-means clustering algorithm and Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC). Accession-specific SNPs were also identified. The 1 K SNP panel effectively distinguishes between genomic groups and provides relatively good resolution of genome-wide nucleotide diversity of Musa spp. This panel is recommended for low-density genotyping for application in marker-assisted breeding and germplasm management, and could be further enhanced to increase marker density for other applications like genetic association and genomic selection in bananas.

Resistance of Musa balbisiana Accessions of the Philippines to Banana Bunchy Top Virus.

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is caused by banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the most important virus affecting banana. Currently, no cultivar or accession of banana has complete resistance to BBTD. A total of 36 wild Musa spp. accessions, including 34 Musa balbisiana and 2 M. acuminata subsp. errans ("Agutay"), were screened for resistance against BBTV. In greenhouse tests using viruliferous banana aphids (Pentalonia nigronervosa), all M. balbisiana accessions remained symptomless, and BBTV was not detected in any of these plants by PCR at 3 and 6 months postinoculation. In contrast, 100% disease incidence was recorded in M. acuminata subsp. errans and in cv. Lakatan susceptible control plants. The PCR-negative M. balbisiana plants were then transferred to a field with high BBTV inoculum pressure where they remained symptomless and PCR-negative for up to 5 years, while all cv. Lakatan developed BBTD. Wild M. balbisiana accessions showed a high level of resistance and possibly immunity to BBTV and are expected to provide a resource for conventional and marker-assisted breeding.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Draft Genomes of Six Philippine Erwinia mallotivora Isolates: Comparative Genomics and Genome-Wide Analysis of Candidate Secreted Proteins.

Erwinia mallotivora is one of the most important bacterial pathogens of papaya and causes bacterial crown rot disease in the Philippines. In this paper, we present the draft genome sequences of six Philippine E. mallotivora isolates to provide insights into the genes involved in host-pathogen interactions and compare their genomes to other Erwinia species. The genomes were sequenced using Illumina Miseq platform. The draft whole-genome assemblies of the E. mallotivora isolates are composed of 36-64 contigs with N50 value ranging from 285 to 332 kbp and cover 96.2-100% of the estimated genome size. Structural genome annotation of these assemblies has predicted 4489-4749 protein-coding genes. Comparative genomic analysis using orthologous gene sets led to the identification of conserved genes within the genus and species-specific gene orthologous groups, which collectively provide a baseline for functional genomic studies to determine genes affecting virulence and host specificity. Secreted proteins of E. mallotivora were also predicted and characterized to unravel putative genes involved in plant-pathogen interactions. This study provides the first draft whole-genome sequences of Philippine isolates of E. mallotivora, thus expanding the genomic knowledge for this species in comparison with other members of the genus Erwinia.

Assessment of temporal variations of natural radionuclides Beryllium-7 and Lead-212 in surface air in Tanay, Philippines.

Detection of radionuclides in surface air allows researchers to gain further insight on the behavior of radionuclides that may affect human radiation exposure especially in the event of a nuclear emergency. In this study, activity concentrations of naturally-occurring radionuclides Beryllium-7 (7Be) and Lead-212 (212Pb) in surface air and meteorological data collected in Tanay, Philippines from January 2012 to December 2017 were evaluated to determine the impact of atmospheric conditions and processes to airborne radioactivity. Surface air concentrations of 7Be and 212Pb were found to range from 0.00779 ±â€¯0.00188 to 11.2 ±â€¯0.116 mBq/m3 and from 1.371 ±â€¯0.036 to 106.6 ±â€¯1.075 mBq/m3, respectively. 7Be and 212Pb show distinct annual trends, suggesting that atmospheric conditions affect both radionuclides differently and independently. 7Be shows two peak concentrations annually, with the first peak occurring between January to April and the second lower peak occurring between October and November. 212Pb, on the other hand, shows annual peak concentrations occurring between April and June. Ambient temperature showed strong positive correlation with 212Pb concentration in surface air and a weak negative correlation with 7Be; relative humidity and precipitation showed varying degrees of negative correlation with radionuclide concentrations in surface air. Source locations for the unusually high 212Pb activity concentrations detected on 11-13 May 2013 and 19-31 May 2015 determined using WEB-GRAPE and HYSPLIT atmospheric transport models are presented as a case study. The data and findings of this study shall serve as basis for further studies on local and regional atmospheric transport and radiological impact assessment for the implementation of an effective nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response system in the country.

Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Causing Panama Wilt of Banana in the Philippines.

Panama wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is considered one of the most devastating banana diseases in recorded history. The disease threatens the banana industry due to Tropical Race 4 (TR4) infecting the Cavendish cultivar. Forty-two of the 45 representative isolates from Luzon were pathogenic, based on leaf symptom index and vascular discoloration rating. Accurate, fast and reliable identification are pre-requisites for effective management considering there are yet no proven effective chemicals to control the disease, thus the confirmation by a PCR-based diagnostic tool is essential. Using race-specific primers, FocTr4-F/FocTr4-R and Foc-1/Foc-2, the absence of TR4 in Luzon has been confirmed, however, the occurrence of Race 4 has been reported, which should also be taken in consideration as the latter can also cause severe damage under favorable conditions. Furthermore, to examine genetic diversity of Foc in bananas, 55 of the 164 isolates collected from Regions I, II, III, IV and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were analyzed by fingerprinting techniques using M13, ERIC and REP primers. Twenty-two reference isolates from Mindanao were also analyzed using the same primers. Foc isolates were differentiated into two clades at 25% similarity level, classifying all Mindanao isolates to clade A. Consistently high genetic variation was obtained from Luzon isolates using M13, an arbitrarily primed fingerprinting technique and repetitive elements, REP and ERIC-PCR, while low genetic variation was obtained from Mindanao isolates. ERIC-PCR was the most informative and predictive fingerprinting method as the TR4 isolates from Mindanao were grouped together. No grouping of Foc isolates was observed with respect to geographical origin, except isolates from Mindanao. In addition, grouping of Foc4 is also regardless of host variety in all analyses conducted. Overall, high genetic variability was recorded in Foc Philippine population for the three primers used, which might render host resistance vulnerable.

Association between duration of gadget use and the socio-emotional difficulties of junior high school students in selected private schools in Quezon City: An analytic cross-sectional study / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION: Gadget use with its diverse range of functions from communication to navigation andentertainment, has brought increasing concerns about its effects on psychological health. Despitegrowing evidence on its effect among children, its effect on the adolescent age group, particularly onthe socio-emotional dimension remains uncertain.METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study was done to identify a possible association between durationof gadget use and socio-emotional difficulties of an adolescent. A cluster sample of junior high schoolstudents aged 13-17 years old from four selected private schools were invited to answer the Strengthsand Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure socio-emotional difficulties and provide information onthe type and duration of gadget use. Scores derived from the SDQ were classified as normal, borderlineand abnormal based on the questionnaire's scoring guide. Association between duration of gadget useand strengths and difficulties was tested using chi-square, controlling for sex and age groups.RESULTS: Majority of the 315 respondents had normal scores on the strengths and difficulties sub-scales.Regardless of the duration of gadget use, majority of the respondents had normal prosocial behaviorand likewise scored normal on all dimensions of the Difficulties subscale. There was no significantassociation between duration of gadget use and Strength (p = 0.47) and Difficulties scores (p = 0.35).Stratifying by sex and age groups likewise resulted in insignificant associations (p > 0.05). Those withprolonged gadget use were 1.68 times more likely to have abnormal scores on the Difficulties subscalecompared with those with normal gadget use but the association was not significant (95% CI 0.82, 3.34).CONCLUSION: There was no significant association between duration of gadget use and socio-emotionaldifficulties of adolescents in selected private schools, controlling for sex and age groups.

¿Individuos suicidas y poblaciones suicidas? / No disponible

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Profile and artificial insemination practices of technicians and the artificial insemination success rates in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, Philippines (2011-2015).

BACKGROUND: Artificial insemination (AI) is a reproductive biotechnology that may be influenced by several factors, including the profile of the technicians and the practices used. Assessing technician's profile and their AI practices can be significant in improving AI success rate. AIM: This study aimed to know the profile and current practices used by AI technicians (AITs), to determine the success rates of AI in water buffaloes in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran from 2011 to 2015, and to evaluate the possible association between the parameters investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 AITs from Leyte, Samar and Biliran, Philippines, were interviewed using a fixed questionnaire about their profile and employed AI practices, and 20,455 AI-related records of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte, were screened and analyzed. AI success rates were determined by retrospective analysis of the gathered data. Statistical analysis was performed between the technician profile and practices and the AI success rates. RESULTS: Results revealed that most of the technicians were male, around 31-40 years old, married, college graduates, working under local government units, had other sources of income, and with 1-5 years of continuous AI practice averaging 51-100 inseminations per year. Most of them attended only one basic training seminar, which was conducted more than 3 years ago in PCC in VSU. AI success rates were recorded highest in 2011 and lowest in 2015. Statistical analyses showed that some technician profile parameters (civil status, average AI per year, and the training center) and several practices (checking of soft cervix, rectal palpation, thawing temperature method, straw cutting method, and semen deposition) might have an influence on the success of AI. CONCLUSION: This study documents the first report on AIT's profile and their employed AI practices and the AI success rates in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, Philippines. Selected profile parameters and AI practices may influence AI success rates. AITs should perform more AI services and revisit the employed practices.

A field trial of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum paramyosin as a potential vaccine in naturally-infected water buffaloes

The overall aims of this project are to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the Schistosoma japonicum vaccine paramyosin among water buffaloes residing in endemic areas. The study was conducted in four villages in Leyte, the Philippines, an area highly endemic for schistosomiasis japonica. One hundred and fifteen (N=115) animals provided baseline stool samples for coprologic examination, with preliminary results using FLOTAC showing a 10% prevalence of schistosomiasis. Forty-nine (N=49) animals consented to treatment with 25 mg/kg Praziquantel, and 40, 36 and 32 animals consented to the first, second and third dose of the paramyosin vaccine, respectively. The safety trial involved the first 20 animals and included skin testing, vaccination, anaphylaxis monitoring, as well as hematology and serum chemistry analysis. Skin tests revealed that only three out of 20 animals exhibited redness at the injection site, with none greater than 1 cm. None of the animals exhibited anaphylaxis, and all hematology and serum chemistry markers were within normal range or were similar to pre-vaccination levels. None of the 40 animals administered with the first dose exhibited anaphylaxis, nor any of the subsequent vaccine doses. Immunogenicity assessment of sera collected prior to every vaccination and one month after the last dose showed that the paramyosin vaccine induced robust antibody responses to all animals, as assessed by ELISA. The cytokine levels of whole blood culture supernatants will be further assessed. Our findings demonstrate that the S. japonicum paramyosin vaccine is a safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic treatment among water buffalos residing in endemic areas.

Limitaciones de la categorización cruzada con cruces atípicos: el efecto del estado afectivo / Crossed categorization restrictions with atypical crossing of categories: the affective state impact

Un aspecto que a penas se ha estudiado en categorización cru-zada, es la tipicidad resultante del cruce de categorías que se utiliza para conseguir la reducción del sesgo intergrupal. Eurich-Fulcer y Schofield (1995) han encontrado a este respecto que, cuando se cruzan categorías correlacionadas entre sí (cruces categoriales típicos), el sesgo intergrupal aumenta en lugar de disminuir. En el presente trabajo estudiamos las consecuencias de los afectos que pueden surgir ante los cruces categoriales atípicos. Basándonos en los trabajos de Forgas (1992), predecimos que el afecto va a influir más en la formación de impresiones sobre sujetos con cruces categoriales atípicos que sobre sujetos con cruces categoriales típicos. Los resultados lo confirman. Esto puede suponer un problema en el empleo de la categorización cruzada para la mejora de las relaciones intergrupales, puesto que el afecto generado, precisamente, ante personas pertenecientes a exogrupos desconocidos, extraños, suele ser negativo, de forma que, la utilización de cruces categoriales que resulten atípicos puede favorecer la elaboración de impresiones también negativas

An aspect that has hardly ever been considered in crossed categorization is the crossing typicality used to obtain the intergroup bias reduction. With regard to this subject, Eurich-Fulcer y Schofield (1995) have found that when correlated categories are crossed (typical crossing of categories), intergroup bias increases, instead of decreasing. The consequences of the affect that can arise in the face of the atypical crossing of categories are analysed in this study. Based on Forgas studies (1992), we predict that affect is going to influence the impression formation about subjects with atypical crossing of categories more than about subjects with typical crossing of categories. Results confirm our predictions. This effect can involve a problem in the use of crossed categorization for the intergroup relations improvement. Since the affect generated by persons belonging to unknown or strange outgroups is normally negative, atypical crossing of categories can also promote the production of negative impressions

Variables predictoras de la actitud hacia los inmigrantes en la Región de Murcia (España) / An explanatory model of de attitude toward immigrants in the Re-gion of Murcia (Spain)

El presente estudio analiza la relación de distintas variables psicosociales con la actitud que mantienen los murcianos hacia los inmigrantes. Noventa y tres estudiantes de educación secundaria respondieron a instrumentos de medida de las siguientes variables: la similitud del exogrupo con el endogrupo, el contacto con los miembros del exogrupo (contacto presencial e interacción personal), el estereotipo mantenido hacia el exogrupo (valencia del estereotipo y amplitud del estereotipo), la percepción de contribución social del exogrupo y las emociones generadas por el exogrupo (positivas y negativas). Un análisis de regresión múltiple lineal mostró un coeficiente de determinación de .81, incorporando al modelo las variables: similitud con el endogrupo, contribución social percibida, emociones positivas, interacción personal y valencia del estereotipo. Los resultados muestran la utilidad de estas variables para explicar la actitud hacia los inmigrantes en la Región de Murcia

This study analyses the relation between some psychosocial variables and the attitudes of Murcian people toward immigrants. Ninety three secondary-school students answered some measurement tools about the following variables: outgroup similarity to the ingroup, contact with outgroup members (presence contact and personal interaction), outgroup stereotype (stereotype valence and stereotype extent), perception of out-group social contribution, and emotions generated by the outgroup (positive and negative). A multiple regression analysis shows a R2 = .81, including the following variables in the model: similarity to the ingroup, perceived social contribution, positive emotions, personal interaction and stereotype valence. Results point out the usefulness of these variables for explaining the attitude toward immigrants in the Region of Murcia

Obstáculos en la efectividad de la categorización cruzada para la reducción del sesgo intergrupal / Obstacles in crossed categorization effectiveness for the reduction of intergroup bias

La categorización cruzada tal y como se ha llevado a cabo en la mayoría de los estudios ha mostrado un efecto de forma mucho más clara que la reducción del prejuicio hacia los grupos cruzados: el aumento del prejuicio hacia el doble exogrupo. Para evitar este efecto secundario indeseable hemos estudiado la efectividad de otra forma de presentación de la categorización cruzada que incluye el doble endogrupo y un grupo cruzado pero no el doble exogrupo, la «categorización cruzada parcial». En solo dos estudios se ha incluido esta forma de presentación sin encontrar efectos positivos. En esta investigación proponemos el emparejamiento de rasgos compartidos como proceso cognitivo que puede dificultar el efecto pretendido de la categorización cruzada parcial. Los resultados muestran que la categorización cruzada parcial no reduce el prejuicio hacia el grupo cruzado

Crossed categorization, in the way it has been carried out in most studies, has proved to have a clearer effect than the reduction of prejudice on crossed groups : the increase of prejudice against the double outgroup. In order to avoid this undesirable side effect, we have studied the effectiveness of another way crossed categorization can present itself, that is, the partial crossed categorization, which includes the double ingroup and a crossed group but not a double outgroup. This way of presentation has only been included in two studies, and no positive effects have been found. In this research, we propose the matching of shared features as a cognitive process which can make the intended effect of partial crossed categorization difficult. Results show that partial crossed categorization does not reduce prejudice against the crossed group

Less HLA-G expression in Plasmodium falciparum-infected third trimester placentas is associated with more natural killer cells.

During pregnancy, maternal immune tolerance of the fetal semi-allogeneic graft is partly the consequence of extravillous trophoblast HLA-G expression and its interaction with natural killer (NK) cells. Plasmodium falciparum malaria is frequently associated with maternal and fetal complications. Local HLA-G expression and the number of NK cells were evaluated immunohistochemically in P. falciparum-infected and uninfected placentas (15 each) collected in a seasonal malaria-hypoendemic area. In control placentas, HLA-G was almost always expressed in extravillous trophoblast whereas, in infected placentas, it was significantly more weakly expressed in extravillous trophoblast but was also detected in intervillous space macrophages. NK cells were evaluated in intervillous and intravillous spaces and in basal plate. NK cells were always more abundant in basal plate than in intervillous and intravillous spaces in infected or control placentas. For each area, more NK cells were seen in infected than control placentas. These data suggest that HLA-G down-regulation and more NK cells in placentas may be among the mechanisms involved in poor birth outcome associated with P. falciparum infection.

Un estudio comparativo de la inmigración en función del lugar / An immigration comparative study according to origin place: psychosocial variables in Murcia natives

Presentamos un análisis comparativo de los principales grupos de inmigrantes en la Región de Murcia: magrebíes, subsaharianos, europeos del este y latinoamericanos. En este estudio han participado 93 estudiantes de educación secundaria, quienes respondieron a un conjunto de medidas psicosociales, evaluativas, cognitivas y afectivas respecto a cada uno de los grupos de inmigrantes. Las variables incluidas en el estudio han sido: evaluación general, valencia del estereotipo, amplitud del estereotipo, similitud con el endogrupo, emociones positivas, emociones negativas, contacto intergrupal, contribución social positiva y contribución social negativa. Todas las variables, excepto una (las contribuciones sociales positivas), han mostrado diferencias significativas en un análisis de varianza de medidas repetidas en función del origen de los grupos de inmigrantes. Son los inmigrantes magrebíes los que salen más perjudicados en este análisis comparativo

We present a comparative analysis of the main immigrant groups in the Region of Murcia: Magrebians, Sub-Saharans, eastern Europeans and Latin-Americans. 93 secondary school students have taken part in this research. These students answered a set of evaluative, cognitive and affective psychological measurements related to every immigrant group. The variables included in this study are the following: general evaluation, stereotype valency, stereotype extent, ingroup similarity, positive emotions, negative emotions, intergroup contact, positive social contributions and negative social contributions. All variables except for one (the positive social contribution), have displayed significant differences in a repeated measurement Anova, according to the immigrant group origin. Magrebian immigrants are the ones who are more damaged in this comparative analysis

Inflammatory response in the initial phase of acute pancreatitis: relationship to the onset and severity of the disease.

Pathophysiological theories on acute pancreatitis and its complications have been always based on the harmful role played by the activated pancreatic digestive enzymes at local and systemic levels. However, acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease in which a complex systemic response is produced, which involves the interaction of cells (neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, platelets, lymphocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts) and different proteolytic systems (coagulation, fibrinolysis, kallikrein and complement systems). The more or less severe evolution of the disease may depend on the intensity of this inflammatory response, according to the potential capacity of its mediators to cause significant damage at local and systemic levels. The initial mechanism of this response may be the release of oxygen free radicals by the damaged pancreatic cells, which are able to activate the cascade of digestive pancreatic enzymes and initiate chemotaxis and activation of inflammatory cells. Based on the actual knowledges, the present article aims to analyze the role of the inflammatory response on the severity of acute pancreatitis.