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In response to a range of stimuli, neutrophils produce web-like structures known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The benefits of NETs in pathogen control are commonly offset by excessive release as part of a pro-inflammatory response, as shown in several disorders. The discovery of potential drugs that regulate NET release has helped to enhance our understanding of the role of NETs in immunological protection, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Emerging evidence has indicated that antimicrobials play an immunomodulatory role by influencing the levels of circulating NETs. Herein, we address NETosis in several disorders and detail the mechanisms of NET-mediated damage in infections. We also aim to evaluate recent evidence on the effects of antimicrobials on NET levels. Relevant keywords were searched in PubMed. Studies were evaluated for their relevance, and a narrative review was written accordingly. Several antibiotics, including beta-lactams and cephalosporins, alter NET formation and degradation in a protective manner, resulting in minimal host organ damage. Additionally, some studies have highlighted the immunomodulatory effects of antivirals and antifungals on NET. Further studies are needed to fully understand the clinical implications of NET-antimicrobial interactions and their underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical studies in salt marshes, arid, and alpine systems support the hypothesis that facilitation between plants is an important ecological process in severe or ‘stressful’ environments. Coastal dunes are both abiotically stressful and frequently disturbed systems. Facilitation has been documented, but the evidence to date has not been synthesized. We did a systematic review with meta-analysis to highlight general research gaps in the study of plant interactions in coastal dunes and examine if regional and local factors influence the magnitude of facilitation in these systems. The 32 studies included in the systematic review were done in coastal dunes located in 13 countries around the world but the majority was in the temperate zone (63%). Most of the studies adopt only an observational approach to make inferences about facilitative interactions, whereas only 28% of the studies used both observational and experimental approaches. Among the factors we tested, only geographic region mediates the occurrence of facilitation more broadly in coastal dune systems. The presence of a neighbor positively influenced growth and survival in the tropics, whereas in temperate and subartic regions the effect was neutral for both response variables. We found no evidence that climatic and local factors, such as life-form and life stage of interacting plants, affect the magnitude of facilitation in coastal dunes. Overall, conclusions about plant facilitation in coastal dunes depend on the response variable measured and, more broadly, on the geographic region examined. However, the high variability and the limited number of studies, especially in tropical region, indicate we need to be cautious in the generalization of the conclusions. Anyway, coastal dunes provide an important means to explore topical issues in facilitation research including context dependency, local versus regional drivers of community structure, and the importance of gradients in shaping the outcome of net interactions.