LAUSR

As we start a new year, let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the fact that the scientific landscape is becoming increasingly flat. Groundbreaking scientific discoveries are not limited to just a few countries and a handful of premier institutions. Newer scientific technologies/tools are cheaper, more efficient, userfriendly, and widely available, which has made it easier than ever to engage in meaningful research. Not surprisingly, there has been an explosion in the number of new publications, both in print and online. What makes Shock standout in this crowded field is its long-standing commitment to publishing the highest quality research, from very different sources, targeting an audience that is passionate about shock-related conditions. By acting as the official publication of the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Indonesian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies, and the Official and International Journal of the Japan Shock Society, this journal truly brings to life the famous quote by Malcolm Forbes: ‘‘Diversity: the art of thinking independently together’’. The January 2020 issue of Shock maintains this tradition by publishing 15 high-caliber scientific articles, with very diverse geographical origins, that cover themes ranging from basic science to clinical translation. Here is our brief analysis of each article. In this issue, two fantastic studies from Germany talk about the alterations in immune cells following sepsis and trauma. Immune cells undergo radical changes following injury. Studying these changes is critical to understanding the role of immune responses in the morbidity and mortality in septic and injured patients. Schenz et al. (1), in the first article of the issue, describe the intracellular metabolic changes in monocytes and B-lymphocytes that result in sepsis-associated immunosuppression. In this prospective observational study (septic patients and healthy volunteers; n1⁄410 per group), they found that following sepsis, the white cells exhibit a decreased HLADR expression, increased anaerobic respiration, defects in TCA cycle, and an overall impaired inflammatory response. The other study (4th article in the issue) is from Ruhrmann et al. The authors studied the alterations in T-cells and monocytes 6 months after a major traumatic event (2). They found that trauma patients had significantly different expression of cell surface receptors. There was also a trend toward decreased