Unplugging Pornography: Equipping Teachers Fight the New Drug, and Helping Students Escape the Trap and Stay Pure

Pornography is overwhelmingly prevalent today. It has become the pervasive cancer of our society, sweeping across the world and infecting individuals of any age, gender or race. It is relentlessly trying to invade homes, workplaces, churches and schools nevertheless, and our Christian/Adventist schools make no exception. But there is good news in the battle against pornography. Many dedicated people are addressing the problem and using the research and resources available to fight the new drug. As a Christian psychologist I am joining forces with all these dedicated people to raise awareness against the devastating effects of pornography and equip parents, teachers, students, and young people in general fight the new drug and not engage in this risky behavior. Research directed at risky behaviors in general and pornography in particular indicates the crucial role families and schools play in preventing, educating and reducing such risky behaviors and addictions. Biblical and faith based concepts will be integrated into this discussion. Specific suggestions and ideas for preventing and fighting pornography addiction in the school setting will be provided

The Relationship Between Phenolic Compounds from Diet and Microbiota

All multicellular organisms live in a strong bond with the microorganisms from around the world, and the humans are not the exceptions. Human microbiota (a complex bacterial community) contains about 1014 microbial cells, 10 times more than the content of the cells from our body and the microbial genome named microbiome, 1000 more that the human genome. It colonises any surface of the human body, above our skin, in the genitourinary tract, gut and airways. From all this, the gut is the most colonised organ, with an amount of almost 70% of the human microbes. Considering the large size of the gut, compared with a tennis terrain, filled with substances that plays a key, nutritive role for the microbes, polyphenols are micronutrients from our diet, with an emerging role in the modulation of the colonic microbial population composition and activity. Therefore, many studies underline that long-term consumption of diets rich in plants polyphenols offers protection against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter reviews the biological effects of plant polyphenols in the context of relevance to human health, especially considering the food functionality area, together with the complexity of the human microbiota and the bioavailability highly dependent on their intestinal absorption

The Distinct Effects of Palmitic and Oleic Acid on Pancreatic Beta Cell Function: The Elucidation of Associated Mechanisms and Effector Molecules

In this study, we aimed to identify the mechanisms underlying the different effects of palmitic acid and oleic acid on human pancreatic beta cell function. To address this problem, the oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, apoptosis and their mediator molecules have been investigated in the insulin releasing beta cells exposed to palmitic and/or oleic acid. Herein, we have demonstrated that in cultured 1.1B4 beta cells oleic acid promotes neutral lipid accumulation and insulin secretion, whereas palmitic acid is poorly incorporated into triglyceride and it does not stimulate insulin secretion from human pancreatic islets at physiologically glucose concentrations. In addition, palmitic acid caused: (1) oxidative stress through a mechanism involving increases in ROS production and MMP-2 protein expression/gelatinolytic activity associated with down-regulation of SOD2 protein; (2) endoplasmic reticulum stress by up-regulation of chaperone BiP protein and unfolded protein response (UPR) transcription factors (eIF2α, ATF6, XBP1u proteins) and by PTP-1B down-regulation in both mRNA and protein levels; (3) inflammation through enhanced synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines (IL6, IL8 proteins); and (4) apoptosis by enforced proteic expression of CHOP multifunctional transcription factor. Oleic acid alone had opposite effects due to its different capacity of controlling these metabolic pathways, in particular by reduction of the ROS levels and MMP-2 activity, down-regulation of BiP, eIF2α, ATF6, XBP1u, CHOP, IL6, IL8 and by SOD2 and PTP-1B overexpression. The supplementation of saturated palmitic acid with the monounsaturated oleic acid reversed the negative effects of palmitic acid alone regulating insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells through ROS, MMP-2, ATF6, XBP1u, IL8 reduction and SOD2, PTP-1B activation. Our findings have shown the protective action of oleic acid against palmitic acid on beta cell lipotoxicity through promotion of triglyceride accumulation and insulin secretion and regulation of some effector molecules involved in oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation and apoptosis

The Challenging Triad: Microbiota, Immune System and Anticancer Drugs

Gut microbiota is essential for the development of the intestinal immune system, protecting the host against pathogens and harmful inflammatory processes. Germ‐free animals have smaller Peyer\u27s patches, fewer immune cells and impaired immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion, fewer intraepithelial lymphocytes, as well as compromised production of antimicrobial peptides. Mucositis (mucosal barrier injury) is a major oncological problem caused by chemotherapeutic agents. Intestinal mucositis translates into a broad spectra of clinical symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting) and can be worsened by neutropenia and antibiotics. Since IECs do not regulate intestinal homeostasis by themselves, but require symbiotic coordination with commensal bacteria and local gut leukocytic cells, the role of intestinal microbiota in the development and severity of mucositis induced by chemotherapeutic products became an issue. The present chapter reviews the interplay between microbiota, immune system, and anticancer therapy. The published researches in this field showed that microbiota has immunomodulatory effect on the anticancer immune response, both in the presence and in the absence of chemotherapy. Animal and human studies evoked that the anticancer response depends on microbiota variability

Experimental Aspects for CeO2 Nanoparticles Synthesis and Characterization

In recent years, cerium oxide (CeO2, or ceria) became a versatile nanostructured material because of its unique properties derived from the low dimensionality and high surface area. It was also extensively studied due to its practical performances in many scientific and industrial applications, such as fuel cells, luminescent materials, gas sensors, insulators, white LEDs, etc. In this paper, the research focused on the synthesis and characterization of cerium oxide powder manufactured by the co-precipitation method, using inorganic cerium salt (Ce(NO3)3) and the precipitating agent (NaOH). In order to optimize the CeO2 particles synthesis process, the parameters of the process were monitored to obtain the quantitative precipitate and to optimize the heat treatment. The precursors type and concentration used, reaction temperature and time, the pH of reaction medium and order of the precipitating agent addition are the main factors influencing the particle size and morphology of cerium oxide nanoparticles. The physico-chemical properties of the cerium oxide nanoparticles were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The FTIR spectrum of the CeO2 particles calcinated at 550 °C, in normal atmosphere, exhibits a strong band at 482 cm-1 corresponding to Ce-O stretching vibration. The XRD pattern confirmed the crystalline nature of the CeO2 nanoparticles with a cubic structure and average crystallite size around 15 nm. Moreover, EDX analysis confirms the presence of the Ce and O atoms corresponding to the theoretical formula. The morphology and microstructure were studied using SEM analysis

Melatonin: A Silent Regulator of the Glucose Homeostasis

In the human organism, the circadian regulation of carbohydrates metabolism is essential for the glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Unbalances in glucose and insulin tissue and blood levels have been linked to a variety of metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Melatonin, the pineal hormone, is the key mediator molecule for the integration between the cyclic environment and the circadian distribution of physiological and behavioral processes and for the optimization of energy balance and body weight regulation, events that are crucial for a healthy organism. This chapter reviews the interplay between melatonin modulatory physiological effects, glucose homeostasis and metabolic balance, from the endocrinology perspective. The tremendous effect of melatonin in the regulation of metabolic processes is observed from the chronobiology perspective, considering melatonin as a major synchronizer of the circadian internal order of the physiological processes involved in energy metabolism

Intravitreal antisense oligonucleotide sepofarsen in Leber congenital amaurosis type 10: a phase 1b/2 trial

CEP290-associated Leber congenital amaurosis type 10 (LCA10) is a retinal disease resulting in childhood blindness. Sepofarsen is an RNA antisense oligonucleotide targeting the c.2991+1655A>G variant in the CEP290 gene to treat LCA10. In this open-label, phase 1b/2 (NCT03140969), 12-month, multicenter, multiple-dose, dose-escalation trial, six adult patients and five pediatric patients received ≤4 doses of intravitreal sepofarsen into the worse-seeing eye. The primary objective was to evaluate sepofarsen safety and tolerability via the frequency and severity of ocular adverse events (AEs); secondary objectives were to evaluate pharmacokinetics and efficacy via changes in functional outcomes. Six patients received sepofarsen 160 µg/80 µg, and five patients received sepofarsen 320 µg/160 µg. Ten of 11 (90.9%) patients developed ocular AEs in the treated eye (5/6 with 160 µg/80 µg; 5/5 with 320 µg/160 µg) versus one of 11 (9.1%) in the untreated eye; most were mild in severity and dose dependent. Eight patients developed cataracts, of which six (75.0%) were categorized as serious (2/3 with 160 µg/80 µg; 4/5 with 320 µg/160 µg), as lens replacement was required. As the 160-µg/80-µg group showed a better benefit–risk profile, higher doses were discontinued or not initiated. Statistically significant improvements in visual acuity and retinal sensitivity were reported (post hoc analysis). The manageable safety profile and improvements reported in this trial support the continuation of sepofarsen development

The Trends and Long-Term Scenarios in EU and the Member States Concerning Renewable Energy

In the past 20 years the European Union has been working continually to promote green energy. Renewable energy has a number of social, economic and environmental benefits. A major advantage of using renewable energy is that it has a low environmental impact, therefore, can support growth on a sustainable basis. The study analyzes the EU progress and long-term trends and scenarios in the field of renewable resources. It also presents the experience of other Member States and their green energy orientations. This can be for Romania an example to promote an energy policy that ensures a permanent balance between security of supply, competitiveness and economic viability and the last, but not the least environment protection