The relationship between nutrition and the immune system

Nutrition plays an essential role in the regulation of optimal immunological response, by providing adequate nutrients in sufficient concentrations to immune cells. There are a large number of micronutrients, such as minerals, and vitamins, as well as some macronutrients such as some amino acids, cholesterol and fatty acids demonstrated to exert a very important and specific impact on appropriate immune activity. This review aims to summarize at some extent the large amount of data accrued to date related to the modulation of immune function by certain micro and macronutrients and to emphasize their importance in maintaining human health. Thus, among many, some relevant case in point examples are brought and discussed: (1) The role of vitamin A/all-trans-retinoic-acids (ATRA) in acute promyelocytic leukemia, being this vitamin utilized as a very efficient therapeutic agent via effective modulation of the immune function (2) The involvement of vitamin C in the fight against tumor cells via the increase of the number of active NK cells. (3) The stimulation of apoptosis, the suppression of cancer cell proliferation, and delayed tumor development mediated by calcitriol/vitamin D by means of immunity regulation (4) The use of selenium as a cofactor to reach more effective immune response to COVID vaccination (5). The crucial role of cholesterol to regulate the immune function, which is demonstrated to be very sensitive to the variations of this macronutrient concentration. Other important examples are reviewed as well

The Effects of Heavy Metals on Soil Biology

Heavy metal pollution is a global environmental issue threatening food security and the environment. It is caused by the rapid growth of agriculture and industry. The development of new industries and the increasing number of people have also contributed to the rise in these conditions. Heavy metals that contaminate soils are mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr), these toxic substances are retained by the soil and act as a filter for their properties. The aim of this paper was to review the impact of heavy metals on soil, as well as the methods to combat their toxicity in agricultural ones. In order to achieve this goal, data belonging to national and international databases were used (Science Direct, NCBI). The finding of different strategies to combat pollution, particularly on the soil represented the goals for the majority of the studies. As such, bioremediation is a promising choice to reduce heavy metal concentrations

Pelvic floor disorders in gynecological malignancies. An overlooked problem?

Cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancers affect women of a broad age spectrum. Many of these women are still sexually active when their cancer is diagnosed. Treatment options for gynecological malignancies, such as gynecological surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are proven risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. The prevalence of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction before cancer treatment is still unclear. Hypotheses have been raised in the literature that these manifestations could represent early symptoms of pelvic cancers, but most remain overlooked even in cancer surviving patients. The primary focus of therapy is always cancer eradication, but as oncological and surgical treatment options become more successful, the number of cancer survivors increases. The quality of life of patients with gynecological cancers often remains an underrated subject. Pelvic floor disorders are not consistently reported by patients and are frequently overlooked by many clinicians. In this brief review we discuss the importance of pelvic floor dysfunction in patients with gynecological malignant tumors

Structural and Tribological Aspects on Ti (C,O,N) Magnetron Reactive Sputtered Thin-Films

Magnetron sputtering is a flexible technique and allows producing a significant amount of types of coatings. Within the frame of present work, Ti-C-O-N thin films were deposited onto high-speed steel (AISI M2), substrates by reactive dc magnetron sputtering in a laboratory-size deposition system. It consisted of two vertically opposed rectangular magnetrons, in a closed field configuration. The films were prepared using dc power source on a titanium target (99.6 at.%). A gas atmosphere composed of argon (working gas), acetylene and nitrogen/oxygen (17:3) reactive mixture was used for the depositions. In terms of structure, the samples produced only with ethylene and argon flow reveal a TiC structure (NaCl type). The decrease of Ф(C2H2)/Ф(O2+N2) induces amorphisation, but TiC structure, with possible N and O inclusions, is still detected. In terms of tribological aspects, the static friction coefficient and roughness (Rz) were analyzed and discussed depending of composition and structure

Analysis of isogrid reinforced cylindrical vessels in the case of axially symmetric buckling

Isogrid structures are a configuration of stiffeners of different sections, which make up a lattice placed on thin plates, with the aim of increasing the buckling factor of the overall structure. Because of the major benefits of isogrid structures when applied to increase the buckling factor and to decrease the mass of the structures the isogrid is placed on, its use has intensified until it has become a complete design technique for building cylindrical vessels under high compressive forces. Unfortunately, the detailed geometry of isogrid structures cannot be easily modelled or computed using FEM software, due to the high number of elements required to reliably mesh such a structure and the large amount of time taken to compute the results. This paper attempts to mitigate this problem by considering an analytical approach of sectioning the cylindrical vessel into component modules. These modules, consisting of a thin plate with isogrid stiffeners attached to it, are approximated as an overall thin plate with modified properties. The analytical algorithm is then implemented in a computed algebra system, which will quickly compute approximate values for the buckling factor and mass of the structure

Comprehension and strategic tackling of bullying phenomen in schools (case study: I am not scared project)

The I am not scared project intends to identify the best European strategies to prevent and combat the bullying phenomenon and involve Secondary school and Vocational Education teachers, Directors Pupils, Parents and key policy makers in the field of education in a common reflection based on a Bottom-Up approach for a transnational sharing of the dynamics that can cause the emerging and consolidating of the bullying phenomenon and of the most effective strategies and behaviours to tackle it available at European Level. The present article will present the transnational discussion carried out among the teachers, supporting experts and key police makers, aimed at enhancing a peer to peer based knowledge exchange experience, on the theme of bullying prevention and tackling

Differential diagnostic problems in elderly chronic subdural hematoma patients

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are recognized as common in older people (over 70 years). They are produced in minor injuries (falls on the same level). These CSDH have minor symptoms (headache, memory disorders, balance disorders, cognitive disorders, etc. and are classified as signs for the onset of dementia, circulatory failure - basilar vertebra, Alzheimer, etc. A simple brain CT scan can highlight these hematomas and a neurosurgical intervention will achieve extremely favorable prognosis. There are many pitfalls in the differential diagnosis of CSH especially with strokes being so common at this age

Pelvic floor disorders in gynecological malignancies. An overlooked problem?

Cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancers affect women of a broad age spectrum. Many of these women are still sexually active when their cancer is diagnosed. Treatment options for gynecological malignancies, such as gynecological surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, are proven risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunction. The prevalence of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction before cancer treatment is still unclear. Hypotheses have been raised in the literature that these manifestations could represent early symptoms of pelvic cancers, but most remain overlooked even in cancer surviving patients. The primary focus of therapy is always cancer eradication, but as oncological and surgical treatment options become more successful, the number of cancer survivors increases. The quality of life of patients with gynecological cancers often remains an underrated subject. Pelvic floor disorders are not consistently reported by patients and are frequently overlooked by many clinicians. In this brief review we discuss the importance of pelvic floor dysfunction in patients with gynecological malignant tumors