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"Gorini, Francesca"
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Light and shadows
In this title in the Let's Experiment! series, children are accompanied by two characters: Professor Albert, who will teach them the scientific explanation behind each experiment; and Greg the Robot, who will guide them in their practice. They'll have a ton of fun learning what happens to light when it encounters different obstacles, how to build a periscope, how to create a rainbow, and much more! For each experiment, there is also a \"mess-o-meter\" for parents to know how messy the experiment can be, as well as the level of difficulty.
Book
Selenium: An Element of Life Essential for Thyroid Function
Selenium (Se), a microelement essential for life, is critical for homeostasis of several critical functions, such as those related to immune–endocrine function and signaling transduction pathways. In particular, Se is critical for the function of the thyroid, and it is particularly abundant in this gland. Unfortunately, Se deficiency is a very common condition worldwide. Supplementation is possible, but as Se has a narrow safety level, toxic levels are close to those normally required for a correct need. Thus, whether the obtaining of optimal selenium concentration is desirable, the risk of dangerous concentrations must be equally excluded. This review addressed the contribution by environment and food intake on Se circulating levels (e.g., geographical factors, such as soil concentration and climate, and different quantities in food, such as nuts, cereals, eggs, meat and fish) and effects related to its deficiency or excess, together with the role of selenium and selenoproteins in the thyroid pathophysiology (e.g., Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease).
Journal Article
Electricity and magnetism
Magnetic force and electricity govern and sustain our everyday life, but how much do we know about how they work? Let's learn about them together with seventeen extremely fun and easy experiments that explain everything you need to know! No strange materials or complicated formulas are needed-just a great passion for science!
Book
Risk Perception of Air Pollution: A Systematic Review Focused on Particulate Matter Exposure
The adverse health effects of exposure to air pollutants, notably to particulate matter (PM), are well-known, as well as the association with measured or estimated concentration levels. The role of perception can be relevant in exploring effects and pollution control actions. The purpose of this study was to explore studies that analyse people’s perception, together with the measurement of air pollution, in order to elucidate the relationship between them. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. In March 2020, PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases were explored in an attempt to search for studies published from 2000 to 2020. The review included 38 studies, most of which were conducted in China (n = 13) and the United States (n = 11) and published over the last four years (n = 26). Three studies were multicenter investigations, while five articles were based on a national-level survey. The air quality (AQ) was assessed by monitoring stations (n = 24) or dispersion models (n = 7). Many studies were population questionnaire-based, air monitoring and time-series studies, and web-based investigations. A direct association between exposure and perception emerged in 20 studies. This systematic review has shown that most of the studies establish a relationship between risk perception measurement. A broad spectrum of concepts and notions related to perception also emerged, which is undoubtedly an indicator of the wealth of available knowledge and is promising for future research.
Journal Article
Selenium: A Key Element in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial and complex condition of the gastrointestinal tract shaped by host genetics, immune dysregulation, gut microbiota and environmental determinants, with a steadily rising global prevalence. Although the etiology of IBD remains incompletely understood, chronic inflammation accompanied by oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and gut dysbiosis is widely recognized as a hallmark of the condition. Given the frequent occurrence of undernutrition in IBD patients, the role of vitamins and micronutrients in modulating disease activity has been recently explored. Selenium (Se) is universally recognized as an essential trace element due to its diverse physiological functions, including potent antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, immunomodulatory properties, and the ability to influence gut microbial composition and diversity. This comprehensive review examines current evidence on the relationship between Se status and IBD, integrating epidemiological and experimental findings, elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms, and introducing Se nanoparticles, a viable therapeutic option using Se in IBD management.
Journal Article
Tailoring In-Flight Food Consumption to Alleviate Fear of Flying Through Sensory Stimulation
Nowadays, society is becoming increasingly committed to traveling by plane for work, tourism, and leisure in general. However, either due to internal, specific factors or to external determinants, like terrorism and climate changes, a growing number of travelers have experienced the so-called fear of flying, a persistent, irrational fear of flight-related situations for which a clear, efficacious therapy does not yet exist. Based on the usual interaction with the surrounding environment, conducted by means of the five human senses, and particularly on the neurophysiological pathway followed by the chemical senses, in this study, we revise the findings in the related literature on the topic, proposing an alternative way to alleviate the anxiety related to the fear of flight. This is based on chemosensory stimulation being applied directly during a flight and is possibly concerned with the consumption of meals, an usual activity performed onboard. After an introductory section aimed at understanding the problem, we present some studies related to chemosensory perception during the flight, highlighting the specificities of the scenarios, followed by a description of findings related to the meals proposed by flight companies in this context, and finally wrapping up the possible alternative approaches that could be conducted by such providers to alleviate the fear of flying condition through chemosensory stimulation vehiculated by meals, and enhance the quality of flight experience related to food consumption onboard.
Journal Article
Expanding the Role of the Histone Lysine-Specific Demethylase LSD1 in Cancer
Studies of alterations in histone methylation in cancer have led to the identification of histone methyltransferases and demethylases as novel targets for therapy. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1, also known as KDM1A), demethylates H3K4me1/2, or H3K9me1/2 in a context-dependent manner. In addition to the well-studied role of LSD1 in the epigenetic regulation of histone methylation changes, LSD1 regulates the methylation dynamic of several non-histone proteins and participates in the assembly of different long noncoding RNA (lncRNA_ complexes. LSD1 is highly expressed in various cancers, playing a pivotal role in different cancer-related processes. Here, we summarized recent findings on the role of LSD1 in the regulation of different biological processes in cancer cells through dynamic methylation of non-histone proteins and physical association with dedicated lncRNA.
Journal Article
Selenium and Selenoproteins at the Intersection of Type 2 Diabetes and Thyroid Pathophysiology
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is considered one of the largest global public-health concerns, affecting approximately more than 400 million individuals worldwide. The pathogenesis of T2D is very complex and, among the modifiable risk factors, selenium (Se) has recently emerged as a determinant of T2D pathogenesis and progression. Selenium is considered an essential element with antioxidant properties, and is incorporated into the selenoproteins involved in the antioxidant response. Furthermore, deiodinases, the enzymes responsible for homeostasis and for controlling the activity of thyroid hormones (THs), contain Se. Given the crucial action of oxidative stress in the onset of insulin resistance (IR) and T2D, and the close connection between THs and glucose metabolism, Se may be involved in these fundamental relationships; it may cover a dual role, both as a protective factor and as a risk factor of T2D, depending on its basal plasma concentration and the individual’s diet intake. In this review we discuss the current evidence (from experimental, observational and randomized clinical studies) on how Se is associated with the occurrence of T2D and its influence on the relationship between thyroid pathophysiology, IR and T2D.
Journal Article
Metal Toxicity and Dementia Including Frontotemporal Dementia: Current State of Knowledge
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) includes a number of neurodegenerative diseases, often with early onset (before 65 years old), characterized by progressive, irreversible deficits in behavioral, linguistic, and executive functions, which are often difficult to diagnose due to their similar phenotypic characteristics to other dementias and psychiatric disorders. The genetic contribution is of utmost importance, although environmental risk factors also play a role in its pathophysiology. In fact, some metals are known to produce free radicals, which, accumulating in the brain over time, can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein misfolding, all of these being key features of FTD and similar conditions. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize the current evidence about the environmental contribution to FTD―mainly dealing with toxic metal exposure―since the identification of such potential environmental risk factors can lead to its early diagnosis and the promotion of policies and interventions. This would allow us, by reducing exposure to these pollutants, to potentially affect society at large in a positive manner, decreasing the burden of FTD and similar conditions on affected individuals and society overall. Future perspectives, including the application of Artificial Intelligence principles to the field, with related evidence found so far, are also introduced.
Journal Article
Ambient Air Pollution and Congenital Heart Disease: Updated Evidence and Future Challenges
Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents the major cause of infant mortality related to congenital anomalies globally. The etiology of CHD is mostly multifactorial, with environmental determinants, including maternal exposure to ambient air pollutants, assumed to contribute to CHD development. While particulate matter (PM) is responsible for millions of premature deaths every year, overall ambient air pollutants (PM, nitrogen and sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide) are known to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this literature review, we provide an overview regarding the updated evidence related to the association between maternal exposure to outdoor air pollutants and CHD occurrence, also exploring the underlying biological mechanisms from human and experimental studies. With the exception of PM, for which there is currently moderate evidence of its positive association with overall CHD risk following exposure during the periconception and throughout pregnancy, and for ozone which shows a signal of association with increased risk of pooled CHD and certain CHD subtypes in the periconceptional period, for the other pollutants, the data are inconsistent, and no conclusion can be drawn about their role in CHD onset. Future epidemiological cohort studies in countries with different degree of air pollution and experimental research on animal models are warranted to gain a comprehensive picture of the possible involvement of ambient air pollutants in CHD etiopathogenesis. While on the one hand this information could also be useful for timely intervention to reduce the risk of CHD, on the other hand, it is mandatory to scale up the use of technologies for pollutant monitoring, as well as the use of Artificial Intelligence for data analysis to identify the non-linear relationships that will eventually exist between environmental and clinical variables.
Journal Article