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The neuro-immune axis has a crucial function both during physiological and pathological conditions. Among the immune cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exert a pivotal role in regulating the immune response in many pathological conditions, influencing neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease progression. In chronic neuroinflammation, MDSCs could lead to exacerbation of the inflammatory state and eventually participate in the impairment of cognitive functions. To have a complete overview of the role of MDSCs in neurodegenerative diseases, research on PubMed for articles using a combination of terms made with Boolean operators was performed. According to the search strategy, 80 papers were retrieved. Among these, 44 papers met the eligibility criteria. The two subtypes of MDSCs, monocytic and polymorphonuclear MDSCs, behave differently in these diseases. The initial MDSC proliferation is fundamental for attenuating inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), but not in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where MDSC expansion leads to exacerbation of the disease. Moreover, the accumulation of MDSC subtypes in distinct organs changes during the disease. The proliferation of MDSC subtypes occurs at different disease stages and can influence the progression of each neurodegenerative disorder differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-standing debate regarding the dynamics of silo discharge revolves around the use of mono-dispersed circular or spherical grains in simplified twodimensional models. It is well-known that granular systems composed of particles of the same size can generate crystal or quasi-crystal domains with specific structural and dynamic behaviors. Can this ordering affect the flow rate to an extent that monosized systems cannot be good models for realistic materials? In this work, we present simulations of the discharge of two-dimensional silos filled with binary mixtures of circular grains that conserve the same mean particle size. We address the question of how ordering affects the mass flow rate, in particular considering the limit of mono-sized systems. We find that the typical hexagonal order observed does not affect the flow rate significantly. However, the flow rate does exhibit a weak, nonmonotonic dependence on packing bidispersity that correlates with changes in the outpouring speed of grains in the vicinity of the orifice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granular dampers are passive devices used to attenuate mechanical vibrations. The most common configuration consists in an enclosure, partiallyfilled with particles, attached to the vibrating structure that needs to be damped. The energy is dissipated due to inelastic collisions and friction between the grains and between the grains and the inner walls of the container as the structure vibrates. As a result of the collisions, the mechanical response of the system often results in chaotic motion even if the driving is harmonic. Despite the vibration attenuation achieved, this chaotic response may render the granular damper unsuitable for a range of applications. In this work, we showcase two simple modifications of the enclosure design that are able to mitigate the chaotic response of the granular damper. To this end we use Discrete Element Method simulations of: (a) a granular damper with a conical base, and (b) a granular damper with obstaclesfixed inside the enclosure. We compare results against a standardflat-base enclosure damper. The basic mechanical response of the dampers is characterized by measuring the apparent mass and the loss factor. The suppression of the chaotic response is assessed qualitatively via the phase space diagram.

Granular matter, particulate matter and granular materials are generic terms to refer to systems composed of many macroscopic bodies (grains or particles) where the contact interaction (which is non-conservative) plays a crucial role in the behavior of the system. This contrasts with other systems (e.g., atomic or molecular systems) where the constituent bodies (e.g., atoms or molecules) interact via conservative forces. The non-conservative contact interactions come from inelastic collisions (due to plastic deformation, sound or heat production) and also from friction. This makes the study of granular matter a major challenge to scientists and the handling/storage/processing of granular materials a major challenge to engineers. Particulate matter covers a very broad range of systems, from those formed by fine particles (powders) to those formed by large rocks (derbis), from soft bodies (cotton balls) to hard grains (glass beads), from those we eat (muesli) to those we play with (beach sand), from those used to build our houses (cement) to those used to grow our crops (soil). Needless to say, any new knowledge in this area has a tremendous potential to impact our lives and our economy. Powders & Grains is a conference held every four years to bring together researchers working both in fundamental aspects of granular matter and in technological applications. This volume collects the 195 papers presented during the 2021 edition of P&G, which provide an excellent overview of the current state-of-the-art in granular matter and new trends with contributions form six continents.

Introduction: The CAPTURE study estimated the contemporary (2019) prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across 13 countries. This CAPTURE post hoc analysis describes the occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the group with and without CVD in Argentinian population. Methods: CAPTURE is a multinational, cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted between December 2018 and September 2019. Data on CVD diagnoses, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin level was collected during routine visits. CKD was assessed in the subjects with and without CVD.

Background and aims: Recent diabetes and cardiology guidelines recommend blood glucose (BG)-lowering medications with proven cardiovascular (CV) benefit in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established CV disease (CVD) or at high/very high CV risk. CAPTURE was a cross-sectional, observational study of CVD prevalence in adults with T2D across 13 countries in 2019. This pre-specified secondary analysis assessed the proportion of adults with T2D and CVD using a BG-lowering medication with an approved CV indication in Argentinian population. Materials and methods: Detailed demographic and clinical data were collected for adults with T2D at a single, routine health visit to primary or specialist care (Dec 2018 – Sept 2019). In this analysis, participants were grouped by CVD status (no CVD, any CVD, atherosclerotic CVD [ASCVD]). BG-lowering medication use was summarised descriptively by approved CV indication status per the current (2020) FDA label and in line with ADA/EASD guidelines, as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA: dulaglutide, liraglutide, semaglutide) or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i: canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin).

Background and Objectives: Masticatory limitations on the dietary habits of edentulous subjects restrict their access to adequate nutrition, exposing them to a greater risk of protein energy malnutrition. The aim of this study is to verify the existence of an association between Masticatory Performance (MP) and nutritional changes in the elderly. Materials and Methods: 76 participants were enrolled. MP testing was performed using the two-color chewing gum mixing test. The system used reveals the extent to which the two differently colored chewing gums mix, and allows discrimination between different MPs. The assessment of the participants’ nutritional statuses was carried out through a food interview. Anthropometric parameters were collected, and bioimpedance analysis was performed. Results: Mean MP was 0.448 ± 0.188. No statistically significant differences were detected between male and female subjects (p > 0.05). According to the Body Mass Index (BMI), obese patients had a lower MP than overweight and normal weight subjects (0.408 ± 0.225, 0.453 ± 0.169 and 0.486 ± 0.181, respectively). MP values were lower both in male and female subjects with a waist circumference above the threshold than those below it (0.455 ± 0.205 vs. 0.476 ± 0.110, respectively, in males and 0.447 ± 0.171 vs. 0.501 ± 0.138, respectively, in females). No relationship was noticed between MP and bioimpedance parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A statistically significant relation was observed between MP and the number of missing teeth. A reduced MP could worsen nutritional parameters. A reduced MP did not seem to negatively affect bioimpedance parameters.

Anti-virulence strategies are being explored as a novel approach to combat pathogens. Such strategies include inhibition of surface adhesion, tissue invasion, toxin production, and/or interference with the gene regulation of other virulence traits. Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis, is a facultative intracellular food pathogen characterized by a wide distribution in the environment. Its ability to persist within biofilms and to develop resistance to sanitizers is the cause of significant problems in food processing plants and of steep costs for the food industry. In humans, the treatment of listeriosis is hampered by the intracellular location of listeriae and the poor intracellular penetration of some antibiotics. Eleven L. monocytogenes isolates from patients who were diagnosed with invasive listeriosis in Italy in 2014–2016 were studied. This in vitro and in vivo study explored the antibacterial and anti-virulence properties of a steam-distilled essential oil of Cannabis sativa L., which is being intensively investigated for its high content in powerful bioactive phytochemicals. Susceptibility experiments demonstrated a moderate bactericidal activity of the essential oil (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration > 2048 μg/mL). Assessment of the effects of sublethal concentrations of the essential oil on L. monocytogenes virulence traits demonstrated a significant action on motility. Listeriae were non-motile after exposure to the essential oil. Light and scanning electron microscopy documented aggregates of listeriae with the flagella trapped inside the cluster. Real-time RT-PCR experiments showed downregulation of flagellar motility genes and of the regulatory gene prfA. The ability to form biofilm and to invade Caco-2 cells was also significantly reduced. Galleria mellonella larvae infected with L. monocytogenes grown in presence of sublethal concentrations of the essential oil showed much higher survival rates compared with controls, suggesting that the extract inhibited tissue invasion. Food contamination with L. monocytogenes is a major concern for the food industry, particularly for plants making ready-to-eat and processed food. The present work provides a baseline in the study of the anti-virulence properties of the C. sativa essential oil against L. monocytogenes. Further studies are needed to understand if it could be used as an alternative agent for the control of L. monocytogenes in food processing plants.

Skin and chronic wound infections are an increasing and urgent health problem worldwide. Their management is difficult and the development of antibiotic resistance by both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria necessitates the use of alternative treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of four honeys from different floral and geographical origins: Melipona beecheii honey (Cuba) and three Apis mellifera honeys [Manuka honey (New Zealand), A. mellifera honey (Cuba), and African honey (Kenya)]. The physicochemical parameters were within the ranges reported for these honeys and M. beecheii honey stood out due to its acidic character. An agar incorporation technique was used to determine the minimum active dilution of each honey against 52 clinical isolates (34 Gram-positive, 17 Gram-negative, and 1 Candida albicans). The antibiofilm activity of honeys was tested by assessing their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and to disrupt preformed biofilms. Overall, M. beecheii honey had the highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, although a marked disruption in preformed biofilms was shared by all tested honeys. Structural changes induced by M. beecheii honey on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy suggesting that this honey has a potent antimicrobial action and may be an excellent candidate for the development of topical preparations for the treatment of infected wounds.

Purpose: This paper presents the outcomes of the international project "Protecting Landscape Heritage: a requalification project as an instrument for the re-birth of Quang Tri Old Citadel in Vietnam", achieved with scientific cooperation between the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Italy) and Hue University of Sciences (Vietnam) funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam. The research focuses on the Quang Tri Citadel, founded in 1809 and now in an advanced state of degradation. Design/methodology/approach: For the purpose of rehabilitation, the wide multidisciplinary project first examined the historical context of the military model, the architectural aspects of the structure, the characterization of the existing materials, the degradation levels of different parts, and, finally, a proposal of the suggested interventions. Findings: The original structure and geometry were extrapolated and studied. Building materials were produced with nearby raw materials. Firing temperatures of bricks ranged from 800 to 1,000 °C, hydraulic lime was supposed the binder of the mortar with a calcination temperature lower than 1,000 °C. Damage assessment was provided and after these analyses a requalification project was proposed so the cultural heritage can play a role for the future in the dialog between different cultures. Originality/value: The requalification project achieved by an integrated analytical approach defines aspects in relation to the restoration of the structures, enabling compliance with the geometry, techniques, building materials used in the original construction and allowing its guardianship and management to align with the historical context of the architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]