ABSTRACT
The immune system is comprised of lymph glands, lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen, bone marrow, lymphocytes, and molecules such as antibodies and cytokines. It has a vast array of functionally different cells such as T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and mast cells. The ontogenesis of the immune system is comprised of the innate immune cells and the adaptive immune cells, where innate immune cells are the first defense mechanisms to respond to pathogenic environmental factors. There are multiple components of the adaptive immune cells, including immunoglobulins (Igs), T-cell receptors (TCR), and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) responsible for adaptive immunity. However, many elements of both the innate and adaptive immune systems are conserved in our bodies. The adaptive immunity is a type of immunity that develops when a person’s immune cells respond to a pathogen such as microorganism or vaccination. Environmental factors such as pathogenic bacteria or viruses, solar exposure, age, exercise, stress, diet, sleep quality and air pollutants can influence the immune system. There may be marked decline in the immune function due to attack of COVID-19. Most patients with mild COVID-19 develop an appropriate immune response that culminates with viral clearance. However, severe disease manifestations have been linked to lymphopenia and immune hyper-responsiveness leading to cytokine storm. It has been observed that in COVID-19, alveolar macrophages are epigenetically altered after inflammation, leading to long-term lung immune-paralysis. Western diets are known to have adverse effects on the immune function. However, Mediterranean-type diets rich in short-and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vegetables, nuts and fruits, dairy products and fish and red wine, due to high content of vitamins, minerals and flavonoids may be useful in boosting immunity. Moderate physical activity may also cause an extensive increase in numerous and varied lipid super-pathway metabolites, including oxidized derivatives called oxylipins. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary supplements containing flavonoids, carotenoids, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), vitamins, minerals and antioxidants modulate gene and protein expression and thereby modify endogenous metabolic pathways, and consequently enhance the immunity. Mediterranean-type diet and multiple bioactive nutrients, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals as well as moderate physical activity may be crucial for enhancing immunomodulation.
ABSTRACT
The rapid human development and the conflicts between society, economy and environment has greatly hindered the implementation of sustainable development strategy. The ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a universal framework for addressing the issues identified in previous development agendas and achieving policy goals in social, economic and environmental spheres. However, the governments and decision-makers across the world have been facing challenges related to monitoring and assessing the progress of SDGs. The use of geospatial science and spatial data architectures can address these challenges and support holistic monitoring and evaluation of SDGs. This editorial paper discusses the role of geospatial science in implementation of SDGs by drawing on the scholarly works published in the special issue titled ‘Geospatiality and Sustainable Development Goals’. The issue provided a platform for research publications by young and early career geographers from across the world. Several papers in the issue were drawn from different IGU conference sessions organised by the IGU-Task Force for Young and Early Career Geographers (IGU-YECG) since from its establishment (Beijing, 2016) to the upcoming 34th IGC at Istanbul (2021). By bringing the debates on SDGs to the forefront explicitly, this editorial paper reinstates interest in the topic. © 2021, Russian Geographical Society. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major cause of mortality worldwide. While respiratory pathology seems to be the major mechanism of disease, cardiovascular pathology has increasingly been reported to play a role in adverse outcomes. A variety of different cardiovascular histopathologies have been reported at postmortem examination including myocarditis. Because of limited autopsy numbers and lack of standardized reporting of such cases, however, the prevalence of COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease)-associated myocarditis is unknown. The current autopsy case report illustrates how COVID-19 pulmonary pathology can be accompanied by right ventricular myocarditis. The discussion reviews the pathophysiology of myocarditis, as well as diagnostic strategies, adding to the growing body of literature describing myocarditis in association with COVID-19 disease.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)via the coronavirus receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the host cell to facilitate entry into the lungs Over activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the down regulation of ACE2 expression are involved in SARS-CoV induced lung injury. RAS is the main system that has a regulatory roleinmaintaining electrolyte balance, blood pressure, vascular tone and cardiovascular remodeling in the body. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and Inhibitors (ACEIs) are vital medications that are widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The question which now arises is: It is possible to continue using either ARBs or ACEIsor both medications in patients with SARS-CoV2? Both ARBs and ACEIs can facilitate COVID-19 entry into the host cell due to increase expression of ACE2. On the other hand, ARBs have a greater potential to reduce downstream pathogenicity of the SARS-CoV2 via different cell signaling pathways including free radical generation, up regulation of NF-κB pathway, toll-like receptors (TLRs) and pro-apoptotic protein by blocking the renin-angiotensin system more severely compared to the effect of ACEIs. The current hypothesis is that ARBs can perform better therapeutically compared to ACEIs in respiratory disorders such as ARDS which is induced by viral infection especially since more than 40 % of angiotensin II can be synthesized by other enzymes such as chymase, cathepsin. ARBs treatment can increase the levels of both angiotensin II (Ang II) and the ACE2 enzyme making Ang II a target substrate for hydrolysis by ACE2 into Ang 1-7 which in turn exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant activities. These effects are achieved by the binding of Ang 1-7 to both angiotensin-type 2 receptor (AT2) and receptor mas' axis (Mas) and also by its ability to block Ang II/AT1 receptor-induced TLR4/MyD88 signaling thereby highlighting the potential therapeutic use of ARB sin preventing injury induced by COVID-19 virus. It is concluded that patients who are already on ARBs medications must continue to use them daily since ARBs have protective effects against COVID-19 virus. Moreover, ARB sexert their beneficial effects via their anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-fibrotic properties. On the other hand, those patients who are on ACEIs medications must change to other safe drugs since ACEIs can facilitate an increase in COVID-19 virus entry into the body as well as reducing levels and protecting effect of Ang 1-7. © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.