University of Rijeka

About: University of Rijeka is a education organization based out in Rijeka, Croatia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Tourism. The organization has 3471 authors who have published 7993 publications receiving 110386 citations. The organization is also known as: Rijeka University & Sveučilište u Rijeci.

Nutrition Influences Skeletal Development from Childhood to Adulthood: a Study of Hip, Spine, and Forearm in Adolescent Females

Abstract: This study evaluated the long-term efficacy of supplemental calcium and dairy products on bone mineral areal density of the hip and spine and on the bone geometry and volumetric bone mineral density of the forearm in young females during late adolescence. The study was conducted among participants of a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial with calcium supplements and among participants of an observational study with higher consumption of dairy products. Hip and spine measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were done every 6 mo (dairy group every 12 mo) during last 3 y of the follow-up while peripheral quantitative computerized tomography of the forearm was done at the last visit. The results of the study show a positive influence of calcium supplementation and dairy products on bone mineral density of the hip and the forearm. Dairy products were also associated with a higher bone mineral density of the spine while calcium supplementation did not have an effect. Calcium exerts its action on bone accretion during growth primarily by influencing volumetric bone mineral density while milk may have an additional impact on bone growth and periosteal bone expansion.

Cutting Edge: CD8+ T Cell Priming in the Absence of NK Cells Leads to Enhanced Memory Responses

Abstract: It is uncertain whether NK cells modulate T cell memory differentiation. By using a genetic model that allows the selective depletion of NK cells, we show in this study that NK cells shape CD8 + T cell fate by killing recently activated CD8 + T cells in an NKG2D- and perforin-dependent manner. In the absence of NK cells, the differentiation of CD8 + T cells is strongly biased toward a central memory T cell phenotype. Although, on a per-cell basis, memory CD8 + T cells generated in the presence or the absence of NK cells have similar functional features and recall capabilities, NK cell deletion resulted in a significantly higher number of memory Ag-specific CD8 + T cells, leading to more effective control of tumors carrying model Ags. The enhanced memory responses induced by the transient deletion of NK cells may provide a rational basis for the design of new vaccination strategies.

Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo

Abstract: Unique and outstanding physical and chemical properties of zeolite materials make them extremely useful in a variety of applications including agronomy, ecology, manufacturing, and industrial processes. Recently, a more specific application of one naturally occurring zeolite material, clinoptilolite, has been widely studied in veterinary and human medicine. Due to a number of positive effects on health, including detoxification properties, the usage of clinoptilolite-based products in vivo has increased enormously. However, concerns have been raised in the public about the safety of clinoptilolite materials for in vivo applications. Here, we review the scientific literature on the health effects and safety in medical applications of different clinoptilolite-based materials and propose some comprehensive, scientifically-based hypotheses on possible biological mechanisms underlying the observed effects on the health and body homeostasis. We focus on the safety of the clinoptilolite material and the positive medical effects related to detoxification, immune response, and the general health status.

The Intraepithelial T Cell Response to NKG2D-Ligands Links Lymphoid Stress Surveillance to Atopy

Abstract: Epithelial cells respond to physicochemical damage with up-regulation of major histocompatibility complex-like ligands that can activate the cytolytic potential of neighboring intraepithelial T cells by binding the activating receptor, NKG2D. The systemic implications of this lymphoid stress-surveillance response, however, are unknown. We found that antigens encountered at the same time as cutaneous epithelial stress induced strong primary and secondary systemic, T helper 2 (T(H)2)-associated atopic responses in mice. These responses required NKG2D-dependent communication between dysregulated epithelial cells and tissue-associated lymphoid cells. These data are germane to uncertainty over the afferent induction of T(H)2 responses and provide a molecular framework for considering atopy as an important component of the response to tissue damage and carcinogenesis.