ABSTRACT
. Welcome. The publication of a structured and detailed report on the general policy and on model (positive and negative) experiences of 'welcome' directed to the spectrum of human groups (from migrants to marginalised minorities) over the last 2 years in Italy, provides the opportunity of a comprehensive and critical reflection on the impact of a culture of 'emergency' on societal values: a choice between diffuse (institutional and general) strategies of care, and widespread practices of violations of human rights. The nursing world should be a qualified and active actor in this highly conflicting scenario.
Subject(s)
Human Rights , Transients and Migrants , Humans , ItalyABSTRACT
Short-chain fatty acids are processed from indigestible dietary fibers by gut bacteria and have immunomodulatory properties. Here, we investigate propionic acid (PA) in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease. Serum and feces of subjects with MS exhibited significantly reduced PA amounts compared with controls, particularly after the first relapse. In a proof-of-concept study, we supplemented PA to therapy-naive MS patients and as an add-on to MS immunotherapy. After 2 weeks of PA intake, we observed a significant and sustained increase of functionally competent regulatory T (Treg) cells, whereas Th1 and Th17 cells decreased significantly. Post-hoc analyses revealed a reduced annual relapse rate, disability stabilization, and reduced brain atrophy after 3 years of PA intake. Functional microbiome analysis revealed increased expression of Treg-cell-inducing genes in the intestine after PA intake. Furthermore, PA normalized Treg cell mitochondrial function and morphology in MS. Our findings suggest that PA can serve as a potent immunomodulatory supplement to MS drugs.