Targeting hyaluronan metabolism-related molecules associated with resistant tumor-initiating cells potentiates chemotherapy efficacy in lung cancer.

The success of chemotherapy regimens in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could be restricted at least in part by cancer stem cells (CSC) niches within the tumor microenvironment (TME). CSC express CD133, CD44, CD47, and SOX2, among other markers and factors. Analysis of public data revealed that high expression of hyaluronan (HA), the main glycosaminoglycan of TME, correlated positively with CSC phenotype and decreased disease-free interval in NSCLC patients.

Modified mesenchymal stromal cells by in vitro transcribed mRNA: a therapeutic strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) tropism for tumours allows their use as carriers of antitumoural factors and in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT mRNA) is a promising tool for effective transient expression without insertional mutagenesis risk. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine with antitumor properties by stimulating the specific immune response. The aim of this work was to generate modified MSCs by IVT mRNA transfection to overexpress GM-CSF and determine their therapeutic effect alone or in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatic SPARC Expression Is Associated with Inflammasome Activation during the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Both Mice and Morbidly Obese Patients.

The severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, and it is not yet clearly understood which patients will progress to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) has been involved in NAFLD pathogenesis in mice and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SPARC in inflammasome activation, and to evaluate the relationship between the hepatic expression of inflammasome genes and the biochemical and histological characteristics of NAFLD in obese patients.

A nationwide monitoring of atmospheric microplastic deposition.

Plastic production continues to increase every year, yet it is widely acknowledged that a significant portion of this material ends up in ecosystems as microplastics (MPs). Among all the environmental compartments affected by MPs, the atmosphere remains the least well-known. Here, we conducted a one-year simultaneous monitoring of atmospheric MPs deposition in ten urban areas, each with different population sizes, economic activities, and climates.

A holistic approach on the impact of microplastic discharge from WWTPs to the neighboring environment in Southeast Spain.

The present study investigated the release of microplastics (MPs) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to the neighboring environment, including marine and coastal sediments, and fish. Here, we comprehensively investigated MP abundance in 34 samples of marine sediment, corresponding to 5,530.5 g of sediment (d.

Occurrence and size distribution study of microplastics in household water from different cities in continental Spain and the Canary Islands.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in drinking water in Spain by comparing tap water from different locations using common sampling and identification procedures. We sampled tap water from 24 points in 8 different locations from continental Spain and the Canary Islands by means of 25 μm opening size steel filters coupled to household connections. All particles were measured and spectroscopically characterized including not only MPs but also particles consisting of natural materials with evidence of industrial processing, such as dyed natural fibres, referred insofar as artificial particles (APs).

Does Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Matter for Liver Health? Prospective Analysis among Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of liver alterations that can result in severe disease and even death. Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has been associated with obesity and related comorbidities. However, the link between UPF and NAFLD has not been sufficiently assessed.

Evaluation of cancer stem cells markers expression in HCC trough real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) flexibility, robustness and reproducibility have rapidly extended the scope of the method. Cancer stem cells are gaining increasing importance since their role in cancer initiation, treatment resistance and recurrence give rise to a wide range of potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The expression of several characteristic markers is proven a reliable method to assess stem-like-phenotype of cancer cells.

First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens' lower airway.

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies have investigated the presence of airborne MPs in the human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants in the lower human airways of 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables the detection of these pollutants in living patients.

Weathering indices of microplastics along marine and coastal sediments from the harbor of Cartagena (Spain) and its adjoining urban beach.

Marine and coastal sediments from the harbor of Cartagena (Spain) and its adjoining beach were investigated regarding their microplastic burden. Fibers accounted for 47.62% and 61.

A new tool to screen patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea in the primary care setting: a prospective multicenter study.

Background: The coordination between different levels of care is essential for the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The objective of this multicenter project was to develop a screening model for OSA in the primary care setting.

Methods: Anthropometric data, clinical history, and symptoms of OSA were recorded in randomly selected primary care patients, who also underwent a home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Micro and Nano-Plastics in the Environment: Research Priorities for the Near Future.

Plastic litter dispersed in the different environmental compartments represents one of the most concerning problems associated with human activities. Specifically, plastic particles in the micro and nano size scale are ubiquitous and represent a threat to human health and the environment. In the last few decades, a huge amount of research has been devoted to evaluate several aspects of micro/nano-plastic contamination: origin and emissions, presence in different compartments, environmental fate, effects on human health and the environment, transfer in the food web and the role of associated chemicals and microorganisms.

Commercial Gilthead Seabream ( L.) from the Mar Menor Coastal Lagoon as Hotspots of Microplastic Accumulation in the Digestive System.

This paper presents the results on the presence and characterization of microplastics (MP) in the gastrointestinal tract of gilthead seabream ( L.), a species of commercial interest from the Mar Menor coastal lagoon in Southeast Spain. This is the first time that microplastic ingestion is recorded in any species from this semi-enclosed bay.

Acceleration of TAA-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Stress Exposure Is Associated with Upregulation of Nerve Growth Factor and Glycopattern Deviations.

Liver fibrosis results from many chronic injuries and may often progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In fact, up to 90% of HCC arise in a cirrhotic liver. Conversely, stress is implicated in liver damage, worsening disease outcome.

Impact of the subcutaneous formulations of trastuzumab and rituximab on efficiency and resource optimization in Spanish hospitals: H-Excelencia study.

Background: Subcutaneous (SC) versus intravenous (IV) administration is advantageous in terms of patient convenience and hospital efficiency. This study aimed to compare the effect of optimizing the processes involved in SC versus IV administration of rituximab and trastuzumab on hospital capacity and service quality.

Methods: This cross-sectional resource utilization study interviewed oncologists, hematologists, nurses, and pharmacists from 10 hospitals in Spain to estimate changes in processes associated with conversion from IV to SC rituximab and trastuzumab, based on clinical experience and healthcare use from administrative databases.

4-methylumbelliferone-mediated polarization of M1 macrophages correlate with decreased hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness in mice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in the setting of advanced liver fibrosis, a dynamic and complex inflammatory disease. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a mixture of cellular components including cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), and dendritic cells (DCs), which might drive to tumor progression and resistance to therapies. In this work, we study the effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (4Mu) on TME and how this change could be exploited to promote a potent immune response against HCC.

SPARC inhibition accelerates NAFLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma development by dysregulating hepatic lipid metabolism.

Background And Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and its more serious form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lipid metabolic alterations and its role in HCC development remain unclear. SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) is involved in lipid metabolism, NAFLD and diabetes, but the effects on hepatic lipid metabolism and HCC development is unknown.