Publications by authors named "Castello A"

RNA is a central molecule for viruses; however, the interactions that viral RNA (vRNA) establishes with the host cell is only starting to be elucidated. Here, we determine the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) composition of the prototypical arthropod-borne Sindbis virus (SINV). We show that SINV RNAs engage with hundreds of cellular proteins, including a group of nuclear RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with unknown roles in infection.

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The intramuscular oleic-to-stearic fatty acid ratio (C18:1n-9/C18:0) is an important indicator of the biosynthesis and desaturation of fatty acids in muscle. By using an RNA-Seq approach in muscle samples from 32 BC1_DU (25% Iberian and 75% Duroc) pigs with divergent values (high: H and low: L) of C18:1n-9/C18:0 fatty acids ratio, a total of 81 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Functional analyses of DEGs indicate that mainly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway (associated genes: PPARG, SCD, PLIN1, and FABP3) was overrepresented.

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Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor associated primarily with asbestos exposure, characterized by an aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of therapeutic response are crucial for effective patient management. Along with a computed tomography (CT) scan, fluorodeoxyglucose labeled with fluorine-18 ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is commonly used in mesothelioma evaluation.

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Article Synopsis
  • PSMA PET/CT has become a key imaging technique for prostate cancer, offering advantages over traditional imaging methods and PSA serum levels, especially in monitoring treatment responses in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
  • A systematic search of medical literature revealed that PSMA PET imaging significantly improves sensitivity and specificity for detecting metastases, aiding in accurate staging and diagnosing distant spread of the disease.
  • Ongoing prospective trials are expected to provide further evidence supporting the prognostic benefits of PSMA PET/CT in mCRPC, underscoring its growing importance in clinical practice.
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RNA is a central molecule in RNA virus biology; however, the interactions that it establishes with the host cell are only starting to be elucidated. In recent years, a methodology revolution has dramatically expanded the scope of host-virus interactions involving the viral RNA (vRNA). A second wave of method development has enabled the precise study of these protein-vRNA interactions in a life cycle stage-dependent manner, as well as providing insights into the interactome of specific vRNA species.

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TRIM25 is an RNA-binding ubiquitin E3 ligase with central but poorly understood roles in the innate immune response to RNA viruses. The link between TRIM25's RNA binding and its role in innate immunity has not been established. Thus, we utilized a multitude of biophysical techniques to identify key RNA-binding residues of TRIM25 and developed an RNA-binding deficient mutant (TRIM25-m9).

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Pseudouridine (Ψ) is one of the most abundant modifications in cellular RNA. However, its function remains elusive, mainly due to the lack of highly sensitive and accurate detection methods. Here, we introduced 2-bromoacrylamide-assisted cyclization sequencing (BACS), which enables Ψ-to-C transitions, for quantitative profiling of Ψ at single-base resolution.

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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted testing inequities in developing countries. Lack of lateral flow test (LFT) manufacturing capacity was a major COVID-19 response bottleneck in low- and middle-income regions. Here we report the development of an open-access LFT for SARS-CoV-2 detection comparable to commercial tests that requires only locally available supplies.

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Background: The composition and distribution of fatty acids (FA) are important factors determining the quality, flavor, and nutrient value of meat. In addition, FAs synthesized in the body participate in energy metabolism and are involved in different regulatory pathways in the form of signaling molecules or by acting as agonist or antagonist ligands of different nuclear receptors. Finally, synthesis and catabolism of FAs affect adaptive immunity by regulating lymphocyte metabolism.

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There is evidence that Murciano Granadina (MG), the most important caprine dairy breed in Spain, has been introgressed by African goats, but the precise geographic origin of such introgression has not been identified yet. Moreover, an accurate estimate of the magnitude of this African introgression is lacking, since current estimates are based on small numbers of sampled individuals. The aim of our work was to tackle these two issues by genotyping 500 MG goats with the Goat SNP50 BeadChip and comparing their genotypes with those of reference populations from Spain (Bermeya), France (Saanen), Morocco (Barcha, Draa, Ghazalia, Noire de Atlas, Nord, Moroccan), Egypt (Barki, Oasis, Saidi), Algeria (Arabia, Makatia, M'Zabite, Kabyle), Tunisia (Tunisian native breeds) and Sudan (Desert, Nilotic, Taggar).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzes the genetic profiles of recurrent thymomas, using samples from 23 patients out of a cohort of 426 thymomas for comparison with primary tumors and a control group of non-recurrent cases.
  • Comprehensive genetic profiling (CGP) was conducted using the NGS Tru-Sight Oncology assay, revealing no significant differences in genetic alterations between initial tumors and recurrent ones, nor between recurrent and non-recurrent thymomas.
  • However, it was found that cell cycle control gene alterations are linked with early recurrence, and over 50% of patients may qualify for potential targeted therapies through a precision medicine approach.
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Nonsense variants can inactivate gene function by causing the synthesis of truncated proteins or by inducing nonsense mediated decay of messenger RNAs. The occurrence of such variants in the genomes of livestock species is modulated by multiple demographic and selective factors. Even though nonsense variants can have causal effects on embryo lethality, abortions, and disease, their genomic distribution and segregation in domestic goats have not been characterized in depth yet.

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The virus is the smallest known replicative unit, usually in nanometer-range sizes. The most simple and sensitive detection assay involves molecular amplification of nucleic acids. This work shows a novel, straightforward detection based on the interaction of viral particles with fluorescent nanoconstructs without using enzymatic amplification, washing or separation steps.

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In pigs, meat quality depends markedly on the fatty acid (FA) content and composition of the intramuscular fat, which is partly determined by the gene expression in this tissue. The aim of this work was to identify the link between muscle gene expression and its FA composition. In an (Iberian × Duroc) × Duroc backcrossed pig population, we identified modules of co-expressed genes, and correlation analyses were performed for each of them versus the phenotypes, finding four relevant modules.

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In this work, we describe the construction and application of a repurposed 3D-printer as a fraction collector. We utilize a nano-LC to ensure minimal volumes and surfaces although any LC can be coupled. The setup operates as a high-pH fractionation system capable of effectively working with nanogram scales of lysate digests.

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According to the number of falls, fallers can be single (only one fall) or recurrent (two or more falls), with different risk profiles for loss of independence and frailty. The presence of risk factors in community-dwelling single- and recurrent fallers using a wearable fall-detection device, such as the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), as part of a telemergency service, is still unknown. This article evaluates how using a PERS, within a telemergency service, helps identify risk profiles and assessment of any differences between non-fallers and fallers in community-dwelling older adults.

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Notification of foodborne outbreaks has been mandatory in Europe since 2005, and surveillance is carried out along the entire food chain. Here we report the results obtained from laboratory investigations about four cases of foodborne outbreaks that occurred in Sicily between 2009 and 2016, deemed to be related to staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) and coagulase-positive (CPS) by the Local Public Health Authority. cheese samples were processed by culture methods for enumeration of CPS and immunoenzymatic assays for detection and differentiation of the SEs possibly contained in food samples.

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: Radiomics and machine learning are innovative approaches to improve the clinical management of NSCLC. However, there is less information about the additive value of FDG PET-based radiomics compared with clinical and imaging variables. : This retrospective study included 320 NSCLC patients who underwent PET/CT with FDG at initial staging.

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Research on innovative mucosal adjuvants is essential to develop new vaccines for safe mucosal application. In this work, we propose the development of a Lactococcus lactis that expresses a variant of flagellin on its surface (FliC131*), to increase the adjuvanticity of the living cell and cell wall-derived particles (CWDP). We optimized the expression of FliC131*, and confirmed its identity and localization by Western blot and flow cytometry.

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Bivalves can concentrate biological and chemical pollutants, causing foodborne outbreaks whose occurrence is increasing, due to climatic and anthropic factors that are difficult to reverse, hence the need for improved surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate the hygienic qualities of bivalves sampled along the production and distribution chain in Sicily and collect useful data for consumer safety. Bacteriological and molecular analyses were performed on 254 samples of bivalves for the detection of enteropathogenic , spp.

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Background: Intramuscular fat (IMF) content and its fatty acid (FA) composition are typically controlled by several genes, each with a small effect. In the current study, to pinpoint candidate genes and putative regulators involved in FA composition, we performed a multivariate integrative analysis between intramuscular FA and transcriptome profiles of porcine longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. We also carried out a combination of network, regulatory impact factor (RIF), in silico prediction of putative target genes, and functional analyses to better support the biological relevance of our findings.

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Background: Traffic exposure has been associated with biomarkers of increased biological ageing, age-related chronic morbidities, and increased respiratory, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality. Whether it is associated with functional impairments and unhealthy ageing trajectories is unknown.

Methods: Nationally representative population-based cohort with 3,126 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥60 years who contributed 8,291 biannual visits over a 10 year period.

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Background: Some researchers have suggested that zinc (Zn) could reduce the risk of prostate cancer (PC). However, research from observational studies on the relationship between PC risk and biomarkers of Zn exposure shows conflicting results.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between toenail Zn and PC, considering tumour extension and aggressiveness, along with a gene-environment approach, exploring the interaction of individual genetic susceptibility to PC in the relationship between toenail Zn and PC.

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RNA is a central molecule in the life cycle of viruses, acting not only as messenger (m)RNA but also as a genome. Given these critical roles, it is not surprising that viral RNA is a hub for host-virus interactions. However, the interactome of viral RNAs remains largely unknown.

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