Interplay between oncolytic measles virus, macrophages and cancer cells induces a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment.

Attenuated measles virus (MV) exerts its oncolytic activity in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells that lack type-I interferon (IFN-I) production or responsiveness. However, other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as myeloid cells, possess functional antiviral pathways. In this study, we aimed to characterize the interplay between MV and the myeloid cells in human MPM.

Positive affect and self-care mediate the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and academic engagement in Lebanese undergraduates: Lessons learned from an online setting.

This study examined the impact of positive psychology variables, namely trait emotional intelligence (EI), positive affect and self-care, on academic engagement (AE) in an online learning environment during COVID-19. The study involved 717 undergraduates in Lebanon and utilised structural equation modelling for data analysis. The results demonstrated that positive affect and self-care mediated the relationship between trait EI and AE.

Guanfacine Normalizes the Overexpression of Presynaptic α-2A Adrenoceptor Signaling and Ameliorates Neuropathic Pain in a Chronic Animal Model of Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Diabetes is associated with several complications, including neuropathic pain, which is difficult to manage with currently available drugs. Descending noradrenergic neurons possess antinociceptive activity; however, their involvement in diabetic neuropathic pain remains to be explored.

Methods: To infer the regulatory role of this system, we examined as a function of diabetes, the expression and localization of alpha-2A adrenoceptors (α2-AR) in the dorsal root ganglia and key regions of the central nervous system, including pons and lumbar segment of the spinal cord using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence-based techniques.

High Oncolytic Activity of a Double-Deleted Vaccinia Virus Copenhagen Strain against Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer of the pleura that lacks efficient treatment. Oncolytic immunotherapy using oncolytic vaccinia virus (VV) may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of this malignancy. Here, we studied the oncolytic activity of VV thymidine kinase ()ribonucleotide reductase ()green fluorescent protein () against MPM.

Cross-Species Proteomics Identifies CAPG and SBP1 as Crucial Invasiveness Biomarkers in Rat and Human Malignant Mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) still represents a devastating disease that is often detected too late, while the current effect of therapies on patient outcomes remains unsatisfactory. Invasiveness biomarkers may contribute to improving early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for patients, a task that could benefit from the development of high-throughput proteomics. To limit potential sources of bias when identifying such biomarkers, we conducted cross-species proteomic analyzes on three different MM sources.

Impact of a novel partial defatting technology on oxidative stability and sensory properties of peanut kernels.

A novel process, 'mechanical expression preserving shape integrity', was conceived to prepare low-fat peanuts in response to health-conscious consumer demands. The main purpose of this study was to preserve the taste, aroma, and oxidative stability of the defatted product. Results generated from a central composite rotatable design showed that highest consumer sensory scores were reached at low pressures (4-6 MPa).

S100A4 is a Biomarker of Tumorigenesis, EMT, Invasion, and Colonization of Host Organs in Experimental Malignant Mesothelioma.

Recent findings suggest that S100A4, a protein involved in communication between stromal cells and cancer cells, could be more involved than previously expected in cancer invasiveness. To investigate its cumulative value in the multistep process of the pathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma (MM), SWATH-MS (sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragmentation spectra), an advanced and robust technique of quantitative proteomics, was used to analyze a collection of 26 preneoplastic and neoplastic rat mesothelial cell lines and models of MM with increasing invasiveness. Secondly, proteomic and histological analyses were conducted on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of liver metastases vs.

Hydrogen Sulfide Donor NaHS Improves Metabolism and Reduces Muscle Atrophy in Type 2 Diabetes: Implication for Understanding Sarcopenic Pathophysiology.

Sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and functionality, constitutes a major contributor to disability in diabetes. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) dynamics and muscle mass regulatory signaling were studied in GK rats, a model for type 2 diabetes (T2D). GK rats exhibited a number of features that are consistent with sarcopenia and T2D including loss of muscle mass and strength, in addition to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and impaired -cell responsiveness to glucose.

The combination of everolimus and zoledronic acid increase the efficacy of gemcitabine in a mouse model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Gemcitabine is a standard treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Many mechanisms are involved in gemcitabine resistance, such as reduced expression of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) membrane transporter, deoxycytidine kinase deficiency, and changes in the signal transmission of mitogen-activity protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways.

Aim: To evaluate the anti-tumor efficiency of blocking signaling pathways using combined action of gemcitabine, everolimus and zoledronic acid versus gemcitabine alone in a mouse subcutaneous xenograft.

Characterization of increasing stages of invasiveness identifies stromal/cancer cell crosstalk in rat models of mesothelioma.

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma (SM) is a devastating cancer associated with one of the poorest outcome. Therefore, representative preclinical models reproducing different tumor microenvironments (TME) observed in patients would open up new prospects for the identification of markers and evaluation of innovative therapies. Histological analyses of four original models of rat SM revealed their increasing infiltrative and metastatic potential were associated with differences in Ki67 index, blood-vessel density, and T-lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration.

Evaluation of intracavitary administration of curcumin for the treatment of sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

A rat model of sarcomatoid mesothelioma, mimicking some of the worst clinical conditions encountered, was established to evaluate the therapeutic potential of intracavitary curcumin administration. The M5-T1 cell line, selected from a collection established from F344 rats induced with asbestos, produces tumors within three weeks, with extended metastasis in normal tissues, after intraperitoneal inoculation in syngeneic rats. The optimal concentration/time conditions for killing M5-T1 cells with curcumin were first determined .

Color and texture of low-calorie peanuts as affected by a new oil extraction process named "Mechanical Expression Preserving Shape Integrity" (MEPSI).

The current healthy life style pushed to develop and implement a novel efficient defatting process of high quality called "Mechanical Expression Preserving Shape Integrity" that conserved the sensory, color, textural, morphological and acceptability of partially defatted roasted peanuts. In this study, Response Surface Methodology was used to investigate the best extraction parameters (initial water content, pressure and pressing duration) based on the highest Color Consumer Evaluation scores, the best colorimetric parameters (L*, a*, b*, ΔE*) and the most appealing textural attributes (Fracturability, First Fracture Work Done, First Fracture Percentage of Deformation, Rupture Force, Percentage of Deformation at Rupture). Experimental results showed that defatting promotes a lighter and neutral grain color, higher fracturability and rupture force as well as higher deformation strength.

Characterization of preneoplastic and neoplastic rat mesothelial cell lines: the involvement of TETs, DNMTs, and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is one of the worst cancers in terms of clinical outcome, urging the need to establish and characterize new preclinical tools for investigation of the tumorigenic process, improvement of early diagnosis and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies. For these purposes, we characterized a collection of 27 cell lines established from F344 rats, after 136 to 415 days of induction with crocidolite asbestos administered intraperitoneally. Four mesotheliomas were distinguished from 23 preneoplastic mesothelial cell lines (PN) according to their propensity to generate tumors after orthotopic transplantation into syngeneic rats, their growth pattern, and the expression profile of three genes.

A novel process for preparing low-fat peanuts: Optimization of the oil extraction yield with limited structural and organoleptic damage.

The main purpose of this study was to extract the maximum amount of oil from peanuts without causing major damage and preserving their organoleptic quality after defatting. Accordingly, a successful, healthy, eco-friendly and economic defatting process for peanuts was implemented using mechanical oil expression, which was optimized by means of Response Surface Methodology. The results demonstrated that maximum extraction yields were obtained at a low initial moisture content (5-7% d.

Prior stimulation of the endocannabinoid system prevents methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in the striatum through activation of CB2 receptors.

Methamphetamine toxicity is associated with cell death and loss of dopamine neuron terminals in the striatum similar to what is found in some neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been suggested to be neuroprotective in the brain, and new pharmacological tools have been developed to increase their endogenous tone. In this study, we evaluated whether ECS stimulation could reduce the neurotoxicity of high doses of methamphetamine on the dopamine system.

Loss of environmental enrichment increases vulnerability to cocaine addiction.

Life experiences, especially during critical periods of maturation, such as adolescence, can dramatically affect vulnerability to diseases at adulthood. Early exposure to positive environmental conditions such as environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown to reduce the occurrence and the intensity of neurological and psychiatric disorders including drug addiction. However, whether or not exposure to EE during early stages of life would protect from addiction when, at adulthood, individuals may find themselves in non-enriched conditions has not been investigated.

Early exposure to environmental enrichment alters the expression of genes of the endocannabinoid system.

Early environmental enrichment (EE) produces several changes in gene expression in the brain and confers protection against the behavioral, neurochemical and molecular effects of repeated administration of drugs of abuse. Because the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) is known to play an important role in the rewarding effects of drugs, we investigated whether the positive effects of early exposure to EE are associated with changes in the expression of genes encoding for proteins that belong to the ECS in C57 mice. Using in situ hybridization, we compared the expression of the cannabinoid receptor CB1, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) enzymes in brain regions involved in drug addiction in mice reared in either EE or standard environments (SE) from weaning until adulthood.