Toxicological assessment of pristine and degraded forms of graphene functionalized with MnOx nanoparticles using human in vitro models representing different exposure routes.

The development of novel advanced nanomaterials (NMs) with outstanding characteristics for their use in distinct applications needs to be accompanied by the generation of knowledge on their potential toxicological impact, in particular, that derived from different occupational risk exposure routes, such as inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. The harmful effects of novel graphene-metal oxide composites on human health are not well understood, many toxicological properties have not been investigated yet. The present study has evaluated several toxicological effects associated with graphene decorated with manganese oxide nanoparticles (GNA15), in a comparative assessment with those induced by simple graphene (G2), on human models representing inhalation (A549 cell line), ingestion (HT29 cell line) and dermal routes (3D reconstructed skin).

The tropical cookbook: Termite diet and phylogenetics-Over geographical origin-Drive the microbiome and functional genetic structure of nests.

Termites are key decomposers of dead plant material involved in the organic matter recycling process in warm terrestrial ecosystems. Due to their prominent role as urban pests of timber, research efforts have been directed toward biocontrol strategies aimed to use pathogens in their nest. However, one of the most fascinating aspects of termites is their defense strategies that prevent the growth of detrimental microbiological strains in their nests.

Advances in experimental and computational methodologies for the study of microbial-surface interactions at different omics levels.

The study of the biological response of microbial cells interacting with natural and synthetic interfaces has acquired a new dimension with the development and constant progress of advanced omics technologies. New methods allow the isolation and analysis of nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites from complex samples, of interest in diverse research areas, such as materials sciences, biomedical sciences, forensic sciences, biotechnology and archeology, among others. The study of the bacterial recognition and response to surface contact or the diagnosis and evolution of ancient pathogens contained in archeological tissues require, in many cases, the availability of specialized methods and tools.

Toxicology assessment of manganese oxide nanomaterials with enhanced electrochemical properties using human in vitro models representing different exposure routes.

In the present study, a comparative human toxicity assessment between newly developed MnO nanoparticles with enhanced electrochemical properties (GNA35) and their precursor material (MnO) was performed, employing different in vitro cellular models representing main exposure routes (inhalation, intestinal and dermal contact), namely the human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cell line (A549), the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29), and the reconstructed 3D human epidermal model EpiDerm. The obtained results showed that MnO and GNA35 harbour similar morphological characteristics, whereas differences were observed in relation to their surface area and electrochemical properties. In regard to their toxicological properties, both nanomaterials induced ROS in the A549 and HT29 cell lines, while cell viability reduction was only observed in the A549 cells.

Molecular Phylogeny Reveals the Past Transoceanic Voyages of Drywood Termites (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae).

Termites are major decomposers in terrestrial ecosystems and the second most diverse lineage of social insects. The Kalotermitidae form the second-largest termite family and are distributed across tropical and subtropical ecosystems, where they typically live in small colonies confined to single wood items inhabited by individuals with no foraging abilities. How the Kalotermitidae have acquired their global distribution patterns remains unresolved.

Small RNAs as Fundamental Players in the Transference of Information During Bacterial Infectious Diseases.

Communication shapes life on Earth. Transference of information has played a paramount role on the evolution of all living or extinct organisms since the appearance of life. Success or failure in this process will determine the prevalence or disappearance of a certain set of genes, the basis of Darwinian paradigm.

Effects of industrial effluents containing moderate levels of antibiotic mixtures on the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in exposed creek sediments.

Environmental discharges of very high (mg/L) antibiotic levels from pharmaceutical production contributed to the selection, spread and persistence of antibiotic resistance. However, the effects of less antibiotic-polluted effluents (μg/L) from drug-formulation on exposed aquatic microbial communities are still scarce. Here we analyzed formulation effluents and sediments from the receiving creek collected at the discharge site (DW0), upstream (UP) and 3000 m downstream of discharge (DW3000) during winter and summer season.

Antibiotic-manufacturing sites are hot-spots for the release and spread of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in receiving aquatic environments.

High antibiotic releases from manufacturing facilities have been identified as a risk factor for antibiotic resistance development in bacterial pathogens. However, the role of antibiotic pollution in selection and transferability of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is still limited. In this study, we analyzed effluents from azithromycin-synthesis and veterinary-drug formulation facilities as well as sediments from receiving river and creek taken at the effluent discharge sites, upstream and downstream of discharge.

The changes in the transcriptomic profiling of subcutaneous adipose tissue after bariatric surgery depend on the insulin resistance state.

Background: The changes that are produced in the gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are not yet fully known.

Objective: To identify the changes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression of morbidly obese women with low insulin resistance (MO-low-IR) and high insulin resistance (MO-high-IR) to find a relationship with measured obesity-related co-morbidities.

Setting: A university hospital.

Small RNAs in cell-to-cell communications during bacterial infection.

Intercellular communication is a widespread phenomenon in all domains of life. Bacteria have developed many ways of communicating with one another and with other species, either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. RNA has been a key molecule since the beginning of life on Earth, and is one of the carriers of information.

Negative environmental impacts of antibiotic-contaminated effluents from pharmaceutical industries.

Effluents from pharmaceutical industries are recognized as significant contributors to aquatic pollution with antibiotics. Although such pollution has been mostly reported in Asia, knowledge on industrial discharges in other regions of the world, including Europe, and on the effects associated with such exposures is still limited. Thus, we performed chemical, microbiological and ecotoxicological analyses of effluents from two Croatian pharmaceutical industries during four seasons.

Fever as an important resource for infectious diseases research.

Fever or pyrexia is a process where normal body temperature is raised over homeostasis conditions. Although many effects of fever over the immune system have been known for a long time, it has not been until recent studies when these effects have been evaluated in several infection processes. Results have been promising, as they have reported new ways of regulation, especially in RNA molecules.

Role of metabolism during viral infections, and crosstalk with the innate immune system.

Viruses have been for long polemic biological particles which stand in the twilight of being living entities or not. As their genome is reduced, they rely on the metabolic machinery of their host in order to replicate and be able to continue with their infection process. The understanding of their metabolic requirements is thus of paramount importance in order to develop tailored drugs to control their population, without affecting the normal functioning of their host.

Effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass-induced weight loss on the transcriptomic profiling of subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Background: The changes in the transcriptomic profiling of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) when weight loss stabilizes after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are still largely unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the changes produced in SAT gene expression of morbidly obese women when their weight loss stabilizes 2 years after RYGB.

Setting: University hospital.

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): Advances through omics technologies, towards ESCC salivaomics.

Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the two main subtypes of oesophageal cancer, affecting mainly populations in Asia. Though there have been great efforts to develop methods for a better prognosis, there is still a limitation in the staging of this affection. As a result, ESCC is detected at advances stages, when the interventions on the patient do not have such a positive outcome, leading in many cases to recurrence and to a very low 5-year survival rate, causing high mortality.

De novo assembly and functional annotation of the olive (Olea europaea) transcriptome.

Olive breeding programmes are focused on selecting for traits as short juvenile period, plant architecture suited for mechanical harvest, or oil characteristics, including fatty acid composition, phenolic, and volatile compounds to suit new markets. Understanding the molecular basis of these characteristics and improving the efficiency of such breeding programmes require the development of genomic information and tools. However, despite its economic relevance, genomic information on olive or closely related species is still scarce.