Cigarette smoke extract induces p38-mediated expression and ROS/rho-mediated translocation of alpha 2C adrenoceptor in human microvascular smooth muscle cells.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vascular disease characterized by exaggerated vasoconstriction in response to stressors, mainly cold and emotional stress. This vasoconstriction is mediated solely by alpha 2C-adrenoceptors (α-AR) expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells of dermal arterioles. Several factors, among which is cigarette smoking, are associated with aggravated symptoms of and increased risk for RP.

Flavonoids, gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease: Dynamics and interplay.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Extensive efforts have been invested to explicate mechanisms implicated in the onset and progression of CVD. Besides the usual suspects as risk factors (obesity, diabetes, and others), the gut microbiome has emerged as a prominent and essential factor in the pathogenesis of CVD.

Immunotherapy and immunoevasion of colorectal cancer.

The tremendous success of immunotherapy in clinical trials has led to its establishment as a new pillar of cancer therapy. However, little clinical efficacy has been achieved in microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC), which constitutes most CRC tumors. Here, we discuss the molecular and genetic heterogeneity of CRC.

Design and implementation of the European-Mediterranean Postgraduate Programme on Organ Donation and Transplantation (EMPODaT) for Middle East/North Africa countries.

This prospective study reports the design and results obtained after the EMPODaT project implementation. This project was funded by the Tempus programme of the European Commission with the objective to implement a common postgraduate programme on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in six selected universities from Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries (Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco). The consortium, coordinated by the University of Barcelona, included universities from Spain, Germany, Sweden and France.

Mitochondrial bioenergetics, uncoupling protein-2 activity, and reactive oxygen species production in the small intestine of a TNBS-induced colitis rat model.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with a decrease in energy-dependent nutrient uptake across the jejunum that serves as the main site for absorption in the small intestine. This association has prompted us to investigate the bioenergetics underlying the alterations in jejunal absorption in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats. We have found that mitochondrial oxygen consumption did not change in state 2 and state 3 respirations but showed an increase in state 4 respiration indicating a decrease in the respiratory control ratio of jejunal mitochondria during the peak of inflammation.