245 results match your criteria: "Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine[Affiliation]"

One of the most important goals of contemporary biology is to understand the principles of the molecular order underlying the complex dynamic architecture of cells. Here, we present an overview of the main driving forces involved in the cellular molecular complexity and in the emergent functional dynamic structures, spanning from the most basic molecular organization levels to the complex emergent integrative systemic behaviors. First, we address the molecular information processing which is essential in many complex fundamental mechanisms such as the epigenetic memory, alternative splicing, regulation of transcriptional system, and the adequate self-regulatory adaptation to the extracellular environment.

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Background: SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 are still active in the population. Some patients remained PCR-positive for more than 4 weeks, called "persistently PCR-positive". Recent evidence suggests a link between the gut microbiota and susceptibility to COVID-19, although no studies have explored persistent PCR conditions.

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Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis, involve dysregulated immune responses causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Despite advancements in clinical management, many patients do not respond to current treatments, which often show limited efficacy due to the persistence of autoreactive B cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, which has shown success in oncology for B cell malignancies, targets specific antigens and involves the adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells.

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A comprehensive study of common and rare genetic variants in spermatogenesis-related loci identifies new risk factors for idiopathic severe spermatogenic failure.

Hum Reprod Open

November 2024

Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.

Study Question: Can genome-wide genotyping data be analysed using a hypothesis-driven approach to enhance the understanding of the genetic basis of severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) in male infertility?

Summary Answer: Our findings revealed a significant association between SPGF and the gene and identified three novel genes (, , and ) along with 32 potentially pathogenic rare variants in 30 genes that contribute to this condition.

What Is Known Already: SPGF is a major cause of male infertility, often with an unknown aetiology. SPGF can be due to either multifactorial causes, including both common genetic variants in multiple genes and environmental factors, or highly damaging rare variants.

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Genome drafts of strains C2 and C3 isolated from honey bees in Spain.

Microbiol Resour Announc

January 2025

Department of Parasitology, Biochemical and Molecular Parasitology Group CTS-183, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.

Article Synopsis
  • The text discusses a common parasite affecting honey bees, highlighting its significance in research.* -
  • Two specific strains of the parasite, named C2 and C3, have their draft genome sequences reported, measuring approximately 27.15 Mbp and 26.94 Mbp.* -
  • These genome sequences, obtained using the Illumina MiSeq platform, will aid in future studies related to comparative and functional genomics.*
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Ischemic stroke is the result of a permanent or transient occlusion of a brain artery, leading to irreversible tissue injury and long-term sequelae. Despite ongoing advancements in revascularization techniques, stroke remains the second leading cause of death worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of the complex and interconnected mechanisms, along with the endogenous mediators that modulate stroke responses is essential for the development of effective interventions.

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Expanding the landscape of systemic sclerosis-related autoantibodies through RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with massive parallel sequencing.

J Autoimmun

December 2024

Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain.

Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on creating a new test to detect specific autoantibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) using RNA immunoprecipitation and massive parallel sequencing techniques.
  • Researchers analyzed serum samples from 307 SSc patients, with 57 undergoing detailed testing that identified 30,966 RNA molecules, ultimately narrowing down to 197 significant molecules linked to SSc-related autoantibodies.
  • The new assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in detecting autoantibodies, revealing not only known targets but also potential new ones associated with different clinical aspects of SSc.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how non-genetic factors, especially epigenetics like DNA methylation, contribute to the development of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
  • By analyzing DNA methylation data from 179 SSc patients and 241 healthy individuals, researchers identified 525 differentially methylated positions related to immune pathways, particularly those involving leukocyte adhesion.
  • The findings suggest that changes in DNA methylation impact gene expression and highlight the role of myeloid cells and specific transcription factors, opening up new avenues for potential clinical applications in treating SSc.
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Article Synopsis
  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complicated disease with various manifestations, making it hard to manage, but autoantibodies may help identify different patient groups and their underlying mechanisms.
  • A study of 206 SSc patients used antibody status (ACA and SCL70) and various biological analyses to explore differences between groups.
  • Results showed that SCL70-positive patients had more severe symptoms and unique biological profiles, while ACA-positive patients had a different set of immune and metabolic features, highlighting the importance of serological status in understanding and treating the disease.
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Emergence of cyclic hypoxia and the impact of PARP inhibitors on tumor progression.

NPJ Syst Biol Appl

October 2024

Departamento de Matemática Aplicada and Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), Universidad de Granada, Avenida de la Fuente Nueva S/N, Granada, 18071, Spain.

Article Synopsis
  • Tumor hypoxia involves fluctuating oxygen levels that occur over short (seconds to minutes) and long (hours to days) periods, with the longer cycles not being fully understood.
  • The study introduces a mathematical model explaining these long cycles through mechanisms like vascular changes, tumor growth influenced by oxygen, and the production of toxic cytokines, while highlighting the importance of endothelial cell receptor adaptation.
  • Additionally, the research suggests that using PARP inhibitors may help manage hypoxia by targeting tumor cell proliferation, pointing to new therapeutic strategies involving PARP proteins.
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Genome-wide studies define new genetic mechanisms of IgA vasculitis.

medRxiv

October 2024

Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.

Article Synopsis
  • IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is a pediatric disease characterized by skin and systemic symptoms, and researchers conducted comprehensive studies involving genome, transcriptome, and proteome analyses on a large cohort of IgAV patients and controls to better understand the disease mechanisms.* -
  • Significant associations were found with specific genetic risk factors, including two novel non-HLA loci linked to IgA receptor functioning, which may contribute to disease development through altered immune responses.* -
  • Systems biology approaches helped identify key regulatory networks and master regulators in myeloid cells, along with 21 genetic loci that overlap with IgA nephropathy, suggesting shared pathways in these related conditions.*
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Multi-omics framework to reveal the molecular determinants of fermentation performance in wine yeast populations.

Microbiome

October 2024

Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Microbiology Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, Madrid, 28040, Spain.

Article Synopsis
  • This study focuses on understanding how the types of yeast in wine fermentation relate to the flavors and quality of wines produced, highlighting the impact of both environmental factors and farming practices.
  • Researchers examined yeast communities in grape musts from various regions and found that the initial yeast composition greatly influences fermentation processes and the resulting wine profiles, rather than just the fermentation conditions applied.
  • The study also identified specific gene expressions in different yeast species that contribute to flavor development, suggesting that leveraging diverse yeast functionalities can help produce higher-quality wines tailored to specific preferences.
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Article Synopsis
  • This project analyzed if cranial ischaemic complications in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients were linked to existing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, CV diseases, or genetic predispositions.
  • The study examined data from 1946 GCA patients, finding that 17% had cranial ischaemic issues, with significant factors including age (especially those ≥80) and hypertension, while anticoagulant therapy seemed to reduce risk.
  • The research indicated potential genetic factors affecting CV-related traits and suggested that immune and coagulation pathways may play a role in these complications, warranting further investigation before applying findings to clinical settings.
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Relevance of gut microbiome research in food safety assessment.

Gut Microbes

October 2024

Department of Bioactivity and Food Analysis, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), CSIC-UAM, CEI (UAM+CSIC), Madrid, Spain.

Article Synopsis
  • The gut microbiome is crucial for our body's functioning, but the effects of non-nutritious food components on it are often ignored.
  • Certain food additives and microplastics may negatively impact the gut microbiome and human health, and understanding the mechanisms behind this is essential.
  • Recommendations include integrating gut microbiome research into food safety assessments to better evaluate the risks of food additives and contaminants.
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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers genotyped 552 SNPs in genes related to bone health in 268 patients, using data from the PEARL study, and analyzed their connection to BMD using linear regression.
  • * Significant associations were found between specific SNPs in the RANK and OPG genes with clinical severity and BMD; one SNP (rs1805034) was highlighted as a potential biomarker for severity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) makes it difficult for drugs to reach the central nervous system, but nanotechnology, particularly lipid nanoparticles with surface modifications, shows promise in improving drug delivery.
  • - A systematic review analyzed 2041 articles, identifying 80 relevant studies which highlighted that peptides are the most common modification for enhancing BBB permeability, followed by mixed strategies and proteins.
  • - Key findings indicated that factors like nanoparticle type, size (preferably under 150 nm), and functionalization strategy significantly influence drug delivery efficiency, underscoring the need for standardized testing methods to guide future research in this area.
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The blood-brain barrier constitutes a dynamic and interactive boundary separating the central nervous system and the peripheral circulation. It tightly modulates the ion transport and nutrient influx, while restricting the entry of harmful factors, and selectively limiting the migration of immune cells, thereby maintaining brain homeostasis. Despite the well-established association between blood-brain barrier disruption and most neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases, much remains unknown about the factors influencing its physiology and the mechanisms underlying its breakdown.

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Genetics of vasculitis.

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol

December 2024

Division of Rheumatology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • * Genetic predisposition is significant, with evidence from family history, ethnicity differences, and genetic variants, primarily in the HLA region, playing critical roles in disease risk and severity.
  • * Future research should aim to identify specific genetic markers to improve early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies for systemic vasculitis.
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Retrotransposons are mobile DNA sequences duplicated via transcription and reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. Cis-regulatory elements encoded by retrotransposons can also promote the transcription of adjacent genes. Somatic LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposon insertions have been detected in mammalian neurons.

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Background: Giant cell arteritis is an age-related vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta and its branches in individuals aged 50 years and older. Current options for diagnosis and treatment are scarce, highlighting the need to better understand its underlying pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as a powerful tool for unravelling the pathogenic mechanisms involved in complex diseases.

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Directional motility is an essential property of cells. Despite its enormous relevance in many fundamental physiological and pathological processes, how cells control their locomotion movements remains an unresolved question. Here, we have addressed the systemic processes driving the directed locomotion of cells.

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A Novel Plant-Based Nutraceutical Combined with Exercise Can Revert Oxidative Status in Plasma and Liver in a Diet-Induced-Obesity Animal Model.

Antioxidants (Basel)

February 2024

Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INyTA), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), Sport and Health University Research Institute (IMUDS), Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain.

The prevalence of obesity increases alarmingly every year mostly due to external factors such as high-fat and high-refined sugar intake associated with a sedentary lifestyle. It triggers metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, hyperlipemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of a combined intervention with caloric restriction, nutraceutical intake, and a mixed training protocol on oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis derived from the development of obesity in a C57BL6/J mouse experimental model of diet-induced obesity (4.

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Dopamine is unable to access the central nervous system through the bloodstream. Only its precursor can do so, and with an effectiveness below 100% of the dose administered, as it is metabolized before crossing the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we describe a new solid lipid nanocarrier system designed and developed for dopamine.

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Retinitis pigmentosa is a common cause of inherited blindness in adults, which in many cases is associated with an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induces DNA damage, triggering Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1) activation and leading to parthanatos-mediated cell death. Previous studies have shown that resveratrol (RSV) is a promising molecule that can mitigate PARP1 overactivity, but its low bioavailability is a limitation for medical use. This study examined the impact of a synthesized new acylated RSV prodrug, piceid octanoate (PIC-OCT), in the 661W cell line against HO oxidative stress and in rd10 mice.

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Microorganisms are important due to their widespread presence and multifaceted roles across various domains of life, ecology, and industries. In humans, they underlie the proper functioning of multiple systems crucial to well-being, including immunological and metabolic functions. Emerging research addressing the presence and roles of microorganisms within human reproduction is increasingly relevant.

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