Synergic Integration of the miRNome, Machine Learning and Bioinformatics for the Identification of Potential Disease-Modifying Agents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Introduction: Understanding the diverse pathogenetic pathways in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is crucial for improving outcomes. microRNA (miRNA) profiling is a promising strategy for elucidating these mechanisms.

Objective: To characterize the pathogenetic pathways linked to OSA through the integration of miRNA profiles, machine learning (ML) and bioinformatics.

The Great Controversy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment for Cardiovascular Risk Benefit: Advancing the Science Through Expert Consensus. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is on the rise, driven by various factors including more sensitive diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, enhanced technology through at-home testing enabling easy and cost-effective diagnosis, and a growing incidence of comorbid conditions such as obesity. Treating symptomatic patients with OSA syndrome to enhance quality of life remains a cornerstone approach. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding treatment to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, particularly in light of overall negative results from several randomized controlled trials (RCT) indicating no benefit of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on primary and secondary CVD events.

Outcomes of antenatal depression in women and the new-born: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine what effect maternal antenatal depression has on pregnancy and infant outcomes in the Lleida health region.

Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study in pregnant women between 2012 and 2018 in the Lleida health region. Variables included age, body mass index, caesarean section, pre-eclampsia, birth weight, and Apgar score.

Direct in-scope suction: an in vitro evaluation of a single use flexible ureteroscope with integrated suction capability.

Purpose: To evaluate the stone clearance rate and limitations of a novel integrated suction capability within a single-use flexible ureteroscope according to stone particle size.

Methods: Varying sized stone particles were created using a stone phantom (Begostone Plus, Bego ©, Lincoln, RI, USA). Particle size ranged as follows: 63-125 µm, 125-250 µm, 250-500 µm, 500 µm- 1 mm and 1-2 mm.

Predictors and markers of the cardiovascular impact of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Purpose Of Review: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and has been linked to cardiovascular health. However, some of the findings supporting this are controversial. These discrepancies might be a result of heterogeneity among OSA patients, and thus, additional information would be required to better stratify OSA patients according to cardiovascular risk.

Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Obesity: A Comparative Study between Spain and Egypt - Data from the OBESTIGMA study.

Introduction: This study explores the under-investigated area of obesity-related discrimination and stigmatization across different countries, specifically comparing Spain (Europe) and Egypt (Middle East).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 2,090 participants from both countries. Participants completed three well-validated questionnaires to assess their attitudes toward obesity, experiences of weight-related stigma, and internalization of weight bias: Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI), and Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS).

Guidelines for mitochondrial RNA analysis.

Mitochondria are the energy-producing organelles of mammalian cells with critical involvement in metabolism and signaling. Studying their regulation in pathological conditions may lead to the discovery of novel drugs to treat, for instance, cardiovascular or neurological diseases, which affect high-energy-consuming cells such as cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, or neurons. Mitochondria possess both protein-coding and noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs, and piwi-interacting RNAs, encoded by the mitochondria or the nuclear genome.

Trioxidized cysteine and aging: a molecular binomial that extends far beyond classical proteinopathic paradigms.

Increased oxidative stress (OS) and the disruption of the equilibrium between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants are key molecular features of unhealthy aging. OS results in the formation of oxidative posttranslational modifications (PTMs), some of which involve cysteine (Cys) residues in aging proteomes, and specifically, the formation of trioxidized Cys (t-Cys), which leads to permanent protein damage. Recent findings in rodents have uncovered that irregular regulation of t-Cys residues in the aging proteome disrupts homeostatic phosphorylation signaling, resulting in alterations to proteins that are analogous to those caused by phosphorylated serine (p-Ser) residues.

Bronchiectasis.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, a condition that remains relatively underrecognized, has garnered increasing research focus in recent years. This scientific interest has catalyzed advancements in diagnostic methodologies, enabling comprehensive clinical and molecular profiling. Such progress facilitates the development of personalized treatment strategies, marking a significant step toward precision medicine for these patients.

New Origins of Yeast, Plant and Bacterial-Derived Extracellular Vesicles to Expand and Advance Compound Delivery.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) constitute a sophisticated molecular exchange mechanism highly regarded for their potential as a next-generation platform for compound delivery. However, identifying sustainable and biologically safe sources of EVs remains a challenge. This work explores the emergence of novel sources of plant and bacterial-based EVs, such as those obtained from food industry by-products, known as BP-EVs, and their potential to be used as safer and biocompatible nanocarriers, addressing some of the current challenges of the field.

Circulating long noncoding RNA PDE4DIPP6: A novel biomarker for improving the clinical management of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we investigated the cardiac-expressed and plasma-detectable lncRNA PDE4DIPP6 as a biomarker for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), specifically assessing its potential to enhance the diagnostic efficacy of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT).

Methods And Results: The study enrolled individuals presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Exploring the translational landscape of the long noncoding RNA transcriptome in acute respiratory distress syndrome: it is a long way to the top.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) poses a significant and widespread public health challenge. Extensive research conducted in recent decades has considerably improved our understanding of the disease pathophysiology. Nevertheless, ARDS continues to rank among the leading causes of mortality in intensive care units and its management remains a formidable task, primarily due to its remarkable heterogeneity.

Decoding viral and host microRNA signatures in airway-derived biosamples: Insights for biomarker discovery in viral respiratory infections.

The global public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the global concern regarding viral respiratory tract infections. Despite their considerable impact on health, society and the economy, effective management of these conditions remains a significant challenge. Integrating high-throughput analyses is pivotal for early detection, prognostication of adverse outcomes, elucidating pathogenetic pathways and developing therapeutic approaches.

Circular RNA regulatory role in pathological cardiac remodelling.

Cardiac remodelling involves structural, cellular and molecular alterations in the heart after injury, resulting in progressive loss of heart function and ultimately leading to heart failure. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently rediscovered class of non-coding RNAs that play regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of the role of circRNAs in the processes governing cardiac remodelling may set the ground for the development of circRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Impact of OLD/Emphysema in LC Mortality Risk in Screening Programs: An Analysis of NLST and P-IELCAP.

Introduction: The impact of obstructive lung disease (OLD) and emphysema on lung cancer (LC) mortality in patients undergoing LC screening is controversial.

Methods: Patients with spirometry and LC diagnosed within the first three rounds of screening were selected from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) and from the Pamplona International Early Lung Cancer Detection Program (P-IELCAP). Medical and demographic data, tumor characteristics, comorbidities and presence of emphysema were collected.

Influence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity on carotid adventitial vasa vasorum.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a quarter of the world's population and encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions, from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, NAFLD also links to extrahepatic conditions like diabetes or obesity. However, it remains unclear if NAFLD independently correlates with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

Navigating the path of reproducibility in microRNA-based biomarker research with ring trials.

The development of microRNA (miRNA)-based biomarkers has gained significant attention due to their potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications. However, the reproducibility of miRNA biomarker research faces unique challenges, primarily due to the influence of pre-analytical and analytical factors. The absence of standardized procedures contributes to inconsistencies across studies, alongside challenges in reference gene selection, data analysis methods and miRNA profiling platforms.

Addressing the unsolved challenges in microRNA-based biomarker development: Suitable endogenous reference microRNAs for SARS-CoV-2 infection severity.

Circulating cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for medical decision-making. Suitable endogenous controls are essential to ensure reproducibility. We aimed to identify and validate endogenous reference miRNAs for qPCR data normalization in samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected hospitalized patients.

The Natural History of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: The SPOCCAT Study Protocol.

Introduction: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often underrepresented in cohorts, creating uncertainty about the natural history and prognostic factors of this subgroup. Our goal was to describe the SPOCCAT (Severe COPD: Prospective Observational study of COPD in Catalonia) study protocol.

Material And Methods: SPOCCAT is a non-interventional, multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients with severe COPD (FEV% predicted < 50%).

ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Respiratory Intensive Care Assembly.

Early career members of Assembly 2 (Respiratory Intensive Care) attended the 2023 European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy. The conference covered acute and chronic respiratory failure. Sessions of interest to our assembly members and to those interested in respiratory critical care are summarised in this article and include the latest updates in respiratory intensive care, in particular acute respiratory distress syndrome and mechanical ventilation.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of an Adventure Therapy Programme on Borderline Personality Disorder: A Pragmatic Controlled Clinical Trial.

Adventure Therapy (AT) is a therapeutic intervention utilizing the natural environment and adventure activities as tools for psychotherapeutic interventions. It has been demonstrated to be appropriate for the intervention of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aims to evaluate the response to AT treatment compared with the response to treatment as usual (TAU), based on cognitive behavioural therapy, in the short and long term, assessing clinical, psychosocial, and functional outcomes; quality of life; and physical health levels.