Dysregulation in CD39/CD73 Axis May Trigger the Upsurge of the Immune Suppressive Agent Adenosine in OSA Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Although higher incidence of cancer represents a major burden for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, the molecular pathways driving this association are not completely understood. Interestingly, adenosinergic signaling has emerged as a powerful immune checkpoint driving tumor development and progression. METHODS: Here, we explored the expression of the adenosinergic ecto-enzymes CD39 and CD73 in T-lymphocytes of OSA patients without any evidence of cancer, as well as their soluble forms in plasma (sCD39 and sCD73), along with adenosine. In addition, we explored the role of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in this context by in vitro models. RESULTS: Our results showed that CD39 is upregulated while CD73 is downregulated in OSA T-cells' membrane. Moreover, our findings suggest that IH, through HIF-1, mediates the upregulation of both CD39 and CD73; and that CD73 downregulation could be mediated by a higher release of sCD73 by OSA T-lymphocytes. Importantly, we found that both sCD39 and sCD73 are upregulated in OSA plasma, suggesting T-lymphocytes as a potential source for plasmatic sCD73. Finally, our data propose the alterations in CD39/CD73 axis could underlie the upsurge of adenosine levels in the plasma of OSA patients. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a hypoxia-mediated alteration of the CD39/CD73 axis in OSA patients, which could trigger ADO upregulation, thus potentially contributing to the immune suppressive environment and ultimately facilitating tumor development and progression. Therefore, our data highlights the need for new longitudinal studies evaluating CD39 and/or CD73 as potential cancer-risk prognostic biomarkers in OSA patients.

Cápsulas de arte: memoria frente al Alzheimer / Art capsule: memory to fight Alzheimer's / Cápsula de arte: memória contra a doença de Alzheimer

El presente trabajo analiza, a través de una técnica de panel, denominada "de cohorte", las reflexiones de las investigadoras españolas en el campo del Arte y del Alzheimer, con el fin de estudiar su trayectoria profesional y de relacionar las conclusiones de sus trabajos, con los resultados del Informe Mundial de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), el cual establece, por vez primera, una correlación positiva entre las variables arte y salud, situando el compromiso ético del arte, en la vanguardia de la investigación. Las conclusiones derivadas del estudio muestran, cómo al hablar de sí mismas, las investigadoras se definen no sólo como educadoras artísticas, sino también como cuidadoras, reconociendo el papel del contexto, esto es de su propia bibliografía, como determinante en las investigaciones que han realizado en el campo de la Educación Artística aplicada al Alzheimer.(AU)

The objective of this study is to analyze—through a panel technique called "cohort"—the authors' reflections on the fields of Arts and Alzheimer's in order to study their professional path and correlate the conclusions of their work with the results presented on the Health Evidence Network synthesis report 67 of the World Health Organization (WHO). For the first time, the report establishes a positive correlation between the arts and health, highlighting the importance of the ethical commitment of the arts to the research. The conclusions of this study show how the researchers refer to themselves as both "arts educators" and "caregivers," acknowledging the decisive role of context, i.e. their won biographies, to the research conducted in the field of Arts Education applied to Alzheimer's.(AU)

O presente trabalho analisa, por meio de uma técnica de painel denominada "coorte", as reflexões das investigadoras espanholas no campo da Arte e do Alzheimer, com o fim de estudar o seu percurso profissional e de relacionar as conclusões dos seus trabalhos com os resultados do Relatório Mundial da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), que estabelece, pela primeira vez, uma correlação positiva entre as variáveis arte e saúde, situando o compromisso ético da arte na vanguarda da investigação. As conclusões resultantes do estudo mostram como, ao falar de si mesmas, as pesquisadoras definem-se não só como educadoras artísticas, mas também como cuidadoras, reconhecendo o papel do contexto, isto é, de suas próprias biografias como determinantes nas investigações que realizaram no domínio da Educação Artística aplicada ao Alzheimer.(AU)

Dysregulation in CD39/CD73 Axis May Trigger the Upsurge of the Immune Suppressive Agent Adenosine in OSA Patients

Introduction Although higher incidence of cancer represents a major burden for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, the molecular pathways driving this association are not completely understood. Interestingly, adenosinergic signaling has emerged as a powerful immune checkpoint driving tumor development and progression. Methods Here, we explored the expression of the adenosinergic ecto-enzymes CD39 and CD73 in T-lymphocytes of OSA patients without any evidence of cancer, as well as their soluble forms in plasma (sCD39 and sCD73), along with adenosine. In addition, we explored the role of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in this context by in vitro models. Results Our results showed that CD39 is upregulated while CD73 is downregulated in OSA T-cells’ membrane. Moreover, our findings suggest that IH, through HIF-1, mediates the upregulation of both CD39 and CD73; and that CD73 downregulation could be mediated by a higher release of sCD73 by OSA T-lymphocytes. Importantly, we found that both sCD39 and sCD73 are upregulated in OSA plasma, suggesting T-lymphocytes as a potential source for plasmatic sCD73. Finally, our data propose the alterations in CD39/CD73 axis could underlie the upsurge of adenosine levels in the plasma of OSA patients. Conclusion Our study reveals a hypoxia-mediated alteration of the CD39/CD73 axis in OSA patients, which could trigger ADO upregulation, thus potentially contributing to the immune suppressive environment and ultimately facilitating tumor development and progression. Therefore, our data highlights the need for new longitudinal studies evaluating CD39 and/or CD73 as potential cancer-risk prognostic biomarkers in OSA patients. (AU)

Training small producers in Good Manufacturing Practices for the development of goat milk cheese

Abstract Training in Good Manufacturing Practices enhances quality during food processing. This paper evaluates GMP training aimed at improving the chemical, sensory and microbiological quality of goat milk cheese. We worked with 26 families that produce cheese as their main source of income. Semi-structured interviews and observation were conducted to select relevant topics. The manufacturing processes were compared and samples were analyzed before and after GMP training. We trained 80% of the producers. Before receiving training, they used to make cheese from raw milk in unhygienic conditions and with little equipment. The products obtained had bad sensory characteristics, cracks, eyes on the pasta, a high number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total coliforms. After training, the producers pasteurized the milk and standardized processing procedures, resulting in final products that contained higher protein and calcium content, suitable sensory characteristics, and a significant reduction in microorganisms, with total coliforms falling to ≤ 5.103 UFC/g. Therefore, this study shows that the manufacturing process and the chemical, sensory and microbiological parameters of goat milk cheese improved after GMP training.

Estudio ultraestructural de las plaquetas de pacientes con hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna / Ultrastructural study of platelets patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Introduction. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a hemolytic anemia characterized by intravascular hemolysis, cytopenias and venous thrombosis. Previous studies in patients with PNH have shown platelet abnormalities; however, their association with the clinical development of the sickness has not still been determined. Material and methods. In this study, we compared the morphology and distribution pattern of actin, myosin, tubulin and p-selectin in resting and activated platelets from 22 PNH patients and healthy donors by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Results. The PNH platelet ultrastructure of resting and activated with different agonists (ADP, collagen and thrombin) showed morphological changes which suggested the presence of circulating platelets. The developed structures during the adhesion process (filopodia and lamellipodia formation), as well as the pattern distribution of actin, myosin, tubulin and p-selectin in PNH platelets were not modified in relation to control platelets. Conclusion. Morphological changes in resting platelets were related with p-selectin expression suggesting its determination as thrombosis indicator.

Introducción. La hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna (HPN) es una anemia hemolítica caracterizada por hemolisis intravascular, citopenias y trombosis venosa. Estudios previos en pacientes con HPN han revelado anormalidades plaquetarias; sin embargo, no se ha determinado su asociación con el desarrollo clínico de la enfermedad. Material y métodos. En el presente estudio se comparó la morfología y el patrón de distribución de actina, miosina, tubulina y P-selectina en plaquetas en reposo y activadas provenientes de 22 pacientes con HPN y de individuos sanos por microscopía electrónica de transmisión e inmunoñuorescencia. Resultados. La ultraestructura de las plaquetas de individuos con HPN en reposo y activadas en suspensión con diferentes agonistas (ADP, colágena y trombina) mostró cambios morfológicos que sugirieron la presencia de plaquetas activadas circulantes. Las estructuras desarrolladas durante el proceso de adhesión (formación de filopodios, lamelipodios), así como el patrón de distribución de actina, miosina, tubulina y P-selectina, no se modificaron en las plaquetas de los pacientes con HPN en relación con el testigo. Conclusión. Los cambios morfológicos en plaquetas en reposo fueron relacionados con la expresión de P-selectina, por lo que se sugiere su determinación como un parámetro indicativo de un posible riesgo trombótico.

Interacción calcio-fitato-cinc en yogures con cereales / No disponible

Fundamentos: La disminución en la biodsiponibilidad delcinc se debe a inhibidores de la absorción del mismo, comoel fitato y factores dietéticos. La Organización Mundial dela Salud aconseja para estimar la biodisponibilidad del cincutilizar la relación molar [fitato]/[Zn] y la relación molar[Ca][fitato]/[Zn]. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinarla biodisponibilidad del cinc en yogures enteros con cereales.Métodos: Se determinó el contenido de fitato (HPLC),calcio y cinc (espectrofotometría de absorción atómica)en tres marcas de yogures con cereales.Resultados: Las relaciones molares [fiato]/[Zn] observadasfueron bajas (0.83 a 3.89 mmol/100 g).Las muestras mostraron bajas relaciones molaresde [Ca][fitato]/[Zn] (7.91 a 20.75 mmol/MJ).Conclusiones: Las relaciones molares fitato/cinc menoresa 5 sugieren una biodisponibilidad mayor al 50%. Conrespecto a las relaciones molares Ca-fitato/Zn encontradas,las mismas no pueden inducir una deficiencia marginal decinc según el punto de corte sugerido por la OMS (>= 150mmol/4.2 MJ ó >= 22 mmol/MJ)(AU)

Background: Zinc low bioavailability is due to inhibitors ofzinc absorption such as phytate and dietary factors. The WorldHealth Organization recommends to estimate zinc bioavailabilitystudy: [phytate]/[Zn] molar ratio and [Ca]`phytate]/[Zn]molar ratio. The objective of this study was determinatedthe zinc bioavailability in whole yogurt with cereals.Methods: Phytate (HPLC), calcium and zinc (AtomicAbsorption Spectrometry) were determinated.Results: Phytate/Zinc molar ratios were lower (0.83to 3.89 mmol/100 g). The samples showed a low[Ca][phytate]/[Zn] molar ratios (7.91 to 20.75 mmol/MJ).Conclusions: Phytate/Zn molar ratios below 5 suggest bioavailabilityhigher 50%. In spite of [Ca][phytate]/`Zn] molarratios in the different samples will not have influence on zincabsorption, it could not induce marginal zinc deficiency inagreement to the cutoff point suggested by WHO (>= 150mmol/4.2 MJ or >= 22 mmol/MJ)(AU)