Clinical Evaluation of a New Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Biometer.

The VEMoS-AXL system is a new optical biometer based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) that has been tested in terms of intrasession repeatability and compared with a swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer (SS-OCT), which is recognized as the gold standard for the performance of an agreement analysis. A biometric analysis was performed three consecutive times in 120 healthy eyes of 120 patients aged between 18 and 40 years with the SD-OCT system, and afterwards, a single measurement was obtained with the SS-OCT system. Within-subject standard deviations were 0.004 mm, 4.394 µm, and 0.017 mm for axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measures obtained with the SD-OCT biometer, respectively. The agreement between devices was good for AL (limits of agreement, LoA: -0.04 to 0.03 mm) and CCT (LoA: -4.36 to 14.38 µm), whereas differences between devices were clinically relevant for ACD (LoA: 0.03 to 0.21 mm). In conclusion, the VEMoS-AXL system provides consistent measures of anatomical parameters, being most of them interchangeable with those provided by the SS-OCT-based gold standard.

In vitro digestibility of proteins from red seaweeds: Impact of cell wall structure and processing methods.

This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality and digestibility of proteins in two red seaweed species, Gelidium corneum and Gracilaropsis longissima, through the application of in vitro gastrointestinal digestions, and evaluate the impact of two consecutive processing steps, extrusion and compression moulding, to produce food snacks. The protein content in both seaweeds was approximately 16 %, being primarily located within the cell walls. Both species exhibited similar amino acid profiles, with aspartic and glutamic acid being most abundant. However, processing impacted their amino acid profiles, leading to a significant decrease in labile amino acids like lysine. Nevertheless, essential amino acids constituted 35-36 % of the total in the native seaweeds and their processed products. Although the protein digestibility in both seaweed species was relatively low (<60 %), processing, particularly extrusion, enhanced it by approximately 10 %. Interestingly, the effect of the different processing steps on the digestibility varied between the two species. This difference was mainly attributed to compositional and structural differences. G. corneum exhibited increased digestibility with each processing step, while G. longissima reached maximum digestibility after extrusion. Notably, changes in the amino acid profiles of the processed products affected adversely the protein nutritional quality, with lysine becoming the limiting amino acid. These findings provide the basis for developing strategies to enhance protein quality in these seaweed species, thereby facilitating high-quality food production with potential applications in the food industry.

Order matters: Methods for extracting cellulose from rice straw by coupling alkaline, ozone and enzymatic treatments.

Rice straw is a widely produced residue that can be converted into value-added products. This work aimed at using greener processes combining mild alkali (A), ozone (O) and enzymatic (engineered xylanase) (E) treatments to extract cellulose and other value-added compounds from rice straw and to evaluate the effects of the order of the treatments. Solid (S) and liquid (L) fractions from the process were collected for physicochemical characterization. AOE treatment showed the best capacity to extract high purity cellulose and other valuable compounds. The lignin content was significantly decreased independently of the order of the treatments and, its content in the extract obtained after the AOE process was lower than the one obtained after the OAE process. Moreover, thermal stability of the samples increased after the enzymatic process, being higher in SAOE. The alkaline treatment increased the hemicellulose and polyphenol content (antioxidant activity) in the liquid fractions (LA and LOA). In contrast, the ozonized liquid fractions had lower polyphenol content. Therefore, alkali was fundamental in the process. In conclusion, the AOE strategy could be a more environmentally friendly method for extracting cellulose and other valuable compounds, which could be used to develop active materials in the future.

Characterization of the invasive macroalgae Rugulopteryx Okamurae for potential biomass valorisation.

This study aimed to examine the composition and properties of the invasive macroalgae R. okamurae and explore potential applications. The results showed that the seaweed biomass is mainly composed of structural carbohydrates, with alginate being the main constituent, accounting for 32 % of its total composition and with a mannuronic and guluronic acid ratio (M/G) ratio of 0.93. It also has a relatively high concentration of fucose, related to the presence of fucoidans that have important biological functions. Among the mineral contents, a high magnesium and calcium (7107 and 5504 mg/kg) concentration, and the presence of heavy metals above legislated thresholds, were notable. R. okamurae also contained a high lipid content of 17 %, mainly composed of saturated fatty acids, but with a significant fraction of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (18 %) resulting in a low n6/n3 ratio (0.31), that has health benefits. The protein content of R. okamurae was 12 %, with high-quality proteins, as essential amino acids (mainly leucine, phenylalanine and valine) constitute 32 % of the total amino acids. It also showed a high polyphenol content and outstanding antioxidant properties (106.88 mg TE/g). Based on these findings, R. okamurae has significant potential as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds that can add value to different sectors, including food, feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Comparative Analysis of Strabismus Measurement Using a Video Oculagraphy System and Alternate Prism Cover Test.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare distance vision measurements obtained with video oculography (VOG) and an alternate prism cover test (APCT). DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, and cross-sectional. METHODS: Eighty-seven subjects with strabismus were included. All patients underwent an optometric examination. The measurement of strabismus in distance vision was performed with the best optical correction using the APCT and the VOG GazeLab. Subjects were divided according to the type of strabismus; 41 were esotropic and 46 were exotropic. RESULTS: The general comparison of APCT and VOG showed a mean difference of 0.60±2.74 prism diopters (Δ), not observing statistical differences between both methods ( P =0.059) and presenting a correlation of 0.976 ( P <0.001). Using APCT, the mean amount of esotropia for the group was 18.31±11.64 Δ and that of exotropia was 19.62±8.80 Δ. Compared with the VOG, the mean value of esotropia for the group was 18.65±11.65 Δ and that of exotropia was 19.48±8.62 Δ. The means are statistically different for the esotropia group ( P =0.005) but not for the exotropia group ( P =0.318). There was a high direct correlation between the methods of measurement for both the esotropic ( R =0.980; P <0.001) and exotropic patients ( R =0.975; P <0.001). Bland-Altman analysis shows a mean difference of 1.37±2.76 Δ for the esotropia patients and 0.31±2.66 Δ for the exotropic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated comparable results in measuring strabismus between VOG and APTC for esotropia and exotropia, with an excellent correlation between both methods and good agreement, especially in subjects with exotropia.

Composition, structural properties and immunomodulatory activity of several aqueous Pleurotus ß-glucan-rich extracts.

In this work, aqueous extracts from six different Pleurotus species were obtained and their yield, gross composition, ß-glucan content, monosaccharide profile, thermal stability, molecular weight distribution, and FT-IR were analyzed before and after purification through ethanol precipitation of the carbohydrate-rich fractions. The bioactivity (anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity) of the various fractions obtained was also analyzed in three different cell cultures and compared with a lentinan control. The trend observed after purification of the aqueous fractions was an increase in the concentration of polysaccharides (especially ß-glucans), a decrease in ash, glucosamine and protein content and the elimination of low molecular weight (Mw) compounds, thus leaving in the purified samples high Mw populations with increased thermal stability. Interestingly, all these purified fractions displayed immunomodulatory capacity when tested in THP-1 macrophages and most of them also showed significant activity in HEK-hTLR4 cells, highlighting the bioactivity observed for Pleurotus ostreatus (both the extracts obtained from the whole mushroom and from the stipes). This specific species was richer in heteropolysaccharides, having moderate ß-glucan content and being enriched upon purification in a high Mw fraction with good thermal stability.

Exopolysaccharides produced by Bacillus spp. inhibit biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with bovine mastitis.

Bovine mastitis is a costly disease in the dairy sector worldwide. Here the objective was to identify and characterize anti-biofilm compounds produced by Bacillus spp. against S. aureus associated with bovine mastitis. Results showed that cell-free supernatants of three Bacillus strains (out of 33 analysed) reduced S. aureus biofilm formation by approximately 40 % without affecting bacterial growth. The anti-biofilm activity was associated with exopolysaccharides (EPS) secreted by Bacillus spp. The EPS decreased S. aureus biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, inhibiting biofilm formation by 83 % at 1 mg/mL. The EPS also showed some biofilm disruption activity (up to 36.4 %), which may be partially mediated by increased expression of the aur gene. The characterization of EPS produced by Bacillus velezensis 87 and B. velezensis TR47II revealed macromolecules with molecular weights of 31.2 and 33.7 kDa, respectively. These macromolecules were composed mainly of glucose (mean = 218.5 µg/mg) and mannose (mean = 241.5 µg/mg) and had similar functional groups (pyranose ring, beta-type glycosidic linkage, and alkynes) as revealed by FT-IR. In conclusion, this study shows the potential applications of EPS produced by B. velezensis as an anti-biofilm compound that could contribute to the treatment of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus.

Estimation of alginate purity and M/G ratio by methanolysis coupled with anion exchange chromatography.

Alginates are industrially relevant polysaccharides widely used in the food and biomedical industries for their excellent gelling properties. The growing emphasis on the valorization of marine resources has evidenced the need for alternative methods for the determination of both alginate content and the M/G ratio. This study describes the application of acid methanolysis and separation by anion exchange chromatography. Five samples, including alginates extracted from Saccharina latissima, Ascophyllum nodosum, a certified standard, and two poly-uronates (Poly-M and Poly-G), were analysed for their M/G ratio and alginate content at different treatment conditions, and compared with other conventionally used or reference methods (NMR, FTIR, and colorimetric methods). Quantitative estimation of alginate was relatively accurate at optimum conditions (4 h at 100 °C), as compared with the certified standard or with other colorimetric methods. M/G ratios were not significantly different from those determined after the reference method (1H NMR) or compared to FTIR protocols. The results evidence that methanolysis may be applied to simultaneously estimate the purity and M/G ratio of alginate-rich samples in a single analysis.

Structural and functional properties of alginate obtained by means of high hydrostatic pressure-assisted extraction.

The effects of the high hydrostatic pressure (HPP) pre-treatment on the alginate extraction were seen to greatly depend on the recalcitrant nature of two algae species. Alginates were deeply characterized in terms of composition, structure (HPAEC-PAD, FTIR, NMR, SEC-MALS), functional and technological properties. The pre-treatment significantly increased the alginate yield in the less recalcitrant A. nodosum (AHP) also favoring the extraction of sulphated fucoidan/fucan structures and polyphenols. Although the molecular weight was significantly lower in AHP samples, neither the M/G ratio nor the M and G sequences were modified. In contrast, a lower increase in alginate extraction yield was observed for the more recalcitrant S. latissima after the HPP pre-treatment (SHP), but it significantly affected the M/G values of the resulting extract. The gelling properties of the alginate extracts were also explored by external gelation in CaCl2 solutions. The mechanical strength and nanostructure of the hydrogel beads prepared were determined using compression tests, synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM). Interestingly, the application of HPP significantly improved the gel strength of SHP, in agreement with the lower M/G values and the stiffer rod-like conformation obtained for these samples.

Clinical Retinal Image Quality of a Non-diffractive Wavefront-Shaping Extended Depth of Focus (Vivity) Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical retinal optical image quality following implantation of an extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) (Vivity; Alcon Laboratories, Inc), and to compare it with a monofocal and a trifocal IOL. METHODS: This prospective, comparative, case-control study included 88 eyes implanted with: (1) 19 monofocal IOLs (AcrySof SA60AT; Alcon Laboratories, Inc); (2) 38 EDOF IOLs (AcrySof IQ Vivity); and (3) 31 trifocal IOLs (AT LISA tri 839MP; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Total root mean square, ocular lower (LOA) and higher (HOA) order aberrations, point spread function (PSF) Strehl ratio (PSF with LOA), and PSF Strehl ratio excluding LOA (PSF without LOA) were analyzed using a Pyramidal WaveFront-based sensor aberrometer Osiris (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici) at two different pupil sizes (3 and 4 mm). RESULTS: The trifocal IOL showed the highest PSF without LOA at both pupil sizes (0.52 ± 0.12 and 0.31 ± 0.07, respectively), followed by the AcrySof SA60AT (0.39 ± 0.10 and 0.27 ± 0.07) and AcrySof IQ Vivity (0.34 ± 0.11 and 0.24 ± 0.09) (P < .001). The AcrySof IQ Vivity and monofocal IOLs were comparable (P > .05). Despite the comparable postoperative low spherical equivalent among the IOL groups, the AT LISA tri 839MP retinal image quality (PSF with LOA) was the most severely affected by such residual refractive errors (dropped to 0.26 ± 0.06 at 3 mm; P < .001) compared to the monofocal AcrySof SA60AT (0.24 ± 0.07 at 3 mm) and EDOF Acrysof IQ Vivity (0.23 ± 0.06 at 3 mm) groups. The PSF with LOA was comparable (P > .05) among the three groups at both the 3-and 4-mm pupil size. CONCLUSIONS: Although trifocal IOLs provided significantly better retinal image quality if influence of LOA is excluded, they also demonstrated to be the most sensitive to residual refractive errors. Both the EDOF Acrysof IQ Vivity and mono-focal AcrySof SA60AT IOLs showed a comparable retinal image quality, and they are also comparable with trifocal IOLs when considering the clinically real PSF (PSF with LOA). [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(2):103-110.].

Compositional differences of ß-glucan-rich extracts from three relevant mushrooms obtained through a sequential extraction protocol.

In this work, a sequential fractionation protocol (cold and hot aqueous and alkaline extractions) and detailed compositional analysis (gross composition, monosaccharide analysis, FTIR, TGA) was applied to three relevant mushrooms in terms of global production (Grifola frondosa, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus) aiming to understand what is preferentially extracted during fractionation and how ß-glucan extraction is affected by mushroom source. Room temperature aqueous extracts showed highest overall yields (56.3-82%) consisting of proteins, sugars and polyphenols. ß-glucan content was highest in P. ostreatus and was concentrated in the more soluble fractions. On the contrary, a recalcitrant ß-glucan in G. frondosa was mainly present in the residue (7.38%). L. edodes showed ß-glucan populations distributed along aqueous and alkaline extracts, higher abundance of non-glucan polysaccharides and higher chitin purity (47.78%) in the residue. This work sets the basis for the rational design of extraction processes aiming to valorise mushroom biomass.

Physicochemical and functional properties of pectin extracted from the edible portions of jackfruit at different stages of maturity.

BACKGROUND: The physicochemical and functional properties of pectin (JFP) extracted from edible portions (including pericarp and seed) of raw jackfruit (an underutilized tropical fruit) at four different maturity stages (referred to as stages I, II, III, and IV) were characterized in terms of extraction yields, chemical composition, molecular weight, and antioxidant properties to evaluate its potential use in foods. RESULT: The JFP yield increased from 9.7% to 21.5% with fruit maturity, accompanied by an increase in the galacturonic acid content (50.1%, 57.1%, 63.6%, and 65.2%) for stages I-IV respectively. The molecular weight increased from 147 kDa in stage I to 169 kDa in stage III, but decreased to 114 kDa in stage IV, probably due to cell-wall degradation during maturation. The JFP was of the high methoxyl type and the degree of esterification increased from 65% to 87% with fruit maturity. The functional properties of JFP were similar to or better than those reported for commercial apple pectin, thus highlighting its potential as a food additive. Although the phenolics and flavonoids content of JFP decreased with fruit maturity, their antioxidant capacity increased, which may be correlated with the increased content of galacturonic acid upon fruit development. Gels prepared from JFP showed viscoelastic behavior. Depending on the maturity stage in which they were obtained, different gelation behavior was seen. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the potential of pectin extracted from edible parts of jackfruit as a promising source of high-quality gelling pectin with antioxidant properties, for food applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization of mutant versions of the R-RAS2/TC21 GTPase found in tumors.

The R-RAS2 GTP hydrolase (GTPase) (also known as TC21) has been traditionally considered quite similar to classical RAS proteins at the regulatory and signaling levels. Recently, a long-tail hotspot mutation targeting the R-RAS2/TC21 Gln72 residue (Q72L) was identified as a potent oncogenic driver. Additional point mutations were also found in other tumors at low frequencies. Despite this, little information is available regarding the transforming role of these mutant versions and their relevance for the tumorigenic properties of already-transformed cancer cells. Here, we report that many of the RRAS2 mutations found in human cancers are highly transforming when expressed in immortalized cell lines. Moreover, the expression of endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is important for maintaining optimal levels of PI3K and ERK activities as well as for the adhesion, invasiveness, proliferation, and mitochondrial respiration of ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L also regulates gene expression programs linked to both cell adhesion and inflammatory/immune-related responses. Endogenous R-RAS2Q72L is also quite relevant for the in vivo tumorigenic activity of these cells. This dependency is observed even though these cancer cell lines bear concurrent gain-of-function mutations in genes encoding RAS signaling elements. Finally, we show that endogenous R-RAS2, unlike the case of classical RAS proteins, specifically localizes in focal adhesions. Collectively, these results indicate that gain-of-function mutations of R-RAS2/TC21 play roles in tumor initiation and maintenance that are not fully redundant with those regulated by classical RAS oncoproteins.

Epidemiological Study of Prostate Cancer in the Province of Salamanca (2006-2015).

OBJECTIVES: Knowing the incidence of prostate cancer in Salamanca and its evolution, as well as the age at diagnosis and its evolution. In addition, analyzing the mortality from prostate cancer in the province of Salamanca. METHODS: Descriptive and analytical, longitudinal and retrospective observational study. From the collection of data from the Pathological Anatomy service and the Clinical Documentation service of the Hospital Complex of Salamanca a database was developed for the calculation of incidence rates. The information collected on mortality was obtained through the National Institute of Statistics. For regression analysis, segmented "jointpoint" models were developed. RESULTS: 2676 males diagnosed with prostate cancer were recorded in the province of Salamanca (period 2006-2015). The risk of prostate cancer up to age 74 in 2006 was 6.23%, almost double in 2010. The evolution of mortality rates adjusted to the European population in the province of Salamanca during the period 2006-2015 showed a slight decrease. CONCLUSIONS: In general, Prostate cancer incidence rates increased progressively over the years studied, similar to Spain's overall rates. These rates increased as age progressed. In general, our incidence rates were lower than those reported by the provinces of northern Spain (except Vizcaya) and higher than those recorded by the provinces of southern Spain. In Europe, our rate was surpassed by countries in northern and western Europe and lower than countries in southern and eastern Europe, and part of central Europe. Countries like U.S.A had rates higher than ours, while Canada accounted for a similar rate. On the other hand, mortality rates remained stable during the middle of the study period, suffering from then on a non-statistically significant anual decrease.

Hematopoietic Cells Influence Vascular Development in the Retina.

Hematopoietic cells play a crucial role in the adult retina in health and disease. Monocytes, macrophages, microglia and myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) have all been implicated in retinal pathology. However, the role that hematopoietic cells play in retinal development is understudied. The temporal changes in recruitment of hematopoietic cells into the developing retina and the phenotype of the recruited cells are not well understood. In this study, we used the hematopoietic cell-specific protein Vav1 to track and investigate hematopoietic cells in the developing retina. By flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, we show that hematopoietic cells are present in the retina as early as P0, and include microglia, monocytes and MACs. Even before the formation of retinal blood vessels, hematopoietic cells localize to the inner retina where they eventually form networks that intimately associate with the developing vasculature. Loss of Vav1 lead to a reduction in the density of medium-sized vessels and an increased inflammatory response in retinal astrocytes. When pups were subjected to oxygen-induced retinopathy, hematopoietic cells maintained a close association with the vasculature and occasionally formed 'frameworks' for the generation of new vessels. Our study provides further evidence for the underappreciated role of hematopoietic cells in retinal vasculogenesis and the formation of a healthy retina.

Epidemiological Study of Prostate Cancer in the Province of Salamanca (2006-2015)

Objectives: Knowing the incidence of prostate cancer in Salamanca and its evolution, as well as the age at diagnosis and its evolution. In addition, analyzing the mortality from prostate cancer in the province of Salamanca. Methods: Descriptive and analytical, longitudinal and retrospective observational study. From the collection of data from the Pathological Anatomy service and the Clinical Documentation service of the Hospital Complex of Salamanca a database was developed for the calculation of incidence rates. The information collected on mortality was obtained through the National Institute of Statistics. For regression analysis, segmented “jointpoint” models were developed. Results: 2676 males diagnosed with prostate cancer were recorded in the province of Salamanca (period 2006-2015). The risk of prostate cancer up to age 74 in 2006 was 6.23%, almost double in 2010. The evolution of mortality rates adjusted to the European population in the province of Salamanca during the period 2006-2015 showed a slight decrease. Conclusions: In general, Prostate cancer incidence rates increased progressively over the years studied, similar to Spain’s overall rates. These rates increased as age progressed. In general, our incidence rates were lower than those reported by the provinces of northern Spain (except Vizcaya) and higher than those recorded by the provinces of southern Spain. In Europe, our rate was surpassed by countries in northern and western Europe and lower than countries in southern and eastern Europe, and part of central Europe. Countries like U.S.A had rates higher than ours, while Canada accounted for a similar rate. On the other hand, mortality rates remained stable during the middle of the study period, suffering from then on a non-statistically significant anual decrease (AU)

Electrosprayed Agar Nanocapsules as Edible Carriers of Bioactive Compounds.

Electrosprayed agar nanocapsules were developed using an acetic acid solution as solvent. The role of solution properties (viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity) in the formation of agar particles was assessed, together with the effect of both agar and acetic acid concentrations on the size and morphology of the resulting particles. Agar solutions with a concentration below 10% w/v were not suitable for electrospraying. Furthermore, the agar-acetic acid ratio was also critical for the formation of agar nanostructures (with an optimum ratio of 1:2). A decrease in particle size was also observed when decreasing agar concentration, with particle diameter values ranging between 50 and 400 nm. Moreover, the suitability of the electrosprayed agar nanocapsules as carriers for a model bioactive compound, chlorophyllin sodium copper salt (CHL), was also evaluated. The release profile of encapsulated CHL, with an estimated encapsulation efficiency of around 40%, was carried out in food simulants with different hydrophilicity (10% v/v and 50% v/v ethanol). While the release of the bioactive was negligible in the hydrophilic food simulant, an initial burst release followed by a slower sustained release was observed when the capsules were immersed in 50% ethanol solution. The results open up a broad range of possibilities that deserve further exploration related to the use of these edible polysaccharide-based nanocapsules.

Characterization of the spectrum of trivalent VAV1-mutation-driven tumours using a gene-edited mouse model.

Mutations in the VAV1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 have been recently found in peripheral T cell lymphoma and nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To understand their pathogenic potential, we generated a gene-edited mouse model that expresses a VAV1 mutant protein that recapitulates the signalling alterations present in the VAV1 mutant subclass most frequently found in tumours. We could not detect any overt tumourigenic process in those mice. However, the concurrent elimination of the Trp53 tumour suppressor gene in them drives T cell lymphomagenesis. This process represents an exacerbation of the normal functions that wild-type VAV1 plays in follicular helper T cells. We also found that, in combination with the Kras oncogene, the VAV1 mutant version favours progression of NSCLC. These data indicate that VAV1 mutations play critical, although highly cell-type-specific, roles in tumourigenesis. They also indicate that such functions are contingent on the mutational landscape of the tumours involved.

Alginate industrial waste streams as a promising source of value-added compounds valorization.

The alginate industry processes more than hundred thousand tons per year of algae in Europe, discarding around 80% of the algae biomass as different solid/liquid residual streams. In this work, Saccharina latissima and Ascophyllum nodosum, their generated alginates and all residual fractions generated in the process were characterized in terms of lipid, ash, protein content, and the carbohydrate composition and antioxidant capacities analyzed. The first fraction after acid treatment (ca. 50% of the initial dry biomass) was rich in phlorotannins (15 mg GAE/g) and bioactive fucoidans (15-70%), with a high sulfation degree in A. nodosum. Two fractions generated from the solid residue, one soluble and another insoluble (Ra and Rb, respectively), constituted 9% and 5-8% of the initial biomass and showed great potential as a source of soluble protein (30% for S. latissima), and cellulose (70%) or fucoidan, respectively. Valorization strategies are suggested for these waste streams, evidencing their high potential as bioactive, texturizing or nutritional added-value ingredients for cosmetic, food, feed or pharmaceutical applications.

The Rho guanosine nucleotide exchange factors Vav2 and Vav3 modulate epidermal stem cell function.

It is known that Rho GTPases control different aspects of the biology of skin stem cells (SSCs). However, little information is available on the role of their upstream regulators under normal and tumorigenic conditions in this process. To address this issue, we have used here mouse models in which the activity of guanosine nucleotide exchange factors of the Vav subfamily has been manipulated using both gain- and loss-of-function strategies. These experiments indicate that Vav2 and Vav3 regulate the number, functional status, and responsiveness of hair follicle bulge stem cells. This is linked to gene expression programs related to the reinforcement of the identity and the quiescent state of normal SSCs. By contrast, in the case of cancer stem cells, they promote transcriptomal programs associated with the identity, activation state, and cytoskeletal remodeling. These results underscore the role of these Rho exchange factors in the regulation of normal and tumor epidermal stem cells.