Au@Ag Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Colorimetric and Surface-Enhanced Raman-Scattering-Based Multiplex Competitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay for the Simultaneous Detection of Histamine and Parvalbumin in Fish.

Foodborne allergies and illnesses represent a major global health concern. In particular, fish can trigger life-threatening food allergic reactions and poisoning effects, mainly caused by the ingestion of parvalbumin toxin. Additionally, preformed histamine in less-than-fresh fish serves as a toxicological alert. Consequently, the analytical assessment of parvalbumin and histamine levels in fish becomes a critical public health safety measure. The multiplex detection of both analytes has emerged as an important issue. The analytical detection of parvalbumin and histamine requires different assays; while the determination of parvalbumin is commonly carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histamine is analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In this study, we present an approach for multiplexing detection and quantification of trace amounts of parvalbumin and histamine in canned fish. This is achieved through a colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman-scattering-based competitive lateral flow assay (SERS-LFIA) employing plasmonic nanoparticles. Two distinct SERS nanotags tailored for histamine or ß-parvalbumin detection were synthesized. Initially, spherical 50 nm Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) were encoded with either rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RBITC) or malachite green isothiocyanate (MGITC). Subsequently, these nanoparticles were bioconjugated with anti-ß-parvalbumin and antihistamine, forming the basis for our detection and quantification methodology. Additionally, our approach demonstrates the use of SERS-LFIA for the sensitive and multiplexed detection of parvalbumin and histamine on a single test line, paving the way for on-site detection employing portable Raman instruments.

Mild hypophosphatasia may be twice as prevalent as previously estimated: an effective clinical algorithm to detect undiagnosed cases.

OBJECTIVES: Since the prevalence of hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disease, seems to be underestimated in clinical practice, in this study, a new diagnostic algorithm to identify missed cases of HPP was developed and implemented. METHODS: Analytical determinations recorded in the Clinical Analysis Unit of the Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio in the period June 2018 - December 2020 were reviewed. A new clinical algorithm to detect HPP-misdiagnosed cases was used including the following steps: confirmation of persistent hypophosphatasemia, exclusion of secondary causes of hypophosphatasemia, determination of serum pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and genetic study of ALPL gene. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects were selected to participate in the study and genetic testing was carried out in 20 of them following clinical algorithm criteria. Eighty percent of patients was misdiagnosed with HPP following the current standard clinical practice. Extrapolating these results to the current Spanish population means that there could be up to 27,177 cases of undiagnosed HPP in Spain. In addition, we found a substantial proportion of HPP patients affected by other comorbidities, such as autoimmune diseases (∼40 %). CONCLUSIONS: This new algorithm was effective in detecting previously undiagnosed cases of HPP, which appears to be twice as prevalent as previously estimated for the European population. In the near future, our algorithm could be globally applied routinely in clinical practice to minimize the underdiagnosis of HPP. Additionally, some relevant findings, such as the high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in HPP-affected patients, should be investigated to better characterize this disorder.

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Dynapenia and Related Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has recently been recognized as a complication of diabetes. However, there are few results about the prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia and the related clinical outcomes in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia and to determine whether there are any associations with disease-related factors in people with T1DM. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in people with T1DM. We assessed appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) using bioimpedance 50 Hz (Nutrilab Akern). Muscle function was assessed through handgrip strength (HGS) using a Jamar dynamometer. Sarcopenia was defined as a low HGS with low ASMI, whereas dynapenia was defined as low HGS with a normal ASMI. We used HGS data from the Spanish population percentile table and a cut-off point at p5 as dynapenia. The association of clinical, metabolic, and lifestyle variables with sarcopenia and dynapenia was studied. RESULTS: This study included 62 T1DM patients (66% females, mean age of 38 ± 14 years, body mass index (BMI) of 24.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2). The prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia was 8% and 23%, respectively. In our sample, there were more men in the sarcopenic and dynapenic groups. The sarcopenic group showed a significantly higher mean HbA1c value. Lower diabetes duration, PREDIMED score, BMI, and muscle mass measures (fat-free mass index (FFMI), ASMI, and body cell mass index (BCMI)) were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Decreased diabetes duration, PREDIMED score, phase angle (PhA), and HGS values showed a significant association with dynapenia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia was high in people with T1DM in our study. Specifically, the proportion of dynapenia was quite high. HGS and ASMI are practical tools for the assessment of muscle health status in T1DM, and low values are associated with poor glycemic control, underweight, and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Thus, dynapenia may predict accelerated muscle aging in T1DM.

The Influence of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia.

Diet is a modifiable factor in bone and muscle health. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is rich in nutrients and contains key bioactive components with probable protective effects on muscle and bone deterioration. Osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are diseases that increase frailty and susceptibility to fracture, morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to combat them in the population. In this regard, MedDiet adherence has proven to be beneficial to bone mineral density (BMD), muscle mass, physical function, OP and sarcopenia. Hence, this diet is proposed as a therapeutic tool that could slow the onset of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. However, there is doubt about the interaction between the MedDiet, strength and fracture risk. Perhaps the amount of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), fruits, vegetables and fish rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients ingested has an influence, though the results remain controversial.

Rapid and sensitive detection of E. coli O157:H7 by lateral flow immunoassay and silver enhancement.

The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for the rapid detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, a pathogen contributor to diseases and fatalities worldwide. Au nanoparticles with high stability, uniform size, and shape were synthesized and coated with heterobifunctional PEG polymer with carboxyl groups, and they were bioconjugated to be used as label in sandwich-LFIA. Then, a silver enhancement strategy was developed as an accessible, rapid, and cost-effective approach for signal amplification to reduce the limit of detection (LOD). The optimal results were achieved when a solution of silver nitrate and hydroquinone/citrate buffer was added to the strips for 4 min. This led to a decrease in the visual LOD from 2 × 106 (CFU mL-1) to 2 × 103 (CFU mL-1), resulting in a threefold improvement in sensitivity compared to the conventional LFIA system. The specificity of the system was evaluated by using non-target bacteria (E. coli BL21 and E. coli T515) and its reliability was determined by testing commercial food samples (milk, tap water, and orange juice), demonstrating its effectiveness for quickly detecting pathogenic bacteria in food products.

Fe3O4@Au Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Rapid Analysis of E. coli O157:H7 in an Electrochemical Immunoassay.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 is a pathogenic bacterium that causes serious toxic effects in the human gastrointestinal tract. In this paper, a method for its effective analytical control in a milk sample was developed. To perform rapid (1 h) and accurate analysis, monodisperse Fe3O4@Au magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and used in an electrochemical sandwich-type magnetic immunoassay. Screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) were used as transducers, and electrochemical detection was performed by chronoamperometry using a secondary horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibody and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine. This magnetic assay was used to determine the E. coli O157:H7 strain in the linear range from 20 to 2 × 106 CFU/mL, with a limit of detection of 20 CFU/mL. The selectivity of the assay was tested using Listeria monocytogenes p60 protein, and the applicability of the assay was assessed by analyzing a commercial milk sample, demonstrating the usefulness of the synthesized nanoparticles in the developed magnetic immunoassay.

Influence of the Mediterranean Diet on Healthy Aging.

The life expectancy of the global population has increased. Aging is a natural physiological process that poses major challenges in an increasingly long-lived and frail population. Several molecular mechanisms are involved in aging. Likewise, the gut microbiota, which is influenced by environmental factors such as diet, plays a crucial role in the modulation of these mechanisms. The Mediterranean diet, as well as the components present in it, offer some proof of this. Achieving healthy aging should be focused on the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the development of pathologies that are associated with aging, in order to increase the quality of life of the aging population. In this review we analyze the influence of the Mediterranean diet on the molecular pathways and the microbiota associated with more favorable aging patterns, as well as its possible role as an anti-aging treatment.

Stability of Non-Ionic Surfactant Vesicles Loaded with Rifamycin S.

These days, the eradication of bacterial infections is more difficult due to the mechanism of resistance that bacteria have developed towards traditional antibiotics. One of the medical strategies used against bacteria is the therapy with drug delivery systems. Non-ionic vesicles are nanomaterials with good characteristics for encapsulating drugs, due to their bioavailability and biodegradability, which allow the drugs to reach the specific target and reduce their side effects. In this work, the antibiotic Rifamycin S was encapsulated. The rifamycin antibiotics family has been widely used against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but recent studies have also shown that rifamycin S and rifampicin derivatives have bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. In this work, a strain of S. aureus was selected to study the antimicrobial activity through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay. Three formulations of niosomes were prepared using the thin film hydration method by varying the composition of the aqueous phase, which included MilliQ water, glycerol solution, or PEG400 solution. Niosomes with a rifamycin S concentration of 0.13 µg/g were satisfactorily prepared. Nanovesicles with larger size and higher encapsulation efficiency (EE) were obtained when using glycerol and PEG400 in the aqueous media. Our results showed that niosomes consisting of an aqueous glycerol solution have higher stability and EE across a diversity of temperatures and pHs, and a lower MIC of rifamycin S against S. aureus.

The case for investment in tobacco control: lessons from four countries in the Americas.

Objective: To synthesize learnings from four national tobacco control investment cases conducted in the Americas (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Suriname) under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 2030 project, to describe results and how national health authorities have used the cases, and to discuss implications for the role of investment cases in advancing tobacco control. Methods: We draw on findings from four national investment cases that included 1) a cost-of-illness analysis calculating the health and economic burden of tobacco use, 2) a return-on-investment analysis of implementing key tobacco control demand reduction measures, and 3) a subsidiary analysis of one tobacco control topic of national interest (e.g., equity implications of cigarette taxation). Co-authors reported how cases have been used to advance tobacco control. Results: In Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Suriname, tobacco use causes social and economic losses equivalent to between 1.0 to 1.8 percent of GDP. Across these countries, implementing WHO FCTC demand reduction measures would save an average of 11 400 lives per year over the next 15 years. Benefits of the measures would far outweigh the costs of implementation and enforcement. Governments are using the cases to advance tobacco control, including to improve tobacco control laws and their enforcement, strengthen tobacco taxation, prioritize tobacco control planning, coordinate a multisectoral response, and engage political leaders. Conclusions: National investment cases can help to strengthen tobacco control in countries, including by increasing public and political support for implementation of the WHO FCTC and by informing effective planning, legislation, coordination and financing.

The case for investment in tobacco control: lessons from four countries in the Americas

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To synthesize learnings from four national tobacco control investment cases conducted in the Ameri- cas (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Suriname) under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 2030 project, to describe results and how national health authorities have used the cases, and to discuss implications for the role of investment cases in advancing tobacco control. Methods. We draw on findings from four national investment cases that included 1) a cost-of-illness analysis calculating the health and economic burden of tobacco use, 2) a return-on-investment analysis of implement- ing key tobacco control demand reduction measures, and 3) a subsidiary analysis of one tobacco control topic of national interest (e.g., equity implications of cigarette taxation). Co-authors reported how cases have been used to advance tobacco control. Results. In Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Suriname, tobacco use causes social and economic losses equivalent to between 1.0 to 1.8 percent of GDP. Across these countries, implementing WHO FCTC demand reduction measures would save an average of 11 400 lives per year over the next 15 years. Benefits of the mea- sures would far outweigh the costs of implementation and enforcement. Governments are using the cases to advance tobacco control, including to improve tobacco control laws and their enforcement, strengthen tobacco taxation, prioritize tobacco control planning, coordinate a multisectoral response, and engage political leaders. Conclusions. National investment cases can help to strengthen tobacco control in countries, including by increasing public and political support for implementation of the WHO FCTC and by informing effective plan- ning, legislation, coordination and financing.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Resumir las enseñanzas de cuatro casos nacionales de inversión en el control del tabaco llevados a cabo en la Región de las Américas (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Surinam) en el marco del proyecto 2030 del Convenio Marco de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para el Control del Tabaco (CMCT), describir los resultados y cómo las autoridades nacionales de salud han empleado los casos, y abordar las implica- ciones para la función de los casos de inversión en el avance del control del tabaco. Métodos. Este estudio está basado en los hallazgos de cuatro casos de inversión nacional que incluían 1) un análisis del costo de la enfermedad que estima la carga sanitaria y económica del consumo de tabaco, 2) un análisis del rendimiento de la inversión de la ejecución de medidas clave de reducción de la demanda en el control del tabaco, y 3) un análisis subsidiario de un tema de interés nacional sobre el control del tabaco (por ejemplo, el impacto en la equidad de los impuestos sobre los cigarrillos). Los coautores notificaron cómo se han utilizado los casos para avanzar en el control del tabaco. Resultados. En Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Surinam, el consumo de tabaco causa pérdidas sociales y económicas equivalentes a entre el 1,0 y el 1,8 por ciento del PIB. En todos estos países, la aplicación de las medidas de reducción de la demanda recogidas en el CMCT de la OMS salvaría una media de 11 400 vidas al año en los próximos 15 años. Los beneficios de estas medidas superarían con creces los costos de ejecución y cumplimiento. Los gobiernos están utilizando los casos para avanzar en el control del tabaco, como para mejorar las leyes de control y su aplicación, reforzar los impuestos sobre el tabaco, priorizar la planificación del control del tabaco, coordinar una respuesta multisectorial e involucrar a los líderes políticos. Conclusiones. Los casos de inversión nacional pueden ayudar a fortalecer el control del tabaco en los países, por ejemplo, al aumentar el apoyo público y político a la aplicación del CMCT de la OMS y al informar sobre una planificación, legislación, coordinación y financiación eficaces.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Sintetizar as lições aprendidas com quatro casos de investimento nacional no controle do tabaco nas Américas (Colômbia, Costa Rica, El Salvador e Suriname) no âmbito do projeto Convenção-Quadro para o Controle do Tabaco da Organização Mundial da Saúde (CQCT-OMS) 2030, descrever os resultados e as formas como as autoridades sanitárias nacionais utilizaram os casos e discutir as implicações para o papel dos casos de investimento no avanço do controle do tabaco. Métodos. O presente estudo recorre aos achados de quatro casos de investimento nacional, incluindo: 1) análise de custo da doença, com o cálculo da carga do tabagismo para a saúde e a economia; 2) análise do retorno sobre o investimento na implementação de medidas fundamentais de redução da demanda para controle do tabaco; e 3) análise secundária de um tópico de controle do tabaco de interesse nacional (por exemplo, implicações da tributação de cigarros para a equidade). Os coautores relatam como os casos foram utilizados para promover o controle do tabaco. Resultados. Na Colômbia, na Costa Rica, em El Salvador e no Suriname, o tabagismo provoca perdas soci- ais e econômicas que equivalem a 1,0 a 1,8% do produto interno bruto. Nesses países, a implementação de medidas de redução da demanda da CQCT-OMS pouparia em média 11.400 vidas por ano nos próximos 15 anos. Os benefícios dessas medidas superariam em muito os custos de implementação e fiscalização. Os governos estão usando esses casos para promover o controle do tabaco, inclusive para melhorar as leis de controle do tabaco e sua fiscalização, reforçar a tributação do tabaco, priorizar o planejamento do controle do tabaco, coordenar uma resposta multissetorial e envolver líderes políticos. Conclusões. Casos de investimento nacional podem ajudar a fortalecer o controle do tabaco nos países, aumentando o apoio político e do público para a implementação da CQCT-OMS e contribuindo para um planejamento, legislação, coordenação e financiamento efetivos.

The case for investment in tobacco control: lessons from four countries in the Americas / El caso de la inversión en el control del tabaco: las enseñanzas de cuatro países de la Región de las Américas / Em defesa do investimento no controle do tabaco: lições de quatro países das Américas

ABSTRACT Objective. To synthesize learnings from four national tobacco control investment cases conducted in the Americas (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Suriname) under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 2030 project, to describe results and how national health authorities have used the cases, and to discuss implications for the role of investment cases in advancing tobacco control. Methods. We draw on findings from four national investment cases that included 1) a cost-of-illness analysis calculating the health and economic burden of tobacco use, 2) a return-on-investment analysis of implementing key tobacco control demand reduction measures, and 3) a subsidiary analysis of one tobacco control topic of national interest (e.g., equity implications of cigarette taxation). Co-authors reported how cases have been used to advance tobacco control. Results. In Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Suriname, tobacco use causes social and economic losses equivalent to between 1.0 to 1.8 percent of GDP. Across these countries, implementing WHO FCTC demand reduction measures would save an average of 11 400 lives per year over the next 15 years. Benefits of the measures would far outweigh the costs of implementation and enforcement. Governments are using the cases to advance tobacco control, including to improve tobacco control laws and their enforcement, strengthen tobacco taxation, prioritize tobacco control planning, coordinate a multisectoral response, and engage political leaders. Conclusions. National investment cases can help to strengthen tobacco control in countries, including by increasing public and political support for implementation of the WHO FCTC and by informing effective planning, legislation, coordination and financing.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Resumir las enseñanzas de cuatro casos nacionales de inversión en el control del tabaco llevados a cabo en la Región de las Américas (Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Surinam) en el marco del proyecto 2030 del Convenio Marco de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para el Control del Tabaco (CMCT), describir los resultados y cómo las autoridades nacionales de salud han empleado los casos, y abordar las implicaciones para la función de los casos de inversión en el avance del control del tabaco. Métodos. Este estudio está basado en los hallazgos de cuatro casos de inversión nacional que incluían 1) un análisis del costo de la enfermedad que estima la carga sanitaria y económica del consumo de tabaco, 2) un análisis del rendimiento de la inversión de la ejecución de medidas clave de reducción de la demanda en el control del tabaco, y 3) un análisis subsidiario de un tema de interés nacional sobre el control del tabaco (por ejemplo, el impacto en la equidad de los impuestos sobre los cigarrillos). Los coautores notificaron cómo se han utilizado los casos para avanzar en el control del tabaco. Resultados. En Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Surinam, el consumo de tabaco causa pérdidas sociales y económicas equivalentes a entre el 1,0 y el 1,8 por ciento del PIB. En todos estos países, la aplicación de las medidas de reducción de la demanda recogidas en el CMCT de la OMS salvaría una media de 11 400 vidas al año en los próximos 15 años. Los beneficios de estas medidas superarían con creces los costos de ejecución y cumplimiento. Los gobiernos están utilizando los casos para avanzar en el control del tabaco, como para mejorar las leyes de control y su aplicación, reforzar los impuestos sobre el tabaco, priorizar la planificación del control del tabaco, coordinar una respuesta multisectorial e involucrar a los líderes políticos. Conclusiones. Los casos de inversión nacional pueden ayudar a fortalecer el control del tabaco en los países, por ejemplo, al aumentar el apoyo público y político a la aplicación del CMCT de la OMS y al informar sobre una planificación, legislación, coordinación y financiación eficaces.

RESUMO Objetivo. Sintetizar as lições aprendidas com quatro casos de investimento nacional no controle do tabaco nas Américas (Colômbia, Costa Rica, El Salvador e Suriname) no âmbito do projeto Convenção-Quadro para o Controle do Tabaco da Organização Mundial da Saúde (CQCT-OMS) 2030, descrever os resultados e as formas como as autoridades sanitárias nacionais utilizaram os casos e discutir as implicações para o papel dos casos de investimento no avanço do controle do tabaco. Métodos. O presente estudo recorre aos achados de quatro casos de investimento nacional, incluindo: 1) análise de custo da doença, com o cálculo da carga do tabagismo para a saúde e a economia; 2) análise do retorno sobre o investimento na implementação de medidas fundamentais de redução da demanda para controle do tabaco; e 3) análise secundária de um tópico de controle do tabaco de interesse nacional (por exemplo, implicações da tributação de cigarros para a equidade). Os coautores relatam como os casos foram utilizados para promover o controle do tabaco. Resultados. Na Colômbia, na Costa Rica, em El Salvador e no Suriname, o tabagismo provoca perdas sociais e econômicas que equivalem a 1,0 a 1,8% do produto interno bruto. Nesses países, a implementação de medidas de redução da demanda da CQCT-OMS pouparia em média 11.400 vidas por ano nos próximos 15 anos. Os benefícios dessas medidas superariam em muito os custos de implementação e fiscalização. Os governos estão usando esses casos para promover o controle do tabaco, inclusive para melhorar as leis de controle do tabaco e sua fiscalização, reforçar a tributação do tabaco, priorizar o planejamento do controle do tabaco, coordenar uma resposta multissetorial e envolver líderes políticos. Conclusões. Casos de investimento nacional podem ajudar a fortalecer o controle do tabaco nos países, aumentando o apoio político e do público para a implementação da CQCT-OMS e contribuindo para um planejamento, legislação, coordenação e financiamento efetivos.

Lipid-Polymer Hybrids Encapsulating Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles as a Label for Lateral Flow Immunoassays.

The feasibility of using Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) encapsulated by lipid-polymer nanoparticles as labels in lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) was studied. First, nanoparticles were synthesized with average diameters between 4 and 7 (nm) through precipitation in W/O microemulsion and further encapsulated using lipid-polymer nanoparticles. Systems formulated were characterized in terms of size and shape by DLS (Nanozetasizer from Malvern) and TEM. After encapsulation, the average size was around (≈20 and 50 nm). These controlled size agglomerates were tested as labels with a model system based on the biotin-neutravidin interaction. For this purpose, the encapsulated nanoparticles were conjugated to neutravidin using the carbodiimide chemistry, and the LFIA was carried out with a biotin test line. The encapsulated SPIONs showed that they could be promising candidates as labels in LFIA test. They would be useful for immunomagnetic separations, that could improve the limits of detection by means of preconcentration.

The miRNA199a/SIRT1/P300/Yy1/sST2 signaling axis regulates adverse cardiac remodeling following MI.

Left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI) is related to adverse outcome. It has been shown that an up-regulation of plasma soluble ST2 (sST2) levels are associated with lower pre-discharge left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality outcome after MI. The mechanisms involved in its modulation are unknown and there is not specific treatment capable of lowering plasma sST2 levels in acute-stage HF. We recently identified Yin-yang 1 (Yy1) as a transcription factor related to circulating soluble ST2 isoform (sST2) expression in infarcted myocardium. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in this process have not been thoroughly elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the pathophysiological implication of miR-199a-5p in cardiac remodeling and the expression of the soluble ST2 isoform. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by permanent ligation of the left anterior coronary artery in C57BL6/J mice that randomly received antimiR199a therapy, antimiR-Ctrl or saline. A model of biomechanical stretching was also used to characterize the underlying mechanisms involved in the activation of Yy1/sST2 axis. Our results show that the significant upregulation of miR-199a-5p after myocardial infarction increases pathological cardiac hypertrophy by upregulating circulating soluble sST2 levels. AntimiR199a therapy up-regulates Sirt1 and inactivates the co-activator P300 protein, thus leading to Yy1 inhibition which decreases both expression and release of circulating sST2 by cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction. Pharmacological inhibition of miR-199a rescues cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in mice, offering a potential therapeutic approach for cardiac failure.

Microemulsion Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Bioapplications.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles have seen increased potential in medical and environmental applications. Their preparation is traditionally made by the coprecipitation method, with limited control over the particle size distribution. Microemulsion methods could be advantageous due to the efficient control of the size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles obtained. Water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions consist of aqueous microdomains dispersed in a continuous oil phase, stabilized by surfactant molecules. These work as nanoreactors where the synthesis of the desired nanoparticles takes place through a co-precipitation chemical reaction. In this work, superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles with average diameters between 5.4 and 7.2 nm and large monodispersity have been synthesized through precipitation in a W/O microemulsion, with Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) as a main surfactant, 1-butanol as a cosurfactant, and with 1-hexanol as the continuous oily phase. The optimization of the corresponding washing protocol has also been established since a strict control is required when using these materials for bioapplications. Their applicability in those has been proved by their encapsulation in liposomes, being tested as signal enhancers for lateral flow immunoassays by using the affinity neutravidin-biotin model system. Due to their magnetic behaviour, they were also tested for magnetic separation. These novel materials have been found to be useful for analytical applications requiring high sensitivity and the removal of interferences.

Obstetric Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Asymptomatic Pregnant Women.

Around two percent of asymptomatic women in labor test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Spain. Families and care providers face childbirth with uncertainty. We determined if SARS-CoV-2 infection at delivery among asymptomatic mothers had different obstetric outcomes compared to negative patients. This was a multicenter prospective study based on universal antenatal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 42 hospitals tested women admitted for delivery using polymerase chain reaction, from March to May 2020. We included positive mothers and a sample of negative mothers asymptomatic throughout the antenatal period, with 6-week postpartum follow-up. Association between SARS-CoV-2 and obstetric outcomes was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In total, 174 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies were compared with 430 asymptomatic negative pregnancies. No differences were observed between both groups in key maternal and neonatal outcomes at delivery and follow-up, with the exception of prelabor rupture of membranes at term (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.11; p = 0.015). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers have higher odds of prelabor rupture of membranes at term, without an increase in perinatal complications, compared to negative mothers. Pregnant women testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission for delivery should be reassured by their healthcare workers in the absence of symptoms.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-Akt pathway in negative-stranded RNA virus infection: a minireview.

The PI3K/Akt signalling pathway is a crucial signalling cascade that regulates transcription, protein translation, cell growth, proliferation, cell survival, and metabolism. During viral infection, viruses exploit a variety of cellular pathways, including the well-known PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Conversely, cells rely on this pathway to stimulate an antiviral response. The PI3K/Akt pathway is manipulated by a number of viruses, including DNA and RNA viruses and retroviruses. The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information about the role of the PI3K-Akt pathway in infection with members of five different families of negative-sense ssRNA viruses. This pathway is hijacked for viral entry, regulation of endocytosis, suppression of premature apoptosis, viral protein expression, and replication. Although less common, the PI3K/Akt pathway can be downregulated as an immunomodulatory strategy or as a mechanism for inducing autophagy. Moreover, the cell activates this pathway as an antiviral strategy for interferon and cytokine production, among other strategies. Here, we present new data concerning the role of this pathway in infection with the paramyxovirus Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Our data seem to indicate that NDV uses the PI3K/Akt pathway to delay cell death and increase cell survival as a means of improving its replication. The interference of negative-sense ssRNA viruses with this essential pathway might have implications for the development of antiviral therapies.

Extracellular Vesicles: Current Analytical Techniques for Detection and Quantification.

Since their first observation, understanding the biology of extracellular vesicles (EV) has been an important and challenging field of study. They play a key role in the intercellular communication and are involved in important physiological and pathological functions. Therefore, EV are considered as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring the response to treatment in some diseases. In addition, due to their properties, EV may be used for therapeutic purposes. In the study of EV, three major points have to be addressed: 1. How to isolate EV from cell culture supernatant/biological fluids, 2. how to detect them, and 3. how to characterize and quantify. In this review, we focus on the last two questions and provide the main analytical techniques up-to-date for detection and profiling of EV. We critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each one, aimed to be of relevance for all researchers working on EV biology and their potential applications.

Paper-Based Working Electrodes Coated with Mercury or Bismuth Films for Heavy Metals Determination.

Paper-based carbon working electrodes were modified with mercury or bismuth films for the determination of trace metals in aqueous solutions. Both modification procedures were optimized in terms of selectivity and sensitivity for the determination of different heavy metals, aiming their simultaneous determination. Cd (II), Pb (II) and In (III) could be quantified with both films. However, Cu (II) could not be determined with bismuth films. The modification with mercury films led to the most sensitive method, with linear ranges between 0.1 and 10 µg/mL and limits of detection of 0.4, 0.1, 0.04 and 0.2 µg/mL for Cd (II), Pb (II), In (III) and Cu (II), respectively. Nevertheless, the bismuth film was a more sustainable alternative to mercury. Tap-water samples were analyzed for the determination of metals by standard addition methodology with good accuracy, by using a low-cost and easily disposable paper-based electrochemical platform. This system demonstrated its usefulness for monitoring heavy metals in water.