Smoking habits predict adverse effects after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: Empirical evidence from a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to investigate the possible association between smoking habits and the incidence of adverse effects (AEs) after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal observational study was conducted on a sample of Italian healthcare workers. METHODS: Healthcare workers who were administered the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) were evaluated for the occurrence of AEs after three vaccine doses. Multivariate Poisson regression analyses were fitted to predict AE risk according to smoking characteristics - such as number of tobacco cigarettes smoked per day, smoking time, and use of electronic cigarette (e-cig). RESULTS: Of 320 total participants, 72 (22.5%) smoked cigarettes, and 50 (15.6%) used e-cig, 49 of which being dual users. Tobacco smoking significantly increased the risks of muscle and joint pain during the primary COVID-19 vaccination cycle and of chills during the whole vaccination series. The number of cigarettes smoked per day and vaping variously predicted AE onset during the whole cycle, with a tendency to respectively reduce and increase their risks. Duration of smoking did not affect any AE, except for headache after the booster dose. Most results remained significant after Bonferroni adjustment of significance level. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study indicated a possible effect of smoking habits on AE onset. Our research offers evidence that helps understanding possible predictors of the interindividual variability in COVID-19 vaccine response, serving as a reference for further studies on the effect of smoking on vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Theonellasterone, a steroidal metabolite isolated from a Theonella sponge, protects peroxiredoxin-1 from oxidative stress reactions.

Peroxiredoxin-1, a key enzyme in the cellular detoxification pathway, has been identified through a chemoproteomic approach as the main partner of theonellasterone, a marine bioactive metabolite. A combination of chemical and biochemical assays disclosed its mechanism of action at the molecular level.

Farnesoid X receptor agonist for the treatment of liver and metabolic disorders: focus on 6-ethyl-CDCA.

6-ethyl-chedeoxycholic acid (6E-CDCA) is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) ligand endowed with agonistic activity under development for treatment of cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and liver-related metabolic disorders including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). FXR is a bile sensor that acts in coordination with other nuclear receptors to regulate essential steps of bile acid uptake, metabolism and excretion. 6E-CDCA has been investigated in preclinical models of cholestasis, liver fibrosis and diet-induced atherosclerosis. In a phase II clinical trial in patients with PBC, 6E-CDCA met the primary endpoint of a reduction in alkaline phosphatase levels but safety data indicated that the drug exacerbated pruritus, one of the main symptoms of PBC, suggesting that 6E-CDCA or FXR are mediators of pruritus in humans. Treatment of patients with diabetes and liver steatosis resulted in amelioration of insulin sensitivity despite a reduction a slight reduction in HDL and increased levels of LDL were observed. These side effects on bile acids and lipid metabolism were all predicted by pre-clinical studies, suggesting that potent FXR ligands hold promise but potential side effects might limit their development.

New isomalabaricane derivatives from a new species of Jaspis sponge collected at the Vanuatu islands.

Six new cytotoxic isomalabaricane-type triterpenoids and nortriterpenoids with a 3alpha-acetoxy group were isolated, along with the known globostellatic acids B (1) and C (2), from the marine sponge Jaspis sp. collected at Vanuatu Island. The structures were determined by 2D NMR data and by comparison with spectral data of known related compounds.

New jaspamide derivatives from the marine sponge Jaspis splendans collected in Vanuatu.

Two new jaspamide derivatives (1 and 2) along with jaspamide have been isolated from the marine sponge Jaspis splendans collected in Vanuatu. Their chemical structures were determined from 1D and 2D NMR studies and MS data. These two compounds inhibited the in vitro growth of the NSCLC-N6 human tumor cell lines with IC50 values in the microg/mL range.

Microfilament depletion and circumvention of multiple drug resistance by sphinxolides.

Sphinxolides, a newly described family of cytotoxins from the New Caledonian sponge Neosiphonia superstes, bear structural resemblance to scytophycins. We now demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of sphinxolides is associated with cell cycle arrest in G2-M and induction of apoptosis. Like scytophycins and cytochalasins, sphinxolides caused rapid loss of microfilaments in cultured cells, without affecting microtubule organization. Microfilament reassembly was very slow after removal of the sphinxolide, consistent with the slow recovery of cellular proliferation. Sphinxolides potently inhibited actin polymerization in vitro and the microfilament-dependent ATPase activity of purified actomyosin, indicating a direct effect on actin. Importantly, sphinxolides were equally cytotoxic toward MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells and a subline which overexpresses P-glycoprotein (MCF-7/ADR). Similarly, overexpression of the multidrug resistance-associated protein MRP by HL-60 cells did not confer resistance to the sphinxolides. These studies demonstrate that sphinxolides are potent new antimicrofilament compounds that circumvent multidrug resistance mediated by overexpression of either P-glycoprotein or MRP. Therefore, these agents may be useful in the treatment of drug-resistant tumors.

Neosiphoniamolide A, a novel cyclodepsipeptide, with antifungal activity from the marine sponge Neosiphonia superstes.

A novel cyclodepsipeptide, neosiphoniamolide A [1], has been isolated from the sponge Neosiphonia superstes. The structure of 1, which contains a 12-carbon hydroxy acid, glycine, valine, and a halogenated tyrosine residue in an 18-membered ring, is related to jaspamide and the geodiamolides, previously isolated from sponges. The structure was solved by spectroscopic analysis.

A novel cytotoxic macrolide, superstolide B, related to superstolide A, from the New Caledonian marine sponge Neosiphonia superstes.

The structure of a new cytotoxic macrolide, superstolide B [1], isolated from the deep water sponge Neosiphonia superstes, collected off New Caledonia, was elucidated mainly on the basis of nmr data. Compound 1 is closely related to superstolide A [2], a major cytotoxic component isolated from that organism, but lacks the 25-hydroxyl group found in 2 and has a C-24 (C-25)-double bond.

Engineering as a clinical tool for geriatric rehabilitation.

Of all age-groups, the over-60 group has the highest percentage of people with permanent, incurable, progressive handicaps. Clinical research during the past 14 years at the National Institute for Rehabilitation Engineering has shown that many elderly persons with permanent vision, hearing, speech, and mobility handicaps can be helped to be happier and more independent through a multidisciplinary team approach. The team should be led by physicians specializing in geriatric medicine and should include medical specialists, industrial engineers, efficiency and mobility experts, and task-performance trainers.