The Relationship Between Nurses' Digital Health Literacy and Their Educational Levels, Professional Roles, and Digital Attitudes: A Cluster Analysis Based on a Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: The current study aimed to identify digital health literacy levels among nurses with respect to their education, role and attitude towards digital technologies. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Through convenience sampling, all Registered Nurses, managers/leaders and nurse researchers employed in Hospitals, University Hospitals and Districts were recruited and surveyed using an online questionnaire. The data collection tool assessed: (I) demographics, (II) Digital Health Literacy (DHL) with the Health Literacy Survey19 Digital (HLS19-DIGI) instrument including DHL dealing with digital health information (HL-DIGI), interaction with digital resources for health (HL-DIGI-INT) and use of digital devices for health (HL-DIGI-DD); (III) attitudes on the use of digital technologies in clinical practice. The multiple correspondence analysis was applied to identify three clusters for the education/professional role (A, B, C) and three for digital technologies' use (1, 2, 3). The one-way nonparametric analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis test) was applied to compare HL-DIGI, HL-DIGI-INT and the HL-DIGI-DD scores among clusters. RESULTS: Among 551 participants, the median scores of the HL-DIGI, the HL-DIGI-INT and the HL-DIGI-DD questionnaires were 70.2, 72 and 2.00, respectively. The distribution in the clusters 'educational/professional role' was A, (58.8%); B, (16.5%); and C, (24.7%). Nurses in a managerial or coordinator role and with a postgraduate degree used digital resources with greater frequency. The distribution in the clusters 'use of digital technologies' was: 1, (54.6%); 2, (12.2%); and 3, (33.2%). The HL-DIGI-DD and HL-DIGI scores of clusters 1, 2 and 3 differed significantly. CONCLUSION: DHL among nurses is strongly influenced by the education level, professional role, habits and attitude towards digital technologies. Nurses with coordinator roles used digital technologies with greater frequency and had a higher level of DHL. REPORTING METHOD: The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were used for reporting. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Local Ethical Committee of the Polyclinic of Bari (code: DHL7454, date: 21/09/22).

Perinatal Tissue-Derived Stem Cells: An Emerging Therapeutic Strategy for Challenging Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Over the past 20 years, stem cell therapy has been considered a promising option for treating numerous disorders, in particular, neurodegenerative disorders. Stem cells exert neuroprotective and neurodegenerative benefits through different mechanisms, such as the secretion of neurotrophic factors, cell replacement, the activation of endogenous stem cells, and decreased neuroinflammation. Several sources of stem cells have been proposed for transplantation and the restoration of damaged tissue. Over recent decades, intensive research has focused on gestational stem cells considered a novel resource for cell transplantation therapy. The present review provides an update on the recent preclinical/clinical applications of gestational stem cells for the treatment of protein-misfolding diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, further studies should be encouraged to translate this promising therapeutic approach into the clinical setting.

The specific deletion of cyclooxygenase-1 in megakaryocytes/platelets reduces intestinal polyposis in ApcMin/+ mice.

Clinical and experimental evidence sustain the role of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 in intestinal tumorigenesis. However, the cell type expressing the enzyme involved and molecular mechanism(s) have not been clarified yet. We aimed to elucidate the role of platelet COX-1 (the target of low-dose aspirin in humans) in intestinal tumorigenesis of ApcMin/+ mice, considered a clinically relevant model. To realize this objective, we generated an ApcMin/+ mouse with a specific deletion of Ptgs1(COX-1 gene name) in megakaryocytes/platelets (ApcMin/+;pPtgs1-/-mice) characterized by profound inhibition of thromboxane(TX)A2 biosynthesis ex vivo (serum TXB2; by 99%) and in vivo [urinary 2,3-dinor-TXB2(TXM), by 79%]. ApcMin/+ mice with the deletion of platelet COX-1 showed a significantly reduced number (67%) and size (32%) of tumors in the small intestine. The intestinal adenomas of these mice had decreased proliferative index associated with reduced COX-2 expression and systemic prostaglandin(PG)E2 biosynthesis (urinary PGEM) vs. ApcMin/+mice. Extravasated platelets were detected in the intestine of ApcMin/+mice. Thus, we explored their contribution to COX-2 induction in fibroblasts, considered the primary polyp cell type expressing the protein. In the coculture of human platelets and myofibroblasts, platelet-derived TXA2 was involved in the induction of COX-2-dependent PGE2 in myofibroblasts since it was prevented by the selective inhibition of platelet COX-1 by aspirin or by a specific antagonist of TXA2 receptors. In conclusion, our results support the platelet hypothesis of intestinal tumorigenesis and provide experimental evidence that selective inhibition of platelet COX-1 can mitigate early events of intestinal tumorigenesis by restraining COX-2 induction.

Platelets induce free and phospholipid-esterified 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid generation in colon cancer cells by delivering 12-lipoxygenase.

Platelets promote tumor metastasis by inducing promalignant phenotypes in cancer cells and directly contributing to cancer-related thrombotic complications. Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells, which confers high-grade malignancy. 12S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) generated by platelet-type 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) is considered a key modulator of cancer metastasis through unknown mechanisms. In platelets, 12-HETE can be esterified into plasma membrane phospholipids (PLs), which drive thrombosis. Using cocultures of human platelets and human colon adenocarcinoma cells (line HT29) and LC-MS/MS, we investigated the impact of platelets on cancer cell biosynthesis of 12S-HETE and its esterification into PLs and whether platelet ability to transfer its molecular cargo might play a role. To this aim, we performed coculture experiments with CFSE[5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester]-loaded platelets. HT29 cells did not generate 12S-HETE or express 12-LOX. However, they acquired the capacity to produce 12S-HETE mainly esterified in plasmalogen phospholipid forms following the uptake of platelet-derived medium-sized EVs (mEVs) expressing 12-LOX. 12-LOX was detected in plasma mEV of patients with adenomas/adenocarcinomas, implying their potential to deliver the protein to cancer cells in vivo. In cancer cells exposed to platelets, endogenous but not exogenous 12S-HETE contributed to changes in EMT gene expression, mitigated by three structurally unrelated 12-LOX inhibitors. In conclusion, we showed that platelets induce the generation of primarily esterified 12-HETE in colon cancer cells following mEV-mediated delivery of 12-LOX. The modification of cancer cell phospholipids by 12-HETE may functionally impact cancer cell biology and represent a novel target for anticancer agent development.

Low-dose Aspirin prevents hypertension and cardiac fibrosis when thromboxane A2 is unrestrained.

Enhanced platelet activation has been reported in patients with essential hypertension and heart failure. The possible contribution of platelet-derived thromboxane (TX)A2 in their pathophysiology remains unclear. We investigated the systemic TXA2 biosynthesis in vivo and gene expression of its receptor TP in 22 essential hypertension patients and a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension. The contribution of platelet TXA2 biosynthesis on enhanced blood pressure (BP) and overload-induced cardiac fibrosis was explored in mice by treating with low-dose Aspirin, resulting in selective inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-dependent TXA2 generation. In essential hypertensive patients, systemic biosynthesis of TXA2 [assessed by measuring its urinary metabolites (TXM) reflecting predominant platelet source] was enhanced together with higher gene expression of circulating leukocyte TP and TGF-ß, vs. normotensive controls. Similarly, in hypertensive mice with prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor (IP) deletion (IPKO) fed with a high-salt diet, enhanced urinary TXM, and left ventricular TP overexpression were detected vs. normotensive wildtype (WT) mice. Increased cardiac collagen deposition and profibrotic gene expression (including TGF-ß) was found. Low-dose Aspirin administration caused a selective inhibition of platelet TXA2 biosynthesis and mitigated enhanced blood pressure, cardiac fibrosis, and left ventricular profibrotic gene expression in IPKO but not WT mice. Moreover, the number of myofibroblasts and extravasated platelets in the heart was reduced. In cocultures of human platelets and myofibroblasts, platelet TXA2 induced profibrotic gene expression, including TGF-ß1. In conclusion, our results support tailoring low-dose Aspirin treatment in hypertensive patients with unconstrained TXA2/TP pathway to reduce blood pressure and prevent early cardiac fibrosis.

Insights in the Evaluation of Gluten Dietary Avoidance in Healthy Subjects.

Background: The amount of healthy subjects adopting a gluten-free diet (GFD) for nonmedical reasons actually surpasses the numbers of those who are dealing with a permanent gluten-related disorder.Objective: The study aimed to better clarify the interactions between a GFD and physical and psychological well-being.Methods: Sixty healthy subjects with normal weight were enrolled. Thirty subjects (15 female) were submitted to a normocaloric GFD and considered as the experimental group (EG), and 30 subjects (15 female) were submitted to a normocaloric diet (CG) for 6 months. The hematochemical and psychological parameters before and after the diet were recorded.Results: Significant improvement was demonstrated in red blood count, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein parameters in the EG after the gluten-free diet. However, a significant increase of α-amylase pancreatic activity and reduction of vitamin B12 and magnesium levels in the EG were observed. Regarding the psychological parameters, the GFD significantly improved scores assessing body satisfaction, but increased social insecurity.Conclusions: The study is the first to consider significant modulation in hematochemical parameters as well as psychological ones by gluten avoidance in healthy individuals. Although these subjects were not characterized by intestinal mucosa damage, some of the effects were similar to those observed in celiac disease patients who began to adhere to a GFD.

Multifaceted Functions of Platelets in Cancer: From Tumorigenesis to Liquid Biopsy Tool and Drug Delivery System.

Platelets contribute to several types of cancer through plenty of mechanisms. Upon activation, platelets release many molecules, including growth and angiogenic factors, lipids, and extracellular vesicles, and activate numerous cell types, including vascular and immune cells, fibroblasts, and cancer cells. Hence, platelets are a crucial component of cell-cell communication. In particular, their interaction with cancer cells can enhance their malignancy and facilitate the invasion and colonization of distant organs. These findings suggest the use of antiplatelet agents to restrain cancer development and progression. Another peculiarity of platelets is their capability to uptake proteins and transcripts from the circulation. Thus, cancer-patient platelets show specific proteomic and transcriptomic expression patterns, a phenomenon called tumor-educated platelets (TEP). The transcriptomic/proteomic profile of platelets can provide information for the early detection of cancer and disease monitoring. Platelet ability to interact with tumor cells and transfer their molecular cargo has been exploited to design platelet-mediated drug delivery systems to enhance the efficacy and reduce toxicity often associated with traditional chemotherapy. Platelets are extraordinary cells with many functions whose exploitation will improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Irisin and Autophagy: First Update.

Aging and sedentary life style are considered independent risk factors for many disorders. Under these conditions, accumulation of dysfunctional and damaged cellular proteins and organelles occurs, resulting in a cellular degeneration and cell death. Autophagy is a conserved recycling pathway responsible for the degradation, then turnover of cellular proteins and organelles. This process is a part of the molecular underpinnings by which exercise promotes healthy aging and mitigate age-related pathologies. Irisin is a myokine released during physical activity and acts as a link between muscles and other tissues and organs. Its main beneficial function is the change of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue, with a consequential increase in thermogenesis. Irisin modulates metabolic processes, acting on glucose homeostasis, reduces systemic inflammation, maintains the balance between resorption and bone formation, and regulates the functioning of the nervous system. Recently, some of its pleiotropic and favorable properties have been attributed to autophagy induction, posing irisin as an important regulator of autophagy by exercise. This review article proposes to bring together for the first time the "state of the art" knowledge regarding the effects of irisin and autophagy. Furthermore, treatments on relation between exercise/myokines and autophagy have been also achieved.

Platelet-Specific Deletion of Cyclooxygenase-1 Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk for thromboembolism, platelet activation, and abnormalities in platelet number and size. In colitis, platelets can extravasate into the colonic interstitium. We generated a mouse with a specific deletion of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 in megakaryocytes/platelets [(COX-1 conditional knockout (cKO)] to clarify the role of platelet activation in the development of inflammation and fibrosis in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. The disease activity index was assessed, and colonic specimens were evaluated for histologic features of epithelial barrier damage, inflammation, and fibrosis. Cocultures of platelets and myofibroblasts were performed. We found that the specific deletion of COX-1 in platelets, which recapitulated the human pharmacodynamics of low-dose aspirin, that is, suppression of platelet thromboxane (TX)A2 production associated with substantial sparing of the systemic production of prostacyclin, resulted in milder symptoms of colitis, in the acute phase, and almost complete recovery from the disease after DSS withdrawal. Reduced colonic accumulation of macrophages and myofibroblasts and collagen deposition was found. Platelet-derived TXA2 enhanced the ability of myofibroblasts to proliferate and migrate in vitro, and these effects were prevented by platelet COX-1 inhibition or antagonism of the TXA2 receptor. Our findings allow a significant advance in the knowledge of the role of platelet-derived TXA2 in the development of colitis and fibrosis in response to intestinal damage and provide the rationale to investigate the potential efficacy of the antiplatelet agent low-dose aspirin in limiting the inflammatory response and fibrosis associated with IBD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by the development of a chronic inflammatory response, which can lead to intestinal fibrosis for which currently there is no medical treatment. Through the generation of a mouse with specific deletion of cyclooxygenase-1 in megakaryocytes/platelets, which recapitulates the human pharmacodynamics of low-dose aspirin, we demonstrate the important role of platelet-derived thromboxane A2 in the development of experimental colitis and fibrosis, thus providing the rationale to investigate the potential efficacy of low-dose aspirin in limiting the inflammation and tissue damage associated with IBD.

Comparison between CaGene 5.1 and 6.0 for BRCA1/2 mutation prediction: a retrospective study of 150 BRCA1/2 genetic tests in 517 families with breast/ovarian cancer.

During the past years, several empirical and statistical models have been developed to discriminate between carriers and non-carriers of germline BRCA1/BRCA2 (breast cancer 1, early onset/breast cancer 2, early onset) mutations in families with hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. Among these, the BRCAPRO or CaGene model is commonly used during genetic counseling, and plays a central role in the identification of potential carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations. We compared performance and clinical applicability of BRCAPRO version 5.1 vs version 6.0 in order to assess diagnostic accuracy of updated version. The study was carried out on 517 pedigrees of patients with familial history of breast or ovarian cancer, 150 of which were submitted to BRCA1/2 mutation screening, according to BRCAPRO evaluation or to criteria based on familial history. In our study, CaGene 5.1 was more sensitive than CaGene 6.0, although the latter showed a higher specificity. Both BRCAPRO versions better discriminate BRCA1 than BRCA2 mutations. This study evidenced similar performances in the two BRCAPRO versions even if the CaGene 6.0 has underestimated the genetic risk prediction in some BRCA mutation-positive families. Genetic counselors should recognize this limitation and during genetic counseling would be advisable to use a set of criteria in order to improve mutation carrier prediction.

Conditioned medium from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients reduces the expression and release of inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS-gingivalis in THP-1 and MO3.13 cell lines.

The present research was aimed at evaluating the effect of the conditioned medium (CM) from human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) obtained from healthy donors (hPDLSCs-CM) and from Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis patients (RR-MS-CM) on inflammatory response induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS-G) in a monocytoid human cell line (THP-1) and human oligodendrocyte cell line (MO3.13). Human periodontal ligament biopsies were carried out from control donor patients and selected RR-MS donors. Sample tissues were obtained from premolar teeth during root scaling and subsequently cultured. The effect of hPDLSCs-CM and RR-MS-CM on cell viability in PMA differentiated THP-1 (as a model of microglia) was measured using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The same experiments were performed in undifferentiated and differentiated MO3.13 cells used as models of progenitor cells and oligodendrocytes, respectively. The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 was evaluated by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression level of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), for which LPS-G is a ligand, was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The results were analyzed by ANOVA using Graph Pad Prism software. LPS-G significantly increased TNFα, IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA expression and protein levels in the differentiated THP-1 cells and oligodendrocyte MO3.13 progenitor cells. Treatment with hPDLSCs-CM or with RR-MS-CM significantly attenuated the LPS-induced expression and production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. The CM from both healthy donors and RR-MS patients also reduced the LPS-G stimulated protein levels of TLR-4 in differentiated THP-1 cells. On the whole our data add new evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of these peculiar stem cells even when derived from RR-MS patients and open novel perspectives in the therapeutic use of autologous periodontal stem cells in neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative diseases including MS.

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells: A Novel Source for Modeling of Human Genetic Diseases.

In recent years, great interest has been devoted to the use of Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (iPS) for modeling of human genetic diseases, due to the possibility of reprogramming somatic cells of affected patients into pluripotent cells, enabling differentiation into several cell types, and allowing investigations into the molecular mechanisms of the disease. However, the protocol of iPS generation still suffers from technical limitations, showing low efficiency, being expensive and time consuming. Amniotic Fluid Stem cells (AFS) represent a potential alternative novel source of stem cells for modeling of human genetic diseases. In fact, by means of prenatal diagnosis, a number of fetuses affected by chromosomal or Mendelian diseases can be identified, and the amniotic fluid collected for genetic testing can be used, after diagnosis, for the isolation, culture and differentiation of AFS cells. This can provide a useful stem cell model for the investigation of the molecular basis of the diagnosed disease without the necessity of producing iPS, since AFS cells show some features of pluripotency and are able to differentiate in cells derived from all three germ layers "in vitro". In this article, we describe the potential benefits provided by using AFS cells in the modeling of human genetic diseases.

Guanosine protects glial cells against 6-hydroxydopamine toxicity.

Increasing body of evidence indicates that neuron-neuroglia interaction may play a key role in determining the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), a chronic pathological condition characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. We have previously reported that guanosine (GUO) antagonizes MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells and exerts neuroprotective effects against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. In the present study we demonstrate that GUO protected C6 glioma cells, taken as a model system for astrocytes, from 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity. We show that GUO, either alone or in combination with 6-OHDA activated the cell survival pathways ERK and PI3K/Akt. The involvement of these signaling systems in the mechanism of the nucleoside action was strengthened by a reduction of the protective effect when glial cells were pretreated with U0126 or LY294002, the specific inhibitors of MEK1/2 and PI3K, respectively. Since the protective effect on glial cell death of GUO was not affected by pretreatment with a cocktail of nucleoside transporter blockers, GUO transport and its intracellular accumulation were not at play in our in vitro model of PD. This fits well with our data which pointed to the presence of specific binding sites for GUO on rat brain membranes. On the whole, the results described in the present study, along with our recent evidence showing that GUO when administered to rats via intraperitoneal injection is able to reach the brain and with previous data indicating that it stimulates the release of neurotrophic factors, suggest that GUO, a natural compound, by acting at the glial level could be a promising agent to be tested against neurodegeneration.

Expression of P2X7 ATP receptor mediating the IL8 and CCL20 release in human periodontal ligament stem cells.

ATP is released by human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and has been shown to regulate PDL regeneration and responses to mechanical stress through activation of P2Y receptors. This nucleotide, however, has also been reported to trigger the pro-inflammatory cascade by inducing the maturation and/or release of chemokines/cytokines from various cell types mainly via P2X7 receptors. Much less is known on the possible role of ATP in stem cells deriving from PDL (hPDLSCs) which are considered to be a promising tool for cell-based therapy to restore lesions. Given the role played by P2X7 in pathophysiological conditions, in this study we investigated the expression of P2X7 ATP receptors in hPDLSCs. The results obtained showed that hPDLSCs express P2X7 receptors evaluated by means of cytofluorimetric, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-PCR, and Western blot analyses. P2X7 ligation by 2',3'-(benzoyl-4-benzoyl)-ATP (BzATP), a specific receptor agonist, was followed by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and in the uptake of ethidium bromide. These effects were dramatically reduced by oxidized ATP (oATP), the P2X7 irreversible inhibitor, suggesting that the P2X7 is the functional receptor involved. At 24 h treatment of hPDLSCs with BzATP it enhanced the release of the pro-inflammatory agents IL8 and CCL20, without influencing cell viability. These effects were counteracted by pre-treating the cells with oATP or with A-740003, a selective and potent P2X7 competitive antagonist. Collectively, these results indicated that extracellular ATP mediate a pro-inflammatory response via P2X7 receptors in hPDLSCs opening a further approach to control hPDLSCs behavior in their possible application as therapeutic tool.

Brimonidine Eye Drops within the Reach of Children: A Possible Foe.

Brimonidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma, has been shown to cause neurological side effects such as unresponsiveness, lethargy, hypoventilation, and stupor, mimicking opioid toxicity. We report one case of transient encephalopathy in a toddler, in whom accidental brimonidine toxicity was suspected and then confirmed by a toxicology study. The healthy 8-month-old girl was taken to the pediatric ER since she was drowsy and hypotonic with miosis. The computed tomography scan of her brain and toxicological workup of her blood and urine were negative. Starting from the fourth hour, the child progressively improved, and by the sixth hour, she recovered to a normal state of consciousness. A survey of available drugs within the child's reach showed the presence of brimonidine. Thus, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied to quantify the brimonidine in urine and plasma samples, showing levels of 8.40 ng/mL and 0.79 ng/mL, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report to determine brimonidine levels in urine and plasma using UPLC-MS/MS. Insufficient knowledge on the part of family members about the potential hazards of an apparently innocuous, topical medication such as eye drops may put children at a greater risk of poisoning. Necessary warnings should be given to parents with greater care when prescribing this medication.

Orally Ingested Micro- and Nano-Plastics: A Hidden Driver of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer.

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) can move along the food chain to higher-level organisms including humans. Three significant routes for MNPLs have been reported: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs and their role as drivers for increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in high-risk populations such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. In this review, by using the leading scientific publication databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect), we explored the possible effects and related mechanisms of MNPL exposure on the gut epithelium in healthy conditions and IBD patients. The summarized evidence supports the idea that oral MNPL exposure may contribute to intestinal epithelial damage, thus promoting and sustaining the chronic development of intestinal inflammation, mainly in high-risk populations such as IBD patients. Colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus contributing to the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems and platelet activation, which may, in turn, contribute to the chronic development of inflammation and CRC development. Further exploration of this threat to human health is warranted to reduce potential adverse effects and CRC risk.

Nicotine-induced Genetic and Epigenetic Modifications in Primary Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to adverse health outcomes in offspring, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. To date, the effect of maternal smoking has been tested in primary tissues and animal models, but the scarcity of human tissues limits experimental studies. Evidence regarding smoking-related molecular alteration and gene expression profiles in stem cells is still lacking. METHODS: We developed a cell culture model of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) of nicotine (NIC) exposure to examine the impact of maternal smoking on epigenetic alterations of the fetus. RESULTS: NIC 0.1 µM (equivalent to "light" smoking, i.e., 5 cigarettes/day) did not significantly affect cell viability; however, significant alterations in DNA methylation and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in hAFSCs occurred. These epigenetic changes may influence the gene expression and function of hAFSCs. Furthermore, NIC exposure caused time-dependent alterations of the expression of pluripotency genes and cell surface markers, suggesting enhanced cell stemness and impaired differentiation potential. Furthermore, NICtreated cells showed reduced mRNA levels of key adipogenic markers and hypomethylation of the promoter region of the imprinted gene H19 during adipogenic differentiation, potentially suppressing adipo/lipogenesis. Differential expression of 16 miRNAs, with predicted target genes involved in various metabolic pathways and linked to pathological conditions, including cognitive delay and fetal growth retardation, has been detected. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight multi-level effects of NIC on hAFSCs, including epigenetic modifications, altered gene expression, and impaired cellular differentiation, which may contribute to long-term consequences of smoking in pregnancy and its potential impact on offspring health and development.

Polystyrene nanoplastics mediate oxidative stress, senescence, and apoptosis in a human alveolar epithelial cell line.

Background: Nanoplastics, an emerging form of pollution, are easily consumed by organisms and pose a significant threat to biological functions due to their size, expansive surface area, and potent ability to penetrate biological systems. Recent findings indicate an increasing presence of airborne nanoplastics in atmospheric samples, such as polystyrene (PS), raising concerns about potential risks to the human respiratory system. Methods: This study investigates the impact of 800 nm diameter-PS nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on A549, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line, examining cell viability, redox balance, senescence, apoptosis, and internalization. We also analyzed the expression of hallmark genes of these processes. Results: We demonstrated that PS-NPs of 800 nm in diameter significantly affected cell viability, inducing oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. PS-NPs also penetrated the cytoplasm of A549 cells. These nanoparticles triggered the transcription of genes comprised in the antioxidant network [SOD1 (protein name: superoxide dismutase 1, soluble), SOD2 (protein name: superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial), CAT (protein name: catalase), Gpx1 (protein name: glutathione peroxidase 1), and HMOX1 (protein name: heme oxygenase 1)], senescence-associated secretory phenotype [Cdkn1a (protein name: cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A), IL1A (protein name: interleukin 1 alpha), IL1B (protein name: interleukin 1 beta), IL6 (protein name: interleukin 6), and CXCL8 (protein name: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8)], and others involved in the apoptosis modulation [BAX (protein name: Bcl2 associated X, apoptosis regulator), CASP3 (protein name: caspase 3), and BCL2 (protein name: Bcl2, apoptosis regulator)]. Conclusion: Collectively, this investigation underscores the importance of concentration (dose-dependent effect) and exposure duration as pivotal factors in assessing the toxic effects of PS-NPs on alveolar epithelial cells. Greater attention needs to be directed toward comprehending the risks of cancer development associated with air pollution and the ensuing environmental toxicological impacts on humans and other terrestrial mammals.

The Crucial Role of Hereditary Cancer Panel Testing in Unaffected Individuals with a Strong Family History of Cancer: A Retrospective Study of a Cohort of 103 Healthy Subjects.

Hereditary cancer syndromes caused by germline mutations account for 5-10% of all cancers. The finding of a genetic mutation could have far-reaching consequences for pharmaceutical therapy, personalized prevention strategies, and cascade testing. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) and the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines, unaffected family members should be tested only if the affected one is unavailable. This article explores whether germline genetic testing may be offered to high-risk families for hereditary cancer even if a living affected relative is missing. A retrospective study was carried out on 103 healthy subjects tested from 2017 to 2023. We enrolled all subjects with at least two first- or second-degree relatives affected by breast, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric, prostate, or colorectal cancer. All subjects were tested by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) multi-gene panel of 27 cancer-associated genes. In the study population, 5 (about 5%) pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) were found, while 40 (42%) had a Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS). This study highlights the importance of genetic testing for individuals with a strong family history of hereditary malignancies. This approach would allow women who tested positive to receive tailored treatment and prevention strategies based on their personal mutation status.

Guanosine protects against reperfusion injury in rat brains after ischemic stroke.

After ischemic stroke, early thrombolytic therapy to reestablish tissue perfusion improves outcome but triggers a cascade of deleterious cellular and molecular events. Using a collaborative approach, our groups examined the effects of guanosine (Guo) in response to ischemic reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo. In a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, Guo significantly reduced infarct volume in a dose-dependent manner when given systemically either immediately before or 30 min, but not 60 min, after the onset of the 5.5-hr reperfusion period. In a separate experiment, Guo significantly reduced infarct volume after 24 hr of reperfusion when administered 5 min before reperfusion. Western blot analysis did not reveal any significant changes either in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins (GRP 78 and 94) or HSP 70 or in levels of m-calpain. In vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) significantly increased production of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the primary astrocytes. Guo did not alter ROS or IL-8 production when given to the astrocytes before OGD. However, Guo when added to the cells prior to or 30 min after reperfusion significantly reduced IL-8 release but not ROS formation. Our study revealed a dose- and time-dependent protective effect of Guo on reperfusion injury in vitro and vivo. The mechanisms by which Guo exerts its effect are independent of unfolded proteins in ER or the level of intracellular calcium or ROS formation. However, the effect may be induced, at least partially, by inhibiting IL-8, a marker of reperfusion-triggered proinflammatory events.