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Biological Mechanisms of Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis Toxin: Linking Inflammation, Colorectal Cancer, and Clinical Implications
No full textEnterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) has emerged as a gut microbiome pathogen that can promote intestinal inflammation and contribute to colorectal cancer (CRC). Its principal virulence factor, the Bacteroides fragilis toxin (BFT), is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease that disrupts epithelial barrier integrity, initiates inflammatory signaling pathways, and enhances epithelial proliferation. Although growing evidence supports a link between ETBF and CRC, some inconsistencies across studies highlight the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underpinning BFT-mediated pathogenesis. This review examines the biological structure and activity of BFT, with a focus on its role in epithelial injury, inflammatory responses, and tumorigenesis. In addition, we discuss current challenges in the detection and characterization of ETBF and BFT, including technical limitations in clinical diagnostics and methodological variability across studies. Recent advances in multi-omics technologies, molecular diagnostics, nanobody-based detection platforms, and probiotic intervention are also highlighted as promising avenues for improving ETBF identification and therapeutic targeting. Future research integrating systematic molecular profiling with clinical data is essential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms, and develop effective interventions against ETBF-associated diseases
Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) of plant's guttation fluids as a new, fast, and non-invasive strategy for the assessment of the bioavailability of Zn, Cd and Pb in contaminated soils
No full textThe assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTE) concentration in biofluids is often used for the evaluation of their bioavailability in polluted environments. In the soil-plant system, the analysis of the composition of the xylem fluid can provide a real snapshot of the elements taken up from the soil by the plant. However, xylem collection is often difficult, and, for herbaceous plants, it requires cutting the plant. Alternatively, xylem can be collected through leaves as naturally exuded drops (i.e. guttation), thus in a fully non-destructive way. The guttation phenomenon is yet limited to micro-volumes, therefore the analysis with most techniques is challenging. For the first time, the capability and reliability of total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry for the quantification of PTE in plant's guttation fluids was tested in this work. In particular, the study was led on fluids sampled from Lolium rigidum plants grown in a soil contaminated with Zn, Cd, and Pb. Two different TXRF spectrometers were used and compared, equipped either with Mo- or W-anode-based X-ray sources; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry GF-AAS were used as reference techniques. Differently from these latter, approximately 30 μL of sample were sufficient for the quantification of Zn, Cd, and Pb through TXRF (along with the determination of other essential plant nutrients). Furthermore, the comparison with ICP-OES and/or GF-AAS showed various improvements in using TXRF, including a fast sample preparation, a reduced use of chemicals, the multi-elemental capability. These results suggest that TXRF analysis of plant guttation fluids could represent a novel non-destructive, expeditious and “green” analytical approach for the study of Zn, Cd, Pb and other PTE availability in polluted soils
Effect of grape pomace supplementation in mid-lactation dairy ewes on production and quality of milk and methane emissions
No full textPolygenic prediction of body mass index and obesity through the life course and across ancestries
No full text: Polygenic scores (PGSs) for body mass index (BMI) may guide early prevention and targeted treatment of obesity. Using genetic data from up to 5.1 million people (4.6% African ancestry, 14.4% American ancestry, 8.4% East Asian ancestry, 71.1% European ancestry and 1.5% South Asian ancestry) from the GIANT consortium and 23andMe, Inc., we developed ancestry-specific and multi-ancestry PGSs. The multi-ancestry score explained 17.6% of BMI variation among UK Biobank participants of European ancestry. For other populations, this ranged from 16% in East Asian-Americans to 2.2% in rural Ugandans. In the ALSPAC study, children with higher PGSs showed accelerated BMI gain from age 2.5 years to adolescence, with earlier adiposity rebound. Adding the PGS to predictors available at birth nearly doubled explained variance for BMI from age 5 onward (for example, from 11% to 21% at age 8). Up to age 5, adding the PGS to early-life BMI improved prediction of BMI at age 18 (for example, from 22% to 35% at age 5). Higher PGSs were associated with greater adult weight gain. In intensive lifestyle intervention trials, individuals with higher PGSs lost modestly more weight in the first year (0.55 kg per s.d.) but were more likely to regain it. Overall, these data show that PGSs have the potential to improve obesity prediction, particularly when implemented early in life
Immune System–Tumor Crosstalk Under Microgravity: Mechanistic Insights, Challenges, and Translational Perspectives
No full textDespite notable progress in cancer therapy, immune evasion remains a major obstacle to effective treatment outcomes. In the context of spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to unique environmental stressors—particularly microgravity and radiation—that profoundly affect cellular and immune homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that microgravity alters key cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, and oncogenic signaling pathways such as NF-κB and ERK1/2. Concurrently, microgravity (μg) disrupts immune regulation, potentially facilitating both tumor progression and treatment resistance. Of particular concern is the upregulation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), especially HERV-K and HERV-W, under μg conditions, which may exacerbate inflammatory responses and immune system dysregulation. While some studies indicate that μg may impair tumor growth, others reveal enhanced immune evasion and reduced antitumor immunity. Importantly, insights from μg research extend beyond space medicine and provide translational opportunities for terrestrial oncology, including the development of physiologically relevant 3D tumor models for drug screening, the identification of mechano-sensitive pathways (FAK/RhoA, YAP/TAZ) as therapeutic targets, and novel immunotherapeutic strategies involving epigenetic modulation and checkpoint inhibition. This review critically examines the dual role of μg in modulating cancer progression and immune function. We synthesize findings on how μg shapes immune responses, alters tumor–immune system interactions, and impacts the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches. Finally, we highlight translational opportunities and challenges for optimizing cancer immunotherapy and precision oncology in both spaceflight and Earth-based environments
Recruitment and Controlled Growth of Juveniles of the Critically Endangered Fan Mussel Pinna nobilis in the Northern Adriatic
No full textPluralismo de la verdad: una propuesta
No full textEl texto presenta una defensa del “pluralismo alético puro” (PAP), una reformulación del pluralismo alético simple (PAS), según la cual el término “verdadero” tiene un significado polisémico y no ambiguo. Esta polisemia se basa en un significado focal común, caracterizado por tres rasgos: equivalencia, correspondencia mínima y normatividad. El PAP sostiene que, aunque el predicado “verdadero” adopta distintos significados contextuales según el ámbito del discurso (correspondencia en ciencias, coherencia en matemáticas, superasertividad en ética), todos ellos derivan del significado focal compartido. A nivel metafísico, el PAP afirma que la verdad depende del mundo, entendido como una pluralidad de campos de estados de cosas, cada uno con su propiedad específica que satisface las condiciones del predicado “verdadero”. De este modo, el PAP garantiza una unidad conceptual de la verdad sin negar su pluralidad metafísica, evitando así las críticas nihilistas y proponiendo una teoría pluralista coherente y realista de la verdad tanto a nivel lingüístico como ontológico
Nasal Emulgel’s Role in Preventing Coronavirus Infection
No full textBackground/Objectives: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of respiratory viruses that cause respiratory illnesses ranging from mild colds to severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and pandemics. The nasal cavity is a primary site for CoV entry and transmission. The study aimed to prepare a novel mucoadhesive emulgel specifically formulated with simple, safe, and cost-effective excipients to create a barrier on the nasal mucosa that impedes CoV infection. This formulation strategy was specifically designed to enable rapid and straightforward in vivo translation, addressing a critical gap in preventive measures against respiratory viruses. Methods: Three emulgels, containing macadamia oil, Carbopol and different percentages of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (1, 1.2 and 1.5% (w/v), HPMC), were properly prepared and characterized for mucoadhesion, viscosity, and spreadability. The biological activity against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in vitro on infected epithelial cells. Results: The emulgel with 1.2% HPMC demonstrated optimal physicochemical properties (mucoadhesion: 342 ± 9 mN/cm2; viscosity: 1080 ± 83 cp; spreadability: 7.27 ± 0.06 cm) suitable for nasal application. Importantly, in vitro biological assays demonstrated that this emulgel significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in epithelial cells, indicating an effective barrier to viral diffusion. Conclusions: By employing readily available, safe, and inexpensive excipients, this novel mucoadhesive emulgel offers a practical, scalable, and rapidly translatable nasal prophylactic approach to prevent early SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a critical unmet need in pandemic preparedness
Cortical Dynamics of Symbolic and Non-Symbolic Numerical Representations in Young and Older Adults: An EEG Study
No full textNumeracy, the ability to understand and use numbers and basic numerical concepts, declines with age affecting everyday problem-solving, yet the underlying causes remain unclear. This study examined numerical cognition in young (24.1±4.73 years, n=31) and older adults (68.8±4.38 years, n=32), using a parity judgment task with three numerical formats: Arabic digits (N), Finger representations (F), and Dots (D). EEG (128 channels) was recorded.
Accuracy was significantly lower for D than N and F (p = .02). Older adults responded slower than younger ones (p < .001), with both groups performing fastest for N (p < .001). Gender differences emerged for non-symbolic stimuli, where females responded slower than males (F, p = .04; D, p = .007), though no difference was found for N (p = .14).
Multivariate pattern analysis revealed early (~200 ms) neural differentiation between N, F, and D, suggesting distinct processing for symbolic and non-symbolic representations. Older adults exhibited reduced neural decoding and increased latency. Source analysis showed lower activation and delayed responses in key numerical processing areas (intraparietal sulcus, fusiform gyrus) in older adults, alongside broader cortical recruitment. Among non-symbolic number representations, dots induce the lowest activation of the parietal cortex in the elderly.
These findings suggest that age-related numeracy decline results from reduced efficiency in primary numerical processing areas, with compensatory activation of additional cortical regions. The study provides evidece for distinct neural networks supporting symbolic and non-symbolic number cognition and their age-related changes
Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking victimisation among university students: A Narrative Systematic Review
No full textWith the increasing use of information and communication technology, university students are more vulnerable to cyberbullying and cyberstalking than ever before. While prior research has mostly addressed these adverse behaviours separately, the convergence of these phenomena in the education and lives of university students suggests the need to explore them within a more holistic framework. This study presents a Narrative Systematic Review (NSR) that focuses on university students (undergraduate and postgraduate) as victims