Global variations in omega-3 fatty acid status and omega-6:omega-3 ratios: insights from > 500,000 whole-blood dried blood spot samples.

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids are critical for human health, with the omega-6 (n-6) to n-3 fatty acid ratio and the omega-3 levels recognized as contributing to the risk of many chronic non-communicable diseases. Direct measurement of fatty acid levels in blood provides the most accurate assessment of fatty acid status and balance, with fingertip dried blood spot (DBS) analysis offering a practical and cost-effective assessment method. This study analyses more than 590,000 globally sourced DBS samples, providing fatty acid profiles in whole blood across diverse populations.

Identification of new selective CD36 inhibitors to potentiate HER2-targeted therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer.

HER2 overexpression/amplification (HER2+) occurs in approximately 15-20% of breast cancer (BC) and identifies a highly aggressive BC subtype. The cure rate of HER2 + BC has been significantly increased through recent clinical achievements; however, a non-negligible proportion of patients still either fails to respond or acquires resistance to targeted therapies, highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies. As demonstrated in robust preclinical studies, HER2 + BC is considered a neoplastic disease with a peculiar lipogenic phenotype, due to its crucial addiction to an exacerbated need for fatty acids (FAs) produced via FA synthase (FASN), the central lipogenic enzyme required for intracellular de novo FA biosynthesis.

Cancer-associated VEGFR2 sustains receptor activation also by promoting ligand-independent hetero-dimerization with co-expressed wild-type VEGFR2 and translocation into lipid rafts.

The substitution R1032Q is the most frequent non-synonymous mutation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in cancer patients, classified as a loss-of-function variant. Here we characterize the molecular bases of its role in cancer, demonstrating that it lacks significant activity and pro-oncogenic effects in VEGFR2-negative tumor cells, while being able to sustain the tumorigenic potential of VEGFR2-positive cancer cells. By implementing a cell model that allows expression of either VEGFR2 alone or in combination with VEGFR2, we showed that the effects of mutated VEGFR2 are at least in part due to the ability of VEGFR2 to form functional heterodimers with co-expressed VEGFR2 that result in increased kinase activity and receptor phosphorylation.

Illicit alcohol consumption and its associated factors among patrons in Zambia: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Introduction: Illicit alcohol consumption is prevalent globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where formal regulatory systems are weak or less enforced. Consumption of illicit alcohol has serious consequences, both immediate and long-term.

Objective: To examine the socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with the consumption of illicit alcohol among the patrons in selected urban and peri-urban areas in Zambia.

Drivers of illicit alcohol consumption among at-risk populations aged 15-29 years old in Zambia: a qualitative perspective.

Background: Illicit alcohol consumption is a major public health problem in Zambia and many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine drivers of illicit alcohol consumption among at-risk populations, such as youths, in selected urban areas in Zambia, using the social-ecological model as a lens to understand these drivers.

Methods: Through a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Zambia Revenue Authority, local council public health departments, and rehabilitation centers.

Gestational diabetes severity stratification during pregnancy: role of plasma oleic acid as a possible early marker.

Normal pregnancy is characterized by changes in lipid metabolism with significant implications for the health of both mother and offspring. When these changes develop into maternal dyslipidemia, a significant association with adverse pregnancy outcomes has been observed, including the development of gestational diabetes (GD), modulation of the inflammatory response, and excessive fetal growth. In the present study, we performed a lipidomic assessment of patients at GD diagnosis (24-28 weeks of gestation) and 12 weeks after diagnosis.

TRF2 interaction with nuclear envelope is required for cell polarization and metastasis in triple negative breast cancer.

The Telomere Repeat-Binding factor 2 (TRF2) contributes to cancer progression by both telomere-dependent and independent mechanisms, including immune escape and angiogenesis. Here, we found that TRF2, through its Basic domain, directly interacts with Emerin forming a complex, including Lamin A/C, Lamin B1, SUN1, and SUN2. Importantly, TRF2 association with the inner nuclear membrane is functional to the proper establishment of cell polarity, finally promoting productive 1D and 3D migration in triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC).

Influence of a Combination of Glycerol Polyethylene Glycol Ricinoleate and Bi-Distilled Oleic Acid in Powder Form on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Excreta Nitrogen and Liver Fatty Acid Profile of Broilers Fed Reduced-Energy Diets.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of an emulsifier in powder form composed of glycerol polyethylene glycol ricinoleate and bi-distilled oleic acid on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta nitrogen and liver fatty acid profile of broilers fed reduced-energy diets. A total of 720 male ROSS 308 chicks were divided into four homogeneous groups (9 pens/20 chicks per group): positive control (PC), negative control (NC, -70 kcal/kg of AME), EMUL1 and EMUL2 fed an NC diet + 250 and 500 mg/kg of emulsifier. Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated.

Core-Extended Naphthalene Diimide Dyads as Light-Up Probes with Targeted Cytotoxicity Toward Tumor Cells.

Within the framework of rational drug design, this study introduces a novel approach to enhance the specificity of small molecules in targeting cancer cells. This approach starts from the use of dyads merging into a single entity, a naphthalene diimide (NDI) and core-extended NDI (ceNDI), both known as G-quadruplex (G4) ligands and fluorescent probes. The strategy aims to leverage the unique diagnostic strengths of the ceNDI moiety featuring red emission by improving its binding affinity and target selectivity through inclusion in dyads built with different linkers.

Microplastic pollution from pellet spillage: Analysis of the Toconao ship accident along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts.

In December 2023, 25 tons of pellets were lost by the Toconao ship in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean in front of the Portuguese coast. In this work, a coastal stretch of 633 km in Asturias and Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal was investigated to assess pellets' concentration on 31 beaches. Field surveys were carried out in March 2024 and focused on sampling plastic pellets deposited along the shoreline.

Investigating the implementation of a novel approach to alcohol screening and brief intervention in Mexico: a mixed-methods study using pseudo-patients.

Introduction: Low- and middle-income countries bear disproportionate burdens from excessive alcohol consumption, yet have fewer resources to identify and intervene with risky drinkers. Low-cost screening and brief intervention (SBI) models offer a tool for addressing this health problem and reducing disparities.

Methods: In this mixed-methods study, trained pseudo-patients visited health clinics in Zacatecas, Mexico, where a novel SBI model was used with trained nonmedical health educators (HEs) conducting SBI in waiting areas.

An intrinsic mechanism of metabolic tuning promotes cardiac resilience to stress.

Defining the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac resilience is crucial to find effective approaches to protect the heart. A physiologic level of ROS is produced in the heart by fatty acid oxidation, but stressful events can boost ROS and cause mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiac functional impairment. Melusin is a muscle specific chaperone required for myocardial compensatory remodeling during stress.

A set of guidelines as support for the integrated geo-environmental characterization of highly contaminated coastal sites.

The knowledge of geomorphodynamic aspects is crucial for understanding marine and coastal processes/dynamics as well as for characterizing coastal environments heavily affected by anthropogenic activities. To provide a framework of analysis that can be applied in a consistent way for the geo-environmental characterization of highly contaminated coastal sites, in this paper a set of operational guidelines is proposed. Special attention is given to the role of geomorphological-based surveys and analyses in defining (i) the site-specific geological model of the investigated site, (ii) the anthropogenic impacts on marine and coastal sediments, (iii) the expected morphodynamic variations induced by climate change and anthropogenic interventions, (iv) tailored dissemination activities and community engagement plans.

Vibration Rather than Microgravity Affects Bone Metabolism in Adult Zebrafish Scale Model.

Gravity and mechanical forces cause important alterations in the human skeletal system, as demonstrated by space flights. Innovative animal models like zebrafish embryos and medaka have been introduced to study bone response in ground-based microgravity simulators. We used, for the first time, adult zebrafish in simulated microgravity, with a random positioning machine (RPM) to study bone remodeling in the scales.

TRF2 as novel marker of tumor response to taxane-based therapy: from mechanistic insight to clinical implication.

Background: Breast Cancer (BC) can be classified, due to its heterogeneity, into multiple subtypes that differ for prognosis and clinical management. Notably, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) - the most aggressive BC form - is refractory to endocrine and most of the target therapies. In this view, taxane-based therapy still represents the elective strategy for the treatment of this tumor.

How are cell and tissue structure and function influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?

Progress in mechanobiology allowed us to better understand the important role of mechanical forces in the regulation of biological processes. Space research in the field of life sciences clearly showed that gravity plays a crucial role in biological processes. The space environment offers the unique opportunity to carry out experiments without gravity, helping us not only to understand the effects of gravitational alterations on biological systems but also the mechanisms underlying mechanoperception and cell/tissue response to mechanical and gravitational stresses.

Sediment pollution in coastal and marine environments.

Sediment pollution in coastal and marine environments has emerged as a pressing concern due to its far-reaching ecological, environmental, and human health impacts. This Special Issue of the Marine Pollution Bulletin assembles a diverse range of studies investigating sediment pollution, its causes, and potential mitigation strategies, covering topics such as geophysical assessment of anthropogenic activities, biological responses to pollution, contamination, and ecological risk assessments, and microplastics in coastal sediments. The findings emphasize the need for effective monitoring, management, and interdisciplinary research to address the multifaceted challenges posed by sediment pollution.

Sediment pollution in coastal and marine environments.

Sediment pollution in coastal and marine environments has emerged as a pressing concern due to its far-reaching ecological, environmental, and human health impacts. This Special Issue of the Marine Pollution Bulletin assembles a diverse range of studies investigating sediment pollution, its causes, and potential mitigation strategies, covering topics such as geophysical assessment of anthropogenic activities, biological responses to pollution, contamination, and ecological risk assessments, and microplastics in coastal sediments. The findings emphasize the need for effective monitoring, management, and interdisciplinary research to address the multifaceted challenges posed by sediment pollution.

The Critical Impact of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Response.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the world, and its management includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, whose effectiveness depends largely, but not exclusively, on the molecular subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+ and Triple Negative). All breast cancer subtypes are accompanied by peculiar and substantial changes in sphingolipid metabolism. Alterations in sphingolipid metabolite levels, such as ceramides, dihydroceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphingomyelin, as well as in their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymatic pathways, have emerged as molecular mechanisms by which breast cancer cells grow, respond to or escape therapeutic interventions and could take on diagnostic and prognostic value.