(r)HDL in Theranostics: How Do We Apply HDL's Biology for Precision Medicine in Atherosclerosis Management?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are key players in cholesterol metabolism homeostasis since they are responsible for transporting excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver. Imbalance in this process, due to either excessive accumulation or impaired clearance, results in net cholesterol accumulation and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, significant effort has been focused on the development of therapeutic tools capable of either directly or indirectly enhancing HDL-guided reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). More recently, in light of the emergence of precision nanomedicine, there has been renewed research interest in attempting to take advantage of the development of advanced recombinant HDL (rHDL) for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. In this review, we provide an update on the different approaches that have been developed using rHDL, focusing on the rHDL production methodology and rHDL applications in theranostics. We also compile a series of examples highlighting potential future perspectives in the field.This review was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (PID2019-104367RB-100), as well as the Subprograma Ramon y Cajal (RYC-201722879) to N.R. and PI18/0164 to F.B.-V., FEDER "Una manera de hacer Europa". CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) is a project of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau is accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya as Centre de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA). This work was also supported by the Basque Government (Grupos Consolidados IT-1264-19) to C.M. and A.B.-V. was supported by Programa de especializacion de Personal Investigador Doctor en la UPV/EHU (2019) 2019-2020

(r)HDL in theranostics : How do we apply HDL's biology for precision medicine in atherosclerosis management?

Altres ajuts: Eusko Jaurlaritza IT-1264-19Altres ajuts: Euskal Herriko UnibertsitateaAltres ajuts: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are key players in cholesterol metabolism homeostasis since they are responsible for transporting excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver. Imbalance in this process, due to either excessive accumulation or impaired clearance, results in net cholesterol accumulation and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, significant effort has been focused on the development of therapeutic tools capable of either directly or indirectly enhancing HDL-guided reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). More recently, in light of the emergence of precision nanomedicine, there has been renewed research interest in attempting to take advantage of the development of advanced recombinant HDL (rHDL) for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. In this review, we provide an update on the different approaches that have been developed using rHDL, focusing on the rHDL production methodology and rHDL applications in theranostics. We also compile a series of examples highlighting potential future perspectives in the field

Impact of vacuum cleaning on indoor air quality

Vacuum cleaning can be a household source of particulate matter (PM) both from the vacuum motor and from settled dust resuspension. Despite the evidence of this contribution to PM levels indoors, the effect of this source on PM composition is still unknown. In this study, four vacuum cleaners (washable filter bag less, wet, bagged and HEPA filter equipped robot) were tested for the emission rate of particulate mass and number. The detailed PM chemical characterisation included organic and elemental carbon, metals and organic speciation. PM10 emission rates from bagged vacuum operation were much higher (207 ± 99.0 μg min−1) compared with the ones obtained from wet (86.1 ± 16.9 μg min−1) and washable filter bag less vacuums (75.4 ± 7.89 μg min−1). Particle (8–322 nm) number emission rates ranged from 5.29 × 1011 (washable filter bag less vacuum) to 21.2 × 1011 (wet vacuum) particles min−1. Ratios of peak to background levels indicate that vacuuming can elevate the ultrafine particle number concentrations by a factor ranging from 4 to 61. No increase in PM mass or number concentrations was observed during the HEPA filter equipped vacuum operation. The increase in copper and elemental carbon PM10 contents during vacuuming suggested motor emissions. Organic compounds in PM10 included alkanes, PAHs, saccharides, phenolics, alcohols, acids, among others. However, it was not possible to establish a relationship between these compounds and vacuuming due to the vast array of possible household sources. The cancer risks associated with metals and PAH inhalation were negligible.publishe

10 kg scaled-up preparation of Al/Fe-pillared clay CWPO catalysts from concentrated precursors

In this work, the significant intensification of a bentonite pillaring process was achieved by using a novel methodological approach, leading to an intercalating Al/Fe mixed oligomeric precursor, around 100 times more concentrated than usually reported. In addition, the intercalating step was achieved directly on the clay with no previous swelling of the mineral being required; this allowed the successful scaled-up preparation of the Al/Fe-PILC, by a factor of one thousand, from the lab (10 g) to the pilot scale (10 kg). Intercalating solutions prepared under either oncentrated (13 cm3) or diluted (widely reported, 2.0 dm3) conditions for lab-scale preparations were both translucent, displaying similar final pH values (close to 4.0) typical of highly oligomerized Al-pillaring solutions. The clay modified from concentrated precursors at the 10 g scale reached a high basal spacing (18.3 Å) and specific surface area (198 m2 g−1 ) with very comparable fractions of Fe forming truly mixed Al/Fe pillars in comparison to a reference material (H2-TPR analyses). This promoted high performance in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol in aqueous solution as a toxic model organic molecule at very mild temperature (25.0 °C ± 1.0 °C) and pressure (76 kPa), exhibiting the highest catalytic efficiency as a function of both parameters (full conversion of phenol together with 45.2% of TOC mineralization) with low iron leaching using a very low catalyst concentration (0.25 g dm−3). Particle size refining of the starting clay, the speed of stirring and conditions for the final washing of the interlayered precursor are the main factors influencing successful pillaring at scales higher than 1.0 kg

Indoor and outdoor air quality: a university cafeteria as a case study

A short but exhaustive air sampling campaign was conducted in a university cafeteria, an occupational environmental not yet studied. Carbonyls and volatile organic compounds were collected by passive diffusion samplers. Temperature, relative humidity, CO2, CO and particulate matter were continuously monitored indoors and outdoors. Simultaneous PM10 sampling with high and low volume instruments, equipped with quartz and Teflon filters, respectively, was performed during working hours and at night. The quartz filters were analysed for their carbonaceous content by a thermo-optical technique and organic constituents by GC-MS. Water-soluble ions and elements were analysed in the Teflon filters by ion chromatography and PIXE, respectively. Low air change rates (0.31–1.5 h−1) and infiltration factors of 0.14, for both PM2.5 and PM10, indicate poor ventilation conditions. Concentrations of both gaseous pollutants and particulate matter were much higher in the cafeteria than outdoors, showing strong variations throughout the day depending on occupancy and activities. The average concentration of indoor-generated PM10 was estimated to be 32 μg m−3. Organic compounds in PM10 included alkanes, PAHs, saccharides, phenolics, alcohols, acids, alkyl esters, triterpenoids, sterols, among others. The complex particle composition reveals the multiplicity of sources, formation reactions and removal processes, not yet fully known, and suggests the contribution from dust resuspension, abrasion and off-gassing of building materials, cooking emissions, tobacco smoke, and several consumer products. Many compounds are in the list of ingredients of personal care products, pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and psychoactive drugs. The inhalation cancer risks of metals and PAHs were found to be negligible.publishe

Unraveling the extracellular matrix-tumor cell interactions to aid better targeted therapies for neuroblastoma

Treatment in children with high-risk neuroblastoma remains largely unsuccessful due to the development of metastases and drug resistance. The biological complexity of these tumors and their microenvironment represent one of the many challenges to face. Matrix glycoproteins such as vitronectin act as bridge elements between extracellular matrix and tumor cells and can promote tumor cell spreading. In this study, we established through a clinical cohort and preclinical models that the interaction of vitronectin and its ligands, such as αv integrins, are related to the stiffness of the extracellular matrix in high-risk neuroblastoma. These marked alterations found in the matrix led us to specifically target tumor cells within these altered matrices by employing nanomedicine and combination therapy. Loading the conventional cytotoxic drug etoposide into nanoparticles significantly increased its efficacy in neuroblastoma cells. We noted high synergy between etoposide and cilengitide, a high-affinity cyclic pentapeptide αv integrin antagonist. The results of this study highlight the need to characterize cell-extracellular matrix interactions, to improve patient care in high-risk neuroblastoma

Physical Activity Adherence Related to Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Spanish Older Adults: 8 Years-Longitudinal EXERNET-Study

Introduction: The multiple benefits of physical activity (PA) compared to the current lack of adherence to this behavior in older people makes it necessary to identify the factors related to its long-term dropout, therefore, the aim of this study was: (i) to study the evolution of behavior change for PA through stages of change (SoC) after 8 years and, to identify the associated factors related to the worsening of SoC for PA. Methods: A total of 714 Spanish older adults (>65 years) participated in the Longitudinal elderly EXERNET study 8 years follow-up. SoC for PA from Transtheoretical model of behavior change (TTM), body composition BMI, fat mass, lean mass, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC)] and physical fitness (EXERNET battery fitness tests) were recorded. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to identify the potential predictive factors of worsening SoC for PA. Results: Three hundred and sixty participants (50.4%) worsening their SoC for PA after 8 years. Predictors factors associated with worsening of SoC were: HC (OR = 1.022; 95% CI: 1.001, 1.044), Lower body strength (OR = 0.940; 95% CI: 0.887, 0.997) and aerobic endurance at the 6 min-walk test (OR = 0.997; 95% CI: 0.995, 0.999). Conclusion: This study highlights that we need to identify adults with high HC, lower body strength and lower aerobic endurance to design a tailored PA program. Identifying the determinants of losing adherence to PA will help in the creation, design, and evaluation of exercise programs with the goal of reducing older adults’ drop-outs rates. Copyright © 2022 Jiménez-Zazo, Hernández-Martínez, Romero-Blanco, Cabanillas, Pérez-Gómez, Ara, Casajús, Vicente-Rodríguez, Gesteiro, González-Gross and Aznar

Auge y colapso de la demanda de viviendas en España : factores determinantes

En este artículo se presenta un modelo de demanda de viviendas que permite analizar las causas que motivaron el boom inmobiliario protagonizado por la economía española, así como su posterior colapso. Según nuestro modelo, el boom tuvo su origen en el alza especulativa de precios, que produjo un doble efecto. Por un lado, el aumento de la riqueza inmobiliaria incrementó la capacidad financiera familiar, induciendo una mayor propensión al endeudamiento y a la inversión residencial. Por otro, el hecho de que la revalorización de la vivienda superara por momentos la cuota hipotecaria indujo un incremento adicional de la demanda de aquéllas. Sin embargo, estas fuerzas comenzaron a jugar en sentido contrario tras la explosión de la burbuja, provocando un brusco desplome de las compraventas. El modelo pone de relieve que la secular preferencia de los españoles por la vivienda en propiedad tenía un fundamento económico que ahora ha desaparecidoThis article presents a model for the demand for housing which allows one to analyze the determinants of the housing boom and bust experienced by the Spanish economy. According to this model, the boom was caused by a speculative increase in prices, which yielded two effects: on the one hand, the rise in wealth associated with the value of real estate increased households’ financial capacity, leading to a higher propensity to engage in debt and to invest in real estate. On the other hand, the fact that the appreciation in the value of housing was larger at certain times than the value of the mortgage to be paid, led to an even larger increase in the demand for housing. However, these forces began to act in the opposite direction after the bust of the housing bubble, causing an abrupt reduction in the demand for real estate. The model shows that the long term preference of Spaniards for house ownership rested on economic foundations which have now disappeare