Glucose transporter expression and the potential role of fructose in renal cell carcinoma: a correlation with pathological parameters

[Abstract] All mammalian cells contain one or more members of the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) gene family. Glucose transporter membrane proteins (GLUT) regulate the movement of glucose between the extracellular and intracellular compartments, maintaining a constant supply of glucose available for metabolism. Tumor cells are highly energy-dependent, therefore GLUT overexpression is often observed. In fact, overexpression of GLUT1 has been correlated with hypoxia markers in several tumor types, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We retrospectively analyzed 80 paraffin-embedded RCC samples. The pattern of GLUT1-5 expression in RCC specimens was evaluated using tissue-array technology and correlated with histological tumor characteristics. Pathological parameters included tumor location, renal pelvis, vein and lymph vessel invasion, capsule breakage, histological subtype, Furhman grade, hilar invasion and tumor stage at diagnosis. The expression of five facilitative glucose transporters, GLUT1 (erythrocyte type), GLUT2 (liver type), GLUT3 (brain type), GLUT4 (muscle/fat type) and GLUT5 (small intestinal type), was semi-quantitatively analyzed. In non-parametric, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, a significant positive correlation was consistently found between moderately differentiated RCC tissues and the expression of GLUT5 (p=0.024). Patients who had pelvic invasion and capsule breakage at diagnosis also showed increased GLUT5 expression levels (p=0.039 and p=0.019, respectively). Moreover, GLUT5 showed statistical significance in those samples identified as being of clear cell histological type (p=0.001). A high expression of GLUT5 in human RCC was observed. GLUT5 appears to be correlated with grade II differentiation, locoregional invasion and aggressiveness, and may play a role in RCC development

Natural killer (NK) cell-derived extracellular-vesicle shuttled microRNAs control T cell responses.

Natural killer (NK) cells recognize and kill target cells undergoing different types of stress. NK cells are also capable of modulating immune responses. In particular, they regulate T cell functions. Small RNA next-generation sequencing of resting and activated human NK cells and their secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) led to the identification of a specific repertoire of NK-EV-associated microRNAs and their post-transcriptional modifications signature. Several microRNAs of NK-EVs, namely miR-10b-5p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-155-5p, specifically target molecules involved in Th1 responses. NK-EVs promote the downregulation of GATA3 mRNA in CD4+ T cells and subsequent TBX21 de-repression that leads to Th1 polarization and IFN-γ and IL-2 production. NK-EVs also have an effect on monocyte and moDCs (monocyte-derived dendritic cells) function, driving their activation and increased presentation and costimulatory functions. Nanoparticle-delivered NK-EV microRNAs partially recapitulate NK-EV effects in mice. Our results provide new insights on the immunomodulatory roles of NK-EVs that may help to improve their use as immunotherapeutic tools.This manuscript was funded by grants PDI-2020-120412RB-I00 and PDC2021- 121719-I00 (FS-M) and PID2020- 119352RB-I00 (AS) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; CAM (S2017/BMD3671-INFLAMUNE-CM) from the Comunidad de Madrid (FS-M). CIBERCV (CB16/11/00272) and BIOIMID PIE13/041 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos. The current research has received funding from 'la Caixa' Foundation under the project code HR17-00016. Grants from Ramón Areces Foundation 'Ciencias de la Vida y de la Salud' (XIX Concurso-2018) and from Ayuda Fundación BBVA y Equipo de Investigación Científica (BIOMEDICINA-2018) (to FSM). The CNIC is supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades and the Pro-CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015–0505). IMDEA Nanociencia acknowledges support from the ‘Severo Ochoa’ Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, CEX2020-001039-S). SGD is supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Universities. Authors thank Dr Miguel Vicente-Manzanares for critical review and editing. We also thank Dr Francisco Urbano and Dr Covadonga Aguado for their support with EM (TEM facilities, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid).S

Los concheros de La Fuente: consideraciones metodológicas y resultados preliminares

Presentamos un estudio preliminar del Conchero de El Tinajero, que forma parte del Conjunto Arqueológico La Fuente (Buenavista del Norte). Aportamos los datos para su caracterización arqueológica y su explicación histórica en el contexto de las actividades productivas de los guanches.We show a preliminary study of the Conchero de El Tinajero which is part of the state archaelogist La Fuente (Buenavista del Norte). We bring forward the facts to the archaeologist typify and the historical explain on the context of guanches’ productive activities

Las unidades de deshabituación tabáquica como oportunidad para el diagnóstico de EPOC: el proyecto 1000-200

This study received an unconditional grant from GlaxoSmithKline Laboratories Spain

Effect of finishing diet on carcass characteristics and meat quality of Mos cockerel

Aim of study: To evaluate the effect of different diets on carcass characteristics and meat quality from Mos free-ranged cockerel.Area of study: Galicia (NW Spain).Material and methods: Cockerels (n=75) were allocated to 3 groups (n=25) according to finishing diets: commercial fodder (CF), 50% wheat and 50% corn (WH) and 33% wheat and 66% corn (CR). Meat quality was assessed in terms of physicochemical, and nutritional features.Main results: The highest live and carcass weight were obtained in CF group. Meat from CF and CR groups were similar in moisture, protein and cholesterol content in drumstick cut, meanwhile in breast piece there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in intramuscular fat (IMF), ash, and lightness (L*). On the other hand, finishing diet affected L* and redness (a*) values, showing the highest L* values in meat samples from CF treatment (49.94 for drumstick) (p0.05) by diets. Finally, the finishing feed affected (p<0.05) the fatty acid and amino acid profile in both cuts (drumstick and breast).Research highlights: Present study allowed to characterize for the first time Mos cockerels fed with different diets. Some carcass features obtained were higher than previous studies with other Mos categories, and some autochthonous and industrial breeds. Meat from cockerels was characterized by a high protein percentage and lower IMF

Effect of Breed and Diet Type on the Freshness and Quality of the Eggs: A Comparison between Mos (Indigenous Galician Breed) and Isa Brown Hens

Eggs are a nutritious food, offering a balanced source of essential amino and fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Genetic and diet factors can modify hen egg traits. Thus, the effects of breed and feed on egg quality using two laying hens, Mos (autochthonous breed) and Isa Brown (commercial hybrid), and three feeds, commercial fodder (CF), corn/pea/triticale (CPT) and corn/wheat (CW), were investigated. Freshness parameters (egg weight, eggshell weight and thickness, albumen height, Haugh units and yolk color), chemical composition, color and textural parameters, as well as fatty acid profile, were assessed on a total of 288 eggs, from the two breeds. The samples were divided in 96 eggs, corresponding to each of the three dietary treatments. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in albumen height and Haugh units, obtaining the highest values for Isa Brown genotype; meanwhile, laying hens fed with CF had the highest weight, as well as the greatest eggshell thickness. Cooked yolks of Isa Brown eggs presented the highest values of luminosity, while the yellowness was higher for Mos eggs. Regarding the texture of eggs, genotype was again the parameter having the greatest impact, obtaining higher values in hardness, gumminess and chewiness in those eggs from the Mos breed. Concerning egg chemical composition, it was affected by breed and diet type, but Mos eggs were characterized by a significantly (p < 0.001) higher contents of fat (9.53% vs. 7.58%), protein (12.31% vs. 11.66%) and ash (1.10% vs. 1.04%) than Isa Brown ones. Finally, diet type influenced the fatty acid profile, mainly affecting oleic and linoleic acids, which showed significantly (p < 0.05) highest values (42.90 and 14.66 g/100 g of total fatty acids) in CW and CF diets, respectively. Overall, breed and bird diet factors had a strong effect on egg quality and nutritional profile. Moreover, eggs from Mos hens had more attractive nutritional indices, and they could even be improved more by changing the dietAuthors are grateful to Xunta de Galicia-Conselleria do Medio Rural e do Mar (FEADER 2013/25) for the financial support. Daniel Franco and José M. Lorenzo are members of the HealthyMeat network, funded by CYTED (Ref. 119RT0568)S

Effect of finishing diet on carcass characteristics and meat quality of Mos cockerel

Aim of study: To evaluate the effect of different diets on carcass characteristics and meat quality from Mos free-ranged cockerel.Area of study: Galicia (NW Spain).Material and methods: Cockerels (n=75) were allocated to 3 groups (n=25) according to finishing diets: commercial fodder (CF), 50% wheat and 50% corn (WH) and 33% wheat and 66% corn (CR). Meat quality was assessed in terms of physicochemical, and nutritional features.Main results: The highest live and carcass weight were obtained in CF group. Meat from CF and CR groups were similar in moisture, protein and cholesterol content in drumstick cut, meanwhile in breast piece there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in intramuscular fat (IMF), ash, and lightness (L*). On the other hand, finishing diet affected L* and redness (a*) values, showing the highest L* values in meat samples from CF treatment (49.94 for drumstick) (p0.05) by diets. Finally, the finishing feed affected (p<0.05) the fatty acid and amino acid profile in both cuts (drumstick and breast).Research highlights: Present study allowed to characterize for the first time Mos cockerels fed with different diets. Some carcass features obtained were higher than previous studies with other Mos categories, and some autochthonous and industrial breeds. Meat from cockerels was characterized by a high protein percentage and lower IMF