RANTES antagonism: A promising approach to treat chronic liver diseases

COMMENTARY ON:Antagonism of the chemokine Ccl5 ameliorates experimental liver fibrosis in mice. Marie-Luise Berres, Rory R. Koenen, Anna Rueland, Mirko Moreno Zaldivar, Daniel Heinrichs, Hacer Sahin, Petra Schmitz, Konrad L. Streetz, Thomas Berg, Nikolaus Gassler, Ralf Weiskirchen, Amanda Proudfoot, Christian Weber, Christian Trautwein, and Hermann E. Wasmuth. The Journal of Clinical Investigation 2010;120(11):4129–4140. Copyright 2010. Abstract reprinted with permission of the American Society for Clinical Investigation.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2964968/Abstract: Activation of hepatic stellate cells in response to chronic inflammation represents a crucial step in the development of liver fibrosis. However, the molecules involved in the interaction between immune cells and stellate cells remain obscure. Herein, we identify the chemokine CCL5 (also known as RANTES), which is induced in murine and human liver after injury, as a central mediator of this interaction. First, we showed in patients with liver fibrosis that CCL5 haplotypes and intrahepatic CCL5 mRNA expression were associated with severe liver fibrosis. Consistent with this, we detected Ccl5 mRNA and CCL5 protein in 2 mouse models of liver fibrosis, induced by either injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or feeding on a methionine and choline–deficient (MCD) diet. In these models, Ccl5–/– mice exhibited decreased hepatic fibrosis, with reduced stellate cell activation and immune cell infiltration. Transplantation of Ccl5-deficient bone marrow into WT recipients attenuated liver fibrosis, identifying infiltrating hematopoietic cells as the main source of Ccl5. We then showed that treatment with the CCL5 receptor antagonist Met-CCL5 inhibited cultured stellate cell migration, proliferation, and chemokine and collagen secretion. Importantly, in vivo administration of Met-CCL5 greatly ameliorated liver fibrosis in mice and was able to accelerate fibrosis regression. Our results define a successful therapeutic approach to reduce experimental liver fibrosis by antagonizing Ccl5 receptors

New Xeroseeta explanata population (Of Müller, 1774) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) located at the coast of Castellón (eastern Iberian peninsula)

Es comunica la localització de Xerosecta explanata (O. F. Müller, 1774) al litoral de Castelló, a Alcossebre, terme municipal d'Alcalà de Xivert (el Baix Maestrat). Aquesta espècie, exclusiva d'ambients dunars de la Mediterrània occidental, només havia estat citada a Castelló al terme de Peníscola (Bofill, 1915; Gasull, 1975, 1981) i, des d'aleshores ençà, no s'ha tornat a trobar. X. explanata presenta greus problemes de conservació per l'alteració de l'hàbitat on viu.We here communicate the localization of a new population of Xerosecta explanata (O. F. Müller, 1774) in Alcossebre municipality of Alcala de Xivert (el Baix Maestrat, Spain) at the Castellon province (Eastern Spain). In the province geographical scale, this species, exclusive of dune environments of the western Mediterranean, was so far mentioned only in Peníscola, several kilometes away (Bofill, 1915; Gasull 1975,1981), but has not been cited ever since. X explanata presents serious conservation problems due to strong habitat alteration

Localitzada una nova població de Xerosecta explanata (O.F. Müller, 1774) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) al litoral de Castelló (est de la península Ibèrica)

Es comunica la localització de Xerosecta explanata (O. F. Müller, 1774) al litoral de Castelló, a Alcossebre, terme municipal d’Alcalà de Xivert (el Baix Maestrat). Aquesta espècie, exclusiva d’ambients dunars de la Mediterrània occidental, només havia estat citada a Castelló al terme de Peníscola (Bofill, 1915; Gasull, 1975, 1981) i, des d’aleshores ençà, no s’ha tornat a trobar. X. explanata presenta greus problemes de conservació per l’alteració de l’hàbitat on viu.New Xerosecta explanata population (OF Müller, 1774) (Mollusca: Gastropoda) located atthe coast of Castellón (eastern Iberian peninsula).We here communicate the localization of a new population of Xerosecta explanata (O. F. Müller, 1774) inAlcossebre municipality of Alcala de Xivert (el Baix Maestrat, Spain) at the Castellon province (Eastern Spain). In the province geographical scale, this species, exclusive of dune environments of the westernMediterranean, was so far mentioned only in Peníscola, several kilometes away (Bofill, 1915; Gasull 1975, 1981), but has not been cited ever since. X explanata presents serious conservation problems dueto strong habitat alteration

First confirmed breeding records of Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) in the Valencian Country

S'ofereix informació deis primers events coneguts de reproducció de l’escorxador (Lanius collurio) tant a la província de Castelló com al conjunt del País Valencià. L’habitat en què han estat trobats els nius són els típics per a l'espècie, i dóna a suposar que la presència d'aquesta espècie al nostre territori podria esdevindre habitual al llarg dels propers anys, i potser colonitze nous territoris amb habitat òptim, com els que es troben als Ports, l'Alt Maestrat, l'Alcalatén i la Tinença de Benifassà.This short note provides information on first known breeding events of Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) both in the Castellon province and the Valencian Country. Al! the nests have been found in what has been defined as a typical breeding habitat for this species, so the species' presence in the province is expected to become usual or even more abundant in subsequent years. Shrikes may colonise new suitable areas, such as those found in els Ports, l'Alt Maestrat, l'Alcalatén and Tinença de Benifassà

First record of Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1798) (Diptera: Piophilidae: Thyreophorina) for the Valencian Community (Spain)

Es registra per primera vegada a la Comunitat Valenciana (Espanya) l’espècie Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1798) (Diptera: Piophilidae: Thyreophorina). S’amplia, així, la seua distribució a la península Ibèrica. Els exemplars es van trobar sobre les restes d’una cabra salvatge ibèrica (Capra pyrenaica) menjada per voltors comuns (Gyps fulvus).Thyreophora cynophila (Panzer, 1798) (Diptera: Piophilidae: Thyreophorina) is cited for the first time from the Comunitat Valenciana, Spain. This extends its distribution through the Iberian Peninsula. The specimens were found on the remains of an Iberian Wild Goat (Capra pyrenaica), eaten by Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus)

Integrated Sensor Network for Monitoring Steel Corrosion in Concrete Structures

The developed Integrated Sensor Network (ISN) allows a non-destructive monitoring of the rebar condition at different parts of the structure. The corrosion sensor allows the accurate determination of the corrosion rate (µm/year). Moreover, additional sensors are integrated in order to detect relevant changes in the concrete electrochemical condition. The ISN has been published as an international invention patent (reference number WO 2016/177929 A1). The system is based on an economic, simple, reliable and durable technology, which makes its implementation viable on new and repaired reinforced concrete structures (RCS). Therefore, it is also possible monitoring non-accessible parts such as deep foundations or submerged and buried zones. In any case, no technical personnel are needed because the acquisition, storage and transmission of data is autonomous. In this way, it is possible a remote corrosion assessment of several RCS. In addition, the system needs minimum maintenance works and shows low failure rates. The ISN has been installed for corrosion monitoring of a marine prestressed structure built with Formex®, an Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). Five zones of the structure are being monitored. After seven months of monitoring, the corrosion rate (CRATE) stands around 0.2 µm/year, lower than the corrosion rate of the conventional concrete specimens installed (0.5 µm/year). In any case, CRATE is under 1.16 µm/year, the threshold above which the corrosion begins to be considered significant

Noves aportacions a la fauna vertebrada de la comarca dels Ports, Castelló

Es registra per primera vegada, per a la comarca dels Ports (Castelló, Espanya), la presència o reproducció de cinc espècies de vertebrats. Es tracta d’un peix (Gambusia holbrooki), dos rèptils (Mauremys leprosa i Podarcis muralis) i dues aus reproductores (Cinclus cinclus i Pernis apivorus). El peix és una espècie al·lòctona i ha estat, per tant, introduïda. En canvi, els dos rèptils podrien haver estat sempre presents a la zona però haver passat desapercebuts fins al present treball. Finalment, la reproducció confirmada de les aus és deguda a l’expansió natural d’aquestes espèciesFive vertebrate species in els Ports region (Castelló province, Spain) are registered for the first time. They are a fish (Gambusia holbrooki), two reptiles (Mauremys leprosa and Podarcis muralis) and two breeding birds (Cinclus cinclus and Pernis apivorus). The fish is an allochthonous species and has therefore been introduced. On the other hand, the two reptiles may have always been present in the area but have gone unnoticed until the present work. Finally, the confirmed breeding of the birds is due to the natural expansion of these species

Subclinical versus advanced forms of alcohol-related liver disease: Need for early detection

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) consists of a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and pathological features, ranging from asymptomatic patients to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with heavy alcohol intake and advanced fibrosis often develop a subacute form of liver failure called alcohol-induced hepatitis (AH). Globally, most patients with ALD are identified at late stages of the disease, limiting therapeutic interventions. Thus, there is a need for early detection of ALD patients, which is lacking in most countries. The identification of alcohol misuse is hampered by the existence of alcohol underreporting by many patients. There are useful biomarkers that can detect recent alcohol use. Moreover, there are several non-invasive techniques to assess the presence of advanced fibrosis among patients with alcohol misuse, which could identify patients at high risk of liver related events or early death. In this review, we discuss differences between early stages of ALD and AH as the cornerstone of advanced forms. A global overview of epidemiological, anthropometric, clinical, analytical, histological, and molecular differences is summarized in this article. We propose that campaigns aimed at identifying patients with subclinical forms can prevent the development of life-threatening forms

Prevalence and associations of metabolic syndrome in patients with alcohol use disorder

Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with different components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) such as arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes or obesity. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and associations of MetS in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Cross-sectional study in heavy drinkers admitted for the treatment of AUD between 2013 and 2017. Medical comorbidity, anthropometric data, alcohol use and biological parameters were obtained. MetS was established according to the harmonized definition. A total of 728 patients (22% women) were included; median age was 47 years (IQR: 40-53.5), median alcohol consumption was 160 g/day (IQR: 115-240) and prevalence of MetS was 13.9%. The multivariate analysis showed a significant dose-response effect of estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and MetS: relative to patients with eGFR > 90 mL/min, those with eGFR (60-90 mL/min) and those with eGFR < 60 mL/min were 1.93 times (95% CI 1.18-3.15) and 5.61 times (95% CI 1.66-19.0) more likely to have MetS, respectively. MetS was significantly associated with hyperuricemia (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.36-3.82) and elevated serum GGT (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.80-7.46). Furthermore, for every increase of 1 year in age, the probability of MetS increased significantly (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05). MetS in heavy drinkers is independently associated with reduced kidney function and metabolic risk factors including hyperuricemia and elevated serum GGT