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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely lethal tumor with increasing incidence, presenting numerous clinical challenges. The histopathological examination of novel, unexplored biomarkers offers a promising avenue for research, with significant translational potential for improving patient outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of ferroptosis markers (TFRC, ALOX-5, ACSL-4, and GPX-4), circadian clock regulators (CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1, PER2), and KLOTHO in a retrospective cohort of 41 patients deceased by PDAC. Immunohistochemical techniques (IHC) and multiple statistical analyses (Kaplan-Meier curves, correlograms, and multinomial linear regression models) were performed. Our findings reveal that ferroptosis markers are directly associated with PDAC mortality, while circadian regulators and KLOTHO are inversely associated. Notably, TFRC emerged as the strongest risk marker associated with mortality (HR = 35.905), whereas CLOCK was identified as the most significant protective marker (HR = 0.01832). Correlation analyses indicate that ferroptosis markers are positively correlated with each other, as are circadian regulators, which also positively correlate with KLOTHO expression. In contrast, KLOTHO and circadian regulators exhibit inverse correlations with ferroptosis markers. Among the clinical variables examined, only the presence of chronic pathologies showed an association with the expression patterns of several proteins studied. These findings underscore the complexity of PDAC pathogenesis and highlight the need for further research into the specific molecular mechanisms driving disease progression.

The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is a complex signaling pathway that has an important role in the immune system cells. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) acts as an immune checkpoint on the T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK), macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), monocytes, and myeloid cells. Its ligand, the programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1), is expressed in the surface of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The binding of both promotes the downregulation of the T cell response to ensure the activation to prevent the onset of chronic immune inflammation. This axis in the tumor microenvironment (TME) performs a crucial role in the tumor progression and the escape of the tumor by neutralizing the immune system, the engagement of PD-L1 with PD-1 in the T cell causes dysfunctions, neutralization, and exhaustion, providing the tumor mass production. This review will provide a comprehensive overview of the functions of the PD-1/PD-L1 system in immune function, cancer, and the potential therapeutic implications of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway for cancer management., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Chronic venous disease (CVD) comprises a spectrum of morphofunctional disorders affecting the venous system, affecting approximately 1 in 3 women during gestation. Emerging evidence highlights diverse maternofetal implications stemming from CVD, particularly impacting the placenta. While systemic inflammation has been associated with pregnancy-related CVD, preliminary findings suggest a potential link between this condition and exacerbated inflammation in the placental tissue. Inflammasomes are major orchestrators of immune responses and inflammation in different organs and systems. Notwithstanding the relevance of inflammasomes, specifically the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3)- which has been demonstrated in the placentas of women with different obstetric complications, the precise involvement of this component in the placentas of women with CVD remains to be explored. This study employs immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) to examine the gene and protein expression of key components in both canonical and non-canonical pathways of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC-apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain-caspase 1, caspase 5, caspase 8, and interleukin 1β) within the placental tissue of women affected by CVD. Our findings reveal a substantial upregulation of these components in CVD-affected placentas, indicating a potential pathophysiological role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of this condition. Subsequent investigations should focus on assessing translational interventions addressing this dysregulation in affected patient populations.

Autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to various stress conditions by the degradation of intracellular components. In this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of autophagy's cellular and molecular basis, biological significance, pharmacological modulation, and its relevance in lifestyle medicine. We delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern autophagy, including macroautophagy, microautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy. Moreover, we highlight the biological significance of autophagy in aging, immunity, metabolism, apoptosis, tissue differentiation and systemic diseases, such as neurodegenerative or cardiovascular diseases and cancer. We also discuss the latest advancements in pharmacological modulation of autophagy and their potential implications in clinical settings. Finally, we explore the intimate connection between lifestyle factors and autophagy, emphasizing how nutrition, exercise, sleep patterns and environmental factors can significantly impact the autophagic process. The integration of lifestyle medicine into autophagy research opens new avenues for promoting health and longevity through personalized interventions., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Vascular diseases pose major health challenges, and understanding their underlying molecular mechanisms is essential to advance therapeutic interventions. Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, is a cellular state characterized by cell-cycle arrest, a senescence-associated secretory phenotype macromolecular damage, and metabolic dysregulation. Vascular senescence has been demonstrated to play a key role in different vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, chronic venous disease, and venous ulcers. Even though cellular senescence was first described in 1961, significant gaps persist in comprehending the epigenetic mechanisms driving vascular senescence and its subsequent inflammatory response. Through a comprehensive analysis, we aim to elucidate these knowledge gaps by exploring the network of epigenetic alterations that contribute to vascular senescence. In addition, we describe the consequent inflammatory cascades triggered by these epigenetic modifications. Finally, we explore translational applications involving biomarkers of vascular senescence and the emerging field of senotherapy targeting this biological process., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fraile-Martinez, De Leon-Oliva, Boaru, De Castro-Martinez, Garcia-Montero, Barrena-Blázquez, García-García, García-Honduvilla, Alvarez-Mon, Lopez-Gonzalez, Diaz-Pedrero, Guijarro and Ortega.)

Calcification is a process of accumulation of calcium in tissues and deposition of calcium salts by the crystallization of PO 4 3- and ionized calcium (Ca 2+ ). It is a crucial process in the development of bones and teeth. However, pathological calcification can occur in almost any soft tissue of the organism. The better studied is vascular calcification, where calcium salts can accumulate in the intima or medial layer or in aortic valves, and it is associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, aortic and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD), among others. The process involves an intricate interplay of different cellular components, endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), fibroblasts, and pericytes, concurrent with the activation of several signaling pathways, calcium, Wnt, BMP/Smad, and Notch, and the regulation by different molecular mediators, growth factors (GFs), osteogenic factors and matrix vesicles (MVs). In the present review, we aim to explore the cellular players, molecular pathways, biomarkers, and clinical treatment strategies associated with vascular calcification to provide a current and comprehensive overview of the topic.

Bone and cartilage tissue play multiple roles in the organism, including kinematic support, protection of organs, and hematopoiesis. Bone and, above all, cartilaginous tissues present an inherently limited capacity for self-regeneration. The increasing prevalence of disorders affecting these crucial tissues, such as bone fractures, bone metastases, osteoporosis, or osteoarthritis, underscores the urgent imperative to investigate therapeutic strategies capable of effectively addressing the challenges associated with their degeneration and damage. In this context, the emerging field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) has made important contributions through the development of advanced hydrogels. These crosslinked three-dimensional networks can retain substantial amounts of water, thus mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). Hydrogels exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, customizable mechanical properties, and the ability to encapsulate bioactive molecules and cells. In addition, they can be meticulously tailored to the specific needs of each patient, providing a promising alternative to conventional surgical procedures and reducing the risk of subsequent adverse reactions. However, some issues need to be addressed, such as lack of mechanical strength, inconsistent properties, and low-cell viability. This review describes the structure and regeneration of bone and cartilage tissue. Then, we present an overview of hydrogels, including their classification, synthesis, and biomedical applications. Following this, we review the most relevant and recent advanced hydrogels in TERM for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration.

Oxidative stress is a major cellular event that occurs in the placenta, fulfilling critical physiological roles in non-pathological pregnancies. However, exacerbated oxidative stress is a pivotal feature of different obstetric complications, like pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other diseases. Compelling evidence supports the relevant role of diet during pregnancy, with pleiotropic consequences for maternal well-being. The present review aims to examine the complex background between oxidative stress and placental development and function in physiological conditions, also intending to understand the relationship between different dietary patterns and the human placenta, particularly how this could influence oxidative stress processes. The effects of Westernized diets (WDs) and high-fat diets (HFDs) rich in ultra-processed foods and different additives are compared with healthy patterns such as a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) abundant in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, dietary fiber, and vitamins. Although multiple studies have focused on the role of specific nutrients, mostly in animal models and in vitro, further observational and intervention studies focusing on the placental structure and function in women with different dietary patterns should be conducted to understand the precise influence of diet on this organ.

The IRS (insulin receptor substrate) family of scaffold proteins includes insulin receptor substrate-4 (IRS4), which is expressed only in a few cell lines, including human kidney, brain, liver, and thymus and some cell lines. Its N-terminus carries a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain and a pleckstrin homology domain (PH), which distinguishes it as a member of this family. In this paper, we collected data about the molecular mechanisms that explain the relevance of IRS4 in the development of cancer and identify IRS4 differences that distinguish it from IRS1 and IRS2. Search engines and different databases, such as PubMed, UniProt, ENSEMBL and SCANSITE 4.0, were used. We used the name of the protein that it encodes "(IRS-4 or IRS4)", or the combination of these terms with the word "(cancer)" or "(human)", for searches. Terms related to specific tumor pathologies ("breast", "ovary", "colon", "lung", "lymphoma", etc.) were also used. Despite the lack of knowledge on IRS4, it has been reported that some cancers and benign tumors are characterized by high levels of IRS-4 expression. Specifically, the role of IRS-4 in different types of digestive tract neoplasms, gynecological tumors, lung cancers, melanomas, hematological tumors, and other less common types of cancers has been shown. IRS4 differs from IRS1 and IRS2 in that can activate several oncogenes that regulate the PI3K/Akt cascade, such as BRK and FER, which are characterized by tyrosine kinase-like activity without regulation via extracellular ligands. In addition, IRS4 can activate the CRKL oncogene, which is an adapter protein that regulates the MAP kinase cascade. Knowledge of the role played by IRS4 in cancers at the molecular level, specifically as a platform for oncogenes, may enable the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets.

The growing impact of infections and the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance represent a public health concern worldwide. The exponential development in the field of biomaterials and its multiple applications can offer a solution to the problems that derive from these situations. In this sense, antimicrobial hydrogels represent a promising opportunity with multiple translational expectations in the medical management of infectious diseases due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties as well as for drug delivery in specific areas. Hydrogels are three-dimensional cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water or biological fluids. Moreover, antimicrobial hydrogels (AMH) present good biocompatibility, low toxicity, availability, viscoelasticity, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties. In the present review, we collect and discuss the most promising strategies in the development of AMH, which are divided into hydrogels with inherent antimicrobial activity and antimicrobial agent-loaded hydrogels based on their composition. Then, we present an overview of the main translational applications: wound healing, tissue engineering and regeneration, drug delivery systems, contact lenses, 3D printing, biosensing, and water purification.

Inflammasomes are multiprotein signaling platforms in the cytosol that senses exogenous and endogenous danger signals and respond with the maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and pyroptosis to induce inflammation and protect the host. The inflammasome best studied is the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. It is activated in a two-step process: the priming and the activation, leading to sensor NLRP3 oligomerization and recruitment of both adaptor ASC and executioner pro-caspase 1, which is activated by cleavage. Moreover, NLRP3 inflammasome activation is regulated by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination/deubiquitination, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, acetylation/deacetylation, SUMOylation and nitrosylation, and interaction with NLPR3 protein binding partners. Moreover, the connection between it and metabolism is receiving increasing attention in this field. In this review, we present the structure, functions, activation, and regulation of NLRP3, with special emphasis on regulation by mitochondrial dysfunction-mtROS production and metabolic signals, i.e., metabolites as well as enzymes. By understanding the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, specific inhibitors can be rationally designed for the treatment and prevention of various immune- or metabolic-based diseases. Lastly, we review current NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and their mechanism of action., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Ortega, De Leon-Oliva, García-Montero, Fraile-Martinez, Boaru, de Castro, Saez, Lopez-Gonzalez, Bujan, Alvarez-Mon, García-Honduvilla, Diaz-Pedrero and Alvarez-Mon.)

Psychosis refers to a mental health condition characterized by a loss of touch with reality, comprising delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thought, disorganized behavior, catatonia, and negative symptoms. A first-episode psychosis (FEP) is a rare condition that can trigger adverse outcomes both for the mother and newborn. Previously, we demonstrated the existence of histopathological changes in the placenta of pregnant women who suffer an FEP in pregnancy. Altered levels of oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) have been detected in patients who manifested an FEP, whereas abnormal placental expression of these hormones and their receptors (OXTR and AVPR1A) has been proven in different obstetric complications. However, the precise role and expression of these components in the placenta of women after an FEP have not been studied yet. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the gene and protein expression, using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), of OXT, OXTR, AVP, and AVPR1a in the placental tissue of pregnant women after an FEP in comparison to pregnant women without any health complication (HC-PW). Our results showed increased gene and protein expression of OXT, AVP, OXTR, and AVPR1A in the placental tissue of pregnant women who suffer an FEP. Therefore, our study suggests that an FEP during pregnancy may be associated with an abnormal paracrine/endocrine activity of the placenta, which can negatively affect the maternofetal wellbeing. Nevertheless, additional research is required to validate our findings and ascertain any potential implications of the observed alterations.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common condition that affects the veins in the lower limbs, resulting in a variety of symptoms, such as swelling, pain, and varicose veins (VVs). The plenty hormonal, hemodynamic and mechanical changes occurred in pregnancy make women especially vulnerable to suffer from this condition in this period. Previous works have identified that CVD is associated with an increased inflammatory milieu and significant damage in maternofetal tissues, such as the umbilical cord. However, the inflammatory status of this structure in these patients has not been studied yet. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine gene and protein expression of a set of inflammatory markers-Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF-1), the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 12A (IL-12A) and IL-18 and the anti-inflammatory product IL-10-in the umbilical cord of women with CVD during pregnancy (N = 62) and healthy pregnant women (HC; N = 52) by the use of real time qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Our results demonstrate that the umbilical cord tissue from CVD women exhibit an increased expression of AIF-1, IL-12A and IL-18 along with a decrease in IL-10. Therefore, our study suggests an inflammatory status of this structure related to CVD. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the expression of other inflammatory markers, as well as to analyze the maternofetal impact of these findings.

Macrophages are a type of immune cell distributed throughout all tissues of an organism. Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1) is a calcium-binding protein linked to the activation of macrophages. AIF1 is a key intracellular signaling molecule that participates in phagocytosis, membrane ruffling and F-actin polymerization. Moreover, it has several cell type-specific functions. AIF1 plays important roles in the development of several diseases: kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases and neurological disorders, and in transplants. In this review, we present a comprehensive review of the known structure, functions and role of AIF1 in inflammatory diseases.

Histone acetylation plays a vital role in organizing chromatin, regulating gene expression and controlling the cell cycle. The first histone acetyltransferase to be identified was histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1), but it remains one of the least understood acetyltransferases. HAT1 catalyzes the acetylation of newly synthesized H4 and, to a lesser extent, H2A in the cytoplasm. However, 20 min after assembly, histones lose acetylation marks. Moreover, new noncanonical functions have been described for HAT1, revealing its complexity and complicating the understanding of its functions. Recently discovered roles include facilitating the translocation of the H3H4 dimer into the nucleus, increasing the stability of the DNA replication fork, replication-coupled chromatin assembly, coordination of histone production, DNA damage repair, telomeric silencing, epigenetic regulation of nuclear lamina-associated heterochromatin, regulation of the NF-κB response, succinyl transferase activity and mitochondrial protein acetylation. In addition, the functions and expression levels of HAT1 have been linked to many diseases, such as many types of cancer, viral infections (hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus and viperin synthesis) and inflammatory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke). The collective data reveal that HAT1 is a promising therapeutic target, and novel therapeutic approaches, such as RNA interference and the use of aptamers, bisubstrate inhibitors and small-molecule inhibitors, are being evaluated at the preclinical level.

Background: Oxidative stress is a major signature of spinal cord injury (SCI). The altered levels of various oxidative stress markers have been demonstrated in acute and chronic SCI. However, the variation of these markers in patients with chronic SCI depending on the time since the initial injury has not been explored yet., Objective: Our aim was to measure plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation in patients with SCI stratified in different periods of suffering the injury (0-5 years, 5-10 years, and more than 10 years)., Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with SCI (N = 105) from different periods of the lesion and healthy control (HC) subjects (N = 38): short period (SCI SP, N = 31, time of evolution less than 5 years); early chronic (SCI ECP, N = 32, time of evolution 5-15 years); and late chronic (SCI LCP, N = 42, time of evolution more than 15 years). The plasma levels of MDA were measured using a commercially available colorimetric assay., Results: Patients with SCI had significantly higher plasma levels of MDA than HC subjects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for plasma MDA levels in patients with SCI demonstrated areas under the curve (AUC) of 1 (HC vs. SCI-SP); 0.998 (HC vs. SCI-ECP); and 0.964 (HC vs. SCI-LCP). Additionally, three ROC curves were used to compare the different concentrations of MDA between the subgroups of patients with SCI, and the resulting AUCs were: 0.896 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-ECP); 0.840 (SCI-ECP vs. SCI-LCP); and 0.979 (SCI-SP vs. SCI-LCP)., Conclusion: Plasma concentration of MDA can be considered as an oxidative stress biomarker to assess the prognosis of SCI in chronic stages.