Targeted EGFR Nanotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis remains poor, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. The present review explores the potential of targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) nanotherapy as an alternative treatment for NSCLC, showing that EGFR-targeted nanoparticles are efficiently taken up by NSCLC cells, leading to a significant reduction in tumor growth in mouse models. Consequently, we suggest that targeted EGFR nanotherapy could be an innovative treatment strategy for NSCLC; however, further studies are needed to optimize the nanoparticles and evaluate their safety and efficacy in clinical settings and human trials.

First Comparative Evaluation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Vitamin-K-Dependent Proteins Levels in Mother-Newborn Pairs at Birth

BACKGROUND

The interplay between vitamin K (vitK) (as carboxylation cofactor, partially produced by the gut microbiota) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the end-product of fiber fermentation in the gut, has never been assessed in mother-newborn pairs, although newborns are considered vitK deficient and with sterile gut.

METHODS

We collected venous blood from 45 healthy mothers with uncomplicated term pregnancies and umbilical cord blood from their newborns at birth. The concentrations of total SCFAs and hepatic/extra-hepatic vitK-dependent proteins (VKDPs), as proxies of vitK status were assayed: undercarboxylated and total matrix Gla protein (ucMGP and tMGP), undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), undercarboxylated Gla-rich protein (ucGRP), and protein induced by vitK absence II (PIVKA-II).

RESULTS

We found significantly higher ucOC (18.6-fold), ucMGP (9.2-fold), and PIVKA-II (5.6-fold) levels in newborns, while tMGP (5.1-fold) and SCFAs (2.4-fold) were higher in mothers, and ucGRP was insignificantly modified. In mother-newborn pairs, only ucGRP (r = 0.746, p < 0.01) and SCFAs (r = 0.428, p = 0.01) levels were correlated. Conclusions: We report for the first time the presence of SCFAs in humans at birth, probably transferred through the placenta to the fetus. The increased circulating undercarboxylated VKDPSs in newborns revealed a higher vitamin K deficiency at the extrahepatic level compared to liver VKDPs.

Diet-Related Changes of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Blood and Feces in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity-related illnesses are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with numerous health issues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have multiple effects throughout the body, both directly as well as through specific G protein-coupled receptors. The main SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are absorbed in varying degrees from the large intestine, with some acting mainly locally and others systemically. Diet has the potential to influence the gut microbial composition, as well as the type and amount of SCFAs produced. High fiber-containing foods and supplements increase the production of SCFAs and SCFA-producing bacteria in the gut and have been shown to have bodyweight-lowering effects. Dietary supplements, which increase SCFA production, could open the way for novel approaches to weight loss interventions. The aim of this review is to analyze the variations of fecal and blood SCFAs in obesity and metabolic syndrome through a systematic search and analysis of existing literature.

Early Preeclampsia Effect on Preterm Newborns Outcome

BACKGROUND

An early form of preeclampsia is rare. Abnormal placentation, placental perfusion disorders, and inflammatory cytokine release will have an effect on the fetus and newborn.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of preterm newborns whose mothers had a history of preeclampsia and a gestational age of between 30 weeks and 34 weeks + 6 days. The control group consists of neonates matched for gestational age with the case group, whose mothers had normal blood pressure. The incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, pH gas changes, and hematological parameters were analyzed in the two groups.

RESULTS

The study group of preterm neonates had a lower birth weight than the control group (p < 0.001). Most of the deliveries in the group of newborns exposed to preeclampsia were performed by cesarean section. Severe forms of RDS were two times more frequent in the group of newborns exposed to preeclampsia compared to those in the control group. Even though we expected to see a lower incidence, owing to the high number of deliveries by cesarean section, we still observed a higher rate of intraventricular hemorrhage in the preeclampsia group (16 cases in the study group vs. 7 in the control, p = 0.085). Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were more frequent in preterm newborns exposed to preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that early preeclampsia increases the risk of complications in preterm neonates. RDS was more frequent in the exposed group than in the control group. The severity of preeclampsia correlates with hematological changes.

Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) Pathways in Age-Related Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality around the world. Sirtuins are vital enzymes for metabolic adaptation and provide protective effects against a wide spectrum of pathologies. Among sirtuins, mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is an essential player in preserving the habitual metabolic profile. SIRT3 activity declines as a result of aging-induced changes in cellular metabolism, leading to increased susceptibility to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases. Stimulating SIRT3 activity via lifestyle, pharmacological or genetic interventions could protect against a plethora of pathologies and could improve health and lifespan. Thus, understanding how SIRT3 operates and how its protective effects could be amplified, will aid in treating age-associated diseases and ultimately, in enhancing the quality of life in elders.

BONE MARKERS IN ARTHROPATHIES

Bone endures a lifelong course of construction and destruction, with bone marker (BM) molecules released during this cycle. The field of measuring BM levels in synovial fluid and peripheral blood is a cardinal part of bone research within modern clinical medicine and has developed extensively in the last years. The purpose of our work was to convey an up-to-date overview on synovial fluid and serum BMs in the most common arthropathies.

Vitamin K Dependent Proteins in Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of developing vascular calcifications, as well as bone dynamics impairment, leading to a poor quality of life and increased mortality. Certain vitamin K dependent proteins (VKDPs) act mainly as calcification inhibitors, but their involvement in the onset and progression of CKD are not completely elucidated. This review is an update of the current state of knowledge about the relationship between CKD and four extrahepatic VKDPs: matrix Gla protein, osteocalcin, growth-arrest specific protein 6 and Gla-rich protein. Based on published literature in the last ten years, the purpose of this review is to address fundamental aspects about the link between CKD and circulating VKDPs levels as well as to raise new topics about how the interplay between molecular weight and charge could influence the modifications of circulating VKDPs at the glomerular level, or whether distinct renal etiologies have effect on VKDPs. This review is the output of a systematic literature search and may open future research avenues in this niche domain.

Serum total matrix Gla protein: Reference interval in healthy adults and variations in patients with vascular and osteoarticular diseases

BACKGROUND

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) species are inhibitors of ectopic calcification in vascular diseases (VD) and osteoarticular diseases (OD). Among the MGP assays, we aimed to establish the reference interval for serum total MGP (tMGP) in healthy adults, the variation in patients with VD and OD and the associations with common cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

We enrolled n = 124 healthy subjects and n = 95 patients with VD and OD in a small cross-sectional study. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tMGP, glucose and lipid profile was measured.

RESULTS

We established the reference interval for tMGP as 6-108 μg/L in healthy adults, the population under 40 having higher tMGP levels than those over 40 (61 ± 28, 51 ± 22 μg/L, p < 0.05). In healthy participants, tMGP was associated with smoking (β = 0.303, p = 0.001), age under 40 (β = -0.201, p = 0.032) and marginally with hs-CRP (β = -0.165, p = 0.08). In multivariate regression models, the association between smoking and tMGP was preserved even after adjusting for age under 40 and hs-CRP (β = 0.267, p = 0.005). The healthy population over 40 had lower tMGP levels than patients with OD and VD (51 ± 22, 90 ± 26, 106 ± 30 μg/L, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher tMGP levels could identify patients with VD and OD, being also associated with smoking in healthy adults.

Circulating matrix Gla protein: a potential tool to identify minor carotid stenosis with calcification in a risk population

BACKGROUND

Carotid calcification is an independent marker for future ischemic events, which are more frequently encountered in postmenopausal women as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HT) increases. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a major inhibitor of vascular calcification. Here, we report on the prospect of serum MGP to become an identifying tool for minor carotid stenosis (minCAS) with calcification in a risk population.

METHODS

Based on carotid ultrasound examination, out of 72 enrolled postmenopausal women, 33 had minCAS with carotid calcification (minCAS group) and 39 were without minCAS and carotid calcification (non-minCAS group). Serum total MGP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), bone mineral density (BMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were determined.

RESULTS

We found significantly elevated serum MGP levels in the minCAS compared to the non-minCAS group (p < 0.05). MGP was independently associated with hs-CRP (unstandardized β -regression coefficient = 2.6; 95 % CI 0.007 – 5.3; p = 0.049) and CIMT ( β = – 611.3; 95 % CI – 1172.6 – – 49.9; p = 0.034) within the minCAS group, but not with BMD. Furthermore, significantly higher MGP levels were determined in two minCAS subgroups (one with HT or T2DM and second with both diseases) compared to a non-minCAS subgroup with HT or T2DM (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). A threshold of 87.9 μ g/L serum MGP (area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.72 } 0.06; 95 % CI 0.60 – 0.84; p = 0.001) may identify minCAS with calcification in postmenopausal women with 63 % precision.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher circulating MGP levels could help identify minCAS with calcification in a relatively homogenous risk population (i.e., postmenopausal women), regardless of underlying cardiovascular risk factors.

Synovial and serum levels of uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (ucMGP) in patients with arthritis

BACKGROUND

Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a calcification inhibitor produced by cartilage and vessel walls. Arthritis is defined by inflammation, cartilage and bone destruction/formation and articular calcifications. Our objectives were to evaluate ucMGP levels in synovial fluid (SF) in arthritis patients and to investigate the relationship between local and circulating ucMGP and their association with age and inflammation.

METHODS

Arthritis patients (n=26) with knee joint effusion and controls (n=30) underwent an ultrasonographic knee examination for articular calcifications assessment. Patients were divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory groups. ucMGP levels were determined in serum and SF using a competitive ELISA assay.

RESULTS

Within the arthritis patients, the inflammatory group had the lowest ucMGP serum levels, and the highest levels of synovial ucMGP. Furthermore, the inflammatory group had significantly (p<0.05) higher RucMGP (synovial ucMGP/serum ucMGP*100) than the non-inflammatory group [36 (17-69) vs. 24 (5-55)], and this parameter positively correlated (r=0.4; p<0.05) with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). No correlation was found between age and local or circulating ucMGP in patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The ucMGP assay can be used for determination of MGP in SF, and combined assessment of ucMGP in serum and SF could potentially serve as a joint inflammatory marker in arthritis patients.