Mónica Roldán-Medinaa,b, Alejandro Riquelme-Péreza,b, Ramón López-Palopa, Pilar Carrilloa, Javier Lacunzaa, Raúl Valdesusoa, Juan García de Laraa, José Hurtado-Martíneza, Juan M. Durána, Eduardo Pinar-Bermúdeza, Juan R. Gimenoa,c,d, y Domingo Pascual-Figala,c,d,e aServicio de Cardiología...

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest cancer survival rates. Recent studies using RAS inhibitors have opened the door to mo...

Emergency departments (EDs) play a crucial role in managing exacerbation of COPD (ECOPD). However, there is currently no standardization of management criteria for ECOPD within the Spanish healthca...

Incretin-based therapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), exert a wide range of beneficial effects beyond glycemic control, largely mediated by their anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic low-grade inflammation is a common pathological mechanism underlying metaboli...

Inherited platelet function disorders (IPFD) are characterized by normal platelet count and morphology but impaired function due to pathogenic variants in genes encoding membrane receptors, granule constituents, or intracellular signaling proteins. Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia, the most representative IPFD, results from ITGA2B or ITGB3 mutations that disrupt the αIIbβ3 integrin complex, producing severe mucocutaneous bleeding. Advances in molecular genetics have expanded the IPFDs landscape to include defects in other platelet receptors (Glycoprotein (GP)-VI, P2Y12, and thromboxane A2[TxA2]-R), signaling mediators (RASGRP2, FERMT3, G-protein regulators, PLC, and TxA2 pathway enzymes), and granule biogenesis disorders such as Hermansky–Pudlak and Chediak–Higashi syndromes. High-throughput sequencing technologies, including long-read approaches, have greatly improved diagnostic yield and clarified genotype–phenotype correlations. Clinically, bleeding severity varies from mild to life-threatening, and management relies on antifibrinolytics, desmopressin, or platelet transfusion; recombinant activated factor VII and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are reserved for selected cases. Emerging strategies such as gene therapy and bispecific antibodies that link platelets and coagulation factors represent promising advances toward targeted and preventive treatment. A better knowledge of the clinical features and understanding molecular pathogenesis of IPFDs not only enhances diagnostic precision and therapeutic options but also provides key insights into platelet biology, intracellular signaling, and the broader mechanisms of human hemostasis.

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma, alveoli and bronchioles induced by inhalation of organic compounds. Bird-related-HP (BRHP) is the most common type of HP, occurring in susceptible people in regular contact with birds, although a genetic susceptibility is unclear. This study investigates the impact of environmental volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the development of HP and other pulmonary diseases, and their relationship with pulmonary inflammatory cell composition and patient outcomes. Methods: Geospatial environmental levels of VOCs (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene and o-xylene) in patients’ homes were related to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) leukocyte profiles analyzed by flow cytometry of 1515 patients with different lung diseases in the region of Murcia (southeastern Spain). Results: Ethylbenzene levels over the threshold limit of 10 µg/m3 (EB10) were associated with HP (23.9% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.05). A strong association with HP was observed in patients in contact with birds living in areas with EB10 (63.0% vs. 27.4%, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that age (B = −0.058, p < 0.012), smoking (B = −0.125, p < 0.001), bird contact (B = 0.275, p < 0.001) and EB10 (B = 0.109, p < 0.001) were independent variables associated with HP. In HP patients, BAL CD4/CD8-ratio > 1.5 was associated with shorter overall survival (8.9 years vs. not-reached, p < 0.011), probably due to lower CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts observed in HP fibrotic patients (11.65 ± 2.8% vs. 23.6 ± 2.9%, p = 0.008) and in those who died during follow-up (10.0 ± 1.9% vs. 23.8 ± 2.7%, p = 0.012), suggesting a protective role for CD8+ T cells. Conclusions: High environmental ethylbenzene is strongly associated with BRHP. CD8+ T-lymphocytes could have a protective role in HP, preventing fibrosis and increasing overall survival.

Objective: The objective of this research is to explore the healthcare access experiences of trans and gender-diverse adolescents in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Methodology: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological approach, consisting of semi-structured interviews with adolescents and their families. The study sample consisted of 20 participants: 10 trans and gender-diverse adolescents residing in the Region of Murcia and their respective mothers. Interview dyads (adolescent and mother) were incorporated sequentially until data saturation was reached. Transcription and data pre-analysis were conducted simultaneously, following the steps outlined in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The results are structured based on personal barriers of the participants, perceived barriers in interactions with professionals, and institutional barriers to receiving quality healthcare. Conclusions: This study helps raise awareness about the situation faced by trans adolescents in healthcare settings. It is essential for healthcare professionals to receive greater training and awareness regarding transgender health and for centers to have action protocols, services, and facilities tailored to these patients.

Background/Objectives: Major cardiac surgery is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications, particularly in older and frail patients.

Background/Objectives: Interindividual variability in polyphenol metabolism may help explain the inconsistent effects of polyphenol intake on health outcomes. This study compared, for the first time, (i) polyphenol-related gut microbiota metabotypes (urolithins: UM0, UMA, UMB; equol: EP, ENP; lunularin: LP, LNP) and their clusters (MCs) in non-medicated premenopausal (Pre-M) and postmenopausal (Post-M) women and (ii) the impact of an 8-week intake of a polyphenol-rich plant extract mixture (PPs) on the quality of life (QoL) of Post-M. Methods: Polyphenol metabotypes were determined in urine via UPLC-QTOF-MS after a 3-day intake of PPs containing resveratrol, pomegranate (ellagitannins and ellagic acid), and red clover (isoflavones) in Pre-M (n = 120) and Post-M (n = 90) women. QoL was assessed with the short-form Cervantes Scale in a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial (8-week PPs vs. placebo), completed by 78 Post-M participants. Results: At baseline, Pre-M and Post-M women showed only minor differences in metabotype and MC distributions linked to menopausal status. MC3 (UMA+EP+LP) predominated in Pre-M, while MC7 (UMA+EP+LNP) was most frequent in Post-M. PPs intake in Post-M women led to modest shifts in metabotype and MC distributions toward Pre-M patterns. Quantitative metabolite production was comparable between groups, except for equol, which showed a median 2.8-fold increase after PPs intake in EP Post-M women. Clinically meaningful improvements (score reduction ≥ 6.7 points) in QoL were observed in the Psychic domain in EP women (28%, p = 0.039) and in the Menopause and Health domain, specifically in EP (24.1%, p = 0.004), MC3 (22.5%, p = 0.043), and MC4 (UMB+EP+LP; 41.3%, p = 0.022), were mainly driven by a reduction in hot flashes (p = 0.001). Conclusions: These findings support metabotyping as a tool to guide targeted dietary strategies and enhance QoL through precision health in Post-M women.

Annals of Surgical Oncology -

Wrong content A correction has been made to Figure 1 There was a mistake in the caption of Figure 1 as published: "FBG, Fasting blood glucose". The...

Cell transplantation is often performed with ultrasonographic guidance for accurate delivery through injection. In such procedures, using ultrasonographic contrast greatly improves target delivery. However, accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to such contrast agents may have negative effects on transplanted cells. No study so far has researched this issue. Stabilized sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) microbubbles are a widely used sonographic contrast agent. Skin hCD55 porcine transgenic fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow (hMSCs) were exposed in vitro to SF6 in concentrations ranging from 1.54 µM to 308 µM. The effects on viability and cell growth were registered using an impedance-based label-free Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA). Data was recorded every 15 min for 50 h of total study time. Both cell lines behave distinctly when exposed to SF6. Porcine fibroblast growth showed relevant alterations only when exposed to higher concentrations. In contrast, hMSCs showed progressive growth decrease in relation to SF6 concentration. Taken together, while SF6-based contrast agents pose no threat to patient safety, our results indicate that exposure of suspended stem cells to the contrast agent could affect the effective dose administered in cell therapy procedures. This prompts specific cell lineage testing, adjusting methods and properly compensating for cell loss, with a potential impact on procedural cost and success rates.