Abstract: Background/Objectives: Understanding the behavior of B cells during infection and vaccination is important for determining protective humoral immunity. We evaluated the profile of humoral immunity and B cell pool in individuals who were acutely infected with SARS-CoV-2, recovered from COVID-19, or received two doses of the AZD1222 vaccine. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these individuals were subjected to in vitro stimulation to promote differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting cells (ASC), and the ELISpot evaluated the abundance of pan and SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1-reactive IgG+ ASC. Stimulated PBMCs were characterized using flow cytometry. Culture supernatants were assessed for soluble B cell-activating factors. The IgA and IgG for the S1 were evaluated by ELISA. Results: The recovered individuals displayed a robust S1 ASC compared to acute and vaccinated. Although the frequency of total B cells or B-cell subsets did not vary among the groups, plasma cells were increased in naïve and double-negative B cells in the acute, recovered, and vaccinated. Similar IgA and IgG production appeared to be present in the acute and recovered. During vaccination, more IgG is produced than IgA. In acute patients, BAFF levels were positively correlated with total B cells and IgG+ plasma cells, but negatively correlated with IgA+ plasma cells. Conclusions: The vaccination and natural infection with COVID-19 induce a differential profile and functionality of B cells. We suggest that new vaccines against COVID-19 incorporate molecular adjuvants that regulate B lymphocyte functionality and consider the beneficial aspects of the IgA response in addition to IgG.

Abstract: Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) is widely distributed in Europe and plays a critical ecological role. Studying how it responds to stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, pests and phytopathogen helps reveal the species' capacity to adapt to climate change. Genetic and dendrochronological data (tree-ring analysis) provide insights into historical resilience, a historical record of how trees have responded to past environmental stressors, revealing which traits and genetic variants are linked to climate adaptation and how they may contribute to future resilience in changing environments. By examining the width, density, and dynamics of tree rings in Q. robur, researchers can correlate periods of growth suppression or enhanced growth with specific environmental conditions. This information helps predict how forests might respond to future climatic events and supports conservation and management strategies. By identifying genetic markers associated with stress tolerance, forest managers can prioritize the conservation of populations with higher adaptive potential. This is particularly important as Q. robur is an economically and ecologically valuable species. One of the main objectives of the review to summarize also publications on Q. robur genetic diversity and adaptive traits that can guide reforestation efforts and help develop climate-resilient oak populations. The review is focused on genetic and dendrochronological studies that offer complementary perspectives on tree response mechanisms. Genetic studies reveal adaptive genetic diversity and inheritance patterns, while dendrochronology provides a phenotypic record of responses over time. Combining these fields creates a holistic understanding of how Q. robur responds to stress, useful for fields ranging from ecology to forest genetics. Hopefully, this review helps understand Q. robur's resilience mechanisms, support adaptive management practices, and enable sustainable forest planning in the face of environmental challenges.

Abstract: The increase in the incidence of hyperglycemia and diabetes poses the challenge to search cost-effective natural inhibitors of starch digestion enzymes. Among natural compounds, phenolics have been considered as promising candidates. The aims of this study were: a) to investigate if winemaking byproducts are effective as inhibitors of the intestinal brush border alpha-glucosidase and the pancreatic alpha-amylase in vitro; b) to calculate an efficacy index for their phenolic pool, despite their variability due to grape cultivar and winemaking process; c) to compare winemaking byproducts’ efficacy with those of other plants. Winemaking by-products were characterized for the contents of total phenolics, flavanols, flavonols and anthocyanins, as well as the inhibitory activity towards the intestinal brush border alpha-glucosidase and pancreatic alpha-amylase. The inhibition towards alpha-glucosidase resulted to be on average 2.29 and 4.89 µg acarbose equivalents/µg total phenolics (µg Ac eq/µg GAE) for white and red grape skins, respec-tively. The inhibition towards alpha-amylase was 0.5 and 1.6 µg Ac eq/µg GAE for white and red grape skins, respectively. The inhibitory activity of the phenolic pool of red grape skins was higher than those of isolated phenolic compounds, probably due to synergistic effects among compounds. Hence, bioactive phenolic fractions could be produced with the focus on functionality rather than purity, in line with the principles of sustainable processing. A correlation was observed between the total phenolic contents of red grape skins and their inhibitory effectiveness, which is useful to standardize the efficacy of phenolic extracts. Compared to other plants reported in the literature red grape skins resulted to be cost-effective sources of starch digestion enzyme inhibitors.

Abstract: Twelve compounds (1-12): kaempferol (1), luteolin (2), luteolin 4'-O-β-xyloside (3), luteolin 4'-O-β-glucoside (4), quercetin 4'-O-β-xyloside (5), kaempferol-3-O-[6"-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl]-β-D-glucoside (trans-tiliroside) (6), protocatechuic acid (7), gallic acid (8), methyl gallate (9), ethyl gallate (10), shikimic acid-3-O-gallate (11), and 3,3',4'-tri-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-sulfate (12) were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Helianthemum cinereum (Cav.) Pers (synonym: Helianthemum rubellum C. Presl. All compounds were isolated by applying different chromatographic procedures, such as silica gel, RP-18 and sephadex LH-20 columns. The structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, mainly nuclear magnetic resonance NMR 1D and 2D, and mass spectrometry, as well as by comparison with the reported spectroscopic data. The two organic extracts, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) were evaluated for their potent phenolic and flavonoid contents using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the two extracts was determined using the DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS methods. Pure trans-tiliroside (6), the main isolated compound, and luteolin 4'-O-β-xyloside (3) were evaluated for their antitumor activity against lung cancer (A549), melanoma (A375) and pancreatic cancer (Mia PaCa-2 and Panc-1) cell lines by MTT assay.

Abstract:

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 27.5 million new cases projected by 2040. Disruptions in cell cycle control cause DNA errors to accumulate during cell growth, mak-ing proteins that regulate cell cycle progression crucial targets for cancer therapy. NIMA-related kinases (NEKs) are involved in regulating the cell cycle and checkpoints in humans. Among these, NEK10 is the most divergent member and has been associated with both cancer and ciliopathies. Despite its biological significance and distinctive domain architecture, structural details of NEK10 remain unknown. To address this gap, we modeled the complete structure of the NEK10 protein. Our analysis revealed a catalytic domain flanked by two coiled-coil domains, armadil-lo-type repeats, an ATP binding site, two putative UBA domains and a PEST sequence. Further-more, we mapped a comprehensive interactome of NEK10, uncovering previously unknown in-teractions with the cancer-related proteins MAP3K1 and HSPB1. MAP3K1, a serine/threonine kinase and E3 ubiquitin ligase frequently mutated in cancers, interacts with NEK10 via its scaf-fold regions. The interaction with HSPB1, a chaperone associated with poor cancer prognosis is mediated by NEK10’s armadillo repeats. Our findings underscore a connection of NEK10 with ciliogenesis and cancer, suggesting its important role in cancer development and progression.

Abstract: The nucleus, serving as a pivotal regulatory and control hub within the cell, governs numerous aspects of cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing and so on. Therefore, any deviations in nuclear morphology, structure or organization can profoundly impact cellular activities. In this review, we provide an updated perspective on the structure and function of nuclear components, with a specific focus on the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton complex, the nuclear envelope, the nuclear lamina and chromatin. It is crucial to note that nuclear size should not be overlooked but rather considered as a fundamental parameter for cellular state. Its regulation is tightly linked to environmental changes, development and various diseases, including cancer. Hence, we also provide a concise overview of different mechanisms by which nuclear size is determined, the emerging role of the nucleus as a mechanical sensor, and the implications of altered nuclear morphology on the physiology of diseased cells.

Abstract: Keywords: Human Bocavirus; Acute Gastroenteritis; Viral Coinfection; Genotypes.

Abstract: Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist with global distribution, frequently found in humans and various animals. Despite its prevalence, its role in human health remains debated, oscillating between being a harmless commensal and a potential pathogen, also linked to gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syn-drome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In Italy, the genetic and spatial diversity of Blastocystis remains understudied, despite the country's diverse urbanized and environmental landscapes. This study focuses on the haplotypic and spatial diversity of clinical isolates of Blastocystis across two different Italian regions, with an emphasis on subtype distribution and genetic variation. Using a network-based haplotype analysis, the study reveals a heterogeneous subtype distribution, with subtype ST4 being the most prevalent, followed by ST3, ST1, and ST2. Notably, ST4 shows limited haplotypic variation, suggesting a more stable population structure potentially linked to a human-adapted lineage. In contrast, ST1 and ST2 exhibit greater genetic diversity, likely due to ongoing zoonotic transmission. These findings contribute to understanding the epidemiology of Blastocystis in Italy and highlight the need for further research on its pathogenic potential and transmission dynamics.

Abstract: Resurrection plants are incredibly tolerant to drought. When dried out, they temporarily halt photosynthesis and respiration while protecting cellular structures. Upon rehydration, they rapidly resume normal function, allowing their cells and tissues to become re-energized. Nucle-otides play a crucial role as energy and information carriers in all living organisms. However, the dynamics and functioning of these vital compounds in resurrection plants have not been exten-sively studied. Nucleotide, nucleoside, and nucleobase extraction and analysis are technically challenging, so improved methods are of continued interest, especially techniques that can dis-tinguish the nucleotides’ degree of phosphorylation. Here, we describe an accurate mass, high-resolution hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC-LC-hrMS/MS)- based method for quantitative profiling of nucleotides and their phosphate forms in the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis Friv. The proposed ion-pair free method, exploiting a gradient of both organic com-ponent and buffer salt concentrations, was applied on tissue samples from leaves and roots of H. rhodopensis exposed to dehydration and subsequent rehydration. In the proposed method, 20 analyses (nucleosides and nucleotides) were separated by HILIC. This preliminary study identified remarkable features in nucleotide phosphate content and dynamics during desiccation and sub-sequent rehydration suggesting alternative energy metabolism pathways in drought tolerance of resurrection plants.

Abstract: A Species richness is a critical measure in biodiversity studies, providing insights into the diversity and conservation value of ecosystems. This research presents an exhaustive inventory of crustaceans and fish species from the Yucatan Peninsula's epicontinental, underground, and anchialine aquatic systems. Spanning records from 1936 to 2024, the study analyzed over 2,600 entries across 670 aquatic systems, including cenotes, flooded caves lakes, springs, and wetlands. A total of 325 species were recorded, comprising 113 fish and 212 crustacean species. The richness and endemism of these species were assessed through a completeness analysis, utilizing non-parametric models (Chao 2, Jackknife 1, Bootstrap) to estimate potential species richness. Notably, the region exhibits high endemism, especially among crustaceans, with up of 50 species and 2 endemic families unique to the Yucatan Peninsula. The study underscores the importance of the eastern YP for crustaceans and central YP for fish, highlighting areas critical for conservation. These findings emphasize the need for further exploration, as the diversity of aquatic species remains incompletely understood. This comprehensive synthesis aims to inform future conservation strategies, environmental management, and regional planning efforts, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of these unique aquatic systems to environmental degradation.