This was not affected by a GJ blockade (Gap27). We conclude that Cx43 expression positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells independent of GJ communication. Since proliferation remained unaffected, we suggest that Cx43 protein may modulate endothelial cell migration, thereby supporting angiogenesis. The modulation of Cx43 expression may represent an exploitable principle for angiogenesis induction in clinical therapy.Oxygen deficiency in cells, tissues, and organs can not only prevent the proper development of biological functions but it can also lead to several diseases and disorders. In this sense, the kidney deserves special attention since hypoxia can be considered an important factor in the pathophysiology of both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. To provide better knowledge to unveil the molecular mechanisms involved, new studies are necessary. In this sense, this work aims to study, for the first time, an in vitro model of hypoxia-induced metabolic alterations in human proximal tubular HK-2 cells because renal proximal tubules are particularly susceptible to hypoxia. Different groups of cells, cultivated under control and hypoxia conditions at 0.5, 5, 24, and 48 h, were investigated using untargeted metabolomic approaches based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Both intracellular and extracellular fluids were studied to obtain a large metabolite coverage. On the other hand, multivariate and univariate analyses were carried out to find the differences among the cell groups and to select the most relevant variables. The molecular features identified as affected metabolites were mainly amino acids and Amadori compounds. Insights about their biological relevance are also provided.Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a heterogeneous group of infrequent triple negative (TN) invasive carcinomas with poor prognosis. MBCs have a different clinical behavior from other types of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), being more resistant to standard chemotherapy. MBCs are an example of tumors with activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mechanisms involved in EMT could be responsible for the increase in the infiltrative and metastatic capacity of MBCs and resistance to treatments. In addition, a relationship between EMT and the immune response has been seen in these tumors. In this sense, MBC differ from other TN tumors showing a lower number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS) and a higher percentage of tumor cells expressing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). A better understanding of the relationship between the immune system and EMT could provide new therapeutic approaches in MBC.Synthetic cathinones have gained popularity among young drug users and are widely used in the clandestine market. While the cathinone-induced behavioral profile has been extensively investigated, information on their neuroplastic effects is still rather fragmentary. Accordingly, we have exposed male mice to a single injection of MDPV and α-PVP and sacrificed the animals at different time points (i.e., 30 min, 2 h, and 24 h) to have a rapid readout of the effect of these psychostimulants on neuroplasticity in the frontal lobe and hippocampus, two reward-related brain regions. We found that a single, low dose of MDPV or α-PVP is sufficient to alter the expression of neuroplastic markers in the adult mouse brain. In particular, we found increased expression of the transcription factor Npas4, increased ratio between the vesicular GABA transporter and the vesicular glutamate transporter together with changes in the expression of the neurotrophin Bdnf, confirming the widespread impact of these cathinones on brain plasticity. To sum up, exposure to low dose of cathinones can impair cortical and hippocampal homeostasis, suggesting that abuse of these cathinones at much higher doses, as it occurs in humans, could have an even more profound impact on neuroplasticity.PIN-FORMED (PIN) genes play a crucial role in regulating polar auxin distribution in diverse developmental processes, including tropic responses, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, and organogenesis. However, the role of PIN-mediated auxin transport in various plant species is poorly understood. Currently, no information is available about this gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present investigation, we identified the PIN gene family in wheat to understand the evolution of PIN-mediated auxin transport and its role in various developmental processes and under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions. In this study, we performed genome-wide analysis of the PIN gene family in common wheat and identified 44 TaPIN genes through a homology search, further characterizing them to understand their structure, function, and distribution across various tissues. Phylogenetic analyses led to the classification of TaPIN genes into seven different groups, providing evidence of an evolutionary relaon on the expression of the TaPIN gene family and will pave the way for dissecting the precise role of TaPINs in plant developmental processes and different stress conditions.Mucosal CD4+ T lymphocytes display a potent opioid-mediated analgesic activity in interleukin (IL)-10 knockout mouse model of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Considering that endogenous opioids may also exhibit anti-inflammatory activities in the periphery, we examined the consequences of a peripheral opioid receptor blockade by naloxone-methiodide, a general opioid receptor antagonist unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, on the development of piroxicam-accelerated colitis in IL-10-deficient (IL-10-/-) mice. Carbohydrate Metabolism modulator Here, we show that IL-10-deficient mice treated with piroxicam exhibited significant alterations of the intestinal barrier function, including permeability, inflammation-related bioactive lipid mediators, and mucosal CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets. Opioid receptor antagonization in the periphery had virtually no effect on colitis severity but significantly worsened epithelial cell apoptosis and intestinal permeability. Thus, although the endogenous opioid tone is not sufficient to reduce the severity of colitis significantly, it substantially contributes to the protection of the physical integrity of the epithelial barrier.