Endocrine disruption and detoxification processes provoked by low levels of pollutants in cultured fish

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología. Fecha de lectura: 30-10-201

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Streptococcus suis Infections in Catalonia, Spain

Introduction: Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a human zoonotic pathogen of occupational origin, with infection acquired through contact with live pigs or pig meat. Pig farming is one of Catalonia's biggest industries and as a result this region of Spain has one of the highest density pig populations per km2. The aim of our study was to describe the infections caused by S. suis occurring in that area over a 9-year period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, multi-center study was carried out by searching records from 15 hospitals in Catalonia for the period between 2010 and 2019. Results: Over the study period altogether nine cases of S. suis infection were identified in five hospitals, with five of these cases occurring in the 2018-2019 period. The mean age of patients was 48 ± 8.9 years and all of them were males. Five patients (55.6%) worked in pig farms. The most frequent manifestation of infection was meningitis (5 cases; 55.6%) followed by septic arthritis (3 cases; 33.3%). None of the patients died at 30 days; nonetheless, 4 developed hearing loss as a long-term complication. Conclusion: The most commonly identified S. suis infection was meningitis. Over 50% of the episodes occurred in the last 2 years and have affected pig farm workers. Further surveillance is needed in order to know its prevalence

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Streptococcus suis Infections in Catalonia, Spain

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a human zoonotic pathogen of occupational origin, with infection acquired through contact with live pigs or pig meat. Pig farming is one of Catalonia's biggest industries and as a result this region of Spain has one of the highest density pig populations per km 2. The aim of our study was to describe the infections caused by S. suis occurring in that area over a 9-year period. A retrospective, multi-center study was carried out by searching records from 15 hospitals in Catalonia for the period between 2010 and 2019. Over the study period altogether nine cases of S. suis infection were identified in five hospitals, with five of these cases occurring in the 2018-2019 period. The mean age of patients was 48 ± 8.9 years and all of them were males. Five patients (55.6%) worked in pig farms. The most frequent manifestation of infection was meningitis (5 cases; 55.6%) followed by septic arthritis (3 cases; 33.3%). None of the patients died at 30 days; nonetheless, 4 developed hearing loss as a long-term complication. The most commonly identified S. suis infection was meningitis. Over 50% of the episodes occurred in the last 2 years and have affected pig farm workers. Further surveillance is needed in order to know its prevalence

CARB-ES-19 Multicenter Study of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli From All Spanish Provinces Reveals Interregional Spread of High-Risk Clones Such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

ObjectivesCARB-ES-19 is a comprehensive, multicenter, nationwide study integrating whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (CP-Kpn) and E. coli (CP-Eco) to determine their incidence, geographical distribution, phylogeny, and resistance mechanisms in Spain.MethodsIn total, 71 hospitals, representing all 50 Spanish provinces, collected the first 10 isolates per hospital (February to May 2019); CPE isolates were first identified according to EUCAST (meropenem MIC > 0.12 mg/L with immunochromatography, colorimetric tests, carbapenem inactivation, or carbapenem hydrolysis with MALDI-TOF). Prevalence and incidence were calculated according to population denominators. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution method (EUCAST). All 403 isolates collected were sequenced for high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), and resistome analysis.ResultsIn total, 377 (93.5%) CP-Kpn and 26 (6.5%) CP-Eco isolates were collected from 62 (87.3%) hospitals in 46 (92%) provinces. CP-Kpn was more prevalent in the blood (5.8%, 50/853) than in the urine (1.4%, 201/14,464). The cumulative incidence for both CP-Kpn and CP-Eco was 0.05 per 100 admitted patients. The main carbapenemase genes identified in CP-Kpn were blaOXA–48 (263/377), blaKPC–3 (62/377), blaVIM–1 (28/377), and blaNDM–1 (12/377). All isolates were susceptible to at least two antibiotics. Interregional dissemination of eight high-risk CP-Kpn clones was detected, mainly ST307/OXA-48 (16.4%), ST11/OXA-48 (16.4%), and ST512-ST258/KPC (13.8%). ST512/KPC and ST15/OXA-48 were the most frequent bacteremia-causative clones. The average number of acquired resistance genes was higher in CP-Kpn (7.9) than in CP-Eco (5.5).ConclusionThis study serves as a first step toward WGS integration in the surveillance of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Spain. We detected important epidemiological changes, including increased CP-Kpn and CP-Eco prevalence and incidence compared to previous studies, wide interregional dissemination, and increased dissemination of high-risk clones, such as ST307/OXA-48 and ST512/KPC-3

Assessment of estrogenic and thyrogenic activities in fish feeds

9 páginas, 6 figuras, 1 tabla.-- et al.Normal functioning of the endocrine system is essential for the proper development and reproduction of animals. Substances interfering with its homeostasis are called endocrine disruptors (EDs) and may represent a risk for the health of the organism. One of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption that has attracted great attention in recent years concerns alterations in the normal functioning of the estrogen receptor (ER), but far less attention has been paid to those substances interfering with the thyroid axis, which, in fish, plays several critical roles in a variety of biological functions. In aquaculture, feedstuffs can be a source of hormones or persistent pollutants which act as potential EDs. In this study, the main purpose was to assess the possible estrogenic and thyrogenic activities of 32 commercial fish feeds. For the assessment of estrogenicity, a new estrogen receptor specific reporter gene assay using sea bass ERα (sbER α) was developed and validated. Potential thyroidal disruption was screened with a cell line permanently transfected with luciferase as reporter gene under the control of avian thyroid receptor α (THRα). The results obtained showed that 11 and 18 out of 32 assayed feeds were able to activate the sbERα or the avTHRα1, respectively. The present study is pioneer in demonstrating thyrogenic activity in fish diets commercially available and widely used in aquaculture. Given that maintaining the homeostasis in the endocrine system is critical for the proper development and reproduction of fish, any estrogenic or thyrogenic activity caused by the feedstuffs should be taken into account with regards to its potential impact on farmed fish. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.This study was funded by projects RTA 2009-00074-00-00 (MICINN) managed by the INIA, AGL 2010-22247-C03-01 and CSD 2007-00002 managed by IATS-CSIC from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.Peer Reviewe

Evaluación e intervención psicológica en un caso de violencia de género desde el centro de salud mental

The prevalence of intimate partner violence against women is still elevated in our country. Remaining in an intimate relationship characterized by violence and abuse gives rise to severe psychological consequences whose treatment requires specialized attention. Mental health care centres constitute key units in the detection, evaluation and provision of appropriate treatment options for women suffering from intimate partner violence. This article presents a case of intimate partner violence, which was treated with individual cognitive behaviour therapy in a public mental health care setting.La prevalencia de violencia de género sigue siendo elevada en nuestro país. Con frecuencia el permanecer en una situación de violencia dentro del ámbito de la pareja tiene graves consecuencias a nivel psicológico cuyo tratamiento requiere una atención especializada. Por este motivo, los centros de salud mental son dispositivos claves tanto para la detección como para la evaluación y el tratamiento adecuado de las mujeres que sufren este tipo de violencia por parte de sus parejas. El presente artículo expone un caso de violencia de género en el que se realiza un tratamiento cognitivo -conductual en formato individual desde un centro de salud mental de la red asistencial pública

Use of fish farms to assess river contamination Combining biomarker responses, active biomonitoring, and chemical analysis

Here we addressed the possible effects of trace levels of contaminants on fish by means of a combination of biomarker responses, active biomonitoring (ABM), and chemical analysis. In environmental studies, cytochromes P4501A (Cyp1A) and Cyp3A and related enzyme activities (7-ethoxyresorufin-. O-deethylase, EROD, and benzyloxy-4-[trifluoromethyl]-coumarin-. O-debenzyloxylase, BFCOD, respectively) are commonly used as biomarkers for evidencing exposure to a variety of contaminants. In a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fish farm that is routinely sampled to obtain references regarding normal levels of such enzyme activities in freshwater fish, we observed a strong and punctual increase in these activities at the end of 2011. In order to shed light on the causes of this induction, we transferred some fish to a fish farm with controlled conditions and examined them using an active biomonitoring (ABM) approach. EROD activity showed a decrease of 80% from the original values after 7 days in the control farm, while BFCOD activity was also reduced after 15 days. Although not significant, a decrease in cyp1A and cyp3A mRNA levels was also observed. To determine the presence of pollutants, water and sediment samples from the river feeding the fish farm were analyzed by two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC. ×. GC-TOF-MS). The screening study reflected a weak inflow of pollutants in the monitored area, which is located far from any industrial activity or densely populated cities. Trace levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and personal care products (the polycyclic musk fragrance HHCB, and triclosan) were detected in sediments, at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 38. ng/g dry weight, and in water from 4 to 441. ng/L. The approach followed in this study proved useful as a biomonitoring technique for the early detection of trace contaminants. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Structure and Expression of Bud Dormancy-Associated MADS-Box Genes (DAM) in European Plum

Bud dormancy in temperate perennials ensures the survival of growing meristems under the harsh environmental conditions of autumn and winter, and facilitates an optimal growth and development resumption in the spring. Although the molecular pathways controlling the dormancy process are still unclear, DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX genes (DAM) have emerged as key regulators of the dormancy cycle in different species. In the present study, we have characterized the orthologs of DAM genes in European plum (Prunus domestica L.). Their expression patterns together with sequence similarities are consistent with a role of PdoDAMs in dormancy maintenance mechanisms in European plum. Furthermore, other genes related to dormancy, flowering and stress response have been identified in order to obtain a molecular framework of these three different processes taking place within the dormant flower bud in this species. This research provides a set of candidate genes to be genetically modified in future research, in order to better understand dormancy regulation in perennial species.Esta investigación fue financiada por el Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) -FEDER (RFP2015-00015-00, RTA2017-00003-00, RTA2017-00011-C03-01) y el Gobierno de Aragón – Fondo Social Europeo, Unión Europea (Grupo Consolidado A12_17R). CQ-T fue financiado por una beca cofinanciada por el Fondo Social Europeo y el Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA). BG contó con el apoyo de una beca del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de México (CONACYT, 471839). AL fue financiado por una beca del Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades del Gobierno de España.Publishe

Metarhizium brunneum (Ascomycota; Hypocreales) Treatments Targeting Olive Fly in the Soil for Sustainable Crop Production

Soil treatments with Metarhizium brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su strain conducted in both Northern and Southern Spain reduced the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) population density emerging from the soil during spring up to 70% in treated plots compared with controls. A model to determine the influence of rainfall on the conidial wash into different soil types was developed, with most of the conidia retained at the first 5 cm, regardless of soil type, with relative percentages of conidia recovered ranging between 56 and 95%. Furthermore, the possible effect of UV-B exposure time on the pathogenicity of this strain against B. oleae adults coming from surviving preimaginals and carrying conidia from the soil at adult emergence was also evaluated. The UV-B irradiance has no significant effect on M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Su pathogenicity with B. oleae adult mortalities of 93, 90, 79, and 77% after 0, 2, 4, and 6 of UV-B irradiance exposure, respectively. In a next step for the use of these M. brunneum EAMa 01/58-Sun soil treatments within a B. oleae IPM strategy, its possible effect of on the B. oleae cosmopolitan parasitoid Psyttalia concolor, its compatibility with the herbicide oxyfluorfen 24% commonly used in olive orchards and the possible presence of the fungus in the olive oil resulting from olives previously placed in contact with the fungus were investigated. Only the highest conidial concentration (1 × 108 conidia ml−) caused significant P. concolor adult mortality (22%) with enduing mycosis in 13% of the cadavers. There were no fungal propagules in olive oil samples resulting from olives previously contaminated by EAMa 01/58-Su conidia. Finally, the strain was demonstrated to be compatible with herbicide since the soil application of the fungus reduced the B. oleae population density up to 50% even when it was mixed with the herbicide in the same tank. The fungal inoculum reached basal levels 4 months after treatments (1.6 × 103 conidia g soil−1). These results reveal both the efficacy and environmental and food safety of this B. oleae control method, protecting olive groves and improving olive oil quality without negative effects on the natural enemy P. concolor

The evolution of investment funds in professonal sport

Sin financiaciónNo data JCR 2016No data SJR 20160.006 IDR (2016) C4, 40/42 DeporteUE