Microplásticos e imposex en el caracol marino Thaisella chocolata procedente de la costa central marina del Perú

Contamination by microplastics (MP) and the presence of imposex (IMP) in snails for human consumption has become an issue of global concern in marine ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of MP and IMP in the sea snail Thaisella chocolata in four locations and two seasons of the year on the central coast of Peru. The selected sites were the coves of Chorrillos and Cerro Azul, and the minor seaports of Chancay and Huacho, in the department of Lima, Peru. Individuals of T. chocolata were collected in each location and in two seasons of 2021. The snails were examined for the quantification of MP, according to their shape and color, and in the females, the IMP was determined and qualified as a percentage. The global analysis shows a Frequency of Occurrence (FO%) of MP of was 97.86% ± 3.34 (range from 90.90 to 100%), and the abundance (MP microparticles/individual) was 9.07 ± 4.71 (range 4.72 to 17.82). The colors of the black, blue and magenta MPs were the dominant ones. The FO%, and the abundance of MP microparticles did not show differences between both seasons. The highest MP detection values occurred in individuals from Cerro Azul. The MP micro-fragments presented the highest abundance and the black color was the dominant one. The IMP was rated as high in 50% of the female snails. No differ­ences were observed in FO% or in the abundance of MP microparticles between seasons. The IMP was not associated with the FO% or with the abundance of MP in T. chocolata. The abundance of MP in T. chocolata was negatively related to nitrites, nitrates, and ammonium, and positively related to dissolved oxygen in seawater. The findings indicate that the marine snail T. chocolata is a suitable organism for monitoring MP and IMP contamination.La contaminación por microplásticos (MP) y por la presencia de imposex (IMP) en caracoles de consumo humano se ha convertido en un tema de preocupación mundial en los ecosistemas marinos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la presencia de MP y de IMP en el caracol marino Thaisella chocolata en cuatro localidades y dos temporadas del año de la costa central del Perú. Los sitios seleccionados fueron las caletas de Chorrillos, y de Cerro Azul, y los puertos marítimos menores de Chancay y de Huacho, del departamento de Lima, Perú. Individuos de T. chocolata fueron colectados en cada localidad y en dos temporadas del 2021. Los caracoles fueron examinados para la cuantificación de MP, de acuerdo a su forma y coloración, y en las hembras fue determinado el IMP y calificado porcentualmente. El análisis global muestra una Frecuencia de Ocurrencia (FO%) de MP de 97,86% ± 3,34 (rango de 90,90 al 100%), y la abundancia (micropartículas de MP/individuo) fue de 9,07 ± 4,71 (rango 4,72 a 17,82). Los colores de los MP negro, azul y magenta fueron los dominantes. La FO%, y la abundancia de micropartículas de MP no mostraron diferencias entre ambas temporadas. Los mayores valores de detección de MP ocurrieron en los individuos de Cerro Azul. Los microfragmentos de MP presentaron las mayores abundancias y el color negro fue el dominante. El IMP fue calificado mayormente como alto en un 50% de los caracoles hembras. No se observaron diferencias en la FO% ni en la abundancia de micropartículas de MP entre temporadas. El IMP no se asoció con la FO% ni con la abundancia de MP en T. chocolata. La abundancia de MP en T. chocolata se relacionó negativamente con los nitritos, nitratos, y amonio, y positivamente con el oxígeno disuelto del agua de mar. Los hallazgos indican que el carac

High Serum Cyclophilin C levels as a risk factor marker for Coronary Artery Disease

Cyclophilins (Cyps) are ubiquitous proteins that belong to the immunophilins family consistently associated with inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. While levels of CypA have been extensively studied, less data are available for other Cyps. The purpose of this case-control study was to determine the relationship of Cyps (A, B, C and D) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and eight inflammation markers. Serum levels of Cyps, interleukins and metalloproteinases were measured in serum collected from 84 subjects. Participants were divided into two sub-groups based on CAD diagnosis: 40 CAD patients and 44 control volunteers. Serum levels of CypA, CypB and CypC, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly higher in CAD patients. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between Cyps and several blood and biochemical parameters. When the ability of Cyps levels for CAD diagnosis was evaluated, higher sensitivity and selectivity values were obtained with CypC (c-statistic 0.891, p < 0.001) indicating that it is a good marker of CAD disease, while less conclusive results were obtained with CypA (c-statistic 0.748, p < 0.001) and CypB (c-statistic 0.655, p < 0.014). In addition, significant correlations of traditional CAD risk factors and CypC were observed. In summary, high levels of CypC are a risk factor for CAD and therefore it can be proposed as a new biomarker for this disease.This work could not have been done without the invaluable collaboration of the staff at the Servicio Vixilancia da Saude from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Andrea Vidal Dopazo) and at the Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (Maria Jesús Basanta-Castro, Maria del Carmen Cabarcos Leal, Clara Jimenez-Serrano, Leonor Ortega- Fernández, Maria Jesus Palacios Pool, Sofía Seco-Aldegunde). The research leading to these results has received funding from the following FEDER cofunded-grants. From Conselleria de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia, 2017 GRC GI-1682 (ED431C 2017/01). From CDTI and Technological Funds, supported by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, AGL2016-78728-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), ISCIII/PI16/01830, ISCIII/PI16/01816 and RTC-2016-5507-2, ITC-20161072. From European Union POCTEP 0161-Nanoeaters -1-E-1, Interreg AlertoxNet EAPA-317-2016, Interreg Agritox EAPA-998-2018, and H2020 778069-EMERTOX. Sandra Gegunde was supported by a fellowship from FIDIS, Spain

Simplified immunosuppressive and neuroprotective agents based on gracilin A

The architecture and bioactivity of natural products frequently serve as embarkation points for the exploration of biologically relevant chemical space. Total synthesis followed by derivative synthesis has historically enabled a deeper understanding of structure–activity relationships. However, synthetic strategies towards a natural product are not always guided by hypotheses regarding the structural features required for bioactivity. Here, we report an approach to natural product total synthesis that we term ‘pharmacophore-directed retrosynthesis’. A hypothesized, pharmacophore of a natural product is selected as an early synthetic target and this dictates the retrosynthetic analysis. In an ideal application, sequential increases in the structural complexity of this minimal structure enable development of a structure–activity relationship profile throughout the course of the total synthesis effort. This approach enables the identification of simpler congeners retaining bioactivity at a much earlier stage of a synthetic effort, as demonstrated here for the spongiane diterpenoid, gracilin A, leading to simplified derivatives with potent neuroprotective and immunosuppressive activityThe authors acknowledge support from the NIH (R37 GM052964 to D.R.), NSF (CHE1800411, to D.R.) the Robert A. Welch Foundation (AA-1280 to D.R.), FEDER co-funded grants from CONSELLERIA DE Cultura, EDUCACION e ordenación Universitaria Xunta de Galicia (2017 GRC GI-1682, ED431C 2017/01), CDTI and Technological Funds, supported by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (AGL2014- 58210-R, AGL2016-78728-R, AEI/FEDER, UE) (to L.M.B.), ISCIII/PI1/01830 (to A.A.) and RTC-2016-5507-2 and ITC-20161072, from EU POCTEP 0161-Nanoeaters-1-E-1, Interreg AlertoxNet EAPA-317-2016 and H2020 778069-EMERTOX (to L.M.B.) and from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme managed by the Research Executive Agency (FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement 312184 PHARMASEA to L.M.B. and M.J.). N. Bhuvanesh and J. Reibenspies (Center for X-ray Analysis, TAMU) secured X-ray data and W. Russell (Laboratory for Biological Mass Spectrometry, TAMU) provided mass data. Correspondence and requests for materials should be directed to D. Romo (chemistry) and L. Botana (biology).S

Mechanical Bonds and Topological Effects in Radical Dimer Stabilization

While mechanical bonding stabilizes tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) radical dimers, the question arises: what role does topology play in catenanes containing TTF units? Here, we report how topology, together with mechanical bonding, in isomeric [3]- and doubly interlocked [2]catenanes controls the formation of TTF radical dimers within their structural frameworks, including a ring-in-ring complex (formed between an organoplatinum square and a {2+2} macrocyclic polyether containing two 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP) and two TTF units) that is topologically isomeric with the doubly interlocked [2]catenane. The separate TTF units in the two {1+1} macrocycles (each containing also one DNP unit) of the isomeric [3]catenane exhibit slightly different redox properties compared with those in the {2+2} macrocycle present in the [2]catenane, while comparison with its topological isomer reveals substantially different redox behavior. Although the stabilities of the mixed-valence (TTF2)^(•+) dimers are similar in the two catenanes, the radical cationic (TTF^(•+))_2 dimer in the [2]catenane occurs only fleetingly compared with its prominent existence in the [3]catenane, while both dimers are absent altogether in the ring-in-ring complex. The electrochemical behavior of these three radically configurable isomers demonstrates that a fundamental relationship exists between topology and redox properties

Meso- and macrozooplankton communities in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

The present paper describes composition and abundance of meso- and macrozooplankton in the epipelagic zone of the Weddell Sea and gives a systematic review of encountered species regarding results of earlier expeditions. Material was sampled from 6 February to 10 March 1983 from RV Polarstern with a RMT 1+8 m (320 and 4500 μm mesh size). In agreement with topography and water mass distribution three distinct communities were defined, clearly separated by cluster analysis: The Southern Shelf Community has lowest abundances (approx. 9000 ind./1000 m3). Euphausia crystallorophias and Metridia gerlachei are predominating. Compared with the low overall abundance the number of regularly occurring species is high (55) due to many neritic forms. Herbivores and omnivores are dominating (58% and 35%). The North-eastern Shelf Community has highest abundances (about 31 000 ind./1000 m3). It is predominated by copepodites I–III of Calanus propinquus and Calanoides acutus (61%). The faunal composition is characterized by both oceanic and neritic species (64). Fine-filter feeders are prevailing (65%). The Oceanic Community has a mean abundance of approximately 23 000 ind./1000 m3, consisting of 61 species. Dominances are not as pronounced as in the shelf communities. Apart from abundant species like Calanus propinquus, Calanoides acutus, Metridia gerlachei, Oithona spp. and Oncaea spp. many typical inhabitants of the Eastwind Drift are encountered. All feeding types have about the same importance in the Oceanic Community

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