Detection of the phycotoxin pectenotoxin-2 in waters around King George Island, Antarctica

In order to set a base line for the observation of planktonic community changes due to global change, protistan plankton sampling in combination with phycotoxin measurements and solid phase adsorption toxin tracking (SPATT) was performed in two bays of King George Island (KGI) in January 2013 and 2014. In addition, SPATT sampling was performed in Potter Cove during a one-year period from January 2014 until January 2015. Known toxigenic taxa were not firmly identified in plankton samples but there was microscopical evidence for background level presence of Dinophysis spp. in the area. This was consistent with environmental conditions during the sampling periods, especially strong mixing of the water column and low water temperatures that do not favor dinoflagellate proliferations. Due to the lack of significant abundance of thecate toxigenic dinoflagellate species in microplankton samples, no phycotoxins were found in net tow samples. In contrast, SPATT sampling revealed the presence of dissolved pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2) and its hydrolyzed form PTX-2 seco acid in both bays and during the entire one-year sampling period. The presence of dissolved PTX in coastal waters of KGI is strong new evidence for the presence of PTX-producing species, i.e., dinoflagellates of the genus Dinophysis in the area. The presence of phycotoxins and their respective producers, even at the low background concentrations found in this study, may be the seed of possible proliferations of these species under changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, phycotoxins can be used as chemotaxonomic markers for a very specific group of plankton thus allowing to track the presence of this group over time.Fil: Krock, Bernd. Alfred Wegener Institut-Helmholtz Zentrum für Polarund Meeresforschung; AlemaniaFil: Schloss, Irene Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Trefault, Nicole. Universidad de Santiago de Chile; ChileFil: Tillmann, Urban. Alfred Wegener Institut-Helmholtz Zentrum für Polarund Meeresforschung; AlemaniaFil: Hernando, Marcelo Pablo. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; ArgentinaFil: Deregibus, Dolores. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Antoni, Julieta Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Almandoz, Gaston Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Hoppenrath, Mona. Alfred Wegener Institut-Helmholtz Zentrum für Polarund Meeresforschung; Alemani

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Ensayos de toxicidad de zinc sobre la diatomea bentónica Halamphora luciae (Amphipleuraceae, Ochrophyta)

Se evaluó el efecto del zinc en cultivos axénicos de la diatomea bentónica Halamphora luciae aislada a partir de los sedimentos superficiales del estuario de Bahía Blanca. Las hipótesis que se pusieron a prueba fueron: a) la exposición al zinc produce una alteración en la tasa de crecimiento y composición de pigmentos fotosintéticos, b) la exposición al metal desencadena un estado de estrés oxidativo que provoca daño en los lípidos, aumento de compuestos fenólicos y aumento de la actividad superóxido dismutasa, c) en presencia del metal aumenta la movilidad celular conjuntamente con la producción de mucílago extracelular, d) las células crecidas en presencia de zinc exhiben cambios en la morfología y tamaño de los frústulos. Todos los bioensayos se hicieron por cuadruplicado en cristalizadores inoculados con 200 x 103 células e incubados a 12°C y con un fotoperíodo 12:12. Se seleccionaron dos puntos finales para los bioensayos (4 y 9 días, fase aguda y crónica, respectivamente).Se aplicó un ANOVA de dos factores (tratamiento y tiempo), considerando significativas las diferencias para p<0,05. Para determinar la CI50, se hicieron cultivos por triplicado en medio marino f/2 adicionados con dosis crecientes del metal y se determinó un valor de 50 μM. La exposición a la CI50 no modificó la tasa de crecimiento exponencial pero redujo a la mitad la densidad final de células. Tanto la cantidad de hidratos de carbono solubles en el medio de cultivo como la relación entre la concentración de clorofila a y de los pigmentos antena no varió luego de la exposición al zinc en ambos puntos finales. La etapa aguda se caracterizó por un aumento en el porcentaje de células en movimiento, una mayor producción de mucílago y la duplicación de la actividad superóxido dismutasa. Hacia la fase crónica solo se detectó un aumento significativo en la velocidad de desplazamiento de las células tratadas con zinc. En ambos tiempos, no se registró un incremento en los compuestos fenólicos ni en la peroxidación de lípidos. El análisis de sustancias poliméricas extracelulares solubles mostró una mayor heterogeneidad en los productos aislados de los cultivos con metal pero en ambos casos la glucosa fue el monosacárido mayoritario. La morfología del frústulo no presentó teratologías, pero disminuyó la relación superficie/volumen y el tamaño de las areolas en las células expuestas al metal. De los resultados observados se concluye que la biomasa celular, la movilidad, la relación superficie/volumen de las células, el tamaño de las areolas y la cuantificación de la actividad superóxido dismutasa resultan buenos indicadores de la toxicidad del zinc en bioensayos incubados durante 96 horas para la diatomea Halamphora luciae.Fil:Antoni, Julieta Silvina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, zooplankton and environmental data from Potter Cove during summers 2010-2020

This dataset contains the Chlorophyll a concentration, phytoplankton abundance, phytoplankton biomass of the most representative taxa, micro and mesozooplankton abundance and sea surface temperature average. Data and samples for this study were obtained in Potter Cove(PC, 25 de Mayo/King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, 62°14'S, 58°38'W) during consecutive austral summers (January to March) of 2010-2020, except for 2015 when samples could not be collected. Water samples for phytoplankton, microzooplankton, total suspended particular matter, and chlorophyll a (Chl-a), along with CTD data, were collected at three sampling stations: E1 (inner cove, 62.232 S; 58.666 W), E2 (62.232 S; 58.688 W) and E3 (outer of cove, 62.269 S, 58.713 W). Sampling was conducted mostly biweekly and monthly samples were collected in summer 2012.Fil: Antoni, Julieta Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; ArgentinaFil: Almandoz, Gaston Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; ArgentinaFil: Schloss, Irene Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Maximiliano Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Gobierno de la Provincia de la Pampa. Ministerio Publico.; Argentin

Zinc-induced stress on cells of Halamphora luciae (Bacillariophyceae)

The aim of the present paper was to study the effect of zinc on the benthic diatom Halamphora luciae. Bioassays using the metal concentration corresponding to the ICzn50 were terminated in two selected endpoints: day 4 (acute phase) and day 9 (chronic phase). A 1.4- and 2.2-fold reduction in Zn2+ with respect to the initial cation concentration was estimated by atomic absorption at days 4 and 9, respectively and was attributed both to precipitation of insoluble carbonates and oxides at alkaline pH and to biosorption. Carrying capacity of Zn-exposed cultures diminished even when growth rate remained unchanged, suggesting some degree of acclimation of the strain to metal stress. Zn stimulated cell bleaching together with the shift into the lipogenic phase, denoted by total lipid quantification and bigger lipid bodies volumes. Lipid peroxidation and phenolic compounds dosage revealed no major metal-induced oxidative stress. On the other hand, metal exposure had an antagonistic effect on the activation of alkaline phosphatase activity after phosphorus starvation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, cell motility and mucilage secretion were enhanced only during acute exposure. Soluble extracellular polymeric substances (S-EPS) from Zn-exposed cultures denoted a higher heterogeneity in monosaccharide composition. Frustules from metal-exposed cells presented a reduction in areolae diameter together with a lower area:volume ratio of the cells due to the addition of cingular bands.Fil: Antoni, Julieta Silvina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; ArgentinaFil: Daglio, Yasmin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Areco, María del Mar. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, María Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentin

Summer heatwaves affect coastal Antarctic plankton metabolism and community structure

In the austral summer of 2020, record high temperatures were registered in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. This offered a unique opportunity to evaluate the effect of extreme sea surface temperature and natural heatwaves on the metabolic balance (i.e. the balance between production and respiration), lipid damage and the possible change in lipid composition of coastal Antarctic (Potter Cove, King George/25 de Mayo Island, South Shetlands) microbial communities. Two marine heatwaves, one in January and a second one in February 2020 showed mean temperatures of 1.8 °C above the 20-year climatology values. During the first heatwave, a rapid and strong (60%) decrease in microbial community biomass was observed, Criptophyceae were replaced by unidentified nanophytoflagellates and other heterotrophic groups. The community experienced an increase in heterotrophic metabolism via an increase in community respiration (CR, 12.79 mmolO2 m−3d−1) and a negative net community production (NCP, −14.9 ± 0.31 mmolO2 m−3d−1), leading to a production:respiration (P:R) rate 1, associated with an active autotrophic community. Again, significant lipid damage, a decrease in saturated FAs and ⍵6 polyunsaturated FAs, and an increase in MUFAs occurred. This field study validates previous experimental results on changes in natural plankton composition and physiology under global warming scenarios.Fil: Latorre, Maite Pilmayquen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Iachetti, Clara Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Schloss, Irene Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Antoni, Julieta Silvina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Malits, Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; ArgentinaFil: de la Rosa, Florencia Grisel. Universidad de Morón. Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnología. Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Experimentales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: De Troch, M.. University of Ghent; BélgicaFil: Garcia, Maximiliano Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Flores Melo, Elizabeth Ximena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Silvia Inés. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval; ArgentinaFil: Gil, Monica Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Hernando, Marcelo Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentin

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat