Dynamics of suspended sediment borne persistent organic pollutants in a large regulated Mediterranean river (Ebro, NE Spain)

Mediterranean rivers are characterized by highly variable hydrological regimes that are strongly dependent on the seasonal rainfall. Sediment transport is closely related to the occurrence of flash-floods capable to deliver enough kinetic energy to mobilize the bed and channel sediments. Contaminants accumulated in the sediments are likely to be mobilized as well during such events. However, whereas there are many studies characterizing contaminants in steady sediments, those devoted to the transport dynamics of suspended-sediment borne pollution are lacking. Here we examined the occurrence and transport of persistent organic microcontaminants present in the circulating suspended sediments during a controlled flushing flow in the low part of the River Ebro (NE Spain) 12km downstream of a well-known contaminated hot-spot associated to a nearby chloro-alkali industry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and semi-volatile organochlorine pollutants (DDT and related compounds, DDX; polychlorinated byphenils, PCBs; and other organochlorine compound, OCs) were measured in the particulate material by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS, using previously developed analytical methods. The concentration levels observed were compared to previously reported values in steady sediments in the same river and discussed on a regulatory perspective. Hydrographs and sedigraphs recorded showed a peak-flow of 1300m3s-1 and a corresponding peak of suspended sediments of 315mgL-1. Combination of flow discharge, suspended sediments and pollutants' concentrations data allowed for quantifying the mass flows (mass per unit of time) and setting the load budgets (weight amount) of the different pollutants transported by the river during the monitored event. Mean mass-flows and total load values found were 20.2mgs-1 (400g) for PAHs, 38mgs-1 (940g) for DDX, 44mgs-1 (1038g) for PCBs and 8mgs-1 (200g) for OCs. The dynamic pattern behavior of PAHs differs substantially to that of organochlorine pollutants, thus reflecting different pollution origins.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 project SCARCE (CSD2009-00065) and by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Consolidated Research Group: Water and Soil Quality Unit 2009-SGR-965). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Comunities 7th Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-Globaqua.Peer reviewe

Taxonomical and nomenclatural notes in the genus Cheirolophus Cass. (Asteraceae, Centaureinae)

Es lectotipifica i es reivindica el valor taxonòmic de Cheirolophus cavanillesianus nomo nov. [Centaurea virgata Cav., sinònim reemplaçat, syn. subst.) (Asteraceae, Centaureinae), espècie descrita per A. J. Cavanilles el 1795 per a la província d'Alacant. Dins d'aquest taxon, incloem a nivell subespecífic la varietat capillifolius [Ch. cavanillesianus subsp. capillifolius, combo & stat. nov.), taxon indicat per a diverses localitats de la província d'Alacant. Així mateix, es realitza la lectotipificació de Ch. intybaceus (Lam.) Dostál.We propose the lectotypification as well as the taxonomic value for Cheirolophus cavanillesianus nomo nov. [Centaurea virgata Cav., replaced synonym, syn. subst.) (Asteraceae, Centaureinae), a plant species described by A. J. Cavanilles in 1795 for the province of Alicante. Within this taxon we raise up to the subspecies level the variety capillifolius [Ch. cavanillesianus subsp. capillifolius, combo & stat. nov.), taxa indicated for sorne populations of the Alicante coast. Moreover, Ch. intybaceus (Lam.) Dostál has also been lectotypified

c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation is a biomarker of plitidepsin activity

Plitidepsin is an antitumor drug of marine origin currently in Phase III clinical trials in multiple myeloma. In cultured cells, plitidepsin induces cell cycle arrest or an acute apoptotic process in which sustained activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a crucial role. With a view to optimizing clinical use of plitidepsin, we have therefore evaluated the possibility of using JNK activation as an in vivo biomarker of response. In this study, we show that administration of a single plitidepsin dose to mice xenografted with human cancer cells does indeed lead to increased phosphorylation of JNK in tumors at 4 to 12 h. By contrast, no changes were found in other in vitro plitidepsin targets such as the levels of phosphorylated-ERK, -p38MAPK or the protein p27KIP1. Interestingly, plitidepsin also increased JNK phosphorylation in spleens from xenografted mice showing similar kinetics to those seen in tumors, thereby suggesting that normal tissues might be useful for predicting drug activity. Furthermore, plitidepsin administration to rats at plasma concentrations comparable to those achievable in patients also increased JNK phosphorylation in peripheral mononuclear blood cells. These findings suggest that changes in JNK activity provide a reliable biomarker for plitidepsin activity and this could be useful for designing clinical trials and maximizing the efficacy of plitidepsin.This work has been partially supported by grants (Programa Cenit, CEN-20091016, SAF2010-18302 and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, RD12/0036/0021) from Ministerio de Economíay Competitividad of Spain.S

Proteomics and gene expression analyses of squalene-supplemented mice identify microsomal thioredoxin domain-containing protein 5 changes associated with hepatic steatosis

Squalene is an abundant hydrocarbon present in virgin olive oil. Previous studies showed that its administration decreased atherosclerosis and steatosis in male apoE-knock-out mice. To study its effects on microsomal proteins, 1 g/kg/day of squalene was administered to those mice. After 10 weeks, hepatic fat content was assessed and protein extracts of microsomal enriched fractions from control and squalene-treated animals were analyzed by 2D-DIGE. Spots exhibiting significant differences were identified by peptide fingerprinting and MSMS analysis. Squalene administration modified the expression of thirty-one proteins involved in different metabolic functions and increased the levels of those involved in vesicle transport, protein folding and redox status. Only mRNA levels of 9 genes (Arg1, Atp5b, Cat, Hyou1, Nipsnap1, Pcca, Pcx, Pyroxd2, and Txndc5) paralleled these findings. No such mRNA changes were observed in wild-type mice receiving squalene. Thioredoxin domain-containing protein 5 (TXNDC5) protein and mRNA levels were significantly associated with hepatic fat content in apoE-ko mice. These results suggest that squalene action may be executed through a complex regulation of microsomal proteins, both at the mRNA and post-transcriptional levels and the presence of apoE may change the outcome. Txndc5 reflects the anti-steatotic properties of squalene and the sensitivity to lipid accumulation

Osteoporosis en alcoholismo crónico : un problema infravalorado. Incidencia y complicaciones de las fracturas en el paciente alcohólico

Main goal. To estimate the incidence of pathologic fractures and associated complications in patients in follow-up for moderate to severe chronic alcoholism by the Unidad de Conductas Adictivas (UCA) of our health area. To highlight the importance of recognizing osteoporosis in patients with chronic alcoholism in order to establish strategies for prevention of both primary and secondary fractures. Material and methods. Retrospective analysis of patients in follow-up for chronic alcoholism by the UCA between 2014 and 2018 that required assessment by the Orthopedics Unit for fractures during that period, excluding fractures in the context of politraumatism. In addition, the complications derived from these fractures were collected and it was determined whether bone densitometry (BMD) was indicated following the main osteoporosis guidelines. Results. The incidence rate of fractures due to low-energy trauma in the selected population during the follow-up period was 7.2 for every 1,000 patients / year. 41% of the 44 study patients suffered new fractures during this period. 33% of the patients with fractures that required surgical treatment suffered major complications. 100% of the patients fulfilled criteria for BMD after the first traumatic event, despite only 20% of them being ultimately performed. Conclusions. The prevalence of fractures and associated complications in alcoholic patients is significantly higher than in the general population. It is necessary to stress the importance of both primary and secondary prevention of pathologic fractures in alcoholic patients, and if they occur, osteosynthesis techniques adapted to an osteoporotic bone should be applied

Tween 80 Improves the Acid-Fast Bacilli Quantification in the Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Biosensing Assay (NCBA)

Despite its reduced sensitivity, sputum smear microscopy (SSM) remains the main diagnostic test for detecting tuberculosis in many parts of the world. A new diagnostic technique, the magnetic nanoparticle-based colorimetric biosensing assay (NCBA) was optimized by evaluating different concentrations of glycan-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (GMNP) and Tween 80 to improve the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) count. Comparative analysis was performed on 225 sputum smears: 30 with SSM, 107 with NCBA at different GMNP concentrations, and 88 with NCBA-Tween 80 at various concentrations and incubation times. AFB quantification was performed by adding the total number of AFB in all fields per smear and classified according to standard guidelines (scanty, 1+, 2+ and 3+). Smears by NCBA with low GMNP concentrations (≤1.5 mg/mL) showed higher AFB quantification compared to SSM. Cell enrichment of sputum samples by combining NCBA-GMNP, incubated with Tween 80 (5%) for three minutes, improved capture efficiency and increased AFB detection up to 445% over SSM. NCBA with Tween 80 offers the opportunity to improve TB diagnostics, mainly in paucibacillary cases. As this method provides biosafety with a simple and inexpensive methodology that obtains results in a short time, it might be considered as a point-of-care TB diagnostic method in regions where resources are limited

Ongrowing European fish species with feeds formulated with a by-product derived from cereal processing

Trabajo presentado en el congreso Aquaculture Europe 2023: Balanced Diversity in Aquaculture Development celebrado en Viena (Austria) entre el 18 y el 21 de septiembre de 2023.The cereal industry generates large amounts of residual by-products with high potential as feed ingredient for aquafeeds. Such raw materials could help to substitute protein and lipids from less sustainable sources such as soy concentrate, wheat flour or oils and reduce the competitiveness between the production of aquafeeds and the use of food for human consumption. In this study, one of these by-products, corn gluten feed, has been tested in dose-response experiments as ingredients in on-growing feeds for two European species (greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili; gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata). The final aim was to examine to what extent this more-sustainable and low-cost product can be used as alternate ingredient for fish feeds.Project SUSTAINFEED, EIT Food 21168, Co-funded by the European Union

Efficacy and safety of givosiran for acute hepatic porphyria: Final results of the randomized phase III ENVISION trial

Background & Aims: Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is caused by defects in hepatic heme biosynthesis, leading to disabling acute neurovisceral attacks and chronic symptoms. In ENVISION (NCT03338816), givosiran treatment for 6 months reduced attacks and other disease manifestations, compared with placebo. Here we report data from the 36-month final analysis of ENVISION. Methods: Ninety-four patients with AHP (age ≥12 years) and recurrent attacks were randomized 1:1 to monthly double-blind subcutaneous givosiran 2.5 mg/kg (N=48) or placebo (N=46) for 6 months. In the open-label extension (OLE) period, 93 patients received givosiran 2.5 or 1.25 mg/kg for 6 months or more before transitioning to 2.5 mg/kg. Endpoints were exploratory unless otherwise noted. Results: During givosiran treatment, median annualized attack rate (AAR) was 0.4. Through Month 36, annualized days of hemin use remained low in the continuous givosiran group (median, 0.0 to 0.4) and decreased in the placebo crossover group (16.2 to 0.4). At end of OLE, in the continuous givosiran and placebo crossover groups, 86% and 92%, respectively, had 0 attacks. AAR was lower than historical AAR in 98% and 100%, respectively (post hoc analysis), and there were 0 days of hemin use in 88% and 90%, respectively. The 12-item Short Form Health Survey physical and mental component scores increased by 8.6 and 8.1, respectively (continuous givosiran) and 9.4 and 3.2, respectively (placebo crossover). EQ-5D health-related questionnaire scores increased by 18.9 (continuous givosiran) and 9.9 (placebo crossover). Lowering of urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen levels was sustained. Safety findings demonstrated a continued positive risk/benefit profile for givosiran

Enhanced superconductivity in atomically thin TaS2

The ability to exfoliate layered materials down to the single layer limit has presented the opportunity to understand how a gradual reduction in dimensionality affects the properties of bulk materials. Here we use this top-down approach to address the problem of superconductivity in the two-dimensional limit. The transport properties of electronic devices based on 2H tantalum disulfide flakes of different thicknesses are presented. We observe that superconductivity persists down to the thinnest layer investigated (3.5 nm), and interestingly, we find a pronounced enhancement in the critical temperature from 0.5 to 2.2 K as the layers are thinned down. In addition, we propose a tight-binding model, which allows us to attribute this phenomenon to an enhancement of the effective electron-phonon coupling constant. This work provides evidence that reducing the dimensionality can strengthen superconductivity as opposed to the weakening effect that has been reported in other 2D materials so far