Oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and neurotransmission in freshwater snail (Pomacea patula) exposed to a water-accommodated fraction of crude oil

Background. Crude oil is a super mixture of chemical compounds and is commonly found in aquatic environments. The tegogolo (Pomacea patula Baker, 1922) is a Mexican freshwater snail endemic to Lake Catemaco in Veracruz; currently, however, its distribution has expanded to many freshwater ecosystems that suffer the impact of crude oil spills and oil byproducts like fuels. Goals. To assess a series of biomarkers involved in oxidative stress, neurotransmission, and fatty acid metabolism in tegogolos exposed to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Maya crude oil (MCO). Methods. Tegogolo specimens were exposed to WAF of MCO obtained from loads of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L. We evaluated ROS ( O2 -* and H2O2), oxidative stress (TBARS and RC=O), enzymes involved in antioxidant defense (SOD, CAT, and GPx), some enzymes involved in neurotransmission (AChE, GDA, and CbE activities), and biomarkers of fatty acids metabolism (fatty acids levels and AOX activity). Results. Clear biomarkers responses were observed only in some tissues. ROS were clearly higher than controls in the foot, head, and kidney; however, others biomarkers of oxidative stress remain statistically unchanged. SOD response was irregular with respect to controls and treatments. In contrast, CAT (foot) and GPx (foot and intestine) were the more active enzymes and their activities were higher than in controls. The responses of some enzymes involved in neurotransmission suggest that compensation mechanisms exist between AChE and GDA in the foot and head. Fatty acids metabolism increased with exposure to WAF; however, these types of biomarkers seem unsuitable for monitoring the toxic effects produced by WAF at low environmental concentrations. Conclusions. We can conclude that under the exposure conditions discussed herein, the tegogolos showed acclimation to WAF of Maya crude oil by complex mechanisms.Background. Crude oil is a super mixture of chemical compounds and is commonly found in aquatic environments. The tegogolo (Pomacea patula Baker, 1922) is a Mexican freshwater snail endemic to Lake Catemaco in Veracruz; currently, however, its distribution has expanded to many freshwater ecosystems that suffer the impact of crude oil spills and oil byproducts like fuels. Goals. To assess a series of biomarkers involved in oxidative stress, neurotransmission, and fatty acid metabolism in tegogolos exposed to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Maya crude oil (MCO). Methods. Tegogolo specimens were exposed to WAF of MCO obtained from loads of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L. We evaluated ROS ( O2-* and H2O2), oxidative stress (TBARS and RC=O), enzymes involved in antioxidant defense (SOD, CAT, and GPx), some enzymes involved in neurotransmission (AChE, GDA, and CbE activities), and biomarkers of fatty acids metabolism (fatty acids levels and AOX activity). Results. Clear biomarkers responses were observed only in some tissues. ROS were clearly higher than controls in the foot, head, and kidney; however, others biomarkers of oxidative stress remain statistically unchanged. SOD response was irregular with respect to controls and treatments. In contrast, CAT (foot) and GPx (foot and intestine) were the more active enzymes and their activities were higher than in controls. The responses of some enzymes involved in neurotransmission suggest that compensation mechanisms exist between AChE and GDA in the foot and head. Fatty acids metabolism increased with exposure to WAF; however, these types of biomarkers seem unsuitable for monitoring the toxic effects produced by WAF at low environmental concentrations. Conclusions. We can conclude that under the exposure conditions discussed herein, the tegogolos showed acclimation to WAF of Maya crude oil by complex mechanisms.Background. Crude oil is a super mixture of chemical compounds and is commonly found in aquatic environments. Thetegogolo (Pomacea patula Baker, 1922) is a Mexican freshwater snail endemic to Lake Catemaco in Veracruz; currently,however, its distribution has expanded to many freshwater ecosystems that suffer the impact of crude oil spills and oilbyproducts like fuels. Goals. To assess a series of biomarkers involved in oxidative stress, neurotransmission, and fatty acidmetabolism in tegogolos exposed to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Maya crude oil (MCO). Methods. Tegogolospecimens were exposed to WAF of MCO obtained from loads of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L. We evaluated ROS ( O2-* and H2O2),oxidative stress (TBARS and RC=O), enzymes involved in antioxidant defense (SOD, CAT, and GPx), some enzymes involvedin neurotransmission (AChE, GDA, and CbE activities), and biomarkers of fatty acids metabolism (fatty acids levels and AOXactivity). Results. Clear biomarkers responses were observed only in some tissues. ROS were clearly higher than controls inthe foot, head, and kidney; however, others biomarkers of oxidative stress remain statistically unchanged. SOD response wasirregular with respect to controls and treatments. In contrast, CAT (foot) and GPx (foot and intestine) were the more activeenzymes and their activities were higher than in controls. The responses of some enzymes involved in neurotransmission suggestthat compensation mechanisms exist between AChE and GDA in the foot and head. Fatty acids metabolism increasedwith exposure to WAF; however, these types of biomarkers seem unsuitable for monitoring the toxic effects produced by WAFat low environmental concentrations. Conclusions. We can conclude that under the exposure conditions discussed herein,the tegogolos showed acclimation to WAF of Maya crude oil by complex mechanisms

Estrés oxidativo en peces inducido por retardantes de flama bromados, una revisión

Background. Flame retardants are compounds that are applied as additives to various products in order to reduce fire risks, among the most used are brominated flame retardants (BFR) due to their cost and efficiency. These compounds can reach and impact aquatic environments; however, a review of oxidative stress in fish is lacking. Goals. To provide a review on the induction of oxidative stress in fish induced by brominated flame retardants and to contribute new lines of research. Methods. A Google Scholar search was carried out and thirty articles were considered according to the inclusion criteria. Results. Brominated flame retardants are capable of inducing reactive oxygen species, damage to cell membranes, proteins and DNA, as well as mo- difying the response of biomarkers related to antioxidant defence. It was also found in in vitro studies that a possible cause of oxidative stress induction by these compounds occurs through alterations in mitochondrial activity that cause increases in the production of reactive oxygen species. Conclusions. It is necessary to increase studies that consider BFR mixtures, particularly tetrabromobisphenol A and the new brominated flame retardants because their presence in the environment is likely due to the absence of regulatory restrictions on their use. Carry out studies with fish species with reduced geographical distribution due to their high susceptibility to pollutants. Use biomarkers that involve oxidative damage and antioxidant defences to obtain a broad panorama of these phenomena in the same study and contribute to other toxicological investigations that collaborate in the establishment of standards that control the release of these pollutants into the environment.Antecedentes. Los retardantes de flama son compuestos que se aplican como aditivos a diversos productos con el fin de reducir riesgos de incendios, entre los más usados se encuentran los retardantes de flama bromados (RFB) por su costo y eficiencia. Estos compuestos pueden alcanzar e impactar a los ambientes acuáticos; sin embargo, se carece de una revisión sobre el estrés oxidativo que ocasionan en los peces. Objetivos. Proveer una revisión sobre la inducción de estrés oxidativo en peces ocasionado por retardantes de flama bromados y aportar nuevas líneas de investigación. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda en Google Académico y se consideraron treinta artículos de acuerdo a los criterios de inclusión. Resultados. Los retardantes de flama bromados son capaces de inducir especies reactivas del oxígeno, daños en las membranas celulares, proteínas y en el ADN, así como modificar la respuesta de biomarcadores relacionados con la defensa antioxidante. También se encontró en estudios in vitro que una posible causa de inducción de es- trés oxidativo por estos compuestos ocurre a través de alteraciones en la actividad mitocondrial que causa incrementos en la producción de especies reactivas del oxígeno. Conclusiones. Es necesario incrementar estudios que consideren mezclas de RFB, particularmente, al tetrabromobisfenol A y a los nuevos retardantes de flama bromados debido a que su presencia en el ambiente es probable por la ausencia de restricciones normativas en su uso. Realizar estudios con especies de peces con reducida distribución geográfica por su alta susceptibilidad a contaminantes. Utilizar biomarcadores que involucren al daño oxidativo y a las defensas antioxidantes en un mismo estudio para obtener un panorama amplio de estos fenómenos y contribuir con otras investigaciones toxicológicas que colaboren al establecimiento de normas que controlen la liberación de estos contaminantes al ambiente

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2