Assessment of metals bound to marine plankton proteins and to dissolved proteins in seawater

Studies based on laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA–ICP-MS) have been performed to assess metal bound to dissolved proteins and proteins from marine plankton after two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE). Dissolved proteins were pre-concentrated from surface seawater (60 L) by tangential ultrafiltration with 10 kDa molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membranes and further centrifugal ultrafiltration (10 kDa) before proteins isolation by methanol/chloroform/water precipitation. Proteins isolation from plankton was assessed after different trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone and methanol washing stages, and further proteins extraction with a phenol solution. LA–ICP-MS analysis of the electrophoretic profiles obtained for dissolved proteins shows the presence of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn in five spots analyzed. These proteins exhibit quite similar molecular weights (within the 10–14 kDa range) and pIs (from 5.8 to 7.3). Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn have also been found to be associated to proteins isolated from plankton samples. In this case, Cd has been found to be bound to proteins of quite different molecular weight (9, 13 and 22 kDa) and pIs (4.5, 5.2, 5.5, and 10). However, trace elements such as Cr, Cu and Zn appear to be mainly bound to plankton proteins of low molecular weight and variable pI

Three-year outcome after transanal versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision in locally advanced rectal cancer : a multicenter comparative analysis

Altres ajuts: This work has been funded by the Resident Award "Emili Letang," granted by Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Research, Innovation, and Education Departments (Grant number: 25_delacyoliverb_250709_cgicm_pfr2018). The funder of this study supported the data collection and database management.For patients with mid and distal rectal cancer, robust evidence on long-term outcome and causal treatment effects of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is lacking. This multicentre retrospective cohort study aimed to assess whether TaTME reduces locoregional recurrence rate compared to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LapTME). Consecutive patients with rectal cancer within 12 cm from the anal verge and clinical stage II-III were selected from three institutional databases. Outcome after TaTME (Nov 2011 - Feb 2018) was compared to a historical cohort of patients treated with LapTME (Jan 2000 - Feb 2018) using the inverse probability of treatment weights method. The primary endpoint was three-year locoregional recurrence. A total of 710 patients were analysed, 344 in the TaTME group and 366 in the LapTME group. At 3 years, cumulative locoregional recurrence rates were 3.6% (95% CI, 1.1-6.1) in the TaTME group and 9.6% (95% CI, 6.5-12.7) in the LapTME group (HR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.23-0.69; p = 0.001). Three-year cumulative disease-free survival rates were 74.3% (95% CI, 68.8-79.8) and 68.6% (95% CI, 63.7-73.5) (HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65-1.02; p = 0.078) and three-year overall survival 87.2% (95% CI, 82.7-91.7) and 82.2% (95% CI, 78.0-86.2) (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.53-1.03; p = 0.077), respectively. In patients who underwent sphincter preservation procedures, TaTME was associated with a significantly better disease-free survival (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62-0.98; p = 0.033). These findings suggest that TaTME may improve locoregional recurrence and disease-free survival rates among patients with mid and distal locally advanced rectal cancer

Learning form Nature to improve the heat generation of iron-oxide nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia applications.

The performance of magnetic nanoparticles is intimately entwined with their structure, mean size and magnetic anisotropy. Besides, ensembles offer a unique way of engineering the magnetic response by modifying the strength of the dipolar interactions between particles. Here we report on an experimental and theoretical analysis of magnetic hyperthermia, a rapidly developing technique in medical research and oncology. Experimentally, we demonstrate that single-domain cubic iron oxide particles resembling bacterial magnetosomes have superior magnetic heating efficiency compared to spherical particles of similar sizes. Monte Carlo simulations at the atomic level corroborate the larger anisotropy of the cubic particles in comparison with the spherical ones, thus evidencing the beneficial role of surface anisotropy in the improved heating power. Moreover we establish a quantitative link between the particle assembling, the interactions and the heating properties. This knowledge opens new perspectives for improved hyperthermia, an alternative to conventional cancer therapies

A multidisciplinary approach to identify priority areas for the monitoring of a vulnerable family of fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks

Background Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA—Atlantic- and PNAC—Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA. Results Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, S. acus, and S. abaster, and a novel 16S rDNA haplotype was obtained in N. maculatus. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic divergent mitochondrial lineage of Syngnathus abaster species in PNAC. Conclusions This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess the occurrence of a species complex for S. abaster, discarding potential misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and evaluate migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.Postprin

Plan gallego de hospitalización a domicilio. Estrategia HADO 2019-2023

Documento estratéxico que pretende potenciar e consolidar a hospitalización a domicilio como un modelo asistencial do Servizo Galego de Saúde e garantir o seu desenvolvemento nos próximos seis anos, establecendo criterios homoxéneos de atención coa finalidade de normalizar os modelos asistenciais, carteira de servizos e fluxos de traballo para asegurar una asistencia sanitaria de calidadeDocumento estratégico que pretende potenciar y consolidar la hospitalización a domicilio como un modelo asistencial del Servicio Gallego de Salud y garantizar su desarrollo en los próximos seis años, estableciendo criterios homogéneos de atención con la finalidad de normalizar los modelos asistenciales, cartera de servicios y flujos de trabajo para asegurar una asistencia sanitaria de calida

Estudios de marcado y recaptura de especies marinas

Los resultados obtenidos del marcado y posterior recaptura de los ejemplares son una herramienta muy valiosa para contribuir a mejorar el conocimiento de la biología y ecología de una especie, examinando ciertos aspectos como son: el crecimiento, los movimientos o migraciones, la mortalidad o supervivencia, la abundancia y distribución de la especie, el hábitat y diferenciación de poblaciones o stocks. Actualmente la técnica de marcado se aplica a muchas especies, tanto terrestres como marinas, pertenecientes a diversos grupos zoológicos: peces, crustáceos, reptiles, moluscos y mamíferos. Este libro repasa algunos ejemplos de marcado de especies marinas de interés comercial. No todas las especies pueden ser marcadas, porque es necesario cumplir una serie de requisitos para poder llevar a cabo con éxito un experimento de marcado. En uno de los apartados de esta guía, se describen los distintos aspectos a tener en cuenta para obtener buenos resultados. Se describen los principales proyectos de marcado actualmente en ejecución o en marcha llevados a cabo por el Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO). En primer lugar, se describe brevemente la especie, su distribución, crecimiento, reproducción, alimentación, etc. A continuación, se presenta la información del marcado, es decir, campañas realizadas, número de ejemplares marcados y algunos de los resultados obtenidos hasta la fecha a partir de las recapturas disponibles. En algunas especies, los programas de marcado se llevan realizando desde hace más de 20 años, como es el caso del atún rojo, por lo que la información disponible es bastante amplia. En otros casos por el contrario como la merluza, los proyectos son relativamente recientes, no obstante los resultados son bastante interesantes y prometedores.Nowadays many different marine animals are being tagged. This book summarizes recent tagging programs carried out by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). Although the objectives of these various studies mainly depend on the species and each project in particular, the general aim is to better understand the biology and ecology of these animals the structure and dynamics of their populations and their capacity to respond to human activities. This book provides an overview of different aspects of this technique such as a brief history of tagging, the types of tags currently used, including both conventional and electronic tags, where and how to put them on the marine animals, some recommendations regarding how to perform a tagging survey and where to go or what to do if anyone recovers a tagged fish or marine animal. The book then summarizes the main species tagged by the IEO, making a short description of their biology followed by some of the results obtained from tagging studies undertaken until now. Other applications are to know the spatial distribution (spawning or feeding areas), estimate growth parameters, mortality and survival rates, longevity, the size of the population or identifying stocks. Nowadays the advances in electronics have also open new fields such us the possibility of tracking an animal and knowing its habitat preferences and behaviour. Besides some of these tags have the capacity of recording this information during long periods and sending the data from long distances even without the need to recover the animal. Tagging activities constitute a very useful tool to improve the knowledge of many species and contribute to their management and conservation. For that reason this methodology is included in many IEO projects in which other activities like the monitoring of the fishery (landings, fishing effort, fleet characteristics, fishing areas, biological sampling, etc.) are carried out. Some projects are related with coastal pelagic fisheries including anchovy, sardine and mackerel or oceanic pelagic fisheries like tuna and billfish species and pelagic sharks. Others are focused on benthic and demersal species such as hake, black spot seabream, anglerfish, flatfish, etc. Nevertheless not all species can be tagged, as they have to survive being caught and handled before being release. For this reason, tagging techniques may not easily be applied to some species.Versión del edito

Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry for the determination of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in seawater after ionic imprinted polymer based solid phase extraction

The capabilities of a synthesized ionic imprinted polymer (IIP), originally prepared for Ni recognition/pre-concentration from seawater, have been evaluated for other trace elements pre-concentration. The polymer has been synthesized by the precipitation polymerization technique using a ternary pre-polymerization complex formed by the template (Ni), the monomer (2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, DEM) and a non-vinylated chelating agent (8-hydroxyquinoline, 8-HQ). Since the complexing agent (8-HQ) is trapped into the polymeric matrix, but is not linked to the polymer chains, specific interactions between the functional groups (present in the monomer and the complexing agent) and other trace elements rather than Ni may occur. Results have shown that the IIP offers imprinting properties for the template (Ni(II)) and also for Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), As(V) and Cd(II), with analytical recoveries close to 100% for all elements except for As(V) and Cd(II) (around 70%), whereas the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) did not show affinity for any trace element. In addition, the polymer does not interact with alkaline or alkaline-earth metals, so Na, K, Mg and Ca from the seawater salt matrix could be effectively removed. Variables affecting the IIP-solid phase extraction (SPE) process (pH, load flow rate and concentration and volume of the eluting solution) were completely studied. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been used as multi-element detectors. Acidified seawater samples must only be treated to fix an alkaline pH (8.5 ± 0.5) and passed through IIP-SPE cartridges. After seawater sample loading (250 mL), analytes were eluted with 2.5 mL of 2.0 M nitric acid, offering a pre-concentration factor of 100. Therefore, the limits of detection (LODs) of the method were 0.14, 0.15, 0.18 and 0.03 μg L-1, for Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, when using ICP-OES detection and 0.0022, 0.0065, 0.0040 and 0.009 μg L-1, for Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, for ICP-MS detection. Accuracy of the method was assessed by analyzing SLEW-3 (estuarine water), and TM-23.3 and TM-24 (lake water) certified reference materials. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

No effects of habitat, prey abundance and competitor carnivore abundance on fecal cortisol metabolite levels in wildcats (Felis silvestris)

Conservation physiology is an important tool used to understand how variation in the natural environment can evoke a physiological stress response in free-living animals. The aim of this study was to analyze how fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) levels vary in response to habitat type, prey abundance and interspecific competition in a free-living population of wildcats in northwest Spain. We collected 110 fresh fecal samples from 25 wildcats along 28 transects between May 2005 and June 2009. To determine habitat characteristics and competing carnivore abundance, we defined 110 circular plots with the fresh wildcat scat at the center. For each plot, we sampled habitat variables, competitor carnivore abundance (pine marten [Martes martes] and red fox [Vulpes vulpes]) and prey abundance (wood mice [Apodemus sylvaticus]). Our results indicate that habitat variables, interference competition and main prey abundance did not significantly affect FCM levels in wildcatsThis paper is a contribution to the projects CAm-UCM no. 920694, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and CCG10-AUM/AMB-5325; DGUI of the Comunidad de Madrid and Universidad Autónoma de Madri

Ionic imprinted polymer for nickel recognition by using the bi-functionalized 5-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline as a monomer Application as a new solid phase extraction support

A new ionic imprinted polymer (IIP) for Ni(II) recognition/pre-concentration was prepared via precipitation polymerization using 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DEM) and divinylbenzene (DVB) as a crosslinking agent in the presence of nickel(II) and 5-vynil-8-hydroxyquinoline (5-VHQ) as a bi-functionalized ligand. An important increase on the selectivity of the synthesised IIP for nickel(II) ions was obtained when comparing to the use of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) as a ligand. The synthesised IIP was used as a new support for solid phase extraction (SPE) of nickel(II) from seawater before inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) detection. Variables affecting the SPE process, such as pH, load and elution flow rates, and concentration and volume of the eluting solution, were fully evaluated. The optimised procedure consists of a sample loading (100 mL of seawater at a pH of 9.0 ± 0.1) through IIP-SPE cartridges containing 300 mg of the synthesised IIP at a flow rate of 3.0 mL min- 1. Elution was performed by passing 2.5 mL of 2.0 M nitric acid at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min- 1, which gave a pre-concentration factor of 40. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.26 μg L- 1, while the relative standard deviation (RSD) for eleven replicated measurements was 3%. Accuracy of the method was assessed by analyzing SLEW-3 (estuarine water) and TM-23.3 (lake water) certified reference materials. In addition to the selectivity of the synthesised material for nickel(II) ions against other transition metal ions and major alkaline and alkaline-earth metals (Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) in seawater, it can be stated that the salt matrix is efficiently removed by using the proposed IIP-SPE procedure. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved