Inter-estuarine and temporal patterns of the fish assemblage of subtropical subestuaries along the Río de la Plata coast (Uruguay)

Fish assemblages in subestuaries have been poorly studied worldwide. In order to evaluate the inter-estuarine and temporal variability of the ichthyofauna of subestuaries along the Uruguayan coast of the Río de la Plata (RdlP), the Pando, Solís Chico and Solís Grande systems were sampled between 2011 and 2013. Fish biomass, abundance, species richness and diversity indices were analysed, defining fish assemblages characterised by a few species and great abundance. Estuarine resident and freshwater species represented 55.5% of the fish assemblage according to estuarine use guilds. Species occurrence was similar in the three subestuaries, but the relative abundances differed among them. The analysed community parameters showed a decreasing trend from west to east along the Uruguayan coast. Highest diversity and fish abundance were recorded in the Pando system located in the proximities of an important spawning area in the inner RdlP estuary. In the Solís Grande subestuary occurred the lowest species richness and fish abundance. The Solís Chico was characterised as a transitional subsystem. All three subestuaries showed an increase in species richness and abundance during high temperature periods, probably related to the life cycle of the species sharing habitats between the RdlP and the coastal subestuaries. This study constitutes the first step in assessing the fish assemblage patterns in coastal ecosystems of the RdlP and an approach about the ecological role of the subestuaries in the southwest Atlantic Ocean.As assembleias de peixes em subestuários têm sido pouco estudadas no mundo. A fim de avaliar a variabilidade interestuarina e temporal da ictiofauna dos subestuários ao longo da costa uruguaia do Rio da Prata, foram amostrados entre 2011 e 2013 os sistemas Pando, Solís Chico e Solís Grande. A biomassa e abundância de peixes, riqueza de espécies e índices de diversidade foram analisadas, definindo-se que as assembleias de peixes são caracterizadas por apenas algumas espécies e com grande abundância. Espécies residentes estuarinas e de água doce apresentaram 55,5% da assembleia de peixes conforme as guildas de uso do estuário. Embora, a ocorrência de espécies tenha sido semelhante nos três subestuários, a sua abundância relativa foi diferente. Os valores dos parâmetros da comunidade mostraram uma tendência decrescente de oeste para leste ao longo da costa uruguaia. Maior diversidade de peixes e abundância foram registradas no sistema do Pando, localizado nas proximidades de uma importante área de desova no estuário do Rio da Prata interior. No subestuário do Solís Grande foram encontrados menor riqueza e abundância de peixes. Solís Chico foi caracterizado como um subsistema de transição. Os três subestuários mostraram um aumento na riqueza e abundância durante os períodos de temperatura alta, provavelmente relacionada com o ciclo de vida das espécies que compartilham hábitats entre o Rio da Prata e/ou os subestuários costeiros. Este estudo constitui o primeiro passo para avaliar os padrões de peixes no ecossistema costeiro do Rio da Prata e uma abordagem sobre o papel ecológico do subestuários no sudoeste do Oceano Atlântico

Different Antioxidant Efficacy of Two MnII-Containing Superoxide Anion Scavengers on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Exposed Cardiac Muscle Cells

Oxidative stress due to excess superoxide anion ([Formula: see text]) produced by dysfunctional mitochondria is a key pathogenic event of aging and ischemia-reperfusion diseases. Here, a new [Formula: see text]-scavenging MnII complex with a new polyamino-polycarboxylate macrocycle (4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetate) containing 2 quinoline units (MnQ2), designed to improve complex stability and cell permeability, was compared to parental MnII complex with methyls replacing quinolines (MnM2). MnQ2 was more stable than MnM2 (log K = 19.56(8) vs. 14.73(2) for the equilibrium Mn2+ + L2-, where L = Q2 and M2) due to the involvement of quinoline in metal binding and to the hydrophobic features of the ligand which improve metal desolvation upon complexation. As oxidative stress model, H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation. MnQ2 and MnM2 (10 μmol L-1) were added at reoxygenation for 1 or 2 h. The more lipophilic MnQ2 showed more rapid cell and mitochondrial penetration than MnM2. Both MnQ2 and MnM2 abated endogenous ROS and mitochondrial [Formula: see text], decreased cell lipid peroxidation, reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, in terms of efficiency of the respiratory chain and preservation of membrane potential (Δψ) and permeability, decreased the activation of pro-apoptotic caspases 9 and 3, and increased cell viability. Of note, MnQ2 was more effective than MnM2 to exert cytoprotective anti-oxidant effects in the short term. Compounds with redox-inert ZnII replacing the functional MnII were ineffective. This study provides clues which further our understanding of the structure-activity relationships of MnII-chelates and suggests that MnII-polyamino-polycarboxylate macrocycles could be developed as new anti-oxidant drugs

Samambaias aquáticas da bacia do rio de Contas, Bahia, Brasil

Despite their importance to the control of erosion on the banks of rivers, filtration and depollution of waters, shelter for fish, insects and mollusks and the cycling of nutrients in the aquatic environments, few studies have specifically addressed the composition and distribution of aquatic ferns in Brazil. The aim of the present study was to perform an inventory of these plants at 28 points along the Contas River in the state of Bahia, Brazil, distributed in five different environments (lake, river, tributaries, reservoir and delta), and record ecological aspects, such as frequency of occurrence, forms of life and seasonality. Sampling was performed six times between January 2008 and November 2010. Fourteen species of aquatic ferns belonging to seven genera and four families were recorded. The families with the highest species richness were Salviniaceae (5 species) and Pteridaceae (4 species). The highest richness was found in the rainy season (43% of the collection sites), although these plants exhibit adaptations for survival in dry environments and/or periods. Five collection sites had the greatest richness (three tributaries and two in the Funil Reservoir). Less than half of the species (43%) were infrequent. Free-floating and amphibious species were the most representative (36%). The aquatic fern flora in the Contas River is generally rich and exhibits a high degree of representativeness for northeastern Brazil (77.77%).Keywords: aquatic plants, hydrographic basin, ecological aspects.As samambaias aquáticas participam do controle da erosão hídrica das margens, da filtração e despoluição das águas e da ciclagem de nutrientes do ambiente aquático, além de fornecerem proteção e abrigo para diversos animais, entre eles peixes, insetos e moluscos. No entanto, poucos estudos abordam, especificamente, a composição e a distribuição das samambaias aquáticas no Brasil. Assim, este estudo inventariou essas plantas em 28 pontos da bacia do rio de Contas, Bahia, Brasil, distribuídos em cinco ambientes distintos (lagoa, rios, tributários, reservatórios e foz), com registro de aspectos ecológicos (frequências de ocorrência, formas de vida e sazonalidade). Seis amostragens foram realizadas entre janeiro de 2008 e novembro de 2010. Quatorze espécies de samambaias límnicas pertencentes a sete gêneros e quatro famílias foram registradas. As famílias de maior riqueza de espécies foram Salviniaceae (cinco espécies) e Pteridaceae (quatro espécies), sendo o período chuvoso o de maior riqueza (43% dos locais de coleta), apesar dessas plantas apresentarem adaptações para sobreviver em ambientes e/ ou períodos secos. Cinco pontos de coleta apresentaram maior riqueza (três tributários e dois no Reservatório de Funil). Menos da metade das espécies (43%) foi pouco frequente e espécies flutuantes livres e anfíbias foram as mais representativas (36%). No geral, verificou-se que a flora de samambaias aquáticas do rio de Contas é rica e apresenta alta representatividade para a Região Nordeste do Brasil (77,77%).Palavras-chave: plantas aquáticas, bacia hidrográfica, aspectos ecológicos

Dietary essential amino acids for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Aims: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, requiring novel therapeutic and lifestyle interventions. Metabolic alterations and energy production deficit are hallmarks and thereby promising therapeutic targets for this complex clinical syndrome. We aim to study the molecular mechanisms and effects on cardiac function in rodents with HFrEF of a designer diet in which free essential amino acids - in specifically designed percentages - substituted for protein. Methods and results: Wild-type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce left ventricle (LV) pressure overload or sham surgery. Whole body glucose homeostasis was studied with glucose tolerance test, while myocardial dysfunction and fibrosis were measured with echocardiogram and histological analysis. Mitochondrial bioenergetics and morphology were investigated with oxygen consumption rate measurement and electron microscopy evaluation. Circulating and cardiac non-targeted metabolite profiles were analyzed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy, while RNA sequencing was used to identify signalling pathways mainly affected. The amino acid-substituted diet shows remarkable preventive and therapeutic effects. This dietary approach corrects the whole-body glucose metabolism and restores the unbalanced metabolic substrate usage - by improving mitochondrial fuel oxidation - in the failing heart. In particular, biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches suggest that renormalization of branched-chain amino acid oxidation in cardiac tissue, which is suppressed in HFrEF, plays a relevant role. Beyond the changes of systemic metabolism, cell-autonomous processes may explain at least in part the diet's cardioprotective impact. Conclusion: Collectively, these results suggest that manipulation of dietary amino acids, and especially essential amino acids, is a potential adjuvant therapeutic strategy to treat systolic dysfunction and HFrEF in humans

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Female chromosome X mosaicism is age-related and preferentially affects the inactivated X chromosome

To investigate large structural clonal mosaicism of chromosome X, we analysed the SNP microarray intensity data of 38,303 women from cancer genome-wide association studies (20,878 cases and 17,425 controls) and detected 124 mosaic X events >2 Mb in 97 (0.25%) women. Here we show rates for X-chromosome mosaicism are four times higher than mean autosomal rates; X mosaic events more often include the entire chromosome and participants with X events more likely harbour autosomal mosaic events. X mosaicism frequency increases with age (0.11% in 50-year olds; 0.45% in 75-year olds), as reported for Y and autosomes. Methylation array analyses of 33 women with X mosaicism indicate events preferentially involve the inactive X chromosome. Our results provide further evidence that the sex chromosomes undergo mosaic events more frequently than autosomes, which could have implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms of mosaic events and their possible contribution to risk for chronic diseases

Female chromosome X mosaicism is age-related and preferentially affects the inactivated X chromosome

To investigate large structural clonal mosaicism of chromosome X, we analysed the SNP microarray intensity data of 38,303 women from cancer genome-wide association studies (20,878 cases and 17,425 controls) and detected 124 mosaic X events42Mb in 97 (0.25%) women. Here we show rates for X-chromosome mosaicism are four times higher than mean autosomal rates; X mosaic events more often include the entire chromosome and participants with X events more likely harbour autosomal mosaic events. X mosaicism frequency increases with age (0.11% in 50-year olds; 0.45% in 75-year olds), as reported for Y and autosomes. Methylation array analyses of 33 women with X mosaicism indicate events preferentially involve the inactive X chromosome. Our results provide further evidence that the sex chromosomes undergo mosaic events more frequently than autosomes, which could have implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms of mosaic events and their possible contribution to risk for chronic diseases

Paleosol architecture of a late Quaternary basin\u2013margin sequence and its implications for high-resolution, non-marine sequence stratigraphy

Paleosol stratigraphy, a technique commonly applied in basin-margin settings to depict cyclic alluvial architecture on time scales of 10-100. ky, can be consistent with regional accommodation trends at even higher temporal resolution (1-10. ky), having strong implications for the sequence stratigraphy of late Quaternary, non-marine deposits. Three closely-spaced late Pleistocene paleosols (P1-P3), dating back approximately to 42-39, 35-31, and 29-26. cal. kyr BP, respectively, form prominent stratigraphic markers across a lithologically homogeneous interfluve succession in the subsurface of Bologna, close to the Apenninic foothills. These paleosols are weakly developed (Inceptisols) and can be tracked continuously for 6. km across the triangle-shaped interchannel zone between two gravel/sand-filled channel systems (Reno and Savena rivers). In particular, the thickest paleosol (P3) is a distinctive stiff horizon that can be traced into laterally extensive, erosional-based fluvial bodies. We infer the correlation between (P3) soil development (and channel downcutting) and the final stage of the stepwise Late Pleistocene sea-level fall that culminated at the marine isotope stage 3/2 transition around 29. cal. kyr BP (low accommodation systems tract). A fourth laterally extensive Inceptisol, encompassing the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary (PH), represents the major phase of soil development since the Last Glacial Maximum and is inferred to be related to channel entrenchment at the onset of the Younger Dryas. With the exception of the Iron Age-Roman paleosol, which reflects a predominantly anthropogenic control, the Holocene paleosols are laterally discontinuous and invariably more immature (Entisols) than their Pleistocene counterparts. This trend of decreasing paleosol development (and correlatability) upsection is interpreted to reflect increasing (transgressive-equivalent) accommodation during sea-level rise, thus confirming the possible extension of models used to interpret the ancient rock record to short-term depositional cycles

Inter-estuarine and temporal patterns of the fish assemblage of subtropical subestuaries along the río de la plata coast (Uruguay)

Fish assemblages in subestuaries have been poorly studied worldwide. In order to evaluate the inter-estuarine and temporal variability of the ichthyofauna of subestuaries along the Uruguayan coast of the Río de la Plata (RdlP), the Pando, Solís Chico and Solís Grande systems were sampled between 2011 and 2013. Fish biomass, abundance, species richness and diversity indices were analysed, defining fish assemblages characterised by a few species and great abundance. Estuarine resident and freshwater species represented 55.5% of the fish assemblage according to estuarine use guilds. Species occurrence was similar in the three subestuaries, but the relative abundances differed among them. The analysed community parameters showed a decreasing trend from west to east along the Uruguayan coast. Highest diversity and fish abundance were recorded in the Pando system located in the proximities of an important spawning area in the inner RdlP estuary. In the Solís Grande subestuary occurred the lowest species richness and fish abundance. The Solís Chico was characterised as a transitional subsystem. All three subestuaries showed an increase in species richness and abundance during high temperature periods, probably related to the life cycle of the species sharing habitats between the RdlP and the coastal subestuaries. This study constitutes the first step in assessing the fish assemblage patterns in coastal ecosystems of the RdlP and an approach about the ecological role of the subestuaries in the southwest Atlantic Ocean