Occurrence of tetrodotoxin in bivalves and gastropods from harvesting areas and other natural spaces in Spain

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that is receiving increasing interest in the European Union because it has been found in different fishery products (fish, bivalves and gastropods) captured in European waters. Since available information is scarce, further analytical data regarding the incidence of this toxin in European fishery products is needed in order to perform an appropriate risk assessment devoted to protecting consumers’ health. Hence, samples of bivalves and gastropods were collected at different points of the Spanish coast and analyzed by high-performance hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) to evaluate the presence of TTX. None of the analyzed samples showed TTX above an internal threshold of 10 µg/kg or even showed a peak under it. Our results on TTX occurrence obtained in bivalve molluscs and gastropods did not show, at least in the studied areas, a risk for public health. However, taking into account previous positive results obtained by other research groups, and since we did not detect TTX in our samples, a more completed study increasing sampling frequency is needed to ensure proper risk evaluation towards the food safety of these products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Detoxification of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in naturally contaminated mussels, clams and scallops by an industrial procedure

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) episodes cause important economic impacts due to closure of shellfish production areas in order to protect human health. These closures, if are frequent and persistent, can seriously affect shellfish producers and the seafood industry, among others. In this study, we have developed an alternative processing method for bivalves with PSP content above the legal limit, which allows reducing toxicity to acceptable levels. A modification of the PSP detoxifying procedure stablished by Decision 96/77/EC of the European Union in Acanthocardia tuberculatum, was developed and implemented for PSP elimination in other bivalves species. The procedure was applied to 6 batches of mussels, 2 batches of clams and 2 batches of scallops, achieving detoxification rates of around 85%. A viable industrial protocol which allows the transformation of a product at risk into a safe product was developed. Although a significant reduction was obtained, in a sample circa 9000 μg STX diHCl equiv/kg, the final toxin level in these highly toxic mussels did not fall below the European limit. The processing protocol described may be applied efficiently to mussels, clams and scallops and it may be a major solution to counteract the closure of shellfish harvesting areas, especially if persistent.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

El uso del Scratch como estrategia tecnológica para mejorar la ortografía acentual en estudiantes de séptimo grado del centro escolar Reino de España

Esta investigación aborda el tema el uso del Scratch como estrategia tecnológica para mejorar la ortografía acentual, en estudiantes de séptimo grado del centro escolar Reino de España. Se tomaron como elementos los problemas que presentan los estudiantes en la ortografía acentual, las estrategias que desarrollan los docentes para impartir esta temática en las aulas de clase. Los resultados de los instrumentos aplicados en este estudio, la metodología para el análisis de la prueba diagnóstica, un cuestionario a 40 estudiantes, entrevista y cuestionario a 2 docentes expertos en la asignatura de Lengua y Literatura. El análisis de los resultados de estos instrumentos aplicados en la investigación, evidencian la falta de estrategias motivadoras y poco interés que se le da al tema de la ortografía acentual. Una vez que se analizó las necesidades de nuevas estrategias didáctica para la mejora de la ortografía, se diseñó una secuencia didáctica con estrategias novedosa y motivadoras, insertando la tecnología y las Apps como recursos viables para alcanzar las competencias de la ortografía acentual, para el desarrollo del trabajo en equipo, afectivo y práctico para la realización de actividades lúdicas valiéndose de la tecnología, con el propósito de preparar la parte emocional del estudiante, y que esté capacitado para el cumplimiento de las cuatro macro habilidades como leer, escribir, hablar y escuchar, que debe alcanzar los discentes en educación secundaria. Por último, la secuencia didáctica presenta como elemento medular el uso del Scratch, a través de la estrategia el béisbol ortográfico, esta propuesta está estructurada, en cinco fases y diez sesiones con un tiempo de diez horas clases, con el fin de aplicarse con estudiantes de séptimo grado, para que superen los problemas de ortografía acentual. Así mismo, esta propuesta fue validada por expertos que establecieron sus puntos de vista, para la aprobación y ejecución, determinando que cumple con potencialidad, aplicabilidad, flexibilidad y vinculación

Low-intensity continuous ultrasound to inhibit cancer cell migration

In recent years, it has been verified that collective cell migration is a fundamental step in tumor spreading and metastatic processes. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time how low-intensity ultrasound produces long-term inhibition of collective migration of epithelial cancer cells in wound healing processes. In particular, we show how pancreatic tumor cells, PANC-1, grown as monolayers in vitro respond to these waves at frequencies close to 1 MHz and low intensities (< 100 mW cm(-2)) for 48-72 h of culture after some minutes of a single ultrasound irradiation. This new strategy opens a new line of action to block the spread of malignant cells in cancer processes. Despite relevant spatial variations of the acoustic pressure amplitude induced in the assay, the cells behave as a whole, showing a collective dynamic response to acoustic performance. Experiments carried out with samples without previous starving showed remarkable effects of the LICUs from the first hours of culture, more prominent than those with experiments with monolayers subjected to fasting prior to the experiments. This new strategy to control cell migration demonstrating the effectiveness of LICUS on not starved cells opens a new line of action to study effects of in vivo ultrasonic actuation on tumor tissues with malignant cells. This is a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the physical effects of ultrasound stimulation on tumor cell migration. An in-depth biological study of the effects of ultrasounds and underlying biological mechanisms is on-going but out of the scope of this article.This work is financed by the Spanish National Plan projects PID 2021-128985OB-I00: "New Non-invasive technology to inhibit growth of solid tumors by low intensity ultrasounds", DPI 2017-90147-R and intramural research project IRYCIS (2018/0240)

Association of retinol binding protein4 (RBP4) and ghrelin plasma levels with insulin resistance and disease severity in non-diabetic patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with insulin resistance (IR). Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and ghrelin are two bioactive proteins that have been involved in glucose metabolism and IR, but also in the regulation of immune and inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of RBP4 and ghrelin in patients with HS, and to assess the possible relationship between these levels and IR, disease severity and HS risk. A total of 137 subjects (77 HS patients and 60 controls) without diabetes mellitus were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients with HS had significantly higher RBP4 but lower ghrelin plasma levels than controls, independently of body mass index (BMI). Serum RBP4 levels were positively correlated to disease severity and IR in HS patients. However, we found no association between ghrelin levels and any clinical or laboratory parameters. Moreover, high serum RBP4 and low ghrelin levels were associated with an increased risk for HS. Our results suggest that high RBP4 levels may be a surrogate biomarker for IR in patients with HS. Moreover, increased RBP4 and decreased ghrelin levels could also be independent risk factors for the development of HS

Evaluation of serum omentin-1 and apelin concentrations in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Introduction: Recent studies suggest a role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Omentin-1 and apelin are two recently identified adipokines that have been involved in the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory responses. Aim: To investigate serum omentin-1 and apelin levels in patients with HS and to assess their associations with metabolic parameters, disease severity and HS risk. Material and methods: This case-control study included 139 non-diabetic individuals (78 HS patients and 61 ageand sex-matched controls). Serum concentrations of omentin-1 and apelin and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured in all participants. Results: Serum omentin-1 concentrations were significantly higher in HS patients compared to controls, whereas apelin serum levels did not significantly differ between both groups. These differences in omentin-1 concentrations remained significant even after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that increased omentin-1 plasma levels were an independent risk factor for HS. However, we found no association between serum levels of both omentin-1 and apelin with HS severity. Conclusions: Our results show that patients with HS have raised omentin-1 serum levels, which are associated with HS risk

Relative Risk Chart Score for the Assessment of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective. To determine if the use of the relative risk (RR) chart score may help to identify young ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Methods. 73 AS patients younger than 50 years were assessed. CV risk was calculated according to the total cholesterol systematic coronary risk evaluation (TC-SCORE) and the RR chart score. C-reactive protein (CRP) value at disease diagnosis and carotid ultrasound data were also analyzed. Results. Twenty (27.4%) patients exhibited carotid plaques being classified into the category of very highCVrisk.None of them was found to have a high/very high TC-SCORE. CRP > 3mg/L at disease diagnosis was associated with the presence of carotid plaques (odds ratio 5.66, \u1d45d� = 0.03).Whereas only 5 (14.2%) of the 35 patients with RR = 1 had carotid plaques, 15 (39.5%) of 38 with RR > 1 showed plaques. A model that included the performance of carotid US in patients with RR > 1 who hadCRP> 3mg/L allowed us to identify 60% of very high risk patients, with a specificity of 77.4%. Conclusions. RR chart score assessment may help to identify young AS patients at high risk of CV disease

Disease activity influences the reclassification of rheumatoid arthritis into very high cardiovascular risk

Background: Previous studies have shown that risk chart algorithms, such as the Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment (SCORE), often underestimate the actual cardiovascular (CV) risk of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In contrast, carotid ultrasound was found to be useful to identify RA patients at high CV. In the present study, we aimed to determine if specific disease features influence the CV risk reclassification of RA patients assessed by SCORE risk charts and carotid ultrasound. Methods: 1279 RA patients without previous CV events, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease were studied. Disease characteristics including disease activity scores, CV comorbidity, SCORE calculation, and the presence of carotid plaque by carotid ultrasound were assessed. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate if the reclassification into very high CV risk category was independently associated with specific features of the disease including disease activity. Additionally, a prediction model for reclassification was constructed in RA patients. Results: After carotid ultrasound assessments, 54% of the patients had carotid plaque and consequently fulfilled definition for very high CV risk. Disease activity was statistically significantly associated with reclassification after fully multivariable analysis. A predictive model containing the presence of dyslipidemia and hypertension, an age exceeding 54 years, and a DAS28-ESR score equal or higher than 2.6 yielded the highest discrimination for reclassification. Conclusion: Reclassification into very high CV risk after carotid ultrasound assessment occurs in more than the half of patients with RA. This reclassification can be independently explained by the activity of the disease.Funding: This work was supported by a grant to I.F-A. from the Spanish Ministry of Health, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013–2016, and by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional — FEDER (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, FIS PI14/00394, PI17/00083). Prof. González-Gay’s research is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria grants PI06/0024, PI09/00748, PI12/00060, PI15/00525, PI18/00043) and the ISCIII RETICS programs (RD12/0009 and RD16/0012)

Disease activity influences cardiovascular risk reclassification based on carotid ultrasound in patients with psoriatic arthritis

ABSTRACT: Objective. Because the addition of carotid ultrasound (US) into composite cardiovascular (CV) risk scores has been found effective for identifying patients with inflammatory arthritis and high CV risk, we aimed to determine whether its use would facilitate the reclassification of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) into the very high Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk category and whether this might be related to disease features. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study involving 206 patients who fulfilled ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis criteria for PsA, and 179 controls. We assessed lipid profile, SCORE, disease activity measurements, and the presence of carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness by ultrasonography. A multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for classic CV risk factors, was performed to evaluate whether the risk of reclassification could be explained by disease-related features and to assess the most parsimonious combination of risk reclassification predictors. Results. Forty-seven percent of patients were reclassified into a very high SCORE risk category after carotid US compared to 26% of controls (p < 0.001). Patients included in the low SCORE risk category were those who were more commonly reclassified (30% vs 14%, p = 0.002). The Disease Activity Index for PsA (DAPSA) score was associated with reclassification (? 1.10, 95% CI 1.02?1.19; p = 0.019) after adjusting for age and traditional CV risk factors. A model containing SCORE plus age, statin use, and DAPSA score yielded the highest discriminatory accuracy compared to the SCORE-alone model (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve 0.863, 95% CI 0.789?0.936 vs 0.716, 95% CI 0.668?0.764; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Patients with PsA are more frequently reclassified into the very high SCORE risk category following carotid US assessment than controls. This was independently explained by the disease activity.Funding: This work was supported by a grant to I.F-A. from the Spanish Ministry of Health, Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013-2016 and by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional -FEDER - (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, FIS PI14/00394, PI17/00083) Professor González-Gay research was supported by European Union FEDER funds and by the “Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria” (grants PI06/0024, PS09/00748, PI12/00060, PI15/00525 and PI18/00043) of the ‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’ (ISCIII, Health Ministry, Spain). It was also partially supported by RETICS Programs RD12/0009 (RIER), RD12/0009/0013 and RD16/0012 from the ‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’ (ISCIII, Health Ministry, Spain)

Métodos topocartográficos para la documentación de mosaicos in situ. Aplicaciones en la villa tardorromana

The Roman villa of Torrexón de Veranes can be found in the council of Gijón, very close to the ancient crossroads which connected the Roman city of Gijón and the central Asturian area with the Asturica Augusta, a road identified as the transmountain branch of the Ruta de la Plata, or Silver Road. The results obtained in the systematic excavations begun in 1997 allow us to identify two well-defined moments of occupation: a high imperial establishment from which very little architectonic evidence has been preserved, and the construction of a large, late Roman farming and fishing complex in which four rooms paved with mosaics have been documented. This documentation has been carried out using a topo-cartographical work methodology for collecting data. This registry method allows us to obtain a graphic representation and the metric description of the original state of the mosaic through the use of combined photographic techniques, proving it as a faster and more accurate method than the traditional system of 1:1 scale copies as an alternative to traditional photogrammetry.La villa romana del Torrexón de Veranes se localiza en el concejo de Gijón, muy próximo al antiguo eje viario que comunicaba la ciudad romana de Gijón y el área central de Asturias con Asturica Augusta, camino identificado como el ramal trasmontano de la Ruta de la Plata. Los resultados obtenidos en las excavaciones sistemáticas iniciadas en 1997 nos permiten identificar dos momentos de ocupación bien definidos: un establecimiento altoimperial del que se conservan exiguas evidencias arquitectónicas y las edificaciones de un gran complejo agropecuario tardorromano en la que se han documentado cuatro habitaciones pavimentadas con mosaicos, cuya documentación ha sido realizada aplicando una metodología de trabajo topocartográfica para la toma de datos. Este método de registro nos permite obtener una representación gráfica y la descripción métrica del estado original del mosaico mediante el empleo de técnicas fotográficas combinadas, comprobar su validez como método más rápido y exacto que el tradicional sistema de calcos a escala 1:1 siendo una alternativa a la fotogrametría tradicional