33 research outputs found

    DietaryL-Carnitine Prevents HistopathologicalChanges in Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)Exposed to Cylindrospermopsin

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    Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cytotoxin highly water-soluble, which is easily taken up by several aquatic organisms. CYN acts as a potent protein and glutathione synthesis inhibitor, as well as inducing genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations. This is the first study reporting the protective effect of a l-carnitine (LC) pretreatment (400 or 880 mg LC/kg bw fish/day, for 21 days) on the histopathological alterations induced by pure CYN or Aphanizomenon ovalisporum lyophilized cells (400 µg CYN/kg bw fish) in liver, kidney, heart, intestines, and gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) acutely exposed to the toxin by oral route. The main histopathological changes induced by CYN were disorganized parenchyma with presence of glycogen and lipids in the cytoplasm (liver), glomerulonephritis, glomerular atrophy, and dilatation of Bowman's capsule (kidney), myofibrolysis, loss of myofibrils, with edema and hemorrhage (heart), intestinal villi with necrotic enterocytes and partial loss of microvilli (gastrointestinal tract), and hyperemia and hemorrhage (gills). LC pretreatment was able to totally prevent those CYN-induced alterations from 400 mg LC/kg bw fish/day in almost all organs, except in the heart, where 880 mg LC/kg bw fish/day were needed. In addition, the morphometric study indicated that LC managed to recover totally the affectation in the cross sections of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules in CYN-exposed fish

    Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

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    The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

    Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

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    Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

    Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

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    Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

    Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

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    Effects of Depuration on HistopathologicalChanges in Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) AfterExposure to Cylindrospermopsin

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    Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a highly water-soluble cytotoxin produced by several species of freshwater cyanobacteria and it is considered the second most studied cyanotoxin worldwide. CYN acts as a potent protein and glutathione synthesis inhibitor, as well as inducing genotoxicity, oxidative stress and histopathological alterations. Studies concerning the depuration of cyanobacterial toxins in aquatic organisms, especially in fish, are of great interest for fish economy and public health, but are scarce in the case of CYN. This is the first study reporting the ability of depuration (3 − 7 days) in reversing or ameliorating the histopathological lesions induced in liver, kidney, heart, intestines, and gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) due to exposure by immersion to repeated doses of a CYN-containing culture of A. ovalisporum for 14 days. The main histopathological changes induced by CYN were glucogenic degeneration and loss of the normal hepatic cord-structure (liver), hyperemia, dilated Bowman's capsule and cellular tumefaction (kidney), myofibrolysis, hemorrhages and edema (heart), necrosis and partial loss of microvilli (gastrointestinal tract), and hyperemia and inflammatory cells infiltrates (gills). After 3 days of depuration, gills were totally recovered, while the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract required 7 days, and longer depuration periods may be needed for a full recovery of the heart. In addition, the morphometric study indicated that depuration managed to reverse the affectation in the hepatocytes nuclear diameters and cross sections of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules induced in CYN-exposed fish. In general, these results validate depuration as an effective practice for detoxification of fish contaminated with CYN.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (AGL2009-10026 y AGL2015-64558-R)Junta de Andalucía (P09-AGR-4672
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