In Vitro Mutagenic and Genotoxic Assessment of a Mixture of the Cyanotoxins Microcystin-LR and Cylindrospermopsin

The co-occurrence of various cyanobacterial toxins can potentially induce toxic effects different than those observed for single cyanotoxins, as interaction phenomena cannot be discarded. Moreover, mixtures are a more probable exposure scenario. However, toxicological information on the topic is still scarce. Taking into account the important role of mutagenicity and genotoxicity in the risk evaluation framework, the objective of this study was to assess the mutagenic and genotoxic potential of mixtures of two of the most relevant cyanotoxins, Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), using the battery of in vitro tests recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food contaminants. Mixtures of 1:10 CYN/MC-LR (CYN concentration in the range 0.04-2.5 µg/mL) were used to perform the bacterial reverse-mutation assay (Ames test) in Salmonella typhimurium, the mammalian cell micronucleus (MN) test and the mouse lymphoma thymidine-kinase assay (MLA) on L5178YTk± cells, while Caco-2 cells were used for the standard and enzyme-modified comet assays. The exposure periods ranged between 4 and 72 h depending on the assay. The genotoxicity of the mixture was observed only in the MN test with S9 metabolic fraction, similar to the results previously reported for CYN individually. These results indicate that cyanobacterial mixtures require a specific (geno)toxicity evaluation as their effects cannot be extrapolated from those of the individual cyanotoxins.España Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2015-64558-

La relación médico-paciente en el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 1. Un estudio cualitativo

ObjetivosConocer las experiencias y las expectativas de pacientes con diabetes tipo 1 (DM1) y sus familiares sobre la relación que establecen con sus médicos y su influencia en la forma de afrontar la enfermedad y el tratamiento.DiseñoDiseño cualitativo a través de grupos focales realizado en 2001.EmplazamientoDistintos centros sanitarios de Granada y Sevilla.ParticipantesPacientes con DM1, familiars y/o cuidadores.MétodoMuestreo teórico con representación de los perfiles más característicos. Procedimiento de análisis cualitativo: asignación de códigos al texto, triangulación e interpretación de resultados.ResultadosLa relación médico-paciente influye decisivamente en la vivencia emocional de la enfermedad y en la manera en que los pacientes asumen el control. Los pacientes entrevistados aseguran que la relación con sus médicos está centrada en los signos y los síntomas de la enfermedad, y que el aspecto emocional se deja de lado. Es frecuente que los profesionales basen su comunicación en la reprimenda y en la amenaza. Los tratamientos se imponen más que se consensúan, y las posibilidades de participación en las decisiones clínicas son escasas. En consecuencia, los pacientes desarrollan estrategias para tomar sus propias decisiones sobre el tratamiento adaptándolo a su vida.ConclusionesDesean un modelo de relación con sus médicos en el que les escuchen, empaticen con su situación, comprendan los problemas que enfrentan para seguir el tratamiento, les transmitan ánimos y adapten sus recomendaciones a las circunstancias vitales y emocionales de cada paciente. Se prefiere a los profesionales que combinan la competencia técnica (incluida la dimensión relacional) con la humanidad y la amabilidad, y que asumen su corresponsabilidad en el éxito del tratamiento.ObjectivesTo know the experiences and expectations of diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) patients and their relatives as regards the relationships established with doctors, and the impact of such relationships on their strategies to cope with the disease and treatment.DesignQualitative design based on focus groups conducted in 2001.LocationSeveral health care centres in Granada and Seville, Spain.ParticipantsDM1 patients and their relatives and/or carers.MethodTheory-based sampling including the most representative profiles. Qualitative analysis procedure: text coding, triangulation and interpretation of results.ResultsDoctor/patient relationship highly influences the emotional experience of disease and the way patients gain control over it. Interviewed patients said that the relationship with doctors is focused on disease signs and symptoms, leaving emotional aspects aside. Very often, provider communication is built on recrimination and threat. Treatment is imposed rather than agreed, with scarce opportunities for participating in clinical decisions. Patients develop strategies to take their own decisions and adapting treatment to their daily life.ConclusionsPatients value a relationship model whereby providers listen and empathise with their situation, understand their difficulties in treatment compliance, encourage them, and adapt recommendations to the personal and emotional circumstances of each patient. They prefer doctors combining professional competence-including relational skills-with humanity and kindness, as well as being capable of assuming their co-responsibility in treatment success

The efficiency of surface-applied corrosion inhibitors as a method for the repassivation of corroded reinforcement bars embedded in ladle furnace slag mortars

Surface-applied corrosion inhibitors are investigated as an efficient method for the repassivation of corroded rebars embedded in mortar specimens, with ladle furnace slag. Prismatic specimens measuring 6 ?x 8 x? 2 cm3, into which 3 steel rebars had been embedded, were analyzed through electrochemical and gravimetric tests. The results show that the corrosion inhibitors are more effective on the reference specimens than on the specimens with LFS and are capable of lowering corrosion rate in specimens with chloride ion percentages of 0.8%, but are not effective on any of the specimens with chloride ion percentages of 1.2% and 2.0% by weight of cement

Study of the validity of techniques electrochemical in the corrosion of rebars embedded in mortar specimens with slag LFS

Estudio de la validez de las técnicas electroquímicas para medir la velocidad de corrosión en probetas de mortero con escorias. La comprobación de la validez de estas técnicas se ha realizado mediante gavimetría comprobando la pérdida de peso de las probetas con la pérdida de peso estimada a partir de la medida de la velocidad de corrosión y la ley de Faraday

Organoids and colorectal cancer

Organoids were first established as a three‐dimensional cell culture system from mouse small intestine. Subsequent development has made organoids a key system to study many human physiological and pathological processes that affect a variety of tissues and organs. In particular, organoids are becoming very useful tools to dissect colorectal cancer (CRC) by allowing the circumvention of classical problems and limitations, such as the impossibility of long‐term culture of normal intestinal epithelial cells and the lack of good animal models for CRC. In this review, we describe the features and current knowledge of intestinal organoids and how they are largely contributing to our better understanding of intestinal cell biology and CRC genetics. Moreover, recent data show that organoids are appropriate systems for antitumoral drug testing and for the personalized treatment of CRC patients.The work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019‐104867RB‐I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF2017‐90604‐REDT/NuRCaMeIn), and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III—Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (CIBERONC/CB16/12/00273, CIBERONC/CB16/12/00398 and ICI20/00057)

Mutagenic and genotoxic potential of pure Cylindrospermopsin by a battery of in vitro tests

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanobacterial toxin with an increasing world-wide occurrence. The main route of human exposure is through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. The European Food Safety Authority has identified the need to further characterize the toxicological profile of cyanotoxins and in this regard the genotoxicity is a key toxicological effect. The data available in the scientific literature show contradictory results. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the mutagenic and genotoxic effects of pure CYN using a battery of different in vitro assays including: the bacterial reverse-mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium (Ames test) (0–10 μg/mL), the mammalian cell micronucleus (MN) test (0–1.35 μg/mL and 0–2 μg/mL in absence or presence of S9 fraction, respectively) and the mouse lymphoma thymidine-kinase assay (MLA)(0–0.675 μg/mL) on L5178YTk ± cells, and the standard and enzyme-modified comet assays (0–2.5 μg/mL) on Caco-2 cells. Positive results were obtained only when the metabolic fraction S9 was employed in the MN test, suggesting pro-genotoxic properties of CYN. Also, DNA damage was not mediated by oxidative stress as CYN did not induced changes in the modified comet assay. These data could contribute to a better risk assessment of this cyanotoxin.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2015-64558-R, MINECO/FEDER, U

Review of the quality of youTube videos recommending exercises for the COVID-19 Lockdown

Background: The world is experiencing a pandemic caused by COVID-19. Insufficient physical activity can increase the risk of illness. Trying to replicate a normal search that any user/patient could do in YouTube, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of YouTube videos related to home exercises during lockdown and their adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Methods: A simple search was carried out on YouTube. The first 150 videos were selected. After applying exclusion criteria, 68 videos were analyzed and evaluated. Two statistical analyses based on machine learning techniques were carried out. Videos were classified according to principal component analysis (PCA) models as 'Relevant' and 'Non-Relevant'. Popularity was assessed using the video power index (VPI). Information's quality and accuracy were gauged using the DISCERN scale and global quality score (GQS). Reliability and credibility of information that can be found on health-related websites was assessed using the Health On the Net Code (HONCode). Exercises were evaluated according to WHO recommendations. Results: DISCERN, HONCode, and GQS scored a mean of 2.29, 58.95, and 2.32, respectively. The PCA calculation allowed videos to auto-classify into high- and low-quality videos. Conclusions: The quality of YouTube videos recommending exercises during lockdown is low and doesn't reflect WHO recommendations. Effective strategies and tools capable of indicating the quality of this information are needed to filter out erroneous or non-rigorous information that may affect people's health. These tools should help any user/viewer to distinguish videos of high and low quality

Clinico-pathological features, outcomes and impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with early-onset colorectal cancer: A single-Institution Experience

The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC), as well as the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We included all patients with pathologically confirmed diagnoses of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to December 2021. The EOCRC cut-off age was 50 years old. Results: A total of 1475 patients diagnosed with CRC were included, eighty (5.4%) of whom had EOCRC. Significant differences were found between EOCRC and later-onset patients regarding T, N stage and metastatic presentation at diagnosis; perineural invasion; tumor budding; high-grade tumors; and signet ring cell histology, with all issues having higher prevalence in the early-onset group. More EOCRC patients had the RAS/ BRAF wild type. Chemotherapy was administered more frequently to patients with EOCRC. In the metastatic setting, the EOCRC group presented a significantly longer median OS. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, more patients with COVID-19 were diagnosed with metastatic disease (61%) in the year after the lockdown (14 March 2020) than in the pre-pandemic EOCRC group (29%). Conclusions: EOCRC is diagnosed at a more advanced stage and with worse survival features in localized patients. More patients with EOCRC were diagnosed with metastatic disease in the year after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are yet to be determinedThe work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (ICI20/00057, CIBERONC/CB16/12/00273, and CIBERONC/CB16/12/00398), as well as the Comunidad de Madrid (S2022/BMD-7212

Changes in the Concentration and Profile of Free Fatty Acids during the Ripening of a Spanish Blue-Veined Cheese Made from Raw and Pasteurized Cow and Goat Milk

[EN]Blue-veined cheeses in general undergo a pronounced lipolysis. The aim of this work was to determine the evolution of free fatty acids (FFA) in Valdeón cheese during ripening, comparing cheeses made from raw and pasteurized milk. The effect of season on the evolution of FFA in pasteurized milk cheeses was also studied. Cheeses made with raw milk showed the highest concentrations of FFA, reaching values of 23,081.9 mg 100 g−1 dry matter at the end of ripening, compared to the values of cheeses made with pasteurized milk (7327.1 mg 100 g−1 dry matter), in both cases with a predominance of oleic and palmitic acids. However, pasteurization did not affect the FFA profile of the cheeses. Regarding the cheeses made with pasteurized milk in different seasons, the highest FFA concentration was reached in cheeses made in summer after 30 days of ripening. The season also influenced the FFA profile and thus the concentration of short-, medium- and long-chain fatty acids in relation to total FFA. There were no significant differences in sensory analysis between cheeses made from raw and pasteurized milk.SIThis work was supported by project L021A12-2 from Junta de Castilla y León