A rotating white dwarf shows different compositions on its opposite faces.

White dwarfs, the extremely dense remnants left behind by most stars after their death, are characterized by a mass comparable to that of the Sun compressed into the size of an Earth-like planet. In the resulting strong gravity, heavy elements sink towards the centre and the upper layer of the atmosphere contains only the lightest element present, usually hydrogen or helium1,2. Several mechanisms compete with gravitational settling to change a white dwarf's surface composition as it cools3, and the fraction of white dwarfs with helium atmospheres is known to increase by a factor of about 2.5 below a temperature of about 30,000 kelvin4-8; therefore, some white dwarfs that appear to have hydrogen-dominated atmospheres above 30,000 kelvin are bound to transition to be helium-dominated as they cool below it. Here we report observations of ZTF J203349.8+322901.1, a transitioning white dwarf with two faces: one side of its atmosphere is dominated by hydrogen and the other one by helium. This peculiar nature is probably caused by the presence of a small magnetic field, which creates an inhomogeneity in temperature, pressure or mixing strength over the surface9-11. ZTF J203349.8+322901.1 might be the most extreme member of a class of magnetic, transitioning white dwarfs-together with GD 323 (ref. 12), a white dwarf that shows similar but much more subtle variations. This class of white dwarfs could help shed light on the physical mechanisms behind the spectral evolution of white dwarfs.

Neuron-specific gene NSG1 binds to and positively regulates sortilin ectodomain shedding via a metalloproteinase-dependent mechanism.

Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant regulation of sortilin ectodomain shedding can contribute to amyloid-ß pathology and frontotemporal dementia, although the mechanism by which this occurs has not been elucidated. Here, we probed for novel binding partners of sortilin using multiple and complementary approaches and identified two proteins of the neuron-specific gene (NSG) family, NSG1 and NSG2, that physically interact and colocalize with sortilin. We show both NSG1 and NSG2 induce subcellular redistribution of sortilin to NSG1- and NSG2-enriched compartments. However, using cell surface biotinylation, we found only NSG1 reduced sortilin cell surface expression, which caused significant reductions in uptake of progranulin, a molecular determinant for frontotemporal dementia. In contrast, we demonstrate NSG2 has no effect on sortilin cell surface abundance or progranulin uptake, suggesting specificity for NSG1 in the regulation of sortilin cell surface expression. Using metalloproteinase inhibitors and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 KO cells, we further show that NSG1-dependent reduction of cell surface sortilin occurred via proteolytic processing by A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 with a concomitant increase in shedding of sortilin ectodomain to the extracellular space. This represents a novel regulatory mechanism for sortilin ectodomain shedding that is regulated in a neuron-specific manner. Furthermore, this finding has implications for the development of strategies for brain-specific regulation of sortilin and possibly sortilin-driven pathologies.

Genomic differentiation and niche divergence in the Hetaerina americana (Odonata) cryptic species complex.

The evolution of reproductive barriers, that is, the speciation process, implies the limitation of gene flow between populations. Different patterns of genomic differentiation throughout the speciation continuum may provide insights into the causal evolutionary forces of species divergence. In this study, we analysed a cryptic species complex of the genus Hetaerina (Odonata). This complex includes H. americana and H. calverti; however, in H. americana two highly differentiated genetic groups have been previously detected, which, we hypothesize, may correspond to different species with low morphological variation. We obtained single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for 90 individuals belonging to the different taxa in the complex and carried out differentiation tests to identify genetic isolation. The results from STRUCTURE and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), based on almost 5000 SNPs, confirmed the presence of three highly differentiated taxa. Also, we found FST values above 0.5 in pairwise comparisons, which indicates a considerable degree of genetic isolation among the suggested species. We also found low climatic niche overlap among all taxa, suggesting that each group occurs at specific conditions of temperature, precipitation and elevation. We propose that H. americana comprises two cryptic species, which may be reproductively isolated by ecological barriers related to niche divergence, since the morphological variation is minimal and, therefore, mechanical barriers are probably less effective compared to other related species such as H. calverti.

Local adaptation of Pinus leiophylla under climate and land use change models in the Avocado Belt of Michoacán.

Climate change and land use change are two main drivers of global biodiversity decline, decreasing the genetic diversity that populations harbour and altering patterns of local adaptation. Landscape genomics allows measuring the effect of these anthropogenic disturbances on the adaptation of populations. However, both factors have rarely been considered simultaneously. Based on a set of 3660 SNPs from which 130 were identified as outliers by a genome-environment association analysis (LFMM), we modelled the spatial turnover of allele frequencies in 19 localities of Pinus leiophylla across the Avocado Belt in Michoacán state, Mexico. Then, we evaluated the effect of climate change and land use change scenarios, in addition to evaluating assisted gene flow strategies and connectivity metrics across the landscape to identify priority conservation areas for the species. We found that localities in the centre-east of the Avocado Belt would be more vulnerable to climate change, while localities in the western area are more threatened by land conversion to avocado orchards. Assisted gene flow actions could aid in mitigating both threats. Connectivity patterns among forest patches will also be modified by future habitat loss, with central and eastern parts of the Avocado Belt maintaining the highest connectivity. These results suggest that areas with the highest priority for conservation are in the eastern part of the Avocado Belt, including the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This work is useful as a framework that incorporates distinct layers of information to provide a more robust representation of the response of tree populations to anthropogenic disturbances.

The concentration of glucose in the media influences the susceptibility of stallion spermatozoa to ferroptosis.

In brief: Although common in many commercial extenders, supraphysiological concentrations of glucose in the media may be detrimental to stallion spermatozoa. In this study, we present evidence that these elevated glucose levels may predispose spermatozoa to ferroptosis. Abstract: Stallion spermatozoa depend on oxidative phosphorylation as their major source of ATP; however, the metabolism of these cells is complex and a great degree of metabolic plasticity exists. The composition of the media in which the spermatozoa are extended, or exposed to in the mare's reproductive tract, exerts a profound effect on sperm function and may even accelerate cell demise. Recent research indicates that high concentrations of glucose in the media, although common in commercial extenders, may be detrimental. To determine if supraphysiological glucose concentration may induce or predispose to ferroptosis (a caspase-independent form of programmed cell death, triggered by oxidative stress), stallion spermatozoa were incubated under different concentrations of glucose, 67 mM (HG) or 1 mM plus 10 mM pyruvate (LG-HP), in the presence or absence of known inductors of ferroptosis. Furthermore, we developed a single-cell flow metabolic assay to identify different metabolic phenotypes in spermatozoa. Storage and incubation of spermatozoa under high glucose concentrations led to an increase in the percentage of necrotic spermatozoa (P < 0.0001). Moreover, ferroptosis was induced more intensely in sperm in media with high glucose concentrations (P < 0.0001). Finally, we observed that induction of ferroptosis modified two proteins (oxoglutarate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase 2) in spermatozoa incubated in media containing 67 mM glucose but not in media containing 1 mM glucose and 10 mM pyruvate. The composition of the media, especially the concentration of glucose, exerts a major impact on the functionality and life span of the spermatozoa. The results reported here may pave the way for improvements in existing semen extenders.

Divergence and reticulation in the Mexican white oaks: ecological and phylogenomic evidence on species limits and phylogenetic networks in the Quercus laeta complex (Fagaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Introgressive hybridization poses a challenge to taxonomic and phylogenetic understanding of taxa, particularly when there are high numbers of co-occurring, intercrossable species. The genus Quercus exemplifies this situation. Oaks are highly diverse in sympatry and cross freely, creating syngameons of interfertile species. Although a well-resolved, dated phylogeny is available for the American oak clade, evolutionary relationships within many of the more recently derived clades remain to be defined, particularly for the young and exceptionally diverse Mexican white oak clade. Here, we adopted an approach bridging micro- and macroevolutionary scales to resolve evolutionary relationships in a rapidly diversifying clade endemic to Mexico. METHODS: Ecological data and sequences of 155 low-copy nuclear genes were used to identify distinct lineages within the Quercus laeta complex. Concatenated and coalescent approaches were used to assess the phylogenetic placement of these lineages relative to the Mexican white oak clade. Phylogenetic network methods were applied to evaluate the timing and genomic significance of recent or historical introgression among lineages. KEY RESULTS: The Q. laeta complex comprises six well-supported lineages, each restricted geographically and with mostly divergent climatic niches. Species trees corroborated that the different lineages are more closely related to other species of Mexican white oaks than to each other, suggesting that this complex is polyphyletic. Phylogenetic networks estimated events of ancient introgression that involved the ancestors of three present-day Q. laeta lineages. CONCLUSIONS: The Q. laeta complex is a morphologically and ecologically related group of species rather than a clade. Currently, oak phylogenetics is at a turning point, at which it is necessary to integrate phylogenetics and ecology in broad regional samples to figure out species boundaries. Our study illuminates one of the more complicated of the Mexican white oak groups and lays groundwork for further taxonomic study.

Leaf morphometric analysis and potential distribution modelling contribute to taxonomic differentiation in the Quercus microphylla complex.

Mexico is a major center of evolutionary radiation for the genus Quercus, with oak species occurring across different habitat types and showing a wide variation in morphology and growth form. Despite representing about 20% of Mexican species, scrub oaks have received little attention and even basic aspects of their taxonomy and geographic distribution remain unresolved. In this study, we analyzed the morphological and climatic niche differentiation of scrub oak populations forming a complex constituted by six named species, Quercus cordifolia, Quercus frutex, Quercus intricata, Quercus microphylla, Quercus repanda, Quercus striatula and a distinct morphotype of Q. striatula identified during field and herbarium work (hereafter named Q. striatula II). Samples were obtained from 35 sites covering the geographic distribution of the complex in northern and central Mexico. Morphological differentiation was analyzed through geometric morphometrics of leaf shape and quantification of trichome traits. Our results indicated the presence of two main morphological groups with geographic concordance. The first was formed by Q. frutex, Q. microphylla, Q. repanda and Q. striatula, distributed in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Sierra Madre Occidental and a little portion of the south of the Mexican Altiplano (MA). The second group consists of Q. cordifola, Q. intricata and Q. striatula II, found in the Sierra Madre Oriental and the MA. Therefore, our evidence supports the distinctness of the Q. striatula II morphotype, indicating the need for a taxonomic revision. Within the two groups, morphological differentiation among taxa varied from very clear to low or inexistent (i.e. Q. microphylla-Q. striatula and Q. cordifolia-Q. striatula II) but niche comparisons revealed significant niche differentiation in all pairwise comparisons, highlighting the relevance of integrative approaches for the taxonomic resolution of complicated groups such as the one studied here.

Characterization of NR1J1 Paralog Responses of Marine Mussels: Insights from Toxins and Natural Activators.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor that plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression in response to various ligands, particularly xenobiotics. In this context, the aim of this study was to shed light on the ligand affinity and functions of four NR1J1 paralogs identified in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, employing a dual-luciferase reporter assay. To achieve this, the activation patterns of these paralogs in response to various toxins, including freshwater cyanotoxins (Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin, and Microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR) and marine algal toxins (Nodularin, Saxitoxin, and Tetrodotoxin), alongside natural compounds (Saint John's Wort, Ursolic Acid, and 8-Methoxypsoralene) and microalgal extracts (Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, LEGE 95046, and LEGE 91351 extracts), were studied. The investigation revealed nuanced differences in paralog response patterns, highlighting the remarkable sensitivity of MgaNR1J1γ and MgaNR1J1δ paralogs to several toxins. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification, particularly focusing on the role of marine mussel NR1J1 in responding to a diverse array of compounds. Furthermore, comparative analysis with human PXR revealed potential species-specific adaptations in detoxification mechanisms, suggesting evolutionary implications. These findings deepen our understanding of PXR-mediated metabolism mechanisms, offering insights into environmental monitoring and evolutionary biology research.

Chilean consensus by expert panel using the Delphi technique for primary and secondary prevention of gastric cancer. / Estrategias para la prevención primaria y secundaria del cáncer gástrico: consenso chileno de panel de expertos con técnica Delfi.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer (GC) is the first cause of cancer-related death in Chile and 6th in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main gastric carcinogen, and its treatment reduces GC incidence and mortality. Esophageal-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) allows for the detection of premalignant conditions and early-stage GC. Mass screening programs for H. pylori infection and screening for premalignant conditions and early-stage GC are not currently implemented in LAC. The aim of this study is to establish recommendations for primary and secondary prevention of GC in asymptomatic standard-risk populations in Chile. METHODS: Two on-line synchronous workshops and a seminar were conducted with Chilean experts. A Delphi panel consensus was conducted over 2 rounds to achieve>80% agreement on proposed primary and secondary prevention strategies for the population stratified by age groups. RESULTS: 10, 12, and 12 experts participated in two workshops and a seminar, respectively. In the Delphi panel, 25 out of 37 experts (77.14%) and 28 out of 52 experts (53.85%) responded. For the population aged 16-34, there was no consensus on non-invasive testing and treatment for H. pylori, and the use of EGD was excluded. For the 35-44 age group, non-invasive testing and treatment for H. pylori is recommended, followed by subsequent test-of-cure using non-invasive tests (stool antigen test or urea breath test). In the ≥45 age group, a combined strategy is recommended, involving H. pylori testing and treatment plus non-invasive biomarkers (H. pylori IgG serology and serum pepsinogens I and II); subsequently, a selected group of subjects will undergo EGD with gastric biopsies (Sydney Protocol), which will be used to stratify surveillance according to the classification Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment (OLGA); every 3 years for OLGA III-IV and every 5 years for OLGA I-II. CONCLUSION: A "test-and-treat" strategy for H. pylori infection based on non-invasive studies (primary prevention) is proposed in the 35-44 age group, and a combined strategy (serology and EGD) is recommended for the ≥45 age group (primary and secondary prevention). These strategies are potentially applicable to other countries in LAC.

Drought response strategies are coupled with leaf habit in 35 evergreen and deciduous oak (Quercus) species across a climatic gradient in the Americas.

Distinct survival strategies can result from trade-offs in plant function under contrasting environments. Investment in drought resistance mechanisms can enhance survivorship but result in conservative growth. We tested the hypothesis that the widespread oaks (Quercus spp.) of the Americas exhibit an interspecific trade-off between drought resistance and growth capacity. Using experimental water treatments, we isolated adaptive trait associations among species in relation to their broad climates of origin and tested for correlated evolution between plant functional responses to water availability and habitat. Across all lineages, oaks displayed plastic drought responses - typically acclimating through osmolyte accumulation in leaves and/or employing conservative growth. Oaks from xeric climates had higher osmolytes and reduced stomatal pore area index, which allows for moderated gas exchange and limits tissue loss. Patterns suggest drought resistance strategies are convergent and under strong adaptive pressure. Leaf habit, however, mediates the growth and drought resistance strategies of oaks. Deciduous species, and evergreen species from xeric climates, have increased drought tolerance through osmoregulation, which allows for continuous, conservative growth. Evergreen mesic species show limited drought resistance but could enhance growth under well-watered conditions. Consequently, evergreen species from mesic environments are especially vulnerable to chronic drought and climate change.

Nuclear and chloroplast DNA phylogeography reveals high genetic diversity and postglacial range expansion in Quercus mexicana.

PREMISE: Phylogeographical studies are fundamental for understanding factors that influence the spatial distribution of genetic lineages within species. Population expansions and contractions, distribution shifts, and climate changes are among the most important factors shaping the genetic compositions of populations. METHODS: We investigated the phylogeography of an endemic oak, Quercus mexicana (Fagaceae), which has a restricted distribution in northeastern Mexico along the Sierra Madre Oriental and adjacent areas. Nuclear and chloroplast DNA microsatellite markers were used to describe the genetic diversity and structure of 39 populations of Q. mexicana along its entire distribution area. We tested whether population expansion or contraction events influenced the genetic diversity and structure of the species. We also modeled the historical distributional range of Q. mexicana (for the Mid Holocene, the Last Glacial Maximum, and the Last Interglacial) to estimate the extent to which climate fluctuations have impacted the distribution of this oak species. RESULTS: Our results revealed high genetic diversity and low genetic structure in Q. mexicana populations. Ecological niche models suggested historical fluctuations in the distributional range of Q. mexicana. Historical range changes, gene flow, and physical barriers seem to have played an important role in shaping the phylogeographic structure of Q. mexicana. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the genetic structure of Q. mexicana may have been the result of responses of oak trees not only to heterogeneous environments present in the Sierra Madre Oriental and adjacent areas, but also to elevational and latitudinal shifts in response to climate changes in the past.

Influence of plant domestication on plant-pollinator interactions: Floral attributes and floral visitor communities in wild and cultivated squash plants.

PREMISE: Domestication of plant species results in phenotypic modifications and changes in biotic interactions. Most studies have compared antagonistic plant-herbivore interactions of domesticated plants and their wild relatives, but little attention has been given to how domestication influences plant-pollinator interactions. Floral attributes and interactions of floral visitors were compared between sister taxa of the genus Cucurbita (Cucurbitaceae), the domesticated C. moschata, C. argyrosperma ssp. argyrosperma and its wild progenitor C. argyrosperma ssp. sororia in the place of origin. METHODS: We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to compare floral morphological traits and analyzed floral reward (nectar and pollen) quantity and quality between flowers of wild and domesticated Cucurbita taxa. Staminate and pistillate flowers of all three taxa were video recorded, and visitation and behavior of floral visitors were registered and analyzed. RESULTS: Most floral morphological characteristics of flowers of domesticated taxa were larger in both staminate and pistillate flowers. Staminate and pistillate flowers presented distinct correlations between floral traits and integration indices between domesticated and wild species. Additionally, pollen quantity and protein to lipid ratio were greater in domesticated species. Cucurbit pollen specialists, Eucera spp., had the highest probability of visit for all Cucurbita taxa. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that floral traits of domesticated and wild Cucurbita species experienced different selection pressures. Domesticated Cucurbita species may have more resources invested towards floral traits, thereby increasing attractiveness to pollinators and potentially plant reproductive success. Wild ancestor plant populations should be conserved in their centers of origin to preserve plant-pollinator interactions.

Comparative genomics of primary prostate cancer and paired metastases: insights from 12 molecular case studies.

Primary prostate cancer (PCa) can show marked molecular heterogeneity. However, systematic analyses comparing primary PCa and matched metastases in individual patients are lacking. We aimed to address the molecular aspects of metastatic progression while accounting for the heterogeneity of primary PCa. In this pilot study, we collected 12 radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens from men who subsequently developed metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We used histomorphology (Gleason grade, focus size, stage) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) (ERG and p53) to identify independent tumors and/or distinct subclones of primary PCa. We then compared molecular profiles of these primary PCa areas to matched metastatic samples using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and amplicon-based DNA and RNA sequencing. Based on combined pathology and molecular analysis, seven (58%) RP specimens harbored monoclonal and topographically continuous disease, albeit with some degree of intratumor heterogeneity; four (33%) specimens showed true multifocal disease; and one displayed monoclonal disease with discontinuous topography. Early (truncal) events in primary PCa included SPOP p.F133V (one patient), BRAF p.K601E (one patient), and TMPRSS2:ETS rearrangements (eight patients). Activating AR alterations were seen in nine (75%) mCRPC patients, but not in matched primary PCa. Hotspot TP53 mutations, found in metastases from three patients, were readily present in matched primary disease. Alterations in genes encoding epigenetic modifiers were observed in several patients (either shared between primary foci and metastases or in metastatic samples only). WES-based phylogenetic reconstruction and/or clonality scores were consistent with the index focus designated by pathology review in six out of nine (67%) cases. The three instances of discordance pertained to monoclonal, topographically continuous tumors, which would have been considered as unique disease in routine practice. Overall, our results emphasize pathologic and molecular heterogeneity of primary PCa, and suggest that comprehensive IHC-assisted pathology review and genomic analysis are highly concordant in nominating the 'index' primary PCa area. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Differential expression of biomarkers in saliva related to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with mild, moderate and severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Severe COVID-19 is a disease characterized by profound dysregulation of the innate immune system. There is a need to identify highly reliable prognostic biomarkers that can be rapidly assessed in body fluids for early identification of patients at higher risk for hospitalization and/or death. This study aimed to assess whether differential gene expression of immune response molecules and cellular enzymes, detected in saliva samples of COVID-19 patients, occurs according to disease severity staging. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, subjects with a COVID-19 diagnosis were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe disease based on clinical features. Transcripts of genes encoding 6 biomarkers, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein, IDO1 and ACE2, were measured by RT‒qPCR in saliva samples of patients and COVID-19-free individuals. RESULTS: The gene expression levels of all 6 biomarkers in saliva were significantly increased in severe disease patients compared to mild/moderate disease patients and healthy controls. A significant strong inverse relationship between oxemia and the level of expression of the 6 biomarkers (Spearman's correlation coefficient between -0.692 and -0.757; p < 0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarker gene expression determined in saliva samples still needs to be validated as a potentially valuable predictor of severe clinical outcomes early at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

In vitro safety assessment of reduced graphene oxide in human monocytes and T cells.

Considering the increase in the use of graphene derivatives in different fields, the environmental and human exposure to these materials is likely, and the potential consequences are not fully elucidated. This study is focused on the human immune system, as this plays a key role in the organism's homeostasis. In this sense, the cytotoxicity response of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was investigated in monocytes (THP-1) and human T cells (Jurkat). A mean effective concentration (EC50-24 h) of 121.45 ± 11.39 µg/mL and 207.51 ± 21.67 µg/mL for cytotoxicity was obtained in THP-1 and Jurkat cells, respectively. rGO decreased THP-1 monocytes differentiation at the highest concentration after 48 h of exposure. Regarding the inflammatory response at genetic level, rGO upregulated IL-6 in THP-1 and all cytokines tested in Jurkat cells after 4 h of exposure. At 24 h, IL-6 upregulation was maintained, and a significant decrease of TNF-α gene expression was observed in THP-1 cells. Moreover, TNF-α, and INF-γ upregulation were maintained in Jurkat cells. With respect to the apoptosis/necrosis, gene expression was not altered in THP-1 cells, but a down regulation of BAX and BCL-2 was observed in Jurkat cells after 4 h of exposure. These genes showed values closer to negative control after 24 h. Finally, rGO did not trigger a significant release of any cytokine at any exposure time assayed. In conclusion, our data contributes to the risk assessment of this material and suggest that rGO has an impact on the immune system whose final consequences should be further investigated.

Potential oestrogenic effects (following the OECD test guideline 440) and thyroid dysfunction induced by pure cyanotoxins (microcystin-LR, cylindrospermopsin) in rats.

Potential endocrine-disrupting properties of cyanotoxins, such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN) are of concern due to their increasing occurrence, the scarcity of reports on the topic (particularly for CYN) and the impact of human's health at different levels. Thus, this work performed for the first time the uterotrophic bioassay in rats, following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline 440, to explore the oestrogenic properties of CYN and MC-LR (75, 150, 300 µg/kg b.w./day) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Results revealed neither changes in the wet and blotted uterus weights nor in the morphometric study of uteri. Moreover, among the steroid hormones analysed in serum, the most remarkable effect was the dose-dependent increase in progesterone (P) levels in rats exposed to MC-LR. Additionally, a histopathology study of thyroids and serum levels of thyroids hormones were determined. Tissue affectation (follicular hypertrophy, exfoliated epithelium, hyperplasia) was observed, as well as increased T3 and T4 levels in rats exposed to both toxins. Taken together, these results point out that CYN and MC-LR are not oestrogenic compounds at the conditions tested in the uterotrophic assay in OVX rats, but, however, thyroid disruption effects cannot be discarded.

One-Week Suicide Risk Prediction Using Real-Time Smartphone Monitoring: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major global public health issue that is becoming increasingly common despite preventive efforts. Though current methods for predicting suicide risk are not sufficiently accurate, technological advances provide invaluable tools with which we may evolve toward a personalized, predictive approach. OBJECTIVE: We aim to predict the short-term (1-week) risk of suicide by identifying changes in behavioral patterns characterized through real-time smartphone monitoring in a cohort of patients with suicidal ideation. METHODS: We recruited 225 patients between February 2018 and March 2020 with a history of suicidal thoughts and behavior as part of the multicenter SmartCrisis study. Throughout 6 months of follow-up, we collected information on the risk of suicide or mental health crises. All participants underwent voluntary passive monitoring using data generated by their own smartphones, including distance walked and steps taken, time spent at home, and app usage. The algorithm constructs daily activity profiles for each patient according to these data and detects changes in the distribution of these profiles over time. Such changes are considered critical periods, and their relationship with suicide-risk events was tested. RESULTS: During follow-up, 18 (8%) participants attempted suicide, and 14 (6.2%) presented to the emergency department for psychiatric care. The behavioral changes identified by the algorithm predicted suicide risk in a time frame of 1 week with an area under the curve of 0.78, indicating good accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: We describe an innovative method to identify mental health crises based on passively collected information from patients' smartphones. This technology could be applied to homogeneous groups of patients to identify different types of crises.

Ruminococcus gnavus bacteremia: Literature review and a case report associated with acute flare of ulcerative colitis in an immunocompromised patient.

We present a case of bacteremia caused by Ruminococcus gnavus in an immunocompromised patient. R. gnavus is a Gram-positive strict anaerobe bacterium that forms chains. The bacteremia has been associated with an acute flare of ulcerative colitis. Anaerobic bacteremia is becoming increasingly frequent in patients with compromised gastrointestinal barrier. The role of the human microbiota and its alterations in the pathogenesis of immune-related diseases is an expanding area of interest. R. gnavus has been identified as a microorganism that may be responsible for the development of these diseases. The contribution of anaerobic bacteria to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is discussed, and cases reported up until 2023 were reviewed.

Assessing the energy recovery potential at district metered areas inlets of water supply systems: A Spanish case study.

The energy required for various processes in the water cycle can have significant economic and environmental impacts. Therefore, efficient energy management in urban water supply systems is crucial for a sustainable operation. By installing energy recovery technologies in these facilities, it is possible to reap the benefits of the infrastructure design by saving energy. In this study, a new methodology to assess the energy recovery at the inlets of district metered areas is presented, considering the city of Murcia (Spain) as case study. This methodology is based on creating a detailed model of city water supply system and calibrating such model with an experimental campaign of measurements. Then, the assessment of the hydraulic potential recovery is analysed through two different energy estimators, one considering the minimum available net head and the other assuming a variable net head. Results show that there are several points where turbines could be installed, most of them recovering in between 1000-5000 kWh, which could be used to cover the yearly energy consumption of about 24-120 m2 of a school or 10-50 traffic lights of such area. Moreover, in some points it could be recovered up to 14500 kWh. Even though these values are not high, the energy recovered could be used for self-consumption of nearby electrical loads, at the time that reduces the pressure in the system, thus leading to leak reductions. Moreover, this kind of energy recovery does not reduce the potential of other proposals for upstream energy recovery, such as replacing pressure reduction valves with turbines instead. The scripts developed to apply the proposed methodology are available in EPANET-Octave file exchange for the researcher community.

Selenized Chickpea Sprouts Hydrolysates as a Potential Anti-Aging Ingredient.

Skin aging represents a health and aesthetic problem that could result in infections and skin diseases. Bioactive peptides can potentially be used in skin aging regulation. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) selenoproteins were obtained from germination with 2 mg Na2SeO3/100 g of seeds for 2 days. Alcalase, pepsin, and trypsin were used as hydrolyzers, and a membrane < 10 kDa was used to fractionate the hydrolysate. Se content, antioxidant capacity, elastase and collagen inhibition, functional stability, and preventative capacity were analyzed. Significant increases in Se content were found in germinated chickpea flour and protein related to the control. An increase of 38% in protein was observed in the selenized flour related to the control. A band (600-550 cm-1) observed in the selenized hydrolysates suggested the insertion of Se into the protein. Hydrolysates from pepsin and trypsin had the highest antioxidant potential. Se enhanced the stability of total protein and protein hydrolysates through time and increased their antioxidant capacity. Hydrolysates > 10 kDa had higher elastase and collagenase inhibition than the total protein and hydrolysates < 10 kDa. Protein hydrolysates < 10 kDa 6 h before UVA radiation had the highest inhibition of collagen degradation. Selenized protein hydrolysates showed promising antioxidant effects that could be related to skin anti-aging effects.