Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Early Alterations Associated with Intrinsic Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines.

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of lung cancer, and drug resistance poses a significant obstacle in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the overexpression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a mechanism that promotes intrinsic resistance in tumor cells from the onset of treatment. Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells are a subset of cancer cells that survive and proliferate after exposure to therapeutic drugs, making them an essential object of study in cancer treatment. The molecular mechanisms underlying DTP cell survival are not fully understood; however, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to play a crucial role. DTP cells from lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were obtained after single exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; erlotinib or osimertinib). After establishing DTP cells, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the differential expression of the lncRNAs. Some lncRNAs and one mRNA were overexpressed in DTP cells. The clinical relevance of lncRNAs was evaluated in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RT-qPCR validated the overexpression of lncRNAs and mRNA in the residual DTP cells and LUAD biopsies. Knockdown of these lncRNAs increases the sensitivity of DTP cells to therapeutic drugs. This study provides an opportunity to investigate the involvement of lncRNAs in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie intrinsic resistance. The identified lncRNAs and CD74 mRNA may serve as potential prognostic markers or therapeutic targets to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with lung cancer.

Loss of Elp1 in cerebellar granule cell progenitors models ataxia phenotype of Familial Dysautonomia.

Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a splice site mutation in the gene ELP1, which disproportionally affects neurons. While classically characterized by deficits in sensory and autonomic neurons, neuronal defects in the central nervous system have also been described. Although ELP1 expression remains high in the normal developing and adult cerebellum, its role in cerebellar development is unknown. To explore the role of Elp1 in the cerebellum, we knocked out Elp1 in cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCPs) and examined the outcome on animal behavior and cellular composition. We found that GCP-specific conditional knockout of Elp1 (Elp1cKO) resulted in ataxia by 8 weeks of age. Cellular characterization showed that the animals had smaller cerebella with fewer granule cells. This defect was already apparent as early as 7 days after birth, when Elp1cKO animals also had fewer mitotic GCPs and shorter Purkinje dendrites. Through molecular characterization, we found that loss of Elp1 was associated with an increase in apoptotic cell death and cell stress pathways in GCPs. Our study demonstrates the importance of ELP1 in the developing cerebellum, and suggests that loss of Elp1 in the GC lineage may also play a role in the progressive ataxia phenotypes of FD patients.

A Probiotic Bacterium with Activity against the Most Frequent Bacteria and Viruses Causing Pediatric Diarrhea: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 (B. infantis IM1®).

The second leading cause of death in children under five years old is diarrheal disease. Probiotics, specifically bifidobacteria, have been associated with a reduction in the number of diarrhea episodes and their severity in babies. In this paper, we summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence of the efficacy of B. longum subsp. infantis IM1® against various gastrointestinal pathogens using in vitro models, animal models, and clinical studies carried out in our laboratory. The preclinical data demonstrate that IM1® effectively inhibits rotavirus replication (by up to 36.05%) in MA-104 and HT-29 cells and from infection (up to 48.50%) through the production of an 11-amino-acid peptide. IM1® displays the capability to displace pathogens from enterocytes, particularly Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica, and to reduce the adhesion to the HT29 cells of C. sakazakii and Shigella sonnei. In animal models, the IM1® strain exhibits in vivo protection against rotavirus and improves the clinical symptomatology of bacterial gastroenteritis. A clinical study involving infants under 3 months of age revealed that IM1® reduced episodes of diarrhea, proving to be safe, well tolerated, and associated with a lower prevalence of constipation. B. infantis IM1® emerges as an effective probiotic, diminishing episodes of diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal pathogens.

Effectiveness Of Tocilizumab In Aortitis And Aneurysms Associated With Giant Cell Arteritis.

OBJECTIVE: Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA-aortitis) is a frequent complication that may lead to aneurysms. Tocilizumab (TCZ) was approved in GCA, but the efficacy in GCA-aortitis and aneurysms has not been analyzed to date. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of TCZ in a wide series of GCA-aortitis and aneurysms. METHODS: Multicentre observational study with GCA-aortitis treated with TCZ. GCA was diagnosed by: a) ACR criteria, b) temporal artery biopsy, and/or c) imaging techniques. Aortitis was diagnosed mainly by PET/CT. Main outcomes were EULAR and imaging remission. Others were clinical remission, analytical normalization, corticosteroid-sparing effect, and the prevention and improvement of aneurysms. RESULTS: 196 patients with GCA-aortitis treated with TCZ. After 6 months, 72.2% reached EULAR remission but only 12% an imaging remission; increasing up-to 81.4% and 31.8%, respectively, at 24 months. A rapid clinical remission, ESR and CRP normalization was observed in 47.4%, 84.3% and 55.6%, at 1 month, increasing to 89.6%, 85.3% and 80.3% at 24 months, respectively. Aneurysms were present in 10 (5%) patients. Five of them required early surgery, while 3 others enlarged. No patient on TCZ therapy developed aneurysms during follow-up. CONCLUSION: In patients with GCA-aortitis treated with TCZ, a rapid and maintained clinical and analytical improvement was observed. However, there was an uncoupling between clinical and EULAR remission with imaging remission.

Characterization of patients with extensive left atrial myopathy referred for atrial fibrillation ablation: incidence, predictors, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although atrial fibrosis has a relevant impact on ablation success rate, experimental studies have reported that extensive fibrosis may be accompanied by a reduced burden secondary to a prominent depression of atrial excitability. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with extensive left atrial myopathy (ELAM), to analyze the predictive ability of established scores (AF score, APPLE, and DR-FLASH) and assess outcomes in terms of AF recurrence, left atrial flutter, and post-procedural heart failure admissions. METHODS: A total of 950 consecutive patients undergoing the first AF ablation were included. A 3D electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO3, Biosense Webster) was created using a multipolar mapping catheter (PentaRay, Biosense Webster). ELAM was defined as ≥ 50% low voltage area. A subanalysis with four groups was also created (< 10%; 10-20%; 10-20%; and > 30%). Logistic regressions, Cox proportional hazards models, and log-rank test were used to test the predictors independently associated with the presence of ELAM and AF recurrence. The model was prospectively validated in a cohort of 150 patients obtaining an excellent ability for prediction AUC 0.90 (CI 95% 0.84-0.96). RESULTS: Overall, 78 (8.42%) presented ELAM. Age, female sex, persistent AF, first-degree AV block, and E/e' were significant predictors. The model incorporating these factors outperformed the existing scores (AUC = 0.87). During a mean follow-up of 20 months (IQR 9 to 36), patients with ELAM presented a higher rate of AF recurrence (42.02% vs 26.01%, p = 0.030), left atrial flutter (26.03% vs 8.02%, p < 0.001), and post-procedural heart failure admissions (12.01% vs 0.61%, p < 0.001) than non-ELAM patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the incidence and clinical factors associated with ELAM in AF, highlighting age, female, persistent AF, first-degree AV block, and E/e'. Importantly, the presence of ELAM is associated with poorer outcomes in terms of recurrence and HF admission.

Design and Validation of Primer Sets for the Detection and Quantification of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Environmental Samples by Quantitative PCR.

The high prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in several environments is a great concern threatening human health. Particularly, wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) become important contributors to the dissemination of ARB to receiving water bodies, due to the inefficient management or treatment of highly antibiotic-concentrated wastewaters. Hence, it is vital to develop molecular tools that allow proper monitoring of the genes encoding resistances to these important therapeutic compounds (antibiotic resistant genes, ARGs). For an accurate quantification of ARGs, there is a need for sensitive and robust qPCR assays supported by a good design of primers and validated protocols. In this study, eleven relevant ARGs were selected as targets, including aadA and aadB (conferring resistance to aminoglycosides); ampC, blaTEM, blaSHV, and mecA (resistance to beta-lactams); dfrA1 (resistance to trimethoprim); ermB (resistance to macrolides); fosA (resistance to fosfomycin); qnrS (resistance to quinolones); and tetA(A) (resistance to tetracyclines). The in silico design of the new primer sets was performed based on the alignment of all the sequences of the target ARGs (orthology grade > 70%) deposited in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, allowing higher coverages of the ARGs' biodiversity than those of several primers described to date. The adequate design and performance of the new molecular tools were validated in six samples, retrieved from both natural and engineered environments related to wastewater treatment. The hallmarks of the optimized qPCR assays were high amplification efficiency (> 90%), good linearity of the standard curve (R2 > 0.980), repeatability and reproducibility across experiments, and a wide linear dynamic range. The new primer sets and methodology described here are valuable tools to upgrade the monitorization of the abundance and emergence of the targeted ARGs by qPCR in WWTPs and related environments.

Differential Effect of 4H-Benzo[d] [1, 3]oxazines on the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: A family of 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazines were obtained from a group of N-(2-alkynyl)aryl benzamides precursors via gold(I) catalysed chemoselective 6-exo-dig C-O cyclization. METHOD: The precursors and oxazines obtained were studied in breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, CAMA-1, HCC1954 and SKBR-3 with differential biological activity showing various degrees of inhibition with a notable effect for those that had an aryl substituted at C-2 of the molecules. 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazines showed an IC50 rating from 0.30 to 157.4 µM in MCF-7, 0.16 to 139 in CAMA-1, 0.09 to 93.08 in SKBR-3, and 0.51 to 157.2 in HCC1954 cells. RESULTS: We observed that etoposide is similar to benzoxazines while taxol effect is more potent. Four cell lines responded to benzoxazines while SKBR-3 cell line responded to precursors and benzoxazines. Compounds 16, 24, 25 and 26 have the potent effect in cell proliferation inhibition in the 4 cell lines tested and correlated with oxidant activity suggesting a possible mechanism by ROS generation. CONCLUSION: These compounds represent possible drug candidates for the treatment of breast cancer. However, further trials are needed to elucidate its full effect on cellular and molecular features of cancer.

Nanobubble applications in aquaculture industry for improving harvest yield, wastewater treatment, and disease control.

The ever-growing demand for aquaculture has led the industry to seek novel approaches for more sustainable practices. These attempts aim to increase aquaculture yield by increasing energy efficiency and decreasing footprint and chemical demand without compromising animal health. For this, emerging nanobubbles (NBs) aeration technology gained attention. NBs are gas-filled pockets suspended as sphere-like cavities (bulk NBs) or attached to surfaces (surface NBs) with diameters of <1 µm. Compared to macro and microbubbles, NBs have demonstrated unique characteristics such as long residence times in water, higher gas mass transfer efficiency, and hydroxyl radical production. This paper focuses on reviewing NB technology in aquaculture systems by summarizing and discussing uses and implications. Three focus areas were targeted to review the applicability and effects of NBs in aquaculture: (i) NBs aeration to improve the aquaculture harvest yield and subsequent wastewater treatment; (ii) NB application for inactivation of harmful microorganisms; and (iii) NBs for reducing oxidative stress and improving animal health. Thus, this study reviews the research studies published in the last 10 years in which air, oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen NBs were tested to improve gas mass transfer, wastewater treatment, and control of pathogenic microorganisms. The experimental results indicated that air and oxygen NBs yield significantly higher productivity, growth rate, total harvest, survival rate, and less oxygen consumption in fish and shrimp farming. Secondly, the application of air and ozone NBs demonstrated the ability of efficient pollutant degradation. Third, NB application demonstrated effective control of infectious bacteria and viruses, and thus increased fish survival, as well as different gene expression patterns that induce immune responses to infections. Reviewed studies lack robust comparative analyses of the efficacy of macro- and microbubble treatments. Also, potential health and safety implications, as well as economic feasibility through factors such as changes in capital infrastructure, routine maintenance and energy consumption need to be considered and evaluated in parallel to applicability. Therefore, even with a promising future, further studies are needed to confirm the benefits of NB treatment versus conventional aquaculture practices.

A detailed 3D MRI brain atlas of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens.

The study of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evolutionary analyses is still in its incipient stage, however, it is particularly useful as it allows us to analyze detailed anatomical images and compare brains of rare or otherwise inaccessible species, evolutionarily contextualizing possible differences, while at the same time being non-invasive. A good example is the lungfishes, sarcopterygians that are the closest living relatives of tetrapods and thus have an interesting phylogenetic position in the evolutionary conquest of the terrestrial environment. In the present study, we have developed a three-dimensional representation of the brain of the lungfish Protopterus annectens together with a rostrocaudal anatomical atlas. This methodological approach provides a clear delineation of the major brain subdivisions of this model and allows to measure both brain and ventricular volumes. Our results confirm that lungfish show neuroanatomical patterns reminiscent of those of extant basal sarcopterygians, with an evaginated telencephalon, and distinctive characters like a small optic tectum. These and additional characters uncover lungfish as a remarkable model to understand the origins of tetrapod diversity, indicating that their brain may contain significant clues to the characters of the brain of ancestral tetrapods.

miRNAs as Interconnectors between Obesity and Cancer.

Obesity and cancer are a concern of global interest. It is proven that obesity may trigger the development or progression of some types of cancer; however, the connection by non-coding RNAs has not been totally explored. In the present review, we discuss miRNAs and lncRNAs dysregulation involved in obesity and some cancers, shedding light on how these conditions may exacerbate one another through the dysregulation of ncRNAs. lncRNAs have been reported as regulating microRNAs. An in silico investigation of lncRNA and miRNA interplay is presented. Our investigation revealed 44 upregulated and 49 downregulated lncRNAs in obesity and cancer, respectively. miR-375, miR-494-3p, miR-1908, and miR-196 were found interacting with 1, 4, 4 and 4 lncRNAs, respectively, which are involved in PPARγ cell signaling regulation. Additionally, miR-130 was found to be downregulated in obesity and reported as modulating 5 lncRNAs controlling PPARγ cell signaling. Similarly, miR-128-3p and miR-143 were found to be downregulated in obesity and cancer, interacting with 5 and 4 lncRNAs, respectively, associated with MAPK cell signaling modulation. The delicate balance between miRNA and lncRNA expression emerges as a critical determinant in the development of obesity-associated cancers, presenting these molecules as promising biomarkers. However, additional and deeper studies are needed to reach solid conclusions about obesity and cancer connection by ncRNAs.

Microbial Ecology of Granular Biofilm Technologies for Wastewater Treatment: A Review.

Nowadays, the discharge of wastewater is a global concern due to the damage caused to human and environmental health. Wastewater treatment has progressed to provide environmentally and economically sustainable technologies. The biological treatment of wastewater is one of the fundamental bases of this field, and the employment of new technologies based on granular biofilm systems is demonstrating success in tackling the environmental issues derived from the discharge of wastewater. The granular-conforming microorganisms must be evaluated as functional entities because their activities and functions for removing pollutants are interconnected with the surrounding microbiota. The deep knowledge of microbial communities allows for the improvement in system operation, as the proliferation of microorganisms in charge of metabolic roles could be modified by adjustments to operational conditions. This is why engineering must consider the intrinsic microbiological aspects of biological wastewater treatment systems to obtain the most effective performance. This review provides an extensive view of the microbial ecology of biological wastewater treatment technologies based on granular biofilms for mitigating water pollution.

NSUN2 promotes colorectal cancer progression by enhancing SKIL mRNA stabilization.

BACKGROUND: NOP2/Sun domain 2 (NSUN2) is one of the important RNA methyltransferases catalyzing 5-methylcytosine (m5C) formation and participates in many critical bioprocesses. However, the roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of NSUN2-mediated m5C modification in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. METHODS: To explore the NSUN2 expression in CRC, fresh tissue samples were collected and Nsun2 knockout mouse was constructed. In vitro and in vivo functional assays were conducted to assess the role of NSUN2. RNA array and bisulfite sequencing were used to investigate the potential targets. The mechanisms of NSUN2 function on SKIL were identified by m5C-methylated-RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA stability assays. Additionally, tissue microarray analysis was conducted and patient-derived tumour xenograft mouse (PDX) models were used to define the potential therapeutic targets. RESULTS: NSUN2 was highly expressed in CRC and correlated with poor CRC patient survival. Moreover, silencing NSUN2 suppressed CRC tumourigenesis and progression in Nsun2 knockout mouse models. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that NSUN2 promoted colorectal cancer cell growth. Mechanistically, SKI-like proto-oncogene (SKIL) is positively regulated by NSUN2, and the NSUN2-SKIL axis is clinically relevant to CRC. NSUN2 induced m5C modification of SKIL and stabilized its mRNA, which was mediated by Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1). Elevated SKIL levels increased transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the importance of NSUN2 in the initiation and progression of CRC via m5C-YBX1-dependent stabilization of the SKIL transcript, providing a promising targeted therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Imaging of 3 bright terrestrial gamma-ray flashes by the atmosphere-space interactions monitor and their parent thunderstorms.

The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) on the International Space Station (ISS) includes an instrument designed to geolocate Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGF) produced by thunderstorms. It does so with a coded aperture system shadowing the pixelated Low Energy Detector of the Modular X- and Gamma-ray Sensor (MXGS). Additionally, it locates associated lightning flashes with the Modular Multispectral Imaging Array (MMIA). Here we present 3 bright TGFs with very similar duration, fluency and observation distance. The innovative imaging capabilities allow us to determine the TGF position and correlate the TGF-lightning parent event in time and position simultaneously. The accurate position determination and distance to the observer allow us to perform a comparative study of TGF characteristics. These TGFs were produced in association with lightning flashes below the highest cloud tops of developing to mature convective cells. In one event, GLM (Geostationary Lightning Mapper) cloud flash rates were slowing down after the TGF while negative cloud-to-ground flashes suddenly ceased from 10 to 5 min before the TGF. An 8-stroke (strongest: -93 kA) cloud-to-ground flash occurred 31 s before the TGF. Vertical profiles from the ERA5 reanalysis data suggest TGFs may be produced in variety of tropical environments.

Use of Medicinal Plants in the Process of Wound Healing: A Literature Review.

The literature on the use of medicinal plants in wound healing was comprehensively searched to obtain and assess the data. The data were procured via clinical studies that utilized medicinal plants and their compounds in vitro and in vivo for wound healing. This review collected data from electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, SciFinder, Thesis, and Scopus, using the search terms "natural products", "wound healing", and "natural compounds", along with the keywords "plants", "extracts", and "phytochemicals". Results from the last decade reveal a total of 62 families and 109 genera of medicinal plants, and their compounds have been studied experimentally both in vivo and in vitro and clinically found to effectively promote healing. This activity is related to the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which act at different stages through different mechanisms to exert anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects, confirming that the use of medicinal plants could be an adequate alternative to current conventional practices for treating wounds.

Simultaneous Parkinsonism and Dementia as Initial Presentation of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (IDAVFs) are abnormal vascular connections between dural arteries and various venous structures within the brain. IDAVFs, rarely present with parkinsonism and dementia concurrently, making this a unique and underexplored clinical scenario. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to comprehensively analyze cases of IDAVFs manifesting as both parkinsonism and dementia. METHODS: We assessed databases from inception to September 18, 2023. We identified studies describing patients with IDAVFs initially presenting with dementia or parkinsonism. Inclusion criteria encompassed case reports and case series, while excluding review articles, guidelines, technical notes, comments, conference abstracts, and editorials. RESULTS: The systematic search resulted in the initial screening of 383 studies, with 33 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Among these, 29 were case reports, often describing 3 or fewer patients. From the remaining 4 case series, data pertinent to patients presenting both parkinsonism and dementia were selectively extracted, yielding a total study population of 43 patients. The anatomical distribution of IDAVFs within this cohort was diverse, with the transverse and sigmoid sinuses being the most common locations. Although most of these patients received endovascular therapy, a few underwent microsurgical occlusion or combined surgical and endovascular treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IDAVFs presenting with both parkinsonism and dementia represent a rare clinical entity. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes for such cases. However, additional research involving larger cohorts is essential to better comprehend the underlying mechanisms and establish standardized therapeutic guidelines.

COVID-19, social determinants of transmission in the home. A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Studying transmission within the home is essential to understand the transmission dynamics of numerous infectious diseases. For Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), transmission within the home constitutes the majority exposure context. The risk of infection in this setting can be quantified by the household/intra-family secondary attack rate (SAR). In the literature, there are discrepancies in these values and little information about its social determinants. The aim of this study was to investigate transmission in the home by analyzing the influence of occupational social class, country of origin and gender/sex. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of a population registry of cohabiting contacts with COVID-19 cases diagnosed from 15 June to 23 December 2020, in the Murcia Region. The household SAR was analyzed considering the characteristics of the primary case (sex, age, symptoms, occupational social class, country of origin and number of people in the household) and contact (age and sex) using a multilevel binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: Among the 37 727 contacts included, the intra-family SAR was 39.1%. The contacts of confirmed primary cases in the migrant population (Africa and Latin America) had higher attack rates, even after adjusting for the other variables. Older age and female sex were independent risk factors for contracting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the home. CONCLUSION: There was greater intra-domiciliary transmission among immigrants, likely related to the conditions of the home and situation of social vulnerability. Women were more likely to be infected by transmission from a cohabiting infected individual.

Anticancer drugs impact the performance and prokaryotic microbiome of an aerobic granular sludge system operated in a sequential batch reactor.

Increased concerns exist about the presence of anticancer drugs in wastewater. However, knowledge of the impacts of anticancer drugs on the performance of the system and microbial communities during wastewater treatment processes is limited. We examined the effect of three anticancer drugs commonly detected in influents of wastewater treatment plants applied at three different concentration levels on the performance, efficiency of anticancer drug removal, and prokaryotic microbiome in an aerobic granular sludge system (AGS) operated in a sequential batch reactor (SBR). We showed that an AGS can efficiently remove anticancer drugs, with removal rates in the range of 53-100% depending on the type of drug and concentration level. Anticancer drugs significantly decreased the abundance of total bacterial and archaeal communities, an effect that was linked to reduced nitrogen removal efficiency. Anticancer drugs also reduced the diversity, altered the prokaryotic community composition, reduced network complexity, and induced a decrease of a wide range of predicted bacterial functions. Specific bacterial taxa responsive to the addition of anticancer drugs with known roles in nitrification and denitrification were identified. This study shows anticancer drugs should be monitored in the future as they can induce changes in the performance and microbiome of wastewater treatment technologies.

Farmed stage (age)-dependent accumulation and size of microplastics in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp reared in a super-intensive controlled system.

The abundance of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract (GT), gills (GI), and exoskeleton (EX) of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp cultured in a commercial indoor super-intensive controlled (ISCO) system was investigated. Shrimp of 25 days (postlarvae; PL25), and one, three, five, and seven culture months were analyzed. The postlarvae PL25 MP abundance per individual and gram of PL (wet weight) was 0.2 ± 0.0 MPs and 3.5 ± 0.5 MPs/g. For L. vannamei juveniles at one, three, five, and seven culture months, the MP abundance per juvenile shrimp was 10.0 ± 0.3, 27.2 ± 1.6, 32.3 ± 3.1, and 40.3 ± 3.6 MPs/individual, respectively (expressed in MPs/g of tissue were 1.6 ± 0.1, 2.0 ± 0.2, 2.0 ± 0.3 and 1.5 ± 0.2, respectively). Fibers were the most common MP type in all shrimp age classes (42.1-68.7 %), and the predominant color was transparent (46.1-65.0 %). The MP size in all shrimp stages ranged between 15 and 4686 µm. In general, the predominant polymers identified were PE (37.4 %), NY (21.1 %), and PET (18.5 %). The MP variability through the culture cycle showed that as the age of shrimp increased, and the culture advanced the MP abundance and size also augmented. Conversely, there is a higher MP abundance in L. vannamei cultured in ISCO systems compared to shrimp cultured in traditional semi-intensive and intensive ponds and those from wild environments. The latter is probably due to the extensive use of plasticized materials (geomembrane and greenhouse installations) and their degradation, which cause a greater MP exposure to shrimp. The estimated oral MP intake by ISCO shrimp consumption was 647 MPs/capita/year, which can be 178 % more than from wild shrimp.

Impact of initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment on the development of arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardiac devices.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been associated with improved prognosis in patients with heart failure, but their impact on atrial arrhythmic (AA) and ventricular arrhythmic (VA) events is not fully understood. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators who initiated treatment with SGLT2i. AA and VA events were compared in 2 time periods for each patient: 1 year before and 1 year after starting SGLT2i. RESULTS: The study included 195 patients (66.8 [61.3-73.1] years, 18.5% women). In the post-SGLT2i period, there was a reduction in the percentage of patients with any VA (pre: 52.3% vs post: 30.3%; P<.001) and clinically relevant VA (excluding nonsustained ventricular tachycardia) (pre: 21.5% vs post: 8.7%; P<.001). There was also a decrease in the number of episodes per patient/y of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (pre: 2 (1-5) vs post: 1 (0-2); P<.001) and sustained ventricular tachycardia (pre: 1 (1-3) vs post: 0 (0-2); P=0.046). However, no differences were observed in the prevalence of AA (24.7% vs 18.8%; P=.117) or the burden of atrial fibrillation (pre: 0% (0-0.1) vs post: 0% (0-0); P=.097). CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of SGLT2i treatment was associated with a decrease in the percentage of patients with relevant VA but this effect was not observed for AA.