A conceptual framework for landscape-based environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides.

While pesticide use is subject to strict regulatory oversight worldwide, it remains a main concern for environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation. This is partly due to the current regulatory approach that relies on separate assessments for each single pesticide, crop use, and non-target organism group at local scales. Such assessments tend to overlook the combined effects of overall pesticide usage at larger spatial scales. Integrative landscape-based approaches are emerging, enabling the consideration of agricultural management, the environmental characteristics, and the combined effects of pesticides applied in a same or in different crops within an area. These developments offer the opportunity to deliver informative risk predictions relevant for different decision contexts including their connection to larger spatial scales and to combine environmental risks of pesticides, with those from other environmental stressors. We discuss the needs, challenges, opportunities and available tools for implementing landscape-based approaches for prospective and retrospective pesticide Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA). A set of "building blocks" that emerged from the discussions have been integrated into a conceptual framework. The framework includes elements to facilitate its implementation, in particular: flexibility to address the needs of relevant users and stakeholders; means to address the inherent complexity of environmental systems; connections to make use of and integrate data derived from monitoring programs; and options for validation and approaches to facilitate future use in a regulatory context. The conceptual model can be applied to existing ERA methodologies, facilitating its comparability, and highlighting interoperability drivers at landscape level. The benefits of landscape-based pesticide ERA extend beyond regulation. Linking and validating risk predictions with relevant environmental impacts under a solid science-based approach will support the setting of protection goals and the formulation of sustainable agricultural strategies. Moreover, landscape ERA offers a communication tool on realistic pesticide impacts in a multistressors environment for stakeholders and citizens.

Evidence That a Peptide-Drug/p53 Gene Complex Promotes Cognate Gene Expression and Inhibits the Viability of Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is considered the deadliest brain cancer. Conventional therapies are followed by poor patient survival outcomes, so novel and more efficacious therapeutic strategies are imperative to tackle this scourge. Gene therapy has emerged as an exciting and innovative tool in cancer therapy. Its combination with chemotherapy has significantly improved therapeutic outcomes. In line with this, our team has developed temozolomide-transferrin (Tf) peptide (WRAP5)/p53 gene nanometric complexes that were revealed to be biocompatible with non-cancerous cells and in a zebrafish model and were able to efficiently target and internalize into SNB19 and U373 glioma cell lines. The transfection of these cells, mediated by the formulated peptide-drug/gene complexes, resulted in p53 expression. The combined action of the anticancer drug with p53 supplementation in cancer cells enhances cytotoxicity, which was correlated to apoptosis activation through quantification of caspase-3 activity. In addition, increased caspase-9 levels revealed that the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis was implicated. This assumption was further evidenced by the presence, in glioma cells, of Bax protein overexpression-a core regulator of this apoptotic pathway. Our findings demonstrated the great potential of peptide TMZ/p53 co-delivery complexes for cellular transfection, p53 expression, and apoptosis induction, holding promising therapeutic value toward glioblastoma.

Edible insects: Understanding benzo(a)pyrene toxicokinetics in yellow mealworms for safe and sustainable consumption.

The global interest in edible insects as sustainable protein sources raises concerns about the bioaccumulation of contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to problematic levels. Understanding the accumulation dynamics of PAHs in edible insects is highly relevant due to the widespread sources and toxicological profiles; however, the bioaccumulative potential of PAHs in edible insects is unexplored. This study examined the uptake and elimination dynamics of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a representative and carcinogenic PAH, in yellow mealworm larvae (YMW, Tenebrio molitor). Larvae were exposed to feeding substrate with varying B(a)P concentrations (0.03, 0.3, and 3 mg kg-1), and uptake (21 days in B(a)P-contaminated substrate) and elimination (21 days in B(a)P-free substrate) kinetics were subsequently assessed. The results showed that YMW can eliminate B(a)P, revealing dose-dependent B(a)P bioaccumulation in these insects. Larvae fed on a substrate with 0.03 mg kg-1 accumulated B(a)P over 21 days, presenting values of 0.049 (Standard deviation - 0.011) mg kg-1 and a kinetic-based (BAFkinetic) of 1.93 g substrate g organism-1, exceeding the EU regulatory limits for food. However, with a B(a)P half-life (DT50) of 4.19 days in the larvae, an EU legislation safety criterion was met after a 13-day depuration period in clean substrate. Larvae exposed to substrates with 0.3 and 3 mg kg-1 showed B(a)P accumulation, with BAFkinetic values of 3.27 and 2.09 g substrate g organism-1, respectively, not meeting the current legal standards for food consumption at the end of the exposure to B(a)P. Although the B(a)P half-life values after 35 days were 4.30 and 10.22 days (DT50s), the larvae retained B(a)P levels exceeding permitted food safety limits. These findings highlight a significant oversight in regulating PAHs in animal feed and the need for comprehensive safety evaluations of PAH hazards in edible insects for improved PAH feeding guidelines.

Effects of naturally sourced bitumen samples from Alberta oil sands region (Canada) on aquatic benthic invertebrates: A case study with Chironomus riparius.

Athabasca oil sands in Alberta, Canada, are large bitumen deposits and are one of the world's largest petroleum reserves. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the influence of this naturally occurring bitumen on freshwaters. Using laboratory-based exposure studies, we examined the life cycle responses of the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius to both naturally formed solid bitumen incorporated in the sediment and its corresponding aqueous extracts, denominated as elutriates. The 28-day partial life cycle assay involved bitumen samples from two distinct geological origins in the Athabasca River Basin (Clearwater and McMurray formations), comprising both weathered and freshly collected bitumen from a total of 4 different rivers. Our results demonstrate a measurable impact of sediment-embedded bitumen on C. riparius life history traits, namely on their growth and emergence patterns. Furthermore, we observed that bitumen samples from the Ells River (McMurray formation), which were freshly collected from exposed river bank soil deposits, exerted the strongest effects on most studied eco-physiological endpoints. Bitumen extracts from the Steepbank River and Athabasca River in the McMurray Formation and Steepbank River in the Clearwater Formation followed, underscoring the geographical variance in bitumen-induced toxicity. Exposure to elutriates, simulating "weathered" bitumen generally did not induce adverse effects in C. riparius life-cycle endpoints compared to elutriates prepared from freshly eroded bank soils. This emphasizes the importance of considering bitumen sources, their age, and the aquatic receiving environment when assessing potential adverse exposure effects. Our study shows that exposure to freshly eroded soils/sediments can potentially affect benthic invertebrates. More research is needed to understand how hydrological changes affect bitumen sediment exposure and the associated risks to aquatic biota.

Structural and Functional Shifts in the Microbial Community of a Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil Exposed to Short-Term Changes in Air Temperature, Soil Moisture and UV Radiation.

The interplay between metal contamination and climate change may exacerbate the negative impact on the soil microbiome and, consequently, on soil health and ecosystem services. We assessed the response of the microbial community of a heavy metal-contaminated soil when exposed to short-term (48 h) variations in air temperature, soil humidity or ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the absence and presence of Enchytraeus crypticus (soil invertebrate). Each of the climate scenarios simulated significantly altered at least one of the microbial parameters measured. Irrespective of the presence or absence of invertebrates, the effects were particularly marked upon exposure to increased air temperature and alterations in soil moisture levels (drought and flood scenarios). The observed effects can be partly explained by significant alterations in soil properties such as pH, dissolved organic carbon, and water-extractable heavy metals, which were observed for all scenarios in comparison to standard conditions. The occurrence of invertebrates mitigated some of the impacts observed on the soil microbial community, particularly in bacterial abundance, richness, diversity, and metabolic activity. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering the interplay between climate change, anthropogenic pressures, and soil biotic components to assess the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems and to develop and implement effective management strategies.

Smoking Induces a Decline in Semen Quality and the Activation of Stress Response Pathways in Sperm.

Male infertility is a prevalent concern affecting couples worldwide. While genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive system defects play significant roles, emerging evidence suggests that lifestyle choices also profoundly impact male fertility. This study aimed to explore the effects of several lifestyle factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary habits, on semen quality parameters and molecular biomarkers. Thirty healthy male volunteers were recruited in the Urology service at Hospital Infante D. Pedro, Aveiro, Portugal. Participants completed lifestyle questionnaires and provided semen samples, which were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria by experienced technicians. We also analyzed the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and heat-shock response-related proteins to explore the activation of signaling pathways involved in stress response within sperm cells. Our results revealed that tobacco consumption reduced semen volume and total sperm count. Although the changes in the percentage of total motility and normal morphology in the smokers' group did not reach statistical significance, a slight decrease was observed. Moreover, we identified for the first time a significant association between tobacco consumption and increased levels of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and phosphorylated HSP27 (p-HSP27) in sperm cells, indicating the potential detrimental effects of tobacco on the reproductive system. This study highlights that lifestyle factors reduce semen quality, possibly by inducing stress in sperm, raising awareness about the effects of these risk factors among populations at risk of male infertility.

Assessing the impact of antineoplastic drugs in the aquatic environment: State of the art and future perspective for freshwater organisms.

Since the late 70s, the continuous pharmaceuticals` input into the environment has raised concerns regarding the eventual risk posed by such compounds to human and environmental health. A major group of pharmaceuticals in terms of environmental impact are the antineoplastic agents (AAs). Herein, we followed a systematic review method to retrieve antineoplastic agents (AAs') ecotoxicological information regarding freshwater species. In this analysis, data from diverse taxonomic groups, from microorganisms to vertebrate species, looked at different levels of biological organization, including cell lines. Furthermore, this review gathers ecotoxicological parameters (EC50 and LC50) for imatinib (IM), cisplatin (CisPt), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves and estimates the hazard concentration (HC5) considering the protection of 95% of the ecological community. Lastly, we suggest how we can improve AAs' Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA), considering potential adoptable toxicity endpoints, test duration, AAs metabolites testing, and AAs mixture exposure.

Ecotoxicological effects of fluvial eroded bitumen sediments from the Alberta oil sands to model aquatic species.

To fully understand the ecological and cumulative effects of mining activities on the surrounding aquatic systems of the Canadian oil sands region, it is essential to understand the consequences of exposure to bitumen-containing soils/sediment from natural geomorphological processes. Both physical and chemical stress on aquatic biota can potentially result from exposure to natural bitumen, resulting from hillslope erosional processes and slumping of bankside soils into the rivers, affecting both riverbed habitat and water quality. The magnitude and duration of bitumen-containing soil's fluvial soils/erosional input into receiving watersheds depends on the interannual variability in the regional hydroclimatology and related seasonal and extreme flow events. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological effects associated with erosional input of riverbank bitumen soils using controlled exposures. A series of integrated, laboratory-based ecotoxicological bioassays were conducted using organisms with different ecological and functional traits (Daphnia magna (Cladocera), Physa acuta (Gastropoda), and Aliivibrio fischeri (Bacteria)). All model organisms were exposed to elutriates produced from natural bitumen from four different regional rivers: fresh bitumen from shoreline outcrops at the Steepbank River upper and lower reaches (STB-CF and STB-MF, respectively) and the lower-Ells River (EL-MF) and aged, fluvially processed/weathered bitumen from the shoreline of the Athabasca River (ATB-MF). All tested organisms responded negatively to STB-MF and EL-MF elutriates. Low toxicity was also observed in the STB-CF and ATB-MF samples. These results follow the chemical analysis of the parental material and elutriates, where higher levels of metals, polycyclic aromatic compounds and naphthenic acids were detected in the EL-MF sample. In summary, this study shows that eroded and transported bitumen-containing soils and sediments could be a natural source of contaminant exposure to aquatic biota. This fluvial pathway should be considered when assessing background toxicity and the toxicological and ecological effects of oil sands mining activities.

Locust bean milling-derived dust as a raw material for the development of biodegradable bioplastics with antioxidant activity.

BACKGROUND: Non-value agrifood byproducts are rich in biomolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides, and possess film-forming ability, motivating their use in the development of biodegradable plastics. This work studied the feasibility of using locust bean milling-derived dust (LBMD) as a source of biomolecules suitable for developing biodegradable plastics. RESULTS: LBMD is composed of 56% protein, 28% carbohydrate, 10% moisture, 6% lipid, and 2% ash. In addition, phenolic compounds are also present. The carbohydrates are mainly composed by (1 → 4)-mannose, (1 → 4,6)-mannose, and t-galactose glycosidic linkages. Depending on the LBMD concentration used, when employed in casting biodegradable plastics, LBMD yields transparent yellowish bioplastics with 90% elongation at break and surface water contact angles ranging from 60° to 90°. Additionally, LBMD-based bioplastics display antioxidant activity, inhibiting cationic 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals up to 61% in just 24 h. LBMD-based bioplastics are disintegrated when incubated on the soil surface for 34 weeks, perhaps acting as a soil nutrient. CONCLUSION: LBMD represents a potential source of biomolecules for producing transparent, flexible, water tolerant, antioxidant, and biodegradable bioplastics, opening up opportunities to implement a novel circular strategy to valorize this locust bean industry byproduct. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Environmental Hazard of Anticancer Drugs: State of the Art and Future Perspective for Marine Organisms.

Pharmaceutical compounds represent a class of emerging contaminants present in the environment. Their intense (and increasing) use in human and veterinary medicine leads to their discharge, mainly via human excretion, into wastewater treatment plants where their removal is inefficient. A specific class of pharmaceuticals used to fight cancer, known as antineoplastic or anticancer drugs, has gained increased attention regarding their possible environmental hazard due to their pharmacological properties, which include the nonselective targeting of DNA replication mechanisms and cell division processes, potentially inducing cell apoptosis. To date, there is limited information concerning the effects of anticancer drugs and/or their metabolites in species inhabiting freshwater environments, let alone marine and estuarine compartments. In the present review, we aimed to assemble information regarding the impact that anticancer drugs have on biological traits of marine species, to identify gaps in the current environmental hazard assessment, and to make recommendations to promote an efficient environmental hazard assessment of anticancer drugs in the marine environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1793-1807. © 2022 SETAC.

Short-Term Responses of Soil Microbial Communities to Changes in Air Temperature, Soil Moisture and UV Radiation.

We analyzed the effects on a soil microbial community of short-term alterations in air temperature, soil moisture and ultraviolet radiation and assessed the role of invertebrates (species Enchytraeus crypticus) in modulating the community's response to these factors. The reference soil, Lufa 2.2, was incubated for 48 h, with and without invertebrates, under the following conditions: standard (20 °C + 50% water holding capacity (WHC)); increased air temperature (15-25 °C or 20-30 °C + 50% WHC); flood (20 °C + 75% WHC); drought (20 °C + 25% WHC); and ultraviolet radiation (UV) (20 °C + 50% WHC + UV). BIOLOG EcoPlates and 16S rDNA sequencing (Illumina) were used to assess the microbial community's physiological profile and the bacterial community's structure, respectively. The bacterial abundance (estimated by 16S rDNA qPCR) did not change. Most of the conditions led to an increase in microbial activity and a decrease in diversity. The structure of the bacterial community was particularly affected by higher air temperatures (20-30 °C, without E. crypticus) and floods (with E. crypticus). Effects were observed at the class, genera and OTU levels. The presence of invertebrates mostly resulted in the attenuation of the observed effects, highlighting the importance of considering microbiome-invertebrate interactions. Considering future climate changes, the effects described here raise concern. This study provides fundamental knowledge to develop effective strategies to mitigate these negative outcomes. However, long-term studies integrating biotic and abiotic factors are needed.

Intelligence quotient (IQ) as a predictor of epilepsy surgery outcome.

INTRODUCTION: About one-third of patients with epilepsy have a refractory form which is associated with important economic and psychosocial burden. Most of these patients also suffer from comorbidities. One of the most frequent is cognitive impairment. Resective surgery or neuromodulation techniques may improve seizure control. Several factors have been proposed as potential predictors of the success of surgery regarding seizure frequency. We aimed to study preoperative cognitive performance as a predictor of the epilepsy surgery outcome. METHODS: In this ambispective study we studied total intelligence quotients (IQ) measured before surgery with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) as a potential predictor of Engel Class at 1 year after surgery. Then we included IQ in a multivariate model and tested its performance. RESULTS: Preoperative IQ was a significant and independent predictor of the Engel Class at 1 year after surgery (OR 0.94; CI 0.90-0.98; p = 0.007). The multivariate model including the age at epilepsy onset, education level, sex, and the type of surgery (resective versus palliative surgery) showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: A low intelligence level may constitute a marker of worse prognosis after epilepsy surgery. However, other predictors should also be considered when evaluating surgical candidates.

Microplastic Fibers Increase Sublethal Effects of AgNP and AgNO3 in Daphnia magna by Changing Cellular Energy Allocation.

The effects of combined exposure to microplastics and contaminants are still not completely understood. To fill this gap, we assessed the effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic fibers (100 mg/L; 360 µm average length) on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs; 32 nm) and silver nitrate (AgNO3 ; 0.1-10 µg Ag/L) to Daphnia magna. Acute immobilization (median effect concentration [EC50]) and cellular energy allocation (CEA; ratio between available energy and energy consumption) were determined in neonates (<24 h old) and juveniles (7 d old), respectively. The 48-h EC50 for AgNP and AgNO3 (2.6 and 0.67 µg Ag/L, respectively) was not affected by the presence of microplastic fibers (2.2 and 0.85 µg Ag/L, respectively). No decrease in the available energy was observed: lipid, carbohydrate, and protein contents were unaffected. However, a significant increase in energy consumption was observed in animals exposed to AgNO3 (250% compared with control) and to the combination of microplastic fibers with AgNP (170%) and AgNO3 (260%). The exposure to microplastic fibers alone or in combination with both Ag forms decreased the CEA (values were 55-75% of control values). Our results show that after short-term exposure (48 h), microplastic fibers increased Ag toxicity at a subcellular level (i.e., CEA), but not at the individual level (i.e., immobilization). These results highlight the importance of combining different levels of biological organization to fully assess the ecotoxicological effects of plastics in association with environmental contaminants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:896-904. © 2021 SETAC.

Effects of nanostructure antifouling biocides towards a coral species in the context of global changes.

Biofouling prevention is one of the biggest challenges faced by the maritime industry, but antifouling agents commonly impact marine ecosystems. Advances in antifouling technology include the use of nanomaterials. Herein we test an antifouling nano-additive based on the encapsulation of the biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) in engineered silica nanocontainers (SiNC). The work aims to assess the biochemical and physiological effects on the symbiotic coral Sarcophyton cf. glaucum caused by (1) thermal stress and (2) DCOIT exposure (free or nanoencapsulated forms), in a climate change scenario. Accordingly, the following hypotheses were addressed: (H1) ocean warming can cause toxicity on S. cf. glaucum; (H2) the nanoencapsulation process decreases DCOIT toxicity towards this species; (H3) the biocide toxicity, free or encapsulated forms, can be affected by ocean warming. Coral fragments were exposed for seven days to DCOIT in both free and encapsulated forms, SiNC and negative controls, under two water temperature regimes (26 °C and 30.5 °C). Coral polyp behavior and photosynthetic efficiency were determined in the holobiont, while biochemical markers were assessed individually in the endosymbiont and coral host. Results showed transient coral polyp retraction and diminished photosynthetic efficiency in the presence of heat stress or free DCOIT, with effects being magnified in the presence of both stressors. The activity of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase were modulated by temperature in each partner of the symbiosis. The shifts in enzymatic activity were more pronounced in the presence of free DCOIT, but to a lower extent for encapsulated DCOIT. Increased levels of oxidative damage were detected under heat conditions. The findings highlight the physiological constrains elicited by the increase of seawater temperature to symbiotic corals and demonstrate that DCOIT toxicity can be minimized through encapsulation in SiNC. The presence of both stressors magnifies toxicity and confirm that ocean warming enhances the vulnerability of tropical photosynthetic corals to local stressors.

Predicting epilepsy surgery outcome in adult patients: May psychiatric diagnosis improve predictive models?

OBJECTIVE: With this study, we aimed to assess the importance of including psychiatric disorders in a comprehensive prediction model for epilepsy surgery. METHODS: Ambispective observational study with a sample of adults who underwent resective surgery. Participants were evaluated, before and one year after surgery, to collect data regarding their neurological and psychiatric history. The one-year post-surgical outcome was classified according to the Engel Outcome Scale. Previously identified predictors of post-surgical Engel Class were included in a logistic regression model. Then, the accuracy of alternative predictive models, including or excluding, past and current psychiatric diagnoses, were tried. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-six people participated in this study. The inclusion of psychiatric diagnosis resulted in a model with a higher AUC curve, however, the Delong method showed no significant statistical differences between the models. SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the fact that presurgical psychiatric diagnoses have shown to contribute to the prediction of epilepsy surgery outcome they do not contribute to a significant improvement of predictive models.

Assessing the acute and chronic toxicity of exposure to naturally occurring oil sands deposits to aquatic organisms using Daphnia magna.

In the Athabasca region, the oil sands are located at or near the surface making open-pit mining viable. In addition, the Athabasca River and its tributaries flow through these oil sands deposits, thereby receiving bitumen-associated contaminants through natural fluvial erosional and weathering processes. A key knowledge gap has been related to understanding both the magnitude and significance of the toxicological and ecological effects on aquatic organisms exposed to naturally occurring bitumen entering fluvial systems. Using the Daphnia magna model system, this study assessed the ecotoxicological effects of exposure to bitumen-elutriate treatments that simulated the early stages of fluvial/erosional exposure conditions. No significant among-site differences were observed in the survival of D. magna after 48 h exposure to elutriates produced from a 24 h extraction cycle, and chemical analysis indicated low concentration of a complex mixture of hydrocarbon and metal contaminants. In contrast, the same elutriates impaired reproduction and growth after a 21-day chronic exposure. F1 neonates from the chronic tests were tested for sensitivity to the reference substance potassium dichromate, revealing a decrease in their sensitivity. Inter-generational effects were also observed, with a significant decrease in subsequent neonate production, when daphnids were moved to a clean medium. Supplemental acute toxicity assays using 48 and 72 h bitumen extraction cycles progressively increased daphnid mortality after a 48-h exposure to the respective elutriates. This indicates that bitumen-associated contaminants are being liberated after initial input and fluvial washing (24 h), highlighting the need for future work to assess toxicity responses and associated elutriate water chemistry of a longer fluvial exposure time-series. This work contributes to our understanding of the possible effects of natural bitumen exposure on riverine aquatic ecosystems, providing new information to inform the delineation of baseline conditions to assess environmental change and the design of future regional effects-based monitoring programs.

Psychiatric disorders as predictors of epilepsy surgery outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine if a history of a mental disorder predicts a worst neurological outcome for patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. METHODS: We conducted an ambispective observational study including people with refractory epilepsy who underwent resective surgery. Demographic, psychiatric, and neurological data were collected, before and one year after surgery. Presurgical interviews included a psychiatric evaluation and the determination of prevalent and lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. The one-year postsurgical outcome was classified according to the Engel Outcome Scale. Predictors of postsurgical Engel class were determined using an ordered logistic regression model. RESULTS: A lifetime history of any mental disorder was a significant predictor of a higher Engel Class (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: This study shows that psychiatric lifetime diagnoses are associated with worse surgical outcome and highlighted the importance of the inclusion of these diagnoses in the evaluation of the potential success of the surgery.

Personality patterns of people with medically refractory epilepsy - Does the epileptogenic zone matter?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the rate of dysfunctional personality patterns before and after epilepsy surgery, their types, and the importance of the epileptogenic zone in a sample of people with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: We conducted an ambispective observational study, including refractory epilepsy surgery candidates. Demographic, psychiatric, and neurological data were recorded. Evaluation of personality was made using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II). Presurgical predictors of personality patterns were determined using a linear regression model. The proportion of patients with dysfunctional personality patterns, before and after surgery, was compared using the Mcnemar's test. Then a generalized estimating equation model was performed to include predictors of changes in this rate. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-nine participants were included. Seventy percent had a dysfunctional personality pattern before surgery. After surgery, this percentage dropped to 58%. The difference was statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.013). The most common types were Cluster C personality patterns. Temporal epileptogenic zone was a significant predictor of higher scores of the Avoidant (Coef. 11.8; Confidence Interval (CI) -0.59 23.7; p = 0.051) and Compulsive (Coef. 9.55; CI 2.48 16.6; p = 0.008) personality patterns and lower scores of Histrionic (Coef. -11.4; CI -21.2 -1.55; p = 0.024) and Antisocial (Coef. -8.4; CI -15.6 -1.25; p = 0.022) personality patterns, compared to extratemporal epileptogenic zone. CONCLUSION: People with refractory epilepsy have high rates of dysfunctional personality patterns. These patterns differ according to the epileptogenic zone.

Clinical determinants of psychopathological outcomes after epilepsy surgery.

OBJECTIVES: People with refractory epilepsy submitted to surgery may improve or deteriorate their cognitive and emotional functions. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of longitudinal changes in psychopathological symptomatology, one year after epilepsy surgery, considering clinical and demographic characteristics. METHODS: People with refractory epilepsy referred to epilepsy surgery were included in this ambispective study. Psychiatric evaluations were made before surgery and one year after the procedure. Demographic, psychiatric, and neurological data were recorded. Linear regression was used to analyze longitudinal data regarding the Global Severity Index and 9 symptom dimensions of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). RESULTS: Seventy-six people were included. Bilateral epileptogenic zone, lack of remission of disabling seizures, and deep brain stimulation, targeting the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS), were the most important predictors of an increase in SCL-90 scores, after surgery. CONCLUSION: Some individual factors may have an impact on the development or worsening of the previous psychopathology. This study identifies clinical aspects associated with greater psychological distress, after surgery. These patients may benefit from more frequent psychiatric routine assessments for early detection.

Unravelling the molecular mechanisms of nickel in woodlice.

During the last few years, there has been an alarming increase in the amount of nickel (Ni) being released into the environment, primarily due to its use in the production of stainless steel but also from other sources such as batteries manufacturing and consequent disposal. The established biotic ligand models provide precise estimates for Ni bioavailability, in contrast, studies describing the mechanisms underpinning toxicological effect of Ni are scarce. This study exploits RNA-seq to determine the transcriptomic responses of isopods using Porcellionides pruinosus as an example of a terrestrial metal-resistant woodlouse. Furthermore, the recently proposed model for Ni adverse outcome pathways (Ni-AOP) presents an unprecedented opportunity to fit isopod responses to Ni toxicity and define Porcellionides pruinosus as a metalomic model. Prior to this study, P. pruinosus represented an important environmental sentinel, though lacking genetic/omic data. The reference transcriptome generated here thus represents a major advance and a novel resource. A detailed annotation of the transcripts obtained is presented together with the homology to genes/gene products from Metazoan and Arthropoda phylum, Gene Ontology (GO) classification, clusters of orthologous groups (COG) and assignment to KEGG metabolic pathways. The differential gene expression comparison was determined in response to nickel (Ni) exposure and used to derive the enriched pathways and processes. It revealed a significant impact on ion trafficking and storage, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, reproduction impairment, genetics and epigenetics. Many of the processes observed support the current Ni-AOP although the data highlights that the current model can be improved by including epigenetic endpoints, which represents key chronic risks under a scenario of Ni toxicity.