Metal variability in small pelagic fish Scomber colias as influenced by volcanic events in the Canary Islands.

Offshore volcanic activity occurs when an underwater volcano erupts. These volcanoes can be located underwater or on land and can be very dangerous to marine life. The aim of this study is to examine whether the influence of two volcanoes has an effect on the concentrations of metals and trace elements in the Atlantic mackerel Scomber colias in the Canary Islands. For the study, ten specimens of S. colias were obtained from each sampling area in March 2022. Metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). The specimens of Scomber colias from the area affected by the Tajogaite volcano (La Palma) showed higher concentrations of all metals and trace elements analyzed than those from the other study areas. The specimens from the area of influence of the Tagoro Volcano (El Hierro) showed the second highest concentration of the elements studied, although this volcanic process is in a state of degassing.

The impact of implementing a non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (niPGT-A) embryo culture protocol on embryo viability and clinical outcomes.

STUDY QUESTION: Are modifications in the embryo culture protocol needed to perform non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (niPGT-A) affecting clinical reproductive outcomes, including blastocyst development and pregnancy outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER: The implementation of an embryo culture protocol to accommodate niPGT-A has no impact on blastocyst viability or pregnancy outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The recent identification of embryo cell-free (cf) DNA in spent blastocyst media has created the possibility of simplifying PGT-A. Concerns, however, have arisen at two levels. First, the representativeness of that cfDNA to the real ploidy status of the embryo. Second, the logistical changes that need to be implemented by the IVF laboratory when performing niPGT-A and their effect on reproductive outcomes. Concordance rates of niPGT-A to invasive PGT-A have gradually improved; however, the impact of culture protocol changes is not as well understood. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: As part of a trial examining concordance rates of niPGT-A versus invasive PGT-A, the IVF clinics implemented a specific niPGT-A embryo culture protocol. Briefly, this involved initial culture of fertilized oocytes following each laboratory standard routine up to Day 4. On Day 4, embryos were washed and cultured individually in 10 µl of fresh media. On Day 6 or 7, blastocysts were then biopsied, vitrified, and media collected for the niPGT-A analysis. Six IVF clinics from the previously mentioned trial were enrolled in this analysis. In the concordance trial, Clinic A cultured all embryos (97 cycles and 355 embryos) up to Day 6 or 7, whereas in the remaining clinics (B-F) (379 cycles), nearly a quarter of all the blastocysts (231/985: 23.5%) were biopsied on Day 5, with the remaining blastocysts following the niPGT-A protocol (754/985: 76.5%). During the same period (April 2018-December 2020), the IVF clinics also performed standard invasive PGT-A, which involved culture of embryos up to Days 5, 6, or 7 when blastocysts were biopsied and vitrified. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In total, 428 (476 cycles) patients were in the niPGT-A study group. Embryos from 1392 patients underwent the standard PGT-A culture protocol and formed the control group. Clinical information was obtained and analyzed from all the patients. Statistical comparisons were performed between the study and the control groups according to the day of biopsy. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The mean age, number of oocytes, fertilization rates, and number of blastocysts biopsied were not significantly different for the study and the control group. Regarding the overall pregnancy outcomes, no significant effect was observed on clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, or ongoing pregnancy rate (≥12 weeks) in the study group compared to the control group when stratified by day of biopsy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The limitations are intrinsic to the retrospective nature of the study, and to the fact that the study was conducted in invasive PGT-A patients and not specifically using niPGT-A cases. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study shows that modifying current IVF laboratory protocols to adopt niPGT-A has no impact on the number of blastocysts available for transfer and overall clinical outcomes of transferred embryos. Whether removal of the invasive biopsy step leads to further improvements in pregnancy rates awaits further studies. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by Igenomix. C.R., L.N.-S., and D.V. are employees of Igenomix. D.S. was on the Scientific Advisory Board of Igenomix during the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03520933).

Effect of cannabidiol as a neuroprotective agent on neurodevelopmental impairment in rats with neonatal hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on neurodevelopmental impairments in rats subjected to neonatal hypoxia, specifically examining its potential to mitigate motor and sensory deficits without the confounding effects of ischemia. METHODS: Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to one of four groups: Control, Control-CBD, Hypoxia, and Hypoxia-CBD. Hypoxia was induced on postnatal days 0 and 1. CBD (50 mg/kg) was administered orally for 14 days starting at postnatal day 0. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups scale and the Revised Neurobehavioral Severity Scale for rodents. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-way and one-way ANOVA, with Tukey's post-hoc tests for group comparisons. RESULTS: Pup weights were recorded on specified postnatal days, with no significant differences observed across the groups (p = 0.1834). Significant neurological impairments due to hypoxia were noted in the Control group compared to the Hypoxia group, particularly in hindlimb grasping on postnatal day 3 (p = 0.0025), posture on postnatal day 12 (p = 0.0073), and in general balance and sound reflex on postnatal day 20 (p = 0.0016 and p = 0.0068, respectively). Additionally, a statistically significant improvement in posture was observed in the Hypoxia-CBD group compared to the Hypoxia group alone (p = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that CBD possesses neuroprotective properties that significantly counteract the neurodevelopmental impairments induced by neonatal hypoxia in rats. This study not only supports the therapeutic potential of CBD in managing conditions characterized by neurodevelopmental challenges due to hypoxia but also underscores the necessity for further investigation into the specific molecular mechanisms driving CBD's neuroprotective effects. Further research is essential to explore CBD's clinical applications and its potential role in treating human neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dosimetrical and geometrical parameters in single-fraction lattice radiotherapy for the treatment of bulky tumors: Insights from initial clinical experience.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate lattice radiotherapy (LRT) for bulky tumor in 10 patients, analyzing geometrical and dosimetrical parameters and correlations among variables. METHODS: Patients were prescribed a single-fraction of 18 Gy to 50 % of each spherical vertex (1.5 cm diameter). Vertices were arranged in equidistant planes forming a triangular pattern. Center-to-center distance (Dc-c) between vertices was varied from 4 to 5 cm. A new method for calculating the valley-to-peak dose ratio (VPDR) was proposed and compared to other two from existing literature. GTV volumes (VGTV), vertex number (Nvert), low-dose related parameters and vertex D99%, D50%, and D1% were recorded. Beam-on time and Monitor Units (MU) were also evaluated. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's coefficient, with significant differences analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Tumor volumes ranged from 417 to 3615 cm3. Median vertex number was 14.5 (IQR:11.3-17.8). VPDR ranged from 0.16 to 0.28. Median D99% spanned from 10.0 to 13.7 Gy, median D50% exceeded 18.0 Gy, and median D1% surpassed 23.3 Gy. Periphery dose remained under 4.0 Gy. Plans exhibited high modulation, with median beam-on time and MU of 8.8 min (IQR:8.2-10.1) and 13,069 MU (IQR:11574-13639). Significant correlations were found between Nvert and VGTV (p < 0.01), MU (p < 0.02) and beam-on time (p < 0.01) and between Dc-c and two VPDR definitions (p < 0.02) and periphery dose (p < 0.01). Significant differences were observed among the three valley dose definitions (p < 0.01) and the three peak dose definitions (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reporting geometrical and dosimetrical parameters in LRT is crucial, alongside the need for unified definitions of valley and peak doses.

Metal concentrations in echinoderms: Assessing bioindicator potential and ecological implications.

This study investigates the concentrations of heavy metals and trace elements in five echinoderm species: Holothuria (Platyperona) sanctori, Arbacia lixula, Coscinasterias tenuispina, Ophioderma longicaudum, and Antedon bifida. Given their ecological significance and potential as a food source, understanding the presence and transfer of heavy metals in these species is crucial. Sampling was conducted in 2022 in Canary Islands. Analysis using ICP-OES revealed concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Fe in mg/kg. The results showed a consistent sequence of metals across all species, with Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd. Holothurians exhibiting the highest levels, followed by sea urchins. Starfish and brittle stars showed similar, lower concentrations, while crinoids exhibited the lowest levels, consistent with their filter-feeding behavior. The findings highlight the potential of holothurians as bioindicators for environmental pollutants. Understanding the role of these echinoderms as bioindicators is essential for assessing ecosystem health and informing conservation efforts in subtropical marine environments.

Environmental Factors Influencing Metal Concentrations in Scomber colias Along the Canary Islands.

A total of 140 specimens of Scomber colias were collected from the Canary archipelago waters during the first semester of 2021, with 20 samples from each of the seven main islands. After analyzing the concentrations of metals (Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Cu) with ICP-OES, significant variations were observed among islands, with specimens from Tenerife and Gran Canaria containing higher levels of Al, Cd, and Pb, while those from Lanzarote and Fuerteventura had elevated levels of Zn, Fe, and Cu. These differences are probably related to greater anthropogenic activity around Tenerife and Gran Canaria coasts, leading to higher pollution levels, and the influence of Saharan dust and African upwelling on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, enriching the waters with nutrients. Specific management strategies to mitigate marine pollution and continuous monitoring are crucial to safeguard marine ecosystems and to ensure food security.

Prospective study on stereotactic body radiotherapy for small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: tolerance and effectiveness analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the standard treatment for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), obtaining favorable results but associating high morbidity and mortality rates. This study assesses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a radical approach for small (< 2 cm) nonfunctioning pNETs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to June 2023, 20 patients with small pNETs underwent SBRT in an IRB-approved study. Endpoints included local control, tolerance, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). Diagnostic assessments comprised endoscopy, CT scans, OctreScan or PET-Dotatoc, abdominal MRI, and histological confirmatory samples. RESULTS: In a 30-month follow-up of 20 patients (median age 55.5 years), SBRT was well-tolerated with no grade > 2 toxicity. 40% showed morphological response, 55% remained stable. Metabolically, 50% achieved significant improvement. With a median OS of 41.5 months, all patients were alive without local or distant progression or need for surgical resection. CONCLUSION: SBRT is a feasible and well-tolerated approach for small neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors, demonstrating effective local control. Further investigations are vital for validation and extension of these findings.

Metastatic Occult Primary Lobular Breast Cancer: A Case Report.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in women. Invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) is the second most common histologic subtype after invasive ductal carcinoma. Metastatic occult primary breast cancer, although rare, is a well-known clinical entity that usually presents with axillary lymphadenopathy without a detectable breast tumour. A perimenopausal woman in her 50s presented with abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss. Imaging showed peritoneal carcinomatosis with ascites, ovarian masses, and a lesion in the ascending colon. Gastric and colon biopsies showed infiltration from lobular breast cancer. Diagnostic workup, including mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI, showed no evidence of breast pathology or axillary lymphadenopathy. First-line treatment with goserelin, letrozole, and palbociclib commenced with clinical improvement and radiological response. This case illustrates the challenges faced by clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of lobular breast cancer without an identifiable primary lesion or axillary lymphadenopathy.

Culture time to optimize embryo cell-free DNA analysis for frozen-thawed blastocysts undergoing noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ideal time in culture to optimize embryo cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) analysis in frozen-thawed blastocysts undergoing noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Cell-free DNA is released into the spent blastocyst media (spent media) by the embryo. However, the optimal timing to determine maximal cfDNA in the case of frozen-thawed blastocysts undergoing noninvasive PGT-A remains to be elucidated. DESIGN: In this prospective observational study, 135 spent media and corresponding whole blastocysts were collected from January 2021 through March 2022. SETTING: Private fertility clinics. PATIENTS: Day-5 frozen-thawed blastocysts were cultured for 8 hours (Day-5 Short) or 24 hours (Day-5 Long), whereas day-6 frozen-thawed blastocysts were cultured for 8 hours (Day-6 Short). The spent media and whole blastocysts were then collected for further analysis. Spent media and whole blastocysts were amplified using whole genome amplification and sequenced using next-generation sequencing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Informativity and concordance rates between cfDNA in spent media and whole blastocyst DNA were compared according to the different times in culture. RESULTS: When comparing time in culture, informativity rates for spent media were significantly higher for Day-5 Long and Day-6 Short (>91%) compared with the Day-5 Short group (<60%). A similar trend was observed for cases with and without a previous PGT-A. Regarding blastocyst expansion grade, informativity rates were lower on Day-5 Short compared with Day-5 Long and Day-6 Short, regardless of expansion degree. This decrease was significant for Gardner-grade expansion grades 3, 4, and 5-6. In addition, for a similar time in culture, the grade of expansion did not have an impact on the informativity rates. For concordance rates, no significant differences were observed among the 3 groups. In all cases, concordance rates were 90.5% for Day-5 Short, 93.6% for Day-5 Long, and 92.3% for Day-6 Short. No impact of the expansion grade was observed on concordance rates. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive PGT-A in frozen-thawed blastocysts yields very high concordance rates with whole blastocysts, possibly limiting the need for invasive PGT-A and making it available for a wider range of patients.

Impact of natural events on metal bioaccumulation in Anemonia sulcata.

Samples of Anemonia sulcata were collected in 2022 from different areas of the Canary Islands affected by different natural contamination sources, such sandstorms, submarine volcanic activity, continuous rainfall, upwelling and dinoflagellate blooms. Significant differences were observed between the zones for the metals and trace elements analyzed (Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, Fe, B, Cu, Mg and Li). Anemones from volcanic areas showed higher levels of Cd, Pb and Ni. Individuals from sandstorm areas showed elevated levels of Al, Zn and Fe. Samples collected from areas affected by upwelling processes had higher concentrations of Cu, Mg and Li. Finally, the areas affected by dinoflagellates showed lower levels of Zn, Pb, Fe, Mg and Li. The study reveals how natural phenomena dramatically influence metal accumulation in A. sulcata, which is of great value for anticipating and managing potential problems associated with public health.

Ultra-hypofractionated one-week locoregional radiotherapy for patients with early breast cancer: Acute toxicity results.

Purpose: Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy is the standard of care for all patients with breast cancer, irrespective of stage or prior treatments. While extreme hypofractionation is accepted for early-stage tumours, its application in irradiating locoregional lymph nodes remains controversial. Materials and methods: A prospective registry analysis from July 2020 to September 2023 included 276 patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with one-week ultra-hypofractionation (UHF) at 26 Gy in 5 fractions on the whole breast (58.3 %) or thoracic wall (41.7 %) and ipsilateral regional lymph nodes and simultaneous integrated boost (58.3 %). Primary endpoint was assessment of acute adverse events (AEs). Secondarily, onset of early-delayed toxicity was assessed. A minimum 6-month follow-up was required for assessing potential treatment-related early-delayed complications. Acute or late complications attributable to treatment were assessed at inclusion using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 criteria. Results: With a median follow-up of 19 months (range 1-49 months), 159 (57.6 %) patients reported AEs, predominantly grade (G) 1 (n = 139, 50.4 %) and G2 (n = 20, 7.8 %). Skin acute toxicity was common (G1/2: 134, G3: 14), while breast oedema occurred in 10 patients (G1: 9, G2: 1), and 15.9 % reported breast pain (G1: 42, G2: 2). Ipsilateral arm oedema was observed in 1.8 % patients. For patients with a follow-up beyond 6 months (n = 213), 23.4 % patients reported G1/G2 skin AEs, 8.8 % had G1/G2 breast/chest wall oedema, and 8.9 % experienced arm lymphedema. There were no cases of brachial plexopathy or G3 toxicity in this group of patients. Conclusions: One-week UHF adjuvant locoregional radiation is well-tolerated, displaying low-toxicity profiles comparable to other studies using similar irradiation schedules.

Exposure to Ozone Downregulates Bcl-2 and Increases Executing Caspases-3 and -8 in the Hippocampus, Frontal Cortex, and Cerebellum of Rats.

Introduction Ozone (O3) is one of the most prevalent atmospheric pollutants, arising from a photochemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sunlight. O3 triggers oxidative stress, resulting in lipid oxidation, inflammation, alterations in metabolic and cellular signaling, and potentially initiating cell death in vulnerable brain regions. Inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized for their ability to induce cell death, primarily through the apoptosis pathway, involving various proteins that participate in this process via two pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic. Objective This study aims to identify the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and Bcl-2 in the frontal cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus of rats exposed to O3 acutely. Methods Two groups of 20 Wistar rodents (250-300 g) were established. The control group (n=10) was exposed to unrestricted polluted air for 12 hours, while the experimental group (n=10) was exposed to 1 ppm of O3. After exposure, the animals were sacrificed for immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Using a t-test, the arbitrary units of pro-apoptotic proteins and Bcl-2 were compared between the two groups. Results Significant increases in caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation were found in the O3-exposed group compared to the control group, specifically in the frontal cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus. Additionally, notable changes in Bcl-2 expression were observed in these brain regions. The TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay further indicated significant differences in immunopositivity between the groups in the same areas. However, intrinsic apoptotic proteins such as Bax, VDAC1, and cytochrome-c did not show significant differences between the groups within these structures. Western blot analyses aligned with the immunofluorescence results, showing statistically significant concentrations of caspase-8 in the cerebellum, caspase-3 in the hippocampus, and Bcl-2 in the frontal cortex in the O3 exposed group. Conversely, proteins like Bax, cytochrome-c, and VDAC1 did not exhibit significant differences in all analyzed structures. Conclusions This study demonstrates that acute exposure to 1 ppm of ozone can trigger neuronal apoptosis in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of rats, primarily through the activation of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway via caspase-8 and caspase-3. Additionally, it causes a reduction in Bcl-2 expression, an essential antiapoptotic protein. Despite not observing the activation of intrinsic pathway proteins like BAX, VDAC, or cytochrome-c, the study suggests that chronic O3 exposure might promote cell death by activating this pathway, requiring further long-term research.

Comparative analysis of metal pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea: insights from Anemonia sulcata study.

In this study, we investigated metal concentrations in Anemonia sulcata specimens from various locations in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 84 individuals were sampled from specific zones, and their tissue samples were processed for metal analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results revealed notable differences in metal concentrations among the studied regions. The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were found to have distinct patterns of marine pollution, influenced by a complex interplay of geographical, demographic, industrial, and environmental policy factors. Conversely, the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea has a lower natural dilution capacity, leading to the accumulation and prolonged presence of pollutants. Population density and industrial activities in coastal areas play a significant role in pollution disparities between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean coasts, with higher population densities and intensive industrial operations, experience greater strain on marine ecosystems due to increased pollution sources. Additionally, environmental policies and management approaches differ between the two regions, contributing to variations in pollution response and regulation.

External validation of the PE-SARD risk score for predicting early bleeding in acute pulmonary embolism in the RIETE Registry.

INTRODUCTION: The PE-SARD score (syncope, anemia, renal dysfunction) was developed to predict the risk of major bleeding in the acute phase of pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: We analyzed data from 50,686 patients with acute PE included in the RIETE registry to externally validate the PE-SARD score. We calculated the overall reliability of the PE-SARD score, as well as discrimination and calibration for predicting the risk of major bleeding at 30 days. The performance of PE-SARD was compared to the BACS and PE-CH models. RESULTS: During the first 30 days, 640 patients (1.3 %) had a major bleeding event. The incidence of major bleeding within 30 days was 0.6 % in the PE-SARD-defined low-risk group, 1.5 % in the intermediate-risk group, and 2.5 % in the high-risk group, for an OR of 2.22 (95 % CI, 2.02-2.43) for the intermediate-risk group (vs low-risk group), and 3.94 for the high-risk group (vs low-risk group). The corresponding sensitivity was 81.1 % (intermediate/high vs low risk), and specificity was 85.9 % (95 % CI, 85.8-86.1) (low/intermediate vs high risk). The applicability of PE-SARD was consistent across clinically relevant patient subgroups and over shorter time periods of follow-up (i.e., 3 and 7 days). The C-index was 0.654 and calibration was excellent. The PE-SARD bleeding score improved the major bleeding risk prediction compared with the BACS and PE-CH scores. CONCLUSIONS: The PE-SARD score identifies PE patients with a higher risk of bleeding, which could assist providers for potentially adjusting PE management, in a framework of shared decision-making with individual patients.

Moderate hypofractionated radiation therapy and pathologic response for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of limbs and trunk: experience from a tertiary cancer center.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiation therapy following by limb-sparing or conservative surgery is a standard approach for limb and trunk STS. Data supporting hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules are scarce albeit biological sensitivity of STS to radiation would justify it. We sought to evaluate the impact of moderate hypofractionation on pathologic response and its influence on oncologic outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2018 to January 2023, 18 patients with limb or trunk STS underwent preoperative radiotherapy at a median dose of 52.5 Gy (range 49.5-60 Gy) in 15 fractions of 3.5 Gy (3.3-4 Gy) with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A favorable pathologic response (fPR) was considered as ≥ 90% tumor necrosis on specimen examination. RESULTS: All patients completed planned preoperative radiotherapy. Eleven patients (61.1%) achieved a fPR, and 7 patients (36.8%) a complete pathologic response with total disappearance of tumor cells. Nine patients (47%) developed grade 1-2 acute skin toxicity, and 7 patients (38.8%) had wound complications on follow-up. With a median follow-up of 14 months (range 1-40), no cases of local relapse were observed, and actuarial 3-year overall survival (OS) and distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) are 87% and 76.4%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the presence of a favorable pathologic response (fPR) was associated with improved 3-year OS (100% vs. 56.03%, p = 0.058) and 3-year DMFS (86.91% vs. 31.46%, p = 0.002). Moreover, both complete or partial RECIST response and radiological stabilization of the tumor lesion showed a significant association with higher rates of 3-year distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (83% vs. 83% vs. 56%, p < 0.001) and 3-year overall survival (OS) (100% vs. 80% vs. 0, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative moderate hypofractionated radiation treatment for STS is feasible and well tolerated and associates encouraging rates of pathologic response that could have a favorable impact on final outcomes.

Urethra-Sparing Prostate Cancer Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: Sexual Function and Radiation Dose to the Penile Bulb, the Crura, and the Internal Pudendal Arteries From a Randomized Phase 2 Trial.

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common side effect after prostate cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We aimed to assess the correlation between the dose to the penile bulb (PB), internal pudendal arteries (IPA), and crura with the development of ED after ultrahypofractionation as part of a phase 2 clinical trial of urethra-sparing prostate SBRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Among the 170 patients with localized prostate cancer from 9 centers included in the trial, 90 men with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 grade 0 to 1 ED (ED-) at baseline treated with 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions were selected for the present analysis. Doses delivered to the PB, crura, and IPA were analyzed and correlated with grade 2 to 3 ED (ED+) development. The effect on quality of life, assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-PR25) questionnaire, was reported. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, 43% (n = 39) of the patients developed ED+, and 57% (n = 51) remained ED-. The dose delivered to the crura was significantly higher in ED+ patients than in ED- patients (7.7 vs 3.6 Gy [P = .014] for the Dmean and 18.5 vs 7.2 Gy [P = .015] for the D2%, respectively). No statistically significant difference between ED+ and ED- patients was observed for the dose delivered to the PB and IPA. The median ED+-free survival was worse in patients receiving a crura Dmean ≥ 4.7 versus < 4.7 Gy (51.5% vs 71.7%, P = .005) and a crura D2% > 12 versus ≤ 12 Gy (54.9% vs 68.9%, P = .015). No ED+-free survival differences were observed for doses delivered to the PB and IPA. Decline in EORTC QLQ-PR25 sexual functioning was significantly more pronounced in patients with higher doses to the crura. CONCLUSIONS: By keeping a Dmean and D2% to crura below 4.7 and 12 Gy, respectively, the risk of developing ED+ after prostate SBRT may be significantly reduced.

Non-invasive cell-free DNA-based approach for the diagnosis of clinical miscarriage: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing as a non-invasive approach to detecting aneuploidies in clinical miscarriages. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of women with pregnancy loss. SETTING: Hospitals and genetic analysis laboratories. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Pregnancy losses in the period 2021-2022. METHODS: Results derived from non-invasive cfDNA testing (Veriseq NIPT Solution V2) of maternal blood and invasive analysis of products of conception (POC) (Ion ReproSeq) compared in 120 women who suffered a miscarriage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance rate results, cfDNA testing performance, non-informative rate (NIR) and fetal fraction (FF). RESULTS: We found no significant differences in the NIR between invasive (iPOC) and non-invasive (niPOC) analysis of POC (10.0% [12/120] versus 16.7% [20/120]). Of 120 samples, 90 provided an informative result in iPOC and niPOC groups (75%). cfDNA analysis correctly identified 74/87 (85.1%) samples (excluding triploidies). Sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% and 100%, respectively; all discordant cases were female. A binomial logistic model suggested fetal sex as the only variable influencing the concordance rate (P = 0.035). A Y-chromosome-based FF estimate allowed the optimal reclassification of cfDNA of non-informative male fetuses and a more accurate evaluation of cfDNA testing performance. The difference between the two FF estimates (native algorithm and Y-chromosome-based) suggests that female non-concordant cases may represent non-informative cases. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-free DNA-based testing provides a non-invasive approach to determining the genetic cause of clinical miscarriage.

A Comparative Analysis of Sparisoma cretense in Island Environments: Unraveling Metal Accumulation Differences in the Canary Islands (Spain, NW African Waters).

This study investigates the impact of varying environmental conditions on the metal composition within the tissues of Sparisoma cretense, contributing to the understanding necessary to offer scientifically sound advice regarding the health status of this species. This knowledge extends beyond fishery production, encompassing implications for food security. The data span the years 2022 and 2023, encompassing both cold and warm climatic seasons. The concentrations of various metals, such as Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Cu, exhibited noteworthy variations across the islands, with significant increases recorded in 2023, particularly during the warm season. The intricate interplay between multiple factors shaped the availability of the analyzed elements in S. cretense. Factors such as rising temperatures during the warm season increased biological activity in marine ecosystems, seasonal fluctuations in weather conditions, water quality, and anthropogenic influences, all contributing to the observed variations in metal concentrations. Additionally, the geological composition of each island and the patterns of marine currents and sediment transport play pivotal roles in these differences. Comprehensive scientific research, monitoring, and environmental surveillance are essential for a holistic understanding of this variability and providing valuable insights for the conservation and management of marine ecosystems in the Canary archipelago.

Rats in Epilepsy Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Citations Between 1969 and 2020 on Experimental Models in Epilepsy.

Epilepsy stands as a prominent neurological disorder, affecting a substantial number of individuals who, unfortunately, do not respond to conventional antiepileptic medications. To unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying epileptic seizures and explore potential therapeutic avenues, researchers have turned to animal models. Among these models, rats have emerged as one of the cornerstones of epilepsy research. This bibliometric analysis embarks on the crucial task of delving into the role of rat models in deciphering the mysteries of epileptic seizures and, notably, pinpointing the most prevalent models in use. Our study harnessed Scopus' citation tracking feature to review a range of research papers dating from 1969 to 2020, all dedicated to the exploration of epileptic seizures in rats. The citations that emerged from this rigorous process were subjected to thematic coding, primarily centered around the specific epileptic animal models employed, and subsequently, comprehensive descriptive statistics were computed. In this effort, we found a total of 1,318 publications that explore the world of rat studies, accumulating a substantial citation count of 44,824 references. This analysis illuminated the invaluable role that research employing rat models has played in shaping our current clinical understanding of epileptic seizures. Notably, several models have emerged as predominant forces in this field, including those induced by pilocarpine, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), kainic acid (KA), electric kindling, and electroshock. This bibliometric exploration serves as a resounding reminder of the pivotal position that rat models occupy in advancing our comprehension of epilepsy. These findings resonate strongly, underscoring the continued importance of directing research and development funding toward this debilitating disorder, with the ultimate aim of maximizing the benefits for the patients grappling with this condition. The potential to revolutionize our approach to epilepsy and enhance the quality of life for those affected remains a beacon of hope, illuminated by the contributions of these tireless researchers and their trusty rat companions.