Is trimodal therapy the current standard for muscle-invasive bladder cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence and future perspectives of bladder-sparing treatment for MIBC. METHODS: A non-systematic literature search in Medline/Pubmed was performed in October 2023 with the following keywords "bladder cancer", "bladder-sparing", "trimodal therapy", "chemoradiation", "biomarkers", "immunotherapy", "neoadjuvant chemotherapy", "radiotherapy". RESULTS: Urology guidelines recommend radical cystectomy as the standard curative treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer, reserving radiotherapy for patients who are unfit or who want to preserve their bladder. Given the morbidity and mortality of cystectomy and its impact on quality of life and bladder function, modern oncologic therapies are increasingly oriented toward organ preservation and maximizing functional outcomes while maintaining treatment efficacy. Trimodal therapy, which incorporates maximal transurethral resection followed by radiotherapy with concurrent radiosensitizing chemotherapy, is an effective regimen for bladder function preservation in well-selected patients. Despite the absence of comparative data from randomized trials, the two approaches seem to provide comparable oncologic outcomes. Studies are evaluating the expansion of eligibility criteria for trimodal therapy, the optimization of radiotherapy and immunotherapy delivery to further improve outcomes, and the validation of biomarkers to guide bladder preservation. CONCLUSIONS: Trimodal therapy has shown acceptable outcomes for bladder preservation; therefore, it provides a valid treatment option in well-selected patients.

Beneficios de la estandarización en el manejo de la apendicitis aguda / Benefits of standardization in the management of acute appendicitis

bjetivos. La apendicitis aguda (AA) es la patología quirúrgica pediátrica urgente más frecuente, pero su manejo postoperatorio es variable. La aplicación de protocolos minimiza esta variabilidad. Presentamos los resultados tras la optimización del protocolo de manejo en nuestro centro con objetivo de determinar su efectividad en cuanto a número de complicaciones infecciosas y optimización de recursos en nuestro medio. Material y métodos. Se realiza un estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes intervenidos de AA entre enero 2018 y agosto 2022. Comparamos dos cohortes, antes (1) y después del protocolo (2), subdividiéndolas según gravedad para un análisis por subgrupos: flemonosas (F), gangrenosas (G) y perforadas (P). Resultados. Incluimos 771 pacientes (1: 390/ 2: 381), con distribución homogénea, con mediana de edad 9,3 ± 2,8 años. La solicitud de analíticas previo al alta disminuyó de forma significativa (F: 3,9% vs. 0,5%; p= 0,026; G: 97,6% vs. 13,4%, p< 0,001). Los días de estancia hospitalaria se redujeron en los subgrupos F (1,2 IQR 0,7 vs. 1 IQR 0,36; p< 0,001), y G (4 IQR 1 vs. 3 IQR 1 días; p< 0,001). No se observaron diferencias en el número de abscesos entre los grupos (41 vs. 43 p= 0,73); sí en el subgrupo G (9 vs. 2; p= 0,029). Observamos una reducción del gasto de recursos en F y G. Conclusiones. En nuestro estudio, el subgrupo más beneficiado tras la optimización del protocolo fue el de las apendicitis gangrenosas con una reducción significativa en el número de complicaciones y en la utilización de recursos hospitalarios.(AU)

Objective. Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most frequent urgent surgical pathology in the pediatric population, but postoperative management is variable, with protocols minimizing variability. We present our results following the optimization of the management protocol in ourinstitution in order to establish its efficacy in terms of number of infectious complications and optimization of resources in our environment. Materials and methods. An observational, retrospective study of patients undergoing AA surgery from January 2018 to August 2022 was carried out. Two cohorts were compared, both before (1) and after (2) the implementation of the new protocol. They were divided according to severity in order to conduct a subgroup-based analysis –phlegmonous (PH), gangrenous (G), and perforated (P) appendicitis. Results. 771 patients (1: 390; 2: 381) were included, with a homogeneous distribution and a median age of 9.3 ± 2.8 years. Blood tests requested prior to discharge experienced a significant reduction (PH: 3.9% vs. 0.5%; p= 0.026; G: 97.6% vs. 13.4%, p< 0.001). Days of hospital stay decreased in the PH (1.2 IQR: 0.7 vs. 1 IQR: 0.36; p< 0.001) and G (4 IQR: 1 vs. 3 IQR: 1 days; p< 0.001) subgroups. No differences in the number of abscesses were found between groups (41 vs. 43; p= 0.73), but they were noted within subgroup G (9 vs. 2; p= 0.029). A reduction in resource expenses was detected in PH and G appendicitis. Conclusions. In our study, the most widely benefited subgroup following protocol optimization was the gangrenous appendicitis subgroup, with a significant reduction in the number of complications and the use of hospital resources.(AU)

Benefits of standardization in the management of acute appendicitis. / Beneficios de la estandarización en el manejo de la apendicitis aguda.

OBJECTIVE: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most frequent urgent surgical pathology in the pediatric population, but postoperative management is variable, with protocols minimizing variability. We present our results following the optimization of the management protocol in our institution in order to establish its efficacy in terms of number of infectious complications and optimization of resources in our environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, retrospective study of patients undergoing AA surgery from January 2018 to August 2022 was carried out. Two cohorts were compared, both before (1) and after (2) the implementation of the new protocol. They were divided according to severity in order to conduct a subgroup-based analysis -phlegmonous (PH), gangrenous (G), and perforated (P) appendicitis. RESULTS: 771 patients (1: 390; 2: 381) were included, with a homogeneous distribution and a median age of 9.3 ± 2.8 years. Blood tests requested prior to discharge experienced a significant reduction (PH: 3.9% vs. 0.5%; p= 0.026; G: 97.6% vs. 13.4%, p< 0.001). Days of hospital stay decreased in the PH (1.2 IQR: 0.7 vs. 1 IQR: 0.36; p< 0.001) and G (4 IQR: 1 vs. 3 IQR: 1 days; p< 0.001) subgroups. No differences in the number of abscesses were found between groups (41 vs. 43; p= 0.73), but they were noted within subgroup G (9 vs. 2; p= 0.029). A reduction in resource expenses was detected in PH and G appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the most widely benefited subgroup following protocol optimization was the gangrenous appendicitis subgroup, with a significant reduction in the number of complications and the use of hospital resources.

OBJETIVOS: La apendicitis aguda (AA) es la patología quirúrgica pediátrica urgente más frecuente, pero su manejo postoperatorio es variable. La aplicación de protocolos minimiza esta variabilidad. Presentamos los resultados tras la optimización del protocolo de manejo en nuestro centro con objetivo de determinar su efectividad en cuanto a número de complicaciones infecciosas y optimización de recursos en nuestro medio. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se realiza un estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes intervenidos de AA entre enero 2018 y agosto 2022. Comparamos dos cohortes, antes (1) y después del protocolo (2), subdividiéndolas según gravedad para un análisis por subgrupos: flemonosas (F), gangrenosas (G) y perforadas (P). RESULTADOS: Incluimos 771 pacientes (1: 390/ 2: 381), con distribución homogénea, con mediana de edad 9,3 ± 2,8 años. La solicitud de analíticas previo al alta disminuyó de forma significativa (F: 3,9% vs. 0,5%; p= 0,026; G: 97,6% vs. 13,4%, p< 0,001). Los días de estancia hospitalaria se redujeron en los subgrupos F (1,2 IQR 0,7 vs. 1 IQR 0,36; p< 0,001), y G (4 IQR 1 vs. 3 IQR 1 días; p< 0,001). No se observaron diferencias en el número de abscesos entre los grupos (41 vs. 43 p= 0,73); sí en el subgrupo G (9 vs. 2; p= 0,029). Observamos una reducción del gasto de recursos en F y G. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestro estudio, el subgrupo más beneficiado tras la optimización del protocolo fue el de las apendicitis gangrenosas con una reducción significativa en el número de complicaciones y en la utilización de recursos hospitalarios.

Consistency between POLARS and LARS scores regarding the incidence of low anterior resection syndrome in a Chilean population undergoing rectal surgery secondary to cancer in a high-volume hospital.

AIM: The aim of this work was to evaluate the concordance between the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and preoperative LARS (POLARS) scores regarding the incidence of LARS in a Chilean population undergoing rectal surgery for cancer in a high-volume hospital. METHOD: The LARS score questionnaire, following telephone requests, was used to determine the presence and severity of LARS. The POLARS score was calculated based on variables described previously. Correlations and qualitative and quantitative concordance were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficient, the kappa coefficient and the Bland-Altman plot with Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients met the inclusion criteria: 37.5% underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy, 61% underwent total mesorectal excision (TME) and 51.6% underwent ostomy. A total of 49% of patients did not present with LARS, whereas 28% had major LARS. The correlation between scales was poor, with a fair qualitative concordance to determine the presence/absence of LARS and a slight qualitative concordance to determine the degree of the intensity. The quantitative concordance was poor. CONCLUSION: In the Chilean population, concordance between the LARS and POLARS scores was qualitatively fair to determine the presence/absence of the disease and qualitatively slight to determine the degree of intensity. We do not suggest using the POLARS score in the perioperative period in the Chilean population deliberately, as the score may help to determine the presence/absence of LARS but cannot determine its degree of intensity. Additional evaluations are required to determine the factors contributing to the degree of agreement between the scales.

LIM-HD transcription factors control axial patterning and specify distinct neuronal and intestinal cell identities in planarians.

Adult planarians can regenerate the gut, eyes and even a functional brain. Proper identity and patterning of the newly formed structures require signals that guide and commit their adult stem cells. During embryogenesis, LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors act in a combinatorial 'LIM code' to control cell fate determination and differentiation. However, our understanding about the role these genes play during regeneration and homeostasis is limited. Here, we report the full repertoire of LIM-HD genes in Schmidtea mediterranea. We found that lim homeobox (lhx) genes appear expressed in complementary patterns along the cephalic ganglia and digestive system of the planarian, with some of them being co-expressed in the same cell types. We have identified that Smed-islet1, -lhx1/5-1, -lhx2/9-3, -lhx6/8, -lmx1a/b-2 and -lmx1a/b-3 are essential to pattern and size the planarian brain as well as for correct regeneration of specific subpopulations of dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic and cholinergic neurons, while Smed-lhx1/5.2 and -lhx2/9.2 are required for the proper expression of intestinal cell type markers, specifically the goblet subtype. LIM-HD are also involved in controlling axonal pathfinding (lhx6/8), axial patterning (islet1, lhx1/5-1, lmx1a/b-3), head/body proportions (islet2) and stem cell proliferation (lhx3/4, lhx2/9-3, lmx1a/b-2, lmx1a/b-3). Altogether, our results suggest that planarians might present a combinatorial LIM code that controls axial patterning and axonal growing and specifies distinct neuronal and intestinal cell identities.

Soil Fertility and Phosphorus Leaching in Irrigated Calcareous Soils of the Mediterranean Region.

To ensure soil quality and soil health, it is necessary to improve fertilization practices while minimizing environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to record the state of the art on soil fertility related to fertilization management (organic and/or mineral) and to detect environmental challenges in highly productive fields. A soil survey was set up in a new irrigated area (c. 20 years old), in the north-eastern part of Spain, which is mainly devoted to double annual crop rotations of cereals and maize. The area also supports an important animal rearing activity. The survey covered 733 ha of calcareous soils, owned by 35 farmers. At each farm, fertilization management was recorded, and soil was analyzed for nutrients and heavy metals. Multivariate analyses were performed. Total N, P, Cu and Zn, and available P, Cu, Zn and Mn soil concentrations were associated to the use of organic amendments. Heavy metals concentrations were below established thresholds. Available P (Olsen-P) was identified as an indicator of the previously adopted fertilization management and of the potential of P leaching towards deeper soil layers. Regression analyses were performed. A displacement of available P from the uppermost layer (0-0.3 m) occurs in the breakpoint of 86 mg P kg-1 soil. Preventative actions might be established from 53 mg P kg-1 soil due to the slowdown in P immobilization. Our results reinforce the importance of setting up P threshold soil levels for best practices of fertilization, as a basis for sustainable agriculture intensification.

Inflamación relacionada con angiopatía amiloide: características clínicas y respuesta al tratamiento en una serie de casos / Cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation: clinical features and treatment response in a case series

Introducción: La inflamación relacionada con la angiopatía amiloide es una entidad caracterizada por una respuesta inflamatoria alrededor de los depósitos de beta amiloide de la microcirculación cerebral. Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de una serie de pacientes con inflamación relacionada con angiopatía amiloide, que cumplieran criterios clínico-radiológicos o con diagnóstico histopatológico confirmado. Resultados: Se incluyeron siete pacientes, cinco varones, con edad media de 79 años. El inicio fue agudo o subagudo en seis de los casos. La clínica más frecuente fue deterioro cognitivo (n = 6), alteraciones de conducta (n = 5), crisis epilépticas (n = 5), focalidad neurológica (n = 4) y cefalea (n = 2). El líquido cefalorraquídeo fue anormal en tres de cinco casos (pleocitosis linfocitaria e hiperproteinorraquia). Las imágenes de resonancia magnética cerebral más frecuentes consistieron en microhemorragias (n = 7), hiperintensidades subcorticales en secuencia T2-FLAIR (n = 7) y realce leptomeníngeo (n = 6). La afectación fue bilateral en tres de los casos, con predominio en regiones parieto-occipitales (n = 5). Se realizó una tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) de amiloide en dos pacientes, resultando positiva en uno. Se obtuvo la confirmación histopatológica mediante una biopsia en dos de los casos. Todos los sujetos recibieron tratamiento inmunosupresor, objetivándose una respuesta clínica y radiológica inicial favorable, con recaída radiológica en dos de los casos tras la retirada del tratamiento, y mejorando tras la reinstauración. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico resulta imprescindible de cara a iniciar un tratamiento precoz, ya que ha demostrado mejorar el pronóstico y disminuir las recurrencias. Si bien el diagnóstico definitivo es histopatológico, los criterios clínico-radiológicos permiten el diagnóstico de esta entidad sin necesidad de biopsia.(AU)

Introduction: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation (CAA-ri) is an entity characterised by an inflammatory response to β-amyloid deposition in the walls of cerebral microvessels. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a series of patients with a diagnosis of CAA-ri according to histopathological study findings or clinical-radiological diagnostic criteria. Results: The study included 7 patients (5 men) with a mean age of 79 years. Disease onset was acute or subacute in 6 patients. The most frequent symptoms were cognitive impairment (n = 6), behavioural alterations (n = 5), epileptic seizures (n = 5), focal neurological signs (n = 4), and headache (n = 2). Cerebrospinal fluid was abnormal in 3 patients (lymphocytic pleocytosis and high protein levels). The most frequent MRI findings were microbleeds (n = 7), subcortical white matter hyperintensities on T2-FLAIR sequences (n = 7), and leptomeningeal enhancement (n = 6). Lesions were bilateral in 3 patients and most frequently involved the parieto-occipital region (n = 5). Amyloid PET studies were performed in 2 patients, one of whom showed pathological findings. Two patients underwent brain biopsy, which confirmed diagnosis. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy. An initially favourable clinical-radiological response was observed in all cases, with 2 patients presenting radiological recurrence after treatment withdrawal, with a subsequent improvement after treatment was resumed. Conclusions: Early diagnosis of CAA-ri is essential: early treatment has been shown to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of recurrence. Although a histopathological study is needed to confirm diagnosis, clinical-radiological criteria enable diagnosis without biopsy.(AU)

Drought conditions, aridity and forest structure control the responses of Iberian holm oak woodlands to extreme droughts: A large-scale remote-sensing exploration in eastern Spain.

Understanding how Mediterranean forests respond to the increasing frequency of extreme droughts and forest densification is crucial for effective land management in the present context of climate change and land abandonment. We study the responses of Iberian holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) woodlands to recent extreme droughts during 2000-2019 along broad gradients of climate aridity and forest structure. To this purpose, we apply large-scale remote-sensing using MODIS EVI as a primary production proxy in 5274 Q. ilex sites distributed within a 100,000 km2 region in eastern Spain. These woodlands were extensively affected by two extreme drought events in 2005 and 2012. Resistance, assessed as the capacity of the ecosystems to maintain primary production during drought, was significantly lower for semi-arid than for sub-humid and dry-transition conditions. Holm oak woodlands located in semi-arid areas of the region showed also poorer resilience to drought, characterized by low capacity to fully recover to their pre-drought production levels. Further, drought intensity and both pre- and post-drought hydric conditions controlled the variations of resistance, recovery and resilience between the two analyzed extreme drought events. Drought effects were particularly negative for dense Q. ilex stands under semi-arid climate conditions, where strong competition for scarce water resources reduced drought resistance. The observed drought vulnerability of semi-arid holm oak woodlands may affect the long-term stability of these dry forests. Adaptive management strategies, such as selective forest thinning, may be useful for improving drought responses in these more vulnerable semi-arid woodlands. Conversely, natural rewilding may more appropriately guide management actions for more humid areas, where densely developed Q. ilex woodlands show in general a high ability to maintain ecosystem primary production during drought.

Impact of Delivering a Healthy Lifestyle Intervention: Promotora Findings from Familias Sanas y Activas II.

Background: Community health workers, promotoras, have been identified as effective change agents of their community members' health behaviors and health status. However, few studies have examined the effects of delivering an intervention on the promotoras themselves. Objectives: This study assessed whether promotoras delivering a healthy lifestyle intervention for adults improved their health behaviors and health status from baseline to 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Methods: Volunteer promotoras were trained to promote healthy lifestyles including physical activity through workshops and free group exercise classes throughout their communities. Twenty completed all required trainings and delivered at least one class during the period between baseline and 12-month assessments. The promotoras were measured on the following variables: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, weight, and height. Additionally, they reported their health behaviors and status including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, beverage consumption, sleep duration, and depressive symptoms. Results: Repeated measures ANOVAs showed statistically significant decreases from baseline to 6 months for systolic blood pressure (p ≤ 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (p ≤ 0.001) and body mass index (p ≤ 0.05). Changes in self-reported measures were not statistically significant although trends were observed with increases in water consumption. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest positive effects associated with delivery of a PA intervention. This is one of the first studies to focus on a cohort of promotoras to examine health outcomes from delivering a healthy lifestyle intervention. It is important to further explore these impacts on the community health workers as they have become increasingly essential to the health of some communities.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation: clinical features and treatment response in a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is an entity characterised by an inflammatory response to ß-amyloid deposition in the walls of cerebral microvessels. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a series of patients with a diagnosis of CAA-ri according to histopathological study findings or clinical-radiological diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The study included 7 patients (5 men) with a mean age of 79 years. Disease onset was acute or subacute in 6 patients. The most frequent symptoms were cognitive impairment (n = 6), behavioural alterations (n = 5), epileptic seizures (n = 5), focal neurological signs (n = 4), and headache (n = 2). Cerebrospinal fluid was abnormal in 3 patients (lymphocytic pleocytosis and high protein levels). The most frequent MRI findings were microbleeds (n = 7), subcortical white matter hyperintensities on T2-FLAIR sequences (n = 7), and leptomeningeal enhancement (n = 6). Lesions were bilateral in 3 patients and most frequently involved the parieto-occipital region (n = 5). Amyloid PET studies were performed in 2 patients, one of whom showed pathological findings. Two patients underwent brain biopsy, which confirmed diagnosis. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy. An initially favourable clinical-radiological response was observed in all cases, with 2 patients presenting radiological recurrence after treatment withdrawal, with a subsequent improvement after treatment was resumed. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of CAA-ri is essential: early treatment has been shown to improve prognosis and reduce the risk of recurrence. Although a histopathological study is needed to confirm diagnosis, clinical-radiological criteria enable diagnosis without biopsy.

Association of HER2DX with pathological complete response and survival outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The HER2DX genomic test predicts pathological complete response (pCR) and survival outcome in early-stage HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the association of HER2DX scores with (i) pCR according to hormone receptor status and various treatment regimens, and (ii) survival outcome according to pCR status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven neoadjuvant cohorts with HER2DX and clinical individual patient data were evaluated (DAPHNe, GOM-HGUGM-2018-05, CALGB-40601, ISPY-2, BiOnHER, NEOHER and PAMELA). All patients were treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab (n = 765) in combination with pertuzumab (n = 328), lapatinib (n = 187) or without a second anti-HER2 drug (n = 250). Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes were available in a combined series of 268 patients (i.e. NEOHER and PAMELA) with a pCR (n = 118) and without a pCR (n = 150). Cox models were adjusted to evaluate whether HER2DX can identify patients with low or high risk beyond pCR status. RESULTS: HER2DX pCR score was significantly associated with pCR in all patients [odds ratio (OR) per 10-unit increase = 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.43-1.77; area under the ROC curve = 0.75], with or without dual HER2 blockade. A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to dual HER2 blockade over trastuzumab-only was observed in HER2DX pCR-high tumors treated with chemotherapy (OR = 2.36 (1.09-5.42). A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to multi-agent chemotherapy over a single taxane was observed in HER2DX pCR-medium tumors treated with dual HER2 blockade (OR = 3.11, 1.54-6.49). The pCR rates in HER2DX pCR-low tumors were ≤30.0% regardless of treatment administered. After adjusting by pCR status, patients identified as HER2DX low-risk had better EFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.006) compared with patients with HER2DX high-risk. CONCLUSIONS: HER2DX pCR score and risk score might help identify ideal candidates to receive neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade in combination with a single taxane in early-stage HER2+ breast cancer.

Oribatid mites in different Mediterranean crop rotations fertilized with animal droppings.

Unsustainable soil management is one of the drivers of soil degradation, but impact assessment requires the development of indicators. Oribatids might be considered as early indicators of disturbances due to the stability of their community. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of oribatids as bioindicators of sustainable agricultural practices. Under a dry Mediterranean climate, three fertilization experiments - two under a two-crop rotation system and one under maize monoculture and established 12 years earlier - were sampled 3× for oribatid identification during the last annual cropping cycle. The hypothesis was that different nutrient and crop managements affect the number of oribatid species and individuals present, and these parameters could be used as indicators of soil degradation. In total, 18 oribatid species were identified, and 1974 adult individuals were recovered. Maximum abundance was found prior to sowing. Pig slurry (PS) vs. control, and dairy cattle manure (CM) vs. mineral fertilization increased oribatid abundance. This increase was evident when the average applied rates with PS were ca. 2 Mg of organic matter (OM) ha- 1 yr- 1, or higher than ca. 4 Mg OM ha- 1 yr- 1 for CM. When the preceding crop was wheat and PS or CM were used, Oribatula (Zygoribatula) excavata (which reproduces sexually) predominated. In maize monoculture fertilized with CM, Tectocepheus sarekensis and Acrotritia ardua americana (which can reproduce through parthenogenesis) prevailed vs. Oribatula, which indicated a heavily disturbed soil. Under this specific Mediterranean environment, the predominance of certain parthenogenic oribatid species and the number of individuals provide advanced warning on soil degradation.

Analysis of the P. lividus sea urchin genome highlights contrasting trends of genomic and regulatory evolution in deuterostomes.

Sea urchins are emblematic models in developmental biology and display several characteristics that set them apart from other deuterostomes. To uncover the genomic cues that may underlie these specificities, we generated a chromosome-scale genome assembly for the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and an extensive gene expression and epigenetic profiles of its embryonic development. We found that, unlike vertebrates, sea urchins retained ancestral chromosomal linkages but underwent very fast intrachromosomal gene order mixing. We identified a burst of gene duplication in the echinoid lineage and showed that some of these expanded genes have been recruited in novel structures (water vascular system, Aristotle's lantern, and skeletogenic micromere lineage). Finally, we identified gene-regulatory modules conserved between sea urchins and chordates. Our results suggest that gene-regulatory networks controlling development can be conserved despite extensive gene order rearrangement.