Human health risk assessment for consumption of microplastics and plasticizing substances through marine species.

A special characteristic of MP (microplastics) in the ocean is they may act as carriers of additives specific to the plastic materials used in their manufacture, such as plasticizers, among which Bisphenol-A (BPA), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dybuthyl phthalate (DBP). Both MP as the plasticizers were searched in composite samples of mangrove cockle (Anadara tuberculosa), Stolzmann's weakfish (Cynoscion stolzmanni) and arched swimming crab (Callinectes arcuatus). Extraction of MP was done through physical-chemical techniques and identification was carried out employing the techniques of light microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy; the sizes of MP obtained were between 0.5 µm and 106 µm, the following average results being obtained: for Arched swimming crab 4.0 ± 1.0 MP/g; mangrove cockle 3.3 ± 2.9 MP/g; and for Stolzmann's weakfish, the average was 2.4 ± 1.3 MP/g; the most observed shapes were fibers and irregular segments; the most identified MP was polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Regarding extraction and quantification of plasticizers, the extraction stage was carried out using QuEChERS tubes; and the identification and quantification with gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Regarding the plasticizing substances, DEHP was found in detectable levels in all the samples; BPA was found in 84% of the composite samples analyzed; DBP was found in 50% of them, of the analyzed samples 34% were positive for the 3 analytes. The dietary exposure of people to plasticizers was calculated and for BPA the exposure obtained was compared with respect to the TDI (tolerable intake dose) for pregnant women and the new TDI proposed by EFSA in 2021 according to the estrogenic effect of this substance in the fetus. The objective of the work was to determine if a relationship could be established between both PM and plasticizers, which gave a positive relationship.

Herbivory and anti-herbivore defences in wild and cultivated Cnidoscolus aconitifolius: disentangling domestication and environmental effects.

Phenotypic changes in plants during domestication may disrupt plant-herbivore interactions. Because wild and cultivated plants have different habitats and some anti-herbivore defences exhibit some plasticity, their defences may be also influenced by the environment. Our goal was to assess the effects of domestication and the environment on herbivory and some anti-herbivore defences in chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) in its centre of domestication. Herbivores, herbivory, and direct and indirect anti-herbivore defences were assessed in wild and cultivated plants. The same variables were measured in the field and in a common garden to assess environmental effects. Our results show that domestication increased herbivory and herbivore abundance, but reduced direct and some indirect defences (ants). The environment also affected the herbivore guild (herbivore abundance and richness) and some direct and indirect defences (trichome number and ants). There was also an interaction effect of domestication and the environment on the number of trichomes. We conclude that domestication and the environment influence herbivory and anti-herbivore defences in an additive and interactive manner in chaya.

[Transseptal catheterization using electrophysiological landmarks in ablation procedures]. / Punción transeptal mediante referencias electrofisiológicas para procedimientos de ablación.

Since the development of radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, electrophysiology laboratories have experienced a significant rise in the number of transseptal catheterization procedures. Traditionally, the procedure requires the presence of a interventional cardiologist who carries out transseptal catheterization following arterial puncture and placement of a reference pigtail catheter in the aortic root. Use of His bundle and coronary sinus catheters to provide anatomical and electrophysiological landmarks enables transseptal catheterization to be carried out without the need for arterial puncture or intracavity pressure measurement. We report our experience with transseptal catheterization in an electrophysiology laboratory using only electrophysiological landmarks. The procedure was carried out on 68 occasions and was successful in all patients except one, in whom catheterization could not be performed for anatomical reasons and because the patient had previously received anticoagulation therapy. One other patient developed transient ST elevation, which was probably due to an air embolism.

Punción transeptal mediante referencias electrofisiológicas para procedimientos de ablación / Transseptal catheterization using electrophysiological landmarks in ablation procedures

Desde el desarrollo de la ablación con radiofrecuencia para el tratamiento curativo de la fibrilación auricular, los laboratorios de electrofisiología han experimentado un incremento considerable en el número de cateterismos transeptales. Tradicionalmente, el procedimiento requería la intervención de un hemodinamista que procedía a realizar el cateterismo transeptal previa punción arterial y colocación de un catéter pigtail de referencia en la raíz aórtica. Utilizando el catéter del His y el del seno coronario como referencias anatomo-electrofisiológicas se puede llevar a cabo el cateterismo transeptal sin necesidad de realizar punción arterial ni medición de presiones intracavitarias. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en cateterización transeptal en el laboratorio de electrofisiología utilizando referencias puramente electrofisiológicas. Hemos realizado el procedimiento en 68 ocasiones, con resultado exitoso en todos los casos salvo en uno, en el que la punción no pudo llevarse a cabo por dificultades en el acceso anatómico y porque el paciente se encontraba previamente anticoagulado. Un paciente presentó elevación transitoria del segmento ST, probablemente debida a un embolismo aéreo

Since the development of radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, electrophysiology laboratories have experienced a significant rise in the number of transseptal catheterization procedures. Traditionally, the procedure requires the presence of a interventional cardiologist who carries out transseptal catheterization following arterial puncture and placement of a reference pigtail catheter in the aortic root. Use of His bundle and coronary sinus catheters to provide anatomical and electrophysiological landmarks enables transseptal catheterization to be carried out without the need for arterial puncture or intracavity pressure measurement. We report our experience with transseptal catheterization in an electrophysiology laboratory using only electrophysiological landmarks. The procedure was carried out on 68 occasions and was successful in all patients except one, in whom catheterization could not be performed for anatomical reasons and because the patient had previously received anticoagulation therapy. One other patient developed transient ST elevation, which was probably due to an air embolism