Membrane phospholipids activate the inflammatory response in macrophages by various mechanisms.

Exosomes, which are small membrane-encapsulated particles derived from all cell types, are emerging as important mechanisms for intercellular communication. In addition, exosomes are currently envisioned as potential carriers for the delivery of drugs to target tissues. The natural population of exosomes is very variable due to the limited amount of cargo components present in these small vesicles. Consequently, common components of exosomes may play a role in their function. We have proposed that membrane phospholipids could be a common denominator in the effect of exosomes on cellular functions. In this regard, we have previously shown that liposomes made of phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylserine (PS) induced a robust alteration of macrophage (Mϕ) gene expression. We herewith report that these two phospholipids modulate gene expression in Mϕs by different mechanisms. PS alters cellular responses by the interaction with surface receptors, particularly CD36. In contrast, PC is captured by a receptor-independent process and likely triggers an activity within endocytic vesicles. Despite this difference in the capture mechanisms, both lipids mounted similar gene expression responses. This investigation suggests that multiple mechanisms mediated by membrane phospholipids could be participating in the alteration of cellular functions by exosomes.

Transgene-Free Cynomolgus Monkey iPSCs Generated under Chemically Defined Conditions.

Non-human primates (NHPs) are pivotal animal models for translating novel cell replacement therapies into clinical applications, including validating the safety and efficacy of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived products. Preclinical development and the testing of cell-based therapies ideally comprise xenogeneic (human stem cells into NHPs) and allogenic (NHP stem cells into NHPs) transplantation studies. For the allogeneic approach, it is necessary to generate NHP-iPSCs with generally equivalent quality to the human counterparts that will be used later on in patients. Here, we report the generation and characterization of transgene- and feeder-free cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) iPSCs (Cyno-iPSCs). These novel cell lines have been generated according to a previously developed protocol for the generation of rhesus macaque, baboon, and human iPSC lines. Beyond their generation, we demonstrate the potential of the novel Cyno-iPSCs to differentiate into two clinically relevant cell types, i.e., cardiomyocytes and neurons. Overall, we provide a resource of novel iPSCs from the most frequently used NHP species in the regulatory testing of biologics and classical pharmaceutics to expand our panel of iPSC lines from NHP species with high relevance in preclinical testing and translational research.

Intestinal intussusception as a postoperative complication of gastric bypass.

The gold standard for bariatric surgery is the laparoscopic gastric bypass, which consists in forming a small gastric pouch and a Roux-en-Y anastomosis. We present the case of a 41-year-old female who underwent a laparoscopic gastric bypass 8 years prior to her admission to the emergency room, where she arrived complaining of severe and colicky epigastric abdominal pain. The abdominal computed tomography showed a jejuno-jejunal intussusception, for which the patient underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy with intussusception reduction. Intestinal intussusception is a possible postoperative complication of a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

El Método de referencia en la cirugía bariátrica es el bypass gástrico laparoscópico, que consiste en la creación de una bolsa gástrica pequeña, anastomosada al tracto digestivo mediante una Y de Roux. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 41 años con el antecedente de un bypass gástrico laparoscópico realizado 8 años antes, quien ingresó al servicio de urgencias refiriendo dolor abdominal grave. La tomografía computarizada abdominal evidenció una intususcepción a nivel de la anastomosis yeyuno-yeyuno, por lo que se realizó una laparotomía exploradora con reducción de la intususcepción. Se debe considerar la intususcepción intestinal como complicación posoperatoria de bypass gástrico.

ZNF692 regulates nucleolar morphology by interacting with NPM1 and modifying its self-assembly properties.

The nucleolus, a membrane-less organelle, is responsible for ribosomal RNA transcription, ribosomal RNA processing, and ribosome assembly. Nucleolar size and number are indicative of a cell's protein synthesis rate and proliferative capacity, and abnormalities in the nucleolus have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that the nucleolar protein ZNF692 directly interacts with nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1). Knocking down ZNF692 resulted in the nucleolar redistribution of NPM1 in ring-like structures and reduced protein synthesis. Purified NPM1 forms spherical condensates in vitro but mixing it with ZNF692 produces irregular condensates more closely resembling living cell nucleoli. Our findings indicate that ZNF692, by interacting with NPM1, plays a critical role in regulating nucleolar architecture and function in living cells.

Endocrine disruption in crustaceans: New findings and perspectives.

A significant advance has been made, especially during the last two decades, in the knowledge of the effects on crustacean species of pollutants proven to be endocrine disruptors in vertebrates. Such effects have been also interpreted in the light of recent studies on crustacean endocrinology. Year after year, the increased number of reports refer to the effects of endocrine disruptors on several processes hormonally controlled. This review is aimed at summarizing and discussing the effects of several kinds of endocrine disruptors on the hormonal control of reproduction (including gonadal growth, sexual differentiation, and offspring development), molting, and intermediate metabolism of crustaceans. A final discussion about the state of the art, as well as the perspective of this toxicological research line is given.

Formación en sexología y su influencia en las actitudes de las enfermeras hacia la sexualidad / Sexology training and its influence on nurses’ attitudes toward sexuality

Introducción: Tener unas actitudes tolerantes hacia la sexualidad, junto con la formación en sexología son aspectos clave para favorecer el abordaje de la sexualidad en la práctica profesional de las enfermeras. Por ello, el objetivo principal de este estudio fue comprobar si recibir formación en sexología durante los estudios de Grado en Enfermería influye sobre las actitudes hacia la sexualidad del alumnado. Método: Se realizó un estudio caso-control en 127 estudiantes de la Facultad de Enfermería de Gijón, dividiendo a la muestra en función de si habían recibido o no formación específica en sexología. Para medir dichas actitudes se utilizó una versión adaptada al castellano del Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire (TSAQ), analizándose los datos mediante el programa SPSS. Resultados: Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,015) entre la puntuación media total obtenida en el TSAQ por los estudiantes que sí habían recibido formación en sexología (6,53 ± 0,81) comparada con los que no (6,13 ± 1,06). De igual modo, las actitudes de las personas integrantes de ambos grupos son más liberales para los comportamientos ajenos (7,53 ± 0,76 frente a 7,25 ± 1,06) que para los propios (5,54 ± 1,03 frente a 5,00 ± 1,28), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Se verifica que recibir formación en sexología se relaciona con la tenencia de unas actitudes hacia la sexualidad más liberales. Sólo un 24,8% de las Facultades de Enfermería españolas ofertan asignaturas específicas en sexología (AU)

Background: Sexology training and a tolerant attitude towards sexuality are key for nurses to be able to approach the topic appropriately at work. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to determine whether sexology training as part of the nursing degree affects students’ attitudes towards sexuality. Method: A case-control study was performed on 127 students and postgraduates from Facultad de Enfermería de Gijón, dividing the sample in two groups according to their attendance to specific sexology training. The attitudes were assessed using a translated version of Trueblood Sexual Attitude Questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: There are statistically significant differences (p= 0.015) between the mean total score from the group that had received the training (6.53 ± 0.81) and the mean total score from the group that hadn’t (6.13 ± 1.06). Attitudes from members of both groups were more open towards other people’s behaviour (7.53 ± 0.76 versus 7.25 ± 1.06) than towards their own (5.54 ± 1.03 versus 5.00 ± 1.28), respectively. Conclusions: It is verified that receiving sexology training correlates with more liberal attitudes towards sexuality. Only 24.8% of nursing faculties in Spain offer specific sexology courses (AU)

The ethics of nursing care for transgender people.

OBJECTIVES: to discuss ethical aspects in nursing care for transgender people. METHODS: reflective study based on the dilemmas that emerges in nursing care for transgender people. The report was structured around the four bioethical principles. RESULTS: health care for trans people is complex, transversal to many devices and specialties and longitudinal in time, that is why it requires coordinated action. There is an ethical framework in which the nursing care must be observed in the care of this group. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the nurse as a health worker can assume several general lines in the care of transgender patients. So, complementary training should be provided not only to professionals, but also to students of nursing and other health sciences.

Predictive Biochemical Model of Frailty and Mortality After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Frailty, characterized by reduced resistance to stressors, is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction. The Fried score is commonly used to assess frailty but has several limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between frailty and blood biomarkers and their predictive value for long-term mortality using a biochemical model. A total of 2 cohorts of elderly patients (>65 years old) hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome were included. Geriatric assessments and several blood biomarkers were measured. The predictive models for frailty were developed using logistic regression. The survival models were also developed using Cox regression. Among 466 patients, 9 biomarkers were significantly associated with frailty. Between these biomarkers, white blood cells count, hemoglobin, and fibrinogen showed the highest predictive power. Model 1, without growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), showed a better accuracy in predicting the mortality than the Fried score. Model 2, with GDF-15, had a stronger correlation with frailty but had a lower predictive power for survival. Frailty is associated with dysregulation in the physiological systems and several biomarkers were linked to this fact in our study. However, the inclusion of GDF-15 did not significantly improve the model's predictive ability. Frailty assessment using blood biomarkers can provide valuable prognostic information in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Long-Term Exposure of the Red Cherry Shrimp Neocaridina davidi to Diclofenac: Impact on Survival, Growth, and Reproductive Potential.

The current study was aimed at studying the long-term effects of diclofenac on the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi, concerning survival, somatic growth, and reproduction. In this study, both ovigerous females and males of this species were exposed for 63 d to 0 (control), 0.1, or 1 mg/L of diclofenac. At the highest concentration, significant mortality was detected, and the somatic growth of females was significantly decreased. The percentage of females with a second spawn, observable from day 45, significantly increased at 1 mg/L, while the time between spawns was significantly reduced at both concentrations assayed. However, the gonadal analysis made at the end of the assay in the surviving females showed a significantly lower proportion of advanced oocytes in females exposed to 1 mg/L, as compared to control. Concerning hatching, the percentage of ovigerous females that could have successful hatching was reduced at 1 mg/L of diclofenac, especially for the first spawn. For the second spawn, the low number of juveniles hatched from females exposed to 1 mg/L also showed a significantly higher incidence of morphological abnormalities, such as hydropsy and underdeveloped appendages. Taken together, these results showed that even when diclofenac was able to produce earlier spawns, the reproductive output of each spawn was reduced.

Arrhythmias induced by dextrose-insulin challenge test in nondiagnostic Brugada ECG patterns.

INTRODUCTION: Dynamic ECG changes in Brugada syndrome (BrS) are influenced by several factors, may not be apparent, and can be unmasked by a drug test. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four of six patients with nondiagnostic Brugada ECG index patterns underwent a dextrose-insulin challenge test that resulted in J-ST segment elevation and triggered arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Insulin action may be due in part to an outward shift in the K+ current at the end of action potential phase 1 and the dispersion of repolarization, leading to local re-entry with arrhythmogenicity. This effect is likely a phenomenon-specific to BrS.

COVID-19's environmental impacts: Challenges and implications for the future.

Strict measures have curbed the spread of COVID-19, but waste generation and movement limitations have had an unintended impact on the environment over the past 3 years (2020-2022). Many studies have summarized the observed and potential environmental impacts associated with COVID-19, however, only a few have quantified and compared the effects of these unintended environmental impacts; moreover, whether COVID-19 policy stringency had the same effects on the main environmental topic (i.e., CO2 emissions) across the 3 years remains unclear. To answer these questions, we conducted a systematic review of the recent literature and analyzed the main findings. We found that the positive environmental effects of COVID-19 have received more attention than the negative ones (50.6 % versus 35.7 %), especially in emissions reduction (34 % of total literature). Medical waste (14.5 %) received the highest attention among the negative impacts. Although global emission reduction, especially in terms of CO2, has received significant attention, the positive impacts were temporary and only detected in 2020. Strict COVID-19 policies had a more profound and significant effect on CO2 emissions in the aviation sector than in the power and industry sectors. For example, compared with 2019, international aviation related CO2 emissions dropped by 59 %, 49 %, and 25 % in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, while industry related ones dropped by only 3.16 % in 2020. According to our developed evaluation matrix, medical wastes and their associated effects, including the persistent pollution caused by antibiotic resistance genes, heavy metals and microplastics, are the main challenges post the pandemic, especially in China and India, which may counteract the temporary environmental benefits of COVID-19. Overall, the presented results demonstrate methods to quantify the environmental effects of COVID-19 and provide directions for policymakers to develop measures to address the associated environmental issues in the post-COVID-19 world.

Coumel tachycardia in children.

BACKGROUND: Coumel tachycardia is an infrequent form of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that usually occurs in infants and children. It is a tachycardia mediated by an accessory pathway with retrograde slow conduction that explains the classic ECG pattern with long RP' interval and negative P waves in leads II, III, and aVF. In this study, we describe the clinical course and management of Coumel tachycardia in children. CASE REPORT: We conducted a retrospective review of five consecutive pediatric patients, mean age 11 ± 3 years (range 6 to 14). The first episode of SVT was at a mean age of 10.4 ± 4.8 years (range 2 to 14) with a mean evolution of 7.4 ± 9.4 months (range 1 to 24). Pharmacological therapy was unsuccessful despite the combination of antiarrhythmic drugs. The tachycardia was incessant with a density > 85% by 24-hour Holter monitoring; one patient developed tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. All children underwent successful radiofrequency catheter ablation, mean 5 ± 3 applications (range 1 to 8) with a single session and with no complications. After a mean follow-up of 24 ± 16 months, all patients were asymptomatic and recurrence-free without antiarrhythmic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Coumel tachycardia is clinically persistent and usually refractory to antiarrhythmic treatment with substantial risk of tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation is effective and safe in children; thus, it should be indicated promptly and based on individual selection.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La taquicardia de Coumel es una forma poco frecuente de taquicardia supraventricular que suele presentarse en lactantes. Es una taquicardia mediada por una vía accesoria de conducción lenta retrógrada que explica el patrón ECG clásico con intervalo RP' largo y ondas P negativas en las derivaciones II, III y aVF. En este trabajo se describe el curso clínico y el manejo de la taquicardia de Coumel en niños. CASO CLÍNICO: Se llevó a cabo una revisión retrospectiva de cinco pacientes pediátricos consecutivos, con una media de edad de 11 ± 3 años (intervalos 6 a 14). El primer episodio de taquicardia 10.4 ± 4.8 años con evolución de 7.4 ± 9.4 meses. El tratamiento farmacológico fue ineficaz a pesar de la combinación de antiarrítmicos. La taquicardia era incesante con una densidad > 85% por Holter-24h; un paciente desarrolló miocardiopatía inducida por taquicardia. Todos los niños fueron sometidos a ablación con catéter y radiofrecuencia con éxito, y un promedio de 5 ± 3 aplicaciones en una sola sesión y sin complicaciones. Después de un seguimiento de 24 ± 16 meses, todos los pacientes fueron asintomáticos y libres de recurrencia sin tratamiento antiarrítmico. CONCLUSIONES: La taquicardia de Coumel es clínicamente persistente y generalmente refractaria al tratamiento antiarrítmico con un riesgo sustancial de miocardiopatía mediada por taquicardia. La ablación con catéter es eficaz y segura en niños, por lo que debe indicarse de forma temprana y en lactantes de una selección individual.

Robotic-assisted sigmoidectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis and endoscopic management of deep infiltrating intestinal endometriosis.

Deep endometriosis, defined as external adenomyosis, is a late stage of endometriosis. Associated with very severe pain, in addition to probably being a cofactor of infertility, with a low prevalence, the diagnosis is integrated by high clinical suspicion and confirmed with imaging studies. Deep infiltration can reach sigmoid colon, which would have surgical indication as resolving treatment. We report the case of deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting sigmoid colon of a 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with colicky pain in the left lower quadrant and chronic constipation. Colonoscopy revealed a 90% stenosis in the proximal portion of sigmoid colon, as well as mural thickening proximal to the site of stenosis, reported by computed tomography with oral contrast, for which it was decided to perform robot-assisted sigmoidectomy, with a 6-month follow-up and with imaging control, patient continues asymptomatic and without the presence of lesions suggestive of recurrence, and there is no functional impairment.

In vitro bioassays to monitor complex chemical mixtures at a carbon-based indirect potable reuse plant.

Potable water reuse technologies are used to treat wastewater to drinking water quality to help sustain a community's water resources. California has long led the adoption of potable water reuse technologies in the United States and more states are exploring these technologies as water resources decline. Reuse technologies also need to achieve adequate reductions in microbial and chemical contaminant risks to meet public health goals and secure public acceptance. In vitro bioassays are a useful tool for screening if reuse treatment processes adequately reduce toxicity associated with a range of chemical classes that are contaminants of concern. In this study, we used an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and an estrogen receptor luciferase bioassay to detect the presence of dioxin-like and estrogenic compounds across a 3800 m3/d carbon-based indirect potable reuse plant that uses carbon-based treatment (SWIFT-RC). Our results demonstrate significant removal of dioxin-like compounds across the SWIFT-RC treatment train. Estrogenicity declined across the treatment train for some months but was extremely variable and low with many samples falling below the method quantification level; consequently, we were not able to reliably determine estrogenicity trends for SWIFT-RC. Comparing the bioanalytical equivalent concentrations detected in the SWIFT-RC water with established monitoring trigger levels from the state of California suggests that SWIFT-RC produced water that met the bioassay guidelines. The log total organic carbon concentration and AhR assay equivalent concentrations are weakly correlated when data across all SWIFT-RC processes are included. Overall, this research demonstrates the performance of in vitro bioassays at a demonstration-scale carbon-based IPR system and highlights both the potential utility and challenges associated with these methods for assessing system performance.

Single-spore germination analyses reveal that calcium released during Clostridioides difficile germination functions in a feedforward loop.

Clostridioides difficile infections begin when its metabolically dormant spores germinate in response to sensing bile acid germinants alongside amino acid and divalent cation co-germinants in the small intestine. While bile acid germinants are essential for C. difficile spore germination, it is currently unclear whether both co-germinant signals are required. One model proposes that divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, are essential for inducing germination, while another proposes that either co-germinant class can induce germination. The former model is based on the finding that spores defective in releasing large stores of internal Ca2+ in the form of calcium dipicolinic acid (CaDPA) cannot germinate when germination is induced with bile acid germinant and amino acid co-germinant alone. However, since the reduced optical density of CaDPA-less spores makes it difficult to accurately measure their germination, we developed a novel automated, time-lapse microscopy-based germination assay to analyze CaDPA mutant germination at the single-spore level. Using this assay, we found that CaDPA mutant spores germinate in the presence of amino acid co-germinant and bile acid germinant. Higher levels of amino acid co-germinants are nevertheless required to induce CaDPA mutant spores to germinate relative to WT spores because CaDPA released by WT spores during germination can function in a feedforward loop to potentiate the germination of other spores within the population. Collectively, these data indicate that Ca2+ is not essential for inducing C. difficile spore germination because amino acid and Ca2+ co-germinant signals are sensed by parallel signaling pathways. IMPORTANCE Clostridioides difficile spore germination is essential for this major nosocomial pathogen to initiate infection. C. difficile spores germinate in response to sensing bile acid germinant signals alongside co-germinant signals. There are two classes of co-germinant signals: Ca2+ and amino acids. Prior work suggested that Ca2+ is essential for C. difficile spore germination based on bulk population analyses of germinating CaDPA mutant spores. Since these assays rely on optical density to measure spore germination and the optical density of CaDPA mutant spores is reduced relative to WT spores, this bulk assay is limited in its capacity to analyze germination. To overcome this limitation, we developed an automated image analysis pipeline to monitor C. difficile spore germination using time-lapse microscopy. With this analysis pipeline, we demonstrate that, although Ca2+ is dispensable for inducing C. difficile spore germination, CaDPA can function in a feedforward loop to potentiate the germination of neighboring spores.

Solving the conundrum of intra-specific variation in metabolic rate: A multidisciplinary conceptual and methodological toolkit: New technical developments are opening the door to an understanding of why metabolic rate varies among individual animals of a species: New technical developments are opening the door to an understanding of why metabolic rate varies among individual animals of a species.

Researchers from diverse disciplines, including organismal and cellular physiology, sports science, human nutrition, evolution and ecology, have sought to understand the causes and consequences of the surprising variation in metabolic rate found among and within individual animals of the same species. Research in this area has been hampered by differences in approach, terminology and methodology, and the context in which measurements are made. Recent advances provide important opportunities to identify and address the key questions in the field. By bringing together researchers from different areas of biology and biomedicine, we describe and evaluate these developments and the insights they could yield, highlighting the need for more standardisation across disciplines. We conclude with a list of important questions that can now be addressed by developing a common conceptual and methodological toolkit for studies on metabolic variation in animals.

Redox stress shortens lifespan through suppression of respiratory complex I in flies with mitonuclear incompatibilities.

Incompatibilities between mitochondrial and nuclear genes can perturb respiration, biosynthesis, signaling and gene expression. Here we investigate whether mild mitonuclear incompatibilities alter the physiological response to redox stress induced by N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). We studied three Drosophila melanogaster lines with mitochondrial genomes that were either coevolved (WT) or mildly mismatched (BAR, COX) to an isogenic nuclear background. Responses to NAC varied substantially with mitonuclear genotype, sex, tissue and dose. NAC caused infertility and high mortality in some groups, but not others. Using tissue-specific high-resolution fluorespirometry, we show that NAC did not alter H2O2 flux but suppressed complex I-linked respiration in female flies, while maintaining a reduced glutathione pool. The high mortality in BAR females was associated with severe (>50 %) suppression of complex I-linked respiration, rising H2O2 flux in the ovaries, and significant oxidation of the glutathione pool. Our results suggest that redox stress is attenuated by the suppression of complex-I linked respiration, to the point of death in some mitonuclear lines. We propose that suppression of complex I-linked respiration is a general mechanism to maintain redox homeostasis in tissues, which could offset oxidative stress in ageing, producing a metabolic phenotype linked with epigenetic changes and age-related decline.

Licariaramiroi (Lauraceae), a new species from Western Mexico.

Licariaramiroi, a species endemic to western Mexico, is described and illustrated. The ascription of the new species to Licaria is analysed. It is classified in the subgen. Licaria and is most closely related to L.triandra and L.siphonantha from which it differs by its glabrous vegetative and floral structures, stamens mainly with free anthers and the inner wall of the receptacle sericeous. According to the IUCN criteria, the species is classified as critically endangered.

The longest-lived metazoan, Arctica islandica, exhibits high mitochondrial H2O2 removal capacities.

A greater capacity of endogenous matrix antioxidants has recently been hypothesized to characterize mitochondria of long-lived species, curbing bursts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in this organelle. Evidence for this has been obtained from studies comparing the long-lived naked mole rat to laboratory mice. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the longest-lived metazoan, the marine bivalve Arctica islandica (MLSP = 507 y), with shorter-lived and evolutionarily related species. We used a recently developed fluorescent technique to assess mantle and gill tissue mitochondria's capacity to consume hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in multiple physiological states ex vivo. Depending on the type of respiratory substrate provided, mitochondria of Arctica islandica could consume between 3 and 14 times more H2O2 than shorter-lived species. These findings support the contention that a greater capacity for the elimination of ROS characterizes long-lived species, a novel property of mitochondria thus far demonstrated in two key biogerontological models from distant evolutionary lineages.