Context
Urbanisation is an environmental filter for many species that leads to community homogenisation, with a few species inhabiting isolated patches (e.g. public and private gardens and parks) ...embedded within the urban landscape. Promoting biodiversity in urban areas requires understanding which species traits allow species to survive the urban landscape.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to assess how species traits and landscape factors combine to allow species functional groups to live in the city.
Methods
We used butterfly count data collected by volunteers in 24 gardens of Barcelona city, during 2018 and 2019. Species were clustered in functional groups according to their traits. We applied a multinomial choice model to test for the effect of the landscape on the different functional groups.
Results
Three functional groups became prevalent in the city while a fourth, containing most sedentary specialist species, was filtered out. Although the observed groups had similar species richness, abundances varied depending on urban landscape characteristics. Specialist sedentary specialists and medium mobile species were all favoured by patch connectivity; while the presence of mobile generalist species was only enhanced by habitat quality. Our results indicate that butterfly communities are more diverse in highly connected gardens.
Conclusions
Our study highlights the need of contextualised management with actions accounting for the species functional groups, rather than a management focused on general species richness. It demonstrates that urban landscape planning must focus on improving connectivity inside the city in order to diversify the community composition.
The aim of this study was to describe incidence, incidence trends and survival patterns of lymphoid neoplasms (LNs) and its subtypes in Spain in the period 2002-2013 using data from the Spanish ...Network of Cancer Registries (REDECAN).
Data were extracted from 13 Spanish population-based cancer registries. LNs incident cases were codified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3) and grouped according to the WHO 2008 classification. Age-standardized incidence rates to the 2013 European standard population (ASIRe) were obtained. Poisson regression models were used to analyze trends in incidence rates and estimate the annual percentage change (APC) for each subtype. The number of cases in Spain for 2023 was estimated by applying the estimated age-specific rates for the year 2023 to the 2023 Spanish population. Observed survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and net survival (NS) by the Pohar-Perme method. Sex- and age-specific estimates of 5-year NS were calculated, as well as its changes according to two periods of diagnosis (2002-2007 and 2008-2013).
LNs accounted for 69% (n=39,156) of all hematological malignancies (n=56,751) diagnosed during the period of study. Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 52-77). The overall ASIRe was 34.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 33.89, 34.57) and showed a marked male predominance in almost all subtypes (global sex ratio = 1.45). During the study period, incidence trends of LNs remained stable (APC: 0.3; 95% CI: -0.1, 0.6), nevertheless some subtypes showed statistically significant variations, such as LNs NOS category (APC: -5.6; 95% CI: -6.8, -4.3). Around 17,926 new cases of LNs will be diagnosed in 2023 in Spain. Survival rates differed considerably across age-groups, while they were similar between men and women. Five- year NS was 62.81% (95% CI: 62.1, 63.52) for all LNs, and varied widely across LNs subtypes, ranging from 39.21% to 90.25%. NS for all LNs improved from the first period of diagnosis to the second one, being 61.57% (95% CI: 60.56, 62.61) in 2002-2007 and 64.17% (95% CI: 63.29, 65.07) in 2008-2013.
This study presents the first complete and extensive population-based analysis of LNs incidence and survival in Spain. These population-based data provide relevant information to better understand the epidemiology of LNs in Southern Europe and it features some useful points for public health authorities and clinicians. However, additional improvements regarding the registration of these hematological neoplasms can be implemented.
Invasive fungal infections, which kill more than 1.6 million patients each year worldwide, are difficult to treat due to the limited number of antifungal drugs (azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes) ...and the emergence of antifungal resistance. The transcription factor Crz1, a key regulator of cellular stress responses and virulence, is an attractive therapeutic target because this protein is absent in human cells. Here, we used a CRISPR-Cas9 approach to generate isogenic crz1Δ strains in two clinical isolates of caspofungin-resistant C. glabrata to analyze the role of this transcription factor in susceptibility to echinocandins, stress tolerance, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity in both non-vertebrate (Galleria mellonella) and vertebrate (mice) models of candidiasis. In these clinical isolates, CRZ1 disruption restores the susceptibility to echinocandins in both in vitro and in vivo models, and affects their oxidative stress response, biofilm formation, cell size, and pathogenicity. These results strongly suggest that Crz1 inhibitors may play an important role in the development of novel therapeutic agents against fungal infections considering the emergence of antifungal resistance and the low number of available antifungal drugs.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Heavy metal contamination from occupational origin is a cause for concern because of its potential accumulation in the environment and in living organisms leading to long term toxic effects. This ...study was aimed to assess Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb levels in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva from 178 individuals with occupational exposure to heavy metals. Levels of metal compounds were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. We collected information on occupation, lifestyle habits and food intake by questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses for metal ion concentration in whole blood, urine, axillary hair and saliva were adjusted for age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption, lifetime workplace exposure, residence area and food habits. Overall, blood and urine median concentrations found for the five metals analyzed do not exceed biological exposure indexes, so that they are very similar to a non-occupationally exposed population. Toxicokinetic differences may account for the lack of correlations found for metal levels in hair and saliva with those in blood or urine. For those heavy metals showing higher median levels in blood with respect to hair (Cd, Mn and Pb) indicating lesser hair incorporation from blood, the lifetime working experience was inversely correlated with their hair levels. The longer the lifetime working experience in industrial environments, the higher the Mn and Ni concentration in saliva. Axillary hair and saliva may be used as additional and/or alternative samples to blood or urine for biomonitoring hair Mn, and saliva Ni in subjects with occupational exposure.
► Metal levels in workers were similar to an occupationally non-exposed population. ► Metal levels in blood and urine were below recommended reference values. ► A lack of correlation was observed between metal levels in blood and saliva. ► Toxicokinetic differences may account for the lack of correlations observed. ► Axillary hair and saliva are proposed as valid samples for biomonitoring purposes.
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•Solid Lipid Nanoparticles allow polymethine dyes’ solubilization in physiological conditions.•Dye-loaded nanoparticles show low cytotoxicity and an efficient cellular ...uptake.•Nanoparticles increase Squaraines’ quantum yield and Cyanines’ photoactivity.
Polymethine dyes (PMD) have proved to be excellent candidates in the biomedical field for potential applications in both diagnostic and therapeutic. However, PMD application in biomedicine is hindered by their poor solubility and stability in physiological conditions. Therefore, the incorporation of these dyes in nanosystems could be important to prevent the formation of dye aggregates in aqueous environment and to protect their photophysical characteristics. In the present work, two PMD based on the benzoindolenine ring (bromine benzo-cyanine-C4 and bromine benzo-squaraine-C4) were incorporated into Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) to solubilize and stabilize them in aqueous solutions. Obtained SLN showed a high incorporation efficiency for both PMD (≈90%) and not only preserved their spectroscopic properties in the NIR region even under physiological conditions but also improved them. Viability assays showed good biocompatibility of both empty and loaded nanocarriers while the cellular uptake and intracellular localization showed the effective internalization in MCF-7 cells, with a partial mitochondrial localization for CY-SLN. Moreover, in vitro phototoxicity assay showed that cyanine loaded-SLN (CY-SLN) is more photoactive than the free dye.
In marine ecosystems, most invertebrates possess diverse microbiomes on their external surfaces, such as those found in the pedal mucus of grazing gastropods and chitons that aids displacement on ...different surfaces. The microbes are then transported around and placed in contact with free-living microbial communities of micro and other macro-organisms, potentially exchanging species and homogenizing microbial composition and structure among grazer hosts. Here, we characterize the microbiota of the pedal mucus of five distantly related mollusk grazers, quantify differences in microbial community structure, mucus protein and carbohydrate content, and, through a simple laboratory experiment, assess their effects on integrated measures of biofilm abundance. Over 665 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were found across grazers, with significant differences in abundance and composition among grazer species and epilithic biofilms. The pulmonate limpet
and the periwinkle
shared similar microbiota. The microbiota of the chiton
keyhole limpet
and scurrinid limpet
differed markedly from one another, and form those of the pulmonate limpet and periwinkle. Flavobacteriaceae (Bacteroidia) and Colwelliaceae (Gammaproteobacteria) were the most common among microbial taxa. Microbial strict specialists were found in only one grazer species. The pedal mucus pH was similar among grazers, but carbohydrate and protein concentrations differed significantly. Yet, differences in mucus composition were not reflected in microbial community structure. Only the pedal mucus of
and
negatively affected the abundance of photosynthetic microorganisms in the biofilm, demonstrating the specificity of the pedal mucus effects on biofilm communities. Thus, the pedal mucus microbiota are distinct among grazer hosts and can affect and interact non-trophically with the epilithic biofilms on which grazers feed, potentially leading to microbial community coalescence mediated by grazer movement. Further studies are needed to unravel the myriad of non-trophic interactions and their reciprocal impacts between macro- and microbial communities.
Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is defined by the formation of granulomatous inflammation in breast tissue. Erythema nodosum (EN) is a reactive inflammatory panniculitis characterized by erythematous ...subcutaneous nodules in the lower limbs. The association of GM with EN has been rarely reported. Our aim was to retrospectively review our series of patients with GM to better characterize their features and their association with EN.
Cases histologically diagnosed as granulomatous inflammation in breast tissue between 1995 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.
Forty-two women were diagnosed with GM. The average age at diagnosis was 41.619 years, and 59.5% were of South-American ethnicity. EN was associated with GM in 11.9% of the patients. Patients with EN were diagnosed earlier than isolated GM (0.4 months vs 6.81 months; P < .05). Ulceration in the GM was more prevalent in patients with associated EN (60% vs 14.7%; P < .05).
EN in patients with GM may reduce the evolution time and may help to diagnose this rare condition that mimics breast carcinoma.
La mastitis granulomatosa (MG) se define por la presencia de inflamación granulomatosa en el tejido mamario. El eritema nodoso (EN) es una paniculitis inflamatoria reactiva caracterizada por nódulos subcutáneos dolorosos en las extremidades inferiores. La asociación entre MG y EN ha sido descrita pero está poco estudiada. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar las características clínicas de las pacientes diagnosticadas de MG en nuestro centro y su asociación con EN.
Se revisaron restrospectivamente los casos diagnosticados histológicamente de MG entre 1995 y 2020.
Cuarenta y dos mujeres fueron diagnosticadas de MG. La edad media al diagnóstico fue de 41,619 años y el 59,5% tenían ascendencia sudamericana. El EN se asoció con MG en el 11,9% de las pacientes. Las pacientes con EN fueron diagnosticadas precozmente respecto a aquellas con MG aislada (0,4 meses frente a 6,81; P < ,05). La ulceración en la MG fue más prevalente en pacientes con EN asociado (60% vs 14,7%; P < ,05).
El EN en pacientes con GM puede facilitar el diagnóstico precoz de esta rara condición que imita el cáncer de mama.
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