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.
S‐doped and dual S,N‐doped polymer‐derived carbons were studied as electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2. Higher Faradaic efficiencies for conversion to CO and CH4 were obtained for S,N‐doped ...carbon than its S‐doped counterpart. The former showed a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 11.3 % for CO and 0.18 % for CH4 formation. The S,N‐nanoporous carbon was better at decreasing the overpotential of the reduction process. The pyridinic nitrogen groups were found to be actively participating in binding CO2. The quaternary nitrogen and thiophenic groups were also involved in the reduction process. It is proposed that the positively charged sites on the carbon atoms, adjacent to pyridinic nitrogen, stabilize the CO2.− and COOH* intermediates, promoting the formation of CO. The surface basicity of the catalysts improved the CO2 reduction selectivity when competing with H2 evolution. N2 adsorption measurements suggested that ultra‐micropores enhance the reduction of CO2 to CH4.
Double doped! S,N‐doped polymer‐derived carbons are studied as electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2 to CO and CH4. Higher Faradaic efficiencies are obtained on dual S,N‐doped carbon than on its S‐doped counterpart. The presence of positively charged sites and the incorporation of functional groups promotes the electrochemical reduction of CO2 and the ultra‐micropores enhance the reduction of CO2 to CH4.
The role of T cells in age-related diseases Carrasco, Elisa; Gómez de Las Heras, Manuel M; Gabandé-Rodríguez, Enrique ...
Nature reviews. Immunology,
02/2022, Letnik:
22, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Age-related T cell dysfunction can lead to failure of immune tolerance mechanisms, resulting in aberrant T cell-driven cytokine and cytotoxic responses that ultimately cause tissue damage. In this ...Review, we discuss the role of T cells in the onset and progression of age-associated conditions, focusing on cardiovascular disorders, metabolic dysfunction, neuroinflammation and defective tissue repair and regeneration. We present different mechanisms by which T cells contribute to inflammageing and might act as modulators of age-associated diseases, including through enhanced pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity, defective clearance of senescent cells or regulation of the gut microbiota. Finally, we propose that 'resetting' immune system tolerance or targeting pathogenic T cells could open up new therapeutic opportunities to boost resilience to age-related diseases.
This study reports an evaluation on the scope of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to obtain information for the coordination chemistry of transition metal (Tn) hexacyanometallates, TxAzMm(CN)6y ...where nx +z = y(6 – m), A is an alkaline charge‐compensating cation, and Mm is a transition metal with a maximum of 6 electrons in its nd orbitals. XPS provides an elegant picture on the role of the CN π‐back bonding effect to determine the charge density on the N atom and, from this fact, on its coordination to transition metal ions to form coordination polymers. XPS appears to be able to discriminate between octahedral and tetrahedral coordination for the outer metal (T) to the N end of CN ligands, particularly when the XPS peak and the Auger lines are combined. A similar performance was observed when this spectroscopic technique is used to identify when the CN ligand is found with linear and bifurcated coordination mode to the metal linked at its N end. These last two structural features are relevant in the coordination of metal hexacyanometallates and determine their physical and functional properties. The results obtained from XPS data were correlated with the a priori information from IR spectra and the reported crystal structures for all the samples under study.
A change in the coordination mode for the cyanide ligand from linear to bifurcated at its N end results in a shift of +0.3 eV for the binding energy of Cd 3d5/2 core electrons. In the Cd MNN Auger peaks the shift is of +0.5 eV. This illustrates that from a combination of XPS and Auger spectra conclusive evidence on the coordination mode for the CN ligand can be obtained.
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.
Endocrine disruption in crustaceans due to pollutants: A review Rodríguez, Enrique M.; Medesani, Daniel A.; Fingerman, Milton
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology,
04/2007, Letnik:
146, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The main endocrine-regulated processes of crustaceans have been reviewed in relation to the effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Molting has been shown to be inhibited by several organic ...pollutants, such as xenoestrogens and related compounds, as well as by some pesticides. Most of these disrupters are thought to interfere with ecdysone at target tissues, although only for a few has this action been demonstrated in vitro. The heavy metal cadmium appears to inhibit some ecdysone secretion. Juvenoid compounds have also been shown to inhibit molting, likely by interfering with the stimulatory effect of methyl farnesoate. A molt-promoting effect of emamectin benzoate, a pesticide, has also been reported. As for reproduction, a variety of organic compounds, including xenoestrogens, juvenoids and ecdysteroids, has produced abnormal development of male and female secondary sexual characters, as well as alteration of the sex ratio. Cadmium and copper have been shown to interfere with hormones that stimulate reproduction, such as methyl farnesoate, as well as with secretion of the gonad inhibiting hormone, therefore affecting, for example, ovarian growth. Several heavy metals were able to produce hyperglycemia in crustaceans during short times of exposure; while a hypoglycemic response was noted after longer exposures, due to inhibition of secretion of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone. The ecological relevance of EDCs on crustaceans is discussed, mainly in relation to the identification of useful biomarkers and sentinel species. New experimental approaches are also proposed.
Legitimidad y apropiación local RODRÍGUEZ, ENRIQUE BALTAR
Estudios de Asia y Africa,
01/2024, Letnik:
59, Številka:
1 (183)
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
El derrumbe del Estado afgano en agosto de 2021 corroboró que el state-building impulsado por la intervención internacional fracasó en el propósito de generar la legitimidad y apropiación local ...necesaria para su consolidación y sostenibilidad porque, al quedar la estrategia de state-building subordinada a los intereses de la lucha antiterrorista, las consideraciones de seguridad prevalecieron sobre los objetivos de reconstrucción nacional, crecimiento económico y buena gobernanza. Así, de hecho, la intervención militar y la ayuda financiera internacional contribuyeron a promover un tipo de Estado rentista y patrimonialista, que consagró los intereses de las viejas élites surgidas de la guerra civil y marginó del poder, de los beneficios de la paz y de los bienes públicos a la mayoría de la población y las regiones del país que el nuevo Estado debía proveer.
The collapse of the Afghan state in August 2021 confirmed that the state-building promoted by international intervention failed to generate the legitimacy and local ownership necessary for state consolidation and sustainability. As the state-building strategy remained subordinated to counterterrorism objectives, security considerations prevailed over the goals of national reconstruction, economic growth, and good governance. Military intervention and international financial aid contributed to promoting a type of rentier and neo-patrimonial state that served to the interests of the old elites who had emerged from the civil war, and had been marginalized from power, rather than delivering peace and public goods to most of the population and regions of the country.
This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of the commercial formulation Roundup Ultramax® on sperm mortality and viability, in terms of the capacity of spermatozoids (spz) to trigger the ...acrosome reaction (AR), using the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata as a model. To this, an in vivo assay comprising 100 days duration was carried out, on a control group and two groups exposed to the formulation (0.01 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L of glyphosate) under controlled conditions of photoperiod, feeding, and temperature. At the end of the assay, the right vas deferens (VD, proximal and middle portion) was dissected, and after homogenizing it in calcium-free saline solution, the acrosome reaction was induced in the phase containing the spz. In each treatment, the percentage of spz with total and partial AR was calculated, as well as that of dead spz. Compared to the control, crabs exposed to the herbicide showed a significant decrease in spz with full AR, together with an increase in the percentage of spz with partial AR. Furthermore, spz mortality was significantly higher in both glyphosate concentrations compared to the control, in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, abnormal spermatophores, showing expanded walls and coalescence, were observed in a significant percentage in the left VD of the groups treated with the herbicide. The results obtained are compared with those from other studies on several invertebrate and vertebrate species that found inhibition of the AR and abnormal sperm, together with inhibition of spermatogenesis, endocrine disruption, and reduced sperm motility by effect of pure glyphosate and/or different glyphosate formulations. In summary, the available evidence highlights the possible impact of glyphosate on sperm quality, in a wide variety of species.
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•Male crabs were exposed to environmental concentrations of glyphosate for 100 days.•The acrosome reaction was inhibited in exposed crabs.•Glyphosate also caused death of spermatozoids and abnormal spermatophores.•Obtained results were evaluated in the context of One Health.
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.
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•Strict COVID-19 policies significantly affected every environmental aspect.•More literature reported more positive (51 %) than negative effects (36 %).•Aviation CO2 emission was more affected by COVD-19 than power and industry sectors.•Medical waste is the major contributor to persistent environmental issues.
Mitochondria produce energy through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which depends on the expression of both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In metazoans, a striking exception from strictly ...maternal inheritance of mitochondria is doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI). This unique system involves the maintenance of two highly divergent mtDNAs (F- and M-type, 8-40% of nucleotide divergence) associated with gametes, and occasionally coexisting in somatic tissues. To address whether metabolic differences underlie this condition, we characterized the OXPHOS activity of oocytes, spermatozoa, and gills of different species through respirometry. DUI species express different gender-linked mitochondrial phenotypes in gametes and partly in somatic tissues. The M-phenotype is specific to sperm and entails (i) low coupled/uncoupled respiration rates, (ii) a limitation by the phosphorylation system, and (iii) a null excess capacity of the final oxidases, supporting a strong control over the upstream complexes. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a phenotype resulting from direct selection on sperm mitochondria. This metabolic remodelling suggests an adaptive value of mtDNA variations and we propose that bearing sex-linked mitochondria could assure the energetic requirements of different gametes, potentially linking male-energetic adaptation, mitotype preservation and inheritance, as well as resistance to both heteroplasmy and ageing.
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