The timing of metamorphosis has recently been referred as a more suitable proxy to evaluate postlarval quality than size. Indeed, while displaying a larger size at settlement, late settlers that ...originate from larvae that have delayed metamorphosis commonly display poorer growth performances This delay in metamorphosis is possibly at the expenses of larval endogenous energetic reserves that, once allocated to facilitate the delayed transition to benthic life, will no longer be available to help fuelling early juvenile somatic growth. To further advance our knowledge on this topic, we evaluated the physiological status (energy reserves and allocation, aerobic and anaerobic energy consumption), along with biochemical responses related with detoxification processes, antioxidant defences, oxidative damage, neuromotor activity in early settlers (ES), middle settlers (MS) and late settlers (LS) of postlarvae of the marine ornamental shrimp Lysmata seticaudata. Our results revealed that LS postlarvae presented a higher weight compared to MS and ES, likely related with a lower metabolism and neuromotor activity. Yet, the low metabolism allied with diminished detoxification and antioxidant capacities seemed to result in an increased oxidative stress condition that may negatively condition the growth performance of LS postlarvae. Conversely, ES postlarvae presented a lower weight, likely because of high metabolic costs associated with increased neuromotor activity, detoxification, and antioxidant capacities to avoid oxidative damage. The present study highlights how the physiological, metabolic and biochemical status of L. seticaudata postlarvae is shaped by the timing of their metamorphosis, as well as how this event will shape their early benthic life and confirms that a larger size or weight at metamorphosis may not be good proxies to select premium seedlings for grow-out. Overall, metamorphosis is not a new beginning and does not reset larval history. Crustacean farmers should avoid decoupling larviculture history from grow-out, as only by knowing larval performance to metamorphosis will it be possible to enhance survival and growth performances to commercial size.
•Postlarvae that delayed metamorphosis (late settlers) display a higher weight.•Late settlers have a lower metabolism and neuromotor activity.•Delaying metamorphosis results in an increased oxidative stress condition.•Early settlers show higher neuromotor activity and antioxidant capacity.•Physiological status is a better proxy for postlarval quality than weight.
The impact of microplastics (MPs) on soil organisms is still a growing field, yet very little is known about the exposure of ultraviolet (UV) aging of MPs to soil organisms. In this study, we ...explored the response of the epigeic earthworm Eisenia andrei to pristine and UV-aged polyethylene (PE-MP) exposure at a wide range of environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.2, 2, 20, 200 and 2000 mg kg−1) in an organic farm soil for 56d and assessed changes in reproduction, ingestion, egestion and gut microbiome. Results showed that exposure to 20 mg kg−1 pristine PE-MP significantly increased earthworm reproduction by 39 % but the same concentration decreased reproduction by 29 % when they were exposed to UV-aged PE-MP. Ingestion of PE was verified by staining the whole worm body and their casts after 48h of starvation. The amounts of PE-MP found in the body and the casts were positively correlated with PE-MP concentrations in the soil, however only significantly so with pristine PE-MP. A decline in E. andrei gut microbiome alpha diversity and a significantly different community composition were observed in UV-aged PE-MP exposures compared to pristine PE-MP. Relative to the control treatments, Proteobacteria increased up to 135 %, Actinobacteria increased up to 35 %, and Firmicutes decreased up to 38 % under UV-aged PE-MP exposure, whereas Cyanobacteria increased up to 19 times in the pristine PE-MP treatments. These results confirm the negative effect of UV-aged PE-MP on earthworms even at low concentrations and could have important implications in the well-functioning of agricultural soils.
•COVID-19 pandemic affected all four spheres of Earth.•Positive effects were reported in the beginning of the pandemic.•Negative effects became prominent from the second semester of the ...pandemic.•Plastics and its mismanagement during pandemic are the major environmental issues.
The COVID-19 anthropause has impacted human activities and behaviour, resulting in substantial environmental and ecological changes. It has assisted in restoring the ecological systems by improving, for instance, air and water quality and decreasing the anthropogenic pressure on wildlife and natural environments. Notwithstanding, such improvements recessed back, even to a greater extent, when considering increased medical waste, hazardous disinfectants and other chemical compounds, and plastic waste disposal or mismanagement.
This work critically reviews the short- and long-term implications of measures against COVID-19 spreading, namely on human activities and different environmental compartments. Furthermore, this paper highlights strategies towards environmental restoration, as the recovery of the lost environment during COVID-19 lockdown suggests that the environmental degradation caused by humans can be reversible. Thus, we can no longer delay concerted international actions to address biodiversity, sustainable development, and health emergencies to ensure environmental resilience and equitable recovery.
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Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. There is extensive literature on the relationship between body weight and breast cancer risk but some doubts still remain about the ...role of adipokines
per se
, the role of insulin and glucose regardless of obesity, as well as the crosstalk between these players. Thus, in this study, we intend to determine the relation between body mass index (BMI), glycaemia, insulinemia, insulin-resistance, blood adipokine levels and tumour characteristics in a Portuguese group of pre- and postmenopausal overweight/obese women with breast cancer. We evaluated clinical and biochemical data in 154 participants, divided in 4 groups: (1) control with BMI <25 kg/m
2
,
n
= 29 (CT); (2) control with BMI >25 kg/m
2
,
n
= 48 (CTOb); (3) breast cancer with BMI <25 kg/m
2
,
n
= 30 (BC); and (4) breast cancer with BMI >25 kg/m
2
,
n
= 47 (BCOb). In women with breast cancer, we also performed tumour characterization. We found that BCOb present increased fasting blood glucose, insulin, resistin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, insulin resistance and more aggressive tumours. Notably, this profile is not correlated with BMI, proposing the involvement of other processes than adiposity. Altogether, our results suggest that glucose dysmetabolism, insulin resistance and changes in adipokine secretion, in particular resistin, may be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer in overweight/obese pre- and postmenopausal women.
Due to climate change and intense anthropogenic activity, organisms from cold regions are often exposed to combined effects of temperature fluctuations and contaminants. In this investigation, we ...assessed the lipid, protein, and carbohydrate energy budgets; the energy available (Ea); consumed (Ec); and cellular energy allocation (CEA) of the freeze-tolerant Enchytraeus albidus, when exposed to sublethal concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (a lipophilic contaminant) for 7 days, followed by exposure to different temperature regimes (continuous 2 °C, continuous −4 °C, and daily freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) (2 to −4 °C) for additional 10 days. Results showed that a pre-exposure to 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) induced important changes in the worms’ energy budgets and CEA and increased mortality with most severe effects observed for the FTC events. For FTC, lipids were the most accumulated energy source, whereas during freezing (−4 °C), proteins were the most used. FTC caused the highest Ec, indicating the higher energy requirements for organisms when shifting between freezing and thawing events. This is also in line with the higher mortality observed in FTC compared to continuous −4 °C or 2 °C. Worms exposed to continuous freezing presented relatively stable and positive levels of Ea and low levels of Ec, possibly related with the decrease in metabolism.
•Sublethal Cu concentrations reduced cold tolerance under freeze exposures.•Cryoprotective glucose levels were significantly lower in worms exposed to Cu.•The estimated LC50 value of Cu decreased ...most dramatically under freeze-thaw exposures.
Many anthropogenic activities negatively affect the environment and stress the organisms living there. Metals are some of the most common contaminants in temperate climate soils, and recent mining activities in subarctic and arctic regions further emphasize the need for focus on the environmental impact in cold climate regions. The present study investigated how the combination of sub-zero temperatures and copper (Cu) contamination of soil affected the freeze tolerant oligochaete worm, Enchytraeus albidus. Worms were exposed to one of three temperature treatments (constant +1.5°C, constant −6°C, or repeated daily cycles between +1.5 to −6°C) in combination with one of several different Cu (CuCl2) concentrations in soil. The results showed that concentrations of Cu that are sublethal under benign temperatures (+1.5°C) caused a reduced cold tolerance of worms. We estimated that LC50 values for Cu were 470μgCug−1 dry soil at +1.5°C, 300μgCug−1 dry soil at constant −6°C, but only 95μgCug−1 dry soil after exposure to repeated daily freezing and thawing (+1.5 to −6°C). Levels of the main cryoprotectant of these worms, glucose, were significantly lower in worms exposed to elevated Cu, which may have contributed to the reduced cold tolerance. These results imply that detrimental effects of Cu in the environment may be considerably worse in a cold environment where freezing and thawing of the habitat occurs on a regular basis than in a climate with periods of constant freezing, or in a temperate climate where freezing of soils never takes place.
Enchytraeus albidus is a freeze-tolerant enchytraeid found in diverse habitats, ranging from supralittoral to terrestrial and spanning temperate to arctic regions. Its freeze tolerance is well known ...but the effect of salinity in this strategy is still poorly understood. We therefore studied the combined effect of salinity (0, 15, 35, 50‰ NaCl) and sub-zero temperatures (-5, -14, -20°C) on the freeze tolerance of E. albidus collected from two distinct geographical regions (Greenland and Germany). A full factorial design was used to study survival, and physiological and biochemical end points. The effect of salinity on the reproduction of German E. albidus was also assessed. Exposure for 48 h to saline soils prior to cold exposure triggered an increase in osmolality and decrease in water content. Worms exposed to saline soils had an improved survival of freezing compared to worms frozen in non-saline soils, particularly at -20°C (survival more than doubled). Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed that the fraction of water frozen at -5 and -14°C was lower in worms exposed to 35‰ NaCl than in control worms. The lowering of ice content by exposure to saline soils was probably the main explanation for the better freeze survival in saline-exposed worms. Glucose increased with decreasing temperature, but was lower in saline than in non-saline soils. Thus, glucose accumulation patterns did not explain differences in freeze survival. Overall, the physiological responses to freezing of E. albidus from Greenland and Germany were similar after exposure to saline soils. Soil salinity up to 30‰ improved reproduction by a factor of ca. 10.
Exploring the interactions between organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), microplastics, and freshwater organisms is essential for comprehending the dynamics within freshwater ecosystems to ...anticipate the potential impacts of organic pollutants and plastic particles. To address this need, the current study examined the exposure effects of 10 mg Lsup.−1 of flame-retardant aluminium diethylphosphinate (ALPI), 10 μg mgsup.−1 sub.liver of microplastics polyurethane (PU), and their combination on the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina. Twenty-four-hour exposure of G. tigrina to both ALPI and PU resulted in a sequential effect reflected in a significant reduction in locomotor activity, i.e., exposure may involve a combination of direct neurotoxic effects and the indirect energetic costs associated with the adaptive responses to mitigate the adverse effects. Other biochemical responses, e.g., oxidative stress and metabolic responses, remained unaffected compared to control. Incorporating behavioural indicators into toxicological assays enhances the predictive power of these assessments, enabling a more accurate evaluation of the ecological consequences of pollutant exposure. This integrated approach not only improves our understanding of the complex interactions between organisms and their environment, but also informs more effective strategies for mitigating the detrimental effects of mixtures of pollutants on freshwater ecosystems. Understanding the interplay among organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), microplastics, and freshwater organisms is crucial for unravelling the dynamics within freshwater environments and foreseeing the potential impacts of organic pollutants and plastic contamination. For that purpose, the present research assessed the exposure impact of 10 mg Lsup.−1 flame-retardant aluminium diethylphosphinate (ALPI), 10 μg mgsup.−1 sub.liver microplastics polyurethane (PU), and the combination of ALPI and PU on the freshwater planarian Girardia tigrina. The exposure to both ALPI and PU revealed a sequential effect, i.e., a decrease in locomotor activity, while oxidative stress biomarkers (total glutathione, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation) and metabolic responses (cholinesterase activity, electron transport system, and lactate dehydrogenase) remained unaffected. Despite this fact, it was possible to observe that the range of physiological responses in exposed organisms varied, in particular in the cases of the electron transport system, cholinesterase activity, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and levels of total glutathione and proteins, showing that the energetic costs for detoxification and antioxidant capacity might be causing a lesser amount of energy allocated for the planarian activity. By examining the physiological, behavioural, and ecological responses of planarians to these pollutants, insights can be gained into broader ecosystem-level effects and inform strategies for mitigating environmental risks associated with OPFRs and microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.
Mexican consensus on Hodgkin's lymphoma Álvarez-Vera, José L; Aguilar-Luevano, Jocelyn; Alcívar-Cedeño, Luisa M ...
Gaceta médica de México,
2021, Volume:
157, Issue:
Suppl 2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
El linfoma de Hodgkin (LH) se debe a la transformación clonal de células originadas en los linfocitos B, lo que genera las células binucleadas patognomónicas de Reed-Sternberg. El LH es una ...enfermedad de células B con una distribución bimodal, con mayor incidencia en la adolescencia y la tercera década de la vida y un segundo pico en personas mayores de 55 años. Las células del LH clásico habitualmente sufren una reprogramación de la expresión génica, ya que pierden la expresión de la mayoría de los genes típicos de las células B y han adquirido la expresión de múltiples genes que son típicos de otros tipos de células del sistema inmunitario. El algoritmo de tratamiento dependerá si se trata de LH clásico o de predominio linfocítico, si es un estadio temprano con marcadores de pronóstico desfavorables o no, el esquema inicial de manejo y si existe enfermedad voluminosa, entre las variables más relevantes.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is due to the clonal transformation of cells originating from B lymphocytes, generating the pathognomonic binucleate Reed-Sternberg cells. HL is a B cell disease with a bimodal distribution, with higher incidence in adolescence and the third decade of life, showing a second peak in people over 55 years of age. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma cells routinely undergo gene expression reprogramming, as they lose the expression of most of the typical B-cell genes and acquire the expression of multiple genes that are typical of other types of cells in the immune system. The treatment algorithm will depend on whether it is classic or predominantly lymphocytic HL, if it is early stage with unfavorable prognostic markers or not, the initial management regimen, and whether there is bulky disease, among the most relevant variables.
•Pb accelerated and increased C. riparius emergence and increased males’ weight.•Ni delayed female emergence and decreased imagoes weight.•Reproduction in the 1st generation was not affected by Pb ...and/or Ni.•A mixture of Pb and Ni at 75 mg kg−1 delayed emergence (>3 d) in the 2nd generation.•C. riparius are susceptible to Pb and Ni mixtures at environmental concentrations.
Metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems translates into increased concentrations of sediment-bound metals, representing a risk for benthic species. This risk might be enhanced in soft and moderately hard waters, world widely distributed, due to the protective role of hardness against metal toxicity. As lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) are amongst the more abundant metals in aquatic systems, and since their combined effects to benthic species have been overlooked, in this study we aimed to investigate the life-cycle toxicity of Pb and Ni (using spiked sediment) to the benthic species Chironomus riparius, considering both single and mixture exposures, in moderately hard water. Environmentally relevant concentrations of each metal were used (25 and 75 mg kg−1, based on a scenario of pollution by runoff waters from burnt forests), following a full factorial design. Effects of the mixture with the highest metal concentrations (Pb 75 mg kg−1 dw + Ni 75 mg kg−1 dw) were also assessed in the second generation. In the first generation, exposure to Pb increased emergence and the weight of males, and decreased time to emergence of both males and females. Conversely, exposure to Ni delayed female emergence and decreased the weight of imagoes. Summarizing, Pb affected more endpoints but showed an apparent positive effect, whereas Ni affected less endpoints but exhibited adverse effects. Reproduction was not affected by these metals. In the second generation, the mixture Pb 75 mg kg−1 + Ni 75 mg kg−1 dw delayed emergence and reduced the emerged female fraction and their weight. These results highlight that Pb and Ni can alter the structure of C. riparius populations at environmentally relevant concentrations, which signals potential repercussions in the dynamics and functioning of freshwater ecosystems under these contamination scenarios. The findings of the present study are relevant not only for metal-polluted environments, in general, but also for fire-affected ecosystems.
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