Kinetics and toxicity of nanoplastics in ex vivo exposed human whole blood as a model to understand their impact on human health.

The ubiquitous presence of nanoplastics (NPLs) in the environment is considered of great health concern. Due to their size, NPLs can cross both the intestinal and pulmonary barriers and, consequently, their presence in the blood compartment is expected. Understanding the interactions between NPLs and human blood components is required. In this study, to simulate more adequate real exposure conditions, the whole blood of healthy donors was exposed to five different NPLs: three polystyrene NPLs of approximately 50 nm (aminated PS-NH2, carboxylated PS-COOH, and pristine PS- forms), together with two true-to-life NPLs from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylactic acid (PLA) of about 150 nm. Internalization was determined in white blood cells (WBCs) by confocal microscopy, once the different main cell subtypes (monocytes, polymorphonucleated cells, and lymphocytes) were sorted by flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) induction was determined in WBCs and cytokine release in plasma. In addition, hemolysis, coagulation, and platelet activation were also determined. Results showed a differential uptake between WBC subtypes, with monocytes showing a higher internalization. Regarding iROS, lymphocytes were those with higher levels, which was observed for different NPLs. Changes in cytokine release were also detected, with higher effects observed after PLA- and PS-NH2-NPL exposure. Hemolysis induction was observed after PS- and PS-COOH-NPL exposure, but no effects on platelet functionality were observed after any of the treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first study comprehensively evaluating the bloodstream kinetics and toxicity of NPL from different polymeric types on human whole blood, considering the role played by the cell subtype and the NPLs physicochemical characteristics in the effects observed after the exposures.

Actinomicosis apendicular como causa de masa ileocecal en la edad pediátrica: Caso clínico / Appendicular actinomycosis as a cause of ileocecal mass in children: Case report

Introducción. La actinomicosis apendicular es una patología rara producida por la invasión del apéndice cecal por bacterias del género Actinomyces al alterarse la barrera mucosa después de una causa predisponente, como podría ser una apendicitis aguda. Se presenta con mayor frecuencia en adultos, aunque en la literatura se han descrito algunos casos en edad pediátrica. En este artículo se presenta un nuevo caso pediátrico de actinomicosis apendicular de presentación atípica y se revisa la literatura al respecto. Caso clínico. Paciente varón de 10 años de edad derivado a nuestro hospital por el hallazgo intraoperatorio en otro centro de una tumoración en flanco derecho, sin identificación del apéndice cecal. Tras completar el estudio con pruebas de imagen, el paciente fue reintervenido bajo la orientación diagnóstica de apendicitis aguda complicada. Intraoperatoriamente, se identifica un plastrón organizado y con escasos signos inflamatorios agudos. La evolución postquirúrgica fue favorable con tratamiento antibiótico convencional. El estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza reveló una actinomicosis apendicular, por lo que se amplió el tratamiento antibiótico de forma ambulatoria y se descartó patología predisponente. Comentarios. La actinomicosis apendicular es una causa infrecuente de apendicitis que puede simular una tumoración intraabdominal en niños y adultos. Es necesario descartar patología predisponente y realizar un tratamiento antibiótico adecuado

Introduction. Appendicular actinomycosis is a rare disease produced by cecal appendix invasion by Actinomyces gender bacteria after a predisposing cause that disrupts mucosal barrier, such as acute appendicitis. The highest frequency appears in adults; however, there are cases in paediatric age described in literature. The aim of this article is to introduce a case of appendicular actinomycosis in a child with atypical presentation and to review the literature. Clinical case. 10-year-old boy transferred to our hospital due to intraoperative finding at a different centre of a right flank tumor, without identification of cecal appendix. After completing the study with image tests, the patient was re-intervened with the diagnosis of complicated acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, an organized plastron lacking of acute inflammatory signs was found. Post-surgical evolution was positive with conventional antibiotic treatment. Histological study of the specimen revealed an appendicular actinomycosis, so antibiotic treatment was widened in an outpatient basis and predisposing diseases were ruled out. Comments. Appendicular actinomycosis is an infrequent cause of appendicitis that can simulate an intra-abdominal tumor in children and adults. It is necessary to rule out predisposing diseases and to administer an adequate antibiotic treatment

[Appendicular actinomycosis as a cause of ileocecal mass in children: Case report]. / Actinomicosis apendicular como causa de masa ileocecal en la edad pediátrica: Caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicular actinomycosis is a rare disease produced by cecal appendix invasion by Actinomyces gender bacteria after a predisposing cause that disrupts mucosal barrier, such as acute appendicitis. The highest frequency appears in adults; however, there are cases in paediatric age described in literature. The aim of this article is to introduce a case of appendicular actinomycosis in a child with atypical presentation and to review the literature. CLINICAL CASE: 10-year-old boy transferred to our hospital due to intraoperative finding at a different centre of a right flank tumor, without identification of cecal appendix. After completing the study with image tests, the patient was re-intervened with the diagnosis of complicated acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, an organized plastron lacking of acute inflammatory signs was found. Post-surgical evolution was positive with conventional antibiotic treatment. Histological study of the specimen revealed an appendicular actinomycosis, so antibiotic treatment was widened in an outpatient basis and predisposing diseases were ruled out. COMMENTS: Appendicular actinomycosis is an infrequent cause of appendicitis that can simulate an intra-abdominal tumor in children and adults. It is necessary to rule out predisposing diseases and to administer an adequate antibiotic treatment.

INTRODUCCION: La actinomicosis apendicular es una patología rara producida por la invasión del apéndice cecal por bacterias del género Actinomyces al alterarse la barrera mucosa después de una causa predisponente, como podría ser una apendicitis aguda. Se presenta con mayor frecuencia en adultos, aunque en la literatura se han descrito algunos casos en edad pediátrica. En este artículo se presenta un nuevo caso pediátrico de actinomicosis apendicular de presentación atípica y se revisa la literatura al respecto. CASO CLINICO: Paciente varón de 10 años de edad derivado a nuestro hospital por el hallazgo intraoperatorio en otro centro de una tumoración en flanco derecho, sin identificación del apéndice cecal. Tras completar el estudio con pruebas de imagen, el paciente fue reintervenido bajo la orientación diagnóstica de apendicitis aguda complicada. Intraoperatoriamente, se identifica un plastrón organizado y con escasos signos inflamatorios agudos. La evolución postquirúrgica fue favorable con tratamiento antibiótico convencional. El estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza reveló una actinomicosis apendicular, por lo que se amplió el tratamiento antibiótico de forma ambulatoria y se descartó patología predisponente. COMENTARIOS: La actinomicosis apendicular es una causa infrecuente de apendicitis que puede simular una tumoración intraabdominal en niños y adultos. Es necesario descartar patología predisponente y realizar un tratamiento antibiótico adecuado.

Sea bird mortality at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: evidence that toxic diatom blooms are spreading.

Domoic acid was found to be responsible for an isolated event involving the massive death of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in January 1996, at the tip of the Baja California peninsula. The death of these sea birds was the result of feeding on mackerel (Scomber japonicus) contaminated by domoic acid-producing diatoms (Pseudonitzschia sp.). The number of dead birds (150 animals) found during a period of 5 days caused alarm and called for a governmental task force that would help to implement emergency measurements to protect other species of bird. Also, local canneries were inspected to verify the safety of their recent production and prevent the toxin entering the human market. Fortunately, the timing, response and coordination of this task force enabled identification of the origin and nature of the toxin that provoked such a phenomenon. Future monitoring is recommended to avoid a larger impact of domoic acid spreading and the occurrence of similar toxic events.

Immunochemical properties of a 60 kDa cell surface-associated heat shock-protein (Hsp60) from Helicobacter pylori.

Western blot analysis (immunoblotting) of cell surface-associated proteins from Helicobacter pylori confirmed our previous findings that binding of human IgG is a common property (among H. pylori strains). Purification of the IgG-binding proteins (IGBP) was achieved by two purification steps, affinity chromatography on IgG-Sepharose and nickel chelate affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analysis revealed a 60 kDa protein with affinity for peroxidase labeled human IgG. Solid phase binding assays showed that IgG binds to an immobilized protein (IGBP). The 60 kDa IGBP binds human IgG1, IgG3 and IgM. Binding could be inhibited by the kappa chain of the human IgG, but not with its Fc fragment, nor with IgA or IgM. In addition, rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the 60 kDa IGBP blocked IgG binding. Monoclonal antibodies, specific to the Hsp60 heat shock protein of H. pylori recognized the 60 kDa IGBP as revealed by immunoblotting analysis, both in crude preparations and in the purified fractions.

Operación mandatoria u observación en las heridas penetrantes cervicales / Mandatory operation or observation in neck penetrating wounds

Este estudio retrospectivo evaluó a 31 pacientes con trauma cervical penetrante manejados en los Hospitales Belén y Regional Docente, Trujillo, Perú, desde el 1 de enero de 1967 al 31 de diciembre de 1993 con el objeto de evaluar los méritos relativos de la exploración mandatoria (n=20) versus observación (n=11). Veinte pacientes (65 por ciento) fueron sometidos a cirugía inmediata, 5 de los cuales (25 por ciento) no tuvieron injuria cervical significativa; hubo 2 muertos (10 por ciento) y solamente 5 complicaciones (25 por ciento). 11 pacientes (35 por ciento) fueron tratados con observación inicial, encontrando en este último grupo 1 muerto (10 por ciento) y 3 complicaciones (27 por ciento). La incidencia global de exploración quirúrgica negativa fue de 17 por ciento en las heridas por arma blanca y de 29 por ciento en las heridas por arma de fuego. La mortalidad global de la serie fue 10 por ciento. Cuando los signos clínicos como indicación para cirugía estuvieron presentes en el manejo, fue más a menudo correcto que cuando los signos estuvieron ausentes (87 por ciento y 43 por ciento respectivamente), pero la presencia o ausencia de signos predijo correctamente la injuria o la falta de injuria en más del 50 por ciento de los pacientes. Estos datos demuestran que los signos clínicos son indicadores confiables de injuria significativa y que la observación en presencia se signos indicativos de exploración conlleva un mayor riesgo de pasar por alto una lesión cervical mayor (38 por ciento)