Element composition of several marine macrophytes (Crimea, Black Sea) and correlations with the element abundances in sediments and seawater.

The study of the element accumulation in marine plants against the backdrop of permanently increasing environmental pollution is of particular importance due to the participation of these plants in biogeochemical cycles. The element abundances are highly variable and depend on both the macrophyte species and environment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the elemental composition of widespread marine plants of different taxonomic affiliations collected in the same area of the Black Sea coast. The contents of 74 elements in three species of lower (red, brown, green algae) and one species of higher plants (seagrass) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. High contents of most elements were found in the red alga Ceramium ciliatum and in rhizomes of the seagrass Zostera noltei. In C. ciliatum, high metal bioaccumulation factors were found, which are dependent also on their concentration in the environment. Compared to the higher plant, all the macroalgae accumulated increased amounts of As and I. The seagrass proved to be a good concentrator of Mo and Sb, and relatively high contents of Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Ir were registered in its leaves. High contents of Mg, S, Ge, Se and Ta were found in the green alga Ulva rigida, and elevated levels of Al, As, Sr, Zr, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ba and Re were noted in the brown alga Gongolaria barbata. The enrichment factors for most elements in the sediments were well above 1 with respect to both the local Late Pleistocene sediments and the upper continental crust. The strength of correlations between the element contents in the plants and sediments was found to decrease with the specific surface area growth and appeared to have a lower asymptotic limit of the sediments-seawater correlation strength.

Pyrolysis of Euphorbia Rigida: A study on thermal characterizations, kinetics, thermodynamics via TG-FTIR analysis.

Euphorbia Rigida (E. Rigida), a lignocellulosic biomass with low ash content, is a suitable feedstock for pyrolysis. This work investigated the physicochemical characteristics and thermokinetic analysis of E. Rigida pyrolysis by using isoconversional and master plots methods. Ultimate and proximate analyses and oxygen bomb calorimeter were used to determine the physicochemical parameters. The activation energies were calculated using model-free methods (KAS, Friedman and Starink) and were found as 184, 178 and 185 kJ/mol, respectively. Using Fraser-Suzuki deconvolution, pseudo-components were also calculated and the active pyrolysis region was divided into three zones. The master plots showed that reaction order mechanisms (Fn) were effective in Zone I, and diffusion mechanisms (Dn) were well matched in Zone II and Zone III. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG and ΔS) were calculated and according to these results, E. Rigida pyrolysis was an endothermic and non-spontaneous process.

Abordagem cirúrgica em fratura de sínfise e côndilo mandibular bilateral em paciente pediátrico: um relato de caso / Surgical approach for syphysis and bilateral mandibular condyle fracture in a pediatric patient: a case report

As indicações de tratamento das fraturas mandibulares em paciente pediátrico variam em conservador, fixação não rígida e interna rígida. Alterações no crescimento ósseo, disfunções na articulação temporomandibular e assimetrias faciais podem ser decorrentes ao insucesso do tratamento. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em relatar abordagem cirúrgica em fratura de sínfise e côndilo mandibular bilateral em paciente pediátrico. Paciente gênero feminino, 09 anos de idade, foi encaminhada ao Hospital Geral do Estado - Bahia vítima de queda de nível, cursando com trauma em face. Apresentou queixa principal, referida pela progenitora, de dificuldades em fechar a boca. Ao exame físico, a paciente apresentou mobilidade atípica à manipulação da mandíbula, mordida aberta anterior, equimose sublingual, ausência das unidades dentárias 74 e 75, com abertura bucal regular e suturas em posição em região de mento. Ao exame de imagem de tomografia computadorizada da face, pôde-se notar sinais sugestivos de fratura em região de sínfise e côndilos mandibulares bilateral. Após diagnóstico das fraturas, a paciente foi submetida à cirurgia sob anestesia geral para redução e fixação das mesmas. Realizou-se acessos em ferimento na região mentual e retromandibular bilateral com posterior síntese das fraturas utilizando fixação interna rígida com placas do sistema 2.0mm, associada a odontossíntese na fratura de sínfise. Ao acompanhamento periódico, a eleição do tratamento cirúrgico para fraturas mandibulares em pacientes pediátricos, pode permitir segurança no crescimento ósseo mandibular e facial(AU)

The indications for treatment of mandibular fractures in pediatric patients vary from conservative, non-rigid fixation and rigid internal fixation. Changes in bone growth, temporomandibular joint disorders and facial asymmetries may be due to treatment failure. The objective of this work is to report a surgical approach to bilateral symphysis and mandibular condyle fractures in a pediatric patient. Female patient, 9 years old, was sent to the State General Hospital - Bahia, victim of a fall in level, suffering from trauma to the face. She presented a main complaint, mentioned by her mother, of difficulties in closing her mouth. On physical examination, the patient presented atypical mobility when manipulating the jaw, anterior open bite, sublingual ecchymosis, absence of dental units 74 and 75, with regular mouth opening and sutures in position in the chin region. When examining the computed tomography image of the face, signs suggestive of fracture in the region of the symphysis and bilateral mandibular condyles were noted. After diagnosis of the fractures, the patient underwent surgery under general anesthesia to reduce and fix them. Access was performed on a wound in the mental and bilateral retromandibular region with subsequent synthesis of the fractures using rigid internal fixation with 2.0mm system plates, associated with odontosynthesis in the symphysis fracture. With periodic monitoring, the choice of surgical treatment for mandibular fractures in pediatric patients can allow for safe mandibular and facial bone growth(AU)

Eremane, viscidane and isozizaene diterpenoids from the leaves of Eremophila rigida and their absolute configurations.

Previously undescribed eremane, viscidane, and isozizaene diterpenoids, eremorigidanes A-F, along with six known O-methylated flavonoids and three known triterpenoids were isolated and identified from the leaves of Eremophila rigida Chinnock by combined use of high-resolution PTP1B inhibition profiling, semipreparative- and analytical-scale HPLC separations, HPLC-PDA-HRMS analysis, and NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of the unreported diterpenoids were determined by comparison of their experimental and calculated ECD spectra as well as by biosynthetic arguments. All isolates were evaluated for their PTP1B inhibitory activities, which revealed the flavonoid penduletin (3) to show inhibition with an IC50 value of 18.3 µM, and the triterpenoids 3,4-seco-olean-12-ene-3,28-dioic acid (15), oleanolic acid (16), and 3-oxo-oleanolic acid (17) to show inhibition with IC50 values of 55.7, 9.9, and 6.3 µM, respectively. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) of isolated flavonoids and triterpenoids is discussed. Plausible biosynthetic steps involved in eremane and isozizaene metabolism are presented and discussed.

Trade-offs between deer herbivory and nitrogen competition alter grassland forb composition.

Two of the major factors that control the composition of herbaceous plant communities are competition for limiting soil resources and herbivory. We present results from a 14-year full factorial experiment in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem that crossed nitrogen (N) addition with fencing to exclude white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, from half the plots. Deer presence was associated with only modest decreases in aboveground plant biomass (14% decrease; -45 ± 19 g m-2) with no interaction with N addition. N addition at 5.44 and 9.52 g N m-2 year-1 led to increases in biomass. There were weak increases in species richness associated with deer presence, but only for no or low added N (1 and 2 g N m-2 year-1). However, the presence of deer greatly impacted the abundances of some of the dominant perennial forb species, but not the dominant grasses. Deer presence increased the abundance of the forb Artemisia ludoviciana by 34 ± 12 SE g m-2 (94%) and decreased the forb Solidago rigida by 32 ± 13 SE g m-2 (79%). We suggest that these changes may have resulted from trade-offs in plant competitive ability for soil N versus resistance to deer herbivory. Field observations suggest deer acted as florivores, mainly consuming the flowers of susceptible forb species. The preferential consumption of flowers of forbs that seem to be superior N competitors appears to create an axis of interspecific niche differentiation. The overpopulation of white-tailed deer in many tallgrass reserves likely structures the abundance of forb species.

Context-Dependent Ant-Pollinator Mutualism Impacts Fruit Set in a Hummingbird-Pollinated Plant.

Context-dependence in mutualisms is a fundamental aspect of ecological interactions. Within plant-ant mutualisms, particularly in terms of biotic protection and pollination, research has predominantly focused on elucidating the benefits while largely overlooking potential costs. This notable gap underscores the need for investigations into the drawbacks and trade-offs associated with such mutualistic relationships. Here, we evaluated the role of pericarpial nectaries (PNs) in shaping the dynamics of ant-pollinator mutualisms. Specifically, we investigated whether ants visiting the PN of Palicourea rigida (Rubiaceae) could deter hummingbirds and disrupt pollination, ultimately influencing fruit production. Our research involved manipulative experiments and observation of ant-pollinator interactions on P. rigida plants in the Brazilian savannah. We found that visiting ants can deter hummingbirds and/or disrupt pollination in P. rigida, directly influencing fruit set. However, these results are species-specific. The presence of very aggressive, large predatory ants, such as E. tuberculatum, had a negative impact on hummingbird behavior, whereas aggressive mid-sized ants, such as C. crassus, showed no effects. Our study illuminates the multifaceted aspects of ant-plant mutualisms and underscores the importance of evaluating costs and unexpected outcomes within these ecological relationships.

Ulva rigida Valorization into Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), Organic Acids and Functional Ingredients.

Halomonas elongata 1H9T is a moderate halophilic strain able to produce poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)), a biodegradable plastic, and gluconic acid, a valuable organic acid with wide industrial applications. In this work, the green alga Ulva rigida was used as platform to produce cultivation substrates for microbial conversion as well as functional ingredients, targeting its full valorization. The liquor obtained by autohydrolysis presented the highest concentration of oligosaccharides and protein, being an interesting feedstock to produce functional ingredients. The acid and/or enzymatic hydrolysis liquors are adequate as substrates for microbial processes. Shake flask assays with H. elongata revealed that the N-rich liquor produced after acidic treatment was the best suited for cell growth while the N-poor liquor produced by the enzymatic treatment of acid-pretreated algae residues produced the highest P(3HB) titers of 4.4 g/L. These hydrolysates were used in fed-batch cultivations as carbon and protein sources for the co-production of gluconic acid and polymer achieving titers of 123.2 g/L and 7.2 g/L, respectively. Besides gluconic acid, the Krebs cycle intermediate 2-oxoglutaric acid, also called alpha-ketoglutaric acid (KGA), was produced. Therefore, the co-production of P(3HB) and acids may be of considerable interest as an algal biorefinery valorization strategy.

Tratamento manipulativo osteopático em paciente com síndrome da pessoa rígida e miastenia gravis: relato de caso / Osteopathic manipulative treatment in person with stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis: case report

Introdução: Síndrome da Pessoa Rígida (SPR) é uma doença neurológica autoimune rara caracterizada pela rigidez e espasmos musculares episódicos dolorosos, especialmente no tronco e extremidades do corpo, gerando comprometimento funcional importante. Existe uma lacuna de conhecimento sobre os possíveis efeitos do tratamento manipulativo osteopático (TMO) nos sintomas motores de pessoas com SPR. Objetivos: Descrever os efeitos do TMO na tontura, equilíbrio e amplitude de movimento (ADM) cervical em uma pessoa com a SPR e miastenia gravis. Método: Relato de caso baseado no TMO em uma mulher com SPR e miastenia grave. As seguintes avaliações foram utilizadas: Inventário de Brazilian Version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES I ­ Brazil), Timed Get Up and Go Test (TUG), Teste de Sentar e Levantar 5 vezes, goniometria dos movimentos da coluna cervical. Resultados: Nenhum resultado expressivo foi obtido pela FES-I (-1,8%) e DHI (0%). Para os testes funcionais (TUG e Sentado para de pé 5 vezes) observamos melhora de 5,8% e 6,7%, respectivamente, após o tratamento. A ADM cervical melhorou substancialmente em todos os movimentos avaliados (flexão: 60%, extensão: 28%, rotação direita: 33%, rotação esquerda:38%, inclinação lateral direita: 77%, inclinação lateral esquerda: 87%). Conclusão: O TMO proposto pareceu ser importante para melhora da ADM cervical no caso relatado. Medo de quedas, impacto da tontura na qualidade de vida e funcionalidade de membros inferiores não demonstrou melhoras após o TMO.

Introduction: Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological autoimmune disease characterized by stiffness and painful episodic muscle spasms, especially in the trunk and extremities of the body, causing significant functional impairment in affected individuals. There is a gap in knowledge about the possible effects of an osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on the motor symptoms of people with SPS. Objectives: To describe the effects of an OMT on dizziness, balance deficit, and cervical range of motion (ROM) in a patient with SPS and myasthenia gravis. Methods: This is a case report on an OMT intervention in a woman with SPS and myasthenia gravis. The following assessments were used: Brazilian Version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES I ­ Brazil), Timed Get Up and Go Test (TUG), Stand Up Test 5 times, goniometry of cervical movements. Results: No expressive results were obtained for FES I ­ Brazil (-1.8%) and DHI (0%). For the functional tests (TUG and Sit and stand up 5x) we observed an improvement of 5.8% and 6.7%, respectively, after treatment. The cervical ROM improved substantially in all movements tested (flexion: 60%, extension: 28%, right rotation: 33%, left rotation: 38%, right side bending: 77%, left side bending: 87%). Conclusion: The proposed OMT appears to be important for the improvement of cervical ROM in this case. Fear of falls, impact of dizziness on quality of life, and lower limb functionality did not demonstrate meaningful improvements after the OMT.

Analysis of Volatile Constituent by Hydrodistillation and Solid-Phase Microextraction Techniques and Antimicrobial and Scolicidal Activities of Essential Oil and Soxhlet Extracts of Ulva rigida grown in Turkey.

In the present study, the volatile composition of Ulva rigida (U. rigida) was elucidated by two different methods. As a result of the identification process of volatile components using the GC/MS-FID instrument, 31 compounds were identified by hydrodistillation (HD) method, and 15 compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method, elucidating the structure of 99.86 % and 92.65 %, respectively. The most abundant compounds in the essential oil of U. rigida were n-hexadecanoic acid and pentadecanal, while the most abundant compound according to the SPME analysis was heptadecyne, a hydrocarbon compound. In the next step, hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform and methanol solvent extracts of U. rigida were prepared and the antimicrobial activities of the extracts and the essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation as well as the scolicidal activities of the solvent extracts were determined. The results of the antimicrobial activity test of the essential oil showed a high level of activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 and MRSA. The highest activity was found on the microorganism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in chloroform and methanol extracts of U. rigida. Furthermore, viability detection was performed and the scolicidal effects of the extracts on protoscoleces were assessed. The values of lethal concentration doses (LD50 , LD75 and LD90 ) were calculated using probit analysis.

Síndrome de la persona rígida asociado a timoma / Stiff person syndrome associated with thymoma

Resumen El síndrome de persona rígida es un cuadro neuro lógico infrecuente caracterizado por rigidez muscular de tronco y extremidades y espasmos musculares ga tillados por estímulos sensoriales o emocionales, que progresa hacia la postración. Cuenta con un mecanismo fisiopatogénico con base inmunológica, en el cual los autoanticuerpos, como el antiGAD65, cumplen un rol central. Asimismo, la detección de dichos anticuerpos corrobora el diagnóstico ante un paciente con cuadro clínico sugestivo. Un 4 a 6% de los casos tienen neoplasias subyacentes. El tratamiento se basa en el manejo sintomático, inmunomodulador y de la enfermedad de base en los casos paraneoplásicos. Reportamos un caso de síndrome de persona rígida clásico asociado a timoma y describimos las características principales de esta entidad.

Abstract Stiff-person syndrome is a rare neurological condi tion characterized by muscular rigidity of the trunk and extremities and muscle spasms triggered by sensory or emotional stimuli, which progresses towards prostra tion. It has a pathophysiogenic mechanism with an immunological basis, in which autoantibodies, such as antiGAD65, play a central role. Likewise, the detec tion of these antibodies corroborates the diagnosis in a patient with a suggestive clinical picture. Four to 6% of cases have underlying neoplasms. Treatment is based on symptomatic, immunomodulatory, and underlying disease management in paraneoplastic cases. We re port a case of classic stiff person syndrome associated with thymoma and review the main characteristics of this entity.

In vitro anti-inflammatory activity and ameliorative effects on gastric ulcers of Licania rigida benth seed extract.

Licania rigida Benth., a Brazilian endemic plant, has been traditionally used for treating inflammation and stomach pain. This work investigates the anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities of the ethanolic extract from L. rigida seeds (EELr) by in vitro and in vivo methods. The phytochemical profile was determined and the in vitro antioxidant activity was investigated by radical scavenging and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances methods. The ovalbumin denaturation method was used with sodium diclofenac as standard for the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity assessment. Acetylsalicylic acid was used to induce gastric ulcers in male mice and then to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic gastroprotective effect of EELr, using omeprazole as the reference drug. The extract exhibited relevant amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, in particular, demonstrating in vitro antioxidant capacity. EELr was able to inhibit almost 60% of ovalbumin denaturation at a concentration considered low. It also prevented the decrease of biochemical markers for oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the stomach and SOD and catalase (CAT) in the liver. EELr also significantly decreased the number of lesions as well as reduced the ulcerated area when used as therapy. The observed effect may be due to its phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and tannins, as previously reported. EELr is a potential source of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, protects the liver from oxidative damage and improves healing of aspirin-induced ulcers. This work contributes to the knowledge of L. rigida species.

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Ulvan Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida.

One of the main bioactive compounds of interest from the Ulva species is the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan, which has recently attracted attention for its anticancer properties. This study investigated the cytotoxic activity of ulvan polysaccharides obtained from Ulva rigida in the following scenarios: (i) in vitro against healthy and carcinogenic cell lines (1064sk (human fibroblasts), HACAT (immortalized human keratinocytes), U-937 (a human leukemia cell line), G-361 (a human malignant melanoma), and HCT-116 (a colon cancer cell line)) and (ii) in vivo against zebrafish embryos. Ulvan exhibited cytotoxic effects on the three human cancer cell lines tested. However, only HCT-116 demonstrated sufficient sensitivity to this ulvan to make it relevant as a potential anticancer treatment, presenting an LC50 of 0.1 mg mL-1. The in vivo assay on the zebrafish embryos showed a linear relationship between the polysaccharide concentration and growth retardation at 7.8 hpf mL mg-1, with an LC50 of about 5.2 mg mL-1 at 48 hpf. At concentrations near the LC50, toxic effects, such as pericardial edema or chorion lysis, could be found in the experimental larvae. Our in vitro study supports the potential use of polysaccharides extracted from U. rigida as candidates for treating human colon cancer. However, the in vivo assay on zebrafish indicated that the potential use of ulvan as a promising, safe compound should be limited to specific concentrations below 0.001 mg mL-1 since it revealed side effects on the embryonic growth rate and osmolar balance.

Validación de la resonancia magnética pélvica como método de elección para determinar la distancia al margen anal en el cáncer de recto / Validation of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging as the method of choice to determine the distance to the anal margin in rectal cancer

Introducción: La altura exacta del tumor en el recto y sus relaciones anatómicas contribuyen a determinar la estrategia terapéutica multidisciplinar basada en la combinación de radio-quimioterapia y cirugía radical. Nuestro objetivo es valorar cuál es el método diagnóstico más preciso en la medición preoperatoria de la distancia al margen anal, y si la resonancia magnética pélvica (RM) puede sustituir a los métodos instrumentales clásicos. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de precisión diagnóstica entre colonoscopia (CF), rectoscopia rígida (RRp) y RM en pacientes con indicación de cirugía radical. La RRp intraoperatoria fue considerada la prueba de referencia. Se analizaron las correlaciones entre las distintas técnicas y su coeficiente de determinación, así como el coeficiente de correlación intraclase y el grado de acuerdo entre los distintos test. Resultados: Se incluyeron 96 pacientes con edad media (DE) de 68 (14,1) años y predominio de varones (65%). Un 72% recibió tratamiento neoadyuvante. La distancia media al margen anal, medida mediante CF=103,5mm, fue significativamente mayor al resto, que obtuvieron valores similares: RRp=81,1, RM=77,4, RRp intraoperatoria=82,9mm (p<0,001). Se objetivó una significativa correlación intraclase y hubo un elevado acuerdo entre todas las mediciones pre e intraoperatorias a excepción de la realizada mediante CF, que sobreestimó el resultado. La RM aportó información más individualizada y precisa. Conclusiones: Existe variabilidad entre los métodos de medición, siendo la colonoscopia el menos fiable. La RM ofrece valores objetivos, comparables, precisos e individualizados que pueden sustituir a los obtenidos por RR en tumores de cualquier localización del recto. (AU)

Introduction: Distance from anal verge of rectal tumors and their anatomical relationships contribute to determine the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy based on the combination of radio-chemotherapy and radical surgery. Our aims are to investigate which is the most accurate method for the preoperative measuring of the distance from the anal verge in rectal tumors and if the pelvic MRI can substitute the classical instrumental methods. Methods: Prospective study of diagnostic precision between flexible colonoscopy (FC), preoperative rigid rectosigmoidoscopy (pRR) and pelvic MRI in patients scheduled to radical surgery. Rigid intraoperative rectoscopy (iRR) was considered the reference test. The correlations between the different techniques and their determination coefficient as well as the intraclass correlation coefficient and the degree of agreement between the different tests were analyzed. Results: 96 patients (65% males), mean age (SD): 68 (14.1) years were included. 72% received neoadjuvant treatment. The mean distance to the anal margin measured by FC=103.5mm, was significantly greater than others, which had similar values: pRR=81.1; MRI=77.4; iRR=82.9mm (P<.001). A significant intraclass correlation was observed and there was high agreement between all pre- and intraoperative measurements except for the performed by FC, which overestimated the results. MRI provided more individualized and accurate information. Conclusions: There is variability between the measurement methods, being colonoscopy the least reliable. MRI offers objective, comparable, accurate and individualized values that can replace those obtained by pRR for tumors of any location in the rectum. (AU)

Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of aqueous extracts from Ecklonia maxima and Ulva rigida on HepG2 cells.

This study examined the antiproliferative and apoptotic-inducing effects of Ecklonia maxima (KP) and Ulva rigida (URL) extracts in the human liver cancer (HepG2) cell line model. HepG2 cells were cultured and grown in an incubator (5% CO2 ) at 37°C. Cell viability was determined, while the effect of the extracts on apoptosis, ROS production, mitochondria membrane potential, and antioxidant enzymes were also assessed. KP and URL induced cytotoxic effects on HepG2 cells at the concentrations tested (0-1000 µg/ml). The morphological characteristics of the cells after treatment with KP and URL revealed cell shrinkage of the nucleus, cell injury, and damage compared to the control. The fluorescent micrographs from the apoptotic assay revealed induction of apoptosis and necrosis in HepG2 cells after treatment with KP and URL (200 and 400 µg/ml). The extracts also induced ROS production and reduced mitochondria membrane potential in HepG2 cells. The apoptotic-inducing effects, activation of ROS generation, and disruption of antioxidant enzymes are associated with the cytotoxic effects of the seaweed extracts. KP and URL showed good anticancer properties and could be explored as a good source of nutraceuticals, food additives, and dietary supplements to prevent uncontrolled proliferation of HepG2 cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Seaweeds are reservoirs of nutrients and naturally occurring biologically active compounds, including sterols, phlorotannins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to the presence of these compounds, they are used as emulsifying agents, nutraceuticals, and additives in functional foods. Evidence suggests that seaweed bioactives may inhibit uncontrolled cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Hence, exploring the antiproliferative and apoptotic-inducing effects of Ecklonia maxima and Ulva rigida will provide insights into their anticancer potentials as functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of marine sponge extracts Agelas clathrodes, Desmapsamma anchorata and Verongula rigida from a Caribbean Island.

Although marine sponges are known for their antimicrobial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity, very few studies have been carried out on endemic species of Martinique. Martinique is part of the Agoa Sanctuary, a marine protected area that includes the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the French Caribbean islands, making it an abundant source of marine species. To highlight the potential of this area for the discovery of marine biomolecules with antipathogenic and antitumor activities, we tested the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of sponge species Agelas clathrodes, Desmapsamma anchorata and Verongula rigida. Five bacterial strains: Bacillus cereus (CIP 78.3), Escherichia coli (CIP 54.127), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CIP A22), Staphylococcus aureus (CIP 67.8) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (CIP 76125) were evaluated, as well as four tumor cell lines: breast cancer (MDA-MB231), glioblastoma (RES259) and leukemia (MOLM14 and HL-60). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion technique by determining the minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations. Tumor cytotoxic activity was determined in vitro by defining the minimum concentration of extracts that would inhibit cell growth. Ethanolic extracts of Agelas clathrodes were bactericidal for Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains, as well as strongly cytotoxic (IC50 < 20 µg/mL) on all cancer cell lines. Verongula rigida also showed strong cytotoxic activity on cell lines but no antimicrobial activity. These results are innovative for this species on these bacterial lines, highlighting the potential of sponge extracts from this area as bioactive compounds sources.

Validation of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging as the method of choice to determine the distance to the anal margin in rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Distance from anal verge of rectal tumours and their anatomical relationships contribute to determine the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy based on the combination of radio-chemotherapy and radical surgery. Our aims are to investigate which is the most accurate method for the preoperative measuring of the distance from the anal verge in rectal tumours and if the pelvic MRI can substitute the classical instrumental methods. METHODS: Prospective study of diagnostic precision between flexible colonoscopy (FC), preoperative rigid rectosigmoidoscopy (pRR) and pelvic MRI in patients scheduled to radical surgery. Rigid intraoperative rectoscopy (iRR) was considered the reference test. The correlations between the different techniques and their determination coefficient as well as the intraclass correlation coefficient and the degree of agreement between the different tests were analyzed. RESULTS: 96 patients (65% males), mean age (SD): 68 (14.1) years were included. 72% received neoadjuvant treatment. The mean distance to the anal margin measured by FC = 103.5 mm, was significantly greater than others, which had similar values: pRR = 81.1; MRI = 77.4; iRR = 82.9 mm (P < .001). A significant intraclass correlation was observed and there was high agreement between all pre- and intraoperative measurements except for the performed by FC, which overestimated the results. MRI provided more individualized and accurate information. CONCLUSIONS: There is variability between the measurement methods, being colonoscopy the least reliable. MRI offers objective, comparable, accurate and individualized values that can replace those obtained by pRR for tumours of any location in the rectum.

Sex-Related Differences on Chemical Composition, Anatomy, Histochemistry, and Biological Activities of Juniperus rigida.

Sex-related differences on phenolic profiles, chemical composition of essential oils, anatomy, histochemistry and biological activities (antioxidant and antibacterial activities) of Juniperus rigida needles collected from Yijun and Fugu region were first studied. In two regions, female and male had similar contents of total phenolic and total flavonoid. 10 phenolic compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC, amentoflavone content was significantly higher in female than male in Yijun, and chlorogenic acid content was significantly higher in female than male in Fugu. 30 compounds (over 0.5 %) were detected in the essential oils, and the total contents of female were lower than male in Yijun. This difference mainly comes from Germacrene D, which was about twice as high in male as in female. Male needles had significantly larger mechanical tissue and phloem in Yijun. Histochemical analysis indicated that the phenols were stored in epidermal cells, sponge tissue, endodermis cells, edge of resin duct, stomatal bands, and the flavonoids were stored in epidermal cells, endodermis cells, edge of resin duct, stomatal bands. No sex-related differences were found in histochemical analysis, antioxidant activities (ABTS, FRAP) and antibacterial activities (9 strains). This preliminary study provided a reference for production practice and theoretical research of J. rigida.

The complete chloroplast genome of Juniperus rigida (Cupressaceae).

The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Juniperus rigida was assembled using Illumina short reads. The assembled plastome showed a circular structure with an overall size of 127,720 bp. Inverted repeat (IRs) regions were absent from the J. rigida cp genome. A total of 119 genes were predicted, including 82 protein-coding genes, 33 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of J. rigida cp genome was 34.92%. Phylogenetic analysis among J. rigida and 19 other Cupressaceae species showed that J. rigida clustered together with J. formosana. The J. rigida cp genome presented in this study will provide useful genetic resource for further evolutionary studies of the genus Juniperus as well as Cupressaceae.

Extract from the Macroalgae Ulva rigida Induces Table Grapes Resistance to Botrytis cinerea.

Fungal pathogens are a central cause of the high wastage rates of harvested fruit and vegetables. Seaweeds from the genus Ulva are fast-growing edible green macroalgae whose species can be found on the shore of every continent, and therefore present a resource that can be utilized on a global scale. In this study, we found that the application of ulvan extract, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Ulva rigida (1000 mg/L), elicited table grapes defense and reduced the incidence and decay area of Botrytis cinerea by 43% and 41%, respectively. In addition, compared to the control group at two days post-treatment, ulvan extract elicited a variety of defense-related biomarkers such as a 43% increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species, 4-fold increase in the activity of catalase, 2-fold increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and 1.4-fold increase in the activity of chitinase. No increase was observed in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, and the treatment did not affect fruit quality parameters such as the pH levels, sugar levels, and titratable acidity of grapes. These results illustrate the potential of ulvan extract to naturally induce the plant defense response and to reduce postharvest decay.

Cuerpo extraño de presentación tardía en bronquiotronco izquierdo. Caso clínico

RESUMEN Introducción: la introducción fortuita de un cuerpo extraño en las vías respiratorias es un accidente dramático que puede provocar complicaciones, aunque raro en los adultos, y sobre todo su presentación tardía, y en bronquio izquierdo. Caso clínico: se reporta el caso de un paciente de 71 años con un cuerpo extraño de presentación tardía en bronquiotronco izquierdo, que consultó por un cuadro de sepsis respiratoria, sin otros síntomas asociados, cuatro meses posteriores a referir haberse tragado un hueso de pollo, ocasión ésta en que el examen físico y los estudios radiológicos fueron negativos. Se realizó estudio con TAC de tórax y broncoscopia flexible evidenciándose una imagen sugerente de un cuerpo extraño en el bronquiotronco izquierdo. Discusión: después de realizar broncoscopia rígida y extracción de cuerpo extraño, presenta varias complicaciones, que requieren ingreso en terapia intensiva, la evolución clínica posterior fue favorable, con radiografía de tórax de control con adecuada reexpansión pulmonar y dándose de alta a los 55 días después del diagnóstico. Conclusiones: en presencia de un paciente con sepsis respiratoria después de un cuadro de broncoaspiración se debe tener en cuenta el diagnóstico de aspiración de un cuerpo extraño. La extracción del cuerpo extraño resulta la solución definitiva.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the fortuitous introduction of a foreign body in the respiratory tract is a dramatic accident that can cause complications, although rare in adults, and especially its late presentation, and in the left bronchus. Clinical case: we report the case of a 71-year-old patient with a late-onset foreign body in the left bronchial trunk, who consulted for respiratory sepsis, with no other associated symptoms, four months after reporting having swallowed a chicken bone. On which occasion the physical examination and radiological studies were negative. A CT scan of the chest and flexible bronchoscopy were performed, revealing an image suggestive of a foreign body in the left bronchial trunk. Discussion: after performing rigid bronchoscopy and extraction of a foreign body, he presented several complications, which required admission to intensive care, the subsequent clinical evolution was favorable, with a control chest X-ray with adequate lung re-expansion and being discharged 55 days later. of the diagnosis. Conclusions: in the presence of a patient with respiratory sepsis after a picture of bronchoaspiration, the diagnosis of aspiration of a foreign body should be taken into account. Extraction of the foreign body is the definitive solution.

RESUMO Introdução: a introdução fortuita de corpo estranho no trato respiratório é um acidente dramático que pode causar complicações, embora raras em adultos, e principalmente sua apresentação tardia, e no brônquio esquerdo. Caso clínico: relatamos o caso de um paciente de 71 anos com corpo estranho de início tardio no tronco brônquico esquerdo, que consultou por sepse respiratória, sem outros sintomas associados, quatro meses após relatar ter engolido osso de galinha. ocasião em que o exame físico e os estudos radiológicos foram negativos. Realizou-se TC de tórax e broncoscopia flexível, revelando imagem sugestiva de corpo estranho em tronco brônquico esquerdo. Discussão: após realização de broncoscopia rígida e extração de corpo estranho, apresentou diversas complicações, que exigiram internação em terapia intensiva, a evolução clínica posterior foi favorável, com radiografia de tórax de controle com reexpansão pulmonar adequada e alta hospitalar 55 dias depois do diagnóstico. Conclusões: na presença de um paciente com sepse respiratória após quadro de broncoaspiração, deve-se levar em consideração o diagnóstico de aspiração de corpo estranho. A extração do corpo estranho é a solução definitiva.