High prevalence of microplastics in the digestive tract of Scyliorhinus canicula (Linneaus, 1758) shows the species biomonitoring potential.

Plastic pollution is widespread in oceans and the ingestion of plastic by marine organisms is causing concern about potential adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to analyze the different types of plastics in the digestive tract of female small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). An alkaline digestion method using 10 % potassium hydroxide (KOH), was used. The samples were filtered and visually observed to classify the plastics according to size, shape, and color. Raman spectroscopy was further employed to identify the polymer types. The study found the presence of plastics in 89.5 % of the 200 females analyzed, including 10 polymers, with polystyrene (PS), polyamide-6 (PA6), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and silicone rubber (SR) being the most common. The polymers identified largely reflect the results of similar studies in the marine environment and were similar to global polymer diversity of microplastics, which highlights the potential of S. canicula females for biomonitoring microplastic pollution.

Dairy farmer practices and attitudes relating to grass-based, high-feed-input, and indoor production systems in Ireland.

Grazing has become a less common dairy farming practice in most European countries. Ireland is an exception with its predominantly grass-based system. After the removal of European milk quotas, farmers were encouraged to expand within a grass-based paradigm rather than pursuing yield increases through feeding more concentrate. This research assessed Irish dairy farmer attitudes toward grass-based, higher-feed-input, and indoor paradigms. A paradigm of agriculture is a shared understanding about how agriculture should be carried out. Grass-based, higher-feed-input, and indoor paradigms propose different solutions to economic, environmental, and animal-welfare challenges facing dairy farming. An online survey was distributed to Irish dairy farmers in August 2018, which received 396 responses. There was support among respondents for the grass-based paradigm of maximizing milk from forage and minimizing concentrate use, with 73% of respondents strongly agreeing or agreeing this was the best option for Irish dairy farmers. The results suggest there were not significant ideological disagreements among respondents about the economic, environmental, and animal-welfare merits of different paradigms. Rather, the results showed respondents supported grass-based or higher-feed-input paradigms for different reasons as follows: profitability and lifestyle for the former, and the ability to expand production without access to additional land and less dependence on weather for the latter. These findings could be of interest in countries where grazing is less widely practiced, but where there is a desire to increase the uptake of grazing practices. Messaging about the profitability and simplicity of the grass-based system clearly resonated with respondents, and could be replicated in other countries. There is a desire within the Irish government, industry, and advisory bodies to keep dairy expansion within a grass-based paradigm. The results suggested individuals may diverge from this paradigm not because they disagree with messaging about its benefits, but rather if difficulties with land access or managing weather variability lead them to expand through feeding more concentrate. To maintain production within the grass-based paradigm, more opportunities could be created for farmers who are restricted from further expansion, such as alternative supply chains or payments for environmental services.

UK food and nutrition security during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major shock to society in terms of health and economy that is affecting both UK and global food and nutrition security. It is adding to the 'perfect storm' of threats to society from climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, at a time of considerable change, rising nationalism and breakdown in international collaboration. In the UK, the situation is further complicated due to Brexit. The UK COVID-19 F ood and N utrition S ecurity project, lasting one year, is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and is assessing the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the four pillars of food and nutrition security: access, availability, utilisation and stability. It examines the food system, how it is responding, and potential knock on effects on the UK's food and nutrition security, both in terms of the cascading risks from the pandemic and other threats. The study provides an opportunity to place the initial lessons being learnt from the on-going responses to the pandemic in respect of food and nutrition security in the context of other long-term challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Care and treatments related to intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness (ICUAW) has an incidence of 40-46%. Early mobilisation is known to be a protective factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the incidence of ICUAW in Spain and to evaluate variables likely to contribute to the development of ICUAW. METHODS: A 4-month, prospective observational multicentre cohort study was conducted on patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h. Data were collected from ICU day 3 until ICU discharge. The primary outcome was presence of ICUAW (diagnosed using the Medical Research Council [MRC] scale). The secondary outcome was nurse-patient ratio, physiotherapist availability, analgesia, sedation and delirium management, glycaemic control, and daily level of mobility during the ICU stay as per the ICU Mobility Scale. A logistic regression model was constructed based exclusively on days 3-5 of the ICU stay. RESULTS: The data of 642 patients were analysed from 80 ICUs, accounting for 35% of all ICUs in Spain. The incidence of ICUAW was 58% (275 of 474 patients; 95% confidence interval [CI] [53-62]). The predictors for ICUAW were older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.03]) and more days with renal replacement therapy (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [1.00-1.02]). The protective factors for ICUAW were male gender (OR = 0.58; 95% CI [0.38-0.89]), higher Barthel Index (showing prehospital functional independence) (OR = 0.97; 95% CI [0.95-0.99]), more days of being awake and cooperative (defined by a feasible MRC assessment) (OR = 0.98; 95% CI [0.97-0.99]), presence of delirium (OR = 0.98; 95% CI [0.97-0.99]), and more days with active mobilisation (ICU Mobility Scale ≥ 4) (OR = 0.98; 95% CI [0.97-0.99]). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for ICUAW were functional dependence before admission, female gender, older age, and more days on renal replacement therapy. The protective factors for ICUAW were feasibility of MRC assessment, the presence of delirium, and being actively mobilised during the first 5 days in the ICU.

Intervenciones no farmacológicas para la promoción del sueño en la UCI / Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep promotion in the ICU

No disponible

Grado de implementación de las estrategias preventivas del síndrome post-UCI: estudio observacional multicéntrico en España / Degree of implementation of preventive strategies for post-ICU syndrome: Multi-centre, observational study in Spain

Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de implementación de los protocolos asociados a la prevención de la debilidad muscular adquirida en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), así como la presencia del fisioterapeuta en distintas UCI de España. Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal realizado en 86 UCI de adultos de España entre los meses de marzo a junio de 2017. Se excluyeron UCI neuroquirúrgicas y de grandes quemados. Se utilizó encuesta multirrespuesta que incluía preguntas sobre los protocolos de: control de glucemia, sedación, valoración del dolor, prevención del delirium, manejo del delirium y movilización precoz. La encuesta fue rellenada a través de un aplicativo protegido por usuario y contraseña. Análisis inferencial con t de Student o U de Mann-Whitney y de correlación con Pearson o Rho de Spearman. Resultados: El 89,5% de las UCI tenían protocolo de control de glucemia, con rango predominante de 110-140 mg/dl. El 74,4% evaluaban el nivel de sedación, si bien solo tenían protocolos de sedación el 36% de ellas. Con relación a la valoración del dolor se realizaba en el 73,7% de los pacientes comunicativos, mientras que en los no comunicativos solo era del 47,5%. Solo el 37,2% realizaban screening diario para detectar el delirium, y disponían de protocolos de prevención del delirium el 31,4% de las UCI, del manejo del delirium el 26,7% y de movilización precoz el 14% de las UCI. En el 34,9% de los casos se solicita interconsulta al servicio de rehabilitación. Conclusiones: La implementación de los diferentes protocolos asociados a la prevención de la debilidad muscular adquirida ha sido elevada en relación con los protocolos de control de glucemia, valoración del nivel de sedación y del dolor de pacientes comunicativos, mientras que baja en los de movilización precoz y screening y prevención del delirio. Asimismo, es poco frecuente la presencia del fisioterapeuta en la UCI

Aim: To evaluate the degree of implementation of protocols associated with the prevention of intensive-care-unit (ICU) acquired muscle weakness, and the presence of the physiotherapist in various ICU in Spain. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study performed in 86 adult ICU in Spain between March and June 2017. Neurosurgical and major burns ICU were excluded. A multiple-choice survey was used that included questions on protocols for glycaemia control, sedation, pain assessment, delirium prevention, delirium management and early mobilisation. The survey was completed using a user-protected application and password. The Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's correlation or Spearman's Rho test were used for the inferential analysis. Results: Eighty-nine point five percent of the ICU had a glycaemia control protocol, with a predominating range of 110-140 mg/dl. Seventy-four point four percent evaluated sedation levels, although only 36% had sedation protocols. Pain assessment was carried out on communicative patients in 73.7%, and on uncommunicative patients in only 47.5%. Only 37.2% performed daily screening to detect delirium and 31.4% of the ICU had delirium prevention protocols, 26.7% had delirium management protocols and 14% had protocols for early mobilisation. Thirty-four point nine percent requested cross consultation with the rehabilitation department. Conclusions: The implementation of the different protocols associated with the prevention of ICU-acquired muscle weakness was high in relation to glycaemia control protocols, sedation level and pain assessment in communicative patients, and was low for early mobilisation and delirium screening and prevention. Similarly, the physiotherapist was seldom present in the ICU

Degree of implementation of preventive strategies for post-ICU syndrome: Multi-centre, observational study in Spain. / Grado de implementación de las estrategias preventivas del síndrome post-UCI: estudio observacional multicéntrico en España.

AIM: To evaluate the degree of implementation of protocols associated with the prevention of intensive-care-unit (ICU) acquired muscle weakness, and the presence of the physiotherapist in various ICU in Spain. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional study performed in 86 adult ICU in Spain between March and June 2017. Neurosurgical and major burns ICU were excluded. A multiple-choice survey was used that included questions on protocols for glycaemia control, sedation, pain assessment, delirium prevention, delirium management and early mobilisation. The survey was completed using a user-protected application and password. The Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson's correlation or Spearman's Rho test were used for the inferential analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-nine point five percent of the ICU had a glycaemia control protocol, with a predominating range of 110-140mg/dl. Seventy-four point four percent evaluated sedation levels, although only 36% had sedation protocols. Pain assessment was carried out on communicative patients in 73.7%, and on uncommunicative patients in only 47.5%. Only 37.2% performed daily screening to detect delirium and 31.4% of the ICU had delirium prevention protocols, 26.7% had delirium management protocols and 14% had protocols for early mobilisation. Thirty-four point nine percent requested cross consultation with the rehabilitation department. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the different protocols associated with the prevention of ICU-acquired muscle weakness was high in relation to glycaemia control protocols, sedation level and pain assessment in communicative patients, and was low for early mobilisation and delirium screening and prevention. Similarly, the physiotherapist was seldom present in the ICU.

Configuration of the magnetosome chain: a natural magnetic nanoarchitecture.

Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense is a microorganism with the ability to biomineralize magnetite nanoparticles, called magnetosomes, and arrange them into a chain that behaves like a magnetic compass. Rather than straight lines, magnetosome chains are slightly bent, as evidenced by electron cryotomography. Our experimental and theoretical results suggest that due to the competition between the magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies, the effective magnetic moment of individual magnetosomes is tilted out of the [111] crystallographic easy axis of magnetite. This tilt does not affect the direction of the chain net magnetic moment, which remains along the [111] axis, but explains the arrangement of magnetosomes in helical-like shaped chains. Indeed, we demonstrate that the chain shape can be reproduced by considering an interplay between the magnetic dipolar interactions between magnetosomes, ruled by the orientation of the magnetosome magnetic moment, and a lipid/protein-based mechanism, modeled as an elastic recovery force exerted on the magnetosomes.

Magnetization reversal in circular vortex dots of small radius.

We present a detailed study of the magnetic behavior of Permalloy (Ni80Fe20 alloy) circular nanodots with small radii (30 nm and 70 nm) and different thicknesses (30 nm or 50 nm). Despite the small size of the dots, the measured hysteresis loops manifestly display the features of classical vortex behavior with zero remanence and lobes at high magnetic fields. This is remarkable because the size of the magnetic vortex core is comparable to the dot diameter, as revealed by magnetic force microscopy and micromagnetic simulations. The dot ground states are close to the border of the vortex stability and, depending on the dot size, the magnetization distribution combines attributes of the typical vortex, single domain states or even presents features resembling magnetic skyrmions. An analytical model of the dot magnetization reversal, accounting for the large vortex core size, is developed to explain the observed behavior, providing a rather good agreement with the experimental results. The study extends the understanding of magnetic nanodots beyond the classical vortex concept (where the vortex core spins have a negligible influence on the magnetic behavior) and can therefore be useful for improving emerging spintronic applications, such as spin-torque nano-oscillators. It also delimits the feasibility of producing a well-defined vortex configuration in sub-100 nm dots, enabling the intracellular magneto-mechanical actuation for biomedical applications.

High-yield fabrication of 60 nm Permalloy nanodiscs in well-defined magnetic vortex state for biomedical applications.

Permalloy disc structures in magnetic vortex state constitute a promising new type of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications. They present high saturation magnetisation and lack of remanence, which ease the remote manipulation of the particles by magnetic fields and avoid the problem of agglomeration, respectively. Importantly, they are also endowed with the capability of low-frequency magneto-mechanical actuation. This effect has already been shown to produce cancer cell destruction using functionalized discs, about 1 µm in diameter, attached to the cell membrane. Here, Permalloy nanodiscs down to 60 nm in diameter are obtained by hole-mask colloidal lithography, which is proved to be a cost-effective method for the uniform patterning of large substrate areas, with a high production yield of nanostructures. The characterisation of the magnetic behaviour of the nanodiscs, complemented with micromagnetic simulations, confirms that they present a very well defined magnetic vortex configuration, unprecedented, to our knowledge, for nanostructures of this size prepared by a high-yield method. The successful detachment of the gold-covered nanodiscs from the substrate is also demonstrated by the use of sacrificial layers.

High performance magnetoimpedance in FeNi/Ti nanostructured multilayers with opened magnetic flux.

Magnetic [FeNi (170 nm)/Ti (6 nm)]3/Cu (L(cu) = 250 or 500 nm)/[Ti (6 nm)/FeNi (170 nm)]3 multilayers were designed with focus on high frequency applications. They were deposited onto glass or a microfluidic system compatible flexible Ciclo Olefin Copolymer substrate and comparatively tested. A maximum sensitivity for the total impedance of 110%/Oe was obtained for a driving current frequency of 30 MHz for [FeNi/Ti]3/Cu (L(cu) = 500 nm)/[Ti/FeNi]3 multilayers deposited onto a glass substrate and 45%/Oe for a driving current frequency of 65 MHz for the same multilayers deposited onto the flexible polymer substrate, a very promising result for applications. The possibility of using flexible substrate/[FeNi/Ti],/Cu/[Ti/FeNi]3 multilayers as MI pressure-sensitive elements was also demonstrated.

Identification of MNDA as a new marker for nodal marginal zone lymphoma.

Clinical and biological studies on nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) are hampered by the lack of specific diagnostic markers and the low reproducibility of this diagnosis. A comparative expression-profiling study has shown a set of markers to be differentially expressed in NMZL compared with follicular lymphoma (FL), including myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA), a nuclear protein expressed by myeloid cells and a subset of B-cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of MNDA in normal and reactive human tissue, and in a large series of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas, with particular emphasis on NMZL and FL. Our results showed that MNDA is expressed in normal tissue by a subset of the marginal zone B cells. They also showed MNDA expression in subgroups of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle-cell lymphoma, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, but MNDA was especially expressed by lymphomas derived from the marginal zone, such as mucosa-associated lymphoid-tissue lymphoma, splenic marginal-zone lymphoma and NMZL. MNDA expression was rarely observed in FL, a characteristic that is of potential value in distinguishing between NMZL and FL. MNDA expression is thus a useful tool for the recognition of NMZL.