A seafood risk tool for assessing and mitigating chemical and pathogen hazards in the aquaculture supply chain.

Intricate links between aquatic animals and their environment expose them to chemical and pathogenic hazards, which can disrupt seafood supply. Here we outline a risk schema for assessing potential impacts of chemical and microbial hazards on discrete subsectors of aquaculture-and control measures that may protect supply. As national governments develop strategies to achieve volumetric expansion in seafood production from aquaculture to meet increasing demand, we propose an urgent need for simultaneous focus on controlling those hazards that limit its production, harvesting, processing, trade and safe consumption. Policies aligning national and international water quality control measures for minimizing interaction with, and impact of, hazards on seafood supply will be critical as consumers increasingly rely on the aquaculture sector to supply safe, nutritious and healthy diets.

Aquatic contaminants in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu: Evidence from passive samplers and Microtox toxicity assessment.

Water Quality issues in many Pacific countries are rising, with the increase in coastal populations and associated urban runoff but management requires contamination issues in the aquatic environment to be identified and prioritised. In Vanuatu and Solomon Islands there are few laboratories and resources to assess for the presence or impact of complex chemical contaminants. The extent and impact of chemical contamination of the marine and coastal environment is poorly described. Passive chemical samplers were used to measure a range of aquatic pollutants around the capital cities, Honiara (Solomon Islands) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). We detected a range of chemicals indicative of agricultural and industrial contamination and a few sites had concerning concentrations of specific hydrocarbons and pesticides. The rapid ecotoxicology test, Microtox, indicated toxic impacts in rivers, coastal sites and urban drains This work provides new data on chemical contamination and possible impacts of that contamination for both countries. The techniques could be applied widely across the region to generate critical data for environmental management, guide monitoring efforts and measure the impact of policy or land-use changes.

Baseline survey of marine sediments collected from the Kingdom of Bahrain: PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, perfluoroalkyl substances, dioxins, brominated flame retardants and metal contamination.

A baseline survey of sediment contamination was undertaken at 14 locations around the coastline of Bahrain in May 2017, followed by a focused survey of 20 sites, in November 2019. Samples were assessed for industrial pollutants, including metals, PAHs and a suite of organohalogen compounds. The data generated indicated that levels of chemical contaminants were generally low and did not pose a toxicological risk when assessed against commonly applied sediment quality guidelines (SQG). The highest concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were identified in samples collected at coastal sites adjacent to a refinery area known to contain a diverse mix of industry. Tubli Bay, a heavily stressed small bay receiving high loads of sewage effluent, was also identified as an area warranting further investigation with elevated concentrations of BDE209, PFOS and metal contamination. Such data provides a useful baseline assessment of sediment contamination, against which management control measures can be assessed.

Exploring the regioselectivity in the cycloaddition of azides to alkynes catalyzed by dinuclear copper clusters (Cu2AAC reaction) using the topologies of ∇2 ρ (r) and ∇∇2 ρ (r).

The regioselectivity of the dinuclear-Cu(I)-catalyzed version of the Huisgen reaction, abbreviated in this paper to Cu2AAC, was analyzed using quantum topological methods in order to study how the electronic charge distribution evolved along different reaction paths. Electronic densities were computed at the LC-wPBE/6-311++G(2d,2p)//LC-wPBE/6-311++G(d,p) level. The presence of two copper ions in the catalyst was found to lead to an electrophilic site in the external alkyne carbon that, in a generalized Sharpless-type mechanism, undergoes an initial donor-acceptor interaction with the azide molecule, but with an inverted electrophile-nucleophile pattern when compared with the corresponding mononuclear process (CuAAC). Differences between the two competitive dinuclear-Cu(I)-catalyzed pathways, 1,4-Cu2AAC and 1,5-Cu2AAC, arise mainly from the presence of secondary interactions in the 1,5-Cu2AAC pathway and because different nitrogen atoms are involved in the formation of the second N···C bond. Overall descriptions of both processes are provided.

Técnicas quirúrgicas de estadificación (mediastinoscopia, mediastinostomía, videotoracoscopia, TEMLA, VAMLA) / No disponible

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Síndrome de Goldenhar: a propósito de un caso / Goldenhar syndrome. A report of a new case

El síndrome de Goldenhar forma parte del espectro de anomalías del primer y segundo arco branquial. Constituye una entidad congénita poco frecuente, caracterizada por la asociación de anomalías oculares, auriculares, mandibulares y vertebrales, y cuya etiología permanece aún desconocida. A continuación describimos el caso de un recién nacido que presenta hallazgos clínicos compatibles, que incluyen la asociación de lipodermoide conjuntival unilateral, apéndices preauriculares, hipoplasia hemifacial e hipoplasia de pabellones auriculares. Así mismo, se hace una breve revisión basada en el conjunto de los casos que hasta el presente han aparecido en la literatura científica (AU)

Goldenharsyndrome is part of the spectrumof anomalies of thefirst and secondbranchial arch. It is ararecongenitalentity characterizedby the association ofeye, headphones, mandibularandvertebral abnormalities, and whoseetiology remainsunknown. Here we describe the case of a newborn who has compatible clinical findings, including the association of unilateral conjunctival lipodermoid, preauricular tags, hemifacial hypoplasia and hypoplastic ears. Likewise, a brief review based on all the cases that have so far appeared in the literature is made (AU)

HIN-1: a New Epigenetic Biomarker Crucial for Therapy Selection in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain tumor in adults. The role of high in normal-1 (HIN-1) as a potential biomarker in combating this disease is being described for the first time in this study. A combination of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and HIN-1 methylation could be a possible biomarker in therapy choice. Interestingly, survival data shows a similar trend for the methylation of MGMT and for unmethylation of HIN-1 and vice versa. Eighty-eight paraffin-embedded brain tumors were analyzed to screen methylation rates of different genes and evaluate the association between genes methylation and clinicopathologic variables. Our study is the first of its kind to indicate that MGMT and HIN-1 methylation status are inverted (97.7% of methylated ones) and could be new markers in the study of GBM prognosis, especially in the therapy selection.

Synthetic peptides for the immunodiagnosis of hepatitis A virus infection.

VP1, VP2 and VP3 molecules of hepatitis A virus are exposed capsid proteins that have shown to be antigenic and are used for diagnosis in recombinant-antigen commercial kits. In this study, we developed a sequence analysis in order to predict diagnostic peptide epitopes, followed by their spot synthesis on functionalized cellulose paper (Pepscan). This paper with synthetic peptides was tested against a sera pool of hepatitis A patients. Two peptide sequences, that have shown an antigenic recognition, were selected for greater scale synthesis on resin. A dimeric form of one of these peptides (IMT-1996), located in the C-Terminus region of protein VP1, was antigenic with a recognition frequency of 87-100% of anti-IgG antibodies and 100% of anti-IgM antibodies employing the immunological assays MABA and ELISA. We propose peptide IMT-1996, with less than twenty residues, as a cheaper alternative for prevalence studies and diagnosis of hepatitis A infection.

Anaphylaxis to olive fruit due to lipoprotein sensitization

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Suitability of selective pressurized liquid extraction combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers.

A one-step extraction and clean-up method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (selective PLE) combined with gas chromatography-ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) was evaluated for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (from tri- to hepta-PBDEs) at low concentrations in fish and shellfish samples. To this end, the performance of an on-line PLE extraction/clean-up method and of a classical Soxhlet extraction and clean-up method using a multi-layer modified silica column were compared. The two sample treatment methods provided similar results, although an important reduction in the sample treatment time (40 min per sample) was achieved using the selective PLE method. In addition, the suitability of the PLE combined with GC-ITMS-MS method was evaluated by comparing the results obtained in the analysis of fish samples with those obtained by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). Good agreement between both techniques was obtained with differences between the mean values of less than 16%. The selective PLE method coupled to GC-ITMS-MS produced accurate results for PBDE determination with low limits of detection (1.0-16.8 pg g(-1) wet weight) and quantification (3.1-51 pg g(-1) wet weight) as well as good precision (RSD<16%). This method has been applied to the analysis of PBDEs in fish and shellfish samples collected at fish markets in Catalonia (NE Spain).

Gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish.

Gas chromatography coupled to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS) is proposed for the analysis of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) in fish and shellfish. MS-MS operating parameters related to the isolation and fragmentation of the precursor ions were optimized to achieve maximum sensitivity and selectivity. This new method allows the determination of both MeO-PBDEs and PBDEs in a single run. Low limits of detection (0.4-2.5 pg injected) and high precision (RSD<13%) were achieved. A sample treatment based on a selective pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using Florisil as fat retainer was applied for the analysis of these compounds in fish samples. Method limits of quantification ranged from 0.11 to 0.95 ng g(-1) lipid weight for MeO-PBDEs and between 0.18 and 0.50 ng g(-1) lipid weight for PBDEs. In addition, good repeatability of the whole method was achieved (RSD<15%). The suitability of the method was evaluated by analyzing a certified reference material (SRM 1945, whale blubber) with satisfactory results. The developed method was applied to the simultaneous analysis of MeO-PBDEs and PBDEs in fish and shellfish samples from the Mediterranean Sea.

Selective pressurized liquid extraction of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish.

A fast and simple method for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish samples was developed using a one-step extraction and clean-up by means of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) combined with gas chromatography-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-ITMS-MS). The selective PLE method provided to obtain ready-to-analyse extracts without any additional clean-up step, using a sorbent as fat retainer inside the PLE cell. Several PLE operating conditions, such as solvent type, extraction temperature and time, number of cycles and type of fat retainer, were studied. Using Florisil as fat retainer, maximum recoveries of PBDEs (83-108%) with minimum presence of matrix-interfering compounds were obtained using a mixture of n-hexane:dichloromethane 90:10 (v/v) as solvent, an extraction temperature of 100 degrees C and a static extraction time of 5 min in combination with three static cycles. Quality parameters of the method were established using standards and fish samples. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 10 to 34 pg g(-1) wet weight and between 34 and 68 pg g(-1) wet weight, respectively. In addition, good linearity (between 1 and 500 ng ml(-1)) and high precision (RSD %<15%) were achieved. The method was validated using the standard reference material SRM-1945 (whale blubber) and was then applied to the analysis of PBDEs in fish samples.

Polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide contamination signatures in deep-sea fish from the Mediterranean Sea.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and OCP concentrations were determined in the livers of two deep-sea fish species, roughsnout grenadier and hollowsnout grenadier, from the Adriatic Sea. In both species, contaminant concentrations were in the following order: PCBs>DDTs>>HCB. Contaminant load was higher in roughsnout grenadier (PCB: 12,327ngg(-1); DDTs: 5357ngg(-1); HCB: 13.1ngg(-1)) than in hollowsnout grenadier (PCB: 1234ngg(-1); DDTs: 763ngg(-1); HCB 6.3ngg(-1)). PCB patterns were dominated by higher chlorinated congeners (hexa-CBs: 50.3-52.1%, hepta-CBs: 29.6-35.5%, penta-CBs: 8.0-11.1% and octa-CBs :5.2-5.4%). PCBs 138, 153 180 and 187 were the most abundant. Regarding the DDT pattern, p,p'-DDE was prevalent in both species (roughsnout grenadier: 99.7%, hollowsnout grenadier: 90%), suggesting no recent DDT input. In both species, the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations (roughsnout grenadier: mean 43.77pg/g, hollowsnout grenadier: mean 20.49pg/g), calculated from non- and mono-ortho PCBs, reached those encountered in marine organisms at higher levels in the trophic chain.

Detection of schistosomiasis cases in low-transmission areas based on coprologic and serologic criteria The Venezuelan experience.

Low and very-low intensities of infection hinder the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Therefore, new parameters should be established in order to more accurately identify active cases and true infection prevalence, for the adequate implementation of a control program. After the survey and analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of five Venezuelan communities, we propose three criteria for the definition of a "schistosomiasis case", based on different diagnostic methods: stool examination, ELISA-soluble egg antigen with sodium metaperiodate (SMP-ELISA), alkaline phosphatase immunoassay (APIA) and the circumoval precipitin test (COPT). Briefly, criterion I: persons with Schistosoma mansoni eggs in stools; criterion II: persons without eggs in stools, with positive COPT, without previous antischistosome chemotherapy in the last year; and criterion III: persons without eggs in stools, with negative COPT, with two positive immunoenzymatic tests (SMP-ELISA and APIA), and with no previous chemotherapy. The incorporation of serological tests to epidemiologic surveillance in areas of low-transmission tries to compensate the underestimation of prevalence based only on parasitological diagnosis.

Valoración de la enfermedad terminal en Medicina Interna / Assessment of terminal disease in Internal Medicine

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Occupational rhinitis and asthma due to cedroarana (Cedrelinga catenaeformis Ducke) wood dust allergy.

We describe a case of occupational rhinitis and asthma in a 46-year-old carpenter who presented nasal and bronchial symptoms after cedrorana (Cedrelinga catenaeformis Ducke) wood dust exposure. Skin prick tests (SPT) with a battery of common allergens and different kinds of wood, were positive to cedrorana and grass pollen and negative to the other wood extracts. Nasal provocation and exposure challenge tests with Cedrorana wood dust also gave a positive reaction. IgE-immunoblotting showed two bands of 45 and 78 kDa respectively. This is the first reported case of occupational rhinitis and asthma due to Cedrorana wood dust where an IgE mediated mechanism has been found.