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Harmful algal blooms (HABs) cause severe socioecological, economic, food innocuity, and public health problems in countries where aquaculture, fisheries, and tourism share marine ecosystem goods and services. HABs will likely intensify with rising eutrophication, ocean warming, acidification and climatic atmospheric and oceanographic oscillations (e.g. , El Niño). During the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), it is imperative to produce knowledge to predict HABs and mitigate their severe negative sustainability consequences. This review on coevolved symbiotic and antagonistic algae-bacteria interactions highlights the HAB holobiome, i.e. , phycosphere-attached and free-living bacteria, as potential bioindicators of bloom onset and decline as they promote, inhibit or suppress algal growth. The reviewed literature led us to discuss (1) the conceptual issues and experimental approach required to generate and include the HAB holobiome data into monitoring schemes to evaluate the resulting predictive model, (2) the relevance of an integrated science-policy approach to articulate the holobiome knowledge among stakeholders, including policymakers, for the efficient use and adaptive management of ecosystem services, and 3) a way to translate, once validated, the holobiome-based predictive model into a widely adopted policy. In this sense, the ongoing Monitoring Algae in Chile project (MACH; www.mach-satreps.org/en/) provides a framework to articulate the holobiome science with policy to establish reliable forecast systems to minimize HAB impact on public health, aquaculture and fisheries activities. This Chilean-Japanese research collaboration builds on the lessons from the catastrophic HAB event on Chiloé Island (May 2016), where world-class salmon, mussel aquaculture, and artisanal fishers coexist. • Harmful algal blooms (HABs) cause severe ecological, socioeconomic, public health and sustainability problems. • The HAB holobiome, symbiotic and antagonist bacteria attached to algae, is a potential bioindicator of bloom dynamics. • The HAB holobiome is potentially a novel, ecosystem-based and complementary tool for HAB monitoring and early warning. • A transdisciplinary approach, including non-scientific stakeholders, is proposed for HAB forecasting and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American trypanosomiasis is one of the few native parasites of this continent. As a zoonosis, Trypanosoma cruzi infects about 180 species out of 25 families of mammals. Its regular transmission is through triatomines, which can easily transmit parasites either by the skin route (contamination of mammals skin with their feces) or by oral route (ingestion of food contaminated with complete triatomines or their feces) and additionally through haematogenous via (congenital and transfusional) and by tissues (transplants). The oral route, which seems to be the ancestral form of transmission to wild and domestic mammals, has recently become more important after the success achieved in the control of domicile vectors using residual pesticides. From its initial diagnosis in 1967, tens of oral outbreaks have been diagnosed mostly in the Brazilian Amazon and subsequently in other four countries in South America. Environmental imbalance caused by man through the invasion and deforestation of woodlands, results in reduction of biodiversity of mammals as food source for triatomines, affecting the “dilution effect” of T. cruzi in the nature increasing the risk of human infection. On the other hand, triatomines invade houses looking for new blood sources. One of the consequences of domiciliated triatomines is the food contamination spread, especially in home-made juices, which has been the source of infection of most oral outbreaks. Other biotic and abiotic factors help to explain the recent increase of oral transmission outbreaks of Chagas disease, distributed in nine eco-regions of America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aims: We have investigated the differences in plasma parameters and serum trace elements between 'healthy' and unhealthy morbidly obese patients before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Methods: A group of 32 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery were divided into three groups. Group 1 subjects were free of dyslipidemia and type II diabetes mellitus (defined as 'healthy' obese, DM-DL-); Group 2 subjects had only the presence of dyslipidemia (DM-DL+), while group 3 patients demonstrated the presence of both (DM + DL+). In all patients, we studied haematological, haemostasis, anaemia, coagulation plasma and trace elements parameters before and 1, 6 and 12 months after gastric bypass surgery. Results: We found significant differences in some haematological parameters, including haemostasis (e.g., T-Quick, p = 0.0048) and coagulation (e.g., ATIII and PAI-1, p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and in anaemia parameters (e.g., folate, cobalamin and transferrin, p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively) but also in serum trace elements between the groups. However, the response to bariatric surgery was similar in the three groups. Conclusion: Any healthy morbid obese subject is really metabolically 'unhealthy' because he or she has many other haematologic or serum abnormalities that are often not included in the criteria for the definition of 'healthy' in these obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple cubes were subjected to vacuum impregnation using grape juice concentrate. The effect of pressure reduction (VP = 100–500 mmHg), immersion time (t = 10–30 min), and concentration of grape juice (C = 40–60°Brix) on impregnation parameters were evaluated using response surface methodology. Second-order polynomial equations were developed (R2 > 0.895) to describe the behavior of water loss, total soluble solids, L* , a* , Hue , total color difference, the color of impregnated/treated areas (A U / A OP), antioxidant activity, total monomeric anthocyanin, and dimensionless volume (V/V o) in the impregnated product. VP had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on mass transfer parameters, color parameters, A U / A OP, and bioactive compounds. However, at 60°Brix and 500 mmHg, the lower V/V o values were reached due to cell disruption. Therefore, it is recommended to use a VP = 500 mmHg and t less than 20 min to significantly impregnate compounds and obtain a product without considerable morphometric modification. • Impregnation with grape juice concentrate increase bioactive compounds in apple. • Analysis of apple tissue staining allows mass transfer parameters evaluation. • Response surface models adequately describe apples' mass transfer characteristics. • Image processing was used to analyze staining of apple tissue during impregnation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Good performance for the elimination of the different DOM fractions. [•] The oxidation mechanisms play an important role in the elimination of DOM fractions. [•] The molecular mechanism in ozonation leads to the accumulation of LMM acids. [•] UV/H2O2 results in an effluent composed of all low molar mass fractions and humics. [•] Interpretation of SUVA data fails to diagnose the depletion of humic substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper proposes a dedicated observer scheme for fault diagnosis and isolation in instruments of an anaerobic reactor. An asymptotic observer is proposed for the estimation of the concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), the concentration of anaerobic biomass and the produced biogas flow rate for an anaerobic reactor. The proposed observer is based on the ADM1 for applications in continuous UASB reactors and its main feature is that allows the monitoring of a dynamic balance between anabolic (biological synthesis) and catabolic (methane production) fluxes without biomass measurements in the reactor. Experimental results are shown using the ADM1 for the treatment of wastewater with high organic matter content from a brewery. Validation is carried out using real data obtained from a 2.1 L laboratory scale Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the design and development of a planar robot for upper limb rehabilitation. The aim of this system is one hand to obtain information of people''s upper-limb trajectories through the use of two robotic arms conformed by planar robots in order to use this information in the analysis of the movements performed by the patient during the rehabilitation. In the other hand, this system is used to correct their trajectories movement using a vibrotactile stimulus to accelerate the rehabilitation process of the patients. The results indicates that this system have a big potential for patients and therapists during the rehabilitation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of exposure of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to prior stress on the effectiveness of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment of milk was studied. Cells were exposed to a variety of temperatures (7–45 °C), pH (4.0–7.0), osmotic conditions (0–10% NaCl), starvation (100 h at 25 °C), and cold shock (5 °C for 250 h). Stress responses were explained by the Gompertz and Weibull models with similar goodness-of-fit. Using these models, conditions that induced adequate stress were identified and used to pre-condition E. coli O157:H7 cells. The inactivation of the bacterial cells in milk by PEF was characterized by downward concavity with differences in mean time of resistance between cells exposed to temperature, acid or osmotic stress. Application of the Weibullian–Log-Logistic model indicated that, at higher field strengths, inactivation occurred at lower onset temperatures, and this was related to an increase in heat dissipation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A combined strategy of a photo-Fenton pretreatment followed by a Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR) was evaluated for total C and N removal from a synthetic wastewater containing exclusively 200mgL−1 of the antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Photo-Fenton reaction was optimized at the minimum reagent doses in order to improve the biocompatibility of effluents with the subsequent biological reactor. Consequently, the pretreatment was performed with two different initial H2O2 concentrations (300 and 400mgL−1) and 10mgL−1 of Fe2+. The pre-treated effluents with the antibiotic intermediates as sole carbon source were used as feed for the biological reactor. The SBBR was operated under aerobic conditions to mineralize the organic carbon, and the Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) was optimized down to 8h reaching a removal of 75.7% of the initial Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The total denitrification of the NO3 − generated along the chemical–biological treatment was achieved by means of the inclusion of a 24-h anoxic stage in the SBBR strategy. In addition, the Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) was successfully used to complete the N balance determining the N fate in the SBBR. The characterization and the good performance of the SBBR allow presenting the assessed combination as an efficient way for the treatment of wastewaters contaminated with biorecalcitrant pharmaceuticals as the SMX. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Chile, the toxic dinoflagellate A. catenella shows an apparent oceanic range expansion from south to the north since its first detection in 1972 in the Magallanes Region (56° S). Until 2017, A. catenella detections were restricted to a geographic area between Magallanes to Los Rios Regions (40° S). The establishment of a monitoring program in the offshore Pacific coast allowed the detection of A. catenella between 2018 and 2019 in northern areas off the Bío-Bío Region (36°S). Monoclonal cultures established from the Bío-Bío coast were genetically identified, and PSTs screened. Phylogenetic analyses determined that the Bío-Bío isolates aggregated in Group I ribotype (previously A. tamarense or A. fundyense) and the presence of PSTs analogs were confirmed. It is the northernmost detection of the toxic dinoflagellate A. catenella in the Pacific coast of Chile. These results have important implications for species monitoring and governmental management in the Bío-Bío Region. • The detection of A. catenella off the Bío-Bío Region represents the northernmost record of this species on the Chilean coast. • Morphology and phylogeny of cultured A. catenella from the Bío-Bío coast confirmed species identification. • PSTs quantification in A. catenella isolates from the Bio-Bio region represents a potential PSP risk in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to study the abatement of 200mgL−1 sulfamethoxazole (SMX) solution by means of photo-Fenton process. Biodegradability of the treated solutions was followed by the ratio biochemical oxygen demand at five days/chemical oxygen demand (BOD5/COD) and toxicity by Microtox® and inhibition tests. Experiments with different initial concentration of H2O2 were carried out. The initial amount of Fe2+ and pH of the solution were set at 10mgL−1 and 2.8 respectively. The temperature of the reactor was kept constant in all the experiments (25±0.8°C). Photo-Fenton process is thought to be a successful treatment step to improve the biodegradability of wastewater containing SMX. The complete antibiotic removal was achieved for a H2O2 dose over 300mgL−1. Biodegradability (BOD5/COD) rose from zero (SMX solution) to values higher than 0.3 (treated solutions). Toxicity and inhibition tests pointed out in the same direction: oxidized intermediates for initial H2O2 dose over 300mgL−1 showed no toxicity effects on pure bacteria and no inhibition on activated sludge activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Transient apical breakdown (TAB) caused by orthodontic treatment is a reversible resorptive process in which the apex of a tooth shows some radiographic evidence of resorption and the crown may display some discoloration. It usually requires no treatment other than monitoring and elimination of the orthodontic forces applied to the tooth. Methods This report describes the case of a 48-year-old man patient who was referred to the department of endodontics for evaluation of some discoloration of his upper right central incisor, which was undergoing orthodontic treatment. The tooth was nonresponsive to sensitivity tests, it was sensitive to percussion, and, radiographically, there was some evidence of root resorption and apical radiolucency. Results Because TAB was the suspected cause of the signs and symptoms, no treatment was performed on the tooth except for periodic recalls, and lightening and eventual removal of the orthodontic appliances was indicated. Conclusions Ten weeks after the initial appointment and removal of the applied orthodontic forces, color improvement was observed, accompanied by a return of tooth sensitivity to cold tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein (PTRAMP) has a thrombospondin related (TSR) domain which in many proteins has been reported as a fragment involved in pathogen-host and cell-interactions. Receptor-ligand studies using eighteen non-overlapping 20-aminoacid-long synthetic peptides from this protein were carried out to determine regions involved in parasite invasion of red blood cells (RBC). Two high activity binding peptides (HABPs) were determined, 33405 (21YISSNDLTSTNLKVRNNWEH40) and 33413 (180LEGPIQFSLGKSSGAFRINY199), presenting high dissociation constants and positive cooperativity. One of the HABPs displayed a modified Plasmodium export element (PEXEL), suggesting that this protein could be involved in the merozoite cytoplasmic reticulum, parasitophorous vacuole, red blood cell (RBC) cytosol, and probably infected RBC (iRBC) membrane transport of some other molecules and nutrients. Enzymatic treatment of RBCs increased HABP 33405 binding to them whilst it decreased HABP 33413 binding. Merozoite invasion assays revealed that HABPs have around 57% ability to inhibit new RBC invasion. Circular dichroism revealed the presence of possible α-helical elements in both HABPs structures. RBC binding interaction specificity and the presence of a PEXEL motif make these 2 HABPs good candidates for being included in further studies to develop a new multi-antigenic, multi-stage, subunit-based, chemically-synthesised, anti-malarial vaccine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive gas that participates in many physiological as well as pathogenic processes in higher eukaryotic organisms. Inflammatory responses elicit higher levels of this molecule. Nevertheless, there are many technical challenges to accurately measure the amount of NO produced. Previously, a method using whole-cell extracts from Escherichia coli was able to generate the conversion of nitrate into nitrite to measure the amount of nitrate or indirectly the NO present in a sample using the Griess reaction. Here we present an improvement to this method, by using E. coli whole-cell extracts lacking one of the two nitrite reductases, rendered a more precise measurement when coupled with the Griess reaction than our previous report. Alternatively, osmotic stress showed to downregulate the expression of both nitrate reductases, which can be an alternative for indirect nitrate and NO reduction. The results presented here show an easy method for nitrate and NO reduction to nitrite and avoid the reconversion to nitrate, also as an alternative for other analytical methods that are based on cadmium, purified nitrate reductase enzyme, or salicylic methods to reduce NO. This method can be widely used for measuring NO production in living organisms, soil, and other relevant microbiological samples. [Display omitted] • Nitric oxide is a reactive gas relevant in physiology and disease. • In vivo measurements are cumbersome. • Whole-cell extracts from Escherichia coli and Griess reaction rendered efficient measurements. • This method is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment promoted the BIOAMBIENT.ES project, a Human Biomonitoring program on the national scale to estimate reference levels of environmental pollutants on a representative sample of the Spanish adults. The present study focuses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The urinary metabolites 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-,2-,3-,4- and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene were selected as indicators of PAH exposure. Urine samples from 957 subjects (16–65 years old) were collected during year 2009–2010. Geometric mean and 95th percentile for 1-hydroxypyrene in μg g −1 creatinine were 0.117 (non-smoker: 0.079, smokers: 0.184) and 0.67 μg g −1 creatinine (non-smokers: 0.31, smokers: 0.69) respectively. GM and 95th percentile for sum of hydroxyphenanthrenes in μg g −1 creatinine were 0.130 (non-smokers: 0.089, smokers: 0.317) and 1.29 (non-smokers: 0.71, smokers: 1.51) respectively. 3-Hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was below the limit of quantitation (0.05 μg L −1 ) in all cases. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) regarding smokers and non-smokers, coal and wood heating, body mass index and second hand smoke were found, while other variables like gender, age, or diet showed no significant association. The geographical distribution of the metabolites showed higher levels in people who lived in the north and northwest of Spain. The PAH metabolites levels found were in the same range or lower than those reported from other European countries and they were higher than those found in the U.S. This study represents the first nationwide survey of exposure to PAHs in Spain and provides a background reference range for exposure to PAHs in the Spanish adult occupied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dinophysis acuminata and D. acuta showed a poleward positive gradient in S Chile. • Blooms (103 cells L‒1) of Dinophysis acuta no longer occur in Los Lagos Region (∼41°S). • FW layer in fjords decline with decreasing trend in rainfall and river discharge. • D. acuta blooms linked to absence of the FW (salinity < 11) layer in Chilean fjords. • D. acuminata containing only PTX2 (now EC de-regulated), no threat to the region. Dinophysis acuminata and D. acuta, which produce diarrheogenic toxins and pectenotoxins in southern Chile, display site-specific differences in interannual variability (2006 – 2018) in Reloncaví, Pitipalena and Puyuhuapi fjords (41 – 46 °S), Chilean Patagonia. Linear Models show decreasing trends in rainfall and river discharge. Latitudinal decreasing gradients in SST temperature and vertical salinity gradients were observed. A brackish water layer (FW salinity <11 psu), permanently present in Reloncaví, decreased in thickness with time in Pitipalena and was usually absent in Puyuhuapi, the only fjord where D. acuta reached bloom (>103 cells L‒1) densities every season. Dinophysis acuminata, associated with toxin profiles in shellfish that include only pectenotoxins, bloomed everywhere with a poleward increasing gradient. Absence of the FW layer provides a possible index of risk for D. acuta blooms. An apparent poleward shift of D. acuta populations, responsible for DSP outbreaks in Reloncaví in the 1970s, and the recent EU deregulation of pectenotoxins will have a positive impact on the mussel industry in Los Lagos Region. Changes to ongoing monitoring protocols to improve risk assessment capabilities are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main objective of the present study was to assess the photocatalytic degradation over TiO2 of an aqueous solution containing 20mgL−1 of the antibiotic Oxytetracycline (OTC) using simulated solar radiation, seconded by a solar radiation experiment carried out in a pilot plant equipped with Compound Parabolic Collectors (CPCs) under the optimal conditions found in preliminary lab-scale experiments. These comprehended a set of 1L aqueous experiments with TiO2 loads ranging from 0.1 to 0.5gL−1 starting from different initial pH values. These experiments were carried out in a Solarbox equipped with a 1000W Xe-OP lamp. OTC degradation was followed by HPLC-DAD, while its mineralization was followed by the removal of Total Organic Carbon. Results suggested that 0.5gL−1 of TiO2 with no initial pH adjustment (pH∼4.4) was the best combination for the removal of both OTC (100% after 40min of irradiation; 7.5kJL−1 of UV dose) and TOC (>90% after 180min of irradiation; 38.3kJL−1 of UV dose). Under these conditions, the BOD5/COD ratio rose from almost 0 to nearly 0.5, showing a remarkable improvement in biodegradability, while inhibition percentage of bioluminescence of Vibrio fischeri after 15min of exposition measured by Microtox® decreased significantly from 35% down to 7%. A scheme of the OTC degradation pathway is proposed, based on the results obtained from this particular experiment. The solar photocatalytic experiment done under the same conditions was carried out in a solar pilot plant equipped with CPCs. OTC and TOC removal was followed as a function of accumulated UV energy entering the reactor. Results showed a 100% OTC and almost 80% TOC removal with 1.8kJL−1 and 11.3kJL−1 of photo treatment energy, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To better understand the relation between coastal areas and their influence on social and economic conditions of municipalities, a set of indexes were developed to characterize coastal Mexico with an interdisciplinary approach. The composite of these bio-physical, social and economic indexes is referred to as an “integrated coastal orientation index”. Coastal characteristics should be taken into account in the coastal management policy formulation of a given region, and this index can be used to identify key areas for environmental protection or economic development at a national level. The results suggest that municipalities must manage their coastal jurisdictions, a large and diverse array of coastal space and ecosystems, medium to weak spatial demographics and settlement structures, infrastructure to improve quality of life, an overall low coastal population income, and various coastal activities. Spatial heterogeneity along the littoral zone in the coastal orientation led us to conduct a state analysis. We discuss these values and identify five highly coastal-orientated states in the extremes of the country. The development of this tool could help to pin-point different types of key areas within the regions studied and provide a tool to guide regional priorities. As an example, using a combination of extreme values of bio-physical, social and economic indexes was used to identify specific municipalities as candidates for environmental protection and others as areas where development can continue. Choices of indexes are discussed, and the relative importance given to each component of the coastal orientation (rather bio-physical, social and/or economic) will define the course of the coast''s development and its sustainability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Laboratory biomarkers of infection as indicators of therapeutic failure. • Follow-up of the largest oral Chagas disease outbreak. • Response to treatment of individuals affected by oral Chagas disease. • Results of the laboratory follow-up, and the antiparasitic treatment efficacy of oral Chagas disease outbreak. • Chacao, Venezuela oral Chagas disease. Trypanosoma cruzi uses various mechanisms of infection to access humans. Since 1967, food contaminated with metacyclic trypomastigotes has triggered several outbreaks of acute infection of Chagas disease by oral transmission. Follow-up studies to assess the effectiveness of anti-parasitic treatment of oral outbreaks are rather scarce. Here, we report a 10-year laboratory follow-up using parasitological, serological, and molecular tests of 106 individuals infected in 2007 of the largest known outbreak of orally transmitted Chagas disease, which occurred in Caracas city, Venezuela. Before treatment (2007), specific IgA, IgM and IgG, were found in 71% (75/106), 90% (95/106) and 100% (106/106), respectively, in addition to 21% (9/43) parasitemia, Complement Mediated Lysis (CML) in 98% (104/106) and 79% (34/43) parasitic DNA for PCR. Blood culture detected parasitemia up to 18 months post-treatment in 6% (6/106) of the patients. In 2017, the original number of cases in the follow-up decreased by 46% and due to the country's economic situation, not all the trials could be carried out in the entire population. During follow-up, IgA and IgM disappeared promptly, with IgM persisting in 19% (20/104) of the patients three years after treatment. The anti- T. cruzi IgG remained positive 10 years later in 41% (20/49) of the individuals evaluated. CML remained positive seven years later in 79% (65/82) of the cases. PCR positive cases decreased after treatment but progressively recovered, being positive in 69% (32/46) of the individuals evaluated in 2017. The group of children (under 18 years of age) showed the highest PCR positivity with 76% (26/34) of the cases, but their parasitic load tended to diminish, while in adults the parasitic load regained their initial values. The simultaneous evaluation of serological tests and PCR of the patients allowed us to separate patients among responders and non-responders to the anti-parasitic treatment, and this information prompted us to apply a second anti-parasitic treatment in the group of non-responders. In this population not subjected to the like lihood of re-infection, adult patients were more likely to be non-responders when compared to children. These results suggest that rigorous laboratory follow-up with T. cruzi infectious biomarkers is essential to detect cases of parasite persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]