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The study reports a previously unknown apicomplexan (APXSc) parasite infecting wild scallops Aequipecten tehuelchus (d’Orbigny, 1842) from two separate areas (La Tapera and Punta Conos) of the San José gulf, in Patagonia Argentina. Histology, transmission electron microscope, molecular analyses and in situ hybridization were performed to describe the morphology of APXSc, and confirm its phylogenetic status. The prevalence of APXSc infection was 24% and 72% in scallops from La Tapera and Punta Conos, respectively. Seasonal variation was observed for scallops from La Tapera, recording highest prevalence in summer. A positive relationship between the presence of the APXSc and the size of the scallops was observed. A SSU rDNA consensus sequence of 1758 base pairs was generated which has a 94.8% identity to sequences obtained from a pathogenic apicomplexan parasite infecting Ostrea chilensis in New Zealand, but not closely related to other apicomplexans. The asexual reproduction, i.e. merogony, occurs in the Tehuelche scallop whilst the gamogonic and sporogonic stages were absent, suggesting a yet unknown definitive host. Severe host inflammation response involving fibroblast-like hemocytes surrounding the APXSc in the form of granuloma-like “swirls” is characteristic for this apicomplexan infection. Further studies are needed to reveal the life cycle, and presumable pathogenicity of APXSc.

Transmissible cancers, in which cancer cells themselves act as an infectious agent, have been identified in Tasmanian devils, dogs, and four bivalves. We investigated a disseminated neoplasia affecting geographically distant populations of two species of mussels (Mytilus chilensis in South America and M. edulis in Europe). Sequencing alleles from four loci (two nuclear and two mitochondrial) provided evidence of transmissible cancer in both species. Phylogenetic analysis of cancer-associated alleles and analysis of diagnostic SNPs showed that cancers in both species likely arose in a third species of mussel (M. trossulus), but these cancer cells are independent from the previously identified transmissible cancer in M. trossulus from Canada. Unexpectedly, cancers from M. chilensis and M. edulis are nearly identical, showing that the same cancer lineage affects both. Thus, a single transmissible cancer lineage has crossed into two new host species and has been transferred across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Aim: To analyze trends in the prescription of COVID-19 treatments for hospitalized patients during the pandemic. Methods: Multicenter, ecological, time-series study of aggregate data for all adult patients with COVID-19 treated in five acute-care hospitals in Barcelona, Spain, between March 2020 and May 2021. Trends in the monthly prevalence of drugs used against COVID-19 were analyzed by the Mantel–Haenszel test. Results: The participating hospitals admitted 22,277 patients with COVID-19 during the study period, reporting an overall mortality of 10.8%. In the first months of the pandemic, lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine were the most frequently used antivirals, but these fell into disuse and were replaced by remdesivir in July 2020. By contrast, the trend in tocilizumab use varied, first peaking in April and May 2020, declining until January 2021, and showing a discrete upward trend thereafter. Regarding corticosteroid use, we observed a notable upward trend in the use of dexamethasone 6 mg per day from July 2020. Finally, there was a high prevalence of antibiotics use, especially azithromycin, in the first three months, but this decreased thereafter. Conclusions: Treatment for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 evolved with the changing scientific evidence during the pandemic. Initially, multiple drugs were empirically used that subsequently could not demonstrate clinical benefit. In future pandemics, stakeholders should strive to promote the early implementation of adaptive randomized clinical trials.

Objective To determine the health status and exercise capacity of COVID-19 survivors one year after hospital discharge. Methods This multicenter prospective study included COVID-19 survivors 12 months after hospital discharge. Participants were randomly selected from a large cohort of COVID-19 patients who had been hospitalized until 15th April 2020. They were interviewed about persistent symptoms, underwent a physical examination, chest X-ray, and a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for persistent dyspnea. Results Of the 150 patients included, 58% were male and the median age was 63 (IQR 54–72) years. About 82% reported ≥1 symptoms and 45% had not recovered their physical health. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that the female sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and smoking were independent risk factors for persistent dyspnea. Approximately 50% completed less than 80% of the theoretical distance on the 6MWT. Only 14% had an abnormal X-ray, showing mainly interstitial infiltrates. A third of them had been followed up in outpatient clinics and 6% had undergone physical rehabilitation. Conclusion Despite the high rate of survivors of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with persistent symptomatology at 12 months, the follow-up and rehabilitation of these patients has been really poor. Studies focusing on the role of smoking in the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms are lacking.

In recent years scientific literature has seen an increase in publications describing new transgenic applications. Although technically-sound, these promising developments might not necessarily translate into products available to the consumer. This article highlights the impact of external factors on the commercial viability of Genetically Modified (GM) animals in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. Through the division of the production chain into three Policy Domains -Science, Market and Public- I present an overview of the broad range of regulatory and socio-economic components that impacts on the path towards commercialisation of GM animals. To further illustrate the unique combination of forces that influence each application, I provide an in-depth analysis of two real cases: GM rabbits producing human polyclonal antibodies (pharmaceutical case study) and GM cows producing recombinant human lactoferrin (food case study). The inability to generalise over the commercial success of a given transgenic application should encourage researchers to perform these type of exercises early in the R & D process. Furthermore, through the analysis of these case studies we can observe a change in the biopolitics of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Contrary to the GM plant biopolitical landscape, developing states such as China and Argentina are placing themselves as global leaders in GM animals. The pro-GM attitude of these states is likely to cause a shift in the political evolution of global GMO governance.

Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer and ranks among the most aggressive tumours, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 11%. Projections indicate that by 2030, it will become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. PDAC presents distinctive hallmarks contributing to its dismal prognosis: (i) late diagnosis, (ii) heterogenous and complex mutational landscape, (iii) high metastatic potential, (iv) dense fibrotic stroma, (v) immunosuppressive microenvironment, and (vi) high resistance to therapy. Mounting evidence has shown a role for TAM (Tyro3, AXL, MerTK) family of tyrosine kinase receptors in PDAC initiation and progression. This review aims to describe the impact of TAM receptors on the defining hallmarks of PDAC and discuss potential future directions using these proteins as novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and targets for precision therapy in PDAC, an urgent unmet clinical need.

Two species of Hydractiniidae (Hydrozoa) with metagenetic life cycle have been recorded for the temperate region of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: the medusa stage of Podocoryna tenuis and the polyp stage of P. humilis. Both the adult medusa of P. humilis and the polyp stage of P. tenuis are unknown, but it is possible that they are different stages of the same species, a hypothesis still to be tested. Colonies of P. humilis growing on the southern king crab Lithodes santolla collected at the Atlantic Patagonian coast, and two small medusae released from these hydroid colonies were analyzed. Medusa of P. humilis were kept alive for 3 days and they were morphologically compared with the medusae of P. tenuis sorted out from ~ 2,500 plankton samples along the Atlantic Patagonian coast. The study of these specimens allowed reassessing the taxonomic status of P. humilis and P. tenuis from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Polyp and young medusa stages of P. humilis were described, and additional information was recovered to better describe the medusa stage of P. tenuis. New morphologic and biogeographic evidences in order to propose the synonymy between P. tenuis and P. humilis were discussed.

Copper catalysis allows the direct oxygen alkenylation of dialkyl phosphonates with alkenyl(aryl)iodonium salts with selective transfer of the alkenyl group. This novel methodology proceeds with a wide range of phosphonates under mild conditions and gives straightforward access to valuable enol phosphonates in very good yields.

Resumen: Las causas de insuficiencia adrenal de origen central son múltiples, siendo la sobrecarga férrica en el seno de una anemia de Blackfan-Diamond extremadamente infrecuente. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 15 años diagnosticado de anemia de Blackfan-Diamond en la infancia que desarrolla hipocortisolismo de origen central como consecuencia de la sobrecarga férrica por transfusiones de repetición como tratamiento de soporte de la anemia. La anemia de Blackfan-Diamond es un síndrome hereditario caracterizado por una aplasia eritroide que conlleva un recuento reducido de glóbulos rojos, anomalías congénitas y predisposición a neoplasias hematológicas y de órganos sólidos. La prevalencia de las complicaciones endocrinas reportadas en la literatura secundarias a esta patología es muy variable siendo el hipocortisolismo muy poco frecuente (0,7-4 %).Por ello, ante un paciente con transfusiones de repetición, debemos tener en cuenta el posible déficit de ACTH en en el contexto de una hemocromatosis por sobrecarga férrica. Abstract: Iron overload in the context of a Blackfan-Diamond anemia is a extremely uncommon cause of central adrenal insufficiency. We report a patient with Blackfan-Diamond anemia diagnosis during his childhood. Ten years later, as a consequence of iron overload caused by repeated transfusions, he developed central hypocortisolism. Blackfan-Diamond anemia is a hereditary syndrome characterized by erythroid aplasia, predisposition to hematologic and solid organ malignancies and congenital abnormalities. Endocrine complications of Blackfan-Diamond anemia are reported in the literature and highly variable. Hypocortisolism is considered as an uncommon complication (0.7-4 %). Therefore, in a patient with repeated transfusions, we must considerer in a possible ACTH deficiency in the context of hemochromatosis due to iron overload.

Background: Trans people may find themselves in a situation of social discrimination, reflected in their health and in the lack of scientific research. The minority stress theory points out the importance of social support for the stress of sexual or gender minorities. This study aims to explore social support and its dimensions in this population. Method: 81 people participate, of which 36 are trans and 45 non-trans (cisgender), as a control group. The Mos Social Support Survey is applied to measure perceived social support and a questionnaire with sociodemographic variables. Results: The results show that there are no differences in the perceived social support between both groups. However, sociodemographic variables such as having a partner, age, and employment situation show change for the trans population in some dimensions. Conclusion: These findings promote future lines of research that expand the knowledge of these variables in this group.

Abstract Microglia survey the brain microenvironment for signals of injury or infection and are essential for the initiation and resolution of pathogen‐ or tissue damage‐induced inflammation. Understanding the mechanism of microglia responses during pathology is hence vital to promote regenerative responses. Here, we analyzed the role of purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R) in microglia/macrophages during autoimmune inflammation. Blockade of P2X4R signaling exacerbated clinical signs in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and also favored microglia activation to a pro‐inflammatory phenotype and inhibited myelin phagocytosis. Moreover, P2X4R blockade in microglia halted oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro and remyelination after lysolecithin‐induced demyelination. Conversely, potentiation of P2X4R signaling by the allosteric modulator ivermectin (IVM) favored a switch in microglia to an anti‐inflammatory phenotype, potentiated myelin phagocytosis, promoted the remyelination response, and ameliorated clinical signs of EAE. Our results provide evidence that P2X4Rs modulate microglia/macrophage inflammatory responses and identify IVM as a potential candidate among currently used drugs to promote the repair of myelin damage.