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Pharmaceuticals and microplastics constitute potential hazards in aquatic systems, but their combined effects and underlying toxicity mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, a simultaneous characterization of bioaccumulation, associated metabolomic alterations and potential recovery mechanisms was performed. Specifically, a bioassay on Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was carried out with polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPLs, 1 mg/L) and citalopram or bezafibrate (500 ng/L). Single and co-exposure scenarios lasted 21 days, followed by a 7-day depuration period to assess their potential recovery. PE-MPLs delayed the bioaccumulation of citalopram (lower mean at 10 d: 447 compared to 770 ng/g dw under single exposure), although reaching similar tissue concentrations after 21 d. A more limited accumulation of bezafibrate was observed overall, regardless of PE-MPLs co-exposure (, This work was supported by the Spanish Inter-Ministerial Science and Technology Commission through the ‘PLAS-MED’ (CICYT, CTM2017–89701-C3) and PHARMASEA (PCI2021-121933) projects and by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). JM Castaño Ortiz acknowledges the predoctoral grant from AGAUR (2019 FI_B 00881REF). M. García Pimentel acknowledges the Spanish Ministerial Science, Innovation and University for her predoctoral fellowship (PRE2018-085502). The authors are grateful for funding from the CERCA Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya. The Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatograph coupled to a triple Quadrupole hybrid Linear Ion Trap Detector (Acquity UPLC-MS QTRAP 5500, Waters-SCIEX) received support from the CERCAGINYS programme, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. The authors thank the Platform of Non-Target Environmental Metabolomics (PONTEM) of the consortium facilities Montpellier Alliance for Metabolomics and Metabolism Analysis (MAMMA). The authors acknowledge the support of the Economy and Knowledge Department of the Catalan Government through a Consolidated Research Group (ICRA-ENV – 2021 SGR 01282).

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) contributes to the formation of an inflammatory environment in various intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Cytokines that participate in these mechanisms are yet to be examined. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal aspiration was performed in 224 patients. Quantitative cultures of aerobic species were performed, concentrations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured, and loads of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Methanobevibacter smithii, and Aeromonas spp. were detected via real-time PCR in the duodenal fluid. Analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) for elevated IL-1β levels was 2.61 (1.06–6.43, p = 0.037) among patients with SIBO compared to patients without SIBO, while there was no significant difference at elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels between patients with and without SIBO, using ≥103 cfu/mL as a cut-off. The presence of all three elevated cytokine levels has OR 3.47 (1.06–11.34, p = 0.030) among patients with SIBO. Klebsiella pneumoniae detection was positively related with IL-6 and TNF-α levels, when Methanobevibacter smithii was positively related with IL-1β levels. The presence of SIBO is associated with elevated IL-1β levels in the duodenal fluid. There is a high prevalence of all three proinflammatory cytokine levels elevated (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the duodenal fluid among patients with SIBO. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

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Background: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), characterized by either increased numbers or presence of colonic type bacteria in the small bowel has been previously described in functional dyspepsia (FD), based on breath testing. In this study, we aim to examine the prevalence of SIBO among FD patients using small bowel aspirate culture. Methods: We prospectively enrolled outpatients fulfilling Rome IV criteria for FD. Severity of symptoms was graded using the patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal symptom severity index (PAGI-SYM) questionnaire. Patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal fluid was aspirated in sterile traps. SIBO was defined as ≥10 3 colony forming units/mL of duodenal aspirate and/or presence of colonic type bacteria. Patients undergoing gastroscopy due to gastroesophageal reflux symptoms-control group (CG)-And patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) fulfilling Rome IV criteria were also recruited. Results: We enrolled 227 FD subjects, 30 CG, and 90 IBS patients. Among FD patients, 144 (63.4%), 64 (28.2%), and 19 (8.4%) had postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and overlapping PDS-EPS syndrome, respectively. SIBO prevalence was 20.8%, 12.5%, and 31.6% among PDS, EPS, and overlapping PDS-EPS FD subtypes, respectively. Overall, SIBO prevalence was significantly higher in FD (44/227 [19.4%]) compared to CG (1/30 [3.3%]) (p = 0.037) and similar to IBS (44/227 [19.4%] vs. 15/90 [16.7%], p = 0.63) subjects. SIBO presence was associated neither with total nor with any subscale score of the PAGI-SYM questionnaire. Conclusion: In a cohort of Greek FD patients, SIBO prevalence was similar to that of IBS subjects and higher compared to that of controls. © 2020

International audience; This research aimed to investigate the relationship between how an organization monitors its external environment and defines its strategic orientation. These two constructs are assessed through the perception of professionals related to monitoring activities in their organizations. The approach chosen is quantitative, using the survey as research method. Data are analyzed by using descriptive statistics, non-parametric and multivariate analysis. The results indicate a relationship between external monitoring and strategic orientation: the formal search for information stood out more in analytical and prospector organizations and informal search, in reactive and defensive ones.