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The Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, originates from subtropical waters and displays great adaptability to environmental factors such as temperature. A comprehensive study on the effect of long-term temperature acclimation on xenobiotic metabolism, along with the assessment of other parameters related to physiological status, was designed to characterize the response of this species to temperature fluctuations within a realistic range. S. senegalensis juveniles were acclimated for a period of 60 days to two different ambient temperatures, 15 and 20°C. Several hepatic, gill, muscular and plasmatic parameters were measured over time at the two temperatures. The lower temperature triggered, over time, the synthesis of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450-related enzymes (e.g. 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), carboxylesterases, and the conjugating enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase and, more significantly, EROD activity in gills. The antioxidant enzyme activities: catalase and glutathione reductase in liver were positively correlated to temperature. Plasmatic parameters (glucose, lactate, triglycerides and osmolality) were consistent with a good physiological status of the experimental fish. The expression of heat shock proteins in muscle did not significantly change in the two temperature groups. The results evidenced that the subtropical species S. senegalensis also uses the temperature compensation strategy to different degrees for most biotransformation enzymes; this response was more intense and faster in gills than in liver. This compensatory strategy did not apply to antioxidant enzymes and GST. The present findings highlight the need to consider the thermal history of the fish when using S. senegalensis as a sentinel in a biomarker-based pollution monitoring study. The fish plasticity on its strategy of physiological adaptation to temperature changes could contribute to explain the success in the geographical expansion of this species., Introduction Temperature is a crucial abiotic factor that has a major impact on the physiological processes of ectothermic species, including fish. Although adaptation in their metabolism and physiology to compensate [...]

Nauplii of different Artemia strains respond to changes in temperature and salinity and display a consequent change in oxygen consumption rate. Parthenogenetic tetraploid strains with their enhanced genetic variability show greater tolerance to extreme conditions when compared to that of diploid bisexual forms. Differences in physiological response to environmental changes may dictate their seasonal occurrence and distribution.

Presents a study that evaluated the acute toxicity of the organophosphorous pesticides dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos to the species of Artemia. Effects of the pesticides on cholinesterase (ChE) activity of Artemia salina and Artemia parthenogenetica; Characterization of ChE activity of the two species; Background on brine shrimp Artemia.

This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity of endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, and the effect of a sub-lethal concentration of this compound on the rate of oxygen consumption (Mo2) of three different Spanish strains of Artemia nauplii. The 24h LC50 values showed that the nauplii of the parthenogenetic diploid strain were more resistant, whereas those of the parthenogenetic tetraploid and bisexual strains were more sensitive to endosulfan anddid not show differences between them. The results suggest that the use of different Artemia strains, with their differing degrees of sensitivity to the same toxicant, may be a valuable tool in aquatic ecotoxicological research. Exposure to sub-lethal concentrations (1/5-24hLC50) of endosulfan had no significant effect on the oxygen consumption rates (Mo2) of each strain of the nauplii. Nevertheless, a reduction in the ability of the nauplii to maintain respiratory independence during hypoxia, after 24 h exposure to such dose, was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPS technology and tracking study designs have gained popularity as a tool to go beyond the limitations of static exposure assessments based on the subject's residence. These dynamic exposure assessment methods offer high potential upside in terms of accuracy but also disadvantages in terms of cost, sample sizes, and types of data generated. Because of that, with our study we aim to understand in which cases researchers need to use GPS-based methods to guarantee the necessary accuracy in exposure assessment. With a sample of 113 seniors living in Barcelona (Spain) we compare their estimated daily exposures to air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, NO2), noise (dB), and greenness (NDVI) using static and dynamic exposure assessment techniques. Results indicate that significant differences between static and dynamic exposure assessments are only present in selected exposures, and would thus suggest that static assessments using the place of residence would provide accurate-enough values across a number of exposures in the case of seniors. Our models for Barcelona's seniors suggest that dynamic exposure would only be required in the case of exposure to smaller particulate matter (PM2.5) and exposure to noise levels. The study signals to the need to consider both the mobility patterns and the built environment context when deciding between static or dynamic measures of exposure assessment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria is an inborn error of metabolism of vitamin B12 or cobalamin. It's a rare autosomal recessive disease in which there are several variants depending on the pathogenesis of the metabolic disorder (cblC, cblD, cblF and cblJ). The more frequent and more severe is the cblC variant, which usually manifests in the first months of life, although some cases have been reported at the beginning of adulthood. A proper diagnosis and effective therapeutic approach is fundamental. We report the case of a patient of 18 years with a history of epilepsy who consults for acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy and diagnosed with combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria cblC variant., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the impact of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) on the resolution of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and Prediabetes (PDM) in obese patients, as well as potential improvements in other comorbidities., Material and Methods: Observational retrospective study. We studied all patients with T2DM (n= 36) or PDM (n= 44) who underwent LSG in our hospital between years 2009 and 2012. PDM was defined as having at least 2 values of HbA1c between 5.7 and 6.4%. Follow-up period was 1-4 years (mean 17.5 months). T2DM remission criteria were fasting plasma glucose (FPG)., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Sellar masses are an heterogeneous group of lesions, both in nature and management. Not all of them require surgery., Objectives: To describe the presenting symptoms of sellar masses and endocrine abnormalities occurring during follow-up. To emphasize the significance of endocrine assessment, and to identify lesions amenable to hormonal treatment., Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of the records of children under 14 years of age referred to our center for sellar lesions during 12 years. Data collected included sex, age, nature of lesion, clinical presentation, size, treatment, and endocrine abnormalities., Results: Forty-five patients (25 females) aged 7.2 ± 4.1 years (range 0.25-13.5) were enrolled. Follow-up time was 6.2 ± 3.7 years. Lesion nature was known in 39 cases, 4 of which were successfully treated at the Endocrinology Department: 3 prolactinomas (with dopamine agonist) and one thyrotroph cell hyperplasia (with levothyroxine). The most common presenting symptoms were neurological and/or visual (25/45), followed by endocrine conditions (13/45). Duration of endocrine and neuro-ophthalmic symptoms was 12.6 ± 18.2 months and 2.6 ± 4.9 (P=.012), respectively. Some endocrine condition was found in 24/45 patients at the initial evaluation and in 37/45 patients at the end of follow-up., Conclusions: Management of sellar lesions requires a multidisciplinary effort. Endocrine tests are indispensable to identify lesions amenable to hormonal treatment. Endocrine disorders usually occurred before neurological and ophthalmological symptoms, and their identification may therefore allow for earlier diagnosis. Hormone assessment should be regularly performed during follow-up., (Copyright © 2013 SEEN. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Few effective therapeutic tools are currently available to fight the increasing prevalence of obesity and its associated comorbidities. Bariatric surgery is the only treatment with proven long-term effectiveness, but is associated to a high surgical risk and significant economic costs because of its technical complexity and the characteristics of patients. This is leading to development of new endoscopic procedures with less clinical risks and economic costs, while maintaining the benefits in terms of morbidity and mortality, which could even serve as a bridging element before surgery in cases where this is unavoidable, allowing for preoperative weight loss and control of comorbidities in order to improve anesthetic risks and possible complications. The purpose of this review was to analyze the most relevant and promising endoscopic techniques currently available., (Copyright © 2013 SEEN. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Percutaneous gastrostomy, is the procedure of choice to provide enteral access in patients requiring nutritional support in this way in the long run, relegating the surgical gastrostomy., Material and Methods: We present three patients requiring percutaneous gastrostomy for nutritional support. In two cases was performed endoscopic gastrostomy and another one using interventional radiology., Results: While performing percutaneous gastrostomy clinical incidents were not detected, but when trying the replacement of gastrostomy tubes, showed the presence of gastrocolic fistula that caused failure or turnover in one case, or abdominal pain and diarrhea in the two other cases., Discussion: Despite being a safe technique, should be done a proper patient selection in order to minimize the potential complications that may occur, as gastrocolic fistula, recommending in doubtful cases test of image such CT (computerized Tomography)., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Contaminant-related changes in antioxidative processes in the freshwater crustacea Daphnia magna exposed to model redox cycling contaminant were assessed. Activities of key antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferases and levels of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and lipofucsin pigment content were determined in D. magna juveniles after being exposed to sublethal levels of menadione, paraquat, endosulfan, cadmium and copper for 48 h. Results denoted different patterns of antioxidant enzyme responses, suggesting that different toxicants may induce different antioxidant/prooxidant responses depending on their ability to produce reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes to detoxify them. Low responses of antioxidant enzyme activities for menadione and endosulfan, associated with increasing levels of lipid peroxidation and enhanced levels of antioxidant enzyme activities for paraquat, seemed to prevent lipid peroxidation, whereas high levels of both antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were found for copper. For cadmium, low antioxidant enzyme responses coupled with negligible increases in lipid peroxidation indicated low potential for cadmium to alter the antioxidant/prooxidant status in Daphnia. Among the studied enzymes, total glutathione peroxidase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase appeared to be the most responsive biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Age-related changes in the balance between endogenous pro-oxidative and antioxidative processes in the freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna (Crustacea) were assessed. The activities of key antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and levels of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined in eight age classes, covering juvenile, young and senescent adults. Age-related changes in fatty acid composition were also measured to examine the contribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the peroxidation status of animals. Biochemical responses depicted in this study demonstrated that age-related decline in survival was accompanied by increasing oxidative stress and oxidative damage. Enhanced oxidative stress in aging D. magna was suggested by the significant increase in the formation of lipid peroxides, and a concomitant reduction of unsaturated fatty acids of 20 or more carbon atoms. Because aging was accompanied by selective loss of key antioxidant enzymes and small changes in the amount of PUFA, the breakdown of antioxidant defences might have directly contributed to oxidative stress, membrane lipid peroxide and a decline of survival. Indeed, the results reported here, indicate that age-related increases of lipid peroxides were at least partially due to the functional imbalance of enzymatic antioxidant defences.

The lethal responses to cadmium of instar II nauplii from eight populations of Artemia belonging to the species Artemia franciscana, Artemia salina, Artemia persimilis, and Artemia parthenogenetica have been compared. Generalized linear models were used to fit mortality. The model indicates that there is a relationship between species, type of population, and mortality rate. The two populations of A. franciscana were the most sensitive to cadmium toxicity (median lethal concentration, LC50, of 93.3-142 mg/L), while the population of A. persimilis was the most resistant (LC50 of 284 mg/L). Differences in the phenotypic variability in each population were assessed through the slope of the mortality curve, with A. persimilis exhibiting the highest diversity. This study suggests that habitat peculiarities and historical origin of the populations may have a significant influence on their response to cadmium toxicity.