Persistence and potential increasing accumulation of microplastic pollution on the Skikda coast (northeastern Algeria).

This paper describes the microplastic problems on five sandy beaches along the Skikda coastline (southwestern Mediterranean, northeastern Algeria), defining their magnitudes, spatial-temporal distributions, shapes, polymer types, impacts, and potential sources. The data presented in this study were collected during two field surveys in May (spring) and September (autumn/fall) of 2019. Overall, the average abundance of microplastics across all beaches was 6174 items/m in spring and 6183 items/m in autumn, representing the highest level of MPs ever reported in Algeria.

Rethinking plastic entrapment: Misconceptions and implications for ecosystem services in coastal habitats.

This study addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution in coastal and marine ecosystems, challenging the misconception that the entrapment of plastics can be considered as an ecosystem service. We differentiate between essential natural processes that sustain ecological balance and biodiversity and the detrimental accumulation of synthetic polymers. The pathways through which plastics enter these environments-from terrestrial to maritime sources-are examined, alongside their pervasive impacts on crucial ecosystem services such as habitat quality, the vitality of marine species, and nutrient cycling.

Proof of concept for a new sensor to monitor marine litter from space.

Worldwide, governments are implementing strategies to combat marine litter. However, their effectiveness is largely unknown because we lack tools to systematically monitor marine litter over broad spatio-temporal scales. Metre-sized aggregations of floating debris generated by sea-surface convergence lines have been reported as a reliable target for detection from satellites.

Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis Infection in Patient with Antecedent Hematologic Neoplasm, Spain.

We report a confirmed case of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection in a woman in Spain who had a previous hematologic malignancy. Candidatus N. mikurensis infections should be especially suspected in immunocompromised patients who exhibit persistent fever and venous thrombosis, particularly if they live in environments where ticks are prevalent.

Contamination from microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in the digestive tracts of the commercial species Engraulis encrasicolus and Sardina pilchardus.

Fragments of microplastics (<5 mm) found in commercial species of fish, crustaceans, and bivalves, are an issue of global concern. The bioaccumulation of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in different levels of the food web may provoke unwanted impacts on marine ecosystems and cause pernicious effects on human health. Here, we study the presence of anthropogenic particles and the fraction of microplastics in the target organs of two representative commercial fish species in Spain; the European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus).

The quest for the missing plastics: Large uncertainties in river plastic export into the sea.

Plastic pollution in the natural environment is causing increasing concern at both the local and global scale. Understanding the dispersion of plastic through the environment is of key importance for the effective implementation of preventive measures and cleanup strategies. Over the past few years, various models have been developed to estimate the transport of plastics in rivers, using limited plastic observations in river systems.

First evidence of plastic pollution in beach sediments of the Skikda coast (northeast of Algeria).

This study is the first attempt to provide original data on plastics debris occurrence in beach sediments of the Gulf of Skikda in Algeria (southwestern Mediterranean). Sediment samples from seven beaches were collected to extract, quantify and characterize mesoplastics and microplastics. Particles were classified by size into mesoplastics (5-25 mm) and large microplastics (1-5 mm).

Coastal gradients of small microplastics and associated pollutants influenced by estuarine sources.

Small microplastics (SMPs) in the gulf of Cadiz was sampled at 5 m depth by pumping it through the ship's pipe system and filtered through a 45 μm mesh size net. Our study reveals that higher densities have been found (130 mg·m) compared to other regions worldwide and these densities decreased from the coastline to the outer stations, showing a general coastal gradient influenced by estuarine outflows. SMPs with a size range between 45 and 193 μm were predominant and most of them composed by polyethylene and polypropylene.

The role of hydrodynamic fluctuations and wind intensity on the distribution of plastic debris on the sandy beaches of Paraná River, Argentina.

Plastic in the environment is considered an emerging pollutant of global concern. In spite of intensive research, many questions remain open, such as the processes that drive the deposition and remobilization of plastic debris on river beaches. The objectives of this study were: i) to analyze the influence of the natural hydrological fluctuations and wind intensity on the distribution of mesoplastic (0.

Unravelling spatio-temporal patterns of suspended microplastic concentration in the Natura 2000 Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain): Observations and model simulations.

Microplastics (MPs) patterns in a weakly-stratified estuary were investigated using a combined approach of observations and modeling. The study was conducted in the Guadalquivir River Estuary, which is of high environmental value, yet significantly altered by human activities. The study aims to contribute to understanding and quantifying the land-ocean transport of MPs.

Filling in the knowledge gap: Observing MacroPlastic litter in South Africa's rivers.

Only 12% of the world's published plastic research includes references to Africa despite it being a significant contributor to the global plastic waste and mismanagement problem (~88.5% of Africa's plastic waste is mismanaged). Ocean plastics are transported from land by rivers to the sea.

Some Guidelines for the Synthesis and Melting Characterization of Azide Poly(ethylene glycol) Derivatives.

We provide fundamental guidelines in the form of a tutorial to be taken into account for the preparation and characterization of a specific class of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives, namely azide-terminated PEGs. Special attention is given to the effect of these chain end groups and their precursors on properties affecting the PEGylation of proteins, nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces. Notwithstanding the presence of C satellite peaks, we show that H NMR enables not only the routine quantitative determination of chain-end substitution, but is also a unique method to calculate the absolute number average molecular weight of PEG derivatives.

Riverine anthropogenic litter load to the Mediterranean Sea near the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain.

Every year >4 million tonnes of plastic are estimated to enter the oceans and much of it comes from land-based sources through rivers and estuaries. To fill the lack of information related to plastic inputs from rivers, a harmonized approach based on visual observations for monitoring floating macro litter was followed in this work. We provide the results of one-year monitoring (October 2016-September 2017) in the Llobregat and El Besòs rivers, which are flowing through an industrialized and populated area nearby the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain).

Macro-litter in surface waters from the Rhone River: Plastic pollution and loading to the NW Mediterranean Sea.

We present here the first estimates of floating macro-litter in surface waters from the Rhone River, based on monthly visual observations during 1-year period (2016-2017). Plastic represented 77% of the identified items, confirming its predominance in riverine floating litter. Fragments (2.

CDKAL1 gene variants affect the anti-TNF response among Psoriasis patients.

The heterogeneous response to anti-TNF biological drugs among Psoriasis (Psor) patients might be explained by gene variants linked to the risk for Psor. Common variants in the CDKAL1 gene have been associated with the risk of developing Psor. Our hypothesis was that these variants could also influence the response to anti-TNFs among Psor-patients.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms IL17RA rs4819554 and IL17E rs79877597 and Psoriasis in a Spanish cohort.

Background: The IL17 pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (PsO).

Objectives: To determine whether the variation at the IL17 pathway genes was linked to the risk for PsO or had an effect on disease severity and the risk for Psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of 580 psoriasis patients and 567 healthy controls who were genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL17RA (rs4819554, rs879577), IL17A (rs7747909), IL17F (rs763780, rs2397084), and IL17E (rs79877597) genes.

The Cw6 and late-cornified envelope genotype plays a significant role in anti-tumor necrosis factor response among psoriatic patients.

Our aim was to determine whether the HLA-Cw6 and late-cornified envelope (LCE) deletion polymorphisms were related to disease improvement among psoriasis patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies. The study included a total of 116 patients. Positive response (68%) was defined as a reduction of at least 75% of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) after 24 weeks of starting the anti-TNF therapy.