In this work, organic chemicals associated with microplastics (MPs) exposed to a coastal anthropogenized environment for up to eight weeks have been screened for, in order to discern the (de)sorption dynamics of chemicals in the marine ecosystem. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets were studied since they represent primary MPs used by the plastic industry and a relevant input of MPs into the oceans. To maximize the coverage of chemicals that could be detected, both liquid and gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight (GC-QTOF and LC-QTOF, respectively) were used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSemin Arthritis Rheum
April 2024
Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Serum biomarkers have been suggested as indicators for pulmonary damage with clinical value in the diagnosis and prognosis of SSc-ILD.
Objectives: To investigate the role of serum biomarkers (Krebs von den Lungen-6 KL-6, IL-18 and IL-18BP) as a potential biomarker reflecting the severity of SSc-ILD as assessed through high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT), including forced vital capacity (%FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (%DLCO).
Introduction: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by a chronic grade of inflammation. Cardiovascular events represent the major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases; however, the significance and prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients with pSS remain unclear.
Objective: To determine the clinical significance of cardiovascular disease in pSS and analyze the risk of cardiovascular disease according to glandular/extraglandular involvement and positivity to anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB autoantibodies.
Objective: We aimed to characterize the clinical phenotype of patients with SSc based on autoantibodies (topoisomerase antibody (Scl-70), ACA and ANA).
Methods: We included patients with SSc who fulfilled the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria, with disease duration ≤15 years. Six groups of patients were defined: ACA-lcSSC, Scl-70-lcSSc, ANA-lcSSc, Scl-70-dcSSc, ANA-dcSSc and ACA-dcSSc patients.
Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis characterized by necrosis, granulomatous inflammation, and vasculitis. It is characterized by the triad of the upper and lower respiratory system, lung, and kidney disease. Although it is usually a multisystemic disease, limited forms have also been described, and otolaryngological involvement is the first manifestation in up to 80-95% of the cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, the spatial distribution and physical characteristics of beach macro- and micro-litter within the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (Cabrera MPA), in the Balearic Islands have been analysed. For macro-litter items, a mean concentration of 1.9 ± 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe seafloors of oceans and seas are becoming major sinks for marine litter (ML) at a global scale and especially within the Mediterranean Sea. Within global oceans and seas, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established to protect and conserve marine habitats and increase marine biodiversity. In this study, extensive coastal shallow scuba diving surveys were conducted in 2019 and 2020 to identify the distribution of ML in the MPA of Cabrera Marine-Terrestrial National Park (Cabrera MPA) in the Balearic Islands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe liver's high metabolic activity and detoxification functions generate reactive oxygen species, mainly through oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria of hepatocytes. In contrast, it also has a potent antioxidant mechanism for counterbalancing the oxidant's effect and relieving oxidative stress. PAS kinase (PASK) is a serine/threonine kinase containing an N-terminal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain, able to detect redox state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly stable and bioaccumulative, and microplastics (MPs; plastics <5 mm) are ubiquitous in the marine environment. In this study we report the levels of a selection of pollutants in liver and muscle of juvenile gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) exposed to virgin and weathered MP enriched diets during three months and followed by one month of MP depuration. In general, a major concentration of pollutants in liver was observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and PAS kinase (PASK) control glucose and energy homeostasis according to nutritional status. Thus, both glucose availability and GLP-1 lead to hepatic glycogen synthesis or degradation. We used a murine model to discover whether PASK mediates the effect of exendin-4 (GLP-1 analogue) in the adaptation of hepatic glycogen metabolism to nutritional status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDuring the last years, ingestion of microplastics (MPs) has been quantified in marine species both with an ecological and commercial interest at sea and under experimental conditions, highlighting the importance to assess MP ingestion in commercially and aquaculture important species such as gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fish. In order to study the ingestion of MPs in a commercially valuable species, gilthead seabreams were exposed to an enriched diet with virgin and weathered low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pellets for three months followed by a detoxification period of one month of no exposure to MP enriched diets. Our results indicate that MP ingestion in these fishes increased with exposure time, and differences were found between treatments, showing the highest ingestion values after three months of exposure to MP enriched diets and in the weathered treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has raised concerns in the rheumatology community about the management of immunosuppressed patients diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. It is not clear whether the use of biological agents may suppose a risk or protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, it has been suggested that severe respiratory forms of COVID-19 occur as a result of exacerbated inflammation status and cytokine production. This prompted the use of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (tocilizumab and sarilumab) and IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra) in severe COVID-19 disease and more recently JAK1/2 inhibitor (baricitinib).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncreasing global research has identified microplastics (MPs) to be impacting marine organisms. The present work aimed at investigating the physiological and behavioral effects of thirty-six juvenile Sparus aurata exposed to control, virgin and weathered MPs enriched diets during a 21-day period under controlled conditions. Physiological effects were assessed in liver and brain using the following biomarkers: activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd), the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as indicative of lipid peroxidation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe protein kinase with PAS domains (PASK) is a nutrient and energy sensor located in the cells of multiple organs. Many of the recent findings for understanding PASK functions in mammals have been reported in studies involving PASK-deficient mice. This minireview summarizes the PASK role in the control of fasting and feeding responses, focusing especially on the hypothalamus and liver.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology with relapsing and remitting course, characterized by triple-symptom complex of recurrent attacks of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and ocular lesions and other clinical features that include dermatological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. The main goal of management is to prevent relapses and suppress inflammation rapidly for major organ involvement that may cause damage and even be fatal.
Case Presentation: We hereby describe a case of a patient with Behçet's disease followed in our rheumatology consultation over the course of 15 years with multi-organ involvement resistant to several treatments and showed partial results with IL-1 inhibitors, particularly anakinra and canakinumab, while also discussing the current treatments of refractory BD and how early implementation of treatments could make a difference.
Environmental pollution from plastic debris is a major global concern, being a potential threat to marine organisms and ecosystems. The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the oceans has notable ecological implications due to their long persistence, their potential ecotoxicity, and their ability to adsorb other pollutants and act as vectors of pathogens. Nevertheless, whereas the number of investigations documenting the presence of MPs in wild fish has increased, less studies have addressed the toxicological effects associated with the ingestion of MPs in long-term laboratory conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral signaling pathways may be affected during aging. All are regulated by nutrient levels leading to a decline in mitochondrial function and autophagy and to an increase in oxidative stress. PAS Domain Kinase (PASK) is a nutrient and bioenergetic sensor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population, along with their associated complications, is a major factor contributing to increased morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The liver is a vital organ for maintaining metabolic homeostasis, especially in the adjustment periods in fasting and feeding. Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) kinase (PASK) controls glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism in response to nutritional status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pen shell Pinna nobilis (also known as the fan mussel) is an endemic bivalve of the Mediterranean Sea. Threatened by human activities, it has been listed as an endangered and protected species under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC since 1992. The ecological role of this species is of importance because it filters and retains large amounts of organic matter from suspended detritus contributing to water clarity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCoastal degradation and habitat disruption are severely compromising sessile marine species. The fan shell Pinna nobilis is an endemic, vulnerable species and the largest bivalve in the Mediterranean basin. In spite of species legal protection, fan shell populations are declining.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe complications caused by overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes are one of the main problems that increase morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Hypothalamic metabolic sensors play an important role in the control of feeding and energy homeostasis. PAS kinase (PASK) is a nutrient sensor proposed as a regulator of glucose metabolism and cellular energy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnvironmental pollutants exert immunotoxical effects on aquatic organisms. The aim was to determine the antioxidant response, markers of oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species production in hemocytes of Pinna nobilis, the largest endemic bivalve in the Mediterranean Sea, under anthropogenic pressure. P.
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