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Microplastic contamination in water and organs of Deveximentum insidiator (Ponyfish) from a potential fishing zone off Mangalore, southeastern Arabian Sea
No full textThis study investigates microplastic (MP) contamination in Deveximentum insidiator (pony fish or silverbellies), a commercially important species in the Indo-West Pacific, with samples collected from a Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) in the Southeastern Arabian Sea on February 20, 2024. A total of 51 fish specimens and corresponding water column samples were analyzed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of MPs. The results revealed an average of 28.21 ± 17.73 MPs per individual and 2.97 ± 3.02 MPs per litre of water. Organ-specific accumulation showed the highest MP load in the gut (31.8 %), followed by the muscle (25.71 %), gills (23.83 %), and gonads (18.62 %). In fish, fibres dominated (99.32 %), while fragments (52.10 %) were most abundant in water. MPs in fish were predominantly 11-100 μm in size, indicating bioaccumulation potential, whereas larger MPs (1000-3000 μm) were more common in water (37.81 %). Polypropylene was the major polymer detected in both fish and water samples. Potential human health risks were assessed through estimates of MP intake via fish consumption. Adults may ingest approximately 20.57 MPs/day (7505 MPs/year), and children 9.80 MPs/day (3577 MPs/year). Risk assessment indices indicated low ecological risk (PLI: fish = 2.41, water = 1.55-2.27), but moderate toxicity risk based on the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI: fish = 9.68; water = 10.89). This study provides the first documented evidence of MP presence in D. insidiator in this region, highlighting the species' exposure to MPs and the associated potential health risks for seafood consumers. These findings underscore the need for species-specific assessments to inform marine conservation strategies food safety management in Potential Fishing Zones
Evidence of mycobacteriaemias and mycobacterial co-infections uncovered in cattle at slaughter using a novel phage-based PhMS-qPCR assay for viable Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis
No full textAccurate diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle is important for success of eradication programmes, but the current reliance on the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test is not achieving disease eradication in all jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland (NI). In this study, a novel Phagomagnetic separation (PhMS)-qPCR assay to rapidly detect viable Mycobacterium bovis in bovine blood samples was evaluated. A total of 149 heart blood samples were collected from cattle at exsanguination point of the slaughter line at a NI abattoir between June and August 2023 - 74 from TB reactor cattle (compulsorily culled within days of a positive SICCT test result) and 75 from routine slaughter cattle (< 30 months). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and lysed to release any mycobacteria present before PhMS-qPCR and culture were performed to detect presence of viable M. bovis. The DNAs obtained were subsequently tested for evidence of viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) also. PhMS-qPCR results indicate that of the TB reactor cattle with conclusive PhMS-qPCR results, 7.5% of bloods tested positive for viable M. bovis only, 41.8% for viable MAP only and 28.4% showed evidence of co-infection (both M. bovis and MAP detected). Of the routine slaughter cattle with conclusive PhMS-qPCR results, 22.4% of bloods tested positive for viable M. bovis only, 19.4% for viable MAP only and 20.9% showed evidence of co-infection. Of the blood samples with conclusive culture results, 19.6% TB reactors and 25.4% routine slaughter cattle were M. bovis culture positive. No agreement was observed between the M. bovis PhMS-qPCR assay and M. bovis culture results (Kappa - 0.028, 95% CI -0.162 to 0.105). Results of this study provide proof-of-concept that the PhMS-qPCR assay is able to detect viable M. bovis in bovine blood, although a different qPCR assay with greater detection sensitivity will need to be identified going forward. A surprisingly high number of M. bovis/MAP co-infections were detected in the blood of NI cattle, which may be contributing to failure of the bTB eradication scheme. The latter warrants further investigation
Effectiveness of music therapy for delirium in acute hospital settings: a scoping review
No full textBackground: Music therapy is a non-pharmacological psychosocial intervention that is increasingly recognised for its role in supporting older adults in acute hospital settings. Engagement with music, whether through passive listening, preferred recorded music, live music, or creative music therapy, has been linked to improvements in behavioural, cognitive, and emotional outcomes during episodes of delirium. Although there are reviews on non-pharmacological approaches to delirium, few have focused specifically on music therapy within acute hospital environments. Methods: This scoping review examined the evidence relating to music-based interventions for older adults who are experiencing delirium or who are at risk of delirium in acute care settings. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA ScR). Four electronic databases were searched systematically, namely, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Embase. Results: Seven primary research studies published between 2004 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis approach was used to summarise the data. Three themes were identified. The first relates to the extent to which music therapy may reduce the incidence or severity of delirium or other related behaviours in acute hospital settings. The second relates to the potential for music-based interventions to support clinical practice by improving interaction between patients and staff and reducing distress during recovery and enhancing physical recovery. The third relates to the impact of music therapy on emotional regulation, engagement, cooperation with care, and overall patient experience. Conclusion: Music therapy shows promise as a person-centred, safe, and low-cost intervention that may enhance wellbeing and support delirium care for older adults in acute hospital settings. Further high-quality studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base and guide practice.<br/
Differential immunological effects of short-course and long-course radiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
No full textPURPOSE: Two dominant neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) regimens are in common use for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC): long-course radiotherapy (LCRT;25x1.8Gy) with concomitant chemotherapy and short-course radiotherapy (SCRT;5x5Gy) typically followed by systemic chemotherapy. This study uses serial sampling to investigate the evolution of systemic and local immune responses to different radiotherapy regimens in LARC.EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We conducted a serial sampling study involving patients receiving radiotherapy for LARC, in which longitudinal blood and tumor biospecimens were collected at baseline, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Leukocyte concentrations via full blood count and a multiplex cytokine ELISA of plasma samples measured systemic changes. Multiplex immunofluorescence (CD8 and FOXP3) and RNA-sequencing of tumor biopsies were used to assess local changes.RESULTS: Circulating lymphocyte concentrations tended to increase in SCRT patients and decrease in LCRT patients between week 2 and week 6 and were significantly lower in LCRT patients compared to SCRT patients at week 6 (p<0.0001) and week 12 (p=0.019). Additionally, we report higher densities of CD8+ and FOXP3+ tumoral lymphocytes from SCRT patients compared to LCRT patients at week 2 (CD8 p=0.053, FOXP3 p=0.023) and week 6 (CD8 p=0.035, FOXP3 p=0.0016).CONCLUSIONS: SCRT is less lympho-depleting and induces more frequent increases in intra-tumoral T cell infiltration compared to LCRT. These results are relevant to the field of radiation-immune-oncology combination studies in LARC. Furthermore, these findings may underpin early trial results, where higher rates of response to radiotherapy-immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations have been reported with SCRT-based regimens.</p