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Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found in brown seaweed. Due to its reported biological activities, including antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, it has garnered significant attention for potential biomedical applications. However, the direct relationship between fucoidan extracts’ chemical structures and bioactivities is unclear, making it extremely challenging to predict whether an extract will possess a given bioactivity. This relationship is further complicated by a lack of uniformity in the recent literature in terms of the assessment and reporting of extract properties, yield and chemical composition (e.g., sulfate, fucose, uronic acid and monosaccharide contents). These inconsistencies pose significant challenges when directly comparing extraction techniques across studies. This review collected data on extract contents and properties from a selection of available studies. Where information was unavailable directly, efforts were made to extrapolate data. This approach enabled a comprehensive examination of the correlation between extraction techniques and the characteristics of the resulting extracts. A holistic framework is presented for the selection of fucoidan extraction methods, outlining key heuristics to consider when capturing the broader context of a seaweed bioprocess. Future work should focus on developing knowledge within these heuristic categories, such as the creation of technoeconomic models of each extraction process. This framework should allow for a robust extraction selection process that integrates process scale, cost and constraints into decision making. Key quality attributes for biologically active fucoidan are proposed, and areas for future research are identified, such as studies for specific bioactivities aimed at elucidating fucoidan’s mechanism of action. This review also sets out future work required to standardize the reporting of fucoidan extract data. Standardization could positively enhance the quality and depth of data on fucoidan extracts, enabling the relationships between physical, chemical and bioactive properties to be identified. Recommendations on best practices for the production of high-quality fucoidan with desirable yield, characteristics and bioactivity are highlighted.

Misinformation often continues to influence inferential reasoning after clear and credible corrections are provided; this effect is known as the continued influence effect. It has been theorized that this effect is partly driven by misinformation familiarity. Some researchers have even argued that a correction should avoid repeating the misinformation, as the correction itself could serve to inadvertently enhance misinformation familiarity and may thus backfire, ironically strengthening the very misconception that it aims to correct. While previous research has found little evidence of such familiarity backfire effects, there remains one situation where they may yet arise: when correcting entirely novel misinformation, where corrections could serve to spread misinformation to new audiences who had never heard of it before. This article presents three experiments (total N  = 1718) investigating the possibility of familiarity backfire within the context of correcting novel misinformation claims and after a 1-week study-test delay. While there was variation across experiments, overall there was substantial evidence against familiarity backfire. Corrections that exposed participants to novel misinformation did not lead to stronger misconceptions compared to a control group never exposed to the false claims or corrections. This suggests that it is safe to repeat misinformation when correcting it, even when the audience might be unfamiliar with the misinformation.

Background The global mining industry is an important partner in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2018, Anglo American plc published their Sustainable Mining Plan, containing a goal for improving health and wellbeing aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) targets. Having formed an independent multidisciplinary research consortium, we designed and implemented a mixed-methods approach to attain a deeper understanding of SDG3 priorities within the local context of communities hosting Anglo American mining operations located in Latin America. Methods In 2019, within the host communities of three mining operations in Chile, three in Brazil, and one in Peru, we conducted a qualitative study which included stakeholder workshops and key informant interviews. We also quantitatively appraised existing health data. Findings emerging from the qualitative and quantitative assessments were compared to identify health and wellbeing priority areas for action relevant to each community. Results Across the three countries, 120 people took part in workshops and 35 in interviews. In these workshops and interviews, non-communicable diseases (SDG3.4), harmful alcohol consumption (SDG3.5), and pollution, particularly air pollution (SDG3.9), were consistently identified as areas for priority action. There were similarities in the reporting of individual, interpersonal, community, societal, and structural factors underlying these priority areas across the different communities . The availability of quantitative data was generally good at the state level, becoming increasing sparse as we focused on smaller geographies. The priorities identified in the quantitative assessments generally aligned with those highlighted in the qualitative data. Conclusions We highlight the importance of engaging with local populations to understand and address health needs. To address the priorities identified, intervention packages tailored to the specific needs of host communities, that tackle associated upstream societal level factors, are required. To facilitate this, appropriate monitoring systems and epidemiological investigations should be implemented to better understand the local context and quantify health issues. In the host communities, it is essential for the mining sector to be a key health partner in promoting integrated programmes that contribute to achieving the priority objectives and targets aligned with the SDG3 agenda.

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) are an uncommon cause of hospitalization in the United States. The majority of such cases are polymicrobial and are most commonly caused by seeding of infection from the biliary system. PLA is frequently associated with specific comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, history of liver transplant, underlying hepatobiliary, or pancreatic disease. Herein, we describe a 47-year-old healthy male with no known risk factors associated with PLA who presented to the hospital with acute fever, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine. Initially the patient had a negative right upper quadrant ultrasound. However, the patient continued to have persistent fevers and abnormal liver biochemistries with negative liver serology that led to checking a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography which suggested multiple liver abscesses. Computer tomography guided aspiration revealed a monobacterial Streptococcus species within the abscess, which is commonly associated with arterial bacteremia as a source of PLA. Arterial bacteremia is one of most rare causes of PLA. The patient’s septic workup was negative for any source of infection. This case demonstrates a patient with no risk factors who was diagnosed with PLA caused by apparent arterial bacteremia with no clear source of infection.

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura vasculitis, is a vasculitis commonly seen in children but seldomly seen in young adults, and rarely described in older patients. Classic presentation is a palpable cutaneous purpura on the lower extremities and buttocks with concomitant arthralgia. Studies have shown half of patients will present with gastrointestinal symptoms typically abdominal pain from ileus, intussusception and ischemia. Ileitis has only rarely been described as a presentation of IgAV in adults and the majority of such cases were seen in young adults. Case: 56-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus developed worsening abdominal pain for one month. Prior to his symptoms he was having daily bowel movements with no associated pain or gastrointestinal bleeding. He developed symptoms of constipation with abdominal pain and was started on polyethylene glycol and initially improved. Subsequently he developed a bilateral lower extremity purpuric rash which was diagnosed as a leukocytoclastic vasculitis and treated with oral sulfamethoxazole /trimethoprim. His rash improved, however due to worsening abdominal pain he presented to the hospital for evaluation. Upon initial examination his vital signs were unremarkable. His physical exam revealed a soft non-tender abdomen with bowel sounds present, and a resolving purpuric rash on the posterior bilateral lower extremities. Initial blood-work revealed leukocytosis of 14.5 K/cmm and acute kidney injury (AKI) with a creatinine of 2.15 mg/dL. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast showed findings suggestive of ileitis. Evaluation for multiple myeloma, cryoglobulinemia, and ANCA vasculitis was negative. Initially his kidney function improved with rehydration and his abdominal pain resolved with aggressive bowel regimen. Colonoscopy showed terminal ileitis with biopsies compatible with a vasculitic process. Given these findings and recurrent AKI renal biopsy was performed which showed IgA glomerulonephritis. He was started on high dose steroids and subsequently his kidney function improved with complete resolution of abdominal pain. Discussion: Although, classically associated with children and young adults, IgAV can present in older patients. Common symptoms of rash and arthralgia may be absent initially, however, this does not exclude IgAV. Findings of terminal ileitis, while rare, could be a sign of a vasculitis.

Introduction: Olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker recently described to cause a spruelike enteropathy. Duodenal biopsies are identical to those of Celiac disease (CD), however the patient will be negative for transglutaminase. Unlike Olmesartan associated enteropathy (OAE), CD has been associated with lymphocytic colitis (LC). LC can cause significant diarrhea, although it typically does not cause dehydration. Case Report: 84-year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history of dementia and hypertension was hospitalized for diarrhea. She was noted to have an acute kidney injury (AKI) with a creatinine of 1.79 mg/dL. Her C. diff screen was positive and the patient was treated with oral vancomycin. Her AKI resolved with rehydration and she was discharged home. At home she began to have 20 liquid bowel movements daily and was taken to another local hospital. Repeat C. diff screening was negative; however, she was again treated with oral Vancomycin. She was discharged home despite still having diarrhea. Outpatient esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were performed for follow up evaluation. Further, she was noted to have been recently started on Olmesartan which was discontinued prior to endoscopic evaluation. Endoscopy revealed negative gross evaluation of the duodenum and biopsy revealed blunted villous architecture with increased intraepithelial lymphocytes and focal neutrophilic infiltrates. Colonic biopsies revealed lymphocytic colitis. Shortly after, the patient had altered mental status and hypotension and was sent to the emergency department. Initial vital signs were significant for temperature of 91.7 °F and a blood pressure of 72/57 mm Hg. Physical exam was unremarkable besides altered mentation. Initial bloodwork revealed an AKI with a creatinine of 7.74 mg/dL. She continued to have profound diarrhea and outpatient biopsy results were not immediately available. Repeat C. diff screening, stool cultures, Shiga toxins, and ova and parasites were checked and found to be negative. Computer tomography of the abdomen showed diverticulosis. With the duodenal biopsy results transglutaminase IgA and IgG were checked and were negative. The AKI resolved with rehydration and the diarrhea improved with budesonide. Discussion: Celiac sprue enteritis is associated with LC, OAE has not been described to be associated with it. Clinicians should suspect a concomitant process in patients with LC presenting with dehydration.

Antarctic sea ice forms a critical part of the Southern Ocean and global climate system. The behaviour of Antarctic sea ice throughout the last glacial-interglacial (G-IG) cycle (12 000–130 000 years) allows us to investigate the interactions between sea ice and climate under a large range of mean climate states. Understanding both temporal and spatial variations in Antarctic sea ice across a G-IG cycle is crucial to a better understanding of the G-IG regulation of atmospheric CO2, ocean circulation, nutrient cycling and productivity. This study presents 28 published qualitative and quantitative estimates of G-IG sea ice from 24 marine sediment cores and an Antarctic ice core. Sea ice is reconstructed from the sediment core records using diatom assemblages and from the ice core record using sea-salt sodium flux. Whilst all regions of the Southern Ocean display the same overall pattern in G-IG sea-ice variations, the magnitudes and timings vary between regions. Sea-ice cover is most sensitive to changing climate in the regions of high sea-ice outflow from the Weddell Sea and Ross Sea gyres, as indicated by the greatest magnitude changes in sea ice in these areas. In contrast the Scotia Sea sea-ice cover is much more resilient to moderate climatic warming, likely due to the meltwater stratification from high iceberg flux through “iceberg alley” helping to sustain high sea-ice cover outside of full glacial intervals. The differing sensitivities of sea ice to climatic shifts between different regions of the Southern Ocean has important implications for the spatial pattern of nutrient supply and primary productivity, which subsequently impact carbon uptake and atmospheric CO2 concentrations changes across a G-IG cycle.

Environmental conditions during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e (130–116 ka) represent an important “process analogue” for understanding the climatic responses to present and future anthropogenic warming. The response of Antarctic sea ice to global warming is particularly uncertain due to the short length of the observational record. Reconstructing Antarctic winter sea-ice extent during MIS 5e therefore provides insights into the temporal and spatial patterns of sea-ice change under a warmer-than-present climate. This study presents new MIS 5e records from nine marine sediment cores located south of the Antarctic Polar Front between 55 and 70∘ S. Winter sea-ice extent and sea-surface temperatures are reconstructed using marine diatom assemblages and a modern analogue technique transfer function, and changes in these environmental variables between the three Southern Ocean sectors are investigated. The Atlantic and East Indian sector records show much more variable MIS 5e winter sea-ice extent and sea-surface temperatures than the Pacific sector records. High variability in the Atlantic sector winter sea-ice extent is attributed to high glacial meltwater flux in the Weddell Sea, indicated by increased abundances of the diatom species Eucampia antarctica and Fragilariopsis cylindrus. The high variability in the East Indian sector winter sea-ice extent is conversely believed to result from large latitudinal migrations of the flow bands of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, inferred from latitudinal shifts in the sea-surface temperature isotherms. Overall, these findings suggest that Pacific sector winter sea ice displays a low sensitivity to warmer climates. The different variability and sensitivity of Antarctic winter sea-ice extent in the three Southern Ocean sectors during MIS 5e may have significant implications for the Southern Hemisphere climatic system under future warming.

Antarctic sea ice plays a critical role in the Earth system, influencing energy, heat and freshwater fluxes, air–sea gas exchange, ice shelf dynamics, ocean circulation, nutrient cycling, marine productivity and global carbon cycling. However, accurate simulation of recent sea-ice changes remains challenging and, therefore, projecting future sea-ice changes and their influence on the global climate system is uncertain. Reconstructing past changes in sea-ice cover can provide additional insights into climate feedbacks within the Earth system at different timescales. This paper is the first of two review papers from the Cycles of Sea Ice Dynamics in the Earth system (C-SIDE) working group. In this first paper, we review marine- and ice core-based sea-ice proxies and reconstructions of sea-ice changes throughout the last glacial–interglacial cycle. Antarctic sea-ice reconstructions rely mainly on diatom fossil assemblages and highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) alkenes in marine sediments, supported by chemical proxies in Antarctic ice cores. Most reconstructions for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) suggest that winter sea ice expanded all around Antarctica and covered almost twice its modern surface extent. In contrast, LGM summer sea ice expanded mainly in the regions off the Weddell and Ross seas. The difference between winter and summer sea ice during the LGM led to a larger seasonal cycle than today. More recent efforts have focused on reconstructing Antarctic sea ice during warm periods, such as the Holocene and the Last Interglacial (LIG), which may serve as an analogue for the future. Notwithstanding regional heterogeneities, existing reconstructions suggest that sea-ice cover increased from the warm mid-Holocene to the colder Late Holocene with pervasive decadal- to millennial-scale variability throughout the Holocene. Studies, supported by proxy modelling experiments, suggest that sea-ice cover was halved during the warmer LIG when global average temperatures were ∼2 ∘C above the pre-industrial (PI). There are limited marine (14) and ice core (4) sea-ice proxy records covering the complete 130 000 year (130 ka) last glacial cycle. The glacial–interglacial pattern of sea-ice advance and retreat appears relatively similar in each basin of the Southern Ocean. Rapid retreat of sea ice occurred during Terminations II and I while the expansion of sea ice during the last glaciation appears more gradual especially in ice core data sets. Marine records suggest that the first prominent expansion occurred during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 and that sea ice reached maximum extent during MIS 2. We, however, note that additional sea-ice records and transient model simulations are required to better identify the underlying drivers and feedbacks of Antarctic sea-ice changes over the last 130 ka. This understanding is critical to improve future predictions.