Carbon footprint, economic benefits and sustainable fishing: Lessons for the future from the Western Mediterranean.

Ensuring an economically viable, sustainable and low CO2 emission extractive fishery is critical in order to achieve the life below water UN sustainable development goals and the climate change commitments of Paris agreement. This challenge is even more relevant in the most overexploited region of the world: The Mediterranean Sea. Here, we use the socio-ecological system of the Spanish Mediterranean commercial fisheries (Northern Alboran Sea, Northern Spain and the Balearic Islands) to develop an integrative impact assessment, including detailed socio-economic, ecosystem indices of the trophic structure of extractive fishery and CO2 emission analyses combining different gear, vessel size classes as well as a wide range estimation of carbon release from the seafloor by bottom trawling. Northern Alboran Sea preferentially requires reduction in purse seine fishery while in Northern Spain bottom trawling should be reduced first to reach sustainable exploitation. Fuel CO2 footprint of purse seine and bottom trawling are among the lowest footprints of animal protein production, but considering sweeping released CO2 from the seafloor the bottom trawling footprint becomes the animal protein production with the highest footprint. Moreover, the lowest bottom released CO2 estimation overrides 2.7-10 times the CO2 buried in the seafloor through the biological pump in trawled areas potentially turning the continental shelf from a CO2 sink to a CO2 source. Net profit per fuel derived CO2 emission for all fleets is lower than 1€ kgCO2-1, being lowest for large bottom trawler (0.025 € kgCO2-1). Thus, urgent mitigation and adaptation measures are necessary to obtain sustainable fishery in terms of net profit, sustainable seafood extraction and CO2 emission reduction. Our study provides scientific bases to develop these measures such as the restriction of harmful fishing gear in carbon rich river influenced areas, reduction of bottom contact of the fishing gear, favouring purse seine fishery and smaller bottom trawlers.

Microplastic ingestion by Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 fish and its potential for causing oxidative stress.

A total of 417 striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus, were analyzed to study microplastic ingestion and livers of fish were assessed to study effects of microplastics. Nearly one third (27.30%) of the individuals were quantified to ingest microplastics although there was no evidence of oxidative stress or cellular damage in the liver of fish which had ingested microplastics. A small increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) of M. surmuletus was detected which could be suggesting an induction of the detoxification systems but these findings should be tested in laboratory conditions under a controlled diet and known concentration of microplastics. Fish from trammel fisheries, operating closer to land and targeting larger individuals, showed higher mean ingestion values than fish from trawling fisheries, and were related to body size, as microplastics ingested increased with total fish length. Consequently, ingestion values of microplastics were not related to sampling distance from land giving further evidence of the ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment. Finally, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the vast majority of microplastics were filament type and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the main identified component.

Uncommon and rare causes of vocal fold paralysis detected via imaging.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional imaging can be used to trace the course of the vagus nerve and its laryngeal branches to detect many of the causes of vocal fold paralysis. The most frequent aetiologies are surgical injury and tumoural involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve anywhere along its course. METHOD: This review article focuses on the uncommon and rare causes of vocal fold paralysis that have been detected or diagnosed on cross-sectional imaging. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Uncommon causes included a tortuous oesophagus, tracheal diverticulum, cervical osteophytes and cardiovocal syndrome. These examples are presented with clinical case histories and radiological appearances, and are discussed in the context of the current literature.

Advances in imaging of obstructed salivary glands can improve diagnostic outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Obstruction of the major salivary glands is a relatively common condition defined as the blockage of the salivary outflow in the glandular ductal system. It can however mimic more aggressive pathology. METHODS: The most common cause of salivary obstruction is sialolithiasis, followed by ductal strictures. Salivary obstruction is clinically characterized by a food-related painful swelling of the affected gland, known as 'mealtime syndrome'. RESULTS: When obstruction is clinically suspected, the role of imaging consists of confirming the obstruction, identifying its cause, evaluating the position and extent of the obstruction and evaluating for associated complications. However, if imaging shows up signs of a tumour or other pathology which can mimic an obstructed gland clinically instead, the radiologist can alert the clinician accordingly to change the course and plan of treatment. Several imaging techniques are available for investigating the obstructed salivary glands. CONCLUSIONS: This review looks at the causes of obstruction and the use, diagnostic performance and practicality of the various imaging modalities. Importantly, an imaging approach algorithm for the evaluation of the obstructed salivary gland is also proposed.

[Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of tumors and pseudotumors of the musculoskeletal system]. / Resonancia magnética dinámica en el diagnóstico de las lesiones tumorales y seudotumorales del sistema musculoesquelético.

The greater temporal resolution provided in ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences makes it possible to know the physiological phenomenon of the distribution of the contrast material through a time-signal intensity curve. Analyzing these curves enables us to deduce information relevant to the vascularization and perfusion of tissues, capillary permeability, and the interstitial space in the tumor. A steep curve with early washout in a space-occupying lesion greatly increases the possibility of histological malignancy, although this type of curve is not rare in benign lesions and relatively flat curves are not rare in malignant tumors. Nevertheless, dynamic studies of the uptake of contrast material provide important information for the characterization of neoplasms that, together with the usual signs, can help to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors of adipocyte, chondroid, or neural lineage, clearing up diagnostic uncertainty in certain benign lesions such as osteoid osteoma and ischemic musculoskeletal disease. Furthermore, it enables the accurate determination of the response to chemotherapy, detecting recurrence within the treated tumor early, delimiting more precisely the margins between the tumor and peritumoral edema, and helping in diagnostic planning by determining the most vascularized areas of the tumor, which are more likely to be malignant.

Influence of additives on adhesion of Penicillium frequentans conidia to peach fruit surfaces and relationship to the biocontrol of brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa.

Additives, such as sucrose, d-sorbitol, glycerol, sodium alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, silica gel, gelatine, non-fat skimmed milk and a commercial adhesive were added to conidia of Penicillium frequentans at two different points in the production process of the formulation of this fungus to improve conidial adhesion. Conidial adhesion was estimated as the number of P. frequentans conidia (no. conidia cm(-2)) and colony-forming units of P. frequentans per unit area (cfu cm(-2)) that adhered to glass slides or to peach surfaces. The P. frequentans conidial concentration had a significant effect on conidial adhesion, while the shelf life of conidia did not have any effect. The highest adhesion of P. frequentans conidia to glass slides was observed when conidial concentrations were greater than 10(6) conidia ml(-1). P. frequentans conidial adhesion was improved when 1.5% sodium alginate or 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose were added to the conidial mass obtained after production and before drying by the fluid bed drying process. Conidial adhesion was also enhanced when 1.5% sodium alginate, 1.5% carboxymethyl, or 1.5% gelatine were added to conidia after fluid bed drying. P. frequentans formulations with 1.5% sodium alginate or 1.5% carboxymethyl cellulose were more effective in reducing brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa than dried P. frequentans conidia alone. Our results show that additives can improve adhesion of P. frequentans conidia to fruit surfaces, resulting in more effective control of brown rot in peaches.

Penicillium frequentans population dynamics on peach fruits after its applications against brown rot in orchards.

AIMS: The study provides useful information on the temporal population dynamics of the biological control agent, Penicillium frequentans, after its applications against brown rot in orchards. METHODS AND RESULTS: Population dynamics of P. frequentans were studied on peach flower and fruit surfaces after different field treatments. Eight experiments were carried out in commercial peach orchards in Spain, over four growing seasons from 2002 to 2005. Six different formulated P. frequentans conidia were applied four to six times from blossom to harvest and P. frequentans population sizes were monitored using conidial numbers and colony forming units (CFU) per flower or fruit. A consistent population of P. frequentans, ranging from 10(5) to 10(6) number of conidia or 10(3) to 10(4) CFU of P. frequentans per flower or fruit, was obtained. Colonization of peach surfaces by all P. frequentans formulation are similar and it appears to follow a general pattern: (i) higher colonization of fruits at preharvest than on the flowers at bloom; (ii) high populations just after treatments, especially after preharvest treatments; and (iii) a slight decline between treatments, especially in cool and moist springs. The exponential model was the most appropriate for fitting and comparing the P. frequentans dynamic populations on peaches and nectarines over time. The linearization of the P. frequentans population curve was essential to determine dynamic population and for population levels forecast. A positive relationship between number of blossom and preharvest applications, temperature, relative humidity and dynamic of P. frequentans population applied on peaches was studied using a multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Blossom and preharvest applications were the most important spray times for obtaining the highest population of P. frequentans on peach surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study provides useful information on dynamic P. frequentans population and its effects on the brown rot biocontrol.

Effect of stabilizers on the shelf-life of Penicillium frequentans conidia and their efficacy as a biological agent against peach brown rot.

Stabilizers were added to conidia of Penicillium frequentans at two different points of the production-formulation process to improve shelf-life of conidia stored at different temperatures. Effects were also tested on conidial germination and production. Germination of conidia without additives was 90.2%; sodium chloride, potassium chloride, triton TX100, dimethyl sulphoxide, peroxidase, 0.375% and 0.075% ascorbic acid, 7.5% and 3.75% sucrose, and 7.5% and 3.75% d-sorbitol reduced significantly (P=0.05) conidial germination, while no effect was observed with glucose, lactose, maltose, sodium glutamate, glycerol, peptone, sodium alginate, carboximethylcellulose, Tween 80, and gelatine. Production of P. frequentans conidia in solid-state fermentation without additives was 1.07 conidia x 10(8) g(-1) of dry substrate. The highest tested doses of glucose, lactose, maltose, sodium glutamate, and glycerol enhanced production of P. frequentans, while the lowest tested doses of d-sorbitol and ascorbic acid reduced it. No significant effect was observed with sucrose, peptone, sodium alginate, carboximethylcellulose, gelatine and Tween 80. Conidial germinability after one year of storage at different temperatures was studied in some formulations. It was lower than 18% after 365 days of storage at room temperature in control samples (without any additive), being enhanced when 7.5% glucose, 7.5% glycerol, or 1.5% sodium alginate was added to the substrate in bags before fermentation; or when 7.5% glucose, 7.5% sodium glutamate, or 1.5% sodium alginate was added to conidia before drying. Germinability of conidia produced without any additive and stored at 4 degrees C was significantly higher (38%) than at room temperature, being enhanced when 7.5% glycerol or 1.5% sodium alginate was added to the substrate in bags before fermentation; and when 7.5% glucose, or 1.5% sodium alginate was added to conidia before drying. No effect was observed with the presence or absence of light or high vacuum. Four formulations of P. frequentans conidia reduced disease incidence by more than 55%. The relationship of the disease control with the viability of P. frequentans was discussed.

Presence of lichen planus during a course of interferon alpha-2a therapy for a viral chronic C hepatitis.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of chronic active viral C hepatitis, for whom a course of interferon alpha-2A was prescribed at a dose of 4.5 MU per day for a 2 month period, followed by the same dose on alternate days for 4 months. After completion of a month of therapy, the patient presented with painful oral lesions that made normal oral food intake impossible. These lesions persisted, in spite of withdrawal of interferon therapy. Intraoral examination revealed erosive intraoral lesions in both yugal mucosae, the upper vestibular gum, the floor of the mouth, the ventral region of the tongue, and the lower lip. A diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by interferon therapy was established. The prescribed treatment was 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Following the therapeutical course, the erosive lesions disappeared, and the symptoms stopped, although the reticular lesions remained visible.

Treatment of xerostomia. A review.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia is defined as a subjective sensation of oral dryness that usually implies a marked decrease in saliva secretion and may be due to a number of causes. Oral equilibrium is affected as a result, and buccal problems may develop. The present study reviews the different treatment modalities available for the management of xerostomia, destined to stimulate the production of saliva by chewing, administering gustatory substances, prescribing sialogogues such as pilocarpine, or using saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. The adoption of one treatment option or other in turn depends on the cause underlying xerostomia and on the functionality of the salivary glands. The review also evaluates preventive therapeutic measures and addresses the complications that may develop secondary to oral dryness.