Patterns in biocrust recovery over time in semiarid southeast Spain.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are communities of microorganisms, fungi, algae, lichens and mosses inhabiting on the soil surface and within the uppermost soil millimetres. They play an important ecological role in drylands, determining physical and chemical soil properties and reducing soil erosion. Studies on biocrust natural recovery establish highly variable recovery times. The different objectives and methodologies of experimentation and analysis, strongly influence these predictions. The main purpose of this research is to analyze the recovery dynamics of four biocrust communities and their relationship with microclimatic variables. In 2004, in Tabernas Desert, some of us removed the biocrust in central 30 cm × 30 cm area of three 50 cm × 50 cm plots in each of four biocrust communities (Cyanobacteria, Squamarina, Diploschistes, and Lepraria), installing a microclimatic station in each one with sensors for temperature and humidity of the soil and air, dew point, PAR and rain. Yearly, the 50 cm × 50 cm plots were photographed, and the cover of every species was monitored in every 5 cm × 5 cm cell of a 36-cells grid covering the removed central area. We analyzed different functions to fit the cover recovery, the differences in cover recovery speed between communities, the recovery dynamics from the spatial analysis of the plot, the changes in dissimilarity and biodiversity and the possible relationships with the climatic variables. The recovery of the biocrust cover fits to a sigmoidal function. The community dominated by Cyanobacteria developed faster than those dominated by lichens. The Squamarina and Diploschistes communities recovered faster than that of Lepraria and appears to be influenced by the surrounding undisturbed areas. Species-based dissimilarity between consecutive inventories fluctuated and decreased over time, while biodiversity increases in a similar way. The speed of recovery of the biocrust in each community, along with the order in which the species appeared, support the hypothesis about the succession, which would include three phases: firstly Cyanobacteria, then Diploschistes and/or Squamarina and finally Lepraria. The relationship between biocrust recovery and microclimate is complex and this work highlights the need to carry out further research on this topic and on biocrust dynamics in general.

Runoff and soil loss in biocrusts and physical crusts from the Tabernas Desert (southeast Spain) according to rainfall intensity.

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) influence hydrological and erosive processes in drylands, and their effects increase with hypothetic successional development. Runoff and raindrops, both dependent on rain intensity, are among the main causes of erosion in these areas. However, little is known about the existence of soil loss nonlinearity in relation to rain intensity and crust types; this nonlinearity could control biocrust succession and dynamics. The assumption of biocrust types as successional stages, which allow space-for-time sampling, makes it advisable to include all the successional stages when exploring possible nonlinearity. We considered seven types of crusts, three physical and four biological. We created four rainfall intensity levels in controlled laboratory conditions: 18, 60, 120, and 240 mm/h. In all but the last, we conducted the experiments at two levels of antecedent soil moisture. Generalized Lineal Models enabled us to test for differences. These analyses confirmed previous knowledge regarding the significant effect of rainfall intensity, crust type and antecedent soil moisture and their interactions on runoff and soil loss, despite the small sample size of the sample units. For example, runoff, and particularly soil loss, decreased along succession. Moreover, some results were novel: the runoff coefficient increased only up to 120 mm/h of rain intensity. A decoupling between runoff and soil loss occurred at high intensities. Soil loss increased as rainfall intensity increased only up to 60 mm/h, and then it decreased, mainly due to physical crusts, because of the formation of a water sheet on the surface due to the incoming rainwater exceeding the drainage capacity. Although soil loss was greater in the incipient cyanobacteria than in the most developed lichen biocrust (Lepraria community), the protection provided by any biocrust against soil loss was great compared to the physical crust, and almost as strong at all rain intensities. Soil loss increased with antecedent soil moisture only in physical crusts. Biocrusts resisted the rain splash even at a rainfall intensity of 240 mm/h.

The veterinary use of diclofenac and vulture conservation in Spain: Updated evidence and socio-ecological implications.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in livestock farming, with lethal effects on vultures when reaching high concentrations in the carcasses they feed on. There are evidences showing that it caused the decline of >95% of vultures of the Gyps genus in Southern Asia until its ban in 2006. In March 2013 two veterinary drugs containing diclofenac were authorized in Spain. The scientific and conservationist communities alerted on the foreseeable risks to European vulture populations based on previous experiences. Several risk assessments modelled the expected impact on vultures, and media campaigns were launched to ban the veterinary use of diclofenac. Here, we evaluate the situation of Spanish vultures after seven years (2013-2019) since the marketing authorisation of the veterinary use of diclofenac was granted. The present assessment takes into consideration the awareness measures adopted to avoid an inappropriate use of the drug, the results of the monitoring programs performed both for vultures and livestock in the wild and from toxicological tests, as well as the review of the published models on the expected mortality of vultures. The measures adopted seem to have been adequate and have avoided impacts at vulture population level despite the finding of one cinereous vulture lethally intoxicated by diclofenac in 2020. In view of the results, we discuss the different situations from the veterinary use of this drug between Southern Asia and Spain. Finally, surveillance priorities and future prospects are proposed to prevent risks from possible changes in the current circumstances, regarding the use of diclofenac and other NSAIDs potentially harmful like flunixin.

Implanted Nanosensors in Marine Organisms for Physiological Biologging: Design, Feasibility, and Species Variability.

In recent decades, biologists have sought to tag animals with various sensors to study aspects of their behavior otherwise inaccessible from controlled laboratory experiments. Despite this, chemical information, both environmental and physiological, remains challenging to collect despite its tremendous potential to elucidate a wide range of animal behaviors. In this work, we explore the design, feasibility, and data collection constraints of implantable, near-infrared fluorescent nanosensors based on DNA-wrapped single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) embedded within a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel. These sensors are enabled by Corona Phase Molecular Recognition (CoPhMoRe) to provide selective chemical detection for marine organism biologging. Riboflavin, a key nutrient in oxidative phosphorylation, is utilized as a model analyte in in vitro and ex vivo tissue measurements. Nine species of bony fish, sharks, eels, and turtles were utilized on site at Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain to investigate sensor design parameters, including implantation depth, sensor imaging and detection limits, fluence, and stability, as well as acute and long-term biocompatibility. Hydrogels were implanted subcutaneously and imaged using a customized, field-portable Raspberry Pi camera system. Hydrogels could be detected up to depths of 7 mm in the skin and muscle tissue of deceased teleost fish ( Sparus aurata and Stenotomus chrysops) and a deceased catshark ( Galeus melastomus). The effects of tissue heterogeneity on hydrogel delivery and fluorescence visibility were explored, with darker tissues masking hydrogel fluorescence. Hydrogels were implanted into a living eastern river cooter ( Pseudemys concinna), a European eel ( Anguilla anguilla), and a second species of catshark ( Scyliorhinus stellaris). The animals displayed no observable changes in movement and feeding patterns. Imaging by high-resolution ultrasound indicated no changes in tissue structure in the eel and catshark. In the turtle, some tissue reaction was detected upon dissection and histopathology. Analysis of movement patterns in sarasa comet goldfish ( Carassius auratus) indicated that the hydrogel implants did not affect swimming patterns. Taken together, these results indicate that this implantable form factor is a promising technique for biologging using aquatic vertebrates with further development. Future work will tune the sensor detection range to the physiological range of riboflavin, develop strategies to normalize sensor signal to account for the optical heterogeneity of animal tissues, and design a flexible, wearable device incorporating optoelectronic components that will enable sensor measurements in moving animals. This work advances the application of nanosensors to organisms beyond the commonly used rodent and zebrafish models and is an important step toward the physiological biologging of aquatic organisms.

Análisis del eje de inserción lateromedial del ligamento estilohioideo con relación a línea media sagital del cráneo en individuos de ambos sexos mediante sistema Cone Beam: estudio retrospectivo / Analysis of the medio-lateral insertion axis of the stylohyoid ligament regarding the sagittal plane of the skull in individuals of both sexes through the Cone Beam System: a retrospective study

Introducción: la mayoría de los diagnósticos de la calcificación del ligamento estilohioideo corresponden a un hallazgo radiográfico. Esto permite obtener de manera exclusiva la información de esta patología. En este trabajo, utilizando el sistema Cone Beam se identifica la dirección del ligamento estilohioideo por medio del análisis de los ángulos formados por este con relación a la línea media. Métodos: en este estudio se consideró una muestra de 82 exámenes imaginológicos tomados con sistema de tomografía de alta resolución Cone Beam Galileos de Sirona, Siemens, Alemania. Los exámenes imaginológicos corresponden a estudios rutinarios en pacientes de ortodoncia, implantología y diagnóstico general. Para realizar las mediciones se utilizó software Galaxis que tiene disponible una ventana de evaluación de los tres planos estrictos del espacio llamada radiología. Resultados: la evaluación de la muestra permite establecer que a medida que se aleja el ligamento de la base de cráneo, en hombres se separa más de la línea media sagital del cráneo que en mujeres, y no existe gran diferencia en los ángulos medidos en los diferentes grupos según edad. Conclusión: el detalle y la exactitud de las mediciones realizadas con el sistema Cone Beam permite evidenciar la correcta dirección del ligamento estilohioideo.

Introduction: most of the diagnosis of the stylohyoideus ligament calcification corresponds to radiographic findings. This research provides exclusive information on the aforementioned pathology. In this report, and —by using the Cone Beam System— the location of the stylohyoideus ligament is identified through the analysis of the angles formed by it in relation with the midline. Methods: this study had a sample of 82 imagenology examinations taken with Sirona's Galileos high resolution Cone Beam Tomography System, Siemens, Germany®. The examinations corresponded to routine studies in patients undergoing orthodontic or implantology treatments and/or for general diagnosis. To perform the measurements we used Galaxy software which has an evaluation window for the three strict space planes and is called Radiology. Results: the evaluation of the sample permitted to establish that as the ligament moves away from the cranial base, it becomes more separated from the mid-sagittal line in men than in women and, there is no significant difference in the angles measured in the different groups according to age. Conclusion: the detail and the accuracy of the measurements carried out with the Cone Beam System permitted to demonstrate the correct direction of the stylohyoideus ligament.

Análisis de la longitud del ligamento estilohiodeo mediante sistema cone beam / Analysis of the stylohyoid ligament's in cone beam images

Introducción y Objetivo: La elongación y/o osificación del ligamento estilohioideo es una patologíapoco conocida, con un diagnóstico difícil de establecer. El propósito del presente estudio fuerealizar un análisis retrospectivo de exámenes para evaluar la presencia de variaciones en la longitud del ligamento estilohiodeo, según edad y género, mediante un Sistema de tomografía de alta resolución Cone Beam debido a su gran confiabilidad dimensional. Materiales y Métodos: La muestra consistió en 82 exámenes imagenológicos, los cuales fueron obtenidos con fines de estudios Ortodóncicos, de Implantología o de Diagnóstico general, durante el año 2008-2009. Se realizó el análisis retrospectivo de la muestra, y se clasificó según edad, género, y se individualizó el análisis cuantitativo tridimensional de los procesos estilohioideos. Resultados: El análisis realizado no mostró diferencias significativas en las variables relacionadas con el género, sin embargo en los pacientes mayores de 50 años, hubo un incremento importante en la longitud del ligamento estilohioideo. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos difieren con los resultados de trabajos anteriores analizados mediante ortopantomografía. Esto se explicaría por la gran sensibilidad diagnóstica del método utilizado.

Introduction and Objetive: This paper analyzes the existence of variations in the length of the stylohyoid ligament, according to age a genre, by using the high resolution Cone Beam System. Materials and Methods: The research was based in a sample of 82 imagenology examinations taken during the period 2008-2009 for routine studies in orthodontics, implantology and general diagnosis. The sample was examined with 3D measurements of the styloid process considering aprevious classification by age a genre, to establish if there is difference through these variables. Results: We found no significant difference in the length of the stylohyoid ligament by genre. However, there is evidence of an increase of the lengths of the ligament in patients over 50 years old. Conclusion: Our findings differ from previous documentation by using less accurate systems like orthopantomography.

Size matters: West Nile Virus neutralizing antibodies in resident and migratory birds in Spain.

The rapid range expansion of West Nile Virus has raised interest in understanding the population dynamics and dispersal patterns of emerging infectious diseases by wildlife. We analyzed different ecological and evolutionary factors related to West Nile Virus neutralizing antibody prevalence in 72 bird species sampled in southern Spain. Prevalence of antibodies reached its maximum during the autumn and winter in comparison to summer months. Prevalence of antibodies was directly related to body mass and migratory behaviour. The greater prevalence of antibodies observed in summer migrants can be explained, among other factors, by the diversity of localities involved in their life cycles or the geographic areas visited during their migrations. Greater prevalence in larger species was explained by their longevity because the relationship was already significant when analyzing only first year birds, and probably also involved a high attraction to vectors by larger hosts. Coloniality and winter gregarism were unrelated to the prevalence of antibodies against this highly host generalist pathogen. Evolutionary relationships between species were unrelated to differences in the prevalence of antibodies. Our results suggest larger species as good candidates for easy, faster and cheaper monitoring of local, seasonal and annual changes in WN virus serology.

Real-time fluorogenic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of African horse sickness virus.

African horse sickness is an arthropod-borne disease of the equine included in the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) list with important economic consequences for horse trade. The disease is caused by African horse sickness virus (AHSV; family Reoviridae, genus Orbivirus), which is transmitted by Culicoides midges. It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, spreading occasionally outside this area where the occurrence of Culicoides vectors allows virus transmission. Currently, only conventional (gel-based) reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocols are available for its detection; however, these methods are cumbersome and difficult to apply when large numbers of samples are to be tested, as in the case of epizootics. To overcome this problem, a real-time RT-PCR method has been developed, based on a 5'-Taq nuclease-3'-minor groove binder-DNA probe (TaqMan MGB) for detection of a wide range of AHSV serotypes and strains designed to the highly conserved region of the VP7 gene (segment 7). The method was able to detect all prototype strains from the 9 known serotypes of the virus, with a high analytical sensitivity; no cross-reactions were observed with other orbiviruses or with other viruses affecting horses. The diagnostic sensitivity was assessed using a panel of AHSV-positive tissue samples from an epizootic that occurred in Spain between 1987 and 1990. This method, which can be performed in 96-well format, is suitable for large-scale surveillance of AHSV in areas where it can potentially spread.