Sink-source connectivity for restocking of Pinna nobilis in the western Mediterranean Sea.

The critically endangered endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis from the Mediterranean Sea suffered a sudden population decline after a mass mortality event in early autumn 2016. Conservation efforts aimed at preventing extinction included safeguarding resistant individuals and implementing a breeding plan to contribute to the repopulation of the species. This study utilized a model combining Lagrangian dispersion and connectivity analyses to pinpoint optimal restocking sites in the Western Mediterranean. Our approach allowed to identify locations capable of sustaining and generating larvae for broader repopulation in key areas of the Western Mediterranean Sea prior to the mass mortality event. Six important repopulation locations from Murcia, Valencia and Balearic Islands were selected for reintroduction efforts. The results obtained in this study show how the network could be self-sufficient and able to self-replenish itself of recruits. Overall, our work can be used to direct the reintroduction of resistant animals in the Western Mediterranean Sea.

Scope for growth and dietary needs of Mediteranean Pinnids maintained in captivity.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of the energy available for growth (scope of growth, SFG) can be used in bivalves to make a long-term prediction in a short-term experiment of the condition of the individual. In order to tackle the best conditions for captive maintenance of Mediterranean Pinnids, a SFG study was conducted using Pinna rudis as a model species. Three diets were examined to test the viability of live microalgae and commercial products: i) a control diet using 100% of live microalgae based on the species Isochrysis galbana (t-ISO), ii) a 100% of commercial microalgae diet based on the product Shellfish Diet 1800®, and iii) a 50/50% mix diet of I. galbana (t-ISO) and Shellfish Diet 1800®. RESULTS: SFG results showed significant differences among diets in the physiological functions measured and suggested lower acceptability and digestibility of the commercial product. Negative SFG values were obtained for the commercial diet which indicates that it should be rejected for both Pinnid maintenance. The mixed diet showed improved physiological performance compared to the commercial diet, resulting in a higher SFG that had no significant differences with the control diet. However, in the long-term, the lower digestibility of the mixed diet compared to the control diet could lead to a deterioration of individuals' conditions and should be considered cautiously. CONCLUSIONS: This work represents the first case study of SFG in Pinna spp. and provides fundamental data on dietary needs for the critically endangered species, P. nobilis.

Age and growth of the endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the western Mediterranean Sea.

The present work, which is the first comparative study of the growth of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis in the western Mediterranean, encompasses 12 populations of this species living in different environments in France and Spain. Two hundred nine shells were processed and used to obtain growth records from the posterior adductor muscle scar. Size-at-age data were fitted to the Von Bertalanffy growth model. Considerable variability in growth parameters and age was detected among the populations. The results show that the only two fan mussel populations remaining in Spain, which live in an estuary and a coastal lagoon, occupy habitats that are optimal for fast growth, but individuals show low longevity, complicating the long-term conservation of the species. Multivariate analyses groups the populations into three groups (SO, EO and LG), and a general model is proposed for each group; the model can be used as an approximation to calculate the ages of individuals living in similar environments.

Asociación del hábito de fumar con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con 99mTc-MIBI, en pacientes ≥ 40 años de edad / Correlation of the smoking habit with the positive results of myocardial perfusion SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI in patients over 40 years

Objetivo. Conocer la asociación del hábito de fumar (HF) con los resultados positivos del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica (SPECTPM), para la optimización del uso del mismo. Material y método Analizamos 99 SPECTPM, media de edad: 59,86 años, 70 (70,7 por ciento) fueron masculinos. Sólo se diferenciaron en el HF, acorde a lo cual se dividieron en F (fumadores, n=36) y NF (no-fumadores, n=63) los cuales no presentaron diferencias significativas en las medias de edad (58,31 vs. 60,75 p=0,147) ni en el índice de masa corporal (26,44 vs. 26,57 p=0.903), por tanto el riesgo adicional solo fue aportado por el HF. Resultados. Ochenta y cinco (85,90 por ciento) SPECTPM fueron positivos; en la comparación intergrupos existió mayor incidencia de resultados positivos en el grupo F (diferencia de incidencia de 13,4 por ciento), con odds ratio=4,000 y un Likelihood ratio=3,890, que se mantuvo cuando se subdividieron los grupos en sintomáticos y asintomáticos. Conclusiones. Los pacientes sintomáticos con esta triada de factores de riesgo aterosclerótico (HF, sobrepeso y edad) pueden ser explorados coronariográficamente y los asintomáticos con SPECTPM, en tanto los pacientes no-fumadores independientemente de la sintomatología podrían ser estudiados con ergometría diagnóstica.

Objective. To analyze the correlation of the smoking habit (HF) with the positive results of myocardial perfusion SPECT (SPECTPM), for the optimization of the use of this test. Material and method.We analyzed 99 SPECTPM, 70 (70.7 percent) were males, mean age of 59.86 years. They differed only by the presence of HF. With this criterion the population was divided in F (smokers, n=36) and NF (non-smokers, n=63). The groups did not present significant differences in the mean age (58.31 vs. 60.75, p=0.147) and body mass index (26.44 vs. 26.57, p=0.903), therefore the additional risk alone was contributed by HF. Results. Eighty-five (85.90 percent) SPECTPM were positive; in the comparison between groups, there was greater incidence of positive results among patients of group F (difference of incidence of 13.4 percent), with odds ratio=4.000 and a Likelihood ratio=3.890, which stayed equally abnormal when the groups were subdivided in symptomatics and asymptomatics. Conclusions The symptomatic patients with this triad of atherosclerotic risk factors (HF, overweight, age) should be possibly explored with coronariography and the asymptomatic with SPECTPM, while non-smokers could be studied with exercise test first independently of the symptomatology.

Changes in amphipod (Crustacea) assemblages associated with shallow-water algal habitats invaded by Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the western Mediterranean Sea.

The effects of the invasive species Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (hereafter C. racemosa) on amphipod assemblages associated with shallow-water rocky habitats were studied. Two habitats located along the SE Iberian Peninsula were compared; invaded and non-invaded. The results showed that growth of C. racemosa affects habitat structure, influencing the species composition and biomass of macroalgae, and detritus accumulation. In turn, such changes in habitat features affected the associated amphipod assemblages with different ecological requirements. However, the species richness of amphipods was relatively high in both habitats, while the species composition of amphipods changed completely. For example, some species such as Ampithoe ramondi and Hyale schmidti did not colonize invaded habitats, while others such as Apocorophium acutum were favoured by the spread of C. racemosa. Habitat invasion by C. racemosa can have an important influence on biotic assemblages, modifying both habitat structure and the associated fauna, with unknown effects on the overall ecosystem.

Diferencias gammagráficas de los infartos miocárdicos Q y no-Q estimada por SPECT / Gammagraphic differences of miocardial infarcts Q and no-Q considered by SPECT

El SPECT de Perfusión Miocárdica con estudio de viabilidad permite con un solo procedimiento determinar área infartada e isquémica residualObjetivo: Conocer las diferencias entre los IM-Q y noQ en cuanto al área infartada e isquémica residual.Material y métodos: 166 pacientes que presentaban IM, se dividieron según la presencia (n =77) o no de onda Q característica de IM en el ECG, se realizo SPECT utilizando 201TL (n =83) o 99mTc-MIBI.Resultados: Los IM Q tienen mayor área infartada (14.7 por ciento / 6.8 por ciento, p=0.000) e isquémica residual (8.7 por ciento / 6.0 por ciento, p=0.002). Discusión: Es notable que la cuantificación fue realizada en la imagen polar y ser un estudio totalmente cuantificado con imágenes de estrés y viabilidad.Conclusiones: Los IM Q tienen mayor área infartada e isquémica residual, no obstante ambos tipos de IM deben ser siempre estudiados en busca de estas cuantificaciones, los cuales pueden ayudar a determinar la conducta medica a seguir.

Comparación entre 99m-TcMIBI y 99mTc-tetrofosmina en la detección de la enfermedad coronaria / Comparison between 99m-TcMIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmina in the detection of the coronary disease

Introducción: Entre los fármacos marcados con 99mTc usados en la evaluación de la enfermedad coronaria, se encuentran el MIBI y la Tetrofosmina.Objetivo: Comparar las imágenes del SPECT de perfusión miocárdica, obtenidas con ambos radiofármacos, en similares condiciones.Material y Método: Se realizó SPECT de perfusión miocárdica con ambos radiofármacos a 58 pacientes, 37 masculinos, promedio de edad 50.8 ± 8.06 años, 16 infartos miocárdicos. La media del intervalo entre estudios fue 30.3 ± 31.04 días, la dosis inyectada en estrés fue de 266.4 ± 15.68 MBq y el por ciento de frecuencia cardiaca alcanzada fue de 87.2 ± 9.25 por ciento. Esta muestra, fue dividida en dos grupos de 58 estudios cada uno, Grupo I, realizados con 99mTc-tetrofosmina y Grupo II, con 99mTc-MIBI, en los mismos se determinó el por ciento de captación ≤ 30 por ciento y > 30 por ciento, por ciento de área con captación ≤ 30 por ciento y > 30 ≤ 60 por ciento , de área viable y reversible, y la relación corazón / fondo.Resultados: En el análisis de los parámetros estudiados, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos productos excepto en el por ciento de área viable que fue mejor con el 99mTc-MIBI.Conclusiones: Ambos radiotrazadores tienen un comportamiento similar, por tanto es posible usarlos indistintamente.