The embryo-oil drop assembly: the timing and morphology of a critical event for fish early-life history survival.

Egg specific gravity is of relevance for fish recruitment since the ability to float influences egg and larvae development, dispersal and connectivity between fishing grounds. Using zootechnics, histological approaches, optical and electronic transmission microscopy, this study describes the morphogenetic mechanism of adhesion of the oil-drop covering layer (OCL) to the oil droplet (OD) in embryos of Merluccius merluccius under physical conditions reflecting the marine environment. The herein described primordial (p)OCL is a substructure of the inner yolk syncytial layer which contains egg organella aimed to mobilize lipidic reserves from the oil drop (OD) towards the embryo blood. It is shown that the timely OD-OCL assembly is a critical morphogenetic process for embryo and larvae survival. Such assembly depends on egg buoyance because of its influence on the embryo capacity to rotate within the perivitelline space. Therefore, oil droplet adhesion (ODA) eggs are capable to complete their development while oil droplet non-adhesion eggs (ODNA) dye soon after hatching. We show that gravity-dependent egg buoyance categories exhibit different ODA/ODNA ratios (0-77%) and that relationship diminishes under incubation systems such as sprayers, that do not assure a dynamic seawater surface mixing to avoid egg desiccation. As an adaptive trait, egg gravity strongly depends on oceanic properties such as current dynamics, turbulence, oxygen, rainfall, and salinity, whose rapid changes would likely challenge the sustainability of fisheries recruitment.

Linking Acrosome Size and Genetic Divergence in an Inter-Oceanic Mussel from the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts: A Case of Incipient Speciation?

In recent years, advances in analyses of the sperm morphology and genetics of Perumytilus purpuratus have allowed to two evolutionary scenarios for this mussel to be suggested: (1) the scenario of cryptic species and (2) the scenario of incipient or in progress speciation. For a better understanding of the evolutionary history of P. purpuratus, we performed extensive sampling along a latitudinal gradient of ca. 7180 km of coastline-from the Southern Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean-and we delved deeper into the sperm morphology of P. purpuratus, exploring its association with the phylogeny and population genetics to determine whether the variability in sperm traits between the northern and southern regions was a signal of cryptic or incipient species. Overall, our results showed that sperm sizes were strongly correlated with the genetic structure in males of P. purpuratus. We identified at 37° S on the Pacific coast a coincident break of both sperm size and genetic disruption that can be explained by historical events and postglacial recolonization as causal phenomena for the observed divergences. Furthermore, evidence of genetic admixture between lineages was found at 38° S, suggesting the presence of an introgressive hybridization zone and incomplete reproductive isolation in an in fraganti or incipient speciation process.

Population Genomics Reveals the Underlying Structure of the Small Pelagic European Sardine and Suggests Low Connectivity within Macaronesia.

The European sardine (Sardina pilchardus, Walbaum 1792) is indisputably a commercially important species. Previous studies using uneven sampling or a limited number of makers have presented sometimes conflicting evidence of the genetic structure of S. pilchardus populations. Here, we show that whole genome data from 108 individuals from 16 sampling areas across 5000 km of the species' distribution range (from the Eastern Mediterranean to the archipelago of Azores) support at least three genetic clusters. One includes individuals from Azores and Madeira, with evidence of substructure separating these two archipelagos in the Atlantic. Another cluster broadly corresponds to the center of the distribution, including the sampling sites around Iberia, separated by the Almeria-Oran front from the third cluster that includes all of the Mediterranean samples, except those from the Alboran Sea. Individuals from the Canary Islands appear to belong to the Mediterranean cluster. This suggests at least two important geographical barriers to gene flow, even though these do not seem complete, with many individuals from around Iberia and the Mediterranean showing some patterns compatible with admixture with other genetic clusters. Genomic regions corresponding to the top outliers of genetic differentiation are located in areas of low recombination indicative that genetic architecture also has a role in shaping population structure. These regions include genes related to otolith formation, a calcium carbonate structure in the inner ear previously used to distinguish S. pilchardus populations. Our results provide a baseline for further characterization of physical and genetic barriers that divide European sardine populations, and information for transnational stock management of this highly exploited species towards sustainable fisheries.

Mitochondrial replication's role in vertebrate mtDNA strand asymmetry.

Mitogenomes are defined as compact and structurally stable over aeons. This perception results from a vertebrate-centric vision, where few types of mtDNA rearrangements are described. Here, we bring a new light to the involvement of mitochondrial replication in the strand asymmetry of the vertebrate mtDNA. Using several species of deep-sea hatchetfish (Sternoptychidae) displaying distinct mtDNA structural arrangements, we unravel the inversion of the coding direction of protein-coding genes (PCGs). This unexpected change is coupled with a strand asymmetry nucleotide composition reversal and is shown to be directly related to the strand location of the Control Region (CR). An analysis of the fourfold redundant sites of the PCGs (greater than 6000 vertebrates), revealed the rarity of this phenomenon, found in nine fish species (five deep-sea hatchetfish). Curiously, in Antarctic notothenioid fishes (Trematominae), where a single PCG inversion (the only other record in fish) is coupled with the inversion of the CR, the standard asymmetry is disrupted for the remaining PCGs but not yet reversed, suggesting a transitory state. Our results hint that a relaxation of the classic vertebrate mitochondrial structural stasis promotes disruption of the natural balance of asymmetry of the mtDNA. These findings support the long-lasting hypothesis that replication is the main molecular mechanism promoting the strand-specific compositional bias of this unique and indispensable molecule.

Matching an Old Marine Paradigm: Limitless Connectivity in a Deep-Water Fish over a Large Distance.

Investigations of population structuring in wild species are fundamental to complete the bigger picture defining their ecological and biological roles in the marine realm, to estimate their recovery capacity triggered by human disturbance and implement more efficient management strategies for fishery resources. The Blackspot Seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo, Brünnich 1768) is a commercially valuable deep-water fish highly exploited over past decades. Considering its exploitation status, deepening the knowledge of intraspecific variability, genetic diversity, and differentiation using high-performing molecular markers is considered an important step for a more effective stock assessment and fishery management. With one of the largest efforts conceived of and completed by countries overlooking the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts in recent years, a total of 320 individuals were collected from different fishing grounds in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean and analysed using 29 microsatellite loci. We applied multiple statistical approaches to investigate the species' connectivity and population structure across most of its described distribution area. Considering the incomplete knowledge regarding the migratory behaviour of adults, here we suggest the importance of egg and larval dispersal in sustaining the observed genetic connectivity on such a large geographical scale.

Genetic Divergence and Connectivity among Gene Pools of Polyprion americanus.

Three regional gene pools of Polyprion americanus have been described so far, i.e., the North Atlantic, the Southwest Atlantic, and the Indo-Pacific Ocean. However, there is taxonomic uncertainty about the Southeast Atlantic population and there is suspicion on the existence of a third species of Polyprion in that area. Additionally, prior studies have shown a lack of genetic structuring in the Atlantic North. Nonetheless, a more conspicuous characterization of intensity, periodicity, and direction of migration are needed to properly understand the wreckfish connectivity pattern in the North Atlantic population. This study addresses the interspecific concerns highlighted above as well as the intrapopulation structure of P. americanus from the Atlantic North, using the mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome Oxidase I gene and nuclear DNA microsatellite markers on a comprehensive sampling effort. The highly divergent gene pool from South Africa was characterized by the specific Mitochondrial DNA PamCOI.Saf haplotype. Its molecular composition and phylogenetic status were conspicuously intermediate between P. americanus and P. oxygeneios, which suggests its putative hybrid origin between those species. Microsatellite variation exhibited a high differentiation (24%) among four putative Polyprion spp. gene pools which contrasts with the large genetic homogeneity within the Atlantic North stock (FSC = 0.002). The significant migration rates inferred upon Bayesian algorithms suggest a longitudinal bi-directional connectivity pattern which strengthens the migratory hypothesis previously suggested on demographic data in the Atlantic North gene pool.

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding-Visual Analog Scale, an Easy-to-Use Tool for Excessive Menstrual Blood Loss That Interferes with Quality-of-Life Screening in Clinical Practice.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined as excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with quality of life (QoL). The methods for assessing HMB are not suited for clinical practice. We analyzed the validity of a combined visual analog scale (VAS) tool assessing the intensity of menstrual bleeding (VASInt) and its impact on activities of daily living (VASImp) to identify women with HMB. Materials and Methods: Analysis conducted in the data set used to validate the Spanish HMB screening tool SAMANTA questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis was used to construct the model. Reference standard was the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC). The performance of the HMB-VAS and the SAMANTA questionnaire was compared. Correlation with SAMANTA questionnaire, PBAC, and other QoL measurements was assessed. Results: The resulting function (HMB-VAS score = 10.86 × VASInt score +2.48 × VASImp score) showed a slightly lower accuracy versus the SAMANTA questionnaire (86.8% vs. 87.9%) but a similar area under the curve: 0.9396 versus 0.943, respectively (p = 0.6605). The cutoff point was established as 700. After rounding the regression coefficients, the resulting function (11 × VASInt +2 × VASImp) showed 87.6% accuracy. The correlation of HMB-VAS with the SAMANTA questionnaire was strong (r: 0.79819; p < 0.0001), whereas the correlation was moderate to strong with the PBAC (0.59299; p < 0.0001) and weak with the QoL (EuroQoL five dimensions five levels questionnaire [EQ-5D-5L]) and well-being (Psychological General Well-Being Index [PGWBI]) scales (EQ-5D-5L VAS and Index: -0.20332 and -0.24384; PGWBI: -0.21680; p < 0.0001 for both). Conclusion: The HMB-VAS shows good performance for HMB screening, providing an easy-to-use alternative to other psychometric tools.

A mitochondrial genome assembly of the opal chimaera, Chimaera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias et Sellos 2011, using PacBio HiFi long reads.

Chondrichthyans (sharks, rays and chimeras) are a fascinating and highly vulnerable group of early branching gnathostomes. However, they remain comparatively poorly sampled from the point of view of molecular resources, with deep water taxa being particularly data deficient. The development of long-read sequencing technologies enables the analysis of phylogenetic relationships through a precise and reliable assembly of complete mtDNA genomes. The sequencing and characterization of the complete mitogenome of the opal chimera Chimera opalescens Luchetti, Iglésias et Sellos 2011, using the long-read technique PacBio HiFi is presented. The entire mitogenome was 23,411 bp long and shows the same overall content, i.e. 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA and 2 ribosomal RNA genes, as all other examined Chondrichthyan mitogenomes. Phylogenetic reconstructions using all available Chondrichthyan mitogenomes, including 11 Holocephali (chimeras and ratfishes), places C. opalescens within the Chimaeridae family. Furthermore, the results reinforce previous findings, showing the genus Chimera as paraphyletic and thus highlighting the need to expand molecular approaches in this group of cartilaginous fishes.

Toxicity of microplastics and copper, alone or combined, in blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) larvae.

Plastics pose serious risks for fish productivity and a potential constraint for food security. Newly hatched blackspot seabream larvae were exposed to microplastics (MPs), copper (Cu, 10-810 µg/L) and their mixtures (Cu+MPs), during 3 and 9 days. Biochemical biomarkers and the expression of antioxidant and neurotoxicity-related genes were evaluated. In the 3-day exposure, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities decreased in MPs, Cu and Cu+MPs groups, followed by an increase of lipid peroxidation in the Cu270 and Cu270 +MPs exposed larvae. In the 9-day exposure, ROS levels increased in MPs and Cu30 groups, but no significant oxidative damage was observed, suggesting that the antioxidant system overcome the induced oxidative stress. However, the acetylcholinesterase transcript was downregulated in MPs, Cu and Cu10+MPs groups, indicating that MPs effects in cholinergic neurotransmission may arise after longer exposures. Overall, MPs and Cu can reduce survival, induce oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, neurotoxicity, and impact negatively fish larvae fitness.

Reservoirs of Red-Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus (RGNNV) in Squid and Shrimp Species of Northern Alboran Sea.

The production of the aquaculture industry has increased to be equal to that of the world fisheries in recent years. However, aquaculture production faces threats such as infectious diseases. Betanodaviruses induce a neurological disease that affects fish species worldwide and is caused by nervous necrosis virus (NNV). NNV has a nude capsid protecting a bipartite RNA genome that consists of molecules RNA1 and RNA2. Four NNV strains distributed worldwide are discriminated according to sequence homology of the capsid protein encoded by RNA2. Since its first description over 30 years ago, the virus has expanded and reassortant strains have appeared. Preventive treatments prioritize the RGNNV (red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus) strain that has the highest optimum temperature for replication and the broadest range of susceptible species. There is strong concern about the spreading of NNV in the mariculture industry through contaminated diet. To surveil natural reservoirs of NNV in the western Mediterranean Sea, we collected invertebrate species in 2015 in the Alboran Sea. We report the detection of the RGNNV strain in two species of cephalopod mollusks (Alloteuthis media and Abralia veranyi), and in one decapod crustacean (Plesionika heterocarpus). According to RNA2 sequences obtained from invertebrate species and reported to date in the Mediterranean Sea, the strain RGNNV is predominant in this semienclosed sea. Neither an ecosystem- nor host-driven distribution of RGNNV were observed in the Mediterranean basin.

Genetic connectivity between Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae spawned in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Mediterranean Sea.

The highly migratory Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) is currently managed as two distinct stocks, in accordance with natal homing behavior and population structuring despite the absence of barriers to gene flow. Larval fish are valuable biological material for tuna molecular ecology. However, they have hardly been used to decipher the ABFT population structure, although providing the genetic signal from successful breeders. For the first time, cooperative field collection of tuna larvae during 2014 in the main spawning area for each stock, the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and the Mediterranean Sea (MED), enabled us to assess the ABFT genetic structure in a precise temporal and spatial frame exclusively through larvae. Partitioning of genetic diversity at nuclear microsatellite loci and in the mitochondrial control region in larvae spawned contemporarily resulted in low significant fixation indices supporting connectivity between spawners in the main reproduction area for each population. No structuring was detected within the GOM after segregating nuclear diversity in larvae spawned in two hydrographically distinct regions, the eastern GOM (eGOM) and the western GOM (wGOM), with the larvae from eGOM being more similar to those collected in the MED than the larvae from wGOM. We performed clustering of genetically characterized ABFT larvae through Bayesian analysis and by Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) supporting the existence of favorable areas for mixing of ABFT spawners from Western and Eastern stocks, leading to gene flow and apparent connectivity between weakly structured populations. Our findings suggest that the eastern GOM is more prone for the mixing of breeders from the two ABFT populations. Conservation of this valuable resource exploited for centuries calls for intensification of tuna ichthyoplankton research and standardization of genetic tools for monitoring population dynamics.

Shedding light on the Chimaeridae taxonomy: the complete mitochondrial genome of the cartilaginous fish Hydrolagus mirabilis (Collett, 1904) (Holocephali: Chimaeridae).

Cartilaginous fish are fascinating taxa, present in the folklore and art of many different cultures. Moreover, they display several unique anatomical, physiological, molecular, and behavioral characteristics making them extremely interesting from a biological perspective. Nevertheless, some crucial knowledge gaps remain, including phylogenetic relationships among extant species. Here, we produced the complete mitogenome sequence of the large-eyed rabbitfish, Hydrolagus mirabilis (Chimaeriformes). The complete mitogenome is 19,435 bp long and shows the same overall content, i.e. 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, and two ribosomal RNA genes, as all other examined Chondrichthyan mitogenomes. Phylogenetic reconstructions including 12 Holocephalan and three outgroup Elasmobranch mitogenomes place the H. mirabilis within the family Chimaeridae but revealed paraphyletic Hydrolagus and Chimaera, in line with a previous study, highlighting the importance for collecting additional molecular data to improve phylogenetic reconstruction in this group of vertebrates.

Phylogenetic prospecting for cryptic species of the genus Merluccius (Actinopterygii: Merlucciidae).

Hakes of the genus Merluccius include 11 valid species as well a number of rare morphotypes suspected to be "cryptic species". Concatenated nucDNA ITS1-rDNA and mtDNA cyt b sequences plus nested ITS1Nes sequences allowed to ascribe 14 specimens of nine rare morphotypes from the South Pacific and the South Atlantic to the phylogenetic backbone of this genus. Bayesian analyses pointed to M. bilinearis and M. albidus as the oldest species of the genus and the New World cluster, respectively. The phylogenetic status of M. angustimanus from the upper Gulf of California suggests its hybrid origin between M. gayi and M. productus from about 0.25 MYA, although an ever since confinement of a subset of those species cannot be ruled out. The molecular phylodiagnostic test suggests a common origin of all rare morphotypes and the absence of cryptic hake species in the Southern Cone. The molecular background of the morphotypes distributed between the Western Pacific South of New Zealand and the western Atlantic South of Argentina is compatible with their hybrid origin between M. gayi and both, M. australis or M. hubbsi, respectively.

Encuesta de opinión a pacientes ingresados en un centro monográfico de cáncer sobre el modo de recibir la información. Estudio descriptivo y transversal / Opinion survey of patients admitted to a monographic cancer center on how to receive information. A descriptive, cross-sectional study

Introducción: Dentro de la autonomía se debe contemplar las preferencias de los pacientes sobre cómo recibir la información (mediante conversación con profesionales o informáticamente). En Cataluña los ciudadanos tienen acceso a un portal informático (“La Meva Salut”) donde pueden consultar información relevante sobre su historial clínico. En cuanto al grado de participación en la toma de decisiones, Control Preferences Scale valora las preferencias en la toma de decisiones. Objetivos: Conocer las preferencias de los pacientes sobre cómo desean ser informados y sobre cómo tomar decisiones. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal realizado en una planta de hospitalización de oncología, hematología y cuidados paliativos en un hospital terciario. Recogidas variables sociodemográficas, nivel de estudios, estadio de la enfermedad, preferencias sobre cómo recibir información y Control Preferences Scale. Se dispuso de la aprobación del CEIC. Resultados: Incluidos 33 pacientes, con mediana de edad de 51 años. El 76 % hombres; el 57 % tenían enfermedad metastásica; el 51 % con estudios elementales. 22 pacientes (66 %) no conocían el portal “La Meva Salut”. El 91 % quería que un profesional sanitario les informara sobre sus enfermedades y ninguno de manera informática. El 33 % quería tomar decisiones de forma compartida, con médico y familia. Los 11 pacientes que conocían el portal (33 %) eran más jóvenes, afectados principalmente de enfermedades hematológicas y con nivel de estudios superior. Conclusiones: Al 91 % de los pacientes les gustaría que un profesional sanitario les diera información sobre su salud. El 33 % de los pacientes querían tomar las decisiones después de escuchar tanto la opinión o el aporte de la familia como del médico. Ninguno prefería que el portal informático fuese su única fuente de información. (AU)

Introduction: Within the Autonomous Community, the preferences of patients on how to receive information should be considered (whether in a conversation with professionals or via electronic means). In Catalonia, citizens have access to an Internet web page (“La Meva Salut”) where they can consult relevant information about their medical history. Regarding the degree of participation in decision-making, the “Control Preferences Scale” values preferences in decision-making. Objectives: To know the preferences of patients on how they want to be informed and on how to make decisions. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study carried out in an oncology, hematology, and palliative care hospitalization unit at a tertiary hospital. Collected sociodemographic variables included educational level, stage of disease, preferences on how to receive information, and “The Control Preferences Scale”. The Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Results: A total of 33 patients were included with a median age of 51 years; 76% were men, 57 % had metastatic disease; 51 % had basic education; 22 patients (66 %) were unaware of the web page; 91 % wanted a health professional to inform them about their illness, and none preferred it delivered through electronic means; 33 % wanted decisions to be made in a shared way, with heir doctor and family. The 11 patients who were aware of the web age (33 %) were younger, mainly affected by hematological diseases, and with a higher educational level. Conclusions: 91 % of patients would like a healthcare professional to give them information about their health; 33 % preferred to make their decisions after listening to their physicians’ and family’s opinions. None preferred that the web page was their only source of information. (AU)

Economic Burden and Management of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease in 8 European Countries: The BUILDup Delphi Consensus Study.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic autoimmune disease characterised by microvascular damage, immune dysregulation and fibrosis, affecting the skin, joints and internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is frequently associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), leading to a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. The aim of the BUILDup study (BUrden of Interstitial Lung Disease Consensus Panel) was to investigate the overall disease management and to estimate the social and economic burden of SSc-ILD across 8 European countries. METHODS: A modified Delphi method was used to obtain information on the management of SSc-ILD patients among 40 specialists (panellists) from 8 European countries. Average annual costs per patient and country were estimated by means of a direct cost-analysis study. RESULTS: The panellists had managed 805 SSc-ILD patients in the last year, 39.1% with limited (L-SSc-ILD) and 60.9% with extensive (E-SSc-ILD) disease. Of these, 32.8% of the panellists started treatment at diagnosis, 42.3% after signs of deterioration/progression and 24.7% when the disease had become extensive. The average annual cost of SSc-ILD per patient ranged from €6191 in Greece to €25,354 in Sweden. Main cost drivers were follow-up procedures, accounting for 80% of the total annual costs. Hospitalisations were the most important cost driver of follow-up costs. Healthcare resource use was more important for E-SSc-ILD compared to L-SSc-ILD. Early retirement was taken by 40.4% of the patients with an average of 11.9 years before the statutory retirement age. CONCLUSIONS: SSc-ILD entails not only a clinical but also a social and economic burden, and is higher for E-SSc-ILD.

Cartilaginous fishes offer unique insights into the evolution of the nuclear receptor gene repertoire in gnathostomes.

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are key transcription factors that originated in the common ancestor of metazoans. The vast majority of NRs are triggered by binding to either endogenous (e.g. retinoic acid) or exogenous (e.g. xenobiotics) ligands, and their evolution and expansion is tightly linked to the function of endocrine systems. Importantly, they represent classic targets of physiological exploitation by endocrine disrupting chemicals. The NR gene repertoire in different lineages has been shaped by gene loss, duplication and mutation, denoting a dynamic evolutionary route. As the earliest diverging class of gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates), cartilaginous fishes offer an exceptional opportunity to address the early diversification of NR gene families and the evolution of the endocrine system in jawed vertebrates. Here we provide an exhaustive analysis into the NR gene composition in five elasmobranch (sharks and rays) and two holocephalan (chimaeras) species. For this purpose, we generated also a low coverage draft genome assembly of the chimaera small-eyed rabbitfish, Hydrolagus affinis. We show that cartilaginous fish retain an archetypal NR gene repertoire, similar to that of mammals and coincident with the two rounds of whole genome duplication that occurred in the gnathostome ancestor. Furthermore, novel gene members of the non-canonical NR0B receptors were found in the genomes of this lineage. Our findings provide an essential view into the early diversification of NRs in gnathostomes, paving the way for functional studies.

A new gene order in the mitochondrial genome of the deep-sea diaphanous hatchet fish Sternoptyx diaphana Hermann, 1781 (Stomiiformes: Sternoptychidae).

Species of the Sternoptychidae teleost family display an impressive morphology, including their extreme reduced size. Here, we report the first mitochondrial genome of the diaphanous hatchet fish Sternoptyx diaphana. By using short-read sequencing Illumina HiSeq, we generated two mitochondrial contigs which were later physically assembled by PCR. The mitochondrial genome of S. diaphana was 17,224 bp in length (excluding the control region) and is composed of 13 PCGs and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Strikingly, we could not identify the tRNA-Phe and two copies of tRNA-Met were differently positioned. Additionally, the mitogenome displays a completely new gene rearrangement among vertebrates. We expect that the study presented here will pave the way for further molecular studies with this underrepresented group of illusive teleost fish.

Adherence Of Spanish Primary Physicians And Clinical Practise To The Mediterranean Diet.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to explore physicians' adherence to the dietary pattern known as the Mediterranean diet (MD). As a secondary objective we assessed physicians' awareness on the benefits of the MD and of the possibility of prescribing it. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Physicians' adherence to the MD was evaluated through the Spanish associations SEMERGEN and CAMFIC, who sent the validated PREDIMED screener to their affiliates. The results reflected a high, medium, low or very low level of adherence depending on total score. The sample was drawn between 2014 and 2016. The second questionnaire evaluated the physicians' knowledge of the MD and their opinion about recommending it. RESULTS: The PREDIMED test was answered by 422 Spanish physicians. In 8 out of 14 questions, more than 50% of the individuals scored only 1 point. However, 3 questions resulted in 1 point being scored by almost all physicians. Thus, on average, 55% of questions obtained 1-point scoring. The second questionnaire was answered by 212 physicians; 70% of them considered themselves to be aware of the benefits of the MD. More than 60% said they could invest 5 min of their time to recommend the MD. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians do not show a high level of adherence to the MD and emphasize the need for creating tools to evaluate it in their patients. This research can be useful as both a database and a justification for the creation of a new protocol to help physicians increase their own and their patients' MD adherence.

De novo male gonad transcriptome draft for the marine mussel Perumytilus purpuratus with a focus on its reproductive-related proteins.

Perumytilus purpuratus is a marine mussel considered a bioengineer species with a broad distribution in the Pacific and Atlantic coast of South America. Studies have shown two geographically and genetically differentiated subpopulations at molecular level and in sperm morphological traits. To open avenues for molecular research on P. purpuratus, a global de novo transcriptome from gonadal tissue of mature males was sequenced using the Illumina platform. From a total of 126.38 million reads, 37,765 transcripts were successfully annotated. BUSCO analysis determined a level of 89% completeness for the assembled transcriptome. The functional gene ontology (GO) annotation indicated that, in terms of abundance, the transcripts related with molecular function were the most represented, followed by those related with biological process and cellular components. Additionally, a subset of GO annotations generated using the "sperm" term resulted in a total of 1,294 sequences where the biological process category was the more represented, with transcripts strongly associated to sperm-processes required for fertilization, and with processes where the sperm-egg interaction could be implicated. Our work will contribute to the evolutionary understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to tissue-specific functions. This work reports the first male gonad transcriptome for the mussel P. purpuratus, generating a useful transcriptomic resource for this species and other closely related mytilids.

Reconciling differences in natural tags to infer demographic and genetic connectivity in marine fish populations.

Processes regulating population connectivity are complex, ranging from extrinsic environmental factors to intrinsic individual based features, and are a major force shaping the persistence of fish species and population responses to harvesting and environmental change. Here we developed an integrated assessment of demographic and genetic connectivity of European flounder Platichthys flesus in the northeast Atlantic (from the Norwegian to the Portuguese coast) and Baltic Sea. Specifically, we used a Bayesian infinite mixture model to infer the most likely number of natal sources of individuals based on otolith near core chemical composition. Simultaneously, we characterised genetic connectivity via microsatellite DNA markers, and evaluated how the combined use of natural tags informed individual movement and long-term population exchange rates. Individual markers provided different insights on movement, with otolith chemistry delineating Norwegian and Baltic Sea sources, whilst genetic markers showed a latitudinal pattern which distinguished southern peripheral populations along the Iberian coast. Overall, the integrated use of natural tags resulted in outcomes that were not readily anticipated by individual movement or gene flow markers alone. Our ecological and evolutionary approach provided a synergistic view on connectivity, which will be paramount to align biological and management units and safeguard species' biocomplexity.