Blood Toxic Elements and Effects on Plasma Vitamins and Carotenoids in Two Wild Bird Species: Turdus merula and Columba livia.

Birds have historically suffered adverse effects by toxic elements, such as As, Pb, Hg, and Cd. However, reports on exposure to a wide range of elements, including rare earth elements and other minor elements of emerging concern, and the potential consequences for wildlife are still scarce. This study evaluates blood concentrations of 50 elements and their related effects on lutein and vitamin levels in the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and wild rock pigeon (Columba livia), inhabiting different scenarios of contaminant exposure. Blood concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb (and Mn in T. merula) were increased in both species captured in the mining area, compared to the control site. T. merula also showed increased As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in blood in the agricultural-urban area, as compared to the control area, together with the highest Hg levels, which could be related to agricultural practices and industrial activities. Decreases of 33 and 38% in the plasma retinol levels in T. merula inhabiting the mining and the agricultural-urban areas, respectively, as compared to the control site, were associated with increased Pb, As, and Cd exposure. This could be due to a metal-driven suppressive effect in retinol metabolism and/or its over-use for coping with metal-related oxidative stress.

A functional analysis reveals extremely low redundancy in global mangrove invertebrate fauna.

Deforestation results in habitat fragmentation, decreasing diversity, and functional degradation. For mangroves, no data are available on the impact of deforestation on the diversity and functionality of the specialized invertebrate fauna, critical for their functioning. We compiled a global dataset of mangrove invertebrate fauna comprising 364 species from 16 locations, classified into 64 functional entities (FEs). For each location, we calculated taxonomic distinctness (Δ+), functional richness (FRi), functional redundancy (FRe), and functional vulnerability (FVu) to assess functional integrity. Δ+ and FRi were significantly related to air temperature but not to geomorphic characteristics, mirroring the global biodiversity anomaly of mangrove trees. Neither of those two indices was linked to forest area, but both sharply decreased in human-impacted mangroves. About 60% of the locations showed an average FRe < 2, indicating that most of the FEs comprised one species only. Notable exceptions were the Eastern Indian Ocean and west Pacific Ocean locations, but also in this region, 57% of the FEs had no redundancy, placing mangroves among the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet. Our study shows that despite low redundancy, even small mangrove patches host truly multifunctional faunal assemblages, ultimately underpinning their services. However, our analyses also suggest that even a modest local loss of invertebrate diversity could have significant negative consequences for many mangroves and cascading effects for adjacent ecosystems. This pattern of faunal-mediated ecosystem functionality is crucial for assessing the vulnerability of mangrove forests to anthropogenic impact and provides an approach to planning their effective conservation and restoration.

Necesidades sentidas del consumidor en relación a la industria alimentaria / Needs and feelings of the consumers regarding the Food Industry

El consumidor español ha evolucionado conforme lo ha hecho su nivel económico y los cambios en sus hábitos de vida. La crisis económica entre los años 2007 y 2015 tuvo como consecuencia una búsqueda de ahorro ante las incertidumbres laborales y desplazamientos de consumo hacia productos más económicos y básicos. Ahora nos encontramos con un consumidor que tiene todavía residentes algunos comportamientos de la crisis pasada, junto con otras actitudes muy relevantes, como la búsqueda de alimentos cómodos y convenientes, alimentos indulgentes (premium, boom de la gastronomía), aumento de su concienciación y la búsqueda de alternativas saludables en la alimentación. También existen otras consideraciones que influyen en este comportamiento, como el hecho de que el consumidor cada vez está más conectado (redes sociales, internet) y, por tanto, más expuesto a la información (o desinformación, en algunos casos)

The Spanish consumer has evolved according to the economic level and changes in life styles. The economic crisis between 2007 and 2015 resulted in the search for savings to face job uncertainties and consumer shifts towards more economic and basic products. Now we find a consumer who still has some behaviors from the recent crisis, along with other very relevant attitudes, such as the search for comfortable and convenient foods; indulgent foods (Premium, the boom of gastronomy), increased consumer awareness and the search for healthy alternatives in food. There are also other considerations that influence this behavior such as the fact that the consumer is increasingly connected (social networks, internet) and therefore more exposed to information (or misinformation in some cases)

[Needs and feelings of the consumers regarding the Food Industry]. / Necesidades sentidas del consumidor en relación a la industria alimentaria.

The Spanish consumer has evolved according to the economic level and changes in life styles. The economic crisis between 2007 and 2015 resulted in the search for savings to face job uncertainties and consumer shifts towards more economic and basic products. Now we find a consumer who still has some behaviors from the recent crisis, along with other very relevant attitudes, such as the search for comfortable and convenient foods; indulgent foods (Premium, the boom of gastronomy), increased consumer awareness and the search for healthy alternatives in food. There are also other considerations that influence this behavior such as the fact that the consumer is increasingly connected (social networks, internet) and therefore more exposed to information (or misinformation in some cases).

El consumidor español ha evolucionado conforme lo ha hecho su nivel económico y los cambios en sus hábitos de vida. La crisis económica entre los años 2007 y 2015 tuvo como consecuencia una búsqueda de ahorro ante las incertidumbres laborales y desplazamientos de consumo hacia productos más económicos y básicos.Ahora nos encontramos con un consumidor que tiene todavía residentes algunos comportamientos de la crisis pasada, junto con otras actitudes muy relevantes, como la búsqueda de alimentos cómodos y convenientes, alimentos indulgentes ("premium", "boom" de la gastronomía), aumento de su concienciación y la búsqueda de alternativas saludables en la alimentación.También existen otras consideraciones que influyen en este comportamiento, como el hecho de que el consumidor cada vez está más conectado (redes sociales, internet) y, por tanto, más expuesto a la información (o desinformación, en algunos casos).

Infección por Gnathostoma (Spirurida: Gnathostomatidae) en Hoplias microlepis: prevalencia, correlación con la talla del pez, huéspedes e implicaciones para salud pública en Ecuador / Gnathostoma (Spirurida: Gnathostomatidae) infection in the tigerfish Hoplias microlepis: prevalence, correlation with fish size, hosts, and public health implications

Introducción. La gnathostomiasis humana fue reportada en Ecuador en 1981 a partir del hallazgo del tercer estadio larvario de Gnathostoma en Hoplias microlepis. Debido a que esta zoonosis es transmisible a humanos, su vigilancia y estudio ecoepidemiológico en sus huéspedes silvestres son de particular importancia en salud pública y control sanitario en Ecuador. Objetivo. Contribuir con la evidencia más reciente de infección natural por Gnathostoma en el pez dulceacuícola Hoplias microlepis y su ciclo biológico en sistemas acuáticos de la provincia del Guayas, Ecuador. Materiales y métodos. Se examinaron 74 peces obtenidos en dos localidades (campo de arrozales y mercado de peces) del Cantón Samborondón, provincia del Guayas. La presencia de Gnathostoma fue investigada en músculos de Hoplias microlepis. Se estimaron la abundancia y la prevalencia parasitarias, así como la comparación estadística de la intensidad parasitaria en los dos sitios estudiados y correlaciones de la carga parasitaria versus la talla de los peces. Resultados. La prevalencia total de Gnathostoma fue de 69%, con una abundancia media de 1,70 larvas por pez. La prevalencia parasitaria fue relativamente mayor en los campos de cultivo de arroz (77%) en relación con el mercado local (62%). No se observaron diferencias significativas en las abundancias media de larvas y en las prevalencia entre los dos sitios de estudios (p>0,05). Se encontró una relación directa y significativa entre la carga parasitaria y la longitud del pez (Spearman p<0,05). Conclusiones. La gnathostomiasis sigue siendo prevalente en la zona costera de Ecuador y el agente patógeno es aún encontrado en el huésped intermediario. Diversos mamíferos neotropicales estarían actuando como huésped reservorio definitivo en el ciclo biológico de Gnathostoma en Ecuador.

Introduction. Human gnathostomiasis has been reported in Ecuador since the early 1980s, when natural infections by Gnathostoma third larval stages were found in muscles of the second intermediary host, Hoplias microlepis (tigerfish). In Ecuador, this zoonotic disease is occasionally detected in humans, and its monitoring and eco-epidemiological assessment is of particular interest for its detection and control. Objective. The most recent evidence is provided with respect to natural infections by Gnathostoma as it occurs in the tigerfish (Hoplias microlepis), including insights into its biological cycle. Materials and methods. A total of 74 fish were collected from two localities (rice fields-wetlands and local fish market) of Samborondón County (Guayas Province). Each was examined for the presence of Gnathostoma in muscle of Hoplias microlepis. The abundance intensity and prevalence of parasites was estimated. Statistical comparisons between the two sites and correlations of parasite load versus fish size were conducted. Results. The infection prevalence by Gnathostoma was 69% (95% CI: 57-78%). The overall abundance intensity of parasites averaging the 2 sites was 1.7 larvae per fish. The proportion of infected fish was higher in rice fields (77%) when compared to those from the local fish market (62%). No statistically significant differences between the abundance intensity and prevalence were found between the sites (p>0.05). Parasite load and fish length were significantly correlated (Spearman p<0.05). Conclusions. Gnathostomiasis is a prevalent zoonosis in coastal Ecuador, and its etiologic agent is commonly found in the second intermediary host. Several Neotropical mammals are candidates as definitive reservoir hosts in the Gnathostoma biological cycle.

[Gnathostoma (Spirurida: Gnathostomatidae) infection in the tigerfish Hoplias microlepis: prevalence, correlation with fish size, hosts, and public health implications]. / Infección por Gnathostoma (Spirurida: Gnathostomatidae) en Hoplias microlepis: prevalencia, correlación con la talla del pez, huéspedes e implicaciones para salud pública en Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION: Human gnathostomiasis has been reported in Ecuador since the early 1980s, when natural infections by Gnathostoma third larval stages were found in muscles of the second intermediary host, Hoplias microlepis (tigerfish). In Ecuador, this zoonotic disease is occasionally detected in humans, and its monitoring and eco-epidemiological assessment is of particular interest for its detection and control. OBJECTIVE: The most recent evidence is provided with respect to natural infections by Gnathostoma as it occurs in the tigerfish (Hoplias microlepis), including insights into its biological cycle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74 fish were collected from two localities (rice fields-wetlands and local fish market) of Samborondón County (Guayas Province). Each was examined for the presence of Gnathostoma in muscle of Hoplias microlepis. The abundance intensity and prevalence of parasites was estimated. Statistical comparisons between the two sites and correlations of parasite load versus fish size were conducted. RESULTS: The infection prevalence by Gnathostoma was 69% (95% CI: 57-78%). The overall abundance intensity of parasites averaging the 2 sites was 1.7 larvae per fish. The proportion of infected fish was higher in rice fields (77%) when compared to those from the local fish market (62%). No statistically significant differences between the abundance intensity and prevalence were found between the sites (p>0.05). Parasite load and fish length were significantly correlated (Spearman p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gnathostomiasis is a prevalent zoonosis in coastal Ecuador, and its etiologic agent is commonly found in the second intermediary host. Several Neotropical mammals are candidates as definitive reservoir hosts in the Gnathostoma biological cycle.

Trastornos de la alimentación y deporte / Nutritional disorders and sport

Según recientes investigaciones, en la actualidad se está asistiendo a un aumento de las enfermedades asociadas a trastornos de comportamiento alimentarío en nuestra sociedad en lo que se podría denominar una epidemia silenciosa. La importancia de estas patologías es grande ya que tienden a cronificarse e incluso, en casos extremos, pueden conducir a la muerte. En este artículo se analizan estos problemas de la alimentación desde el ámbito de la formación deportiva por dos razones fundamentales 1) la constatación de que los casos de anorexia y bulimia entre los deportistas están creciendo alarmantemente y; 2) por la importante tarea preventiva que pueden desarrollar los "profesores de Educación Física" al estar en una situación privilegiada como docentes para realizar una detección precoz de las mismas. El tema se ha estructurado en dos grandes apartados. El primero se va a dedicar a analizar la incidencia de estas enfermedades en el contexto deportivo, poniendo especial interés en los factores de riesgo específicos que conllevan ciertas prácticas deportivas para la aparición de las mismas; en el segundo, se va a centrar en la tarea preventiva desde el ámbito de la actividad física y el deporte, presentando una serie de orientaciones y pautas concretas de actuación recomendadas para los profesores de educación física y entrenadores deportivo

According to recent investigations, we are attending an increase of the illnesses of dysfunctions of alimentary behavior in our society in what we could denominate a silent epidemic. The importance of these pathologies is big since they spread to cronificarse and even, in extreme cases, they can drive to the death. In this article we analyze these problems of the feeding from the environment of the sport formation for two fundamental reasons: 1) the verification that the cases of anorexia and bulimia among sportsmen are growing alarmingly; and 2) for the important preventive task that the professors of physical education can develop when being in a privileged situation as educational to carry out a precocious detectionof the same ones. The topic has structured it intwo big items. The first one will deal with analyzing the incidence of these illnesses in the sport context, putting special interest in the specific factors of risk that bear certain sport practices for the appearance of the same ones; in the second, we will center ourselves in the preventive task from the environment of the physical activity and the sport, presenting a series of orientations and concrete roles of performance recommended for the professors of physical education and sport trainers