Mutation of vsx genes in zebrafish highlights the robustness of the retinal specification network

early function in progenitors' specification, and a later requirement for bipolar-cells fate determination. Despite their conserved expression patterns, it is currently unclear to which extent Vsx functions are also conserved across vertebrates, as mutant models are available only in mammals. To gain insight into vsx function in teleosts, we have generated vsx1 and vsx2 CRISPR/Cas9 double knockouts (vsxKO) in zebrafish. Our electrophysiological and histological analyses indicate severe visual impairment and bipolar cells depletion in vsxKO larvae, with retinal precursors being rerouted toward photoreceptor or Muller glia fates. Surprisingly, neural retina is properly specified and maintained in mutant embryos, which do not display microphthalmia. We show that although important cis-regulatory remodelling occurs in vsxKO retinas during early specification, this has little impact at a transcriptomic level. Our observations point to genetic redundancy as an important mechanism sustaining the integrity of the retinal specification network, and to Vsx genes regulatory weight varying substantially among vertebrate species.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas 2020AEP014 Juan R Martinez-Morales; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities BFU2017-86339P Juan R Martinez-Morales; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities CEX2020-001088-M Juan R Martinez-Morales; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities PID2020-112566GB-I00 Juan R Martinez-Morales; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities RED2018-102553-T Juan R Martinez-Morales

Soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces worldwide

Soil contamination is one of the main threats to ecosystem health and sustainability. Yet little is known about the extent to which soil contaminants differ between urban greenspaces and natural ecosystems. Here we show that urban greenspaces and adjacent natural areas (i.e., natural/semi-natural ecosystems) shared similar levels of multiple soil contaminants (metal(loid)s, pesticides, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes) across the globe. We reveal that human influence explained many forms of soil contamination worldwide. Socio-economic factors were integral to explaining the occurrence of soil contaminants worldwide. We further show that increased levels of multiple soil contaminants were linked with changes in microbial traits including genes associated with environmental stress resistance, nutrient cycling, and pathogenesis. Taken together, our work demonstrates that human-driven soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces globally, and highlights that soil contaminants have the potential to cause dire consequences for ecosystem sustainability and human wellbeing.We thank the researchers involved in the MUSGONET project for collection of field data. This studywas supported by a 2019 LeonardoGrant for Researchers and Cultural Creators, BBVA Foundation (URBANFUN), and by the BES grant agreement No LRB17\1019 (MUSGONET). We are grateful for the assistance of Yunyun Hao and Xuemei Han during soil sampling. We also thank Drs. Shuai Du and Xiuli Hao for their help in data analyses. M. D-B. is supported by the projects fromthe Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-115813RA-I00) (SOIL4GROWTH) and TED2021-130908B-C41 (URBANCHANGE) funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033, and a project of the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) and the Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades of the Junta de Andalucia (FEDER Andalucia 2014-2020Objetivo tematico "01 - Refuerzo de la investigacion, el desarrollo tecnologico y la innovacion") associated with the research project P20_00879 (ANDABIOMA). Y-R. L. is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42177022). M.G.A.H is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_188799). D.J.E. is supported by the Hermon Slade Foundation. F.B. and J.L.M. acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry and FEDER funds for the project AGL2017-85755-R, the I+D+i project PID2020-114942RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033, the i-LINK+2018 (LINKA20069) from CSIC, as well as funds from "Fundacion Seneca" from Murcia Province (19896/GERM/15). E.M.-J. was supported by an Experienced Researcher Fellowship of the Humboldt Foundation. E.M-J. and C.P. acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-116578RB-I00). F.A. is supported by ANID FONDECYT 1220358. H-W.H. and J-Z.H. are supported by the project (DP210100332) from Australian Research Council. S.A. is funded by ANID FONDECYT 1170995 and ANID ANILLO ACT192027. MB is supported by a Ramon y Cajal grant from Spanish Ministry of Science (RYC2021-031797-I). The contribution of TG and TUN was supported by the Research Program in Forest Biology, Ecology and Technology (P4-0107) and project V4-3098 of the Slovenian Research Agency. T.P.M. would like to acknowledge contributions from the National Research Foundation of South Africa and cities involved in the South African survey. J.D. and A. Rey acknowledge support fromthe FCT (IF/00950/2014 and SFRH/BDP/108913/2015, respectively). JPV is thankful to SERB (EEQ/2021/001083) and DST (DST/INT/SL/P-31/2021) and BHU-IoE (6031)-incentive grant for research and development. MCR acknowledges support from an ERC Advanced Grant (694368). AM acknowledged financial support from the PMRF, Ministry of Education - Government of India, India

Background for Enodiplomacy in Chile (1960-2010)

Chile inició el proceso que lo llevaría a convertirse en potencia vitivinícola mundial en la década de 1980, algo que se logró gracias a la acción conjunta de la industria, el sector técnico-profesional y el Estado. El objetivo de este estudio es develar el papel jugado por la enodiplomacia en dicho proceso y las principales características del mismo. Se utiliza la metodología del “actor participante� asociada a las ciencias sociales, basada en testimonios directos de época y entrevistas en profundidad durante el primer semestre de 2022. Se observa una evolución de la elaboración y apreciación del vino chileno, jerarquizado por la política exterior chilena, desde la década de 1980 hasta 2022 como máxima expresión, que lo llevó a posicionarse como potencia vitivinícola. Se concluye que dicho posicionamiento se logra gracias a una enodiplomacia activa desplegada por el Estado chileno, apoyada por academia y mundo técnico, que mejoraron tanto la comercialización como el status del vino chileno en el país y el mundo. En ello se distinguen dos corrientes: una regida por el paradigma francés (dominante) y otra, más reciente, signada por el paradigma hispano criollo, que apunta a revalorizar variedades y productos patrimoniales

Design Characteristics, Visual Qualities, and Walking Behavior in an Urban Park Setting

The design characteristics of urban parks’ pathways are important in facilitating leisure walking and maintaining the minimum rate of physical activity, thus improving public health. This study examined and explored the relationships between design characteristics as well as certain visual qualities of Cautin Park, the biggest urban park in the Araucanian Region of Chile, and the tendency for walking as well as walking behavior. A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to examine the objectives. Several design attributes were found to be related to the tendency for walking and the walking behavior in this urban park, including greater pathway width, more vegetation, tranquility along the pathways, and more comfortable pathway environments for pets. Additionally, these correlations were assessed based on gender and age, and it was found that adolescents showed the greatest difference from other groups. For instance, adolescents walk significantly more along pathways with more connectivity to activity zones. Among the visual qualities, only legibility shows a significant correlation with the number of all types of pedestrians, as well as subgroups of adolescents, adult men, and adult women. These results were reviewed, and their implications were discussed. Urban planners and designers could apply these findings when designing future urban parks in this context

Prey selection along a predators' body size gradient evidences the role of different trait-based mechanisms in food web organization

An increase in prey richness, prey size and predator trophic position with predator body size has been consistently reported as prime features of food web organization. These trends have been explained by non-exclusive mechanisms. First, the increase in energy demand with body size determines that larger predators must reduce prey selectivity for achieving the required number of resources, being consumption relationships independent of prey traits. Second, when consumption is restricted by gape limitation, small predators are constrained to select among small prey. However, this selection weakens over large predators, which progressively consume more and larger prey. Finally, the optimal foraging mechanism predicts that larger predators optimize their diet by selecting only large prey with high energy reward. Each one of these mechanisms can individually explain the increase in prey richness, prey size and predator trophic position with predator body size but their relative importance or the direct evidence for their combined role was seldom considered. Here we use the community assembly by trait selection (CATS) theory for evaluating the support for each one of these mechanisms based on the prey selection patterns that they predict. We analyzed how prey body size and trophic guild determine prey selection by predators of increasing body size in a killifish guild from a temporary pond system. Results support the combination of the three mechanisms to explain the structural trends in our food web, although their strength is contingent on prey trophic group. Overall, high energy prey are preferred by larger predators, and small predators select small prey of all trophic status. However, large predators prefer large primary producers and avoid large carnivorous prey, probably because of the inherent risk of consuming other carnivorous. Our study provides a mechanistic understanding of how predator traits determine the selection of prey traits affecting food web assembly.This research was funded by Comision Academica de Posgrado (https://www.posgrados.udelar.edu.uy/cap.php), grant numbers BDDX_2019_1#49295789 and BFPD_2022_1#49295789 and CSIC_Iniciacion_2019_ID_36 to EO; Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo/Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cientifico y Tecnologico (https://www.anid.cl/), grant number 1231321 to RRJ; and Agencia Nacional de Investigacion e Innovacion (https://www.anii.org.uy/) from the Fondo Clemente Estable, grant number 2014104763 and CSIC-grupos (ID 657725) to MA. This study was performed in the framework of the European Commission, PONDERFUL Horizon 2020 project (H2020-LC-CLA-2019-2). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Development of craniometry-based predictive model to determine occlusal vertical dimension by using the eye-ear distance in a French population

Statement of problem: Techniques for determining occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) have limitations, including the lack of reproducibility or invasiveness. Recently, a craniometry-based predictive model comparing OVD with eye-ear distance (EED) was developed in Chile. However, this study included a specific population and excluded patients with a history of orthodontics. For verification, studies on other populations are required. Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to follow the previously described protocol to obtain an equation for determining OVD in a French cohort (mostly White with an orthodontic history). Material and methods: Dentate adults with a stable occlusion and no known maxillofacial, otolaryngeal, or temporomandibular problems were included in this study. Demographic information, including participant age, sex, and history of orthodontic treatment, was collected. Facial height and width were measured with digital calipers, and the left EED and OVD were recorded with a craniometer. The facial index was calculated to classify participants into euryprosopic, mesoprosopic, or leptoprosopic types. Results: Of the 300 included participants (28 ±11 years), 60% were women, and 67% reported a history of orthodontic treatment. Euryprosopic represented 17% of participants, mesoprosopic 48%, and leptoposopic 35%. A positive correlation was found between the left EED and OVD in all facial types, but it was more important in women. The following equation was obtained: OVD=44.58+(0.45×left EED)+sex (women=-4.57; men=0)+facial type (leptoprosopic=0; mesoprosopic=-3.35; euryprosopic=-7.27). Conclusions: The occlusal vertical dimension is correlated with sex, left EED, and facial type. This straightforward method can be applied in conjunction with other techniques to determine the OVD in the French population

Field-based learning in global migrant health: An evaluation of student learning outcomes

Increased migration and im/migrant (i.e. migrant and immigrant) inequities, particularly during COVID-19, call for experiential global public health teaching to adequately prepare future leaders. We evaluated student perspectives on the benefits, drawbacks, and lessons learned from a migrant health field course in the U.S.Mexico border region. We analyzed qualitative data from reflexive diary-writing assignments and post-course evaluations from graduate and undergraduate students (N = 12). Students highlighted personal growth and reflexivity, professional development opportunities, and benefits and drawbacks of the immersive course design as key themes. Tri-national learning across Canada, Mexico and the U.S., and an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural learning model allowed for deeper understandings of globally relevant and politically and socially complex issues through community engagement and `real-world' approaches. Students described benefits of reflexive learning, bridging classroom-based learning with field experiences, and learning about community-engaged research in advancing im/migrant justice, though acknowledged challenges of intensive course design. Narratives highlighted unique needs in navigating challenges inherent in reflexive learning on sensitive topics, such as structural inequities faced by asylum seekers. This evaluation provides unique empirical evidence to inform future experiential learning opportunities rooted in equity-oriented approaches, which are crucial for advancing hands-on learning regarding global issues. Appropriate approaches must ensure ethical, respectful community engagement and ongoing support for students.This work was supported by the Simon Fraser University [Teaching & Learning Centre [G0263]]

Clinical and pulmonary function analysis in long-COVID revealed that long-term pulmonary dysfunction is associated with vascular inflammation pathways and metabolic syndrome

Introduction: Long-term pulmonary dysfunction (L-TPD) is one of the most critical manifestations of long-COVID. This lung affection has been associated with disease severity during the acute phase and the presence of previous comorbidities, however, the clinical manifestations, the concomitant consequences and the molecular pathways supporting this clinical condition remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize L-TPD in patients with long-COVID and elucidate the main pathways and long-term consequences attributed to this condition by analyzing clinical parameters and functional tests supported by machine learning and serum proteome profiling. Methods: Patients with L-TPD were classified according to the results of their computer-tomography (CT) scan and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide adjusted for hemoglobin (DLCOc) tests at 4 and 12-months post-infection. Results: Regarding the acute phase, our data showed that L-TPD was favored in elderly patients with hypertension or insulin resistance, supported by pathways associated with vascular inflammation and chemotaxis of phagocytes, according to computer proteomics. Then, at 4-months post-infection, clinical and functional tests revealed that L-TPD patients exhibited a restrictive lung condition, impaired aerobic capacity and reduced muscular strength. At this time point, high circulating levels of platelets and CXCL9, and an inhibited FCgamma-receptor-mediated-phagocytosis due to reduced FcγRIII (CD16) expression in CD14+ monocytes was observed in patients with L-TPD. Finally, 1-year post infection, patients with L-TPD worsened metabolic syndrome and augmented body mass index in comparison with other patient groups. Discussion: Overall, our data demonstrated that CT scan and DLCOc identified patients with L-TPD after COVID-19. This condition was associated with vascular inflammation and impair phagocytosis of virus-antibody immune complexes by reduced FcγRIII expression. In addition, we conclude that COVID-19 survivors required a personalized follow-up and adequate intervention to reduce long-term sequelae and the appearance of further metabolic diseases.The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The study was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) ANID/COVID1005 and ANID/ACT210085), Chilean Government. GL declares funding for research by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM, 254-FP-21). EN-L, SS, CC, RQ, and BA were funded by Fondecyt Regular 1211480 and COVID-19 Genomics Network (C19-GenoNet) ANID/ACT210085. Flow Cytometer was funded by EQM150061 (FONDEQUIP-ANID). UW was funded by Fondecyt Regular 1200459. DG-C has received financial support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Miguel Servet 2020: CP20/00041) co-funded by the European Union. CIBERES (CB07/06/2008) is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. MB and EN-L are funded by ANID/ATE220034. MH was supported by CLA-023023-2 FISAR

Six-minute rowing test: a practical tool for training prescription, from ventilatory thresholds and power outputs, in amateur male rowers

Background: The 6-minute rowing ergometer test (6-minRT) is valid and reliable for establishing maximal aerobic power (MAP) in amateur male rowers. However, ventilatory thresholds (VTs) have not yet been established with their mechanical correspondence in this test. Objective: The primary objective was to determine the VTs in the 6-minRT achieved by amateur male rowers, while the secondary objective was to determine the correspondence between ventilatory, mechanical, and heart rate (HR) outcomes of the 6-minRT. Methods: Sixteen amateur male rowers were part of the study. All participants were instructed to perform an incremental test (IT) and a 6-minRT. Determination of the ventilatory parameters for the first ventilatory threshold (VT1), the second ventilatory threshold (VT2), and 6minRTVO2max were performed by correlating the outcomes of VT1, VT2, and VO2max obtained in the IT, with the outcomes of 6-minRT. For these purposes, Pearson's test was used, with the following criteria: trivial, 0.9. The significance level was p 0.6). Conclusion: Based on IT ventilatory parameters and concordance analysis, VT1 and VT2 of 6-minRT are determined at 55 and 80%, respectively, of both ventilatory parameters and their corresponding mechanical outcomes and HR

Ecological variation in invasive brown trout (Salmo trutta) within a remote coastal river catchment in northern Patagonia complicates estimates of invasion impact

Salmonids were first introduced into the Chilean fresh waters in the 1880s, and c. 140 years later, they are ubiquitous across Chilean rivers, especially in the southern pristine fresh waters. This study examined the brown trout (Salmo trutta) and native taxa ecology in two adjacent but contrasting rivers of Chilean Patagonia. During spring 2016 and spring-fall 2017 we examined the variation in benthic macroinvertebrate and fish community composition and characterized fish size structure, stomach contents, and stable isotopes (delta 13C and delta 15N) to understand population structure, fish diet, and trophic interactions between S. trutta and native taxa. The native Galaxias maculatus (puye) dominated the fish community (74% of abundance). S. trutta was less abundant (16% of survey catch) but dominated the fish community (over 53%) in terms of biomass. S. trutta showed distinct diets (stomach content analysis) in the two rivers, and individuals from the larger river were notably more piscivorous, consuming native fish with a relatively small body size (<100-mm total length). Native fishes were isotopically distinct from S. trutta, which showed a wider isotopic niche in the smaller river, indicating that their trophic role was more variable than in the larger river (piscivorous). This study provides data from the unstudied pristine coastal rivers in Patagonia and reveals that interactions between native and introduced species can vary at very local spatial scales.This article was supported by FONDECYT 1161504 (G.C.) and projects from The Rufford Foundation 18782-1, ANID Millennium Science Initiative NCN2021_056: Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), project FONDECYT Iniciacion 11180914 (P.A.B.), along with project CHIC ANID/BASAL FB210018