Plankton Taxonomic and Size Diversity of Mediterranean Brackish Ponds in Spring: Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Factors

In this study, performed in Mediterranean brackish ponds during spring season, we assessed the effects of biotic interactions and abiotic factors on the size and taxonomic structure of the phytoplankton and zooplankton. We used a taxonomic and a size diversity index as a descriptor of the community structure. We predicted that the size diversity of each trophic level would be mainly related to biotic interactions, such as size-based fish predation (in the case of zooplankton) and food resource availability (in the case of phytoplankton), whereas taxonomic diversity would be more affected by abiotic variables (e.g., conductivity, pond morphology). Our results showed a negative relationship between phytoplankton size diversity and food resource availability leading to low size diversities under food scarcity due to dominance of small species. Conductivity also negatively affected the phytoplankton size diversity, although slightly. Regarding zooplankton size diversity, none of predictors tested seemed to influence this index. Similar fish size diversities among ponds may prevent a significant effect of fish predation on size diversity of zooplankton. As expected, taxonomic diversity of phytoplankton and zooplankton was related to abiotic variables (specifically pond morphometry) rather than biotic interactions, which are usually body size dependent, especially in these species-poor brackish environments

Density-dependent effects as key drivers of intraspecific size structure of six abundant fish species in lakes across Europe

Fish size structure has traditionally been used for elucidating trophic interactions and patterns of energy transfer through trophic levels(Trebilco et al.2013). We analysed the siz estructure of six common freshwater fish species in several hundred European lakes. We found little effect on the strength of the environmental gradients of size structure. The intraspecific density-dependent effect was the strongest and most consistent predictor

Cerebral Blood Flow Measurement in the Assessment of Post-Traumatic Cerebral Contusions

Abstract Brain trauma (BT) is extremely common in the Western society, and has been identified as the main cause of death and disability in the under-40 age group. Many aspects of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the effect of changes in cerebral metabolism are unclear. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between anatomical changes and deranged cerebral perfusion in patients with cerebral contusions, using Computed Tomography (CT) and Single Proton Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Twentytwo (22) patients who had suffered BT were recruited. All patients underwent SPECT and CT head scans on the same day. 18 were men. Patient average age was 45.6. Patients were assessed using the Glasgow scale (average 10.6). Cause of trauma included traffic accidents (9 patients) and falls (13 patients). A 4-slice spiral CT scan was performed. For each contusion, areas of bleeding, edema, and healthy perilesional tissue were distinguished. SPECT was performed with 20 mCi of 99 mTcECD using a dual-head gamma camera (128 × 128 matrix). CT scan revealed a single lesion in 12 patients, and more than one lesion in 10. The biggest lesions found on CT were located in the frontal region in 13 patients; temporal region in 4; and parietal region in 1; four patients had poorly defined lesions. A total absence of perfusion was visible in 18 patients in the hemorrhagic area and in 14 patients in the edema, In 7 cases SPECT showed hypoperfusion that did not correspond to any morphological changes on the CT scan. Quantitative of fused lesions appearing on both CT scan and SPECT revealed severe perfusion defects in the hemorrhagic area (17.8%) and in the edema (29.4%). In our study, regional cerebral blood flow adds relevant information on encephalic damage in patients with BT

Basal forebrain atrophy along the Alzheimer's disease continuum in adults with Down syndrome

Background: Basal forebrain (BF) degeneration occurs in Down syndrome (DS)-associated Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the dynamics of BF atrophy with age and disease progression, its impact on cognition, and its relationship with AD biomarkers have not been studied in DS. Methods: We included 234 adults with DS (150 asymptomatic, 38 prodromal AD, and 46 AD dementia) and 147 euploid controls. BF volumes were extracted from T-weighted magnetic resonance images using a stereotactic atlas in SPM12. We assessed BF volume changes with age and along the clinical AD continuum and their relationship to cognitive performance, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration biomarkers, and hippocampal volume. Results: In DS, BF volumes decreased with age and along the clinical AD continuum and significantly correlated with amyloid, tau, and neurofilament light chain changes in CSF and plasma, hippocampal volume, and cognitive performance. Discussion: BF atrophy is a potentially valuable neuroimaging biomarker of AD-related cholinergic neurodegeneration in DS

What are the important factors in health-related quality of life for people with aphasia? A systematic review

Objective: To determine factors associated with or predictive of poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) in people with aphasia poststroke. Better understanding of these factors can allow better targeting of rehabilitation programs. Data Sources: Electronic databases, covering medical (eg, Medline, Excerpta Medica Database, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database) and social sciences (eg, PsycINFO) were searched and key experts were approached. Study Selection: Studies including specific information on the HRQL of people with aphasia poststroke using validated HRQL measures or established ways of analyzing qualitative data were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies against the eligibility criteria. Data Extraction: This was undertaken independently by 2 reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Quantitative studies were assessed for quality with Counsell and Dennis' critical appraisal tool for systematic review of prognostic models in acute stroke; qualitative studies with the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool for qualitative research. Data Synthesis: Fourteen research reports met the eligibility criteria. Because of their high heterogeneity, the data synthesis was narrative. The evidence is not strong enough to determine the main predictors of HRQL in people with aphasia. Still, emotional distress/depression, severity of aphasia and communication disability, other medical problems, activity limitations, and aspects of social network and support were important factors. Conclusions: Emotional distress, aphasia severity, communication and activity limitations, other medical problems, and social factors affect HRQL. Stroke HRQL studies need to include people with aphasia and report separately on them, in order to determine the main predictors of their HRQL and to identify what interventions can best address them

Markers of early changes in cognition across cohorts of adults with Down syndrome at risk of Alzheimer's disease.

IntroductionDown syndrome (DS), a genetic variant of early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), lacks a suitable outcome measure for prevention trials targeting pre-dementia stages.MethodsWe used cognitive test data collected in several longitudinal aging studies internationally from 312 participants with DS without dementia to identify composites that were sensitive to change over time. We then conducted additional analyses to provide support for the utility of the composites. The composites were presented to an expert panel to determine the most optimal cognitive battery based on predetermined criteria.ResultsThere were common cognitive domains across site composites, which were sensitive to early decline. The final composite consisted of memory, language/executive functioning, selective attention, orientation, and praxis tests.DiscussionWe have identified a composite that is sensitive to early decline and thus may have utility as an outcome measure in trials to prevent or delay symptoms of AD in DS

Markers of early changes in cognition across cohorts of adults with Down syndrome at risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS), a genetic variant of early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), lacks a suitable outcome measure for prevention trials targeting pre-dementia stages. Methods: We used cognitive test data collected in several longitudinal aging studies internationally from 312 participants with DS without dementia to identify composites that were sensitive to change over time. We then conducted additional analyses to provide support for the utility of the composites. The composites were presented to an expert panel to determine the most optimal cognitive battery based on predetermined criteria. Results: There were common cognitive domains across site composites, which were sensitive to early decline. The final composite consisted of memory, language/executive functioning, selective attention, orientation, and praxis tests. Discussion: We have identified a composite that is sensitive to early decline and thus may have utility as an outcome measure in trials to prevent or delay symptoms of AD in DS

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in adults with Down syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study

Background: The diagnosis of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease is a clinical challenge in adults with Down syndrome. Blood biomarkers would be of particular clinical importance in this population. The astrocytic Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) is a marker of astrogliosis associated with amyloid pathology, but its longitudinal changes, association with other biomarkers and cognitive performance have not been studied in individuals with Down syndrome. Methods: We performed a three-centre study of adults with Down syndrome, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease and euploid individuals enrolled in Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona (Spain), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona (Spain) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (Germany). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma GFAP concentrations were quantified using Simoa. A subset of participants had PET 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, amyloid tracers and MRI measurements. Findings: This study included 997 individuals, 585 participants with Down syndrome, 61 Familial Alzheimer's disease mutation carriers and 351 euploid individuals along the Alzheimer's disease continuum, recruited between November 2008 and May 2022. Participants with Down syndrome were clinically classified at baseline as asymptomatic, prodromal Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease dementia. Plasma GFAP levels were significantly increased in prodromal and Alzheimer's disease dementia compared to asymptomatic individuals and increased in parallel to CSF Aβ changes, ten years prior to amyloid PET positivity. Plasma GFAP presented the highest diagnostic performance to discriminate symptomatic from asymptomatic groups (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI 0.9−0.95) and its concentrations were significantly higher in progressors vs non-progressors (p < 0.001), showing an increase of 19.8% (11.8–33.0) per year in participants with dementia. Finally, plasma GFAP levels were highly correlated with cortical thinning and brain amyloid pathology. Interpretation: Our findings support the utility of plasma GFAP as a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome, with possible applications in clinical practice and clinical trials. Funding: AC Immune, La Caixa Foundation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Institute on Aging, Wellcome Trust, Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, Medical Research Council, Alzheimer's Association, National Institute for Health Research, EU Joint Programme–Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Alzheimer's Society, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Stiftung für die Erforschung von Verhaltens, Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno & European Union's Horizon 2020 und Umwelteinflüssen auf die menschliche Gesundheit

Strategic Recommendations for the Transnational Management of Invasive Alien Crayfish and Crabs in Iberian Inland Waters

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. We developed a participative process with experts in order to obtain Strategic Recommendations for the transnational management of invasive alien crayfish and crabs in inland waters of Spain and Portugal. They promote the coordinated management between Spain and Portugal, in order to facilitate implementation of international commitments and best practices and to support development of policies and targets on IAS management at Iberian scale. They were designed to serve as a guiding tool seeking to identify a strategic direction for the Spanish and Portuguese governance that is already being developed. The resulting Strategic Recommendations are important tools supporting the implementation of the IAS EU Regulation. Ultimately, the information included can be used for achieving the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 for combatting IAS, and also for implementing of other EU policies with requirements on alien species, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives