Neactaeonina argentina, new species, and family placement of the genus Neactaeonina thiele, 1912 (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Neactaeonina argentina, a new species from the outer Argentine shelf off Buenos Aires province, is described. The species is characterized by the elongate, low-spired shell, with shouldered, nearly straight whorls, deep suture, and sculpture composed of numerous, broad, flat spiral cords. The radula is similar to that previously described for the type species, Neactaeonina cingulata Thiele, 1912, except in having a greater number of teeth. The present study provides the first information on the anatomy and histology of the genital system, and details of the radula anatomy of Neactaeonina, both unknown to date. The study of anatomical characters demonstrates that Neactaeonina has clear similarities with other Acteonidae, with a combination of features present in Acteon (such as the presence of a strongly calcified shell, with well-developed operculum; mantle cavity opening anteriorly; nervous system with only the cerebropleural ganglia fused; a single allosperm sac associated with the female system; radula without cardinal tooth; and oral cuticle with rod-like processes); and some characters present in acteonid genera other than Acteon (e.g., the number and morphology of teeth, and processes of the oral cuticle). However, Neactaeonina shows some characters thus far not reported for any other genus currently placed into the Acteonidae: salivary glands with laminar structure, male genital system with an open portion, a single allosperm sac opening distally, and a flat and triangular copulatory organ.Fil:Zelaya, D.G. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Dietary Fat Patterns and Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis in Spain

Background/Objective: Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) might be relevant mediators of the development of complications in acute pancreatitis (AP). Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes in patients with AP from regions in Spain with different patterns of dietary fat intake. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with data from 1,655 patients with AP from a Spanish prospective cohort study and regional nutritional data from a Spanish cross-sectional study. Nutritional data considered in the study concern the total lipid consumption, detailing total saturated fatty acids, UFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) consumption derived from regional data and not from the patient prospective cohort. Two multivariable analysis models were used: (1) a model with the Charlson comorbidity index, sex, alcoholic etiology, and recurrent AP; (2) a model that included these variables plus obesity. Results: In multivariable analysis, patients from regions with high UFA intake had a significantly increased frequency of local complications, persistent organ failure (POF), mortality, and moderate-to-severe disease in the model without obesity and a higher frequency of POF in the model with obesity. Patients from regions with high MUFA intake had significantly more local complications and moderate-to-severe disease; this significance remained for moderate-to-severe disease when obesity was added to the model. Conclusions: Differences in dietary fat patterns could be associated with different outcomes in AP, and dietary fat patterns may be a pre-morbid factor that determines the severity of AP. UFAs, and particulary MUFAs, may influence the pathogenesis of the severity of AP

Incorporating international biodiversity law principles and rights perspective into the European Union Timber Regulation

This article assesses the synergies and conflicts between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), and the potential role of the CBD principles and rights perspective in improving coherence across these diverse forest-related agreements. We find that both the EUTR, which aims to eliminate illegal wood from EU supply chains, and the CBD, with its core focus on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, share the stated goals of safeguarding biodiversity and local livelihoods. However, the principle of inclusive governance and sustainable use embedded in the CBD conflicts with the EUTR. The EUTR focus on law enforcement asserts the primacy of state laws independently of their sustainability content and alignment with international human rights law. We find that the EUTR risks reinforcing legal frameworks that preference large-scale export production over local forest access, use and benefits. Better aligning the EUTR with CBD safeguards firstly requires opening-up the EUTR rule-making process to broader engagement with affected groups. Secondly, our analysis of both the procedural and substantive dimensions of the EUTR and the CBD safeguards, suggests that opportunities for better alignment lie in the nexus between procedural rights, of which law enforcement forms part of a broader vision of rule of law and conflict resolution, and the strengthening of substantive rights that benefit local forest use and conservation

Distribution of Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) in the invaded range: a geographic approach with notes on species traits variability

Corbicula fluminea is considered one of the most important non-native invasive species (NIS) in aquatic systems mainly due to its widespread distribution and ecological and economic impacts. This species is known to negatively affect native bivalves, also with severe effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Throughout an exhaustive bibliographic survey and with the aid of Geographic Information Systems tools, this study tracks the species dispersion from its native range, including the description of important physical and environmental barriers. Additional analyses were conducted to examine possible influences of latitudinal/ temperature gradients on important traits (e.g. life span, maximum and mean body length, growth at the end of first year). Altitude and winter minimum temperature appear to be delaying the invasion worldwide, but it seems inevitable that the species will spread across the globe. Latitude and summer temperature show a relationship with growth and life span. Overall, the information gathered in this review may be relevant to forecast future distribution patterns of this NIS, and to anticipate the possible implementation of effective management measures. Moreover, it may constitute a valuabletool inthe prediction of population responses to an increasingly changing environment.This research was supported by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), through a PhD grant attributed to D. Crespo (SFRH/BD/80252/2011), a post-doc grant attributed to S. Leston (SFRH/BPD/91828/2012) and M Dolbeth (SFRH/BPD/41117/2007) and BIOCHANGED project (PTDC/MAR/111901/2009), subsidized by the European Social Fund and MCTES (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) National Funds, through the POPH (Human Potential Operational Programme), QREN (National Strategic Reference Framework) and COMPETE (Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Apple snail perivitellins, multifunctional egg proteins

Egg reserves of most gastropods are accumulated surrounding the fertilised oocyte as a perivitelline fluid (PVF). Its proteins, named perivitellins, play a central role in reproduction and development, though there is little information on their structural-functional features. Studies of mollusc perivitellins are limited to Pomacea. A proteomic study of the eggs of P. canaliculata identified over 59 proteins in the PVF, most of which are of unknown function, and have not been isolated and characterised. Information on molecular structure of the most abundant perivitellins of P. canaliculata have shown that they possess other functions besides being storage proteins, most remarkably in defence against predation and abiotic factors. They are a cocktail containing at least neurotoxic, antinutritive and antidigestive perivitellins, with others that may provide the eggs with a bright and conspicuous colour (aposematic signal). This review compiles the current knowledge of Pomacea perivitellins with emphasis on the novel physiological roles they play in the reproductive biology of these gastropods that have evolved the ability to lay their eggs above the water.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Apple snail perivitellins, multifunctional egg proteins

Egg reserves of most gastropods are accumulated surrounding the fertilised oocyte as a perivitelline fluid (PVF). Its proteins, named perivitellins, play a central role in reproduction and development, though there is little information on their structural-functional features. Studies of mollusc perivitellins are limited to Pomacea. A proteomic study of the eggs of P. canaliculata identified over 59 proteins in the PVF, most of which are of unknown function, and have not been isolated and characterised. Information on molecular structure of the most abundant perivitellins of P. canaliculata have shown that they possess other functions besides being storage proteins, most remarkably in defence against predation and abiotic factors. They are a cocktail containing at least neurotoxic, antinutritive and antidigestive perivitellins, with others that may provide the eggs with a bright and conspicuous colour (aposematic signal). This review compiles the current knowledge of Pomacea perivitellins with emphasis on the novel physiological roles they play in the reproductive biology of these gastropods that have evolved the ability to lay their eggs above the water.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Proteomas de huevos de ampuláridos con estrategias de oviposición aérea y sumergida

La familia Ampullariidae presenta dos estrategias de desove muy diferentes: dentro del agua en masas gelatinosas y fuera del agua en masas calcificadas y casi siempre coloreadas. Se ha postulado que la adquisición del desove fuera del agua representó un hecho clave en la historia evolutiva del grupo, pues las especies con esta estrategia reproductiva están más ampliamente distribuidas y tienen mayor número de especies; el origen evolutivo de dicha estrategia, sin embargo, no está claro pues los géneros que la comparten (Pila y Pomacea) estarían evolutivamente distantes. Los componentes del fluido perivitelino de los huevos, especialmente sus proteínas, han sido ampliamente estudiados y sus propiedades se han vinculado con la mencionada ventaja del desove fuera del agua. La mayoría de los estudios se han centrado en especies de Pomacea, que presenta proteínas que actúan a la vez como reserva nutricia y como defensa bioquímica. En contraste, nada se sabe acerca de los componentes de los huevos en los géneros con desove acuático, lo que impide contrastar las hipótesis mencionadas.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Proteomas de huevos de ampuláridos con estrategias de oviposición aérea y sumergida

La familia Ampullariidae presenta dos estrategias de desove muy diferentes: dentro del agua en masas gelatinosas y fuera del agua en masas calcificadas y casi siempre coloreadas. Se ha postulado que la adquisición del desove fuera del agua representó un hecho clave en la historia evolutiva del grupo, pues las especies con esta estrategia reproductiva están más ampliamente distribuidas y tienen mayor número de especies; el origen evolutivo de dicha estrategia, sin embargo, no está claro pues los géneros que la comparten (Pila y Pomacea) estarían evolutivamente distantes. Los componentes del fluido perivitelino de los huevos, especialmente sus proteínas, han sido ampliamente estudiados y sus propiedades se han vinculado con la mencionada ventaja del desove fuera del agua. La mayoría de los estudios se han centrado en especies de Pomacea, que presenta proteínas que actúan a la vez como reserva nutricia y como defensa bioquímica. En contraste, nada se sabe acerca de los componentes de los huevos en los géneros con desove acuático, lo que impide contrastar las hipótesis mencionadas.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Apple snail perivitellins, multifunctional egg proteins

Egg reserves of most gastropods are accumulated surrounding the fertilised oocyte as a perivitelline fluid (PVF). Its proteins, named perivitellins, play a central role in reproduction and development, though there is little information on their structural-functional features. Studies of mollusc perivitellins are limited to Pomacea. A proteomic study of the eggs of P. canaliculata identified over 59 proteins in the PVF, most of which are of unknown function, and have not been isolated and characterised. Information on molecular structure of the most abundant perivitellins of P. canaliculata have shown that they possess other functions besides being storage proteins, most remarkably in defence against predation and abiotic factors. They are a cocktail containing at least neurotoxic, antinutritive and antidigestive perivitellins, with others that may provide the eggs with a bright and conspicuous colour (aposematic signal). This review compiles the current knowledge of Pomacea perivitellins with emphasis on the novel physiological roles they play in the reproductive biology of these gastropods that have evolved the ability to lay their eggs above the water.Facultad de Ciencias Médica