Induction of detoxification systems in wild red mullet Mullus surmuletus after microplastic ingestion

Marine litter greatly affects marine species and ecosystems (1), however there is little evidence of physiological responses of vertebrates to plastic exposure. In this study, wild mullets Mullus surmuletus were obtained from fishing vessels operating in Mallorca Island (W Mediterranean). Stomach content analyses and identification under microscope determined that 28% of the samples had ingested microplastics. Liver samples of surmullets with and without microplastic ingestion were analysed to determine physiological effects. Results suggest an induction of the detoxification system in M. surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 but no oxidative stress or cellular damage

BREAKING THE PARADIGM: MARINE SEDIMENTS HOLD TWO-FOLD MICROPLASTICS THAN SEA SURFACE WATERS AND ARE DOMINATED BY FIBERS

Marine compartments are often considered independent environments in studies on plastic pollution (Ali et al., 2021). Consequently, little is known about microplastic (MPs) distribution amongst those habitats closely linked. Here, we perform an interactive assessment of MPs abundance and composition from the pelagic habitat to beaches integrating shallow seafloor sediments of a coastal Mediterranean marine protected area and evaluating MPs ingestion in holothurians, echinoderms, molluscs, and fishes inhabiting the area. We observed a gradient in the accumulation of MPs from the sea surface (0.17 ± 0.39 MPs/m2) to the seafloor (76 ± 108 MPs/m2) and beach sediment (13418 ± 28787 MPs/m2), with a skip of two orders of magnitude. Microplastic abundances fit with those reported for more anthropized Mediterranean areas and suggest coastal environments as potential debris sinking areas. Fibers dominate all the studied habitats. Holothurians showed the highest general MPs and fibers ingestion occurrence (91%), with greater values (9.48 ± 8.05 MPs/individual and 8.24 ± 7.95 fibers/individual) than those reported previously (Bulleri et al., 2021). Considering ecological key role, species distribution, and MPs ingestion values, we suggest Holothuroidea as suitable bioindicators for plastic pollution, particularly for fibers. Fibers are composed primarily of cellulose acetate (29%), whereas styrofoam of polystyrene (64%), and films, fragments, and filaments of a variable percentage of polyethylene and polypropylene. Differences found in the polymer composition amongst plastics´ morphologies are reflected in the variability observed between habitats and marine organisms. Particularly the polymer composition of fibers coincides with that of one of the MPs ingested by invertebrates. Results suggest that shape is a key plastic characteristic in determining polymer distribution patterns along with habitats and in marine species. Finally, this study highlights once again the importance and urgency of local and global actions needed to mitigate plastic pollution and particularly fiber release into the marine environment

Reduced Antioxidant Response of the Fan Mussel Pinna nobilis Related to the Presence of Haplosporidium pinnae

The endemic fan mussel (Pinna nobilis) in the Mediterranean Sea is at high risk of disappearance due to massive mortality events. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant response of P. nobilis collected in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) before and after the mass mortality event. Individuals collected before (between 2011 and 2012) and after (between 2016 and 2017) the event were analyzed by histological, molecular, and biochemical methods to compare pathogenic loads and biochemical responses. All the individuals collected during 2016–2017 presented symptoms of the disease and were positive for Haplosporidium pinnae, while acid-fast bacteria or/and Gram-negative bacteria were detected in some individuals of both sampling periods. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase in the gills were significantly lower in P. nobilis a ected with the parasite compared to those in the asymptomatic ones, while levels of malondialdehyde, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were higher in infected individuals. When analyzing the di erential e ects of H. pinnae and Mycobacterium sp. on P. nobilis, it was observed that significant e ects on biomarkers were only observed in the presence of H. pinnae. Co-infection of P. nobilis by H. pinnae with other pathogens such as Mycobacterium sp. constitutes a serious problem due to its high mortality rate in the Balearic Island waters. This concerning situation for P. nobilis is favored by a reduction in antioxidant defenses related to H. pinnae infection that induces oxidative stress and cell damage.En prens

Avaluació de l’estat fisiològic del conill (Oryctolagus cuniculus) per mitjà de biomarcadors bioquímics

[cat] El conill europeu (Oryctolagus cuniculus) és una de les espècies de vertebrats més importants dels ecosistemes Mediterranis. L'arribada de malalties virals, com la mixomatosi, han donat lloc a disminucions importants de les poblacions de conills salvatges. La determinació de biomarcadors de l’estat pro-oxidant / anti-oxidant permeten avaluar l’existència d’algun factor ambiental o infecciós que indueixi una situació d’estrès a l’animal. L’objectiu del present estudi va ser avaluar biomarcadors d’estrès a conills obtinguts en diferents modes de captura i en conills afectats per mixomatosi. Els resultats obtinguts no evidencien cap tipus de diferència en les activitats plasmàtiques dels enzims antioxidants, de l’activitat mieloperoxidasa ni dels nivells de malondialdehid en funció de la diferent modalitat de captura: ca eivissenc, fura o grup estabulat. La producció d’espècies reactives per part de les cèl·lules immunitàries tampoc no es veu modificada. Per contra, les activitats dels enzims catalasa, glutatió peroxidasa i glutatió reductasa són significativament més baixes a fetge en animals afectats de mixomatosi respecte als animals sans, mentre que els nivells de malondialdehid són significativament més elevats als animals malalts. En conclusió, el fet que no s’hagin observat diferències derivades del procés de captura ni respecte al grup control, demostra que els conills capturats gaudien d’un bon estat de salut. Els conills afectats per mixomatosi presenten a nivell hepàtic una disminució general de les defenses antioxidants i un augment del dany oxidatiu, cosa que posa de manifest la gravetat de la patologia.[eng] The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is one of the most important vertebrate species in Mediterranean ecosystems. In the last 60 years, the arrival of viral diseases, such as myxomatosis, has led to significant diminution of the populations of wild rabbits. The determination of biomarkers of the pro-oxidant / anti-oxidant status allows the evaluation of the existence of an environmental or infectious factor that induces a situation of stress to the animal and the ability to respond and adapt to this situation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate stress biomarkers from rabbits obtained in different capture modes and rabbits affected by myxomatosis. The results obtained do not show any difference in the plasma activities of antioxidant enzymes, myeloperoxidase activity or malondialdehyde levels depending on the different way of capturing rabbits: Ibizan dogs, ferrets or the confined group. The production of reactive species by immune cells is also unchanged. In contrast, the activities of catalase enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase are significantly lower in liver in animals affected by myxomatosis compared to healthy animals, while levels of malondialdehyde are significantly higher in diseased animals. In conclusion, the fact that no differences derived from the capture process or the control group have been observed demonstrates that the captured rabbits are in a good state of health. Rabbits affected by myxomatosis have a general decrease in antioxidant defences and an increase in oxidative damage, evidencing the seriousness of the pathology

The present state of research into industrial clusters and districts. Content analysis of material published 1997-2006

[EN] The aim of this work is to help gain a better understanding of the research conducted on territorial agglomerations of firms at a multidisciplinary level. To this end, an analysis was performed of the contents of the most significant scientific literature on economics, management, planning and development, urban studies and geography published over the period 1997-2006. From the results, a database of 142 papers from 43 journals was then elaborated. An analysis of these works reveals the level of development of the main lines of research in this field and, consequently, makes it possible to detect the topics that require greater attention and that can be the object of future research for researchers and academics. The main conclusions include the growing number of studies conducted on the subject in recent years, as well as a greater predominance of empirical research over conceptual work, and the existence of a significant change in the topics or lines of research throughout the period under study. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.This research was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, National R&D & Innovation Plan 2007–2010, under the project entitled “El Distrito Industrial: el impacto del Capital Social sobre la Gestio´n de la Cadena de Suministro” (The Industrial District: the impact of Social Capital on the management of the Supply Chain) (SEJ2007- 62876/ECON).Martinez-Fernandez, M.; Capó Vicedo, J.; Vallet-Bellmunt, T. (2012). The present state of research into industrial clusters and districts. Content analysis of material published 1997-2006. European Planning Studies. 20(2):281-304. doi:10.1080/09654313.2012.650906S28130420

Enriched environments enhance cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of Sparus aurata

Environmental enrichment is considered as a recommended tool to guarantee or improve the welfare of captive fish. This study demonstrates for the first time that structural environmental enrichment enhances cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Seabream was reared in groups (n = 15) during 60 days under two different treatments: enriched tanks with plant-fibre ropes (EE) or bare/non-enriched tanks (NE). Fish were then exposed to a purpose-built maze for 1 h every second day in four trials. Analysis of video recordings showed that seabream under EE conditions presented higher overall exploratory behaviour, spatial orientation and learning capability compared to seabream from NE conditions. Results from brain monoamines analyses may suggest increased recent dopaminergic activity in telencephalon, known to be involved in learning processes; and increased serotonergic activity in cerebellum, involved in the coordination of balance, movements and orientation. In addition, EE-reared fish showed increased antioxidant activity in whole brain, with no apparent oxidative damage. Structural EE seemed to induce an hormetic response on juvenile seabream, improving their welfare status during captivity. Application of this kind of physical structure might be feasible at fish farms as a passive and noninvasive tool to improve welfare of intensively cultured seabream.PA-L was supported by Spanish Juan de la Cierva Incorporación postdoctoral Grants (Refs. IJCI-2015-25595); AS and ST were supported by Spanish government, Programme of Promotion of Biomedical Research and Health Sciences CIBEROBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (CB12/03/30038). This study received Portuguese national funds from FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology through project UID/Multi/04326/2019

Oxidative status assessment of the endemic bivalve Pinna nobilis affected by the oil spill from the sinking of the Don Pedro

Several biomarkers were determined to evaluate the effects of the Don Pedro spillage on the digestive gland of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Two areas in the southeast of Ibiza Island (Western Mediterranean) were selected; one affected by the oil spill (Talamanca) and one did not affected (Espardell). Mussels were sampled one, six and twelve months after the accident. PAH levels were elevated in P. nobilis from the affected area one month after the accident and, although they were decreasing gradually, they were always higher than in the control area. An increase in enzyme activities, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation were evidenced one month after the spillage, with no changes in acetylcholinesterase. All biomarkers progressively returned to basal levels one year after the oil spill. In conclusion, the Don Pedro oil spill induced an acute situation of oxidative stress on P. nobilis that were recovered twelve months later.Publicado1,953

Fatty acids and elemental composition as biomarkers of Octopus vulgaris populations: Does origin matter?

The present study describes the novel use of fatty acids (FAs) and element profiles of Octopus vulgaris inhabiting three coastal areas in the W-Mediterranean Sea. These populations are exposed to different anthropogenic activities, and were compared at different geographical scales. The FA composition in the mantle of O. vulgaris exhibited significant differences in 22:6 n−3 (DHA) and 22:5 n−3 (EPA) among the sampled populations. The essential microelements Fe, Cu, Zn and Ni, and the non-essential microelements As, Sr, Al and Cd were the main contributors of variability among sampled octopus populations, with some notable differences among tissues. The variations in the FAs and elemental composition in octopus tissues were detected with other populations throughout the species distribution range, which might reflect differences in natural habitats and foraging strategies. Therefore, these may be considered biomarkers as a proxy to distinguish the origin of octopus specimens at different scales.This work was partially funded by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (ref. IJCI-2015-25595), by the Institute of Health Carlos III (Project CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038) and by Govern de les Illes Balears (AAEE001/2017). We would like to thank the “Conselleria de Medi Ambient, Agricultura i Pesca” of the “Govern de las Illes Balears” for supporting this project