The Open Access Journals Toolkit

Contents: Getting Started 5 • Scope, aims and focus 5 • Choosing a title for your journal 6 • Types of content accepted 7 • Kick-off and ongoing funding 11 • Disciplinary considerations 16 • Journal setup checklist and timeline 18 • Running a journal 20 • Article selection criteria 20 • Publication frequency and journal issues 23 • Attracting authors 25 • Peer review and quality assurance 27 • The costs of running an online open access journal 31 • Running a journal in a local or regional language 34 • Flipping a journal to open access 36 • Indexing 38 • Building and maintaining a profile 38 • Journal and article indexing 41 • Search engine optimisation and technical improvements 43 • Journal and article level metrics 45 • Staffing 49 • Roles and responsibilities 49 • Recruiting journal staff 51 • Building an editorial board 54 • Training and staff development 57 • Policies 59 • Developing author guidelines 59 • Publication ethics and related editorial policies 61 • Compliance with funder policies and mandates 64 • Copyright and licensing 66 • Displaying licensing information 68 • Corrections and retractions 70 • Infrastructure 72 • Software and technical infrastructure 72 • Journal appearance and web design 74 • Article and journal metadata 76 • Structured content 79 • Persistent Identifiers 81 • About the Open Access Journals Toolkit 83 • About 83 • What is an open access journal? 86 • Frequently asked questions 89 • Glossary 92 • Further reading 9

Successful cryopreservation in biodegradable containers of sperm from aquaculture Mediterranean fishes

We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hard-gelatin and hard-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules as biodegradable alternative containers to plastic straws in European eel (Anguilla anguilla), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) sperm cryopreservation. Sperm samples from each European eel (n = 12) were diluted 1:8:1 (sperm: extender P1+5 % egg yolk: methanol). Gilthead seabream (n = 12) samples were individually diluted in a cryoprotectant solution of 5 % Me2SO + NaCl 1 % plus BSA (10 mg mL−1) at a ratio of 1:6 (sperm: cryoprotectant solution). European sea bass (n = 10) sperm from each male was diluted in non-activating medium (NAM) at a ratio of 1:5.7 (sperm: NAM), and 5 % of Me2SO was added. The diluted European eel and sea bass sperm aliquots (0.5 mL) were individually filled in plastic straws (0.5 mL), hard-gelatin, and HPMC capsules (0.68 mL). Gilthead seabream diluted sperm (0.25 mL) were filled in plastic straws (0.25 mL) and identical capsules described. All samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor and stored in a liquid nitrogen tank. Sperm kinetic parameters were evaluated by CASA-Mot software. Sperm membrane integrity was performed using a Live and Dead KIT and an epifluorescence microscope. To quantify DNA damage, the alkaline comet assay was performed and TailDNA (TD-%) and Olive Tail Moment (OTM) were evaluated by CaspLab software. Sperm cryopreservation of the three Mediterranean species in straws, gelatin, or HPMC capsules reduced the kinetic parameters and cell membrane integrity. Generally, the post-thawing samples cryopreserved in straws and capsules did not differ for the kinetic parameters and cell membrane integrity, except for European sea bass sperm, where the samples stored in gelatin capsules showed higher velocities (VCL - 100; VSL - 76; VAP - 90 μm s−1) than the sperm stored in HPMC capsules (VCL - 87; VSL - 59; VAP - 73 μm s−1). The cryopreservation process did not damage the sperm DNA of European eel and European sea bass, regardless of the containers used. On the other hand, gilthead seabream sperm cryopreserved in gelatin (TD - 9.8 %; OTM - 9.7) and HPMC (TD - 11.1 %; OTM - 11.2) capsules showed higher DNA damage than fresh samples (TD - 3.6 %; OTM - 2.7) and the sperm stored in straws (TD - 4.4 %; OTM - 5.2). The hard-gelatin and HPMC biodegradable capsules can be used as an alternative to straws for European eel, gilthead seabream, and European sea bass sperm cryopreservation.This study was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana (THINKINAZUL/2021/012; THINKINAZUL/2021/024; THINKINAZUL/2021/042) including the contract of FF-G. WAG-L has a Margarita Salas postdoctoral contract (RD 289/2021. UAB) by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. LF has a PhD contract from Generalitat Valenciana (GRISOLIAP/2020/063). TSF (141717/2019-0 and 200285/2021-1) and MPS (200452/2022-3) have fellowships from Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).Peer reviewe

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Analysis of the action of Himatanthus drasticus in progression of urethane-induced lung cancer in mice

ABSTRACTObjective:To evaluate the effect of janaguba in inhibiting the development of lung cancer in an experimental urethane-induced model.Methods:a total of 3mg/kg urethane was injected in 51 Balb-C mice aged 7-13 weeks of life. Janaguba was administered orally daily in two doses: 0.04 mL (Group 2, G2) and 0.06 mL (Group 3, G3), for 20 weeks. After this period, the mice were sacrificed and the number of lesions counted.Results:The mean weight of Group 2 was lower than that of Group 3, and that of Group 1 (Control, G1) (G1 = 35.533 g; G2 = 33.359 g; G3 = 37.125 g). The number of nodules did not differ between groups (mean G1 = G2 = G3 = 1; p = 0.88).Conclusion:Janaguba had an effect on the growth of mice, but had no influence on the progression of lung cancer in this model

Protocol optimization for sea bass sperm cryopreservation and assessment of post-thawing dilution to prolong sperm usefulness in aquaculture mediterranean species

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 8th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes, celebrado en Gdansk (Polonia) del 20 al 23 de septiembre de 2022.Our study aimed to optimize the sperm cryopreservation protocol of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and evaluate the post-thawing sperm dilution in species of interest for Mediterranean aquaculture. Sea bass sperm samples (n=6) were cryopreserved using a modified Non-Activating Media (NAM) extender with or without 5% Glucose (Glu), and 10% of Me2SO or MeOH as cryoprotectant. In a second experiment, sea bass sperm samples (n=7) were cryopreserved using a modified NAM extender and Me2SO. In both experiments, an aliquot of post-thawed sperm was diluted in NAM or NAM + Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), or not diluted (control). Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) sperm samples (n=13) were cryopreserved. The post-thawed sperm was diluted in Mounib or NAM media, or not diluted (control). European eel (Anguilla anguilla) sperm samples (n=12) were cryopreserved. An aliquot of post-thaw sperm was diluted in P1 or P1 + BSA media, or not diluted (control). Kinetic parameters were checked after thawing: sea bass (0, 2.5 and 6 h), Senegalese sole (0 and 3 h), and European eel (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The total motility (MOT - %), progressive motility (MOTp - %), the velocities curvilinear (VCL - µm/s), straight line (VSL - µm/s) and average path (VAP - µm/s), were evaluated using a CASA-Mot software. The highest post-thawing kinetic parameters of sea bass sperm were observed when Me2SO or Me2SO+Glu were used and post-thawed sperm was diluted in NAM+BSA. The post-thaw sperm dilution increased kinetic parameters and prolonged sperm capacity compared to undiluted (control) samples. The post-thawing dilution did not increase the quality of the Senegalese sole sperm at 0 h. However, after 3 h, the spermatozoa diluted in NAM maintained the VCL. The European eel post-thaw sperm diluted in P1 maintained the MOT at 48 h and the velocities at 96 h after thawing. The combination of Me2SO+Glu can be used to cryopreserve sea bass sperm, and MeOH should be avoided. Sea bass post-thawing sperm dilution increases sperm kinetic parameters and prolongs its use at 2.5 h. Senegalese sole post-thaw sperm dilution did not affect the sperm kinetic parameters. European eel post-thaw diluted in NAM can be used without losing quality for 48 h after thawing.Supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana (THINKINAZUL/2021/012) to SEASPERM. WAG has a Margarita Salas postdoctoral contract (RD 289/2021. UAB) by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. TSF and MPS have fellowships from Brazilian institutions: CNPq (200285/2021-1), and CAPES (Finance code 001), respectively

Seawater ph does not affect all the aquaculture marine fish sperm motility

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 8th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes, celebrado en Gdansk (Polonia) del 20 al 23 de septiembre de 2022.The climate change includes a decrease in seawater pH, and an increase in its temperature. It is possible that the marine fish sperm cells, which are released to the sea at spawning, can be affected by these expected changes on the water, and become unable of fulfill its role on fertilization. For that reason, different seawater pH has been tested in 3 aquaculture marine species: the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis), and their sperm motility parameters analyzed by a CASA-mot system. In the European eel, tested seawater pH, from 6.5 to 9.5, affected sperm motility and other kinetic parameters like MP, FA, VCL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, ALH and BFC. pH values lower than 7.8 or higher than 8.2 caused lower values of motility and the rest of kinetic parameters. The longevity was not affected by pH from 7.6 to 8.2. In other experiment a seawater pH of 7.8 caused lower motility, FA, VSL, VAP and LIN than a seawater with pH 8.2. The effect of the water temperature was tested, by comparing activation with seawater at 4 °C (our control) and at 23-24 °C. The spermatozoa beating cross frequency (BCF) was the only parameter significantly affected, being lower at 23 °C than at 4 °C. In other experiment where we combined 2 temperatures (4, 24 °C) and two pH (7.8, 8.2), a significant interaction was observed, and in general the worst results were obtained with seawater at 4 °C and at pH 7.8. Considering all these data, it seems that the seawater pH has a deeper effect on the eel sperm motility than a high temperature. Regarding European sea bass and Senegalese sole, motility and other sperm parameters were not affected by seawater temperature in the pH range from 6.5 to 9.5, thus indicating that ocean acidification would not affect their behavior. The differences found between these species, evolutively and ecologically differents, could reflect different activation mechanisms of the spermatozoa motility.Supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana (THINKINAZUL/2021/012) to SEASPERM. MM has a postdoctoral contract by Generalitat Valenciana (APOSTD/2020/053). WAG has a Margarita Salas postdoctoral contract (RD 289/2021. UAB) by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. TSF and MPS have fellowships from Brazilian institutions: CNPq (200285/2021-1), and CAPES (Finance code 001), respectively