Nuevos retos moleculares en la conservación animal

The contribution of genetics to wildlife conservation has been stressed often forgetting the existing theoretical and empirical limitations in the use of genetic information to solve ecological and demographic problems. The possibilities of molecular analyses are extensive and the automation of procedures is increasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of molecular technology. With large amounts of molecular data already available, the interest is switching towards the analysis of these data and the interpretation of genetic variability within and across species from a functional perspective. The understanding of the link between genetic variation and fitness or survival is essential in conservation biology and this understanding needs the combination of molecular data with non–molecular (e.g. physiological, behavioural and ecological) data. Progress in this promising field will depend on the trust and collaboration between molecular and field biologists.La contribución de la genética a la conservación de la vida salvaje ha sido enfatizada, olvidándose a menudo que existen limitaciones teóricas y empíricas sobre el uso de la información genética para solucionar problemas ecológicos y demográficos. Los análisis moleculares ofrecen numerosas posibilidades y la automatización de los procesos está incrementando la eficiencia y reduciendo los costes de la tecnología molecular. Con grandes cantidades de datos moleculares ya disponibles, el interés se está desplazando hacia el análisis de dichos datos y la interpretación de la variabilidad genética intraespecífica e interespecífica desde una perspectiva funcional. La comprensión del vínculo entre variabilidad genética y eficacia biológica o supervivencia es esencial en la biología de la conservación, requiriendo esta comprensión la combinación de datos moleculares con datos no moleculares (por ejemplo fisiológicos, de comportamiento y ecológicos). El progreso en este campo tan prometedor debe basarse en la confianza y la colaboración entre biólogos moleculares y de campo

Co-infection and ICU-acquired infection in COIVD-19 ICU patients: a secondary analysis of the UNITE-COVID data set

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented major challenges for critical care facilities worldwide. Infections which develop alongside or subsequent to viral pneumonitis are a challenge under sporadic and pandemic conditions; however, data have suggested that patterns of these differ between COVID-19 and other viral pneumonitides. This secondary analysis aimed to explore patterns of co-infection and intensive care unit-acquired infections (ICU-AI) and the relationship to use of corticosteroids in a large, international cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients.Methods: This is a multicenter, international, observational study, including adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to ICUs at the peak of wave one of COVID-19 (February 15th to May 15th, 2020). Data collected included investigator-assessed co-infection at ICU admission, infection acquired in ICU, infection with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and antibiotic use. Frequencies were compared by Pearson's Chi-squared and continuous variables by Mann-Whitney U test. Propensity score matching for variables associated with ICU-acquired infection was undertaken using R library MatchIT using the "full" matching method.Results: Data were available from 4994 patients. Bacterial co-infection at admission was detected in 716 patients (14%), whilst 85% of patients received antibiotics at that stage. ICU-AI developed in 2715 (54%). The most common ICU-AI was bacterial pneumonia (44% of infections), whilst 9% of patients developed fungal pneumonia; 25% of infections involved MDRO. Patients developing infections in ICU had greater antimicrobial exposure than those without such infections. Incident density (ICU-AI per 1000 ICU days) was in considerable excess of reports from pre-pandemic surveillance. Corticosteroid use was heterogenous between ICUs. In univariate analysis, 58% of patients receiving corticosteroids and 43% of those not receiving steroids developed ICU-AI. Adjusting for potential confounders in the propensity-matched cohort, 71% of patients receiving corticosteroids developed ICU-AI vs 52% of those not receiving corticosteroids. Duration of corticosteroid therapy was also associated with development of ICU-AI and infection with an MDRO.Conclusions: In patients with severe COVID-19 in the first wave, co-infection at admission to ICU was relatively rare but antibiotic use was in substantial excess to that indication. ICU-AI were common and were significantly associated with use of corticosteroids

Clinical and organizational factors associated with mortality during the peak of first COVID-19 wave: the global UNITE-COVID study

Purpose: To accommodate the unprecedented number of critically ill patients with pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) expansion of the capacity of intensive care unit (ICU) to clinical areas not previously used for critical care was necessary. We describe the global burden of COVID-19 admissions and the clinical and organizational characteristics associated with outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: Multicenter, international, point prevalence study, including adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. Results: 4994 patients from 280 ICUs in 46 countries were included. Included ICUs increased their total capacity from 4931 to 7630 beds, deploying personnel from other areas. Overall, 1986 (39.8%) patients were admitted to surge capacity beds. Invasive ventilation at admission was present in 2325 (46.5%) patients and was required during ICU stay in 85.8% of patients. 60-day mortality was 33.9% (IQR across units: 20%–50%) and ICU mortality 32.7%. Older age, invasive mechanical ventilation, and acute kidney injury (AKI) were associated with increased mortality. These associations were also confirmed specifically in mechanically ventilated patients. Admission to surge capacity beds was not associated with mortality, even after controlling for other factors. Conclusions: ICUs responded to the increase in COVID-19 patients by increasing bed availability and staff, admitting up to 40% of patients in surge capacity beds. Although mortality in this population was high, admission to a surge capacity bed was not associated with increased mortality. Older age, invasive mechanical ventilation, and AKI were identified as the strongest predictors of mortality

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Early mobilisation in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a subanalysis of the ESICM-initiated UNITE-COVID observational study

Background Early mobilisation (EM) is an intervention that may improve the outcome of critically ill patients. There is limited data on EM in COVID-19 patients and its use during the first pandemic wave. Methods This is a pre-planned subanalysis of the ESICM UNITE-COVID, an international multicenter observational study involving critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. We analysed variables associated with the initiation of EM (within 72 h of ICU admission) and explored the impact of EM on mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, as well as discharge location. Statistical analyses were done using (generalised) linear mixed-effect models and ANOVAs. Results Mobilisation data from 4190 patients from 280 ICUs in 45 countries were analysed. 1114 (26.6%) of these patients received mobilisation within 72 h after ICU admission; 3076 (73.4%) did not. In our analysis of factors associated with EM, mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.25, 0.35; p = 0.001), higher age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00; p ≤ 0.001), pre-existing asthma (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73, 0.98; p = 0.028), and pre-existing kidney disease (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71, 0.99; p = 0.036) were negatively associated with the initiation of EM. EM was associated with a higher chance of being discharged home (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08, 1.58; p = 0.007) but was not associated with length of stay in ICU (adj. difference 0.91 days; 95% CI − 0.47, 1.37, p = 0.34) and hospital (adj. difference 1.4 days; 95% CI − 0.62, 2.35, p = 0.24) or mortality (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.7, 1.09, p = 0.24) when adjusted for covariates. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that a quarter of COVID-19 patients received EM. There was no association found between EM in COVID-19 patients' ICU and hospital length of stay or mortality. However, EM in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of being discharged home rather than to a care facility. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04836065 (retrospectively registered April 8th 2021)

Descripción osteológica del rorcual común (Balaenoptera physalus, Linnaeus, 1758) del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona

Se presenta la descripción osteológica del esqueleto del rorcual común (Balaenoptera physalus, L., código de registro MZB 83-3084) del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona (MCNB). El espécimen procede de un varamiento en Llançà (Girona) en 1862. El esqueleto pesa 1.161,59 kg y mide 14,6 m, aunque este valor no se corresponde con la longitud total del animal vivo ya que no incluye la longitud del tejido intervertebral. El esqueleto reconstruido, incluido el espesor del tejido intervertebral, alcanza una longitud de 17,35 m. El cráneo pesa 484 kg y tiene una longitud cóndilo-basal de 431 cm que representa el 24,84% de la longitud total y se corresponde con los valores medios obtenidos para otros ejemplares en el Mediterráneo. La columna vertebral posee 58 vértebras estructuradas según la fórmula C7 T14 L14 Ca23 con una longitud total de 10,29 m y un peso de 470,95 kg. Todas las vértebras cervicales están libres y muestran compresión dorsoventral a diferencia de las vértebras torácicas, las lumbares y primeras caudales que son relativamente uniformes, de sección circular. A partir de la Ca14 se produce un cambio en la forma de las vértebras y la relación entre la anchura y la altura es superior a 1, lo que indica una compresión lateral. Ni en las epífisis de la ulna y el radio ni en las de ninguna vértebra se aprecian líneas de sutura, lo que indica que se trata de un ejemplar adulto que ha alcanzado la madurez en su proceso de osificación. Palabras clave: Rorcual común, Esqueleto, Osteometría, MediterráneoWe describe the osteology of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus, L., registration code MZB 83-3084) at the Natural Science Museum of Barcelona (MCNB). The specimen was stranded and died on a beach in Llançà (Girona, Spain) in 1862. The skeleton weighed 1, 161.59 kg and measured 14. 6 m, although the live animal would have been longer because the invertebral tissue was not included in the length originally stated. The newly reconstructed skeleton includes the invertebral discs and is 17.5 m long. The skull weighs 484 kg and the condilobasal length is 431 cm ( 24. 84% of the total length), corresponding to the mean length of specimens in the Mediterranean. The vertebral column has 58 vertebra structured following the formula: C7 T14 L14 Cd23. It is 10.29 m long and weighs 470.95 kg. All the cervical vertebra are free and show dorsoventral compression, differing from the thoracic, lumbar and first caudal vertebra that are relatively uniform, and rounded. From Cd14 se onwards, the vertebra vary in shape and the relationship between width and height is greater than 1, indicating lateral compression. The lack of suture lines in the epiphysis of the ulna and radius indicates the specimen is an adult that has reached ossification maturation. Key words: Fin whale, Skeleton, Osteometry, Mediterranea

In Vitro Characterization of Human CD24hiCD38hi Regulatory B Cells Shows CD9 Is Not a Stable Breg Cell Marker

Regulatory B (Breg) cells are endowed with immune suppressive functions. Various human and murine Breg subtypes have been reported. While interleukin (IL)-10 intracellular staining remains the most reliable way to identify Breg cells, this technique hinders further essential functional studies. Recent findings suggest that CD9 is an effective surface marker of murine IL-10 competent Breg cells. However, the stability of CD9 and its relevance as a unique marker for human Breg cells, which have been widely characterized as CD24hiCD38hi, have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate that CD9 expression is sensitive to in vitro B cell stimulations. CD9 expression could either be re-expressed or downregulated in purified CD9-negative B cells and CD9-positive B cells, respectively. We found no significant differences in the Breg differentiation capacity of the CD9-negative and CD9-positive B cells. Furthermore, CD9-positive B cells co-express CD40 and CD86, suggesting their nature as B cell activation or co-stimulatory molecules, rather than regulatory ones. Therefore, we report the relatively unstable CD9 as a distinct surface molecule, indicating the need for further research for a more reliable marker to purify human Breg cells

Descripción osteológica del rorcual común (Balaenoptera physalus, Linnaeus, 1758) del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona

Se presenta la descripción osteológica del esqueleto del rorcual común (Balaenoptera physalus, L., código de registro MZB 83-3084) del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona (MCNB). El espécimen procede de un varamiento en Llançà (Girona) en 1862. El esqueleto pesa 1.161,59 kg y mide 14,6 m, aunque este valor no se corresponde con la longitud total del animal vivo ya que no incluye la longitud del tejido intervertebral. El esqueleto reconstruido, incluido el espesor del tejido intervertebral, alcanza una longitud de 17,35 m. El cráneo pesa 484 kg y tiene una longitud cóndilo-basal de 431 cm que representa el 24,84% de la longitud total y se corresponde con los valores medios obtenidos para otros ejemplares en el Mediterráneo. La columna vertebral posee 58 vértebras estructuradas según la fórmula C7 T14 L14 Ca23 con una longitud total de 10,29 m y un peso de 470,95 kg. Todas las vértebras cervicales están libres y muestran compresión dorsoventral a diferencia de las vértebras torácicas, las lumbares y primeras caudales que son relativamente uniformes, de sección circular. A partir de la Ca14 se produce un cambio en la forma de las vértebras y la relación entre la anchura y la altura es superior a 1, lo que indica una compresión lateral. Ni en las epífisis de la ulna y el radio ni en las de ninguna vértebra se aprecian líneas de sutura, lo que indica que se trata de un ejemplar adulto que ha alcanzado la madurez en su proceso de osificación. Palabras clave: Rorcual común, Esqueleto, Osteometría, MediterráneoWe describe the osteology of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus, L., registration code MZB 83-3084) at the Natural Science Museum of Barcelona (MCNB). The specimen was stranded and died on a beach in Llançà (Girona, Spain) in 1862. The skeleton weighed 1, 161.59 kg and measured 14. 6 m, although the live animal would have been longer because the invertebral tissue was not included in the length originally stated. The newly reconstructed skeleton includes the invertebral discs and is 17.5 m long. The skull weighs 484 kg and the condilobasal length is 431 cm ( 24. 84% of the total length), corresponding to the mean length of specimens in the Mediterranean. The vertebral column has 58 vertebra structured following the formula: C7 T14 L14 Cd23. It is 10.29 m long and weighs 470.95 kg. All the cervical vertebra are free and show dorsoventral compression, differing from the thoracic, lumbar and first caudal vertebra that are relatively uniform, and rounded. From Cd14 se onwards, the vertebra vary in shape and the relationship between width and height is greater than 1, indicating lateral compression. The lack of suture lines in the epiphysis of the ulna and radius indicates the specimen is an adult that has reached ossification maturation. Key words: Fin whale, Skeleton, Osteometry, MediterraneanSe presenta la descripción osteológica del esqueleto del rorcual común (Balaenoptera physalus, L., código de registro MZB 83-3084) del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona (MCNB). El espécimen procede de un varamiento en Llançà (Girona) en 1862. El esqueleto pesa 1.161,59 kg y mide 14,6 m, aunque este valor no se corresponde con la longitud total del animal vivo ya que no incluye la longitud del tejido intervertebral. El esqueleto reconstruido, incluido el espesor del tejido intervertebral, alcanza una longitud de 17,35 m. El cráneo pesa 484 kg y tiene una longitud cóndilo-basal de 431 cm que representa el 24,84% de la longitud total y se corresponde con los valores medios obtenidos para otros ejemplares en el Mediterráneo. La columna vertebral posee 58 vértebras estructuradas según la fórmula C7 T14 L14 Ca23 con una longitud total de 10,29 m y un peso de 470,95 kg. Todas las vértebras cervicales están libres y muestran compresión dorsoventral a diferencia de las vértebras torácicas, las lumbares y primeras caudales que son relativamente uniformes, de sección circular. A partir de la Ca14 se produce un cambio en la forma de las vértebras y la relación entre la anchura y la altura es superior a 1, lo que indica una compresión lateral. Ni en las epífisis de la ulna y el radio ni en las de ninguna vértebra se aprecian líneas de sutura, lo que indica que se trata de un ejemplar adulto que ha alcanzado la madurez en su proceso de osificación. Palabras clave: Rorcual común, Esqueleto, Osteometría, Mediterráne