Fisheries practices effect on fecundity and larval survival in King crabs

La pesquería de centolla, Lithodes santolla es la segunda más productiva del mundo para cangrejos litódidos. En Argentina, dos stocks pesqueros están siendo explotados: del Canal Beagle (CB, pesca artesanal) y del Golfo San Jorge (GSJ, pesca industrial). La primera se considera mixta ya que se captura también centollón, Paralomis granulosa. Ambas pesquerías están reguladas y solo se permite la extracción de machos de una talla legal, en un período del año. Por lo tanto, las hembras y los machos sublegales deben devolverse al mar. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar el efecto de la pesca en las hembras de centolla y su progenie. Para ello, se estudió el estado del stock de L. santolla del CB, comparando sus valores de fecundidad con los de otros stocks bajo distintas presiones pesqueras. Adicionalmente se realizaron experimentos para simular las maniobras de pesca y evaluar su efecto en la fecundidad y supervivencia larval. El stock del CB mostró una mayor abundancia de animales pequeños para ambos sexos y una baja proporción de hembras ovígeras. Solo se encontró una disminución en la fecundidad en el stock del GSJ. En P. granulosa se encontró aumento en la pérdida de huevos en sucesivos eventos de pesca y devolución al agua, posiblemente causada por la exposición aérea. En L. santolla se encontró que el impacto contra el agua produce una disminución constante en la fecundidad a lo largo de las sucesivas devoluciones. Sin embargo, la densidad de almacenamiento en cubierta no produjo un cambio en la pérdida de huevos. La supervivencia larval mostró una gran variabilidad temporal y entre hembras, y puede disminuir si la hembra es pescada al momento de la eclosión.The fishery of Lithodes santolla is the second most productive in the world for lithodid crabs. Two fishing stocks are being exploited in Argentina: the Beagle Channel (BC, artisanal fishery) and the Golfo San Jorge (GSJ, industrial fishery). The first one is considered a mixed fishery due to its co-occurrence with the stone crab Paralomis granulosa. Both fisheries regulations restrict to land only males larger than a legal size within a fishing season. Consequently, all females and small males must be returned to water. The objective of this work is to evaluate the fishery effect on female crabs and their offspring. For this purpose, the stock status of L. santolla from the BC was studied, comparing the fecundity values with those from other stocks under various fishing pressures. In addition, experiments simulating the fishing maneuvers were conducted to evaluate their effects on fecundity and larval survival. The BC stock presented a greater abundance of small animals of both sexes and a low proportion of ovigerous females. Only in the GSJ stock a fecundity decrease was found. In P. granulosa, an egg-loss increment was found in successive return-to-water events, possibly caused by aerial exposure. In L. santolla, the impact against water produces a constant decrease in the fecundity throughout the successive fishing simulations. However, the on-deck stocking density did not produce a variation in the egg-loss values. The larval survival showed great temporal and among females variations, and may decrease if the female is fished during the hatching period.Fil: Di Salvatore, Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Effects of starvation and stocking density on the physiology of the male of the southern king crab Lithodes santolla

The southern king crab (SKC)Lithodes santolla is an important commercial species in southern South America. There is a greater need for availability of fresh and live crabs during the season of highest demand in summer (mainly December and January). Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of starvation and stocking densities on the physiological status of male SKC to know whether SKC can be stocked after they are fished. To assess the effects of starvation, crabs were assigned to two experimental groups: the Laboratory group (in which crabs were either fed daily (controls), fed every 15 days, or starved and the Sea group (in which crabs were either fed every 15 days or starved). Starved crabs showed a very slight mass reduction (<5%), glycogen depletion from the midgut gland (when kept at sea), lipid peroxidation reduction in both the muscle and the midgut gland, and micro-structural alterations of the midgut gland. Starved crabs were then analyzed at three stocking density levels: low (35 crabs m−3), medium (69 crabs m−3), and high (115 crabs m−3)for 30 days. In this experiment, we found, at all densities, a decreased weight of the midgut gland, a low condition index, decreased lipase activity, glycogen reduction, increased protein reserves, and lipid peroxidation reduction, and decreased lipid levels at low and medium densities. The muscle showed, at all densities, an increased protein oxidation and a decrease in the RNA:DNA ratio. Our results suggest that SKC can tolerate relatively high stocking densities, have low mortality, and are able to endure 60 days of food deprivation without lowering their flesh yield. This would allow marketing crabs alive off-season.Fil: Sacristán, Hernán Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Di Salvatore, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Lovrich, Gustavo Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Inversión reproductiva diferencial en hembras de Lithodes santolla (Decapoda: Anomura) en distintas áreas del sur de Sudamérica

The southern king crab Lithodes santolla experiences low temperatures and unpredictable food conditions, and is under variable fishing pressure. To compare the reproductive investment of females, crabs were captured from three sites (Beagle Channel 55°S, Tierra del Fuego Atlantic coast 52-54°S and San Jorge Gulf 45-47°S). Fecundity, water and lipid contents were measured in midgut gland, ovary and muscle. To assess the maternal investment in the offspring, egg masses were analysed on lipid, protein, water and inorganic matter contents, egg volume and embryo size. Although fecundity was similar among sites, San Jorge Gulf females showed higher water and lower lipid contents in somatic and reproductive organs. The egg mass energy reserves varied among sites, showing the highest lipid values in the Beagle Channel, and the highest protein and inorganic matter content in San Jorge Gulf. Though water content was similar, egg volume and embryo size were higher in San Jorge Gulf. Moreover, maternal size did not correlate with egg volume, embryo size or lipid, protein and inorganic matter content of the eggs. This study suggests that reproductive investment of L. santolla varies among regions exposed to different environmental conditions, such as the quality of food available, denoting a female compensatory mechanism.La centolla, Lithodes santolla, experimenta bajas temperaturas, condiciones de alimentación impredecibles y distintas presiones pesqueras. Para comparar la inversión reproductiva de las hembras, se capturaron centollas de tres sitios (Canal Beagle 55°S, Costa Atlántica de Tierra del Fuego 52-54°S y Golfo San Jorge 45-47°S). Se midió la fecundidad, y el contenido de agua y lípidos en la glándula digestiva, ovario y músculo. Para comparar el aporte materno a la descendencia, se determinó el contenido de lípidos, proteínas, agua y materia inorgánica en la masa de huevos, el volumen del huevo y el tamaño del embrión. Aunque la fecundidad fue similar entre sitios, las hembras del Golfo San Jorge mostraron mayor contenido de agua y lípidos en los órganos somáticos y reproductivos. Las reservas energéticas de la masa de huevos variaron entre sitios, mostrando los mayores valores de lípidos en Canal Beagle y de proteínas y materia inorgánica en el Golfo San Jorge. Aunque el contenido de agua en el huevo fue similar, su volumen y el tamaño del embrión fueron mayores en el Golfo San Jorge. Además, el tamaño materno no se correlacionó con el volumen del huevo, el tamaño del embrión, ni con el contenido de lípidos, proteínas y materia inorgánica de los huevos. Este estudio sugiere que la inversión reproductiva de L. santolla varía entre regiones expuestas a diferentes condiciones ambientales, como la calidad de alimentos disponibles, lo cual denota un mecanismo compensatorio en las hembras

Oxidative stress indicators in populations of the gastropod Buccinanops globulosus affected by imposex

The gastropod Buccinanops globulosus is commonly used as a bioindicator of tributyltin (TBT) contamination due to its high imposex incidence in maritime traffic areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate both oxidative stress in B. globulosus at three sites with different maritime activity, and imposex incidence in Nuevo Gulf, Argentina. Oxidative stress parameters in digestive glands, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, reduced glutathione levels (GSH), and oxidative damage to lipids, estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) as well as imposex parameters (% imposex and female penis length (FPL)) were measured in females. Gastropods from the harbour area showed 100% imposex, the highest FPL and TBARs content, as well as GSH levels and SOD activity.The different oxidative stress responses and high imposex incidence at the harbour site may indicate a negative effect on the organism's physiological state due to environmental pollution.Fil: Primost, Monica Angelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Biologia de Organismos Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Sabatini, Sebastian Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Di Salvatore, Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rios, Maria del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Bigatti, Gregorio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Instituto de Biologia de Organismos Marinos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; Argentin

Sensory-directed approach to explore cider typicity: the case of ciders from the Canary Islands (Spain)

PurposeThe main aim of this study is to characterise and identify specific chemo-sensory profiles of ciders from the Canary Islands (Spain).Design/methodology/approachCommercial samples of Canary ciders were compared to ciders from the Basque Country and Asturias. In total, 18 samples were studied, six for each region. The analysis comprised their sensory profiling and chemical characterisation of their polyphenolic profile, volatile composition, conventional chemical parameters and CIELAB colour coordinates. In parallel, the sensory profile of the samples from the Canary Islands was first compared with their Basque and Asturian counterparts by labelled sorting task. Then, their specific aroma profile was characterised by flash profile. Further quantification of sensory-active compounds was performed by GC–MS and GC-FID to identify the volatile compounds involved in their aroma profile.FindingsResults show that Canary ciders present a specific chemical profile characterised by higher levels of ethanol, and hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly t-ferulic, t-coumaric and neochologenic acids, and lower levels of volatile and total acidity than their Asturian and Basque counterparts. They also present a specific aroma profile characterised by fruity aroma, mainly fruit in syrup and confectionary, and sweet flavours related to their highest levels of vinylphenols formed by transformation of hydroxycinnamic acids.Originality/valueAn integrated strategy to explore the typicity of the currently existing Canary ciders in the market was developed. The results are important in that they will help other regions to identify specific typical chemo-sensory profiles and to promote the creation of certifications supporting regional typicity

Synoptic analysis of a decade of daily measurements of SO2 emission in the troposphere from volcanoes of the global ground-based Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change

Volcanic plumes are common and far-reaching manifestations of volcanic activity during and between eruptions. Observations of the rate of emission and composition of volcanic plumes are essential to recognize and, in some cases, predict the state of volcanic activity. Measurements of the size and location of the plumes are important to assess the impact of the emission from sporadic or localized events to persistent or widespread processes of climatic and environmental importance. These observations provide information on volatile budgets on Earth, chemical evolution of magmas, and atmospheric circulation and dynamics. Space-based observations during the last decades have given us a global view of Earth's volcanic emission, particularly of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Although none of the satellite missions were intended to be used for measurement of volcanic gas emission, specially adapted algorithms have produced time-averaged global emission budgets. These have confirmed that tropospheric plumes, produced from persistent degassing of weak sources, dominate the total emission of volcanic SO2. Although space-based observations have provided this global insight into some aspects of Earth's volcanism, it still has important limitations. The magnitude and short-term variability of lower-atmosphere emissions, historically less accessible from space, remain largely uncertain. Operational monitoring of volcanic plumes, at scales relevant for adequate surveillance, has been facilitated through the use of ground-based scanning differential optical absorption spectrometer (ScanDOAS) instruments since the beginning of this century, largely due to the coordinated effort of the Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change (NOVAC). In this study, we present a compilation of results of homogenized post-analysis of measurements of SO2 flux and plume parameters obtained during the period March 2005 to January 2017 of 32 volcanoes in NOVAC. This inventory opens a window into the short-term emission patterns of a diverse set of volcanoes in terms of magma composition, geographical location, magnitude of emission, and style of eruptive activity. We find that passive volcanic degassing is by no means a stationary process in time and that large sub-daily variability is observed in the flux of volcanic gases, which has implications for emission budgets produced using short-term, sporadic observations. The use of a standard evaluation method allows for intercomparison between different volcanoes and between ground- and space-based measurements of the same volcanoes. The emission of several weakly degassing volcanoes, undetected by satellites, is presented for the first time. We also compare our results with those reported in the literature, providing ranges of variability in emission not accessible in the past. The open-access data repository introduced in this article will enable further exploitation of this unique dataset, with a focus on volcanological research, risk assessment, satellite-sensor validation, and improved quantification of the prevalent tropospheric component of global volcanic emission

Contemporary lipid-lowering management and risk of cardiovascular events in homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: insights from the Italian LIPIGEN Registry

Aims: The availability of novel lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) has remarkably changed the clinical management of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH). The impact of these advances was evaluated in a cohort of 139 HoFH patients followed in a real-world clinical setting. Methods and results: The clinical characteristics of 139 HoFH patients, along with information about LLTs and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at baseline and after a median follow-up of 5 years, were retrospectively retrieved from the records of patients enrolled in the LIPid transport disorders Italian GEnetic Network-Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (LIPIGEN-FH) Registry. The annual rates of major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (MACE-plus) during follow-up were compared before and after baseline. Additionally, the lifelong survival free from MACE-plus was compared with that of the historical LIPIGEN HoFH cohort. At baseline, LDL-C level was 332 ± 138 mg/dL. During follow-up, the potency of LLTs was enhanced and, at the last visit, 15.8% of patients were taking quadruple therapy. Consistently, LDL-C decreased to an average value of 124 mg/dL corresponding to a 58.3% reduction (Pt &lt; 0.001), with the lowest value (∼90 mg/dL) reached in patients receiving proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors and lomitapide and/or evinacumab as add-on therapies. The average annual MACE-plus rate in the 5-year follow-up was significantly lower than that observed during the 5 years before baseline visit (21.7 vs. 56.5 per 1000 patients/year; P = 0.0016). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the combination of novel and conventional LLTs significantly improved LDL-C control with a signal of better cardiovascular prognosis in HoFH patients. Overall, these results advocate the use of intensive, multidrug LLTs to effectively manage HoFH

Refinement of the diagnostic approach for the identification of children and adolescents affected by familial hypercholesterolemia: Evidence from the LIPIGEN study

Background and aims: We aimed to describe the limitations of familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH) diagnosis in childhood based on the presence of the typical features of FH, such as physical sings of cholesterol accumulation and personal or family history of premature cardiovascular disease or hypercholesterolemia, comparing their prevalence in the adult and paediatric FH population, and to illustrate how additional information can lead to a more effective diagnosis of FH at a younger age.Methods: From the Italian LIPIGEN cohort, we selected 1188 (&gt;= 18 years) and 708 (&lt;18 years) genetically-confirmed heterozygous FH, with no missing personal FH features. The prevalence of personal and familial FH features was compared between the two groups. For a sub-group of the paediatric cohort (N = 374), data about premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in second-degree family members were also included in the evaluation.Results: The lower prevalence of typical FH features in children/adolescents vs adults was confirmed: the prevalence of tendon xanthoma was 2.1% vs 13.1%, and arcus cornealis was present in 1.6% vs 11.2% of the cohorts, respectively. No children presented clinical history of premature CHD or cerebral/peripheral vascular disease compared to 8.8% and 5.6% of adults, respectively. The prevalence of premature CHD in first-degree relatives was significantly higher in adults compared to children/adolescents (38.9% vs 19.7%). In the sub-cohort analysis, a premature CHD event in parents was reported in 63 out of 374 subjects (16.8%), but the percentage increased to 54.0% extending the evaluation also to second-degree relatives.Conclusions: In children, the typical FH features are clearly less informative than in adults. A more thorough data collection, adding information about second-degree relatives, could improve the diagnosis of FH at younger age

Refinement of the diagnostic approach for the identification of children and adolescents affected by familial hypercholesterolemia: Evidence from the LIPIGEN study

Background and aims: We aimed to describe the limitations of familiar hypercholesterolemia (FH) diagnosis in childhood based on the presence of the typical features of FH, such as physical sings of cholesterol accumulation and personal or family history of premature cardiovascular disease or hypercholesterolemia, comparing their prevalence in the adult and paediatric FH population, and to illustrate how additional information can lead to a more effective diagnosis of FH at a younger age. Methods: From the Italian LIPIGEN cohort, we selected 1188 (≥18 years) and 708 (&lt;18 years) genetically-confirmed heterozygous FH, with no missing personal FH features. The prevalence of personal and familial FH features was compared between the two groups. For a sub-group of the paediatric cohort (N = 374), data about premature coronary heart disease (CHD) in second-degree family members were also included in the evaluation. Results: The lower prevalence of typical FH features in children/adolescents vs adults was confirmed: the prevalence of tendon xanthoma was 2.1% vs 13.1%, and arcus cornealis was present in 1.6% vs 11.2% of the cohorts, respectively. No children presented clinical history of premature CHD or cerebral/peripheral vascular disease compared to 8.8% and 5.6% of adults, respectively. The prevalence of premature CHD in first-degree relatives was significantly higher in adults compared to children/adolescents (38.9% vs 19.7%). In the sub-cohort analysis, a premature CHD event in parents was reported in 63 out of 374 subjects (16.8%), but the percentage increased to 54.0% extending the evaluation also to second-degree relatives. Conclusions: In children, the typical FH features are clearly less informative than in adults. A more thorough data collection, adding information about second-degree relatives, could improve the diagnosis of FH at younger age

Evaluation of predictive factors for i-CLARAS (intraoperative complications in laparoscopic renal and adrenal surgery): a multicentre international retrospective cohort study

The laparoscopic approach represents the standard of treatment for renal and adrenal diseases, and its use is increasing even outside referral centres. Although most procedures are routinely performed, intraoperative complications do not occur, and the rate and predictive factors of these complications have not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and type of intraoperative complications and to identify predictive factors in patients undergoing laparoscopic renal and adrenal surgery. This was a cohort, multicentre, international retrospective study. Patients who underwent laparoscopic renal and adrenal surgeries between April 2017 and March 2022 were included in the study. Bivariate analysis was performed using contingency tables and the χ2 test for independent samples to compare qualitative variables and the T test and Mood test for continuous variables. Multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model to obtain adjusted odds ratios. A total of 2374 patients were included in the study. Intraoperative complications were reported for 8.09% of patients who underwent renal surgery, with the most common complications reported being hollow viscus and vascular complications, and for 6.75% of patients who underwent adrenal surgery, with the most common complication reported being parenchymatous viscous complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that both adrenal and renal surgery radiological preoperative factors, such as invasive features during adrenalectomy and the RENAL score during nephrectomy, are predictive factors of intraoperative complications. In contrast to existing data, surgeon experience was not associated with a reduction in the incidence of perioperative complications