Updated checklist of Cuban marine macroalgae

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Desde la publicación del libro sobre las macroalgas marinas de Cuba en 2015 se han publicado nuevos registros y cambios taxonómicos. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue presentar una quinta revisión sistemática actualizada, que incluye Ochrophyta (Clase Phaeophyceae), Rhodophyta y Chlorophyta. Métodos: Se recopiló la información disponible en publicaciones científicas, tesis de licenciatura, maestría y doctorado, e informes científico-técnicos de especialistas reconocidos, considerando aquellas que no fueron comprendidas en la revisión anterior o que fueron publicadas después de 2015. Los taxones encontrados fueron ordenados sistemáticamente, los nombres actualizados y la sinonimia revisada según AlgaeBase y la literatura más reciente. Las especies se ordenaron alfabéticamente dentro de cada familia. La distribución de cada taxón se resumió para nueve zonas consideradas como Distritos Ecológicos (zonas) de la plataforma cubana.Resultados claves: Se presenta un listado florístico actualizado con 569 especies, una subespecie, 25 variedades y 21 formas. Se añaden a la anterior revisión 38 especies, de las cuales siete son nuevos registros para Cuba: Hydrolithon boergesenii, Neogoniolithon mamillare, N. propinquum, N. rhizophorae, Lithothamnion crispatum, Liagoropsis schrammii y Peyssonnelia rubra. Se da la distribución de cada uno de estos taxones en las nueve zonas de la plataforma cubana.Conclusiones: Las zonas que presentaron más especies son aquellas que han tenido un mayor esfuerzo de muestreo o donde predominan los fondos rocosos arrecifales, aunque no se han inventariado detalladamente las macroalgas en la zona mesolitoral, bahías y lagunas costeras.Background and Aims: Since the publication of the book on Cuban marine macroalgae in 2015, new records have been found and taxonomic changes have been published. Therefore, the objective of this publication is to present a fifth updated systematic review, that includes Ochrophyta (Class Phaeophyceae), Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. Methods: These results were recorded from information available in scientific papers, bachelor, master and doctoral theses, as well as scientific-technical reports from recognized specialists, considering those not included in the last review or that were published after 2015. The taxa were systematically ordered, the names and synonymy were reviewed according to Algaebase and the most recent scientific literature. Species were arranged alphabetically within each family. The distribution of each taxon was resumed for nine Ecological Districts (zones) of the Cuban shelf.Key results: An updated floristic list with 569 species, one subspecies, 25 varieties, and 21 forms is presented. Thirty-seven species are added to the previous review of which seven are new records for Cuba: Hydrolithon boergesenii, Neogoniolithon mamillare, N. propinquum, N. rhizophorae, Lithothamnion crispatum, Liagoropsis schrammii, and Peyssonnelia rubra. The distribution of these taxa in the nine zones of the Cuban shelf is provided.Conclusions: The zones showing more species have had a greater sampling effort or were predominantly rocky reef bottoms. However, macroalgae have not been inventoried in detail in the intertidal zone, bays, and coastal lagoons. Zones with fewer species coincide in having a narrower shelf where rocky substrates dominate, although macroalgae have not been inventoried in the intertidal zone, bays, and coastal lagoons

Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

[EN] The effect of partial or total dietary substitution of fishmeal (FM) by vegetal protein sources on growth and feed efficiency was carried out in on-growing gilthead sea bream (mean initial weight 131 g). The Control diet (FM 100) contained FM as the primary protein source, while in Diets FM 25 and FM 0 the FM protein was replaced at 75% and 100%, respectively, by a vegetable protein mixture consisting of wheat gluten, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and crystalline amino acids. Diets FM 25 and FM 0 also contained krill meal at 47 g/kg in order to improve palatability. At the end of the trial (after 158 d), fish survival was above 90%. Final weight and the specific growth rate were statistically lower in fish fed the Control diet (361 g and 0.64%/d), compared with 390–396 g and 0.69–0.70%/d after feeding vegetal diets. No significant differences were found regarding feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The digestibility of protein and amino acids (determined with chromium oxide as indicator) was similar in all diets. The blood parameters were not significantly affected by treatments. The activity of trypsin and pepsin was significantly reduced after feeding Diet FM 0. In the distal intestine, the villi length in fish fed Diet FM 25 was significantly longer and the intestine of the fish fed the FM 100 diet showed a smaller number of goblet cells. In conclusion, a total FM substitution by a vegetal mix supplemented with synthetic amino acids in on-growing sea bream is feasible.This work was supported by the Vicerrectorat d'Investigacio, Innovacio i Transferencia - Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Project Name: Aquaculture feed without fishmeal (SP20120603). URLs of funder:http://www.upv.es/entidades/VIIT/info/indexnormalc.htm. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Monge-Ortiz, R.; Martínez-Llorens, S.; Marquez, L.; Moyano-Lopez, FJ.; Jover Cerdá, M.; Tomas-Vidal, A. (2016). Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Archives of Animal Nutrition. 70(2):155-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/1745039X.2016.1141743S15517270

Plasma MicroRNA Signature Validation for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES: Specific microRNA (miRNA) signatures in biological fluids can facilitate earlier detection of the tumors being then minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Circulating miRNAs have also emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. In this study, we investigated the performance of a specific signature of miRNA in plasma samples to design a robust predictive model that can distinguish healthy individuals from those with CRC or advanced adenomas (AA) diseases. METHODS: Case control study of 297 patients from 8 Spanish centers including 100 healthy individuals, 101 diagnosed with AA, and 96 CRC cases. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription was used to quantify a signature of miRNA (miRNA19a, miRNA19b, miRNA15b, miRNA29a, miRNA335, and miRNA18a) in plasma samples. Binary classifiers (Support Vector Machine [SVM] linear, SVM radial, and SVM polynomial) were built for the best predictive model. RESULTS: Area under receiving operating characteristic curve of 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.871-0.962) was obtained retrieving a model with a sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.90, positive predictive value of 0.94, and negative predictive value of 0.76 when advanced neoplasms (CRC and AA) were compared with healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We identified and validated a signature of 6 miRNAs (miRNA19a, miRNA19b, miRNA15b, miRNA29a, miRNA335, and miRNA18a) as predictors that can differentiate significantly patients with CRC and AA from those who are healthy. However, large-scale validation studies in asymptomatic screening participants should be conducted

Fostering Professional Ethical Competence During Teacher Training Practice

Professionals who have undergone their training at university should possess not only the knowledge-base necessary to practice in their chosen profession, but also the ethical principles that ensure responsible professional practice and the corresponding benefits for society. The research project addressed in the present article aimed to contribute to fostering ethical competence and commitment amongst future teachers. During the experience the participants had the opportunity to design tasks that stimulated reflection, critique and ethical awareness.Specialistai, įgiję universitetinį išsilavinimą, turi būti sukaupę ne tik žinių, kurios būtinos profesinėje veikloje, bet ir gebėti vadovautis etikos principais, kurie užtikrintų atsakingą ir visuomenės gerovei reikalingą profesinę veiklą. Tyrime, pristatomame šiame straipsnyje, analizuojamos būsimųjų mokytojų etinės kompetencijos plėtros ir atsidavimo darbui problemos. Tyrimo dalyviai turėjo galimybę kurti užduotis, kurios skatino refleksiją, kritiką ir etinį sąmoningumą.Les professionnels ayant reçu leur formation auprès des Universités disposeront, non seulement des connaissances de base nécessaires à l'exercice de leur métier, mais aussi les principes éthiques garantissant un exercice professionnel responsable portant bénéfice sur la société. Le projet de recherche présenté sous ce titre a comme objectif la contribution à la favorisation de la compétence éthique et de l'engagement parmi les futurs enseignants. Lors de cette expérience, les participants ont eu l'occasion d'élaborer des tâches favorisant la réflexion, la critique et la pensée critique.Профессионалы, получившие университетское образование, не только получают основные знания для работы по своей профессии, но и моральные принципы, которые обеспечивают ответственную профессиональную работу и соответствующую выгоду для общества. Целью исследовательского проекта,представленного под этим именем, является участие в стимуляции профессиональной этики и компромисса среди будущих преподавателей. Во время проведения эксперимента, участники получили возможность разработать задания, стимулирующие размышление, критику и критичиское сознание.Los profesionales que han recibido su formación en la Universidad, poseerán no solo el conocimiento base necesario para la práctica en su profesión, sino también los principios éticos que aseguran la práctica profesional responsable y el correspondiente beneficio para la sociedad. El proyecto de investigación presentado con este título tiene como objetivo contribuir a estimular la competencia ética y el compromiso entre los futuros docentes. Durante la experiencia, los participantes tuvieron la oportunidad de diseñar tareas que estimularan la reflexión, la crítica y la conciencia crítica

Long -term feeding with high plant protein based diets in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata, L.) leads to changes in the inflammatory and immune related gene expression at intestinal level

[EN] Background: In order to ensure sustainability of aquaculture production of carnivourous fish species such as the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata, L.), the impact of the inclusion of alternative protein sources to fishmeal, including plants, has been assessed. With the aim of evaluating long-term effects of vegetable diets on growth and intestinal status of the on-growing gilthead seabream (initial weight = 129 g), three experimental diets were tested: a strict plant protein-based diet (VM), a fishmeal based diet (FM) and a plant protein-based diet with 15% of marine ingredients (squid and krill meal) alternative to fishmeal (VM+). Intestines were sampled after 154 days. Besides studying growth parameters and survival, the gene expression related to inflammatory response, immune system, epithelia integrity and digestive process was analysed in the foregut and hindgut sections, as well as different histological parameters in the foregut. Results: There were no differences in growth performance (p = 0.2703) and feed utilization (p = 0.1536), although a greater fish mortality was recorded in the VM group (p = 0.0141). In addition, this group reported a lower expression in genes related to pro-inflammatory response, as Interleukine-1 beta (il1 beta, p = 0.0415), Interleukine-6 (il6, p = 0.0347) and cyclooxigenase-2 (cox2, p = 0.0014), immune-related genes as immunoglobulin M (igm, p = 0.0002) or bacterial defence genes as alkaline phosphatase (alp, p = 0.0069). In contrast, the VM+ group yielded similar survival rate to FM (p = 0.0141) and the gene expression patterns indicated a greater induction of the inflammatory and immune markers (il1 beta, cox2 and igm). However, major histological changes in gut were not detected. Conclusions: Using plants as the unique source of protein on a long term basis, replacing fishmeal in aqua feeds for gilthead seabream, may have been the reason of a decrease in the level of different pro-inflammatory mediators (il1 beta, il6 and cox2) and immune-related molecules (igm and alp), which reflects a possible lack of local immune response at the intestinal mucosa, explaining the higher mortality observed. Krill and squid meal inclusion in vegetable diets, even at low concentrations, provided an improvement in nutrition and survival parameters compared to strictly plant protein based diets as VM, maybe explained by the maintenance of an effective immune response throughout the assay.The research has been partially funded by Vicerrectorat d'Investigacio, Innovacio i Transferencia of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, which belongs to the project Aquaculture feed without fishmeal (SP20120603). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.Estruch-Cucarella, G.; Collado, MC.; Monge-Ortiz, R.; Tomas-Vidal, A.; Jover Cerdá, M.; Peñaranda, D.; Perez Martinez, G.... (2018). Long -term feeding with high plant protein based diets in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata, L.) leads to changes in the inflammatory and immune related gene expression at intestinal level. BMC Veterinary Research. 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1626-6S14Hardy RW. Utilization of plant proteins in fish diets: effects of global demand and supplies of fishmeal. Aquac Res. 2010;41:770–6.Martínez-Llorens S, Moñino AV, Vidal AT, Salvador VJM, Pla Torres M, Jover Cerdá M, et al. Soybean meal as a protein source in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) diets: effects on growth and nutrient utilization. Aquac Res. 2007;38(1):82–90.Tacon AGJ, Metian M. Global overview on the use of fish meal and fish oil in industrially compounded aquafeeds: trends and future prospects. Aquaculture. 2008;285:146–58.Bonaldo A, Roem AJ, Fagioli P, Pecchini A, Cipollini I, Gatta PP. Influence of dietary levels of soybean meal on the performance and gut histology of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). Aquac Res. 2008;39(9):970–8.Kissil G, Lupatsch I. Successful replacement of fishmeal by plant proteins in diets for the gilthead seabream, Sparus Aurata L. Isr J Aquac – Bamidgeh. 2004;56(3):188–99.Monge-Ortíz R, Martínez-Llorens S, Márquez L, Moyano FJ, Jover-Cerdá M, Tomás-Vidal A. Potential use of high levels of vegetal proteins in diets for market-sized gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Arch Anim Nutr. 2016;70(2):155–72.Santigosa E, Sánchez J, Médale F, Kaushik S, Pérez-Sánchez J, Gallardo MA. Modifications of digestive enzymes in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea bream (Sparus aurata) in response to dietary fish meal replacement by plant protein sources. Aquaculture. 2008;282:68–74.Santigosa E, García-Meilán I, Valentin JM, Pérez-Sánchez J, Médale F, Kaushik S, et al. Modifications of intestinal nutrient absorption in response to dietary fish meal replacement by plant protein sources in sea bream (Sparus aurata) and rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss). Aquaculture. 2011;317:146–54.Sitjá-Bobadilla A, Peña-Llopis S, Gómez-Requeni P, Médale F, Kaushik S, Pérez-Sánchez J. Effect of fish meal replacement by plant protein sources on non-specific defence mechanisms and oxidative stress in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Aquaculture. 2005;249:387–400.Martínez-Llorens S, Baeza-Ariño R, Nogales-Mérida S, Jover-Cerdá M, Tomás-Vidal A. Carob seed germ meal as a partial substitute in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) diets: amino acid retention, digestibility, gut and liver histology. Aquaculture. 2012;338-341:124–33.Baeza-Ariño R, Martínez-Llorens S, Nogales-Mérida S, Jover-Cerda M, Tomás-Vidal A. Study of liver and gut alterations in sea bream, Sparus aurata L., fed a mixture of vegetable protein concentrates. Aquac Res. 2014;47(2):460–71.Estruch G, Collado MC, Peñaranda DS, Tomás Vidal A, Jover Cerdá M, Pérez Martínez G, et al. Impact of fishmeal replacement in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) on the gastrointestinal microbiota determined by pyrosequencing the 16S rRNA gene. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0136389. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136389 .Fekete SG, Kellems RO. Interrelationship of feeding with immunity and parasitic infection: a review. Vet Med. 2007;52(4):131–43.Kiron V. Fish immune system and its nutritional modulation for preventive health care. Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2012;173(1–2):111–33.Minghetti M, Drieschner C, Bramaz N, Schug H, Schirmer K. A fish intestinal epithelial barrier model established from the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cell line, RTgutGC. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2017;33:539–55.Cerezuela R, Meseguer J, Esteban MÁ. Effects of dietary inulin, Bacillus subtilis and microalgae on intestinal gene expression in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2013;34(3):843–8.Couto A, Kortner TM, Penn M, Bakke AM, Krogdahl O-TA, et al. Effects of dietary soy saponins and phytosterols on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) during the on-growing period. Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2014;198:203–14.Estensoro I, Calduch-Giner JA, Kaushik S, Pérez-Sánchez J, Sitjá-Bobadilla A. Modulation of the IgM gene expression and IgM immunoreactive cell distribution by the nutritional background in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) challenged with Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2012;33(2):401–10.Pérez-Sánchez J, Estensoro I, Redondo MJ, Calduch-Giner JA, Kaushik S, Sitjà-Bobadilla A. Mucins as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in a fish-parasite model: transcriptional and functional analysis. PLoS One. 2013;8(6):e65457.Reyes-Becerril M, Guardiola F, Rojas M, Ascencio-Valle F, Esteban MÁ. Dietary administration of microalgae Navicula sp. affects immune status and gene expression of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2013;35(3):883–9.Pérez-Sánchez J, Benedito-Palos L, Estensoro I, Petropoulos Y, Calduch-Giner JA, Browdy CL, et al. Effects of dietary NEXT ENHANCE ® 150 on growth performance and expression of immune and intestinal integrity related genes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2015;44:117–28.Estensoro I, Ballester-Lozano G, Benedito-Palos L, Grammes F, Martos-Sitcha JA, Mydland L-T, et al. Dietary butyrate helps to restore the intestinal status of a marine teleost (Sparus aurata) fed extreme diets low in fish meal and fish oil. PLoS One. 2016;11(11):1–21.Torrecillas S, Caballero MJ, Mompel D, Montero D, Zamorano MJ, Robaina L, et al. Disease resistance and response against Vibrio anguillarum intestinal infection in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed low fish meal and fish oil diets. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2017;67:302–11.Schmittgen TD, Livak KJ. Analyzing real-time PCR data by the comparative C T method. Nat Protoc. 2008;3(6):1101–8.Omnes MH, Silva FCP, Moriceau J, Aguirre P, Kaushik S, Gatesoupe F-J. Influence of lupin and rapeseed meals on the integrity of digestive tract and organs in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) and goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) juveniles. Aquac Nutr. 2015;21:223–33.Francis G, Makkar HPS, Becker K. Antinutritional factors present in plant-derived alternate fish feed ingredients and their effects in fish. Aquaculture. 2001;199:197–227.Gatlin DM III, Barrows FT, Brown P, Dabrowski K, Gaylord TG, Hardy RW, et al. Expanding the utilization of sustainable plant products in aquafeeds: a review. Aquac Res. 2007;38:551–79.Kader MA, Bulbul M, Koshio S, Ishikawa M, Yokoyama S, Nguyen BT, et al. Effect of complete replacement of fishmeal by dehulled soybean meal with crude attractants supplementation in diets for red sea bream, Pagrus major. Aquaculture. 2012;350-353:109–16.Gómez-Requeni P, Mingarro M, Calduch-Giner JA, Médale F, Martin SAM, Houlihan DF, et al. Protein growth performance, amino acid utilisation and somatotropic axis responsiveness to fish meal replacement by plant protein sources in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Aquaculture. 2004;232(1–4):493–510.Kader MA, Koshio S, Ishikawa M, Yokoyama S, Bulbul M. Supplemental effects of some crude ingredients in improving nutritive values of low fishmeal diets for red sea bream, Pagrus major. Aquaculture. 2010;308(3–4):136–44.Mai K, Li H, Ai Q, Duan Q, Xu W, Zhang C, et al. Effects of dietary squid viscera meal on growth and cadmium accumulation in tissues of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus (Cuvier 1828). Aquac Res. 2006;37(11):1063–9.Peres H, Oliva-Teles A. The optimum dietary essential amino acid profile for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles. Aquaculture. 2009;296(1–2):81–6.Cho CY, Slinger SJ, Bayley HS. Bioenergetics of salmonid fishes: energy intake, expenditure and productivity. Comp Biochem Physiol Part B. 1982;73(1):25–41.Venou B, Alexis MN, Fountoulaki E, Haralabous J. Effects of extrusion and inclusion level of soybean meal on diet digestibility , performance and nutrient utilization of gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ). Aquaculture. 2006;261:343–56.Pfaffl MW, Tichopad A, Prgomet C, Neuvians TP. Determination of stable housekeeping genes, differentially regulated target genes and sample integrity: BestKeeper-excel-based tool using pair-wise correlations. Biotechnol Lett. 2004;26:509–15.Terova G, Robaina L, Izquierdo M, Cattaneo A, Molinari S, Bernardini G, et al. PepT1 mRNA expression levels in sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed different plant protein sources. Springerplus. 2013;2:17.Bates JM, Akerlund J, Mittge E, Guillemin K. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase detoxifies lipopolysaccharide and prevents inflammation in zebrafish in response to the gut microbiota. Cell Host Microbe. 2007;2(6):371–82.Adamidou S, Nengas I, Henry M, Grigorakis K, Rigos G, Nikolopoulou D, et al. Growth, feed utilization, health and organoleptic characteristics of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed extruded diets including low and high levels of three different legumes. Aquaculture. 2009;293(3–4):263–71.Daprà F, Gai F, Costanzo MT, Maricchiolo G, Micale V, Sicuro B, et al. Rice protein-concentrate meal as a potential dietary ingredient in practical diets for blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo: a histological and enzymatic investigation. J Fish Biol. 2009;74(4):773–89.Overland M, Sorensen M, Storebakken T, Penn M, Krogdahl A, Skrede A. Pea protein concentrate substituting fish meal or soybean meal in diets for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)-effect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass composition, gut health, and physical feed quality. Aquaculture. 2009;288(3–4):305–11.Penn MH, Bendiksen EA, Campbell P, Krogdahl AS. High level of dietary pea protein concentrate induces enteropathy in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Aquaculture. 2011;310(3–4):267–73.Hedrera MI, Galdames JA, Jimenez-Reyes MF, Reyes AE, Avendaño-Herrera R, Romero J, et al. Soybean meal induces intestinal inflammation in zebrafish larvae. PLoS One. 2013;8(7):1–10.Kokou F, Sarropoulou E, Cotou E, Rigos G, Henry M, Alexis M. Effects of fish meal replacement by a soybean protein on growth, histology, selected immune and oxidative status markers of Gilthead Sea bream, Sparus aurata. J World Aquac Soc. 2015;46(2):115–28.Kokou F, Sarropoulou E, Cotou E, Kentouri M, Alexis M, Rigos G. Effects of graded dietary levels of soy protein concentrate supplemented with methionine and phosphate on the immune and antioxidant responses of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2017;64:111–21.Calduch-Giner JA, Sitjà-Bobadilla A, Davey GC, Cairns MT, Kaushik S, Pérez-Sánchez J. Dietary vegetable oils do not alter the intestine transcriptome of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), but modulate the transcriptomic response to infection with Enteromyxum leei. BMC Genomics. 2012;13(1):470.Piazzon MC, Galindo-Villegas J, Pereiro P, Estensoro I, Calduch-Giner JA, Gómez-Casado E, et al. Differential modulation of IgT and IgM upon parasitic, bacterial, viral, and dietary challenges in a perciform fish. Front Immunol. 2016;7. Article 637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2016.00637 .Salinas I, Zhang Y, Sunyer JO. Mucosal immunoglobulins and B cells of teleost fish. Dev Comp Immunol. 2011;35(12):1346–65.Krogdahl A, Bakke-McKellep AM, Roed KH, Baeverfjord G. Feeding Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. soybean products: effects on disease resistance (furunculosis), and lysozyme and IgM levels in the intestinal mucosa. Aquac Nutr. 2000;6:77–84.Chasiotis H, Effendi JC, Kelly SP. Occludin expression in goldfish held in ion-poor water. J Comp Physiol B Biochem Syst Environ Physiol. 2009;179(2):145–54.Chen KT, Malo MS, Beasley-Topliffe LK, Poelstra K, Millan JL, Mostafa G, et al. A role for intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the maintenance of local gut immunity. Dig Dis Sci. 2011;56(4):1020–7.Vaishnava S, Hooper LV. Alkaline phosphatase: keeping the peace at the gut epithelial surface. Cell Host Microbe. 2007;2(6):365–7.Tort L. Stress and immune modulation in fish. Dev Comp Immunol [internet]. Elsevier Ltd. 2011;35(12):1366–75.Martin SAM, Król E. Nutrigenomics and immune function in fish: new insights from omics technologies. Dev Comp Immunol. 2017;75:86–98.Burrells C, Williams PD, Southgate PJ, Crampton VO. Immunological , physiological and pathological responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to increasing dietary concentrations of soybean proteins. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 1999;72:277–88.Sahlmann C, Sutherland BJG, Kortner TM, Koop BF, Krogdahl Å, Bakke AM. Early response of gene expression in the distal intestine of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) during the development of soybean meal induced enteritis. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2013;34(2):599–609.Esteban MÁ, Cuesta A, Ortuño J, Meseguer J. Immunomodulatory effects of dietary intake of chitin on gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L .) innate immune system. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2001;11:303–15.Storebakken T, Kvien IS, Shearer KD, Grisdale-Helland B, Helland SJ. Estimation of gastrointestinal evacuation rate in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using inert markers and collection of faeces by sieving: evacuation of diets with fish meal, soybean meal or bacterial meal. Aquaculture. 1999;172(3–4):291–9.Olsen RE, Myklebust R, Ringø E, Mayhew TM. The influences of dietary linseed oil and saturated fatty acids on caecal enterocytes in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus L.): a quantitative ultrastructural study. Fish Physiol Biochem. 2000;22(3):207–16.Heikkinen J, Vielma J, Kemiläinen O, Tiirola M, Eskelinen P, Kiuru T, et al. Effects of soybean meal based diet on growth performance, gut histopathology and intestinal microbiota of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aquaculture. 2006;261(1):259–68.Krogdahl A, Bakke-McKellep AM, Baeverfjord G. Effects of graded levels of standard soybean meal on intestinal structure, mucosal enzyme activities, and pancreatic response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Aquac Nutr. 2003;9:361–71.Cerezuela R, Fumanal M, Tapia-Paniagua ST, Meseguer J, Moriñigo MA, Esteban MA. Changes in intestinal morphology and microbiota caused by dietary administration of inulin and Bacillus subtilis in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) specimens. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2013;34(5):1063–70.Cerezuela R, Fumanal M, Tapia-Paniagua ST, Meseguer J, Moriñigo MÁ, Esteban MÁ. Histological alterations and microbial ecology of the intestine in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) fed dietary probiotics and microalgae. Cell Tissue Res. 2012;350(3):477–89.Deplancke B, Gaskins HR. Microbial modulation of innate defense: goblet cells and the intestinal mucus layer. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(suppl):1131S–41S.Kokou F, Rigos G, Henry M, Kentouri M, Alexis M. Growth performance, feed utilization and non-specific immune response of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) fed graded levels of a bioprocessed soybean meal. Aquaculture. 2012;364-365:74–81

Artificial intelligence within the interplay between natural and artificial computation:Advances in data science, trends and applications

Artificial intelligence and all its supporting tools, e.g. machine and deep learning in computational intelligence-based systems, are rebuilding our society (economy, education, life-style, etc.) and promising a new era for the social welfare state. In this paper we summarize recent advances in data science and artificial intelligence within the interplay between natural and artificial computation. A review of recent works published in the latter field and the state the art are summarized in a comprehensive and self-contained way to provide a baseline framework for the international community in artificial intelligence. Moreover, this paper aims to provide a complete analysis and some relevant discussions of the current trends and insights within several theoretical and application fields covered in the essay, from theoretical models in artificial intelligence and machine learning to the most prospective applications in robotics, neuroscience, brain computer interfaces, medicine and society, in general.BMS - Pfizer(U01 AG024904). Spanish Ministry of Science, projects: TIN2017-85827-P, RTI2018-098913-B-I00, PSI2015-65848-R, PGC2018-098813-B-C31, PGC2018-098813-B-C32, RTI2018-101114-B-I, TIN2017-90135-R, RTI2018-098743-B-I00 and RTI2018-094645-B-I00; the FPU program (FPU15/06512, FPU17/04154) and Juan de la Cierva (FJCI-2017–33022). Autonomous Government of Andalusia (Spain) projects: UMA18-FEDERJA-084. Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria of Galicia: ED431C2017/12, accreditation 2016–2019, ED431G/08, ED431C2018/29, Comunidad de Madrid, Y2018/EMT-5062 and grant ED431F2018/02. PPMI – a public – private partnership – is funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and funding partners, including Abbott, Biogen Idec, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., GE Healthcare, Genentech and Pfizer Inc

Fungal microbiota dynamics and its geographic, age and gender variability in patients with cystic fibrosis

[Objectives] In cystic fibrosis (CF), there is a predisposition to bronchial colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms, such as fungi. Our aims were to describe the dynamics of respiratory mycobiota in patients with CF and to evaluate the geographic, age and gender variability in its distribution.[Methods] Cohort study in which 45 patients with CF from four hospitals in three Spanish cities were followed up during a 1-year period, obtaining spontaneous sputum samples every 3 to 6 months. Fungal microbiota were characterized by Internal Transcribed Spacer sequencing and Pneumocystis jirovecii was identified by nested PCR in a total of 180 samples.[Results] The presence of fungi were detected in 119 (66.11%) of the 180 samples and in 44 (97.8%) of the 45 patients: 19 were positive and 1 negative throughout all follow-ups and the remaining 25 presented alternation between positive and negative results. A total of 16 different genera were identified, with Candida spp. (50/180, 27.78%) and Pneumocystis spp. (44/180, 24.44%) being the most prevalent ones. The distribution of fungal genera was different among the evaluated centres (p < 0.05), by age (non-adults aged 6–17 years vs. adults aged ≥18 years) (p < 0.05) and by gender (p < 0.05).[Discussion] A high prevalence of fungal respiratory microbiota in patients with CF was observed, whose dynamics are characterized by the existence of multiple cycles of clearance and colonization, reporting the existence of geographic, age and gender variability in the distribution of fungal genera in this disease.The study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (grant number FIS-PS09/00957), by Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Consejería de Economía Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad de la Junta de Andalucía (grant number PS20_00894), and by Consejería de Salud y Familia, Junta de Andalucía (grant number CSyF Exp. RH-0061/2021).Peer reviewe

Computational approaches to explainable artificial intelligence: Advances in theory, applications and trends

Deep Learning (DL), a groundbreaking branch of Machine Learning (ML), has emerged as a driving force in both theoretical and applied Artificial Intelligence (AI). DL algorithms, rooted in complex and non-linear artificial neural systems, excel at extracting high-level features from data. DL has demonstrated human-level performance in real-world tasks, including clinical diagnostics, and has unlocked solutions to previously intractable problems in virtual agent design, robotics, genomics, neuroimaging, computer vision, and industrial automation. In this paper, the most relevant advances from the last few years in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and several applications to neuroscience, neuroimaging, computer vision, and robotics are presented, reviewed and discussed. In this way, we summarize the state-of-the-art in AI methods, models and applications within a collection of works presented at the 9th International Conference on the Interplay between Natural and Artificial Computation (IWINAC). The works presented in this paper are excellent examples of new scientific discoveries made in laboratories that have successfully transitioned to real-life applications.MCIU - Nvidia(UMA18-FEDERJA-084

Computational Approaches to Explainable Artificial Intelligence:Advances in Theory, Applications and Trends

Deep Learning (DL), a groundbreaking branch of Machine Learning (ML), has emerged as a driving force in both theoretical and applied Artificial Intelligence (AI). DL algorithms, rooted in complex and non-linear artificial neural systems, excel at extracting high-level features from data. DL has demonstrated human-level performance in real-world tasks, including clinical diagnostics, and has unlocked solutions to previously intractable problems in virtual agent design, robotics, genomics, neuroimaging, computer vision, and industrial automation. In this paper, the most relevant advances from the last few years in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and several applications to neuroscience, neuroimaging, computer vision, and robotics are presented, reviewed and discussed. In this way, we summarize the state-of-the-art in AI methods, models and applications within a collection of works presented at the 9 International Conference on the Interplay between Natural and Artificial Computation (IWINAC). The works presented in this paper are excellent examples of new scientific discoveries made in laboratories that have successfully transitioned to real-life applications

Effectiveness of Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections

IMPORTANCE The consumption of broad-spectrum drugs has increased as a consequence of the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli. Finding alternatives for these infections is critical, for which some neglected drugs may be an option. OBJECTIVE To determine whether fosfomycin is noninferior to ceftriaxone or meropenem in the targeted treatment of bacteremic urinary tract infections (bUTIs) due to MDR E coli. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open clinical trial was conducted at 22 Spanish hospitals from June 2014 to December 2018. Eligible participants were adult patients with bacteremic urinary tract infections due to MDR E coli; 161 of 1578 screened patients were randomized and followed up for 60 days. Data were analyzed in May 2021. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized 1 to 1 to receive intravenous fosfomycin disodium at 4 g every 6 hours (70 participants) or a comparator (ceftriaxone or meropenem if resistant; 73 participants) with the option to switch to oral fosfomycin trometamol for the fosfomycin group or an active oral drug or pa renteral ertapenem for the comparator group after 4 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was clinical and microbiological cure (CMC) 5 to 7 days after finalization of treatment; a noninferiority margin of 7% was considered. RESULTS Among 143 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (median [IQR] age, 72 [62-81] years; 73 [51.0%] women), 48 of 70 patients (68.6%) treated with fosfomycin and 57 of 73 patients (78.1%) treated with comparators reached CMC (risk difference, -9.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI, -21.5 to infinity percentage points; P = .10). While clinical or microbiological failure occurred among 10 patients (14.3%) treated with fosfomycin and 14 patients (19.7%) treated with comparators (risk difference, -5.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI. -infinity to 4.9; percentage points; P = .19), an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations occurred with fosfomycin vs comparators (6 discontinuations [8.5%] vs 0 discontinuations; P = .006). In an exploratory analysis among a subset of 38 patients who underwent rectal colonization studies, patients treated with fosfomycin acquired a new ceftriaxone-resistant or meropenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria at a decreased rate compared with patients treated with comparators (0 of 21 patients vs 4 of 17 patients [23.5%]; 1-sided P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that fosfomycin did not demonstrate noninferiority to comparators as targeted treatment of bUTI from MDR E coli; this was due to an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations. This finding suggests that fosfomycin may be considered for selected patients with these infections