Tattoo disease of odontocetes as a potential indicator of a degrading or stressful environment: a preliminary report. Scientific Committee document SC/55/E1, International Whaling Commission, May-June 2003, Berlin, Germany

We examined the presence of tattoo lesions in 613 small cetaceans belonging to nine species and originating from the Southeast Pacific Ocean, the Southwest and Northeast Atlantic Ocean as well as from the North, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. Most of the specimens had been caught in nets or were found stranded in the period 1988-2002. Thirty-five bottlenose dolphins from the Sado estuary, Portugal were photographed alive in 1994-1997. Tattoo lesions were detected in 68 of 196 Lagenorhynchus obscurus, 33 of 54 Delphinus capensis, five of 12 Tursiops truncatus, 57 of 95 Phocoena spinipinnis from Peru as well as in 17 of 35 T. truncatus from the Sado estuary, in two of 10 Stenella coeruleoalba and one of four T. truncatus from the Mediterranean Sea. Prevalence of the disease varied significantly between species in mature specimens but not among immatures. It also varied very significantly between inshore (P. spinipinnis and Sado T. truncatus) and offshore or offshore-neritic (S. coeruleoalba, L. obscurus, D. capensis and Peruvian T. truncatus) odontocetes, being higher in adult specimens of inshore (53.5%) than of offshore (29.7%) taxa. This variation may be caused by immunotoxic environmental pollutants of continental origin like organochlorines. The coastal waters of Peru and the Sado estuary suffer from eutrophication and pollution from various origins. Direct correlation with pollutant loads needs to be investigated

Microparasites and their potential impact on the population dynamics of small cetaceans from South America: a brief review. Document SC/59/DW8, Scientific Committee, International Whaling Commission, Anchorage, Alaska, 4-14 May 2007

We briefly review the pathology, epidemiology and molecular biology of cetacean viruses (including morbilli, papilloma and pox) and Brucella spp. encountered in South America. Antibodies against cetacean morbillivirus were detected (by iELISAs and virus neutralisation tests) in SE Pacific and SW Atlantic delphinids. Morbilliviruses are possibly enzootic in Lagenorhynchus obscurus and offshore Tursiops truncates from Peru and in Lagenodelphis hosei from Brazil and Argentina, but no morbillivirus antibodies were found in inshore small cetaceans. Papillomaviruses cause genital warts in at least three odontocete species in Peru. Two Phocoena spinipinnis papillomaviruses (PsPVs) were found in warts of Burmeister’s porpoises; one (PsPV-1) was cloned and characterized. Half of porpoises had developed genital warts, while in 10% of males the lesions were sufficiently numerous and severe to at least hamper, if not impede, copulation. High titers of cowpox virus neutralising antibodies were detected in Peruvian D. capensis, T. truncatus, L. obscurus and P. spinipinnis in 1993-1995. The high prevalence of orthopoxvirus neutralising antibodies with high titres indicates common infection by poxviruses antigenically related to cowpox virus, the probable causative agents of tattoo skin disease. Cetacean poxviruses may cause significant mortaliy among neonates and calves unprotected by maternal immunity. In Peru, Brucella spp. antibodies were detected (competitive ELISA) in D. capensis, T. truncatus, L. obscurus and P. spinipinnis. Brucellosis is likely enzootic in the latter two species, and may lead to orchitis and bone lesions in L. obscurus and D. capensis. The enzootic circulation of brucellae in L. obscurus and P. spinipinnis may constitute a measurable limiting factor among the environmental variables affecting population dynamics. Also, widespread Brucella spp. infection in several Peruvian odontocetes has public health implications (zoonosis), considering frequent manipulation of carcases and consumption of meat. Extrinsic anthropogenic factors may not only exacerbate the consequences of viral infections on the health of a particular individual, but also operate at the population level

Bloom’s taxonomy and the application of knowledge: problem-based learning in the subject ‘Zoology’ at the University of Valencia

De acuerdo con la taxonomía de Bloom, en el contexto de la enseñanza los procesos cognitivos se encuentran jerarquizados en seis niveles de complejidad creciente e inclusiva. Así, una materia puede perseguir que los studiantes (1) memoricen información, (2) la comprendan, (3) la apliquen para resolver problemas nuevos, (4) la analicen, (5) la evalúen o (6) incluso creen nuevo conocimiento a partir de ella. Tradicionalmente, en las universidades españolas la asignatura de Zoología ha promovido primordialmente la memorización y la comprensión. Sin embargo, parece hoy recomendable trabajar también procesos cognitivos superiores, haciendo hincapié en la aplicación del conocimiento zoológico. Esto proporciona herramientas a los estudiantes para abordar una gran variedad de preguntas, ayudando a forjar un estilo de pensamiento; permite adaptar los contenidos a una menor presencialidad, generando autonomía en la forma de trabajar, y desplaza el énfasis epistemológico desde una ciencia de sujetos hacia una ciencia de principios. En este trabajo presentamos un diseño realista de clases de problemas de zoología para grupos numerosos, tal y como se plantea en la Universidad de Valencia. El elemento clave de nuestra iniciativa es una selección muy cuidadosa de los problemas: no se trata de memorizar o comprender debates clásicos o recientes en zoología, ni de meros ejercicios de corroboración. Los problemas de aplicación que planteamos obligan al estudiante a buscar relaciones o consecuencias no inmediatas de los conocimientos que van adquiriendo sobre filogenia, diversidad, planes corporales, morfología funcional y estrategias vitales; intentamos además que incluyan filos que no se tratan en el temario. En este trabajo ilustramos diversos problemas tipo y describimos qué temporalización, carga docente y metodología pueden resultar más adecuadas dentro de un programa “clásico” de Zoología. El criterio fundamental de evaluación es que las respuestas sean plausibles, aunque no necesariamente correctas.According to Bloom’s taxonomy, the cognitive processes that are involved in any learning context can be organized into six inclusive levels of increasing complexity. The aim(s) of any academic subject can be (1) to memorize information, (2) to understand it, (3) to apply it to solve new problems, (4) to analyze it, (5) to evaluate it, and even (6) to create new knowledge based on it. Traditionally, in Spanish universities the subject ‘Zoology’ has primarily addressed memorization and understanding. However, it would seem advisable to also deal with upper cognitive processes, particularly the application of knowledge. This would allow students to tackle a great diversity of zoology questions, help creating a thinking style, and to reduce the number of lectures since students could deal with several contents by themselves. Also, the application of knowledge would shift emphasis from subjects (animals) to principles. In this presentation we describe a realistic design for problem-based lectures on zoology that are devised for large classes at the University of Valencia. The key element for a successful implementation is a careful selection of problems. Applying knowledge has nothing to do with memorizing / understanding classical or current zoological debates, or with making corroborative exercises. A genuine problem invites students to seek relationships and non-trivial consequences of the knowledge they acquire about phylogeny, diversity, body plans, functional morphology, and life history strategies, particularly when they are applied to animal phyla that are not included in the subject programme. In this presentation we include type problems and describe the schedule, teaching load and methodology that could best fit within a “classical” Zoology programme. The fundamental criterion to evaluate problems is that answers are plausible, though not necessarily correc

Does surviving Cryptocaryon irritans Brown, 1951 produce immunity in Seriola dumerili Risso, 1810?

The results obtained from a study of natural infections produced by the holotric parasite Cryptocaryon irritans Brown, 1951 (Ciliophora) in captive Seriola dumerili Risso, 1810 are presented. Data seem to indicate that those individuals which survived infections by this parasite developed immunity to later infections, as long as they were not in direct contact with other non-immune individuals.Instituto Español de OceanografíaPublicado

Emerging and recurring diseases in cetaceans worldwide and the role of environmental stressors. Scientific Committee Document SC/60/DW5, International Whaling Commission, June 2008, Santiago, Chile

Emerging and recurring infectious diseases known or suspected to have the potential to significantly impact cetacean populations, and possible synergistic effects of environmental factors are reviewed. Cetacean morbilliviruses and papillomaviruses and brucellosis may affect population densities through high mortality rates or interference with reproduction. Evidence is available for the role of environmental factors in the emergence/recurrence and severity of at least six infectious conditions i.e. lobomycosis, toxoplasmosis, tattoo skin disease, generalized bacterial infections, miscellaneous skin diseases and morbillivirus epizootics. Other micro-parasites of potential importance include rhabdo-, herpes- and parainfluenza-viruses as well as Helicobacter spp., Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp. and Mycobacterium marinum. The population impact and aetiology of newly emerging skin diseases in South America are unknown and represent a cause of concern

Health care and societal costs of the management of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Spain: a descriptive analysis

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition in childhood (5.3% to 7.1% worldwide prevalence), with substantial overall financial burden to children/adolescents, their families, and society. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with ADHD in Spain, estimate the associated direct/indirect costs of the disorder, and assess whether the characteristics and financial costs differed between children/adolescents adequately responding to currently available pharmacotherapies compared with children/adolescents for whom pharmacotherapies failed. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive analysis conducted in 15 health units representative of the overall Spanish population. Data on demographic characteristics, socio-occupational status, social relationships, clinical variables of the disease, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments received were collected in 321 children and adolescents with ADHD. Direct and indirect costs were estimated over one year from both a health care system and a societal perspective. Results: The estimated average cost of ADHD per year per child/adolescent was €5733 in 2012 prices; direct costs accounted for 60.2% of the total costs (€3450). Support from a psychologist/educational psychologist represented 45.2% of direct costs and 27.2% of total costs. Pharmacotherapy accounted for 25.8% of direct costs and 15.5% of total costs. Among indirect costs (€2283), 65.2% was due to caregiver expenses. The total annual costs were significantly higher for children/adolescents who responded poorly to pharmacological treatment (€7654 versus €5517; P = 0.024), the difference being mainly due to significantly higher direct costs, particularly with larger expenses for non-pharmacological treatment (P = 0.012). Conclusions: ADHD has a significant personal, familial, and financial impact on the Spanish health system and society. Successful pharmacological intervention was associated with lower overall expenses in the management of the disorde

Relationship of Weather Types on the Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Rainfall, Runoff, and Sediment Yield in the Western Mediterranean Basin

Rainfall is the key factor to understand soil erosion processes, mechanisms, and rates. Most research was conducted to determine rainfall characteristics and their relationship with soil erosion (erosivity) but there is little information about how atmospheric patterns control soil losses, and this is important to enable sustainable environmental planning and risk prevention. We investigated the temporal and spatial variability of the relationships of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield with atmospheric patterns (weather types, WTs) in the western Mediterranean basin. For this purpose, we analyzed a large database of rainfall events collected between 1985 and 2015 in 46 experimental plots and catchments with the aim to: (i) evaluate seasonal differences in the contribution of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield produced by the WTs; and (ii) to analyze the seasonal efficiency of the different WTs (relation frequency and magnitude) related to rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield. The results indicate two different temporal patterns: the first weather type exhibits (during the cold period: autumn and winter) westerly flows that produce the highest rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield values throughout the territory; the second weather type exhibits easterly flows that predominate during the warm period (spring and summer) and it is located on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the cyclonic situations present high frequency throughout the whole year with a large influence extended around the western Mediterranean basin. Contrary, the anticyclonic situations, despite of its high frequency, do not contribute significantly to the total rainfall, runoff, and sediment (showing the lowest efficiency) because of atmospheric stability that currently characterize this atmospheric pattern. Our approach helps to better understand the relationship of WTs on the seasonal and spatial variability of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield with a regional scale based on the large dataset and number of soil erosion experimental stations.Spanish Government (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, MINECO) and FEDER Projects: CGL2014 52135-C3-3-R, ESP2017-89463-C3-3-R, CGL2014-59946-R, CGL2015-65569-R, CGL2015-64284-C2-2-R, CGL2015-64284-C2-1-R, CGL2016-78075-P, GL2008-02879/BTE, LEDDRA 243857, RECARE-FP7, CGL2017-83866-C3-1-R, and PCIN-2017-061/AEI. Dhais Peña-Angulo received a “Juan de la Cierva” postdoctoral contract (FJCI-2017-33652 Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, MEC). Ana Lucia acknowledge the "Brigitte-Schlieben-Lange-Programm". The “Geoenvironmental Processes and Global Change” (E02_17R) was financed by the Aragón Government and the European Social Fund. José Andrés López-Tarazón acknowledges the Secretariat for Universities and Research of the Department of the Economy and Knowledge of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia for supporting the Consolidated Research Group 2014 SGR 645 (RIUS- Fluvial Dynamics Research Group). Artemi Cerdà thank the funding of the OCDE TAD/CRP JA00088807. José Martínez-Fernandez acknowledges the project Unidad de Excelencia CLU-2018-04 co-funded by FEDER and Castilla y León Government. Ane Zabaleta is supported by the Hydro-Environmental Processes consolidated research group (IT1029-16, Basque Government). This paper has the benefit of the Lab and Field Data Pool created within the framework of the COST action CONNECTEUR (ES1306)

The Public Repository of Xenografts enables discovery and randomized phase II-like trials in mice

More than 90% of drugs with preclinical activity fail in human trials, largely due to insufficient efficacy. We hypothesized that adequately powered trials of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in mice could efficiently define therapeutic activity across heterogeneous tumors. To address this hypothesis, we established a large, publicly available repository of well-characterized leukemia and lymphoma PDXs that undergo orthotopic engraftment, called the Public Repository of Xenografts (PRoXe). PRoXe includes all de-identified information relevant to the primary specimens and the PDXs derived from them. Using this repository, we demonstrate that large studies of acute leukemia PDXs that mimic human randomized clinical trials can characterize drug efficacy and generate transcriptional, functional, and proteomic biomarkers in both treatment-naive and relapsed/refractory disease

The challenge of habitat modelling for threatened low density species using heterogeneous data : the case of Cuvier’s beaked whales in the Mediterranean

We are grateful to the ACCOBAMS Secretariat for their support in this work, including a small grant for the analysis.The Mediterranean population of Cuvieŕs beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), a deep-diving cetacean, is genetically distinct from the Atlantic, and subject to a number of conservation threats, in particular underwater noise. It is also cryptic at the surface and relatively rare, so obtain robust knowledge on distribution and abundance presents unique challenges. Here we use multiplatform and multiyear survey data to analyse the distribution and abundance of this species across the Mediterranean Sea. We use a novel approach combining heterogeneous data gathered with different methods to obtain a single density index for the region. A total of 594,996 km of survey effort and 507 sightings of Cuvier’s beaked whales, from 1990 to 2016, were pooled together from 24 different sources. Data were divided into twelve major groups according to platform height, speed and sea state. Both availability bias and effective strip width were calculated from the sightings with available perpendicular distance data. This was extrapolated to the rest of the sightings for each of the twelve groups. Habitat preference models were fitted into a GAM framework using counts of groups as a response variable with the effective searched area as an offset. Depth, coefficient of variation of depth, longitude and marine regions (as defined by the International Hydrographic Organization) were identified as important predictors. Predicted abundance of groups per grid cell were multiplied by mean group size to obtain a prediction of the abundance of animals. A total abundance of 5799 (CV = 24.0%) animals was estimated for the whole Mediterranean basin. The Alborán Sea, Ligurian Sea, Hellenic Trench, southern Adriatic Sea and eastern Ionian Sea were identified as being the main hot spots in the region. It is important to urge that the relevant stakeholders incorporate this information in the planning and execution of high risk activities in these high-risk areas.PostprintPeer reviewe