Valoración racial e autenticación do sistema de produción ecolóxica de leite no Norte de España

A gandería ecolóxica é un sistema de produción en crecemento, onde os gandeiros do noroeste de España non estar satisfeitos coa raza utilizada para produción. Durante a elaboración da presente Tese de Doutoramento observouse que as Holstein producen máis leite pero menos sólidos, presentando maior lonxevidade que outras razas aínda que peor eficiencia reprodutiva. A opinión dos consumidores é fundamental para establecer estratexias de mercado, encontrouse que unha grande maioría das persoas confunde os produtos ecolóxicos cos locais, e o prezo e a desconfianza son motivos para non consumir ecolóxico. Dado que os consumidores desconfían da orixe ecolóxica dos produtos considerouse de interese deseñar un método que permita certificar a súa orixe. A diferenciación realizouse a partir de mostras de leite e sangue (soro) utilizando técnicas quimiométricas para distinguir a orixe das mostras en función da súa composición mineral

Dynamics of mammary infections in organic dairy farms in Northern Spain

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the microbiological state and the dynamics of the mammary infections of organic farms in North Spain to discover if the high somatic cell count (SCC) observed in these farms is associated to a high incidence of mastitis. Microbiological cultures and SCC were performed in 8,496 foremilk samples collected from 160 cows in five representative organic farms from February 2006 to January 2008. Even though 79.3% of cultures were positive, only 21.2% of the total fit our diagnosis of mastitis (clinical, subclinical and chronic). The great prevalence of Corynebacterium bovis (teat canal-region pathogen) in the positive cultures that did not fit the mastitis diagnosis criteria (nearly 70%) compared with those that did (27%) was found to be related to lack of post-milking teat disinfection. The study prevalence of mastitis was 69.2% (66.7% subclinical mastitis, 27.8% clinical mastitis); the mean monthly prevalence was 47.4%; the mean monthly incidence was 12.9% and the mean duration of infection was 3.84 ± 3.98 months The high SCC in foremilk samples from old cows (three or more lactations) not diagnosed as mastitis compared to the heifers, reflects a worsening health status of the animals over time. When compared with the conventional sector in Northern Spain, these parameters indicate a poorer udder health in the studied organic herds with a high presence of chronic subclinical processesINIA (Ref. RTA2006-00132-C02-01)S

Short communication: The main factors affecting somatic cell count in organic dairy farming

Preventive management practices are essential for maintaining acceptable udder health status, especially in organic farming, in which the use of antimicrobials is restricted. The contribution of the following factors to somatic cell count (SCC) was assessed in 788 cows from 15 organically reared herds in northern Spain: milk production, lactation number, treatments applied, selective dry cow therapy and teat dipping routines. The data were examined by linear logistic regression. Lactation number was the main factor affecting logSCC (β= 0.339, p<0.001) followed in order of importance by milk production (β= -0.205, p<0.001), use of alternative treatments (β=0.153, p<0.001), selective dry cow therapy (β=0.120, p=0.005) and teat dipping routines (β=-0.076, p=0.028). However, the model only explained 17.0% of the total variation in SCC. This variable depends on factors other than those considered here, amongst which udder infection is probably one of the most important. Nonetheless, the study findings enabled us to determine the contribution of the main management factors that should be taken into account to improve udder health status on organic farms

The main factors affecting somatic cell count in organic dairy farming

Preventive management practices are essential for maintaining acceptable udder health status, especially in organic farming, in which the use of antimicrobials is restricted. The contribution of the following factors to somatic cell count (SCC) was assessed in 788 cows from 15 organically reared herds in northern Spain: milk production, lactation number, treatments applied, selective dry cow therapy and teat dipping routines. The data were examined by linear logistic regression. Lactation number was the main factor affecting logSCC (β= 0.339, p<0.001) followed in order of importance by milk production (β= -0.205, p<0.001), use of alternative treatments (β=0.153, p<0.001), selective dry cow therapy (β=0.120, p=0.005) and teat dipping routines (β=-0.076, p=0.028). However, the model only explained 17.0% of the total variation in SCC. This variable depends on factors other than those considered here, amongst which udder infection is probably one of the most important. Nonetheless, the study findings enabled us to determine the contribution of the main management factors that should be taken into account to improve udder health status on organic farms.Spanish Government (AGL2010-21026); Centro Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Lugo, Spain (CETAL); IO is in receipt of a FPU fellowship (Ref. FPU14/01473) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and SportsS

Evaluation of trace element status of organic dairy cattle

The present study aimed to evaluate trace mineral status of organic dairy herds in northern Spain and the sources of minerals in different types of feed. Blood samples from organic and conventional dairy cattle and feed samples from the respective farms were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine the concentrations of the essential trace elements (cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn)) and toxic trace elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb)). Overall, no differences between organic and conventional farms were detected in serum concentrations of essential and toxic trace elements (except for higher concentrations of Cd on the organic farms), although a high level of inter-farm variation was detected in the organic systems, indicating that organic production greatly depends on the specific local conditions. The dietary concentrations of the essential trace elements I, Cu, Se and Zn were significantly higher in the conventional than in the organic systems, which can be attributed to the high concentration of these minerals in the concentrate feed. No differences in the concentrations of trace minerals were found in the other types of feed. Multivariate chemometric analysis was conducted to determine the contribution of different feed sources to the trace element status of the cattle. Concentrate samples were mainly associated with Co, Cu, I, Se and Zn (i.e. with the elements supplemented in this type of feed). However, pasture and grass silage were associated with soil-derived elements (As, Cr, Fe and Pb) which cattle may thus ingest during grazingThis study was supported by the Spanish Government (project code AGL2010-21026). Inmaculada Orjales is in receipt of a FPU fellowship (Ref. FPU14/01473) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and SportsS

Seed Viability, Spikelet Dispersal, Seed Banks and Seed Storage Requirements for Native and Invasive Cordgrasses (Genus Spartina) in Southwest Iberian Peninsula

Seed banks play an important role in determining the spatial and temporal distribution of halophytes in salt marshes. We tested the ability of native Spartina maritima and invasive S. densiflora spikelets to disperse by flotation on water with different salinity concentrations, and the longevity of spikelet viability relative to environmental conditions including dry or wet storage at low or moderate temperatures, and aqueous salinity concentrations from fresh to sea water. We quantified pre-dispersal seed production and pre- and post-dispersal focal Spartina spp. presence in seed banks along intertidal gradients within salt marshes at the Gulf of Cádiz (Southwest Iberian Peninsula). Spartina densiflora spikelets, especially from middle and high elevation marshes, showed greater ability than S. maritima to remain afloat, which suggests this species could be dispersed over longer distances. Wet-stored Spartina seeds were able to maintain viability for months, while seeds under dry storage rapidly lost viability. This decline was most significant for S. maritima, and for seeds stored at moderate temperatures. Storage of spikelets under wet and cold conditions optimized spikelet viability. Native S. maritima did not establish transient or persistent seed banks, while invasive S. densiflora established transient seed banks mainly at higher marsh elevations. Our results on the dynamics of seed dispersal and seed banks and seedling recruitment provide fundamental knowledge that can be applied for conservation of native S. maritima, management of invasive S. densiflora, and ecological restoration of tidal salt marshes.Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Sevilla / CBUA Open Access funding enabled and organized by Universidad de Sevilla. M.D. Infante-Izquierdo acknowledges to Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte of Spanish Government for the FPU Grant (FPU14/06556)

The BIG’95 Submarine Landslide–Generated Tsunami: A Numerical Simulation

Abstract: This article presents a reasonable present-day, sea-level highstand numerical simulation and scenario for a potential tsunami generated by a landslide with the characteristics of the BIG’95 debris flow, which occurred on the Ebro margin in the western Mediterranean Sea in prehistoric times (11,500 cal yr BP). The submarine landslide deposit covers an area of 2200 km2 of the slope and base of slope (200–1800-m water depth), involving a volume of 26 km3. A leapfrog finite difference model, COMCOT (Cornell multigrid coupled tsunami model), is used to simulate the propagation of the debris-flow-generated tsunami and its associated impact on the nearby Balearic Islands and Iberian coastlines. As a requisite of the model, reconstruction of the bathymetry before the landslide occurrence and seafloor variation during landsliding have been developed based on the conceptual and numerical model of Lastras et al. (2005). We have also taken into account all available multibeam bathymetry of the area and high-resolution seismic profiles of the debris flow deposit. The results of the numerical simulation are displayed using plots of snapshots at consecutive times, marigrams of synthetic stations, maximum amplitude plots, and spectral analyses. The obtained outputs show that the nearest shoreline, the Iberian coast, would not be the first one hit by the tsunami. The eastward, outgoing wave would arrive at Eivissa Island 18 min after the triggering of the slide and at Mallorca Island 9 min later, whereas the westward-spreading wave would hit the Iberian Peninsula 54 min after the slide was triggered. This noticeable delay in the arrival times at the peninsula is produced by the asymmetric bathymetry of the Catalano-Balearic Sea and the shoaling effect due to the presence of the wide Ebro continental shelf, which in addition significantly amplifies the tsunami wave (19 m). The wave amplitudes attain 8 m in Eivissa, and waves up to 3 m high would arrive to Palma Bay. Resonance effects produced in the narrow Santa Ponc¸a Bay in Mallorca Island could produce waves up to 9 m high. A similar event occurring today would have catastrophic consequences, especially in summer when human use of these tourist coasts increases significantly

Consumer knowledge and attitudes towards microalgae as food: The case of Spain

Spanish consumers’ knowledge and attitudes towards microalgae as food were assessed using a specific questionnaire - a total of 3,084 Spanish consumers over 18 years old were considered in the current study. Overall, the questionnaire revealed that there is a huge lack of knowledge on basic aspects of microalgae, especially within the youngest respondents (18-24 years old) and for those aged over 65 years old. Approximately 85% of all respondents scored the statement “There is a big lack of information about microalgae” with either 4 or 5 (using a 5-point hedonic scale), demonstrating that microalgae and their potential applications are unknown to the majority of the Spanish population. Spanish consumers consider microalgae as: (i) sustainable and environmentally friendly, (ii) nutritious and healthy, and (iii) safe, which is of key importance for food products. The main reasons that were given for not consuming microalgae were lack of information available on the product and lack of consuming habit. The current study also demonstrated that increasing consumer’s knowledge on microalgae has the potential to increase consumer choice and market shares of microalgae-enriched products. Results reported herein could be extrapolated to other European countries, although perception and attitudes towards food can vary depending on cultural considerations

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation