Shell-muscle attachment in the bivalves Ostrea stentina Payraudeau, 1826 and Anomia ephippium Linnaeus, 1758

Comunicación a congresoThe muscles of the mantle in bivalves attach to the shell valves and retract the mantle edges. Among them, the adductors are particularly important for the survival of the animal. Most studies have addressed the type and morphology of the muscular fibers and filaments, and a few have focused on the attachment of these muscles to the shell. However, the mechanism of transport through the muscle to the myostracum was never addressed. The goal of this research is to describe ultrastructure and the transport of material across the adductor muscle-myostracum attachment in Ostrea stentina and Anomia ephippium. The adductor muscles in both species are composed of “smooth” and “striated” muscles. The outer epithelium of the mantle continues across the adductor muscle area and their cells contain many vesicles. Bundles of filaments connect the muscular cells with the extrapallial space through hemidesmosomes. The extrapallial space (ca.100-150 nm thick) is filled with organic secretions from the vesicles of the mantle cells. Additional bundles of microfilaments of collagen fibers cross the extrapallial sheet, from the hemidesmosomes to inside the myostracum, where they form a network. EDX analysis shows the presence of calcium inside vesicles from the mantle cells, the extrapallial sheet and the myostracum network. The presence of a layer of cells between the muscular cells and the shell was confirmed the existence of this cell layer, which is the continuation of the outer mantle epithelium across the adductor muscle. The extrapallial space is replenished with secretions of the mantle cells and collagen fibers, seemingly originated in the hemidesmosomes. The presence of calcium inside some vesicles suggests that part of the calcium is transported thereby. It would be interesting to study whether calcium is transported as amorphous calcium carbonate or as a crystalline phase.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Form and function of the mantle edge in Protobranchia (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

We analyzed, by optical and transmission electron microscopy, the morphology and function of the mantle edge, including the formation of the periostracum, of ten species of protobranchs. Five species from the order Nuculida, four species from the order Nuculanida and one species from the order Solemyida were studied. A second outer fold, which seems to function as a template for the internal marginal crenulations of the valves, is present in the crenulated species of Nucula. The minute non-crenulated Ennucula aegeensis shows the glandular basal cells displaced toward the periostracal groove, resembling a minute additional fold between the outer and middle folds. Intense secretion of glycocalyx, together with active uptake of particles, have been observed in the inner epithelium of the middle mantle fold and the whole epithelium of the inner mantle fold in all the studied species. Contrary to the rest of the bivalves, all the protobranchs analyzed have two basal cells involved in the formation of the external nanometric pellicle of the periostracum, a character that would support the monophyly of protobranchs. A three-layered pattern is the general rule for the periostracum in protobranchs, like for other bivalves. The presence of pouches of translucent layer inside the tanned dark layer under periostracal folds is characteristic of the species with a folded periostracum; its function is unclear but could give flexibility to the periostracum. The non-nacreous internal shell layer and the presence of translucent pouches under periostracal folds in Sarepta speciosa resemble those found in nuculanids. However, the free periostracum is rather similar to those of N. hanleyi and E. aegeensis, with a continuous vesicular layer. All the latter supports the inclusion of Sarepta in the order Nuculanida but could indicate either a basal lineage or that the translucent vesicular layer is an adaptive trait.This research was funded by the projects CGL2017-85118-P and PID2020-116660GB-I00 of the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. Funding for open access charge has been provided by the University of Málaga/CBUA

Instituto de Biotecnología y Desarrollo Azul de la Universidad de Málaga: una apuesta por una Acuicultura Azul

Noventa investigadores de la Universidad de Málaga pertenecientes a 21 grupos de investigación, se han organizado en un Instituto de Biotecnología y Desarrollo Azul, IBYDA. El objetivo del IBYDA es la investigación, la docencia, el desarrollo y la transferencia de conocimiento en el marco del desarrollo circular o azul; incluyendo el análisis económico de los proyectos, el modelado de diferentes escenarios, y su aplicación a la gestión y planificación del territorio. Así mismo, el instituto ofrecerá infraestructuras acuícolas y servicios, y promoverá el emprendimiento. La actividad transversal central del IBYDA es la Acuicultura Multitrófica como implementación de la estrategia de Biorrefinería, es decir, el aprovechamiento de distintos tipos de residuos para el cultivo de organismos, cuya biomasa se empleará para la obtención de productos de alto valor añadido.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

Sclerites of Solenogastres: their formation and crystal organization

Solenogastres are small-sized, elongate, cylindrical, worm-like molluscs, which have small calcified sclerites (spicules, spines and scales) embedded in their cuticle. They develop a ventral furrow with a short, rudimentary foot. The latter distinguish them from the Caudofoveata that have a completely reduced foot. Regarding the secretion of the sclerites by the mantle epithelium, two main hypotheses have been proposed: 1) an intracellular origin from a single cell of the hypodermis or 2) from a cell membrane invagination of the epithelial cells. Previous studies indicated that the mineral composition of the sclerites is aragonite. We have studied by optical and electron microscopy (TEM) the formation of the sclerites in Rhopalomenia aglaopheniae (Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887); Pruvotia sopita (Pruvot, 1891); Dorymenia sarsii (Koren & Danielssen, 1877) and Anamenia gorgonophila (Kowalevsky, 1880). In addition, we have analyzed by Electron-Backscatter-Diffraction (EBSD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), the crystallographic arrangement of the aragonite of the sclerites of Dorymenia sarsii, Anamenia gorgonophila and Simrothiella margaritacea (Koren & Danielssen, 1877). Our results point to an intracellular origin of the spicules, which start to form inside a cellular vacuole of the epithelial cells, without any connection to the cellular membrane. Only when the spicules grow and before entering the cuticle, they break the cell membrane. Regarding the crystallographic arrangement of aragonite crystals, the spicules from the studied species are single crystalline, with the aragonite c-axis oriented parallel to the spicule morphological axis.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The role of bronchoscopy in patients with sars-cov-2 pneumonia

Altres ajuts: Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR, PII 2020).Background The role of bronchoscopy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a matter of debate. Patients and methods This observational multicentre study aimed to analyse the prognostic impact of bronchoscopic findings in a consecutive cohort of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Patients were enrolled at 17 hospitals from February to June 2020. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 1027 bronchoscopies were performed in 515 patients (age 61.5±11.2 years; 73% men), stratified into a clinical suspicion cohort (n=30) and a COVID-19 confirmed cohort (n=485). In the clinical suspicion cohort, the diagnostic yield was 36.7%. In the COVID-19 confirmed cohort, bronchoscopies were predominantly performed in the intensive care unit (n=961; 96.4%) and major indications were: difficult mechanical ventilation (43.7%), mucus plugs (39%) and persistence of radiological infiltrates (23.4%). 147 bronchoscopies were performed to rule out superinfection, and diagnostic yield was 42.9%. There were abnormalities in 91.6% of bronchoscopies, the most frequent being mucus secretions (82.4%), haematic secretions (17.7%), mucus plugs (17.6%), and diffuse mucosal hyperaemia (11.4%). The independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were: older age (OR 1.06; p<0.001), mucus plugs as indication for bronchoscopy (OR 1.60; p=0.041), absence of mucosal hyperaemia (OR 0.49; p=0.041) and the presence of haematic secretions (OR 1.79; p=0.032). Conclusion Bronchoscopy may be indicated in carefully selected patients with COVID-19 to rule out superinfection and solve complications related to mechanical ventilation. The presence of haematic secretions in the distal bronchial tract may be considered a poor prognostic feature in COVID-19

The role of bronchoscopy in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

Background: The role of bronchoscopy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a matter of debate. Patients and methods: This observational multicentre study aimed to analyse the prognostic impact of bronchoscopic findings in a consecutive cohort of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Patients were enrolled at 17 hospitals from February to June 2020. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 1027 bronchoscopies were performed in 515 patients (age 61.5±11.2 years; 73% men), stratified into a clinical suspicion cohort (n=30) and a COVID-19 confirmed cohort (n=485). In the clinical suspicion cohort, the diagnostic yield was 36.7%. In the COVID-19 confirmed cohort, bronchoscopies were predominantly performed in the intensive care unit (n=961; 96.4%) and major indications were: difficult mechanical ventilation (43.7%), mucus plugs (39%) and persistence of radiological infiltrates (23.4%). 147 bronchoscopies were performed to rule out superinfection, and diagnostic yield was 42.9%. There were abnormalities in 91.6% of bronchoscopies, the most frequent being mucus secretions (82.4%), haematic secretions (17.7%), mucus plugs (17.6%), and diffuse mucosal hyperaemia (11.4%). The independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were: older age (OR 1.06; p<0.001), mucus plugs as indication for bronchoscopy (OR 1.60; p=0.041), absence of mucosal hyperaemia (OR 0.49; p=0.041) and the presence of haematic secretions (OR 1.79; p=0.032). Conclusion: Bronchoscopy may be indicated in carefully selected patients with COVID-19 to rule out superinfection and solve complications related to mechanical ventilation. The presence of haematic secretions in the distal bronchial tract may be considered a poor prognostic feature in COVID-19

Dietary Quality Changes According to the Preceding Maximum Weight: A Longitudinal Analysis in the PREDIMED-Plus Randomized Trial.

One-year dietary quality change according to the preceding maximum weight in a lifestyle intervention program (PREDIMED-Plus trial, 55-75-year-old overweight or obese adults; n = 5695) was assessed. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. A total of 3 groups were made according to the difference between baseline measured weight and lifetime maximum reported weight: (a) participants entering the study at their maximum weight, (b) moderate weight loss maintainers (WLM), and (c) large WLM. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model. All participants improved average lifestyle. Participants entering the study at their maximum weight were the most susceptible to improve significantly their dietary quality, assessed by adherence to Mediterranean diet, DII and both healthful and unhealthful provegetarian patterns. People at maximum weight are the most benefitted in the short term by a weight management program. Long term weight loss efforts may also reduce the effect of a weight management program

Quorum sensing network in clinical strains of A. baumannii : AidA is a new quorum quenching enzyme

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important pathogen that causes nosocomial infections generally associated with high mortality and morbidity in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Currently, little is known about the Quorum Sensing (QS)/Quorum Quenching (QQ) systems of this pathogen. We analyzed these mechanisms in seven clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Microarray analysis of one of these clinical isolates, Ab1 (A. baumannii ST-2-clon-2010), previously cultured in the presence of 3-oxo-C12-HSL (a QS signalling molecule) revealed a putative QQ enzyme (α/β hydrolase gene, AidA). This QQ enzyme was present in all nonmotile clinical isolates (67% of which were isolated from the respiratory tract) cultured in nutrient depleted LB medium. Interestingly, this gene was not located in the genome of the only motile clinical strain growing in this medium (A. baumannii strain Ab421-GEIH-2010 [Ab7], isolated from a blood sample). The AidA protein expressed in E. coli showed QQ activity. Finally, we observed downregulation of the AidA protein (QQ system attenuation) in the presence of HO (ROS stress). In conclusion, most of the A. baumannii clinical strains were not surface motile (84%) and were of respiratory origin (67%). Only the pilT gene was involved in surface motility and related to the QS system. Finally, a new QQ enzyme (α/β hydrolase gene, AidA protein) was detected in these strains

Dietary quality changes according to the preceding maximum weight: a longitudinal analysis in the PREDIMED-Plus randomized trial

One-year dietary quality change according to the preceding maximum weight in a lifestyle intervention program (PREDIMED-Plus trial, 55-75-year-old overweight or obese adults; n = 5695) was assessed. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. A total of 3 groups were made according to the difference between baseline measured weight and lifetime maximum reported weight: (a) participants entering the study at their maximum weight, (b) moderate weight loss maintainers (WLM), and (c) large WLM. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model. All participants improved average lifestyle. Participants entering the study at their maximum weight were the most susceptible to improve significantly their dietary quality, assessed by adherence to Mediterranean diet, DII and both healthful and unhealthful provegetarian patterns. People at maximum weight are the most benefitted in the short term by a weight management program. Long term weight loss efforts may also reduce the effect of a weight management program.The PREDIMED-Plus trial was supported by the European Research Council (Advanced Research Grant 2013–2018, 340918) to M.Á.M.-G and the official funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish government, ISCIII, through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS), which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (five coordinated FIS projects led by J.S.-S. and J.Vid., including the following projects: PI13/00673, PI13/00492, PI13/00272, PI13/01123, PI13/00462, PI13/00233, PI13/02184, PI13/00728, PI13/01090, PI13/01056, PI14/01722, PI14/00636, PI14/00618, PI14/00696, PI14/01206, PI14/01919, PI14/00853, PI14/01374, PI14/00972, PI14/00728, PI14/01471, PI16/00473, PI16/00662, PI16/01873, PI16/01094, PI16/00501, PI16/00533, PI16/00381, PI16/00366, PI16/01522, PI16/01120, PI17/00764, PI17/01183, PI17/00855, PI17/01347, PI17/00525, PI17/01827, PI17/00532, PI17/00215, PI17/01441, PI17/00508, PI17/01732, PI17/00926, PI19/00957, PI19/00386, PI19/00309, PI19/01032, PI19/00576, PI19/00017, PI19/01226, PI19/00781, PI19/01560, and PI19/01332), the Especial Action Project entitled: Implementación y evaluación de una intervención intensive sobre la actividad física Cohorte PREDIMED-Plus grant to J.S.-S., the Recercaixa Grant to J.S.-S. (2013ACUP00194), Grants from the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía (PI0458/2013, PS0358/2016, and PI0137/2018), a Grant from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2017/017), a SEMERGEN Grant, EU-COST Action CA16112, a Grant of support to research groups no. 35/2011 from the Balearic Islands Government, Grants (FOLIUM, PRIMUS, SYNERGIA, and LIBERI) from Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IDISBA), funds from the European Regional Development Fund (CIBEROBN CB06/03 and CB12/03) and from the European Commission (EAT2BENICE_H2020_SFS2016). Cristina Bouzas received a Fernando Tarongí Bauzà Grant. The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results