Regeneration and reprogramming compared

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dedifferentiation occurs naturally in mature cell types during epimorphic regeneration in fish and some amphibians. Dedifferentiation also occurs in the induction of pluripotent stem cells when a set of transcription factors (<it>Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 </it>and <it>c-Myc</it>) is over expressed in mature cell types.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We hypothesised that there are parallels between dedifferentiation or reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells and the natural process of dedifferentiation during epimorphic regeneration. We analysed expression levels of the most commonly used pluripotency associated factors in regenerating and non-regenerating tissue and compared them with levels in a pluripotent reference cell. We found that some of the pluripotency associated factors (<it>oct4/pou5f1, sox2, c-myc, klf4, tert, sall4, zic3, dppa2/4 </it>and <it>fut1</it>, a homologue of <it>ssea1</it>) were expressed before and during regeneration and that at least two of these factors (<it>oct4, sox2</it>) were also required for normal fin regeneration in the zebrafish. However these factors were not upregulated during regeneration as would be expected if blastema cells acquired pluripotency.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By comparing cells from the regeneration blastema with embryonic pluripotent reference cells we found that induced pluripotent stem and blastema cells do not share pluripotency. However, during blastema formation some of the key reprogramming factors are both expressed and are also required for regeneration to take place. We therefore propose a link between partially reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells and the half way state of blastema cells and suggest that a common mechanism might be regulating these two processes.</p

Effectiveness of multicomponent interventions and physical activity in the workplace to reduce obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Overweight and obesity are public health problems that affects the workplace. This paper aims to analyse the effectiveness of workplace health promotion interventions in reducing Body Mass Index (BMI); Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases. The inverse variance statistical method was used for the meta-analysis with a random effects analysis model and standardised means. The results have been represented by Forest Plots and Funnel Plots graphs; Results: The multicomponent approach had the best results for reducing BMI (−0.14 [−0.24, −0.03], 95% CI; p = 0.009) compared to performing physical activity only (−0.09 [−0.39, 0.21], 95% CI; p = 0.56). However, both methods resulted in positive changes in reducing BMI in the general analysis (−0.12 [−0.22, −0.02], 95% CI; p = 0.01). The GRADE evaluation showed low certainty due to the high heterogeneity between interventions (I2 = 59% for overall analysis). Conclusions: The multicomponent approach could be an effective intervention to reduce obesity in the working population. However, workplace health promotion programs must be standardised to conduct quality analyses and highlight their importance to workers’ well-being

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p&lt;0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (&lt;1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (&lt;1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Changes in life-history traits in relation to climate change: bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the northwestern Mediterranean

10 pages, 10 figuresThis study shows the strong relationship between the increasing surface temperature in the NW Mediterranean and the expansion northwards of the bluefish distribution range with the species reproducing in the new distribution areas. Two shifts in temperature were detected: the first one in the early 1980s and the second around 1997. This last shift, explained by warmer springs (April–June), when the species migrates for spawning, led to the observed changes in bluefish. In the western Mediterranean basin, a significant increase in bluefish landings was observed by the mid nineties, whereas in the Catalan coast, the northern edge of the species distribution, a northward expansion was observed from 2000. At present, spawning takes place all along the Catalan coast (June to September), including the new distribution areas, being 21°C the threshold for the presence of larvae in the plankton. This temperature was not attained in June two decades ago. The highest concentrations of larvae were located near the mouth of the Ebro River and their distribution to the north did not extend beyond the thermal front. Bluefish has taken the advantage of the changing environmental conditions and is established in new northernmost distribution areasThis work was supported by the EU Project VECTORS (FP7 OCEAN-2010, 266445) and by the Spanish project MAR-CTM2010-18874. We acknowledge Josep Pascual and the General Direction of Fishing and Maritime Affairs of the Catalan Government for providing sea temperature and bluefish landings dataPeer reviewe

What factors determine the spatio-temporal distribution of Coris julis and Thalassoma pavo larvae in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea?

43 Annual Larval Fish Conference, 21-24 May 2019, Palma, Balearic IslandsIn the last years, the distribution of Thalassoma pavo, a warm water species, has been expanded northwards in the western Mediterranean Sea in relation to sea warming. In this area, it cohabits with the cold water, ecologically similar, species Coris julis. Both species have similar body size, habitat preferences and feeding, living in shallow rocky habitats and Posidonia beds. As both species reproduce in spring/summer their planktonic eggs and larvae coexist and may interact in some way during that period. Here we analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of C. julis and T. pavo larvae in the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean) to characterize their main spawning areas identifying the environmental factors that shape the spatial structures of larvae of both species. Six oceanographic surveys were conducted in summer of two decades (July 2003, September 2003, June 2004, July 2004, June 2011 and July 2012) along the Catalan continental shelf. Basic oceanographic parameters were measured, and icthtyoplankton samplings were performed using Bongo, neuston, and MOCNESS nets. Larvae of both species were collected in surveys conducted in June and July, being absent in September. In all surveys, C. julis was significantly more abundant than T. pavo, though the abundance of both species did not show significant differences among surveys, months and years. Larvae of both species had a shallow distribution, between surface and 50 m depth. The spatial distribution of C. julis larvae showed a wide distribution all over the shelf, while T. pavo larvae had a more coastal and scattered distribution, being more abundant in the northern part of the areaPeer Reviewe

Comparative study of the larval survival of two clupeoid species in the Northwestern Mediterranean based on a box-balance model

43 Annual Larval Fish Conference, 21-24 May 2019, Palma, Balearic IslandsSardinella aurita and Engraulis encrasicolus are two co-occurring clupeoid species whose spawning season takes place in summer in the NW Mediterranean, their eggs and larvae coexist in the plankton during this period. The summer is characterised by a stratified water column and low primary production at surface, where the only nutrient supply comes from runoff water. Spawning of both species is associated to these productive areas, and larval growth and survival would depend on hydrodynamic structures dominated by the Northern Current. The current flows over the continental slope and significant mesoscale features such as meanders and eddies are being developed along the current path. These structures may act as areas of accumulation, offering suitable conditions for larval survival, or as offshore exporting mechanisms. Three oceanographic cruises, consisting of basic oceanographic parameters measures and icthtyoplankton sampling, were performed in summer (July 2003, July 2004 and June 2003) along the Catalan coast. Larval growth rates of both species, studied by analysing their sagittal otoliths, were established as 0.604 mm day-1 for E. encrasicolus and 0.775 mm day-1 for S.aurita. With these values the age of sampled individuals and larval abundances at age were obtained. Then, global larval mortalities for each survey were estimated by log-linear regression of the abundances at age. S. aurita presented a much higher daily mortality rate (46%) than E. encrasicolus (28%). For a given area, the model compares the actual age distributions with that which would be obtained if the population were in a steady state, assuming the mortality rates within the age range used for the regression are constant for each species and survey. This balance model allows to estimate the larval inputs and outputs in the area, thus assessing how the hydrodynamic structures influence the survival of E. encrasicolus and S.aurita larvaePeer Reviewe

The box-balance model: a new tool to assess fish larval survival, applied to field data on two small pelagic fish

Contribution to the Theme Section Latest advances in research on fish early life stages.-- 20 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, 1 appendixThis work develops a new method, the box-balance model (BBM), to assess the role of hydrodynamic structures in the survival of fish larvae. The BBM was applied in the northwest Mediterranean to field data, on 2 small pelagic fish species whose larvae coexist in summer: Engraulis encrasicolus, a dominant species, and Sardinella aurita, which is expanding northwards in relation to sea warming. The BBM allows one to quantify the contribution of circulation, with significant mesoscale activity, to the survival of fish larvae, clearly separating the effect of transport from biological factors. It is based on comparing the larval abundances at age found in local target areas, associated with the mesoscale structures (boxes), to those predicted by the overall mortality rate of the population in the region. The application of the BBM reveals that dispersion/retention by hydrodynamic structures favours the survival of E. encrasicolus larvae. In addition, since larval growth and mortality rates of the species are required parameters for application of the BBM, we present their estimates for S. aurita in the region for the first time. Although growth and mortality rates found for S. aurita are both higher than for E. encrasicolus, their combined effect confers a lower survival to S. aurita larvae. Thus, although the warming trend in the region would contribute to the expansion of the fast-growing species S. aurita, we can confirm that E. encrasicolus is well established, with a better adapted survival strategyThis research was supported by the project CTM2015-68543-R (Spanish Ministry of Economyand Competitiveness)With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)Peer reviewe

Changes in life history traits in relation to climate change: bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in the northwestern Mediterranean

Symposium on Integrating New Advances in Mediterranean Oceanography and Marine Biology, 26-29 November 2013, Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Barcelona, Catalunya, SpainThis study shows the strong relationship between the increasing surface temperature in the NW Mediterranean and the expansion northwards of the bluefish distribution range with the species reproducing in the new distribution areas. Two shifts in temperature were detected: the first one in the early 1980s and the second around 1997. This last shift, explained by warmer springs (April to June), when the species migrates for spawning, led to the observed changes in bluefish. In the western Mediterranean basin, a significant increase in bluefish landings was detected by the mid nineties while in the Catalan coast, northern edge of the species distribution, a northward expansion was observed from 2000. At present, spawning takes place all along the Catalan Coast (June to September), including the new distribution areas, being 21ºC the threshold for the presence of larvae in the plankton. These changes are related to the increase in temperature during the spring months, as these temperatures are crucial for migration and reproduction events. The warmer spring months would also account for the earlier onset of spawning. The evidence presented in this study highlights how P. saltatrix is able to take advantage of the changing environmental conditions and become established in new areasPeer Reviewe

Distribution and feeding dynamics of larval red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the NW Mediterranean: the important role of cladocera

14 pages, 10 figures, 4 tablesThe feeding habits of Mullus barbatus larvae and the horizontal and vertical distribution of larvae and their dominant prey were studied in the NW Mediterranean during the summer oligotrophic period. The water column showed marked stratification with a deep chlorophyll maximum beneath the thermocline. Horizontal and vertical distribution of larvae showed good correspondence with that of cladocera, their preferential prey from 8 mm standard length. Both groups were restricted to the upper levels of the water column, above thermocline, and were very abundant in the southern area, associated with the low salinity waters from the Ebro river runoff. Prey items consumed by the smallest size classes of larvae <8 mm SL were dominated by copepod nauplii, then diet and prey selectivity shifted towards the cladoceran Evadne spp. The amount and mean size of ingested prey increased throughout development while niche breadth remained constant. This constancy in niche breadth implies that during development larvae shift to other niches, with the replacement of nauplii by cladocerans. Results suggest that M. barbatus larvae probably depend on energy derived from the microbial food web, via their feeding on cladocera, emphasizing the key trophic role of cladocera in this oligotrophic Sea. © 2015 The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reservedThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects REN 2002-01339/MAR and MAR-CTM2010-18874)Peer Reviewe

Future distribution of early life stages of small pelagic fishes in the northwestern Mediterranean

23 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, supplementary material https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02723-4We studied the effect of climate change on the potential spawning habitats of two marine small pelagic fishes. We examined the projected changes in the potential spawning habitat of the summer-spawning anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) in the northwestern Mediterranean by combining the regionalized projections of RCP scenarios with an existing species distribution model (SDM). The SDM was based on a separate generalized additive model for the eggs and larvae of the two species computed from ichthyoplankton sampling that was conducted with simultaneous readings of surface temperature, salinity and chlorophyll-a values as predictor variables. The SDM was projected for the 2010 decade, which represented the present-day conditions, with these environmental variables obtained from the regionalized POLCOMS-ERSEM biogeochemical model forced by the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. The comparison of the present-day projection results with the projections for the middle and final decades of the twenty-first century showed that the suitability of the spawning habitat as defined by the anchovy eggs model was likely to increase over time under RCP4.5 or decrease slightly under RCP8.5, but the habitat for anchovy larvae was likely to decrease in all cases. Loss of habitat was projected to be particularly important in the south of the study area on the Ebre River delta continental shelf. Conversely, the probability of round sardinella occurrence will significantly increase under both scenarios. The potential habitat of this species, which is of subtropical origin, is likely to shift northwards. The limitations of the existing models to extrapolate the current results to future scenarios are discussed regarding (i) the uncertainty in the projections of driving environmental variables (e.g., chlorophyll-a), (ii) the simplified nature of the projection models, which did not capture the dynamics of the early life stages of the fish at a small scale, and (iii) insufficient consideration of important drivers, such as larval transport or retention by mesoscale hydrographic phenomenaThis work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Grant Agreement “CERES” No. 678193 and from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CTM2010-18874 and CTM2015-68543-R). Eduardo Ramirez-Romero received funding from “Govern de les Illes Balears—Conselleria d’Innovació, Recerca i Turisme, Programa Vicenç Mut.”With the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI