Comunidades bentónicas e incidencia del buceo libre en arrecifes de Laguna de Maya, Matanzas, Cuba

Background: There is a lack of a quantitative characterization of the structure and abundance of the benthic communities of the “Laguna de Maya” coral reef. This information is very useful to prevent anthropic affectations, such as those that come from free and autonomous SCUBA diving activity, for recreational purposes and for self-consumption fishing. Objective: To characterize the benthic and fish community, allowing the determination of the incidence of diving on reefs of the “Laguna de Maya” Wildlife Refuge Protected Area, Matanzas, Cuba. Methods: Four sites were sampled, with the use of a square frame with a side of 1m (1m2), according to Weinberg (1981). Between 26 and 31 sampling units were placed per site, for a total of 117 units, taking one side of each square to determine the substrate coverage. The maximum diameter and the percentages of surface with old death, recent death and bleaching, by colony, were quantified. Results: 19 species of corals were identified, dominating Millepora complanata and Porites astreoides and the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. 60 species of fish were registered, with Thalassoma bifasciatum and Chromis cyanea dominating. The largest offenses committed were contacts on corals (0.12 contacts/min). Conclusions: In general, the health status of the corals was affected in two of the studied sites. The negative consequences, it seems, were the product of local impacts (recreational diving). In the studied baseline, the disturbances and dangers that prevail on the reef of the Wildlife Refuge Protected Area “Laguna de Maya” are identified.Contexto: Se carece de una caracterización cuantitativa de la estructura y abundancia de las comunidades bentónicas del arrecife coralino de “Laguna de Maya”. Esta información es de gran utilidad para prevenir afectaciones antrópicas, como las que provienen de la actividad de buceo libre y autónomo SCUBA, con fines recreativos y para la pesca de autoconsumo. Objetivo: Caracterizar la comunidad bentónica y de peces, permitiendo la determinación de la incidencia del buceo sobre arrecifes del Área Protegida Refugio de Fauna “Laguna de Maya”, Matanzas, Cuba. Métodos: Fueron muestreados cuatro sitios, con el empleó del marco cuadrado de 1m de lado (1 m2), según Weinberg (1981). Se colocaron entre 26 y 31 unidades de muestreo por sitio, para un total de 117 unidades, tomando un lado de cada cuadrado para determinar la cobertura del sustrato. Se cuantificó el diámetro máximo y los porcentajes de superficie con muerte antigua, muerte reciente y blanqueamiento, por colonia. Resultados: Se identificaron 19 especies de corales, dominando Millepora complanata y Porites astreoides y el zoantideo Palythoa caribaeorum. Se censaron 60 especies de peces, dominando Thalassoma bifasciatum y Chromis cyanea. Las mayores infracciones cometidas fueron los contactos sobre los corales (0.12 contactos/1 min). Conclusiones: De forma general, el estado de salud de los corales fue afectado en dos de los sitios estudiados. Las consecuencias negativas, al parecer, fueron producto de los impactos locales (buceo recreativo). En la línea de base estudiada se identifican los disturbios y peligros que prevalecen sobre el arrecife del Área Protegida Refugio de Fauna “Laguna de Maya”

Asociaciones de peces de arrecifes en el Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba: Influencia de la pesca y el hábitat

El mantenimiento de los servicios de los arrecifes de coral depende, en gran parte, de la conservación de la ictiofauna, y para desarrollar estrategias dirigidas a su conservación se requieren datos sobre su condición y amenazas. Este trabajo tuvo el objetivo de describir las asociaciones de peces de arrecifes en el Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe (PNCSF) y explorar la influencia de la pesca y el hábitat sobre atributos comunitarios. Entre 2013 y 2015, se estudiaron nueve sitios del arrecife (15-25m) con estéreo-video (535 transectos de 50m x 2m) y se contaron 47 792 individuos. La ictiofauna se caracterizó por un número alto de especies, alta densidad de especies de talla pequeña y biomasa acumulada en depredadores tope y macrocarnívoros (pirámide trófica invertida debido a agregaciones de pargos). Cerca del 60 % de la variación de la ictiofauna fue explicada por la turbidez del agua y la heterogeneidad del fondo. La densidad (90 indiv./100m2), la talla (14.2cm) y la biomasa de la ictiofauna (12 kg/100m2) y la biomasa de pargos y meros (65 g/m2) promedio del PNCSF, fueron similares a la de otros arrecifes protegidos. Sin embargo, se observó efecto negativo de la pesca en la disminución de indicadores de abundancia y talla a nivel de grupos funcionales y familias de interés para la pesca en el área oriental del PNCSF (mayor presión de pesca) con relación al área occidental. Además, la biomasa (15 g/m2) de herbívoros en el PNCSF y la de pargos y meros (12 g/m2) en el área oriental se evalúo como pobre. La información brindada puede ayudar a la toma de decisiones para el mejor uso de los recursos del arrecife en el PNCSF.Los autores valoramos altamente el trabajo de Lázaro García-López en la organización de las expediciones y la toma de muestras; la cooperación de la tripulación de la embarcación Felipe Poey, del Centro de Investigaciones Marinas y el apoyo del personal del Parque Nacional Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba. También apreciamos la contribución de Rodolfo Claro en la interpretación de los resultados y de los revisores anónimos a la redacción del artículo

Basedat 2. Gestión de Bases de datos para la docencia

Se presentan un conjunto de 11 guías de usuario y aplicaciones didácticas. Bases de datos SABI, AMADEUS, PITEC, Encuesta Industrial, COMTRADE, OMC, TRADECAN, FDIstat, Contabilidad Nacional de España del INE, Contabilidad Nacional de Eurostat e Indicadores de Desarrollo Mundial

Caribbean Corals in Crisis: Record Thermal Stress, Bleaching, and Mortality in 2005

BACKGROUND The rising temperature of the world's oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers' field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate.This work was partially supported by salaries from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program to the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program authors. NOAA provided funding to Caribbean ReefCheck investigators to undertake surveys of bleaching and mortality. Otherwise, no funding from outside authors' institutions was necessary for the undertaking of this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Chromatin regulation by Histone H4 acetylation at Lysine 16 during cell death and differentiation in the myeloid compartment

Histone H4 acetylation at Lysine 16 (H4K16ac) is a key epigenetic mark involved in gene regulation, DNA repair and chromatin remodeling, and though it is known to be essential for embryonic development, its role during adult life is still poorly understood. Here we show that this lysine is massively hyperacetylated in peripheral neutrophils. Genome-wide mapping of H4K16ac in terminally differentiated blood cells, along with functional experiments, supported a role for this histone post-translational modification in the regulation of cell differentiation and apoptosis in the hematopoietic system. Furthermore, in neutrophils, H4K16ac was enriched at specific DNA repeats. These DNA regions presented an accessible chromatin conformation and were associated with the cleavage sites that generate the 50 kb DNA fragments during the first stages of programmed cell death. Our results thus suggest that H4K16ac plays a dual role in myeloid cells as it not only regulates differentiation and apoptosis, but it also exhibits a non-canonical structural role in poising chromatin for cleavage at an early stage of neutrophil cell death

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Pasados y presente. Estudios para el profesor Ricardo García Cárcel

Ricardo García Cárcel (Requena, 1948) estudió Historia en Valencia bajo el magisterio de Joan Reglà, con quien formó parte del primer profesorado de historia moderna en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. En esta universidad, desde hace prácticamente cincuenta años, ha desarrollado una extraordinaria labor docente y de investigación marcada por un sagaz instinto histórico, que le ha convertido en pionero de casi todo lo que ha estudiado: las Germanías, la historia de la Cataluña moderna, la Inquisición, las culturas del Siglo de Oro, la Leyenda Negra, Felipe II, Felipe V, Austrias y Borbones, la guerra de la Independencia, la historia cultural, los mitos de la historia de España... Muy pocos tienen su capacidad para reflexionar, ordenar, analizar, conceptualizar y proponer una visión amplia y llena de matices sobre el pasado y las interpretaciones historiográficas. A su laboriosidad inimitable se añade una dedicación sin límites en el asesoramiento de alumnos e investigadores e impulsando revistas, dosieres, seminarios o publicaciones colectivas. Una mínima correspondencia a su generosidad lo constituye este volumen a manera de ineludible agradecimiento

Condición de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba

In 2007, a health assessment of coral reefs in the Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba, was conducted based on the condition of coral communities. Coral condition indicators (maximum diameter, species richness, diseases and mortality) were evaluated, at different depths in 13 sites with varying exposure levels to the main ocean-atmospheric phenomena that generate waves in the area (north, south and trade winds). Forty two species of stony corals were identified. The most abundant species were Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides. The average coral cover varied between 4.8% and 31.2%, with a general average of 17%. The integrated analysis of all condition indicators of coral communities suggested the existence of two distinctive areas according to wind exposure and the consequent effect of both waves and sediments. The first area, covering east of Bahía de Corrientes (between Uvero Quemado and Cuevas de Pedro), was more protected and had a more favorable environment, as suggested by the biological indicators. The second area was comprised of the western part, was more exposed (between Veral and Faro Roncali), and showed the highest relative cover of species resistant to sedimentation, especially at 10 and 15 m deep. These results indicate that coral reefs at the Guanahacabibes National Park do not escape from the degradation process faced by most coral reefs in the Caribbean region.En el 2007 se evaluó el estado de salud de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre la base de la condición de las comunidades de corales. Se analizaron indicadores de condición de los corales escleractinios (diámetro máximo, riqueza de especies, enfermedades y mortalidad) a distintas profundidades, en 13 estaciones con diferentes niveles de exposición a los principales fenómenos océano-atmosféricos generadores de oleaje en el área (vientos nortes, sures y alisios). Se identificaron 42 especies de corales pétreos. Las más abundantes fueron: Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites y Porites astreoides. El promedio de cobertura de coral vivo varió entre 4.8% y 31.2%, con un promedio general de 17%. El análisis integrado de todos los indicadores de condición de las comunidades de corales sugirió la existencia de dos áreas diferenciadas según la exposición a los vientos y el consecuente efecto del oleaje y los sedimentos. La primera área abarcó el este de la Bahía de Corrientes (entre Uvero Quemado y Cuevas de Pedro), la más resguardada, y donde los indicadores biológicos sugieren un ambiente más favorable. La segunda comprendió la parte occidental más expuesta (entre Veral y Faro Roncali), que presentó la mayor cobertura relativa del conjunto de especies resistentes a la sedimentación, especialmente en 10 y 15 m de profundidad. Estos resultados indican que los arrecifes del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes no escapan del proceso de degradación que afrontan la mayoría de los arrecifes de la región del Caribe

Condição dos recifes coralinos do Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba

En el 2007 se evaluó el estado de salud de los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre la base de la condición de las comunidades de corales. Se analizaron indicadores de condición de los corales escleractinios (diámetro máximo, riqueza de especies, enfermedades y mortalidad) a distintas profundidades, en 13 estaciones con diferentes niveles de exposición a los principales fenómenos océano-atmosféricos generadores de oleaje en el área (vientos nortes, sures y alisios). Se identificaron 42 especies de corales pétreos. Las más abundantes fueron: Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites y Porites astreoides. El promedio de cobertura de coral vivo varió entre 4.8% y 31.2%, con un promedio general de 17%. El análisis integrado de todos los indicadores de condición de las comunidades de corales sugirió la existencia de dos áreas diferenciadas según la exposición a los vientos y el consecuente efecto del oleaje y los sedimentos. La primera área abarcó el este de la Bahía de Corrientes (entre Uvero Quemado y Cuevas de Pedro), la más resguardada, y donde los indicadores biológicos sugieren un ambiente más favorable. La segunda comprendió la parte occidental más expuesta (entre Veral y Faro Roncali), que presentó la mayor cobertura relativa del conjunto de especies resistentes a la sedimentación, especialmente en 10 y 15 m de profundidad. Estos resultados indican que los arrecifes del Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes no escapan del proceso de degradación que afrontan la mayoría de los arrecifes de la región del Caribe.In 2007, a health assessment of coral reefs in the Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba, was conducted based on the condition of coral communities. Coral condition indicators (maximum diameter, species richness, diseases and mortality) were evaluated, at different depths in 13 sites with varying exposure levels to the main ocean-atmospheric phenomena that generate waves in the area (north, south and trade winds). Forty two species of stony corals were identified. The most abundant species were Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites and Porites astreoides. The average coral cover varied between 4.8% and 31.2%, with a general average of 17%. The integrated analysis of all condition indicators of coral communities suggested the existence of two distinctive areas according to wind exposure and the consequent effect of both waves and sediments. The first area, covering east of Bahía de Corrientes (between Uvero Quemado and Cuevas de Pedro), was more protected and had a more favorable environment, as suggested by the biological indicators. The second area was comprised of the western part, was more exposed (between Veral and Faro Roncali), and showed the highest relative cover of species resistant to sedimentation, especially at 10 and 15 m deep. These results indicate that coral reefs at the Guanahacabibes National Park do not escape from the degradation process faced by most coral reefs in the Caribbean region.Em 2007 avaliou-se o estado de saúde dos recifes coralinos do Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes, Cuba, sobre a base da condição das comunidades de corais. Analisaram-se indicadores de condição dos corais escleractíneos (diâmetro máximo, riqueza de espécies, enfermidades e mortalidade) a distintas profundidades, em 13 estações com diferentes níveis de exposição aos principais fenômenos oceano-atmosféricos geradores de ressaca na área (ventos nortes, suis e alísios). Foram identificadas 42 espécies de corais pétreos. As mais abundantes foram Siderastrea siderea, Montastraea faveolata, Agaricia agaricites e Porites astreoides. A média de cobertura de coral vivo variou entre 4.8% e 31.2%, com uma média geral de 17%. A análise integrada de todos os indicadores de condição das comunidades de corais sugeriu a existência de duas áreas diferenciadas, segundo a exposição aos ventos e o consequente efeito da ressaca e dos sedimentos. A primeira área abrangeu o leste da Bahia de Correntes (entre Uvero Quemado e Cuevas de Pedro), a mais resguardada, e onde os indicadores biológicos sugerem um ambiente mais favorável. A segunda compreendeu a parte ocidental mais exposta (entre Veral e Faro Roncali), que apresentou a maior cobertura relativa do conjunto de espécies resistentes à sedimentação, especialmente a 10 e 15 m de profundidade. Estes resultados indicam que os recifes do Parque Nacional Guanahacabibes não se esquivam do processo de degradação que depara a maioria dos recifes da região do Caribe