Vulnerable marine ecosystems and biological features of Gazul mud volcano (Gulf of Cádiz): A contribution towards a potential "Gulf of Cádiz" EBSA

The Gulf of Cádiz (GoC) represents an area of socioeconomic and scientific importance for oceanographic, geological and biological processes. An interesting feature of the GoC is the presence of a large amount of mud volcanoes (MVs) and diapirs that display different seepage, seabed types, oceanographic settings and biological communities. Detailed exploration of some MVs is still needed for detecting Vulnerable Marine ecosystems (VMEs) that seem to be rare in other areas of the GoC, improving the current knowledge on its biodiversity and ecological attributes. During different expeditions (MEDWAVES-ATLAS, INDEMARES-CHICA 0610 & 0412 and ISUNEPCA 0616) carried out in different years, biological samples and videos were obtained in Gazul MV (Spanish Margin of the GoC). The study of those samples and videos has revealed the presence of several ecologically important VMEs (e.g. 3 species of reef framework-forming corals, coral gardens including solitary scleractinians, gorgonians and antipatharians, as well as deep-sea sponge aggregations and chemosynthesis-related structures) and a large number of species occurring in this MV, including new records for the European margin, threatened species and non-previously described species. The combination of different environmental and anthropogenic factors allowed the present-day persistence of these VMEs in the GoC. Some of Gazul MV biological and ecological attributes fit several criteria of the Convention on Biological Diversity for EBSA description (e.g. 1,3,4,6) that, together with those of other areas of the GoC, may contribute to the future potential nomination of an EBSA in this area of the NE Atlantic

Reproduction of the anthozoan Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) in southern Spain: from asexual reproduction to putative maternal care

Anemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777) is a common shallow water cnidarian from rocky platform and boulder beaches in southern Spain, where it is a popular seafood item with an increasing fshery. To aid in the management of a sustainable fshery, a study on the reproduction of A. sulcata in the littoral of Malaga (southern Spain) was performed from November 2014 to September 2015, using histological methods. A total of 123 specimens were examined, with a size range (as diameter of the pedal disc) from 1.1 to 48.2 mm. The sex ratio was signifcantly biased to females, with 1.7 females: 1 male (χ2=4.45, p<0.01). The spermatozoids and oocytes arise from the endodermal cells. The mature oocytes receive nutritive flaments (trophonema) from the endoderm cells. There were zooxanthellae in the mesenteries, tentacles and also inside the oocytes. A gastrula was observed in one individual, as well as several planula larvae in diferent degree of development in others. Asexual reproduction by internal budding was observed in some individuals. The studied population showed an extended reproductive cycle with a peak of spawning in April. The size and weight of sexual maturity of the studied population were 21.5 mm and 16.5 g, respectively. A positive signifcant correlation was observed between size and weight of individuals. We suggest that the diameter of the pedal disc should be used as the legal parameter for the management of this fshery, as this measurement is easier to take by fshermen at sea than the weight, the current legal parameter

Preliminary characterization of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems and associated communities of Chella Bank (Alboran Sea, W Mediterranean)

Poster presentation at ATLAS 3rd General Assembly. Seamounts may promote the presence of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) worldwide. In the Alboran Sea (W Mediterranean Sea), the Chella Bank (locally known as “Seco de los Olivos”) is a seamount that covers ca. 100 km2 and is under the influence of different water masses in this important Atlanto-Mediterranean biogeographical transition zone. During the MEDWAVES expedition (September-October 2016) within the frame of the H2020 ATLAS project, biological and sediment samples collected with Van Veen dredge and ROV underwater videos were obtained in sedimentary and coral rubble bottoms of Chella Bank. The analyses have revealed a diverse invertebrate community associated with these bottoms containing abundant cold-water coral (CWC) remains (mainly Madrepora oculata and Lophelia pertusa), which provide complex heterogeneous microhabitats to many different taxa. The community associated with the coral rubble bottoms is mainly composed of different genera of bivalves (Mendicula, Limopsis, Asperarca), gastropods (Gibberula, Epitonium), small crustaceans (class Malacostraca), polychaetes (Eunice), ophiuroideans (Ophiothrix), bryozoans (order Cyclostomata), hydrozoans (Cryptolaria), poriferans (Terpios, Haliclona) and brachiopods (Megathiris, Megerlia), among other taxa. Furthermore, the megafauna include cnidarians (Bebryce, Acanthogorgia, Dendrophyllia), sponges (Pachastrella) and dense shoals of the carangid fish Caranx rhonchus. Unlike coral rubble bottoms, macro- and micro-fauna inhabiting close sandy, muddy or hemipelagic muddy habitats seems less diverse (up to four times in terms of abundance and species richness). These communities are mainly composed of polychaetes, small crustaceans and bivalves (Abra, Ennucula, Yoldiella), together with shoals of the ammodytid fish Gymnammodytes cicerelus. Coral rubble bottoms of Chella Bank may therefore represent an interesting habitat for conservation, harboring a good representation of the biodiversity linked to CWC communities. This study increases the scarce information on biodiversity and biogeography (WP3) for this area that probably favors the connectivity of CWC associated fauna (WP4) between the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins

New advances in the study of the biodiversity of the SCI “Volcanes de fango del golfo de Cádiz” (southwestern Spanish Margin)

The Gulf of Cádiz represents an important seepage area with ca. 70 mud volcanoes (MV), of which one third are located in European waters (Spain and Portugal). Previous projects and expeditions resulted on a large amount of information on different aspects of MV of the Moroccan margin, which seem to have a higher seepage activity than those of the Iberian margin. Those studies mainly focused on their geological characteristics, whereas others offered novel information on their associated biota, especially the endosymbiont-bearing invertebrates as well as non-previously described species (Vanreusel et al. 2009). In 2014, the MV of the Spanish margin of the Gulf of Cádiz were included in the Natura 2000 network (Site of Community Importance - SCI "Volcanes de fango del golfo de Cádiz" - ESZZ12002) under the framework of the Life + project INDEMARES. Nowadays, the LIFE IP PAF INTEMARES project represents an opportunity for improving the knowledge on the biodiversity of this SCI

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit