The thermal journey of macroalgae: Four decades of temperature-induced changes in the southeastern Bay of Biscay.

Global warming is triggering significant shifts in temperate macroalgal communities worldwide, favoring small, warm-affinity species over large canopy-forming, cold-affinity species. The Cantabrian Sea, a region acutely impacted by climate change, is also witnessing this shift. This study delved into the impacts of increasing sea surface temperature on the subtidal macroalgal communities in the southeastern Bay of Biscay over the last four decades, by using data from the years 1982, 2007, 2014, and 2020. We found that temperature has shaped the community structure, with warm-affinity species steadily displacing their cold-affinity counterparts. Notably, new communities exhibited a profusion of smaller algal species, explaining the observed increased biodiversity within the area. In the last period investigated (2014-2020), we observed a partial recovery of the communities, coinciding with cooler sea surface temperatures. Shallow algal communities were more reactive to temperature variations than deeper communities, possibly associated with higher exposure to increased temperatures. Our study offered insights into the intricate relationship between the changes in ocean temperature and algal species in the southeastern Bay of Biscay, shedding light on the ongoing ecological shifts in this region.

Split-plot marine experiment to assess ecophysiological responses of Gelidium corneum assemblages.

Canopy-forming macroalgae are facing large declines due to climate change worldwide. The foundation species Gelidium corneum (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux has shown a long-term decline in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay. We conducted an in situ experiment to investigate the combined effect of solar radiation and nutrient availability on the photosynthetic acclimation and growth of this macrophyte, and on the species richness and diversity of the assemblages that it forms. Photochemical stress in G. corneum was found to be greater at the end of the study, probably as a result of a prolonged exposure to high irradiance (PAR and UVR) and due to high temperatures during summer. We found an acclimation of G. corneum specimens to summer light and thermal conditions through dynamic/reversible photoinhibition and a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. Nutrients may also have had a positive effect in dealing with the negative effects of these stressors. Under ongoing global climate change and projections for the future, further research will be needed to better understand the effects not only on canopy forming species but also on the whole community and thus on the functioning of the ecosystem.

Short-term response of macroalgal communities to ocean warming in the Southern Bay of Biscay.

Climate change is causing significant shifts in biological communities worldwide, including the degradation of marine communities. Previous research has predicted that southern Bay of Biscay canopy-forming subtidal macroalgal communities will shift into turf-forming Mediterranean-like communities by the end of the century. These predictions were based on a community-environment relationship model that used macroalgal abundance data and IPCC environmental projections. We have tested the short-term accuracy of that model by resampling the same communities and locations four years later and found the short-term predictions to be consistent with the observed communities. Changes in sea surface temperature were positively correlated with changes in the Community Temperature Index, suggesting that macroalgal communities had responded quickly to global warming. The changes over four years were significant, but canopy-forming macroalgae were more resilient in local sites with favourable temperature conditions. Our study demonstrated that updating predictive models with new data has the potential to yield reliable predictions and inform effective conservation strategies.

A spatially-modelled snapshot of future marine macroalgal assemblages in southern Europe: Towards a broader Mediterranean region?

The effect of climate change on species distribution has been the focus of much recent research, but the community-level approach remains poorly studied. Our investigation applies a present assemblage-environment relationship model for the first time to the predict changes in subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the northern Iberian Peninsula under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios by 2100. Water temperature is the most relevant factor in shaping assemblage distribution, whilst nutrient availability plays a secondary role. The results partially support our hypothesis that there may well be a potential meridionalisation of northern Iberian assemblages in the future. Under the most pessimistic scenario, the model projects that the north-western assemblages will remain distinct from the rest, whereas the central and eastern assemblages of the north coast of the Iberian Peninsula will come to resemble those of the Mediterranean region more closely than those of the northwest coast. This research may help predict how the biodiversity of the coastal ecosystem will respond to new environmental conditions. This is essential information for developing proper management and conservation policies.

Capacity for recovery of rocky subtidal assemblages following pollution abatement in a scenario of global change.

The successful protection and management of marine ecosystems depend on understanding the capability of biota for recovering after stressor mitigation actions are taken. Here we present long-term changes (1984-2012) in degraded subtidal assemblages following the implementation of the sewerage scheme for the metropolitan area of Bilbao (1 million inhabitants). Qualitative and quantitative species composition of disturbed vegetation shifted over time, making it more similar to that of the reference assemblages considered. Species density in the disturbed habitats increased, which is also a positive sign of recovery. However, eleven years after the clean-up was completed, canopy-forming macrophytes showed no signs of recovery. We argue that the ecological resilience of the ecosystem may have been eroded after a long-standing pollution perturbation and that underlying climate change could be influencing the recovery trajectory of the degraded assemblages. The implications of these conclusions for the implementation of European marine environmental legislation are discussed.

Measuring restoration in intertidal macrophyte assemblages following sewage treatment upgrade.

Understanding the effectiveness of pollution mitigation actions in terms of biological recovery is essential if the environmental protection goals of management policies are to be achieved. Few studies, however, have evaluated the restoration of seaweed assemblages following pollution abatement. This study aimed to investigate the response of macroalgal vegetation to the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant using a "Beyond BACI" experimental design. Temporal differences in vegetation structure between the outfall and two control locations over a 10-year period were assessed. Improvement in sewage treatment was found to lead to increases in diversity, cover of morphologically complex algae and spatial heterogeneity. The multivariate composition of assemblages at the outfall location became more similar to that at the controls; however, their complete recovery may depend on factors other than pollution removal. Our findings also suggest that the extent of restoration and the time required to detect it are largely predetermined by the response variables we choose to assess recovery.

La coccidioidomicosis en Argentina, 1892-2009 / Coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, 1892-2009

Los casos clínicos de coccidioidomicosis en Argentina son pocos y han tenido lugar fundamentalmente en la extensa región árida precordillerana. Este trabajo tiene como objetivos realizar una revisión retrospectiva del total de casos de coccidioidomicosis documentados en Argentina desde el año 1892 hasta 2009 y describir una serie de casos ocurridos en los últimos 4 años. En 117 años se documentaron 128 casos. Desde la primera descripción de la enfermedad en 1892 hasta 1939 se registraron 6 casos; desde 1940 hasta 1999, 59 casos (6-14 casos cada 10 años); y los 63 casos restantes (49% del total histórico) se produjeron en el último decenio. La mediana de edad de los 34 pacientes registrados en el período 2006-2009 fue de 31 años (rango: 7-89), la relación hombre:mujer fue 1,3:1; 12 de estos individuos eran inmunocomprometidos. Veintiséis casos se confirmaron por examen microscópico, por cultivo o por ambos procedimientos; los casos restantes se confirmaron por serología. Todos los aislamientos recuperados fueron identificados como Coccidioides posadasii. Treinta pacientes residían en una amplia área geográfica con epicentro en el valle de Catamarca. Entre 2006 y 2009, la tasa de incidencia en la provincia de Catamarca se incrementó desde valores históricos inferiores a 0,5 casos cada 100 000 habitantes hasta 2,0 casos cada 100 000 habitantes. Este aumento sugiere una emergencia de la coccidioidomicosis en el área.

Clinical cases of coccidioidomycosis are rare in Argentina and are generally found in the large arid precordilleran area of the country. This study aims to perform a retrospective review of all coccidioidomycosis cases documented in the country from 1892 to 2009, and to describe those occurring in the last 4 years. One hundred and twenty eight cases were documented in the 117 year-period. Since the original description of the disease in 1892 until 1939, only 6 cases were registered; between 1940 and 1999, 59 (6-14/10 yrs) and the remaining 63 (49% of total cases) occurred in the last decade. The median age of 34 patients registered in 2006-2009 was 31 years (range: 7-89), male/female ratio was 1.3:1 and 12 patients were immunocompromised. Twenty-six cases were confirmed by direct microscopy and/or culture whereas the remaining ones by serology. All isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii. Thirty patients lived in a vast geographic region with epicenter in Catamarca Valley. Between 2006 and 2009, annual disease incidence rates in Catamarca Province increased from historical values below 0.5/100,000 to 2/100,000 inhabitants. Such increase suggests an emergency of coccidioidomycosis in that region.

[Coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, 1892-2009]. / La coccidioidomicosis en Argentina, 1892-2009.

Clinical cases of coccidioidomycosis are rare in Argentina and are generally found in the large arid precordilleran area of the country. This study aims to perform a retrospective review of all coccidioidomycosis cases documented in the country from 1892 to 2009, and to describe those occurring in the last 4 years. One hundred and twenty eight cases were documented in the 117 year-period. Since the original description of the disease in 1892 until 1939, only 6 cases were registered; between 1940 and 1999, 59 (6-14/10 yrs) and the remaining 63 (49% of total cases) occurred in the last decade. The median age of 34 patients registered in 2006-2009 was 31 years (range: 7-89), male/female ratio was 1.3:1 and 12 patients were immunocompromised. Twenty-six cases were confirmed by direct microscopy and/or culture whereas the remaining ones by serology. All isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii. Thirty patients lived in a vast geographic region with epicenter in Catamarca Valley. Between 2006 and 2009, annual disease incidence rates in Catamarca Province increased from historical values below 0.5/100,000 to 2/100,000 inhabitants. Such increase suggests an emergency of coccidioidomycosis in that region.

Ecological monitoring of intertidal phytobenthic communities of the Basque Coast (N. Spain) following the Prestige oil spill.

Following the Prestige oil spill, six-monthly samplings (spring and autumn) of intertidal macroalgal assemblages were carried out from 2004 to 2006 in twelve locations along the Basque coast. Macroalgal species appeared to be little modified, but species richness, diversity, and algal cover were significantly lower in the first year of the study, so it cannot be ruled out that the arrival of oil on the Basque coast might have had a damaging effect on intertidal communities. On the other hand, no significant differences were detected between locations slightly and moderately affected by oil in any of the structural parameters considered. By contrast, significant differences were detected between locations within each oiling level that indicate that other natural environmental factors play a greater role in the differences between locations than the oiling level. Likewise, significant differences were detected between areas within each location which were not consistent with time, indicating that communities are highly heterogeneous in species richness, diversity and algal cover at the scale of tens of meters. The dominant Corallina elongata and most of the accompanying species did not show significant year-on-year differences in terms of cover. Also, there were no differences between the two oiling levels. Analyses revealed a high spatial variability at the scale of kilometers (locations) and tens of meters (areas) for most of the taxa. The results obtained provide detailed quantitative data on intertidal phytobenthic assemblages of the Basque coast at different spatial and temporal scales that were hitherto unavailable for the region.

Encuesta de la SEFAP sobre la Farmacia de Atención Primaria y la Ley 29/2006 de garantías y uso racional del medicamento y productos sanitarios / No disponible

Transcurrido un año desde la publicación de la «Ley 29/2006 de garantías y uso racional de los medicamentos yproductos sanitarios», la Sociedad Española de Farmacéuticos de Atención Primaria (SEFAP) quiere conocer lasituación de los servicios de farmacia de atención primaria (SFAP) en el territorio nacional. Material y método.Estudio descriptivo transversal llevado a cabo mediante una encuesta con 128 ítems. Se distribuyó mediante envíoelectrónico desde la web de la SEFAP a todos los socios, especificando que se cumplimentara una encuesta por SFAP.Resultados. Se recibieron un total de 84 encuestas, desestimándose 5 por repetición del mismo SFAP o por no trabajaren un SFAP, lo que representa el 58,1% de los posibles SFAP. El 52% de las estructuras de gestión de atenciónprimaria encuestadas disponen de SFAP autorizados según la normativa vigente y el 59% son los responsables de lagestión de medicamentos. El 99% tienen establecidos sistemas de información sobre gestión de la farmacoterapia(aspectos clínicos, de efectividad, seguridad y eficiencia de la utilización de los medicamentos) y proporcionan unacorrecta información y formación sobre medicamentos y productos sanitarios a los profesionales. El 40% de los SFAPparticipa en la elaboración de criterios de selección de medicamentos para el desarrollo de protocolos y guías farmacoterapéuticasque garanticen la correcta asistencia a los pacientes, y el 27% asesora sobre el historial farmacoterapéuticode los pacientes. El 46% de las estructuras de atención primaria participa en investigación clínica en farmacoterapiade calidad, y el 42% de los SFAP participan en comités éticos y de investigación. El 99% participan confarmacovigilancia y con programas que potencian el uso seguro de los medicamentos. El 41% de los SFAP impulsanprogramas de educación a la población sobre medicamento. Y casi la mitad, el 45% de los SFAP, están participandoya en los planes estratégicos de calidad en las estructuras de gestión de atención primaria. Discusión. Los serviciosde salud deben impulsar y velar por el desarrollo de los SFAP, no sólo regularizando la situación administrativa deéstos conforme a la Ley, sino también promoviendo el desarrollo de las funciones establecidas, favoreciendo la integracióndel farmacéutico de atención primaria en todos los procesos de la cadena terapéutica, y retornando al sistemala corresponsabilidad en la calidad asistencial y la farmacoterapéutica de los pacientes

One year after the publication of Law 29/2006 on the guarantees and rational use of medicines and healthcareproducts the Spanish Society of Primary Care Pharmacists (SEFAP) wishes to know the situation of the PrimaryCare Pharmacy Services (SFAP) in Spain. Material and method: a cross-sectional descriptive study carried outby means of a survey with 128 items. It was distributed to all the members via e-mail from the SEFAP’s web,specifying that one survey should be filled out per Primary Care Pharmacy Service. Results: a total of 84 surveyswere received, 5 of which were rejected because of repetitions of the same SFAP or for not working in a SFAP,representing 58.1% of all possible SFAPs. Of the primary care management structures polled, 52% have SFAPsauthorised according to current legislation and 59% are responsible for the management of medicines. Of the total,99% have established information systems on pharmacotherapy management (clinical aspects, aspects regardingefficacy, safety and the efficiency of the use of the medicines) and provide correct information and training onmedicines and healthcare products to healthcare professionals. Of the SFAPs, 40% participate in the definition ofmedicine selection criteria for the development of protocols and pharmacotherapeutic guides that guarantee thecorrect pharmacotherapeutic care of patients, and 27% provide advice on the patients’ pharmacotherapeutic history.Of the Primary Care structures, 46% participate in clinical research on quality pharmacotherapy, and 42%of the SFAPs participate in Ethical and Research Committees. Moreover, 99% participate with Pharmacovigilanceand with programmes that promote the safe use of medicines. Of the SFAPs 41% promote educational programmesfor the population on medication. Nearly half of the SFAPs, namely 45%, already participate in strategic plans forquality in the primary care management structures. Discussion: the Health Services should promote and watchover the development of the SFAPs, not only through the regularisation of the administrative situation of the SFAPsaccording to the Law, but also through the promotion of the development of the established functions, encouragingthe involvement of the primary care pharmacist in all the processes of the therapeutic chain, returning to thesystem joint responsibility in the quality of the care and pharmacotherapy of the patients (AU)

Differences in the frequency and distribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast/ovarian cancer cases from the Basque country with respect to the Spanish population: implications for genetic counselling.

The prevalence of unique and recurrent BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic mutations and unclassified variants varies among different populations. Two hundred and thirty-six breast and/or ovarian cancer patients were analysed to clarify the role of these genes in the Basque Country. We also studied 130 healthy women from the general population from the same region. Fifteen different pathological mutations were found in 16 index cases: 10 truncating mutations, 4 missense mutations and 1 splicing mutation. c.3002_3003insT and c.5788_5789delGT, both in exon 11 of BRCA2 have not previously been described. No pathological mutations were found in cases of sporadic juvenile breast cancer. There are no recurrent mutations in our population; apart from the mutation c.9254_9258del5, which appears in only two index cases. We have also found a lot of variants whose effect is unknown. From these variants, 17 have not previously been described: 6 missenses, 6 synonymous and 5 alterations in intronic regions. We would like to highlight the fact that 14.3% of patients with 3 or more cases of breast cancer in the family, and 16.7% of patients with family history of breast and ovarian cancer, present a pathological mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. This manuscript demonstrates that each population can have different mutations and due to this, Genetic Counselling and selection criteria must be different for each population. Furthermore, this article describes for the first time some new mutations and unclassified variants found in our population.

[Minimizing the costs of prescription of anti-infective drugs in two areas of primary health care]. / Un estudio de minimización de costes en la prescripción de antiinfecciosos en dos areas de atención primaria.

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceutical costs are the main cost item in basic health care. The need to contain health care expenditure has led to the search for alternatives in this area, one of which would be to foster a prescription policy which uses the cheapest presentation for each active principle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount which would be saved by prescribing the cheapest alternative from a selection of anti-infective drugs. METHODS: Pharmacy prescriptions in two different health areas were analyzed using the database on turnover of pharmaceutical products for 1995. Single principle drugs with anti-infective action were selected, and for each active principle and presentation the most economic alternative was sought using the records provided by the Ministry of Health and a cost minimisation analysis was undertaken. The cost of applying this prescription policy was not considered. RESULTS: Total pharmaceutical expenditure in the areas was pesetas 8.547 bn in 1995. Expenditure on selected anti-infective drugs was pesetas 522 million (6.1% of the total). The overall saving estimated was 7.63% (pesetas 39,901,778). This saving was centred on the following subgroups: penicillins, quinolones, cephalosporins and macrolides. Of potential savings identified, 75% would be achieved by prescribing the cheaper alternative of 2 active principles: amoxacillin and cyprofloxacine. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows the possibility of containing expenditure in our area and offers a basis for action in this direction. It would be advisable to increase information and training for prescribers and dispensers in order to stimulate the use of the most economical alternative of each medicament prescribed, especially in cases in which there are significant margins to be saved.

Phase II trial of weekly IV vinorelbine in first-line advanced breast cancer chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The study investigated the therapeutic effect of single-agent IV weekly vinorelbine (Navelbine, Pierre Fabre Oncologie, Boulogne, France) a semi-synthetic vinca-alkaloid, in women who had received no prior treatment for advanced or metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with assessable advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had received no prior chemotherapy were entered into the study. Fifty patients were evaluable for toxicity and response by WHO criteria; 4 patients were not evaluated because they did not meet the eligibility criteria of the study. Vinorelbine was given as a weekly 30 mg/m2 short IV infusion; and treatment was continued until disease progression or the occurrence of unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 50% (complete response 2%, partial response 48%). The response rate according to target was: lymph nodes 64%; liver 28%; lung 66%; local recurrence 60%. The median duration of response was 9 months, the median time to treatment failure was 5 months and the median survival was 15 months. TOXICITY: Six-hundred thirty cycles were given to 54 patients (53 assessable for tolerance). At least one episode of WHO grade 3/4 granulocytopenia was seen in each of 71% of the patients. Significant nausea/vomiting (WHO grade 3) was seen in less than 1% of cycles and other side effects were uncommon. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that vinorelbine has major single-agent anti-tumour activity as front-line therapy in advanced breast cancer. Given its excellent tolerance profile and low morbidity, it should be considered for inclusion in first-line combination chemotherapy regimens.