Comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad por COVID-19 en adultos en Lima, Perú: un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva / Comorbidities associated with COVID-19 mortality in adults in Lima, Peru: a retrospective cohort study

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar las comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad en pacientes adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19 de diferentes grupos de edad en hospitales de Lima y Callao. Materiales y métodos. En este estudio de cohorte retrospectiva analizamos datos de pacientes adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19, notificados al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica del Ministerio de Salud de Perú de marzo a octubre del 2020. Se estimaron riesgos relativos con intervalos de confianza al 95% mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta para evaluar las comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad por grupos de edad: jóvenes (18-29 años), adultos (30-59 años) y mayores (≥60 años). Resultados. Se incluyeron 2366 jóvenes, 23781 adultos y 25356 adultos mayores en el análisis. Los adultos mayores presentaron la mortalidad más alta (63,7%) en comparación con adultos (27,1%) y jóvenes (8,5%). Independientemente del grupo de edad, la presencia de enfermedad neurológica, enfermedad renal, enfermedad hepática y cáncer se asoció a un mayor riesgo de mortalidad. Adicionalmente, la enfermedad cardiovascular fue también un factor de riesgo en los jóvenes; la obesidad, la diabetes, la enfermedad cardiovascular, la enfermedad pulmonar crónica y la inmunodeficiencia en los adultos; y la obesidad y la enfermedad pulmonar crónica en los mayores. Conclusiones: Independientemente de los grupos de edad, los individuos con enfermedad neurológica crónica, enfermedad renal, enfermedad hepática y cáncer tendrían un alto riesgo de morir por la COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To evaluate comorbidities associated with mortality in adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in hospitals in Lima and Callao. Materials and methods. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System of the Peruvian Ministry of Health from March to October 2020. We estimated relative risks with 95% confidence intervals using Poisson regression models with robust variance to assess comorbidities associated with mortality by age group: young adults (18-29 years), adults (30-59 years) and older adults (≥60 years). Results. We included 2366 young adults, 23,781 adults and 25,356 older adults. Older adults had the highest mortality (63.7%) compared to adults (27.1%) and young adults (8.5%). Regardless of age group, the presence of neurological disease, renal disease, liver disease, and cancer was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Additionally, cardiovascular disease was also a risk factor in young adults; obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and immunodeficiency in adults; and obesity and chronic lung disease in the elderly. Conclusions. Regardless of age groups, individuals with chronic neurologic disease, renal disease, liver disease, and cancer were at high risk of death from COVID-19.

First Molecular Identification of a Goussia Parasite from a New World Invasive Blenny.

PURPOSE: Introduced or invasive fish are susceptible to new parasites but can simultaneously carry infectious parasites from their native range towards new hosts. Screening these parasites is key to address the health of fish populations and spread of diseases. METHODS: In this study, we sequenced a Coccidia parasite, for the first time from the blenny Omobranchus sewalli, introduced in the northern coast of Brazil with an Indo-Pacific origin. RESULTS: Only one individual was infected, its genetic sequence matched (over 99%) with two lineages of undetermined species, belonging to the genus Goussia, sequenced from three marine fish species (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, Lutjanus kasmira, and Selar crumenophthalmus) in Hawaii. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analysis suggests considerable differentiation between the Goussia detected and other Goussia spp. sequenced from North Atlantic marine fish, thus we cannot exclude the possibly that this parasite was carried by O. sewalli from its native Indo-Pacific range.

A horizon scan exercise for aquatic invasive alien species in Iberian inland waters.

As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on taxa with expert opinion, we identified the most relevant aquatic IAS in the Iberian Peninsula, i.e., those with the greatest geographic extent (or probability of introduction), severe ecological, economic and human health impacts, greatest difficulty and acceptability of management. We highlighted the 126 most relevant IAS already present in Iberian inland waters (i.e., Concern list) and 89 with a high probability of being introduced in the near future (i.e., Alert list), of which 24 and 10 IAS, respectively, were considered as a management priority after receiving the highest scores in the expert assessment (i.e., top-ranked IAS). In both lists, aquatic IAS belonging to the four thematic groups (plants, freshwater invertebrates, estuarine invertebrates, and vertebrates) were identified as having been introduced through various pathways from different regions of the world and classified according to their main functional feeding groups. Also, the latest update of the list of IAS of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 includes only 12 top-ranked IAS identified for the Iberian Peninsula, while the national lists incorporate the vast majority of them. This fact underlines the great importance of taxa prioritisation exercises at biogeographical scales as a step prior to risk analyses and their inclusion in national lists. This HS provides a robust assessment and a cost-effective strategy for decision-makers and stakeholders to prioritise the use of limited resources for IAS prevention and management. Although applied at a transnational level in a European biodiversity hotspot, this approach is designed for potential application at any geographical or administrative scale, including the continental one.

Clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome and factors associated with mortality during the 2019 outbreak in Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Peru has suffered an increase of Guillain Barre Syndrome incidence since 2015, being the biggest outbreak during 2019. We aimed to describe the clinical features, outcomes, and factors associated with mortality among cases reported in the 2019 outbreak. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Surveillance of Guillain Barre Syndrome of the National Center for Control Disease and Prevention of Peru. We included all cases that met the Brighton criteria, level 1 to level 3. We used multivariable logistic regression to determinate factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 772 cases were analyzed (58.7% male; mean age, 41.7 ± 20.3). 86.0% of cases aged over 30 years. 71.4% had a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection in the last 4 weeks. Case fatality rate was 4.3% and 32.2% of survivors reported sequelae. Axonal subtypes were identified in 75.6% of cases with an available nerve conduction study (38.7%). Age and impaired function of cranial nerves were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The 2019 outbreak of Guillain Barre syndrome in Peru was an unprecedented event that affected several regions of the country. Axonal damage was more frequent than demyelinating involvement, which is compatible with findings pointing to Campylobacter jejuni as the triggering agent. The case fatality rate was similar to that reported previously in Peru and other countries, but the high frequency of sequelae is striking.

Comorbidities associated with COVID-19 mortality in adults in Lima, Peru: a retrospective cohort study. / Comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad por COVID-19 en adultos en Lima, Perú: un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVES.: Motivation for the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality rate from this disease was higher in adults and the elderly. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that were associated with mortality from COVID-19 in adults, by age group. Main findings. Chronic neurological disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer increased the risk of dying from COVID-19 in the three age groups we analyzed, which were made up of hospitalized patients from Lima and Callao. The risk of mortality associated with comorbidities was higher in patients aged 18 to 29. Implications. This study helps to identify the groups of patients with the highest risk of death from COVID-19, according to age group and type of comorbidity. . To evaluate comorbidities associated with mortality in adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in hospitals in Lima and Callao. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from adult patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance System of the Peruvian Ministry of Health from March to October 2020. We estimated relative risks with 95% confidence intervals using Poisson regression models with robust variance to assess comorbidities associated with mortality by age group: young adults (18-29 years), adults (30-59 years) and older adults (≥60 years). RESULTS.: We included 2366 young adults, 23,781 adults and 25,356 older adults. Older adults had the highest mortality (63.7%) compared to adults (27.1%) and young adults (8.5%). Regardless of age group, the presence of neurological disease, renal disease, liver disease, and cancer was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Additionally, cardiovascular disease was also a risk factor in young adults; obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, and immunodeficiency in adults; and obesity and chronic lung disease in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS.: Regardless of age groups, individuals with chronic neurologic disease, renal disease, liver disease, and cancer were at high risk of death from COVID-19.

OBJETIVOS.: Motivation for the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality rate from this disease was higher in adults and the elderly. Therefore, it is important to identify the factors that were associated with mortality from COVID-19 in adults, by age group. Main findings. Chronic neurological disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer increased the risk of dying from COVID-19 in the three age groups we analyzed, which were made up of hospitalized patients from Lima and Callao. The risk of mortality associated with comorbidities was higher in patients aged 18 to 29. Implications. This study helps to identify the groups of patients with the highest risk of death from COVID-19, according to age group and type of comorbidity. . Evaluar las comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad en pacientes adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19 de diferentes grupos de edad en hospitales de Lima y Callao. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: En este estudio de cohorte retrospectiva analizamos datos de pacientes adultos hospitalizados por COVID-19, notificados al Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica del Ministerio de Salud de Perú de marzo a octubre del 2020. Se estimaron riesgos relativos con intervalos de confianza al 95% mediante modelos de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta para evaluar las comorbilidades asociadas a la mortalidad por grupos de edad: jóvenes (18-29 años), adultos (30-59 años) y mayores (≥60 años). RESULTADOS.: Se incluyeron 2366 jóvenes, 23781 adultos y 25356 adultos mayores en el análisis. Los adultos mayores presentaron la mortalidad más alta (63,7%) en comparación con adultos (27,1%) y jóvenes (8,5%). Independientemente del grupo de edad, la presencia de enfermedad neurológica, enfermedad renal, enfermedad hepática y cáncer se asoció a un mayor riesgo de mortalidad. Adicionalmente, la enfermedad cardiovascular fue también un factor de riesgo en los jóvenes; la obesidad, la diabetes, la enfermedad cardiovascular, la enfermedad pulmonar crónica y la inmunodeficiencia en los adultos; y la obesidad y la enfermedad pulmonar crónica en los mayores. CONCLUSIONES: Independientemente de los grupos de edad, los individuos con enfermedad neurológica crónica, enfermedad renal, enfermedad hepática y cáncer tendrían un alto riesgo de morir por la COVID-19.

Clarifying the taxonomy of some cryptic blennies (Blenniidae) in their native and introduced range.

Omobranchus punctatus is native to the Indo-Pacific region and invasive in the Atlantic region, currently being considered one of the most widely distributed blenny species. However, recent molecular studies indicated that O. punctatus is a complex of species, with three divergent mtDNA lineages identified to date, stressing the need for a taxonomic revision. In this study, we used an integrative approach, combining morphological and genetic data, to shed light on the taxonomy and distribution of O. punctatus. Moreover, we provide the first genetic records of introduced populations in Brazil and discuss the introduction pattern of this species in this region. Morphological data shows that O. punctatus consists of at least five distinct and geographically restricted species: O. punctatus sensu stricto, O. dispar, O. sewalli, O. cf. kochi, and O. cf. japonicus. Species delimitation analyses performed using the mtDNA data available confirmed that O. punctatus sensu stricto, O. dispar and O. sewalli correspond to different species that started to diverge about 2.6 Mya. Furthermore, O. sewalli was identified as the invasive species colonizing Atlantic shores. The existence of historical oceanographic barriers, such as the emergence of the Sunda Shelf in the Eastern Indian Ocean during the Pleistocene, and the biological traits of these blennies are the most likely factors responsible for their genetic differentiation and subsequent speciation.

COVID-19 among Amazonian indigenous in Peru: mortality, incidence, and clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have described the clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 from ethnic minority groups. Our objective was to evaluate the mortality and incidence rates, clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in cases with COVID-19 belonging to the Amazonian indigenous ethnic group in Peru. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study including all cases from COVID-19 among Peruvian people identified as Amazonian indigenous from 07 March to 31 October 2020. We calculated the standardized mortality and incidence ratios using the indirect age-adjusted method to determine the differences between Amazonian Indigenous and the general population. In addition, we used multivariable logistic regression to determine the risk factors for death. RESULTS: A total of 19 018 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases were analyzed. Indigenous people had 3.18 (95% CI, 3.13-3.23) times the risk of infection and 0.34 (0.31-0.37) times the mortality risk of the general Peruvian population. Males had 1.29 (1.04-1.61) times the odds of death compared with females and for each year of age, the odds of mortality increased 1.03 (1.03-1.04) times. Cases with respiratory distress had 2.47 (1.96-3.10) times more likely to die. Having an immunodeficiency was 18.7 (6.12-57.00) times more likely to die. DISCUSSION: The Amazonian indigenous population in Peru was strongly affected by COVID-19 compared with the general Peruvian population.

The Terrific Skink bite force suggests insularity as a likely driver to exceptional resource use.

Natural history museum collections hold extremely rare, extinct species often described from a single known specimen. On occasions, rediscoveries open new opportunities to understand selective forces acting on phenotypic traits. Recent rediscovery of few individuals of Bocourt´s Terrific Skink Phoboscincus bocourti, from a small and remote islet in New Caledonia allowed to genetically identify a species of land crab in its diet. To explore this further, we CT- and MRI-scanned the head of the holotype, the only preserved specimen dated to about 1870, segmented the adductor muscles of the jaw and bones, and estimated bite force through biomechanical models. These data were compared with those gathered for 332 specimens belonging to 44 other skink species. Thereafter we recorded the maximum force needed to generate mechanical failure of the exoskeleton of a crab specimen. The bite force is greater than the prey hardness, suggesting that predation on hard-shelled crabs may be an important driver of performance. The high bite force seems crucial to overcome low or seasonal variations in resource availability in these extreme insular environments. Phoboscincus bocourti appears to be an apex predator in a remote and harsh environment and the only skink known to predate on hard-shelled land crabs.

Disentangling the Taxonomic Status of Caprella penantis sensu stricto (Amphipoda: Caprellidae) Using an Integrative Approach.

Despite its importance in intertidal and shallow-water marine ecosystems, Caprella penantis continues to be one of the most taxonomically challenging amphipods in the world. A recent molecular study focusing on C. penantis sensu stricto pointed out the existence of three highly divergent lineages, indicating the possible existence of a process of ongoing speciation and, thus, casting doubt on the taxonomic status of this species. In the present study, we used an integrative approach to continue to shed light on the taxonomy and distribution of this caprellid. To this end, we combined morphological and genetic data (COI and 18S) and included, for the first time, populations from its type locality. Our analyses provide strong evidence of the existence of potentially three distinct species, genetically and geographically restricted, within C. penantis sensu stricto, with the distribution of the true C. penantis sensu stricto restricted to the UK (type locality), the northern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, and the Azores. Results show the co-occurrence of two of these species in a locality of northern Portugal and indicate the existence of distinct evolutionary and diversification patterns along the eastern Atlantic region. Overall, our study highlights the use of an integrative approach to properly assess species boundaries and unravel hidden biodiversity in amphipods.

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data.

BACKGROUND: Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis. METHODS: We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19).Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19). RESULTS: 5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65-82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women.The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%).In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85-6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47-3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94-11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34-4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60-21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16-2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26-0.78), SatO2 < 92% (4.58, 2.97-7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51-4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81-7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered. CONCLUSION: In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

ANTECEDENTES: Trabajos previos parecen coincidir en la mayor mortalidad de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19. La identificación de posibles factores pronósticos en el momento del ingreso podría ayudar a identificar a los pacientes con mal pronóstico. MÉTODOS: Nos propusimos explorar las características y la evolución de los pacientes con cáncer y COVID-19 ingresados en un registro internacional multicéntrico (HOPE COVID-19).Nuestro objetivo principal es definir aquellas características que nos permitan identificar a los pacientes con cáncer de peor pronóstico (mortalidad en los 30 días siguientes al diagnóstico de COVID-19). RESULTADOS: En este registro se ha recogido a 5.838 pacientes, de los cuales 770 tenían cáncer entre sus antecedentes. La mortalidad hospitalaria alcanzó a 258 pacientes (33,51%). La mediana fue de 75 años (65-82). En cuanto a la distribución por sexo, el 34,55% de los pacientes eran mujeres (266/770).La distribución por tipo de cáncer: genitourinario 238/745 (31,95%), digestivo 124/745 (16,54%) y hematológico 95/745 (12,75%).En el análisis de regresión multivariante, los factores que se asocian de forma independiente con la mortalidad al ingreso son: insuficiencia renal (OR 3,45; IC 97,5%: 1,85-6,58), cardiopatía (2,32; 1,47-3,66), hepatopatía (4,69; 1,94-11,62), dependencia parcial (2,41; 1,34-4,33), dependencia total (7,21; 2,60-21,82), fatiga (1,84, 1;16-2,93), artromialgias (0,45; 0,26-0,78), SatO2 < 92% (4,58; 2,97-7,17), LDH elevada (2,61; 1,51-4,69) y disminución anormal de la presión arterial (3,57; 1,81-7,15). Los parámetros analíticos también están significativamente alterados. CONCLUSIÓN: En los pacientes con cáncer del registro HOPE, la mortalidad a los 30 días por cualquier causa es elevada y se asocia a factores clínicos fácilmente identificables a su llegada al hospital. La identificación de estos pacientes puede ayudar a iniciar tratamientos más intensivos desde el principio y evaluar el pronóstico de estos pacientes.

Prognostic factors at admission on patients with cancer and COVID-19: Analysis of HOPE registry data.

BACKGROUND: Previous works seem to agree in the higher mortality of cancer patients with COVID-19. Identifying potential prognostic factors upon admission could help identify patients with a poor prognosis. METHODS: We aimed to explore the characteristics and evolution of COVID-19 cancer patients admitted to hospital in a multicenter international registry (HOPE COVID-19). Our primary objective is to define those characteristics that allow us to identify cancer patients with a worse prognosis (mortality within 30 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19). RESULTS: 5838 patients have been collected in this registry, of whom 770 had cancer among their antecedents. In hospital mortality reached 258 patients (33.51%). The median was 75 years (65-82). Regarding the distribution by sex, 34.55% of the patients (266/770) were women. The distribution by type of cancer: genitourinary 238/745 (31.95%), digestive 124/745 (16.54%), hematologic 95/745 (12.75%). In multivariate regression analysis, factors that are independently associated with mortality at admission are: renal impairment (OR 3.45, CI 97.5% 1.85-6.58), heart disease (2.32, 1.47-3.66), liver disease (4.69, 1.94-11.62), partial dependence (2.41, 1.34-4.33), total dependence (7.21, 2.60-21.82), fatigue (1.84, 1.16-2.93), arthromialgias (0.45, 0.26-0.78), SatO2<92% (4.58, 2.97-7.17), elevated LDH (2.61, 1.51-4.69) and abnormal decreased Blood Pressure (3.57, 1.81-7.15). Analitical parameters are also significant altered. CONCLUSION: In patients with cancer from the HOPE registry, 30-day mortality from any cause is high and is associated with easily identifiable clinical factors upon arrival at the hospital. Identifying these patients can help initiate more intensive treatments from the start and evaluate the prognosis of these patients.

SARS-CoV-2 prevalence associated to low socioeconomic status and overcrowding in an LMIC megacity: A population-based seroepidemiological survey in Lima, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, Peru has one of the highest infection fatality rates of COVID-19, and its capital city, Lima, accumulates roughly 50% of diagnosed cases. Despite surveillance efforts to assess the extent of the pandemic, reported cases and deaths only capture a fraction of its impact due to COVID-19's broad clinical spectrum. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Lima, stratified by age, sex, region, socioeconomic status (SES), overcrowding, and symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a multi-stage, population-based serosurvey in Lima, between June 28th and July 9th, 2020, after 115 days of the index case and after the first peak cases. We collected whole blood samples by finger-prick and applied a structured questionnaire. A point-of-care rapid serological test assessed IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted by sampling weights and test performance. Additionally, we performed RT-PCR molecular assays to seronegatives and estimated the infection prevalence. FINDINGS: We enrolled 3212 participants from 797 households and 241 sample clusters from Lima in the analysis. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 20·8% (95%CI 17·2-23·5), and the prevalence was 25·2% (95%CI 22·5-28·2). Seroprevalence was equally distributed by sex (aPR=0·96 [95%CI 0·85-1·09, p = 0·547]) and across all age groups, including ≥60 versus ≤11 years old (aPR=0·96 [95%CI 0·73-1·27, p = 0·783]). A gradual decrease in SES was associated with higher seroprevalence (aPR=3·41 [95%CI 1·90-6·12, p<0·001] in low SES). Also, a gradual increase in the overcrowding index was associated with higher seroprevalence (aPR=1·99 [95%CI 1·41-2·81, p<0·001] in the fourth quartile). Seroprevalence was also associated with contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, whether a household member (48·9%, aPR=2·67 [95%CI 2·06-3·47, p<0·001]), other family members (27·3%, aPR=1·66 [95%CI 1·15-2·40, p = 0·008]) or a workmate (34·1%, aPR=2·26 [95%CI 1·53-3·35, p<0·001]). More than half of seropositive participants reported never having had symptoms (56·1%, 95% CI 49·7-62·3). INTERPRETATION: This first estimate of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Lima shows an intense transmission scenario, despite the government's numerous interventions early established. Susceptibles across age groups show that physical distancing interventions must not be relaxed. SES and overcrowding households are associated with seroprevalence. This study highlights the importance of considering the existing social inequalities for implementing the response to control transmission in low- and middle-income countries.

Using molecular data to monitor the post-establishment evolution of the invasive skeleton shrimp Caprella scaura.

The study aims to monitor the post-establishment success of the invasive skeleton shrimp Caprella scaura in the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition zone and understand its connectivity with other world areas, providing new information on the status of the introduced population and its global distribution. By using mitochondrial markers (16S and COI) we examined the temporal variation of populations in Cadiz Bay, Spain (hotspot for introductions in Europe) in between 2010 and 2017; as well as their linkage with foreign populations in its native and introduced distribution ranges. Cadiz Bay populations exhibited a connection with several European introduced populations (Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands, Mediterranean Sea and The Netherlands), eastern USA, Sea of Japan and Australia. We found no evidence to support a Brazilian origin (one potential native area) of the Iberian Peninsula populations. We identified a progressive decrease in haplotype diversity and a low connectivity at the end of the monitoring period in one of the stations. Human-mediated changes in propagule pressure, and unfavorable environmental fluctuations are probably responsible for this. Meanwhile, populations in Cadiz Bay count on numerous foreign donors that could easily refuel the propagule input by exchanging gene flow. This implies that a vector regulation strategy has the potential of compromising the success of established non-native populations, which usually undergo vulnerability periods due to the challenging conditions of marinas. The use of molecular tools in a time series approach is then useful to identify the ideal time window to put in action management measures so that they are cost-effective.

First genetic record of the non-native muzzled blenny Omobranchus punctatus (Teleostei: Blenniidae) in the Atlantic Coast of Central and South America.

In this study we sequenced two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear (18S rRNA) gene fragment of an introduced muzzled blenny (Omobranchus punctatus) specimen collected from the Orinoco Delta (Gulf of Paria estuary) in Venezuela. This is the first genetic data generated for this species' introduced range in Central and South America, suggesting an introduction from the Indian Ocean.

A method for measuring the interfacial tension for density-matched liquids.

We propose a method to measure the interfacial tension characterizing the interface between two immiscible liquids of practically the same density. In this method, a cylindrical liquid bridge made of one the liquids is vibrated laterally inside a tank filled with the other. The first resonance frequency is determined and equated to the first eigenfrequency of the m=1 linear mode to infer the interfacial tension value. The method does not involve the density jump across the interface. Therefore, its accuracy is affected neither by the smallness of the Bond number nor by errors of the density difference. The experimental setup is relatively simple, and the procedure does not use image processing techniques. The results satisfactorily agree with those measured by TIFA-AI (Theoretical Fitting Image Analysis-Axisymmetric Interfaces) for the same liquid bridges when the density difference is sufficiently large for TIFA-AI to be valid. We conduct numerical simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations to determine the best parameter conditions for the proposed method. The transfer function characterizing the frequency response of the fluid configuration is measured in some experiments to quantify non-linear effects and to study the role played by the outer bath vibration.

Stability of a jet moving in a rectangular microchannel.

We study numerically the basic flow and linear stability of a capillary jet confined in a rectangular microchannel. We consider both the case where the interface does not touch the solid surfaces and that in which the jet adheres to them with a contact angle slightly smaller than 180^{∘}. Given an arbitrary set of values of the governing parameters, the fully developed (parallel) two-dimensional basic flow is calculated and then the growth rate of the dominant perturbation mode is determined as a function of the wave number. The flow is linearly stable if that growth rate is negative for all the wave numbers considered. We show that when the coflowing stream viscosity is sufficiently small in terms of that of the jet, there is an interval of the flow rate ratio Q for which the jet adheres to the walls or not depending on whether the flow is established by decreasing or increasing the value of Q. When the distance between the interface and the channel wall is of the order of the jet radius, the jet is unconditionally unstable. However, for sufficiently small interface-to-wall distances, the viscous stress can dominate the capillary pressure and fully stabilize the flow. Our results suggest that the capillary modes are suppressed and the flow becomes stable when the jet adheres to the channel walls. The combination of the above results indicates that, under certain parametric conditions, stable or unstable jets can be formed depending on whether the experimenter sets the flow rate ratio by decreasing or increasing progressively the jet flow rate while keeping constant that of the outer stream. Our theoretical predictions for the stablity of a coflow in a rectangular channel are consistent with previous experimental results [Humphry et al., Phys. Rev. E 79, 056310 (2009)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.79.056310].

Preclinical studies of toxicity and safety of the AS-48 bacteriocin.

The in vitro antimicrobial potency of the bacteriocin AS-48 is well documented, but its clinical application requires investigation, as its toxicity could be different in in vitro (haemolytic and antibacterial activity in blood and cytotoxicity towards normal human cell lines) and in vivo (e.g. mice and zebrafish embryos) models. Overall, the results obtained are promising. They reveal the negligible propensity of AS-48 to cause cell death or impede cell growth at therapeutic concentrations (up to 27 µM) and support the suitability of this peptide as a potential therapeutic agent against several microbial infections, due to its selectivity and potency at low concentrations (in the range of 0.3-8.9 µM). In addition, AS-48 exhibits low haemolytic activity in whole blood and does not induce nitrite accumulation in non-stimulated RAW macrophages, indicating a lack of pro-inflammatory effects. The unexpected heightened sensitivity of zebrafish embryos to AS-48 could be due to the low differentiation state of these cells. The low cytotoxicity of AS-48, the absence of lymphocyte proliferation in vivo after skin sensitization in mice, and the lack of toxicity in a murine model support the consideration of the broad spectrum antimicrobial peptide AS-48 as a promising therapeutic agent for the control of a vast array of microbial infections, in particular, those involved in skin and soft tissue diseases.