Northwest Spain Research Articles

Molecular evidence of introgression of Asian germplasm into a natural Castanea sativa forest in Spain

Abstract Evidence has been documented in Europe of introgression, the transfer of genetic material, between Asian chestnut species (Castanea crenata and C. mollissima) and the native C. sativa through spontaneous hybridization and subsequent backcrossing. However, the extent of this introgression has not been monitored in a particular forest stand or in adult and juvenile trees simultaneously. We assessed introgression in a natural C. sativa forest in northwest Spain and developed a reliable method to detect the presence of Asian germplasm of Castanea spp. A total of 34 adult trees and 42 saplings were genotyped at 13 SSRs in a forest where ink-disease-resistant C. crenata and C. mollissima seedlings had been planted in the 1940s. The 13 SSR loci selected were highly polymorphic and 115 different alleles were detected for the individuals sampled. Bayesian clustering identified two groups for C. sativa and one group each for C. mollissima and C. crenata. Within the forest, 70.6 per cent of adults and 28.6 per cent of juveniles were classified as pure C. sativa. Most juveniles were C. sativa × C. crenata (>40 per cent) and ca. 10 per cent were C. crenata × C. mollissima hybrids. Six new alleles private to C. crenata are reported here. The study quantifies, for the first time in Europe, introgression of Asian germplasm into a natural C. sativa forest. It also examines the extent of introgression in offspring and provides a method to detect exotic germplasm in C. sativa forests. We discuss why the forest studied may benefit from transfer of alleles involved in ink-disease resistance and why introgression will be detrimental to drought tolerance in offspring.

First records of five species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Galicia, including the first evidence of the genus Coquillettidia in northwestern Spain.

We present the first records of Coquillettidia (Coquillettidia) buxtoni (Edwards, 1923) (n=15), Culex (Neoculex) impudicus Ficalbi, 1890 (n=12), Culex (Neoculex) territans Walker, 1856 (n=52), Culiseta (Culicella) fumipennis (Stephens, 1825) (n=535), and Culiseta (Culicella) morsitans (Theobald, 1901) (n=54) in the Autonomous Community of Galicia (NW Spain), including the first evidence of the genus Coquillettidia Dyar, 1904 in the northwest of Spain. The field research was carried out in different water ecosystems (ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and lagoons) belonging to 39 zones throughout the entire Galician territory. The samples were collected intermittently and seasonally through different projects of water quality monitoring between 1998 and 2018. A total of 1,614 mosquito larvae have been analyzed, and 668 of them were identified as species not previously recorded in Galicia. Between 1999 and 2003, the first catches of these species were obtained and since then, more specimens have been detected in different wetlands of Galicia, mainly in spring and summer.

Characterization of Protein Hydrolysates from Fish Discards and By-Products from the North-West Spain Fishing Fleet as Potential Sources of Bioactive Peptides.

Fish discards and by-products can be transformed into high value-added products such as fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) containing bioactive peptides. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from different parts (whole fish, skin and head) of several discarded species of the North-West Spain fishing fleet using Alcalase. All hydrolysates had moisture and ash contents lower than 10% and 15%, respectively. The fat content of FPH varied between 1.5% and 9.4% and had high protein content (69.8–76.6%). The amino acids profiles of FPH are quite similar and the most abundant amino acids were glutamic and aspartic acids. All FPH exhibited antioxidant activity and those obtained from Atlantic horse mackerel heads presented the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and Cu2+ chelating activity. On the other hand, hydrolysates from gurnard heads showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ chelating activity. In what concerns the α-amylase inhibitory activity, the IC50 values recorded for FPH ranged between 5.70 and 84.37 mg/mL for blue whiting heads and whole Atlantic horse mackerel, respectively. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of FPH was relatively low but all FPH had high Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Considering the biological activities, these FPH are potential natural additives for functional foods or nutraceuticals.

Red Seaweeds as a Source of Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds: Optimization of the Extraction

The present work aimed to determine the nutritional composition (ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate content and energy value), phenolic compounds, pigments and organic acids content of three typical red algae from the Northwest of Spain: Chondrus crispus, Mastocarpus stellatus, and Gigartina pistillata; as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, the present work compared two extraction techniques: conventional heat assisted extraction (HAE) and high pressure assisted extraction (HPAE) to maximize the yield and the concentration of target compounds. Different independent variables were considered for the response study. Time (t) and percentage of ethanol of the solvent (S) were chosen for both techniques and temperature (T) and pressure (P) were used for HAE and HPAE, respectively. The experiments were designed following a response surface methodology (RSM) approach. The obtained results showed a similar nutritional composition between algae samples: low-fat content and high content of proteins, carbohydrates and energy. All tested algae showed good antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Finally, HEA demonstrated to be the most efficient extraction technique. This study confirms the potential of red algae to be part of the human diet as a source of non-animal protein, due to its nutritional content, phenolic profile, pigments concentration and bioactive properties, which proves that HAE is the optimum technique for the extraction maximization.

Interference of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitization in grass pollen allergy.

Background. Climate conditions in the northwest of Spain are from the rest of the country, and the pollen sensitisation rates and allergens involved are different. The present study aimed to investigate the sensitisation profile of patients with grass pollen allergy and the interference of other sensitisations in respiratory symptoms. Methods. A total of 959 Spanish patients with seasonal respiratory symptoms and a positive skin prick test (SPT) to Phleum pratense pollen were studied. Patients were classified as having rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma. A battery of SPTs, including common weeds and tree pollens, profilin, polcalcin, moulds, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Lepidoglyphus destructor, and cat and dog dander were performed. Serum specific IgE (sIgE) to Phl p 1 and Phl p 5, adding sIgE to Phl p 7, Phl p 12 and house dust mites (HDMs) or other pollens in selected cases were measured. Results.The majority (89.8%) of the patients were polysensitised according to SPT. HDM co-sensitisation was the most prevalent (62.3%). Profilin and polcalcin rendered a positive result in 25.9% and 18.7% of the patients, respectively. A higher proportion of patients recognized sIgE to Phl p 1 (88.7%) with respect to Phl p 5 (59%). Phl p 1-sIgE levels were higher than Phl p 5-sIgE levels, and no differences were found in patients with rhinitis and/or asthma. However, total serum IgE was higher in patients with asthma. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that only sIgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (after adjusting by sIgE to Phl p 1, Phl p 5 and Lepidoglyphus destructor) was associated with a greater risk of asthma. Conclusions. Phl p 1 is the most relevant allergen in patients with grass pollen allergy in the northwest of Spain. Sensitisation rates against panallergens are low. Even in patients with grass pollen allergy, HDM sensitisation plays a relevant role in asthma.

Development of a Mississippian–Lower Pennsylvanian isolated carbonate platform within the basinal griotte facies of the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain

The Valdediezma platform consists of upper Tournaisian to lower Bashkirian (Carboniferous) shallow-water carbonates deposited in the core of the Picos de Europa Province (Cantabrian Mountains, northwest Spain). Although faulted in several thrust sheets, it is the only preserved platform developed in the Mississippian starved basins of the southern branch of the Variscan Orogen that is characterised also by pelagic sedimentation. This unusual platform provides an exceptional opportunity to study the lateral variation from the platform to the typical condensed griotte limestones developed in a starved basin, the origin of such a platform in a particularly unfavourable setting for carbonate accumulation, as well as the nucleation of the subsequent widespread Pennsylvanian carbonate platforms of the Cantabrian Mountains. Sixteen carbonate microfacies are differentiated in the Valdediezma Limestone, from shallow-water to slope to basinal environments. The carbonate production is related to the submarine topography and the rapid rates of microbial mound growth and accumulation, particularly from the upper Viséan to the lower Serpukhovian. A high-elevation platform and steep southern margin occurred during the deposition of condensed cephalopod-bearing limestones in the basin. A higher rate of carbonate accumulation is recognised from the upper Serpukhovian and younger, with similar thicknesses in shallow- and deeper water settings. The thickest part of the succession was coeval with the larger subsidence resulting from the migration of the Variscan deformation at the margin of the foreland basin of the Cantabrian Zone. The migration of deformation along the foreland uplifted the Valdediezma platform from the lower Bashkirian and caused its partial erosion. The Pennsylvanian carbonate platform developed on an exhumed Mississippian platform. Tectonic overloading due to the emplacement of nearby thrust sheets caused the subsidence and burial of the Valdediezma platform in the upper Moscovian.

Long-Term Measurement of Piglet Activity Using Passive Infrared Detectors.

Measuring animal activity is useful for monitoring animal welfare in real time. In this regard, passive infrared detectors have been used in recent years to quantify piglet activity because of their robustness and ease of use. This study was conducted on a commercial farm in Northwest Spain during six complete breeding cycles. The hourly average activity of weaned piglets with a body mass of 6-20 kg was recorded and further analyzed by using a multiplicative decomposition of the series followed by a wavelet analysis. Finally, the real series were compared to the theoretical models of activity. Results showed a high level of movement immediately after weaning and a sustained level of activity throughout the cycles. The daily behavior of the piglets followed a clear circadian pattern with several peaks of activity. No differences in behavior were observed between spring-summer cycles and autumn-winter cycles. Single-peak models achieved the best predictive results. In addition, the installed sensors were found to underestimate mild activity.

Pinus Pollen Emission Patterns in Different Bioclimatic Areas of the Iberian Peninsula

Background: In the Northern Hemisphere, pine forests predominate due to their natural distribution and silvicultural importance. Pinus tree species are large pollen producers. Nowadays, the context of climate change influences their distribution, abundance, growth and productivity. The objectives of the study were to assess the patterns of the Pinus flowering behavior regarding their pollen presence in the atmosphere and intensity in different bioclimatic areas of the Iberian Peninsula during recent years. Methods: The survey was carried out in three different biogeographic zones of Spain: Vigo (Eurosiberian region) and Ourense (transition area between the Eurosiberian and Mediterranean areas) located in northwest Spain and Toledo (Mediterranean area) placed in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Airborne pollen was collected with volumetric traps in each study area from 1995 to 2019. Results: Pinus pollen showed a marked single pollination period during late March in the Eurosiberian region and April in the transition zone between the Eurosiberian and the Mediterranean area. Two different peaks with lower pollen intensity were detected during the pollen season in Toledo (Mediterranean area), the first during late March and the second from the end of May to the beginning of June. The trends detected revealed changes in the timing of the phenological cycle, such us longer pollen seasons and later end dates of the Main Pollen Season (MPS) in some cases. The mean Annual Pollen Integral (API) in the Eurosiberian area (Vigo) and transition zone (Ourense) was similar, with about 4400 pollen grains. In the Mediterranean area (Toledo), a lower API amount of 1618 pollen grains was recorded. A trend towards an increase of 126 and 80 pollen grains per year in the airborne pine load was detected in the transition and Mediterranean areas studied, respectively. Conclusions: The rates of the annual integral Pinus pollen percentage with respect to the total pollen of forest species in the atmosphere of the areas studied showed a decreasing percentage trend during the last years.

Valuation of a Company Producing and Trading Seaweed for Human Consumption: Classical Methods vs. Real Options.

Aquaculture is an increasingly relevant sector in the exploitation of natural resources; therefore, it is appropriate to propose various models that include the fundamental variables for its economic-financial valuation from a business point of view. The objective of this paper is to analyze different models for the valuation of investment projects in a company in the aquaculture sector in order to conclude whether there is a model that represents a better valuation. Therefore, in this study, four valuation models have been applied, three classical models (net present value, internal rate of return, and payback) and a more recent model, real options (RO) for a company producing and marketing seaweed in Galicia (region located in the northwest of Spain). The results obtained, RO (€5,527,144.04) and net present value (€5,479,659.19), conclude that the RO model estimates a higher added value by taking into account in its calculations the flexibility given by the expansion option. Future lines of research include the application of valuation models that have been applied to companies belonging to the same sector in order to compare whether the results found are similar.

Allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1 and -DQA1 in Castile and Leon region from North West of Spain

Allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQB1 and -DQA1 in Castile and Leon region from North West of Spain

Draft Genome Sequences of Five Vibrio neptunius Strains Isolated from Hatcheries of Bivalve Mollusks.

Vibrio neptunius is a Gram-negative bacterium that has been shown to cause disease in marine bivalve mollusk larvae. Here, we report the draft genome sequences and annotations of five V. neptunius strains isolated from larvae of European oyster (Ostrea edulis) and Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) at hatcheries in Galicia, northwest Spain.

Evolution of Gaseous and Particulate Pollutants in the Air: What Changed after Five Lockdown Weeks at a Southwest Atlantic European Region (Northwest of Spain) Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic?

Due to the exponential growth of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Spain (2020), the Spanish Government adopted lockdown measures as mitigating strategies to reduce the spread of the pandemic from 14 March. In this paper, we report the results of the change in air quality at two Atlantic Coastal European cities (Northwest Spain) during five lockdown weeks. The temporal evolution of gaseous (nitrogen oxides, comprising NOx, NO, and NO2; sulfur dioxide, SO2; carbon monoxide, CO; and ozone, O3) and particulate matter (PM10; PM2.5; and equivalent black carbon, eBC) pollutants were recorded before (7 February to 13 March 2020) and during the first five lockdown weeks (14 March to 20 April 2020) at seven air quality monitoring stations (urban background, traffic, and industrial) in the cities of A Coruña and Vigo. The influences of the backward trajectories and meteorological parameters on air pollutant concentrations were considered during the studied period. The temporal trends indicate that the concentrations of almost all species steadily decreased during the lockdown period with statistical significance, with respect to the pre-lockdown period. In this context, great reductions were observed for pollutants related mainly to fossil fuel combustion, road traffic, and shipping emissions (−38 to −78% for NO, −22 to −69% for NO2, −26 to −75% for NOx, −3 to −77% for SO2, −21% for CO, −25 to −49% for PM10, −10 to −38% for PM2.5, and −29 to −51% for eBC). Conversely, O3 concentrations increased from +5 to +16%. Finally, pollutant concentration data for 14 March to 20 April of 2020 were compared with those of the previous two years. The results show that the overall air pollutants levels were higher during 2018–2019 than during the lockdown period.

Temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Northwest of Spain

BackgroundDuring the last decades, the frequency of multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing worldwide. Nevertheless, the higher sensibility of the new diagnostic criteria obscures the comparison between studies performed in different decades. MethodsThe evolution of the frequency of MS in Santiago de Compostela (North-West of Spain) between 2003 and 2015 was analyzed using Poisson regression. The diagnosis was confirmed according to Poser criteria. Several sources were consulted for case ascertainment: databases from the MS Unit, the Infusion Center, and the Departments of Neurology, Pharmacy, Pediatric Neurology and Codification of the public Hospital of Santiago, private hospitals, neurologists with private activity, general practitioners, and associations of patients. ResultsIn 12 years, the prevalence increased from 68 to 143 cases/100,000 inhabitants, from 83 to 176 in females; and from 49 to 106 in males (p <0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0002 respectively). The incidence rise was not significant (from 5 to 8 cases/ 100,000 inhabitants/ year (p=0.4243). The mean age of the population growth 5.7 years (p=0.008). The changes in female: male ratio (12.9%), in the age at the first symptom (2.2 years), and the diagnosis delay (0.12 years) did not achieve significance (p=0.7750, 0.1606, 0.8581). ConclusionThe prevalence of MS doubled in 12 years whilst the difference in incidence was lower and not significant. The disproportion in the growth of both parameters, as well as the higher mean age in the last study, suggest a longer survival of patients with MS.

Different Strategies for Resilience to Wildfires: The Experience of Collective Land Ownership in Galicia (Northwest Spain)

Resilience is not a particularly novel concept, but it has recently become frequently used as a measurement indicator of adaptation capacity under different approaches depending on the field of study. Ideally, for example, forest ecosystems would be resilient to wildfires, one of the most serious types of perturbation they are subjected to. In areas such as the northwest of Spain, a region with one of the most severe records of wildfire occurrence in western Europe, resilience indicators should be related with changes in land planning aimed to minimize the effects of forest fires. This article aimed to analyze the fire resilience strategies of a selected group of forest communities in northwest Spain. More specifically, the perceived risk of wildfires was compared with the actual record of fire events in these communities and the presence or absence of adaptive changes in management practices to reduce risk and improve recovery capacity. A mixed quantitative–qualitative approach was used to gather information about good practices, innovative solutions, and major obstacles for forest fire resilience in Galician common lands. The results suggest that while there is no single form of successful management, a key characteristic of resilient communities is the integration of fire as a management tool.

Effects of a Community-Based Behavioral Intervention with a Traditional Atlantic Diet on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ("The GALIAT Study").

The Atlantic diet, the traditional dietary pattern in northern Portugal and northwest Spain, has been related to metabolic health and low ischemic heart disease mortality. The Galiat Study is a randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of the Atlantic diet on anthropometric variables, metabolic profile, and nutritional habits. The dietary intervention was conducted in 250 families (720 adults and children) and performed at a primary care center. Over six months, families randomized to the intervention group received educational sessions, cooking classes, written supporting material, and foods that form part of the Atlantic diet, whereas those randomized to the control group followed their habitual lifestyle. 213 families (92.4%) completed the trial. Adults in the intervention group lost weight as opposed to controls who gained weight (adjusted mean difference −1.1 kg, p < 0.001) and total serum cholesterol (adjusted mean difference −5.2 mg/dL, p = 0.004). Significant differences in favor of the intervention were found in other anthropometric variables and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but changes in triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, inflammation markers, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism were not observed. A family-based nutritional intervention based on the Atlantic diet showed beneficial effects on adiposity and the lipid profile.

Clinical Characteristics and Degree of Glycemic and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Control in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics, complications, degree of glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk factor control in patients with type 1 diabetes in Catalonia (Northwest of Spain). Methods: Cross-sectional study using a database including clinical, laboratory, and treatment data. Patients with an ICD10 diagnosis of type 1 diabetes were included, excluding those treated with glucose-lowering agents other than insulin, or treated only with basal insulin two years after diagnosis. Results: 15,008 patients were analysed. Median IQR age was 42 (31–53) years, diabetes duration 11.8 (6.8–16.0) years, 56.5% men. Median (IQR) HbA1c was 7.9% (7.1–8.8). Microvascular complications were present in 24.4% of patients, 43.6% in those with a diabetes duration >19 years. In presence of known cardiovascular disease 69.3% of patients showed an LDL-C concentration >70 mg/dL, 37% had a systolic blood pressure >135 mmHg and 22.4% were smokers. Conclusions: This study provides a reliable snapshot about the clinical situation of a large population of patients with T1D in Catalonia, which is similar to that of other western areas. The lack of adequate control of cardiovascular risk factors in a significant proportion of patients with cardiovascular disease deserves a more detailed analysis and urges the need for improvement strategies.

Individual differences in dominance-related traits drive dispersal and settlement in hatchery-reared juvenile brown trout

Effective management of exploited populations is based on an understanding of population dynamics and evolutionary processes. In spatially structured populations, dispersal is a central process that ultimately can affect population growth and viability. It can be influenced by environmental conditions, individual phenotypes, and stochastic factors. However, we have a limited knowledge of the relative contribution of these components and its interactions, and which traits can be used as reliable predictors of the dispersal ability. Here, we conducted a longitudinal field experiment aimed to identify traits which can be used as proxy for dispersal in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). We measured body size and standard metabolic rates, and estimated body shapes for 212 hatchery-reared juvenile fish that were marked with individual codes and released in a small coastal stream in northwest Spain. We registered fish positions and distances to the releasing point after 19, 41, 60 and 158 days in the stream. We detected a high autocorrelation of dispersal distances, demonstrating that most individuals settle down relatively soon and then hold stable positions over the study period. Body size and fish shape were reliable predictors of dispersal, with bigger and more robust-set individuals being more likely to settle closer to the release site than smaller and more elongated fish. In addition, the analysis of spacing and spatial patterns indicated that the dispersal of introduced fish could affect the distribution of resident conspecifics. All together, these results suggest that stocking programs aimed to the enhancement of overexploited populations at fine spatial scales can be optimized by adjusting the size and shape of the introduced fish to specific management targets and environmental conditions.

The Use of Invasive Algae Species as a Source of Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities: Spain as Case-Study.

In the recent decades, algae have proven to be a source of different bioactive compounds with biological activities, which has increased the potential application of these organisms in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and other industrial sectors. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in developing effective strategies for control and/or eradication of invasive algae since they have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and in the economy of the affected zones. However, the application of control measures is usually time and resource-consuming and not profitable. Considering this context, the valorization of invasive algae species as a source of bioactive compounds for industrial applications could be a suitable strategy to reduce their population, obtaining both environmental and economic benefits. To carry out this practice, it is necessary to evaluate the chemical and the nutritional composition of the algae as well as the most efficient methods of extracting the compounds of interest. In the case of northwest Spain, five algae species are considered invasive: Asparagopsis armata, Codium fragile, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, Sargassum muticum, and Grateulopia turuturu. This review presents a brief description of their main bioactive compounds, biological activities, and extraction systems employed for their recovery. In addition, evidence of their beneficial properties and the possibility of use them as supplement in diets of aquaculture animals was collected to illustrate one of their possible applications.

Towards energy-efficient small dairy production systems: An environmental and economic assessment

Around 64% of the cow raw milk produced in Europe is collected from small dairy systems. However, the available literature focusses on assessing the energy consumption of industrial raw milk production dairy systems and overlook small dairy systems which often include the farming and processing stages within their system boundaries. To cover this gap, this study energetically audited nine small dairy systems located in the north-west of Spain. These facilities perform conventional dairy farming and processing activities. As result, this study presents reliable energy consumption data, Key Performance Indicators and it also suggest custom-made energy efficient improvements to reduce the systems’ energy consumption, costs and enhance their products’ environmental performance.

Effects of Different Controlled Temperatures on Spanish-Style Fermentation Processes of Olives.

This work aimed to determine the effect of applying different temperatures during the fermentation process of Spanish-style table olives. ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ (southwest of Spain, Badajoz) and ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ (northwest of Spain, Caceres) olives were processed at an industrial scale in table olive fermenters whose brine was subjected to different thermal treatments. One of the three conducted experiments found that maintaining brine at 20–24 °C over a 3-month period led to optimum firmness, better color indices, and greater free acidity and lactic acid bacteria populations in comparison to an unheated control. Furthermore, raising the temperature of the fermenter to 20–24 °C accelerated the fermentation process, provoking better lactic bacteria and yeast growth without affecting olive firmness. The higher fermentation rate (shorter time to completion) associated with temperature-controlled olives also reduced the marketing time of the final product. Controlling brine temperature led to a better aspect and color, higher acidity, lower bitterness, and better overall assessment of processed olives. In addition, ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ olives presented a higher phenolic content than ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ olives. Preliminary evidence is presented suggesting that ‘Manzanilla Cacereña’ olives appear highly amenable to Sevillian-style processing. The present innovative work demonstrates the importance of applying different thermal treatments to brine to control the temperature during the industrial fermentation of table olives during the cold season.