Incorporation of abandoned and lost fishing gear into the structure of Dendrophyllia ramea in the Atlantic coast of Portugal

Plastic pollution poses global and societal concerns, especially from discarded fishing gear, threatening seabed environments like coral reefs. This study examines the incorporation of lost and/or abandoned fishing gear - specifically synthetic lines, and filaments - into the structure of orange tree coral, Dendrophyllia ramea along the coast of Portugal, in the North-East Atlantic Ocean. The specimens were inadvertently captured by local fishers (Sines and Cascais), with 6 % showing filaments inside their structure, raising questions about their potential impact on coral health. We discuss the implications of understanding the interactions between plastics, fishing gear, and corals, which is important for developing conservation strategies. We address the need for improved of measures aimed at reducing the impact of fishing gear on corals, emphasizing the importance of endorsing biodegradable fishing materials and supporting lost gear retrieval initiatives. Furthermore, we emphasize the urgent need to communicate these issues to both fishers and stakeholders.

[Tocolysis during External Cephalic Version (ECV): A retrospective before/after study in a type III maternity hospital]

OBJECTIVE

On January 2020, the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) issued new Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) "Breech Presentation". Since then, it is recommended to use a tocolytic agent to improve the success rate of External Cephalic Version (ECV). The aim of this study, one year after these CPG, is to compare ECV without (before CPG) and with (after CPG) tocolysis in a type III maternity hospital. We intend to assess its effects on immediate success rate of ECV and obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study conducted in Nantes University Hospital. We collected patient characteristics, immediate success rate, and maternal and neonatal outcomes at delivery of all ECV over two periods: the first one during 2019 (before CPG) and the second one from June 2020 to June 2021 (after CPG).

RESULTS

We included 253 patients: 126 in the first period and 127 in the second period. Immediate success rate of ECV was significantly higher since the use of tocolysis: 38.6 % (period 2) vs 23.8 % (period 1) (P=0.011). However, there was not significant difference found for cephalic presentation at birth, mode of delivery or obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The immediate success rate is significantly improved with the widespread use of tocolysis during ECV, with no change in obstetrical and neonatal outcomes.

Habitat variability and faunal zonation at the Ægir Ridge, a canyon-like structure in the deep Norwegian Sea

The Ægir Ridge System (ARS) is an ancient extinct spreading axis in the Nordic seas extending from the upper slope east of Iceland (∼550 m depth), as part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to a depth of ∼3,800 m in the Norwegian basin. Geomorphologically a rift valley, the ARS has a canyon-like structure that may promote increased diversity and faunal density. The main objective of this study was to characterize benthic habitats and related macro- and megabenthic communities along the ARS, and the influence of water mass variables and depth on them. During the IceAGE3 expedition (Icelandic marine Animals: Genetics and Ecology) on RV Sonne in June 2020, benthic communities of the ARS were surveyed by means of a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and epibenthic sledge (EBS). For this purpose, two working areas were selected, including abyssal stations in the northeast and bathyal stations in the southwest of the ARS. Video and still images of the seabed were usedtoqualitatively describebenthic habitats based on the presence of habitat-forming taxa and the physical environment. Patterns of diversity and community composition of the soft-sediment macrofauna, retrieved from the EBS, were analyzed in a semiquantitative manner. These biological data were complemented by producing high-resolution bathymetric maps using the vessel's multi-beam echosounder system. As suspected, we were able to identify differences in species composition and number of macro- and megafaunal communities associated with a depth gradient. A biological canyon effect became evident in dense aggregates of megafaunal filter feeders and elevated macrofaunal densities. Analysis of videos and still images from the ROV transects also led to the discovery of a number ofVulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) dominated by sponges and soft corals characteristic of the Arctic region. Directions for future research encompass a more detailed, quantitative study of the megafauna and more coherent sampling over the entire depth range in order to fully capture the diversity of the habitats and biota of the region. The presence of sensitive biogenic habitats, alongside seemingly high biodiversity and naturalness are supportive of ongoing considerations of designating part of the ARS as an "Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area" (EBSA).

Towards Non-Invasive Methods to Assess Population Structure and Biomass in Vulnerable Sea Pen Fields

Colonies of the endangered red sea pen Pennatula rubra (Cnidaria: Pennatulacea) sampled by trawling in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea were analyzed. Biometric parameters, such as total length, peduncle length, number of polyp leaves, fresh weight, and dry weight, were measured and related to each other by means of regression analysis. Ad hoc models for future inferencing of colonies size and biomass through visual techniques were individuated in order to allow a non-invasive study of the population structure and dynamics of P. rubra.

[Cord accident after external cephalic version: Reality or mostly myth?]

OBJECTIVES

To study the occurrence of cords accident (nuchal cords, prolapse, and braces) after external cephalic version according to its failure or success.

METHODS

Retrospective study between 1998-2015 comparing in the cord accident diagnosed at delivery (by midwife or doctors according to mode of delivery): Patients with attempt ECV: Group 1 cephalic presentation after successful ECV with trial of labor, and Group 2 failed ECV followed by elective cesarean or trial of labor. Patients with no attempt ECV Group 3 spontaneous cephalic presentation matching for delivery date, maternal age, parity, body mass index, and delivery history with group 1, Group 4 Breech presentation without attempt ECV with trial of labor.

RESULTS

A total of 776 women with breech presentation were included (198 in group 1, 446 in group 2, 396 in group 3 and 118 in group 4). The prevalence of cord accident did not differ according to ECV attempt (17.08 % versus 18.9 %), to cephalic presentation (group 1: 24.7 % versus group 3: 25 %) and to breech presentation (group 2: 16.9 % versus group 4: 17.2 %). The trial of labor after failed ECV did not increase the risk of cord accident when compared with elective cesarean (17.4 % versus 16 %). A prolapse cord was only observed after trial of labor, i.e. in groups 1, 2 and 4 without difference (respectively 1, 0.8 and 1.7 %). In each group, the rate of cesarean was not different according to the presence of nuchal cord.

CONCLUSION

Success or failed External cephalic version is not associated with an increased risk of cord accident.

Monitoring Target Engagement of Deubiquitylating Enzymes Using Activity Probes: Past, Present, and Future

Deubiquitylating enzymes or DUBs are a class of enzymes that selectively remove the polypeptide posttranslational modification ubiquitin from a number of substrates. Approximately 100 DUBs exist in human cells and are involved in key regulatory cellular processes, which drive many disease states, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Several aspects of DUB biology have been studied through genetic knock-out or knock-down, genomic, or proteomic studies. However, investigation of enzyme activation and regulation requires additional tools to monitor cellular and physiological dynamics. A comparison between genetic ablation and dominant-negative target validation with pharmacological inhibition often leads to striking discrepancies. Activity probes have been used to profile classes of enzymes, including DUBs, and allow functional and dynamic properties to be assigned to individual proteins. The ability to directly monitor DUB activity within a native biological system is essential for understanding the physiological and pathological role of individual DUBs. We will discuss the evolution of DUB activity probes, from in vitro assay development to their use in monitoring DUB activity in cells and in animal tissues, as well as recent progress and prospects for assessing DUB inhibition in vivo.