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The introduction of biopollutant species challenge ecosystem health and economy in remote islands. Here we checked the advance of invasive fouling species in five French Polynesian islands. Expansion of invasive species (Acantophora spicifera , Bugula neritina , Chthamalus proteus , Dendostrea frons) was detected using individual barcoding (COI for animals, RBLC for algae), and metabarcoding on biofouling (COI and 18S sequences). They were especially abundant in Port Phaeton (Tahiti), Bora Bora and Rangiroa atoll. Chthamalus proteus is a vector of bacterial diseases and may harm native French Polynesian mollusks. Dendostrea frons is a vector of Perkinsus , a parasite to which black pearl oysters, the mainstay of the Polynesian economy, are susceptible. High ecological and epidemiological risks were estimated for C. proteus and D. frons , and ecological risks also for A. spicifera and especially for B. neritina. Strengthening marine biosecurity measures is highly recommended to conserve these unique ecosystems and their associated services. [Display omitted] • Biopollution is a threat for isolated ecosystems of remote islands. • DNA barcoding and metabarcoding biota inventory in French Polynesia ports. • A rapid advance of invasive species transported in fouling is detected. • Epidemiological and ecological risks of four biopollutants are considerable. • A higher control of ship hull fouling is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, the Moroccan state has had to deal with some deeply uncomfortable knowledge regarding mounting water scarcity. This presents governing actors with a difficult dilemma. On the one hand, this knowledge is politically disturbing as it could undermine prevailing hydro-agricultural policies, which are based on the promise of unlimited irrigation expansion. It could also corrode the dominant social alliance built around these policies. On the other hand, accurately quantifying water resources has long been essential for establishing the technocratic legitimacy of the state. This paper investigates how the state manages uncomfortable numbers that it has either produced or endorsed: an issue rarely addressed by social studies of quantification, but increasingly consequential in the current ecological crisis. Drawing from a literature on the production of ignorance, we highlight contradictory processes of knowledge production and ignorance. We show that Moroccan state hydrologists have dealt with uncomfortable figures by keeping them fragmented in space and time. They have continued to produce innumerable measurements of water scarcity. However, they have done so in an increasingly scattered manner, both spatially and temporally, while studiously avoiding integrating these fragments into updated national estimates. This uneasy compromise between "seeing" and "not seeing" like a State has so far helped reproduce the "modernizing" social alliance forged around large hydraulic projects. However, its durability is doubtful. Our case study thus raises a number of hypotheses about what the ecological crisis could do to state quantification in many places and in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species that outcompete endemic ones and toxic harmful algae that cause algal blooms threaten marine resources like fisheries, aquaculture, and even tourism. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding can help as a method for early alert. In this study, we have analyzed communities inhabiting six lagoons within the Gulf of Lion (northwest Mediterranean Sea) with spatial protection as RAMSAR and Natura 2000 sites. Employing the COI gene as the only metabarcode, we found 15 genera that have caused recognized algal bloom outbreaks in the studied lagoons since 2000. In addition, seven alien invasive species that can pose risks to the rich marine resources of the zone and lagoons were also found. The results found from eDNA are consistent with events of toxic algae blooms before and after the sampling moment and with reported occurrences of the invasive species in nearby Mediterranean areas. Multivariate multiple analysis showed the importance of anthropic pressure in the abundance of these nuisance species. Mitigation actions and routine eDNA metabarcoding in zones of special interest like these fragile French Mediterranean lagoons are recommended for early alert of nuisance species in order to plan timely management actions. • Mediterranean lagoons are threatened due to anthropogenic activities. • Anthropogenic pressures are significantly and positively associated with nuisance species. • eDNA metabarcoding is a useful tool to early detect nuisance species in Mediterranean lagoons. • Management actions should be taken to detect and control nuisance species before they become established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of invasive species is crucial to deal effectively with biological invasions in ports, which are hotspots of species introductions. In this study, a simplified end-time PCR methodology conducted on eDNA from water samples was developed for rapid detection of the invasive seaweed Asparagopsis armata (four hours from water collection to result visualization). It was tested dockside in four international Spanish ports in presence of stakeholders, whose feedback was obtained to explore the real applicability of this biotechnology. Although biological invasions were not a main concern for them, results indicate a unanimous approval of the methodology by the stakeholders, having detected the presence of A. armata in three of the ports. Stakeholders suggested further developments for easier application of the tool and multiple species detection, to be adopted for the control of invasive species in ports. • Ports are hotspots for the introduction of new species. • Biological invasions are most effectively treated with early detection. • A fast PCR protocol to detect species eDNA from water samples was developed. • Invasive alga Asparagopsis armata was found from three ports in <4 h. • Stakeholders evaluated positively this tool for rapid species detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The richness of plankton communities determines the fish productivity in the ocean, including important resources that rely on extractive fisheries, such as hakes (genus Merluccius) and tunas (genus Thunnus). Their preys forage on zooplankton, and the latter feed on phytoplankton. Inventories of plankton communities for scientific advice to sustainable fishing are essential in this moment of climate change. Plankton is generally inventoried using conventional methodologies based on large water volumes and visual morphological analyses of samples. In this study, we have employed metabarcoding on environmental DNA (eDNA) samples extracted from small water volumes for plankton inventory from twelve distant sampling stations in the East Atlantic Ocean. Zones rich in hake and tuna prey were detected from eDNA, and multivariate multiple regression analysis was able to predict those zones from diatom-based indices and planktonic diversity based on functional groups. Salinity was negatively correlated with the proportion of diatoms in phytoplankton, highlighting expected impacts of current global change on marine plankton communities. The results emphasise the importance of the plankton richness for fish productivity and support the utility of environmental DNA as a tool to monitor plankton composition changes. • Environmental DNA extracted from 6L water samples across a long Atlantic latitudinal transect. • Diatom-based and diversity indices were estimated from metabarcoding data. • Zones rich in hake and tuna prey species were identified from metabarcoding data. • Diatom-based indices and planktonic diversity predicted the richness of fish preys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 presents a spectrum of signs and symptoms in pregnant women that might resemble preeclampsia. Differentiation between severe COVID-19 and preeclampsia is difficult in some cases.Objective: To study biomarkers of endothelial damage, coagulation, innate immune response, and angiogenesis in preeclampsia and COVID-19 in pregnancy in addition to in vitro alterations in endothelial cells exposed to sera from pregnant women with preeclampsia and COVID-19.Study Design: Plasma and sera samples were obtained from pregnant women with COVID-19 infection classified into mild (n=10) or severe (n=9) and from women with normotensive pregnancies as controls (n=10) and patients with preeclampsia (n=13). A panel of plasmatic biomarkers was assessed, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptor I, heparan sulfate, von Willebrand factor antigen (activity and multimeric pattern), α2-antiplasmin, C5b9, neutrophil extracellular traps, placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, and angiopoietin 2. In addition, microvascular endothelial cells were exposed to patients' sera, and changes in the cell expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 on cell membranes and von Willebrand factor release to the extracellular matrix were evaluated through immunofluorescence. Changes in inflammation cell signaling pathways were also assessed by of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate methods.Results: Biomarker profiles of patients with mild COVID-19 were similar to those of controls. Both preeclampsia and severe COVID-19 showed significant alterations in most circulating biomarkers with distinctive profiles. Whereas severe COVID-19 exhibited higher concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor I, heparan sulfate, von Willebrand factor antigen, and neutrophil extracellular traps, with a significant reduction of placental growth factor compared with controls, preeclampsia presented a marked increase in vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor I (significantly increased compared with controls and patients with severe COVID-19), with a striking reduction in von Willebrand factor antigen, von Willebrand factor activity, and α2-antiplasmin. As expected, reduced placental growth factor, increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and angiopoietin 2, and a very high soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio were also observed in preeclampsia. In addition, a significant increase in C5b9 and neutrophil extracellular traps was also detected in preeclampsia compared with controls. Principal component analysis demonstrated a clear separation between patients with preeclampsia and the other groups (first and second components explained 42.2% and 13.5% of the variance), mainly differentiated by variables related to von Willebrand factor, soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptor I, heparan sulfate, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Von Willebrand factor multimeric analysis revealed the absence of von Willebrand factor high-molecular-weight multimers in preeclampsia (similar profile to von Willebrand disease type 2A), whereas in healthy pregnancies and COVID-19 patients, von Willebrand factor multimeric pattern was normal. Sera from both preeclampsia and severe COVID-19 patients induced an overexpression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and von Willebrand factor in endothelial cells in culture compared with controls. However, the effect of preeclampsia was less pronounced than the that of severe COVID-19. Immunoblots of lysates from endothelial cells exposed to mild and severe COVID-19 and preeclampsia sera showed an increase in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Patients with severe COVID-19 and preeclampsia were statistically different from controls, suggesting that both severe COVID-19 and preeclampsia sera can activate inflammatory signaling pathways.Conclusion: Although similar in in vitro endothelial dysfunction, preeclampsia and severe COVID-19 exhibit distinctive profiles of circulating biomarkers related to endothelial damage, coagulopathy, and angiogenic imbalance that could aid in the differential diagnosis of these entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically explores the discourses and practices involved in the definition, promotion, design and use of indicators to manage water resources. It analyzes the manner indicators contribute to shape specific hydrosocial cycles, i.e. specific combinations of water, power and financial flows. The objective pursued is to reveal the politics of water that is made otherwise invisible by the use of indicators. Indeed, while indicators are the product of specific compromises, of particular combinations of negotiated norms and scientifically produced nature, the paper highlights their ability to erase history and naturalize rationales. These issues are investigated through an empirical analysis of a specific indicator, the “Minimum Flow Requirements” (MFR) and its associated biophysical models, developed and used in the South-West of France. The discussion focuses on the underlying assumptions and ensuing framings of the water scarcity problem in the Garonne system over more than two centuries and describes how the system has been lately represented and managed through the use of the MFR. The MFR is shown to be an instrument regulating power and financial relations of heterogeneous actors. It has actively contributed to naturalize water scarcity, despite the contingency of its construction. Finally, it has helped contain the environmental opposition to the management of water in southwestern France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spread and distribution of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) is key when implementing legislation to maintain good ecosystem health. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has shown great potential to detect aquatic organisms in a rapid and cost-effective way, however their applicability to new environments must be validated prior to their implementation. Here, we tested different field sampling methods in combination with eDNA metabarcoding to develop a tool to detect NIS. Large and small volumes of seawater were filtered, in addition to the collection of sediment and horizontal tow net samples at 12 locations across four distinct geographic areas in Ireland. The biggest dissimilarity in the species recovered was found between sediment and town net samples. Tow nets showed to be the most efficient. A total of 357 taxa were identified, including 16 NIS. Fine mesh tow nets were identified as the most cost-efficient for large-scale monitoring and surveillance of NIS. • Marine NIS monitoring in Irish waters is crucial to detect invasive species during the early stages of introduction. • The highest number of NIS were found in Dublin and Carlingford as expected for these high invasion risk locations. • Fine mesh tow nets were the most cost-efficient method for surveillance of NIS using eDNA metabarcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ships moving species across the oceans mix marine communities throughout latitudes. The introduction of new species may be changing the ecosystems even in remote islands. In tropical Pacific islands where maritime traffic is principally local, eDNA metabarcoding and barcoding revealed 75 introduced species, accounting in average for 28% of the community with a minimum of 13% in the very remote Rangiroa atoll. The majority of non-native species were primary producers –from diatoms to red algae, thus the ecosystem is being transformed from the bottom. Primary producers were more shared among sites than other exotics, confirming ship-mediated dispersal in Pacific marine ecosystems. Limited alien share and an apparent saturation of aliens (similar proportion in ports of very different size) suggests the occurrence of "alien drift" in port communities, or random retention of newly introduced aliens that reminds genetic drift of new mutations in a population. • French Polynesian coral reefs have high proportion of alien species. In small remote atolls >13% of exotic species were found • Alien contained more primary producers than the native, showing biodiversity changes from the bottom of the trophic chain. • Saturation of exotics in communities and effect of "alien drift"– retention of alien species if a niche is empty. • Robust study based on a NGS metabarcoding + eDNA and individual barcoding of specimens taxonomically identified de visu. • Highlight the need of participation of locals and tourists in the conservation of tropical coral reefs: citizen science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nudging has emerged as an alternative policy for managing water demand in the residential sector. Indeed, numerous field studies have been recently published to assess the impact of nudges on water consumption. In parallel, a substantial body of literature has developed in the field of behavioral economics, including laboratory experiments to evaluate the effects of nudge-type or boost treatments on individual behavior. However, the corresponding results are frequently overlooked in field studies. In this context, focusing on the residential water sector, the aim of this survey paper are, first, to review field experiments and address key issues in behavioral economics; and second, to present results obtained from laboratory experiments that could enhance nudging policies. We conclude by discussing additional unexplored areas and their policy implications. • Nudging has emerged as an alternative policy to manage water demand. • The number of field studies aiming to analyze the impact of nudging in managing residential water consumption has increased since the 2010s. • Other alternative behavioral strategies, such as boosting and lab experiment, are useful but are relatively unexplored in the water sector. • We provide new research perspectives for water conservation based on other fields of behavioral economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 5 axillary nodal groups drain the breast, upper extremity and upper torso – anterior, posterior, lateral, central, and apical. • The lateral group drains the upper arm while the anterior group drains the breast. • COVID-19 vaccine is typically administered in the upper arm. • Axillary adenopathy involving the lateral, central, and/or apical groups with sparing of the anterior group is usual post vaccination. • This pattern of COVID-19 vaccine related unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy is identifiable on breast MRI and warrants a benign assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is characterized by presence of extracellular fibrillar Aβ in amyloid plaques, intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles consisting of aggregated hyperphosphorylated tau and elevated brain levels of soluble Aβ oligomers (ADDLs). A major question is how these disparate facets of AD pathology are mechanistically related. Here we show that, independent of the presence of fibrils, ADDLs stimulate tau phosphorylation in mature cultures of hippocampal neurons and in neuroblastoma cells at epitopes characteristically hyperphosphorylated in AD. A monoclonal antibody that targets ADDLs blocked their attachment to synaptic binding sites and prevented tau hyperphosphorylation. Tau phosphorylation was blocked by the Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7(t-butyl)pyrazol(3,4-d)pyramide (PP1), and by the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Significantly, tau hyperphosphorylation was also induced by a soluble aqueous extract containing Aβ oligomers from AD brains, but not by an extract from non-AD brains. Aβ oligomers have been increasingly implicated as the main neurotoxins in AD, and the current results provide a unifying mechanism in which oligomer activity is directly linked to tau hyperphosphorylation in AD pathology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oxidative stress is a major aspect of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. We have investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and neuronal binding of A/3 oligomers (also known as ADDLs). ADDLs are known to accumulate in brain tissue of AD patients and are considered centrally related to pathogenesis. Using hippocampal neuronal cultures, we found that ADDLs stimulated excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through a mechanism requiring N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) activation. ADDL binding to neurons was reduced and ROS formation was completely blocked by an antibody to the extracellular domain of the NR1 subunit of NMDA-Rs. In harmony with a steric inhibition of ADDL binding by NR1 antibodies, ADDLs that were bound to detergent-extracted synaptosomal membranes co-immunoprecipitated with NMDA-R subunits. The NR1 antibody did not affect ROS formation induced by NMDA, showing that NMDA-Rs themselves remained functional. Memantine, an open channel NMDA-R antagonist prescribed as a memory-preserving drug for AD patients, completely protected against ADDL-induced ROS formation, as did other NMDA-R antagonists. Memantine and the anti-NR1 antibody also attenuated a rapid ADDL-induced increase in intraneuronal calcium, which was essential for stimulated ROS formation. These results show that ADDLs bind to or in close proximity to NMDA-Rs, triggering neuronal damage through NMDA-R-dependent calcium flux. This response provides a pathologically specific mechanism for the therapeutic action of memantine, indicates a role for ROS dysregulation in ADDL-induced cognitive impairment, and supports the unifying hypothesis that ADDLs play a central role in AD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]