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The changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have compelled schools to transform their pedagogies, with two seemingly contrasting trends emerging: the growing digitalisation of schools and the increased recognition of outdoor education. Our study, based on the experience of a European project, addressed the following questions: What digital competences can be fostered through school garden-based learning activities? Which UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be addressed by combining garden and digital activities? How do these practices align with the framework of transformative pedagogy? To answer these questions, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of 16 learning activity lesson plans designed and implemented by teachers from Slovenia, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. The findings indicate the activities contributed to exploring diverse online sources of information and integrating them into shareable digital products while developing SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 3 (health habits), and SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production), among others. These activities align with the principles of transformative pedagogy, as they encourage students to think and interact globally while empowering them to take action at a local level. These results also emphasise the importance of enhancing students' decision-making abilities and providing opportunities for reflective questioning, less frequently identified in the activities.

Nematode surveys in natural environments in the Iberian Peninsula detected three unidentified Xenocriconemella populations that closely resembled the X. macrodora-species complex, but utilization of integrative taxonomy confirmed that they comprised a new taxon described in this paper as X. andreae sp. nov. Only females were detected in the new species (considered parthenogenetic) and delineated with a bare body (274–353 µm); lip region with two annuli, continuous with body delineation; second lip annulus enclosed by the first one. Flexible and thin stylet (88.0–99.0 µm), representing 30.4–47.8% of total body length. The excretory pore is positioned 2–3 annuli posterior to the level of stylet knobs, at 101.5 (87–107) µm from the lip region. Female genital tract: monodelphic, prodelphic, large, and representing 34.4–52.4% of the body length; vagina slightly ventrally curved. The anus is located at (6–9) annuli from the rear end. Tail short, conoid, and blunt round terminus. Ribosomal and mitochondrial markers (D2-D3 expansion domains of 28S, ITS, partial 18S rRNA, and COI), as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses of sequences, confirmed this new taxon, and it was clearly delineated from X. macrodora and species within the species complex (X. costaricense, X. iberica, X. paraiberica, and X. pradense).

Background The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in several European countries involved collaboration between public health and Primary Health Care (PHC).Objective To highlight the role of PHC professionals in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, specifically in terms of vaccine administration, communication and contributing to vaccination population coverage.Methods A descriptive retrospective study of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign across 28 European countries was conducted, covering data from December 2020 to November 2021. Data were collected by key informants recruited from each country, who were health professionals involved in their national vaccination campaigns. Utilising an ad-hoc semi-structured questionnaire, information was gathered on organisation, communication strategies, priority groups, vaccine types, and vaccination pathways in PHC.Results PHC participated in communication strategies in 10 out of 28 countries, and vaccination was voluntary in most of them. The priority groups for vaccination varied across Europe, and the availability of vaccines in PHC differed between countries within the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries. The BioNTech Pfizer vaccine was the most widely available vaccine in most countries, followed by Moderna and AstraZeneca. PHC administered COVID-19 vaccines to the population, being the nurses the most involved, followed by general practitioners. Vaccination appointments were available online in 18/28 or by phone in 15/28, direct appointments at health centres were available in 8/28. In several countries, healthcare professionals who administered vaccines were given extra compensation for their role.Conclusion PHC professionals played a crucial role in the successful distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines in European countries.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widely distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus in the world. This flavivirus can infect humans causing in some cases a fatal neurological disease and birds are the main reservoir hosts. WNV is endemic in Spain, and human cases have been reported since 2004. Although different studies analyse how climatic conditions can affect the dynamics of WNV infection, very few use long-term datasets. Between 2003 and 2020 a total of 2,724 serum samples from 1,707 common coots (Fulica atra) were analysed for the presence of WNV-specific antibodies. Mean (SD) annual seroprevalence was 24.67% (0.28) but showed high year-to-year variations ranging from 5.06% (0.17) to 68.89% (0.29). Significant positive correlations (p

Introduction Suspected preterm labour (SPL) is an obstetric complication that occurs in 9% of all pregnancies and is the leading cause of antenatal hospital admissions. More than half of women with SPL deliver a premature baby which is a known risk factor for developing cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in childhood and later in adult life. On the other hand, the other half of these women will deliver at term, labelled as ‘false preterm labour’. Although this has been thought to be a benign condition, accumulating evidence reported in recent years showed long-term effects for the foetus, neonate and infant even when birth occurs at term. However, the impact of SPL on cardiovascular and metabolic programming has not been studied yet. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the impact of SPL on cardiac remodelling and function and on cardiovascular and metabolic profiles independently of gestational age at birth.Methods and analysis Prospective cohort study of subjects exposed and not exposed to an episode of SPL. Women with singleton pregnancies who are admitted at a tertiary hospital due to SPL and matched controls will be recruited. Evaluation of cardiovascular remodelling by foetal echocardiography will be performed during admission. Cord blood will be collected at birth in order to analyse different metabolomic footprints and several cardiovascular and metabolic risk biomarkers. Moreover, children will undergo an echocardiography 6 months after birth. The relationship between SPL and cardiovascular and metabolic programming will be modelled considering different covariates such as socioeconomic factors, perinatal characteristics, lifestyle, diet and exercise.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted in April 2020 from CEIC Aragón (CEICA) (C.P.-C.I. PI20/136). Study outcomes will be disseminated at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.Trial registration number NCT05670665.

Freshwater crayfish are amongst the largest macroinvertebrates and play a keystone role in the ecosystems they occupy. Understanding the global distribution of these animals is often hindered due to a paucity of distributional data. Additionally, non-native crayfish introductions are becoming more frequent, which can cause severe environmental and economic impacts. Management decisions related to crayfish and their habitats require accurate, up-to-date distribution data and mapping tools. Such data are currently patchily distributed with limited accessibility and are rarely up-to-date. To address these challenges, we developed a versatile e-portal to host distributional data of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens (using Aphanomyces astaci, the causative agent of the crayfish plague, as the most prominent example). Populated with expert data and operating in near real-time, World of Crayfish™ is a living, publicly available database providing worldwide distributional data sourced by experts in the field. The database offers open access to the data through specialized standard geospatial services (Web Map Service, Web Feature Service) enabling users to view, embed, and download customizable outputs for various applications. The platform is designed to support technical enhancements in the future, with the potential to eventually incorporate various additional features. This tool serves as a step forward towards a modern era of conservation planning and management of freshwater biodiversity.

Historical ecology draws on a broad range of information sources and methods to provide insight into ecological and social change, especially over the past ∼12000 yr. While its results are often relevant to conservation and restoration, insights from its diverse disciplines, environments, and geographies have frequently remained siloed or underrepresented, restricting their full potential. Here, scholars and practitioners working in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments on 6 continents and various archipelagoes synthesize knowledge from the fields of history, anthropology, paleontology, and ecology with the goal of describing global research priorities for historical ecology to influence conservation. We used a structured decision-making process to identify and address questions in 4 key priority areas: (1) methods and concepts, (2) knowledge co-production and community engagement, (3) policy and management, and (4) climate change impacts. This work highlights the ways that historical ecology has developed and matured in its use of novel information sources, efforts to move beyond extractive research practices and toward knowledge co-production, and application to management challenges including climate change. We demonstrate the ways that this field has brought together researchers across disciplines, connected academics to practitioners, and engaged communities to create and apply knowledge of the past to address the challenges of our shared future.

Abstract Background Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a crucial role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 8% of cases requiring hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 data often goes unnoticed on European government dashboards and in media discussions. This project aims to examine official information on PHC patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, with specific objectives: (1) Describe PHC’s clinical pathways for acute COVID-19 cases, including long-term care facilities, (2) Describe PHC COVID-19 pandemic indicators, (3) Develop COVID-19 PHC activity indicators, (4) Explain PHC’s role in vaccination strategies, and (5) Create a PHC contingency plan for future pandemics. Methods A mixed-method study will employ two online questionnaires to gather retrospective PHC data on COVID-19 management and PHC involvement in vaccination strategies. Validation will occur through focus group discussions with medical and public health (PH) experts. A two-wave Delphi survey will establish a European PHC indicators dashboard for future pandemics. Additionally, a coordinated health system action plan involving PHC, secondary care, and PH will be devised to address future pandemic scenarios. Analysis: Quantitative data will be analysed using STATA v16.0 for descriptive and multivariate analyses. Qualitative data will be collected through peer-reviewed questionnaires and content analysis of focus group discussions. A Delphi survey and multiple focus groups will be employed to achieve consensus on PHC indicators and a common European health system response plan for future pandemics. The Eurodata research group involving researchers from 28 European countries support the development. Discussion While PHC manages most COVID-19 acute cases, data remains limited in many European countries. This study collects data from numerous countries, offering a comprehensive perspective on PHC’s role during the pandemic in Europe. It pioneers the development of a PHC dashboard and health system plan for pandemics in Europe. These results may prove invaluable in future pandemics. However, data may have biases due to key informants’ involvement and may not fully represent all European GP practices. PHC has a significant role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most of the cases are mild or moderate and only 8% needed hospitalization. However, PHC COVID-19 activity data is invisible on governments’ daily dashboards in Europe, often overlooked in media and public debates.

Abstract Glial cells are key players in the initiation of innate immunity in neurodegeneration. Upon damage, they switch their basal activation state and acquire new functions in a context and time-dependent manner. Since modulation of neuroinflammation is becoming an interesting approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, it is crucial to understand the specific contribution of these cells to the inflammatory reaction and to select experimental models that recapitulate what occurs in the human disease. Previously, we have characterized a region-specific activation pattern of CD11b+ cells and astrocytes in the α-synuclein overexpression mouse model of Parkinson´s disease (PD). In this study we hypothesized that the time and the intensity of dopaminergic neuronal death would promote different glial activation states. Dopaminergic degeneration was induced with two administration regimens of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), subacute (sMPTP) and chronic (cMPTP). Our results show that in the sMPTP mouse model, the pro-inflammatory phenotype of striatal CD11b+ cells was counteracted by an anti-inflammatory astrocytic profile. In the midbrain the roles were inverted, CD11b+ cells exhibited an anti-inflammatory profile and astrocytes were pro-inflammatory. The overall response generated resulted in decreased CD4 T cell infiltration in both regions. Chronic MPTP exposure resulted in a mild and prolonged neuronal degeneration that generated a pro-inflammatory response and increased CD4 T cell infiltration in both regions. At the onset of the neurodegenerative process, microglia and astrocytes cooperated in the removal of dopaminergic terminals. With time, only microglia maintained the phagocytic activity. In the ventral midbrain, astrocytes were the main phagocytic mediators at early stages of degeneration while microglia were the major phagocytic cells in the chronic state. In this scenario, we questioned which activation pattern recapitulates better the features of glial activation in PD. Glial activation in the cMPTP mouse model reflects many pathways of their corresponding counterparts in the human brain with advanced PD. Altogether, our results point toward a context-dependent cooperativity of microglia/myeloid cells and astrocytes in response to neuronal damage and the relevance of selecting the right experimental models for the study of neuroinflammation. Graphical abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the genus Meloidogyne are one of the most damaging genera to cultivated woody plants with a worldwide distribution. The knowledge of the soil and rhizosphere microbiota of almonds infested with Meloidogyne could help to establish new sustainable and efficient management strategies. However, the soil microbiota interaction in deciduous woody plants infected with RKNs is scarcely studied. This research was carried out in six commercial almond groves located in southern Spain and infested with different levels of Meloidogyne spp. within each grove. Several parameters were measured: nematode assemblages, levels and biocontrol agents in Meloidogyne’s eggs, levels of specific biocontrol agents in rhizoplane and soil, levels of bacteria and fungi in rhizoplane and soil, fungal and bacterial communities by high-throughput sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and 16S rRNA gene in soil and rhizosphere of the susceptible almond hybrid rootstock GF-677 infested with Meloidogyne spp. The studied almond groves showed soil degradation by nematode assemblies and fungi:bacterial ratio. Fungal parasites of Meloidogyne eggs were found in 56.25% of the samples. However, the percentage of parasitized eggs by fungi ranged from 1% to 8%. Three fungal species were isolated from Meloidogyne eggs, specifically Pochonia chlamydosporia, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Trichoderma asperellum. The diversity and composition of the microbial communities were more affected by the sample type (soil vs rhizosphere) and by the geographical location of the samples than by the Meloidogyne density, which could be explained by the vigorous hybrid rootstock GF-677 and a possible dilution effect. However, the saprotrophic function in the functional guilds of the fungal ASV was increased in the highly infected roots vs the low infected roots. These results indicate that the presence of biocontrol agents in almond fields and the development of new management strategies could increase their populations to control partially RKN infection levels.

Abstract The ring nematode genus Xenocriconemella De Grisse and Loof, 1965 comprises only one nominal species, Xenocriconemella macrodora (Taylor, 1936) De Grisse and Loof, 1965. The initial objective of the present study was to investigate the morphological–morphometric and molecular diversity of 28 X. macrodora populations in the Iberian Peninsula associated with tree forests (mainly Quercus spp.). However, a detailed integrative taxonomic analysis (morphological–morphometric and molecular data) from each population and analysis of this data using principal component analysis (PCA) for morphometric data (including these 28 populations and other 25 X. macrodora populations around the world) and molecular and phylogenetic species delimitation methods revealed that X. macrodora forms a species complex. This species complex is composed by species that are morphometricly and morphologically similar, but clearly different at the molecular level. Three new species are described applying integrative taxonomy, namely as Xenocriconemella iberica sp. nov., Xenocriconemella paraiberica sp. nov. and Xenocriconemella pradense sp. nov. However, the molecular diversity of this species in USA and Italy confirmed that additional species are likely present in this species complex, and the diversity of this group may be higher than expected. The study of X. macrodora topotypes can clarify the position of this species using molecular markers under an integrative approach.

Glyphosate is a herbicide of a wide spectrum that alters the production of amino acids in plants, leading to their death. Due to its properties, it is used to eliminate weeds that interfere with human activity. The intensive use of this herbicide in the past decades has led to its frequent encounter in the environment as it has been detected in water, animals, and food destined for human consumption. Its impact on human health and the rest of living organisms has not been fully explored, given that many authors enter into contradictions with one another, specifically surrounding the role of surfactants in the commercial presentation of herbicides. The use of pesticides can have significant impacts on ecosystems, threatening bio-cultural diversity due to genetic contamination from transgenic crops. The effectiveness of Glyphosate-based herbicides in weed control is diminishing due to weed tolerance. However, the use of herbicides remains prevalent in large-scale crops due to the challenges of organic food production. In addition, the probable conflict of interest by the agrochemical industry does not bring a full picture with respect to the actions that world governments should take. Banning GLP-based herbicides may lead to the use of other pesticides, in which the long-term impacts will require further studies. The motivation for this research is the review of the latest advances of glyphosate in the world, considering the use and prohibitions of this herbicide, its interaction with water and soil, as well as the effects on both the environment and health. The search for information for this paper was carried out in the Mendeley, Elsevier, and Springer databases by filtering by the suitable keywords.

A wide survey was conducted to study plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) associated with Prunus groves in Spain. This research aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of PPNs in Prunus groves, as well as the influence of explanatory variables describing soil, climate and agricultural management in structuring the variation of PPNs community composition. A total of 218 sampling sites were surveyed and 84 PPN species belonging to 32 genera were identified based of an integrative taxonomic approach. PPN species considered as potential limiting factors in Prunus production, such as Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. javanica, Pratylenchus penetrans and P. vulnus, were identified in this survey. Seven soil physico-chemical (C, Mg, N, Na, OM, P, pH and clay, loamy sand and sandy loam texture classes), four climate (Bio04, Bio05, Bio13 and Bio14) and four agricultural management variables (grove-use history less than 10 years, irrigation, apricot seedling rootstock, and Montclar rootstock) were identified as the most influential variables driving spatial patterns of PPNs communities. In particular, younger plantations showed higher values for species richness and diversity indices than groves cultivated for more than 20 years with Prunus spp. Our study increases the knowledge of the distribution and prevalence of PPNs associated with Prunus rhizosphere, as well as on the influence of explanatory variables driving the spatial structure PPNs communities, which has important implications for the successful design of sustainable management strategies in the future in this agricultural system.

Abstract Background Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) are genetic disorders characterized by dysfunctions in mitochondria. Clinical data suggest that additional factors, beyond genetics, contribute to the onset and progression of this group of diseases, but these influencing factors remain largely unknown. Mounting evidence indicates that immune dysregulation or distress could play a role. Clinical observations have described the co-incidence of infection and the onset of the disease as well as the worsening of symptoms following infection. These findings highlight the complex interactions between MDs and immunity and underscore the need to better understand their underlying relationships. Results We used Ndufs4 KO mice, a well-established mouse model of Leigh syndrome (one of the most relevant MDs), to test whether chronic induction of a neuroinflammatory state in the central nervous system before the development of neurological symptoms would affect both the onset and progression of the disease in Ndufs4 KO mice. To this aim, we took advantage of the GFAP-IL6 mouse, which overexpresses interleukin-6 (IL-6) in astrocytes and produces chronic glial reactivity, by generating a mouse line with IL-6 overexpression and NDUFS4 deficiency. IL-6 overexpression aggravated the mortality of female Ndufs4 KO mice but did not alter the main motor and respiratory phenotypes measured in any sex. Interestingly, an abnormal region-dependent microglial response to IL-6 overexpression was observed in Ndufs4 KO mice compared to controls. Conclusion Overall, our data indicate that chronic neuroinflammation may worsen the disease in Ndufs4 KO female mice, but not in males, and uncovers an abnormal microglial response due to OXPHOS dysfunction, which may have implications for our understanding of the effect of OXPHOS dysfunction in microglia.

La Sierra de Alhama presenta una muy diferente evolución de sus laderas N y S. En la ladera sur hay un importante desarrollo de deslizamientos de masas coherentes que están ausentes en la norte. Estos se han producido por la diferente estructura de esa sierra en cada ladera, combinada con la erosión, y probablemente por la acción de importantes paleoterremotos.

Abstract Conservation is prioritized based on accepted taxa. As a consequence, a conservation incentive exists to emphasize inter‐population differences to define taxa, potentially leading to taxonomic inflation. But stressing the uniqueness of threatened populations has the side effect of hindering conservation actions that promote inter‐population gene flow, such as genetic rescue. These actions may be of critical importance for severely inbred populations involved in extinction vortices, for which an inflated taxonomy can become a conservation trap. Here, we exemplify this scenario with the western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus, Phasianidae) population in the Cantabrian Mountains, described and legally listed as a subspecies not supported by recent molecular data. The Cantabrian capercaillie population is Critically Endangered after a long‐lasting decline and a recent demographic collapse. It shows clear signs of inbreeding depression, including striking clutch size decreases as well as reduced hatchability and chick survival. This critical situation could be alleviated through a genetic rescue, but this possibility is hindered by inertias rooted in the putative uniqueness of the Cantabrian capercaillie. It had been previously argued that poor taxonomy could hamper conservation, through the oblivion of populations deserving, but not having, a taxonomic status. We show that taxonomic inflation can also become an obstacle for effective conservation.

Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), leading to multi-faceted ecological, economic and health impacts worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula comprises an exceptionally biodiverse Mediterranean region with a high number of threatened and endemic aquatic species, most of them strongly impacted by biological invasions. Following a structured approach that combines a systematic review of available information and expert opinion, we provide a comprehensive and updated multi-taxa inventory of aquatic NIS (fungi, macroalgae, vascular plants, invertebrates and vertebrates) in Iberian inland waters. Moreover, we assess overall patterns in the establishment status, introduction pathways, native range and temporal introduction trends of listed NIS. In addition, we discuss the legal coverage provided by both national (Spanish and Portuguese) and European NIS regulations. We inventoried 326 aquatic NIS in Iberian inland waters, including 215 established, 96 with uncertain establishment status and 15 cryptogenic taxa. Invertebrates (54.6%) and vertebrates (24.5%) were the groups with the highest number of NIS, with Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Chordata being the most represented phyla. Recorded NIS originated from diverse geographic regions, with North and South America being the most frequent. Vertebrates and vascular plants were mostly introduced through intentional pathways (i.e. release and escape), whereas invertebrates and macroalgae arrived mostly through unintentional ways (i.e. contaminant or stowaway). Most of the recorded NIS were introduced in Iberian inland waters over the second half of the 20th century, with a high number of NIS introductions being reported in the 2000s. While only 8% of the recorded NIS appear in the European Union list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, around 25% are listed in the Spanish and Portuguese NIS regulations. This study provides the most updated checklist of Iberian aquatic NIS, meeting the requirements set by the EU regulation and providing a baseline for the evaluation of its application. We point out the need for coordinated transnational strategies to properly tackle aquatic invasions across borders of the EU members.

The article presents the outcomes of an assessment of hydrographic network changes within the Almaty city, utilizing geographic information system (GIS) technology and Earth remote sensing data. Two gauge stations were selected along the main rivers within the Almaty city. To identify distinctive alterations in these rivers, hydrological data series encompassing the maximum runoff from 1970 to 2021 were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Differential integral curves were constructed to pinpoint periods corresponding to peak and trough runoff levels. For each of these identified periods, the processing of satellite imagery allowed for the computation of meandering coefficients for the river channels. Additionally, refinements were made to the slope values of the rivers during these same timeframes, and connectivity graphs were established to elucidate the relationship between slope and liquid runoff for each period. The analysis encompassed an assessment of the impact of anthropogenic factors on both artificial and natural bodies of water while also considering shifts in the boundaries of the Almaty city. The findings derived from this study have practical applications in the planning and design of water supply systems and in the implementation of measures aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of anthropogenic factors on water bodies. HIGHLIGHTS The changes in the hydrographic network of Almaty city in Kazakhstan were assessed.; Hydrological time-series and differential integral curves were analyzed.; The changes in channel outlines were identified and the riverbed modifications over decades were assessed.; The influence of anthropogenic factors on artificial and natural water bodies was analyzed.; The obtained results can be used to support the development of sustainable water management.;

Therapeutic physical exercise provides multiple benefits in patients with chronic kidney failure by reducing inflammatory mediators and increasing hemoglobin synthesis, nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant effects, hematocrit and muscle proteins and thus the number and size of the muscle fibers. Physical exercise has shown in kidney patients benefits at the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal levels, including a positive psychosocial effect. In addition, no serious complications or deaths related to physical exercise have been observed in these patients during dialysis.

Nematode samplings in various areas and crops of Greece were carried out and the recovered nematode species were characterized using morphological and molecular data. Seven species of plant-parasitic nematodes were recovered, three of which are reported for the first time in Greece, including Hemicycliophora poranga, Helicotylenchus dihystera and Tylenchorhynchus zeae. Four other recovered species had already been reported in Greece, including Bitylenchus hispaniensis, Helicotylenchus microlobus, Nanidorus minor and Scutellonema brachyurus. D2–D3 segments of 28S rRNA gene for all of these nematode species are provided.