Occurrence of juvenile porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) in the northern coast of Spain.

Opportunistic records can provide valuable information on certain species, including the critically endangered porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus). This note documents the occurrence of three juveniles, with approximate 120-, 88-, and 85-cm fork lengths respectively, observed along the coast of Asturias, Spain, in 2024. Given the three distinct scenarios in which these records respectively occurred (incidental capture, washed ashore and stranding), they emphasize the role of citizen science in identifying potential threats to this species, particularly in early stages of life, in a region that may be important and previously overlooked.

Feeding strategies of the pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Elasmobranchs play crucial roles as predators in marine ecosystems. Understanding their trophic strategies and interactions is necessary for comprehending food web dynamics and developing ecosystem-based management strategies. Although, feeding strategies can change depending on several factors, including fluctuations in prey availability throughout the year.

Heavy metal concentrations in sharks, rays and chimaeras from the western Mediterranean Sea.

The potential bioaccumulation of pollutants, such as heavy metals, may pose a threat to the western Mediterranean chondrichthyans and human consumers. Therefore, the first extensive assessment of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) concentrations in the muscle tissue of 17 species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras in this region was conducted via Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). Significant differences between species were observed, particularly related to the rabbit fish (Chimaera monstrosa) and the velvet belly lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax), which exceeded the European Union (EU) Commission Regulation 2023/915 threshold of Cd.

Fishing for litter, accidental catch in bottom trawl nets along the Catalan coast, Northwestern Mediterranean.

The seafloor of the Mediterranean Sea accumulates marine litter (ML), an area where bottom trawlers operate and can accidentally catch the litter from the seafloor. This study aims to describe and quantify the ML caught by bottom trawlers along the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea) and estimate the potential of the bottom trawl fleet to extract ML from the area as a Fishing for Litter (FFL) initiative to tackle the ML issue. Marine litter was collected from commercial trawlers and was classified as metal, plastic, rubber, textile, wood, and other waste and weighed (kg) from 305 hauls performed during three years (2019-2021) from 9 different ports at 3 different depths.

Feeding ecology of a Mediterranean endemic mesopredator living in highly exploited ecosystems.

Knowledge of marine predator trophic ecology is essential for defining their ecological role and trophic position in ecosystems. Based on their trophic habits, sharks and batoids occupy higher and medium trophic levels in the food webs, although differences in the trophic preferences exist between species. They are important organisms in marine ecosystems by maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serving as an indicator for ocean health.

Plastic debris straps on threatened blue shark Prionace glauca.

Juveniles of blue shark Prionace glauca caught in pelagic longlines targeting tuna and swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were found entangled with plastic straps around their gill region. The plastic debris were identified as strapping bands and caused several degrees of injuries on the dorsal musculature and pectoral fins. They were also obstructing the gill slits probably causing breathing issues.

The phylogenetic position of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Myliobatiformes, Myliobatidae) inferred from the mitochondrial genome.

The giant devil ray, Mobula mobular, is a member of one of the most distinct groups of cartilaginous fishes, the Mobulidae (manta and devil rays), and is the only mobulid assessed as Endangered due its restricted distribution, high bycatch mortality and suspected population decline. The complete mitochondrial genome is 18 913 base pairs in length and comprises 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 non-coding regions. Comparison with the partial mitogenome of M.

Observations on the occurrence of Spraguea lophii in Mediterranean lophiids.

In the Mediterranean Sea, anglerfish Lophius budegassa and Lophius piscatorius support an important fishery, and landings have increased in recent years. These species are infected by the microsporean Spraguea lophii, a parasite that infects their nervous system giving rise to multiple cysts. Due to the high value of these fish and conspicuous nature of the infection, we determined the apparent prevalence of this parasite in both Lophius spp.

Synthesis, 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor affinity and docking studies of 3-[3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-1H-indole derivatives.

A series of 3-[3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)-propyl]-1H-indole derivatives (12a-h) was synthesized and evaluated for binding affinity at the human 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) receptor (5-HT(1A)R) compounds (12b) and (12h) showed the highest 5-HT(1A) receptor affinity (IC(50)=15 nM). Molecular docking studies with all the compounds in a homology model of 5-HT(1A) showed that the main interaction anchoring the ligand in the receptor was a charge-reinforced bond between the protonated nitrogen atom (N-4) of the piperazine ring and Aspartate(3.32).

Synthesis, docking studies and biological evaluation of benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-propan-1-one derivatives on 5-HT1A serotonin receptors.

A series of novel benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-propan-1-one derivatives 6a-f, 7a-f and their corresponding alcohols 8a-f were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity towards 5-HT(1A) receptors. The influence of arylpiperazine moiety and benzo[b]thiophene ring substitutions on binding affinity was studied. The most promising analogue, 1-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-3-(4-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazin-1-yl)propan-1-one (7e) displayed micromolar affinity (K(i) = 2.

The International Study of Wheezing in Infants: questionnaire validation.

Background: There are no internationally validated questionnaires to investigate the prevalence of infant wheezing. This study was undertaken to validate a questionnaire for the International Study on the Prevalence of Wheezing in Infants (Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes, EISL).

Material And Methods: Construct and criterion validity were tested for the question 'Has your baby had wheezing or whistling in the chest during his/her first 12 months of life?'.