Fatty Acid Data Analysis Unravels Skeletal Site and Age-Specific Features of Human Bone Marrow Adiposity

As adipose tissue (AT) undergoes metabolic reprogramming with age, we investigated skeletal site-specific and age-dependent lipid profile of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). Acetabular and femoral BMAT, and gluteofemoral subcutaneous adipose tissue (gfSAT) were obtained from matched osteoarthritis patients. Patients were classified into two groups: younger (≤ 60 years) and aged (>60 years) adults. BMAT and gfSAT were explored by using thin layer/gas chromatography coupled with cellular and molecular assays. Data were interpreted and visualized by applying linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical clustering of fatty acid (FA) composition. Statistics was estimated by nonparametric tests and Spearman’s rank correlation. Analyses of total lipids revealed significantly reduced triglyceride content in femoral (fBMAT) than in acetabular BMAT (aBMAT) and gfSAT. Frequencies of spontaneously released saturated palmitic (C16:0) and stearic acids (C18:0) were higher in fBMAT than in aBMAT and gfSAT (p=0.036 and p=0.046, n=8). Cluster heatmap and LDA showed that fBMAT differed to acetabular and gfSAT, while acetabular and gfSAT were more similar in FA profiles. FA profiles of AT depots varied with patient’s age. Contribution of palmitic acid was increased in aged group in all AT depots, while stearic acid declined in aged group in BMAT compartments only. fBMAT cellularity declined with age (r=-0.675, n=14, p=0.037). Additionally, the presence of CD45-CD31-CD34+CD24+ adipogenic progenitor (stem) cells was increased in fBMAT (0.46±0.03%) when compared to aBMAT (0.21±0.01%) depot. Femoral mesenchymal stem cells displayed pronounced adipogenesis comparing to their acetabular counterparts. Our findings suggest that specific lipid profile of fBMAT imposes adipogenic commitment of stem cells within this skeletal site.Book of abstract: 4th Belgrade Bioinformatics Conference, June 19-23, 202

Invasive Lionfish Drive Atlantic Coral Reef Fish Declines

Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread swiftly across the Western Atlantic, producing a marine predator invasion of unparalleled speed and magnitude. There is growing concern that lionfish will affect the structure and function of invaded marine ecosystems, however detrimental impacts on natural communities have yet to be measured. Here we document the response of native fish communities to predation by lionfish populations on nine coral reefs off New Providence Island, Bahamas. We assessed lionfish diet through stomach contents analysis, and quantified changes in fish biomass through visual surveys of lionfish and native fishes at the sites over time. Lionfish abundance increased rapidly between 2004 and 2010, by which time lionfish comprised nearly 40% of the total predator biomass in the system. The increase in lionfish abundance coincided with a 65% decline in the biomass of the lionfish's 42 Atlantic prey fishes in just two years. Without prompt action to control increasing lionfish populations, similar effects across the region may have long-term negative implications for the structure of Atlantic marine communities, as well as the societies and economies that depend on them

A global perspective on the trophic geography of sharks

Sharks are a diverse group of mobile predators that forage across varied spatial scales and have the potential to influence food web dynamics. The ecological consequences of recent declines in shark biomass may extend across broader geographic ranges if shark taxa display common behavioural traits. By tracking the original site of photosynthetic fixation of carbon atoms that were ultimately assimilated into muscle tissues of 5,394 sharks from 114 species, we identify globally consistent biogeographic traits in trophic interactions between sharks found in different habitats. We show that populations of shelf-dwelling sharks derive a substantial proportion of their carbon from regional pelagic sources, but contain individuals that forage within additional isotopically diverse local food webs, such as those supported by terrestrial plant sources, benthic production and macrophytes. In contrast, oceanic sharks seem to use carbon derived from between 30° and 50° of latitude. Global-scale compilations of stable isotope data combined with biogeochemical modelling generate hypotheses regarding animal behaviours that can be tested with other methodological approaches.This research was conducted as part of C.S.B.’s Ph.D dissertation, which was funded by the University of Southampton and NERC (NE/L50161X/1), and through a NERC Grant-in-Kind from the Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility (LSMSF; EK267-03/16). We thank A. Bates, D. Sims, F. Neat, R. McGill and J. Newton for their analytical contributions and comments on the manuscripts.Peer reviewe

The percent change in biomass of native fishes between 2008 and 2010 on New Providence, Bahamas coral reef sites.

<p>Points represent medians, bounded by parametric bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals. The dashed line indicates no change in biomass.</p

The abundance of Indo-Pacific lionfish (<i>Pterois volitans</i> and <i>P. miles</i>) on coral reefs off southwest New Providence, Bahamas.

<p>Abundance is the number of lionfish sighted during each roving survey, recorded in log₁₀ scale. Points represent log-scale means, bounded by 95% confidence intervals. The yearly number of surveys is given in parentheses.</p

A global perspective on the trophic geography of sharks

Sharks are a diverse group of mobile predators that forage across varied spatial scales and have the potential to influence food web dynamics. The ecological consequences of recent declines in shark biomass may extend across broader geographic ranges if shark taxa display common behavioural traits. By tracking the original site of photosynthetic fixation of carbon atoms that were ultimately assimilated into muscle tissues of 5,394 sharks from 114 species, we identify globally consistent biogeographic traits in trophic interactions between sharks found in different habitats. We show that populations of shelf-dwelling sharks derive a substantial proportion of their carbon from regional pelagic sources, but contain individuals that forage within additional isotopically diverse local food webs, such as those supported by terrestrial plant sources, benthic production and macrophytes. In contrast, oceanic sharks seem to use carbon derived from between 30° and 50° of latitude. Global-scale compilations of stable isotope data combined with biogeochemical modelling generate hypotheses regarding animal behaviours that can be tested with other methodological approaches

Bird_etal_shark_trophic_geography

Carbon isotope data compiled from muscle tissues of 5394 sharks from 114 species. Data provided include d13C values, latitude of capture, designation as shelf, slope or oceanic shark, length, depth of capture (where available), C/N ratios of muscle, and lipid extraction method if used. Also included are phytoplankton d13C data modelled from Magozzi et al 2016 (Ecosphere 8(5):e01763. 10.1002/ecs2.1763). Model data expressed as the median and standard deviation d13C value for the Longhurst Biogeographic province corresponding to the location of shark captur

Data from: A global perspective on the trophic geography of sharks

Sharks are a diverse group of mobile predators that forage across varied spatial scales and have the potential to influence food web dynamics. The ecological consequences of recent declines in shark biomass may extend across broader geographic ranges if shark taxa display common behavioural traits. By tracking the original site of photosynthetic fixation of carbon atoms that were ultimately assimilated into muscle tissues of 5,394 sharks from 114 species, we identify globally consistent biogeographic traits in trophic interactions between sharks found in different habitats. We show that populations of shelf-dwelling sharks derive a substantial proportion of their carbon from regional pelagic sources, but contain individuals that forage within additional isotopically diverse local food webs, such as those supported by terrestrial plant sources, benthic production and macrophytes. In contrast, oceanic sharks seem to use carbon derived from between 30&deg; and 50&deg; of latitude. Global-scale compilations of stable isotope data combined with biogeochemical modelling generate hypotheses regarding animal behaviours that can be tested with other methodological approaches. </span