Effects of ecosystem protection on scallop populations within a community-led temperate marine reserve

This study investigated the effects of a newly established, fully protected marine reserve on benthic habitats and two commercially valuable species of scallop in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, United Kingdom. Annual dive surveys from 2010 to 2013 showed the abundance of juvenile scallops to be significantly greater within the marine reserve than outside. Generalised linear models revealed this trend to be significantly related to the greater presence of macroalgae and hydroids growing within the boundaries of the reserve. These results suggest that structurally complex habitats growing within the reserve have substantially increased spat settlement and/or survival. The density of adult king scallops declined threefold with increasing distance from the boundaries of the reserve, indicating possible evidence of spillover or reduced fishing effort directly outside and around the marine reserve. However, there was no difference in the mean density of adult scallops between the reserve and outside. Finally, the mean age, size, and reproductive and exploitable biomass of king scallops were all significantly greater within the reserve. In contrast to king scallops, the population dynamics of queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) fluctuated randomly over the survey period and showed little difference between the reserve and outside. Overall, this study is consistent with the hypothesis that marine reserves can encourage the recovery of seafloor habitats, which, in turn, can benefit populations of commercially exploited species, emphasising the importance of marine reserves in the ecosystem-based management of fisheries

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Mycobacterium avium Pleuritis in a Non-Immunocompromised Patient

Nontuberculous mycobacterium infection is rarely accompanied by pleural involvement. We describe a very rare occurrence of Mycobacterium (M) avium pleuritis with pleural effusion in a non-compromised 73-year-old woman patient who had been treated for sick sinus syndrome. She was admitted to our hospital with general malaise and left pleural effusion. To establish a definitive diagnosis, a biopsy specimen was obtained from the left parietal pleura by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The pleural biopsy specimen revealed only diffuse lymphoid cell infiltration and neoplastic or granulomatous lesions were absent. Culture of the pleural biopsy specimen revealed M. avium, indicating that the pleuritis was caused by this organism. A course of anti-tubercular agents (rifampin, ethambutol and streptomycin sulfate) and clarithromycin gradually resolved the pleural effusion

Inorganic nitrite and chronic tissue ischaemia: a novel therapeutic modality for peripheral vascular diseases

Ischaemic tissue damage represents the ultimate form of tissue pathophysiology due to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. A significant amount of basic research and clinical investigation has been focused on identifying cellular and molecular pathways to alleviate tissue damage and dysfunction due to ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion. Over many years, the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important regulator of cardiovascular health as well as protector against tissue ischaemia and reperfusion injury. However, clinical translation of NO therapy for these pathophysiological conditions has not been realized for various reasons. Work from our laboratory and several others suggests that a new form of NO-associated therapy may be possible through the use of nitrite anion (sodium nitrite), a prodrug which can be reduced to NO in ischaemic tissues. In this manner, nitrite anion serves as a highly selective NO donor in ischaemic tissues without substantially altering otherwise normal tissue. This surprising and novel discovery has reinvigorated hopes for effectively restoring NO bioavailability in vulnerable tissues while continuing to reveal the complexity of NO biology and metabolism within the cardiovascular system. However, some concerns may exist regarding the effect of nitrite on carcinogenesis. This review highlights the emergence of nitrite anion as a selective NO prodrug for ischaemic tissue disorders and discusses the potential therapeutic utility of this agent for peripheral vascular disease

Paternal obesity and programming of offspring health

The physical and nutritional environment experienced by the mother prior to and during conception is imperative to the outcome of pregnancy and offspring health. In addition there is now mounting evidence that paternal exposures and conditions at the time of conception are also an important determinant of pregnancy outcome and offspring health. Specifically, male obesity is now demonstrated to have detrimental impacts on fertility and fetal development during subsequent pregnancy and can exert programming effects on the phenotype of offspring lasting up to two generations. We summarise the evidence of the effect of environmental exposures on seminal plasma and sperm, focusing on the effects of obesity, and what bearing this has for offspring both in humans and animal models. The current knowledge of what might form the molecular basis of the phenomena of paternal programming of offspring health are also reviewed with consideration given to signals from both seminal plasma and sperm.Tod Fullston, Helana S. Shehadeh, John E. Schjenken, Nicole O. McPherson, Sarah A. Robertson, Deirdre Zander-Fox, and Michelle Lan