Examples of Global and Regional Laws and Policies Relevant to Addressing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Laws and policies relevant to the potential impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine species and coastal communities appear at the global and regional level, as well as the national level (see Annex 6)

Value tree for physical atmosphere and ocean observations in the Arctic

This report describes the first instance to employ the international assessment framework for arctic observations developed by SAON and IDA STPI in 2017. Earth Observation (EO) inputs like SYNOP station measurements of physical atmosphere and in other stations ocean variables were linked to key products/outcomes/services like numerical weather prediction and through groups like in this case weather service connected to key objectives of the assessment framework. Representative yearly unit costs of EO inputs and modelling components were estimated by station experts or estimated based on European Union projects or Copernicus program tenders. The WMO OSCAR database for satellite and surface observation systems north of 60°N was used for numbers of the different station and mission categories in the Arctic. The total yearly value of this observation system including EO inputs and modeling is over 204 million €. Compared to the observing system estimated costs in the area 30°N to 60°N this is only about a fifth. The value tree can now follow and combine the value invested in these components as it flows towards services. The key objectives have been connected by SAON/AMAP project members in a workshop to the services to build the first full value tree for a certain kind of observations. These observations are mainly produced by national meteorological and marine institutes in an operational mode. The yearly value invested in the observation can now be distributed between the 12 Societal Benefit Areas and their sub areas identified in the assessment framework. The value tree is presented at a web page by FMI and Spatineo (2019) with a browser that can highlight single components to analyze which inputs and which SBA targets its being used for. This can help to more holistically support the whole observation system for optimal impact on societal benefit. The value tree tool will be available for further work to address the many more EO domains like atmospheric composition or biodiversity. All in all this report can hopefully start a continuous action to update and improve the value tree. EO inputs are not static, the network changes, the costs are fluctuating and as the Arctic is becoming more accessible, it would be important to extend the observation system accordingly

Rare and low-frequency coding variants alter human adult height

Height is a highly heritable, classic polygenic trait with ~700 common associated variants identified so far through genome - wide association studies . Here , we report 83 height - associated coding variants with lower minor allele frequenc ies ( range of 0.1 - 4.8% ) and effects of up to 2 16 cm /allele ( e.g. in IHH , STC2 , AR and CRISPLD2 ) , >10 times the average effect of common variants . In functional follow - up studies, rare height - increasing alleles of STC2 (+1 - 2 cm/allele) compromise d proteolytic inhibition of PAPP - A and increased cleavage of IGFBP - 4 in vitro , resulting in higher bioavailability of insulin - like growth factors . The se 83 height - associated variants overlap genes mutated in monogenic growth disorders and highlight new biological candidates ( e.g. ADAMTS3, IL11RA, NOX4 ) and pathways ( e.g . proteoglycan/ glycosaminoglycan synthesis ) involved in growth . Our results demonstrate that sufficiently large sample sizes can uncover rare and low - frequency variants of moderate to large effect associated with polygenic human phenotypes , and that these variants implicate relevant genes and pathways

Dissecting the Shared Genetic Architecture of Suicide Attempt, Psychiatric Disorders, and Known Risk Factors

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and nonfatal suicide attempts, which occur far more frequently, are a major source of disability and social and economic burden. Both have substantial genetic etiology, which is partially shared and partially distinct from that of related psychiatric disorders. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 29,782 suicide attempt (SA) cases and 519,961 controls in the International Suicide Genetics Consortium (ISGC). The GWAS of SA was conditioned on psychiatric disorders using GWAS summary statistics via multitrait-based conditional and joint analysis, to remove genetic effects on SA mediated by psychiatric disorders. We investigated the shared and divergent genetic architectures of SA, psychiatric disorders, and other known risk factors. Results Two loci reached genome-wide significance for SA: the major histocompatibility complex and an intergenic locus on chromosome 7, the latter of which remained associated with SA after conditioning on psychiatric disorders and replicated in an independent cohort from the Million Veteran Program. This locus has been implicated in risk-taking behavior, smoking, and insomnia. SA showed strong genetic correlation with psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, and also with smoking, pain, risk-taking behavior, sleep disturbances, lower educational attainment, reproductive traits, lower socioeconomic status, and poorer general health. After conditioning on psychiatric disorders, the genetic correlations between SA and psychiatric disorders decreased, whereas those with nonpsychiatric traits remained largely unchanged. Conclusions Our results identify a risk locus that contributes more strongly to SA than other phenotypes and suggest a shared underlying biology between SA and known risk factors that is not mediated by psychiatric disorders.Peer reviewe

Examples of Global and Regional Laws and Policies Relevant to Addressing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Laws and policies relevant to the potential impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine species and coastal communities appear at the global and regional level, as well as the national level (see Annex 6)

Cortisol, Depression, and Anxiety Levels Before and After Short-Term Intensive Nutritional Stabilization in Patients With Severe Anorexia Nervosa

Introduction: Depression and anxiety are well-known comorbid conditions in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Hypercortisolemia in patients with AN may be pathogenic and contribute to depression and anxiety symptomatology. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate short-term changes in cortisol levels and depression and anxiety symptomatology following intensive re-nutrition in patients with severe AN and hospitalized in a specialized unit. Furthermore, we investigated the potential association between cortisol levels and psychometric parameters. Methods: A total of 36 patients with AN were enrolled in the study. Nine dropped out before follow-up. Patients underwent paraclinical and psychometric examinations at admission and discharge. Measurements included plasma cortisol, cortisol binding globulin (CBG), 24-h urine cortisol, and self-report questionnaires regarding eating disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Patients were hospitalized in the unit for somatic stabilization and intensive re-nutrition. Mean admission length was 41 days. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02502617). Results: Cortisol levels in blood and urine did not change from admission to discharge in patients with severe AN. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and eating disorder remained elevated at discharge. There were no associations between changes in cortisol levels and changes in psychometrics. Discussion: Our results suggest that short-term intensive re-nutrition did not alter hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity or mental health in patients with severe AN. Long-term stabilization and longer follow-up after hospital discharge may be needed to detect changes in cortisol levels and whether these changes are associated with depression and anxiety symptomatology. Greater knowledge about cortisol levels and mental health in patients with severe AN may help in the development of new treatment choices for the chronically ill patients. Future studies could investigate whether cortisol-lowering drugs have a therapeutic effect on mental health in AN