Decline of the Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser sturio L., 1758 in Poland: An outline of problems and prospects

Se revisaron los datos históricos de presencia y explotación del esturión atlántico Acipenser sturio L., 1758 y las causas de su declive, utilizando publicaciones de los siglos XVIII a XX. El esturión atlántico en Polonia se encontraba originalmente en los ríos Vístula y Oder y sus afluentes hasta las partes superiores de sus cursos de agua. En los últimos siglos su distribución se ha reducido de forma importante, y a mediados de la década de los sesenta desapareció completamente de las aguas polacas. El último esturión se capturó en el tramo inferior del río Vístula en 1965 y hoy la especie se considera extirpada. Desde la Edad Media el esturión atlántico fue capturado intensamente en ríos y lagunas, principalmente con redes flotantes. El periodo de máxima explotación pesquera en el río Vístula inferior y en el golfo de Danzig tuvo lugar hacia 1500, y los primeros síntomas de sobreexplotación del esturión se manifestaron alrededor de 1600. Las principales razones para el declive del stock en los ríos polacos son, cronológicamente: (1) la sobreexplotación a largo plazo; (2) la extracción de agua; (3) la ingeniería hidráulica (incluidas las regulaciones fluviales, la construcción de presas y la de puertos), y (4) la contaminación industrial y agrícola. A finales del siglo XIX, la influencia acumulada y prolongada de estos factores alcanzó un nivel crítico. Las regulaciones legales para la protección del esturión, introducidas desde el siglo XIX, no detuvieron este declive. En la última década se ha propuesto un nuevo programa para la recuperación del esturión atlántico en los ríos polacos, basado en la experiencia en la producción de otras especies de acipenséridos en condiciones controladas. El planteamiento principal del programa es establecer algunas partes de las anteriores poblaciones reproductoras en las cuencas de los ríos Vístula y Oder introduciendo peces criados artificialmente. Esta propuesta no se ha podido llevar a cabo debido a la falta de los reproductores necesarios para producir el material a repoblar, un requisito para el establecimiento de las poblaciones reproductivas.Historical data on the occurrence and exploitation of Atlantic sturgeon and the causes behind its decline were reviewed, using publications from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser sturio L., 1758 in Poland was originally found in the Vistula and Oder Rivers and their tributaries, to the upper parts of their watercourses. Over the following centuries, its range has been greatly reduced, and by the mid-1960s it had completely disappeared from Polish waters. The last sturgeon were caught in the lower Vistula River in 1965. Today, the species is considered extirpated. From the Middle Ages, the Atlantic sturgeon was intensively caught in rivers and lagoons, mainly by floating nets. The period of maximum fishery exploitation in the lower Vistula River and Gulf of Gdansk was about 1500, and the first symptoms of sturgeon overexploitation occurred around 1600. The main reasons for stock decline in Polish rivers are, chronologically: (1) long-term overexploitation; (2) water extraction; (3) hydraulic engineering (including stream regulations, damming and construction of harbours; and (4) industrial and agricultural pollution. At the end of the 19th century, the accumulated and prolonged influence of these factors reached a critical level. Legal regulations for sturgeon protection, introduced from the 19th century, did not stopped its decline. In the last decade, a new programme for the Atlantic sturgeon's restoration in Polish rivers has been proposed, based on the experience in production of other acipenserid species under controlled conditions. The main idea of the programme is to establish some parts of former spawning populations in the Oder and Vistula River systems by introducing fish reared artificially. This proposition has not been implemented due to the lack of spawners required to produce stocking material, a requisite for the establishment of reproductive populations.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

External validation of VO2max prediction models based on recreational and elite endurance athletes

In recent years, numerous prognostic models have been developed to predict VO2max. Nevertheless, their accuracy in endurance athletes (EA) stays mostly unvalidated. This study aimed to compare predicted VO2max (pVO2max) with directly measured VO2max by assessing the transferability of the currently available prediction models based on their R$^{2}$, calibration-in-the-large, and calibration slope. 5,260 healthy adult EA underwent a maximal exertion cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) (84.76% male; age 34.6±9.5 yrs.; VO2max 52.97±7.39 mL·min$^{-1}$·kg$^{-1}$, BMI 23.59±2.73 kg·m$^{-2}$). 13 models have been selected to establish pVO2max. Participants were classified into four endurance subgroups (high-, recreational-, low- trained, and “transition”) and four age subgroups (18–30, 31–45, 46–60, and ≥61 yrs.). Validation was performed according to TRIPOD guidelines. pVO2max was low-to-moderately associated with direct CPET measurements (p>0.05). Models with the highest accuracy were for males on a cycle ergometer (CE) (Kokkinos R$^{2}$ = 0.64), females on CE (Kokkinos R$^{2}$ = 0.65), males on a treadmill (TE) (Wasserman R$^{2}$ = 0.26), females on TE (Wasserman R$^{2}$ = 0.30). However, selected models underestimated pVO2max for younger and higher trained EA and overestimated for older and lower trained EA. All equations demonstrated merely moderate accuracy and should only be used as a supplemental method for physicians to estimate CRF in EA. It is necessary to derive new models on EA populations to include routinely in clinical practice and sports diagnostic

Allele specific repair of splicing mutations in cystic fibrosis through AsCas12a genome editing.

Funder: Fondazione Fibrosi Cistica - FFC#1/2017Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. The 3272-26A>G and 3849+10kbC>T CFTR mutations alter the correct splicing of the CFTR gene, generating new acceptor and donor splice sites respectively. Here we develop a genome editing approach to permanently correct these genetic defects, using a single crRNA and the Acidaminococcus sp. BV3L6, AsCas12a. This genetic repair strategy is highly precise, showing very strong discrimination between the wild-type and mutant sequence and a complete absence of detectable off-targets. The efficacy of this gene correction strategy is verified in intestinal organoids and airway epithelial cells derived from CF patients carrying the 3272-26A>G or 3849+10kbC>T mutations, showing efficient repair and complete functional recovery of the CFTR channel. These results demonstrate that allele-specific genome editing with AsCas12a can correct aberrant CFTR splicing mutations, paving the way for a permanent splicing correction in genetic diseases

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURO bservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

Aims: Given the advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the availability of new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, there is a need for the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in ESC member countries. Methods and results: We conducted a registry of consecutive in- and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in nine participating ESC countries. All patients with an ECG-documented diagnosis of AF confirmed in the year prior to enrolment were eligible. We enroled a total of 3119 patients from February 2012 to March 2013, with full data on clinical subtype available for 3049 patients (40.4% female; mean age 68.8 years). Common comorbidities were hypertension, coronary disease, and heart failure. Lone AF was present in only 3.9% (122 patients). Asymptomatic AF was common, particularly among those with permanent AF. Amiodarone was the most common antiarrhythmic agent used (~20%), while beta-blockers and digoxin were the most used rate control drugs. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) were used in 80% overall, most often vitamin K antagonists (71.6%), with novel OACs being used in 8.4%. Other antithrombotics (mostly antiplatelet therapy, especially aspirin) were still used in one-third of the patients, and no antithrombotic treatment in only 4.8%. Oral anticoagulants were used in 56.4% of CHA 2DS2-VASc = 0, with 26.3% having no antithrombotic therapy. A high HAS-BLED score was not used to exclude OAC use, but there was a trend towards more aspirin use in the presence of a high HAS-BLED score. Conclusion: The EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry has provided systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF by cardiologists in ESC member countries. Oral anticoagulant use has increased, but novel OAC use was still low. Compliance with the treatment guidelines for patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal. © The Author 2013

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes: The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: joint position statement

Although physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, many with this chronic disease do not become or remain regularly active. High-quality studies establishing the importance of exercise and fitness in diabetes were lacking until recently, but it is now well established that participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality, and quality of life. Structured interventions combining PA and modest weight loss have been shown to lower type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58% in high-risk populations. Most benefits of PA on diabetes management are realized through acute and chronic improvements in insulin action, accomplished with both aerobic and resistance training. The benefits of physical training are discussed, along with recommendations for varying activities, PA-associated blood glucose management, diabetes prevention, gestational diabetes mellitus, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complications

An attempt of cage rearing of vendace (Coregonus albula L.) originated from populations with different growth rates

An attempt to compare the growth and survival of Coregonus albula L. larvae and fry, originated from 3 populations with differentiated naturally growth rate (Narie, Maróz and Is±g lakes) was conducted in cage rearing in environment of Legińskie Lake. During the rearing in illuminated cages vendace larvae from fast and slow growing stocks reached the comparable size, but mortality was higher in fast growing fishes. Possible causes of differences and their significance for fishery management are discussed