Features of otter population Lutra lutra L. in Croatia

Vidra ili euroazijska vidra (Lutra lutra L.) je grabežljivac koji se nalazi na samom vrhu hranidbene piramide. Važna je u uspostavi ravnoteže u vodenim ekosistemima, a zbog svoje karizmatične pojave služi kao krovna vrsta slatkovodnih ekosistema. Zbog visoke cijene njezina krzna čovjek ju je proganjao i zbog toga je u Hrvatskoj postala vrlo rijetka. Vidra se počela oporavljati otkako je nastupila zakonska zaštita i zabrana lova, a danas joj je najveća prijetnja fragmentacija, onečišćenje i gubitak staništa. Vidra je zakonom zaštićena u Republici Hrvatskoj. U ovom radu je kratko prikazana rasprostranjenost vidre na prostoru Hrvatske, kao i njezine osnovne karakteristike, važnost te ugroženost. Kako bi se vrsta što uspješnije zaštitila potrebno je provesti više istraživanja i provoditi praćenje stanja populacije.The Otter or the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.) is a predator that is located at the top of the food pyramid. Otter is important in establishing the balance of the aquatic ecosystems, and because of her charismatic appearance she acts as an “umbrella” species of freshwater ecosystems. Because of the high value of her fur she is often chased and killed by hunters and thus became very rare and endangered in Croatia. Recovery began when the prohibition of hunting and protection of species was established, and now her biggest threats are fragmentation, pollution and loss of habitat. In Croatia, otter is protected by law. In this work the diffusion of otter on Croatian territory is presented, as well as her basic characteristics, importance and conservation threats. It is necessary to make more research and implement monitoring of population so that the species can be better protected

Age and growth determination of blackspotted smooth-hound (Mustelus punctulatus Risso, 1827) in the northern Adriatic Sea

Pas mekuš (Mustelus punctulatus Risso, 1827) pripada skupini mezopredatorskih morskih pasa koji se komercijalno izlovljavaju u Jadranu. Prema IUCN Crvenom popisu mekuš je nedovoljno poznata vrsta, te se malo zna o biologiji ove vrste uključujući i podatke o starosti, koji nedostaju za čitavo Jadransko i Sredozemno more. Stoga je cilj ovog rada odrediti starost i brzinu somatskog rasta, kako bi se ovi podaci mogli koristiti pri planiranju i odrţivom upravljanju vrste. Primjenom skeletokronološke metode i morfometrijskih mjerenja na tijelima kralješaka određena je starost 94 ţenke (46,8 - 136,2 cm ukupne duţine tijela, DT) i 93 muţjaka (44,6 - 126,5 cm DT). Analiza rubnog prirasta, koja pokazuje vremensku periodičnost nastanka znakova rasta, potvrdila je primjerenost upotrijebljene metode za određivanje starosti. Najstarija procijenjena dob za ţenke i muţjake iznosila je 20 i 15 godina, a u analiziranom uzorku su prevladavale jedinke s 3+ i 4+ godine ţivota. Podaci o duljinama tijela i starosti su korišteni za određivanje parametara von Bertalanffyeve funkcije rasta: k = 0,05 god-1, Linf = 193,00 cm i to = -4,72 za ţenke, te k = 0,08 god-1, Linf = 144,00 cm i to = -3,95 za muţjake. Prema dobivenim vrijednostima pas mekuš je spororastuća vrsta, koja je izrazito osjetljiva na izlov.Blackspotted smooth-hound (Mustelus punctulatus Risso, 1827) belongs to a group of meso-predator sharks which are commercially exploited in the Adriatic Sea. According to the IUCN Red List blackspotted smooth-hound is classified as data deficient species, and very little is known about important aspects of its biology, including data on age and growth rate, which are missing for the Adriatic and Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the age and somatic growth rate, important for planning and sustainable management of this species. Age was estimated on sectioned vertebrae of 94 females (46.8 to 136.2 cm total body length, DT) and 93 males (44.6 to 126.5 cm DT), by applying skeletochronological method and morphometric measurements of vertebrae. Marginal increment analysis was conducted to assess patterns in seasonal growth, which justified the use of vertebrae for ageing of these sharks. Age-length data were used to estimate parameters for the von Bertalanffy growth function: k = 0.05/yr, Linf = 193.00 cm and to = -4.72 for females, and k = 0.08/yr, Linf = 144.00 cm and to = -3.95 for males. The oldest female was aged 20 years and male 15 years, while in the collected sample prevailed animals with age 3+ and 4+. According to these results, blackspotted smooth-hound is a slow-growing species, extremely vulnerable to exploitation

Features of otter population Lutra lutra L. in Croatia

Vidra ili euroazijska vidra (Lutra lutra L.) je grabežljivac koji se nalazi na samom vrhu hranidbene piramide. Važna je u uspostavi ravnoteže u vodenim ekosistemima, a zbog svoje karizmatične pojave služi kao krovna vrsta slatkovodnih ekosistema. Zbog visoke cijene njezina krzna čovjek ju je proganjao i zbog toga je u Hrvatskoj postala vrlo rijetka. Vidra se počela oporavljati otkako je nastupila zakonska zaštita i zabrana lova, a danas joj je najveća prijetnja fragmentacija, onečišćenje i gubitak staništa. Vidra je zakonom zaštićena u Republici Hrvatskoj. U ovom radu je kratko prikazana rasprostranjenost vidre na prostoru Hrvatske, kao i njezine osnovne karakteristike, važnost te ugroženost. Kako bi se vrsta što uspješnije zaštitila potrebno je provesti više istraživanja i provoditi praćenje stanja populacije.The Otter or the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.) is a predator that is located at the top of the food pyramid. Otter is important in establishing the balance of the aquatic ecosystems, and because of her charismatic appearance she acts as an “umbrella” species of freshwater ecosystems. Because of the high value of her fur she is often chased and killed by hunters and thus became very rare and endangered in Croatia. Recovery began when the prohibition of hunting and protection of species was established, and now her biggest threats are fragmentation, pollution and loss of habitat. In Croatia, otter is protected by law. In this work the diffusion of otter on Croatian territory is presented, as well as her basic characteristics, importance and conservation threats. It is necessary to make more research and implement monitoring of population so that the species can be better protected

Features of otter population Lutra lutra L. in Croatia

Vidra ili euroazijska vidra (Lutra lutra L.) je grabežljivac koji se nalazi na samom vrhu hranidbene piramide. Važna je u uspostavi ravnoteže u vodenim ekosistemima, a zbog svoje karizmatične pojave služi kao krovna vrsta slatkovodnih ekosistema. Zbog visoke cijene njezina krzna čovjek ju je proganjao i zbog toga je u Hrvatskoj postala vrlo rijetka. Vidra se počela oporavljati otkako je nastupila zakonska zaštita i zabrana lova, a danas joj je najveća prijetnja fragmentacija, onečišćenje i gubitak staništa. Vidra je zakonom zaštićena u Republici Hrvatskoj. U ovom radu je kratko prikazana rasprostranjenost vidre na prostoru Hrvatske, kao i njezine osnovne karakteristike, važnost te ugroženost. Kako bi se vrsta što uspješnije zaštitila potrebno je provesti više istraživanja i provoditi praćenje stanja populacije.The Otter or the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.) is a predator that is located at the top of the food pyramid. Otter is important in establishing the balance of the aquatic ecosystems, and because of her charismatic appearance she acts as an “umbrella” species of freshwater ecosystems. Because of the high value of her fur she is often chased and killed by hunters and thus became very rare and endangered in Croatia. Recovery began when the prohibition of hunting and protection of species was established, and now her biggest threats are fragmentation, pollution and loss of habitat. In Croatia, otter is protected by law. In this work the diffusion of otter on Croatian territory is presented, as well as her basic characteristics, importance and conservation threats. It is necessary to make more research and implement monitoring of population so that the species can be better protected

Life history traits of the Blackspotted smooth-hound Mustelus punctulatus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) in the Adriatic Sea

We present demographic and reproductive parameters of commercially exploited shark, blackspotted smooth-hound (Mustelus punctulatus), based on samples from 117 males and 108 females from the Adriatic Sea. Calculated size and age at maturity were 83.1 cm in total length (TL) and 6.6 years for males and 100.0 cm TL and 12.5 years for females. The oldest observed male and female were 14 and 19 years old, respectively. The Gompertz growth model provided the best fit and predicted a theoretical maximum size (L∞) of 129.3 cm TL and a growth coefficient (k) of 0.15 year–1 for males, and L∞ = 141.1 cm TL and k = 0.13 year–1 for females. Obtained life history traits classify smooth-hound as slow-growing species, extremely sensitive to fishing, and highlight the need for the development of management strategy for this vulnerable species

Water governance in the Kyrgyz agricultural sector: on its way to integrated water resource management?

"As a reaction to growing water scarcity worldwide, sustainable water allocation and use, and in particular the role of agriculture as a major water user, have become important topics in the development discourse. In recent years Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) emerged as an answer to many water management problems. IWRM approaches water management from a holistic perspective and encompasses, among others, the integration of economic, ecological and social aspects. Is implementation of such a holistic approach feasible in developing countries and countries in transition or does it rather overburden them? First experiences have been made with the implementation of IWRM in several developing and transition countries. The aim of this study is to provide some answers to the question of what has been achieved so far. Based on an analysis of Kyrgyz water governance, the study assesses the status quo as well as the potentials for and obstacles to the realization of the normative framework of IWRM in a transition country. Comparing today's institutional framework of water management with this normative concept, it reveals the most significant gaps between norm and reality, but also identifies progress towards IWRM. Recommendations on how to further develop Kyrgyz water governance towards IWRM are provided." (author's abstract

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies from the CHARGE consortium identifies common variants associated with carotid intima media thickness and plaque

Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and plaque determined by ultrasonography are established measures of subclinical atherosclerosis that each predicts future cardiovascular disease events. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data in 31,211 participants of European ancestry from nine large studies in the setting of the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) Consortium. We then sought additional evidence to support our findings among 11,273 individuals using data from seven additional studies. In the combined meta-analysis, we identified three genomic regions associated with common carotid intima media thickness and two different regions associated with the presence of carotid plaque (P < 5 × 10 -8). The associated SNPs mapped in or near genes related to cellular signaling, lipid metabolism and blood pressure homeostasis, and two of the regions were associated with coronary artery disease (P < 0.006) in the Coronary Artery Disease Genome-Wide Replication and Meta-Analysis (CARDIoGRAM) consortium. Our findings may provide new insight into pathways leading to subclinical atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events

TFAP2B influences the effect of dietary fat on weight loss under energy restriction

BACKGROUND: Numerous gene loci are related to single measures of body weight and shape. We investigated if 55 SNPs previously associated with BMI or waist measures, modify the effects of fat intake on weight loss and waist reduction under energy restriction. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Randomized controlled trial of 771 obese adults. (Registration: ISRCTN25867281.) One SNP was selected for replication in another weight loss intervention study of 934 obese adults. The original trial was a 10-week 600 kcal/d energy-deficient diet with energy percentage from fat (fat%) in range of 20-25 or 40-45. The replication study used an 8-weeks diet of 880 kcal/d and 20 fat%; change in fat% intake was used for estimation of interaction effects. The main outcomes were intervention weight loss and waist reduction. In the trial, mean change in fat% intake was -12/+4 in the low/high-fat groups. In the replication study, it was -23/-12 among those reducing fat% more/less than the median. TFAP2B-rs987237 genotype AA was associated with 1.0 kg (95% CI, 0.4; 1.6) greater weight loss on the low-fat, and GG genotype with 2.6 kg (1.1; 4.1) greater weight loss on the high-fat (interaction p-value; p = 0.00007). The replication study showed a similar (non-significant) interaction pattern. Waist reduction results generally were similar. Study-strengths include (i) the discovery study randomised trial design combined with the replication opportunity (ii) the strict dietary intake control in both studies (iii) the large sample sizes of both studies. Limitations are (i) the low minor allele frequency of the TFAP2B polymorphism, making it hard to investigate non-additive genetic effects (ii) the different interventions preventing identical replication-discovery study designs (iii) some missing data for non-completers and dietary intake. No adverse effects/outcomes or side-effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Under energy restriction, TFAP2B may modify the effect of dietary fat intake on weight loss and waist reduction

Causal effect of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 on coronary heart disease

Background--Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) plays an essential role in the fibrinolysis system and thrombosis. Population studies have reported that blood PAI-1 levels are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear whether the association reflects a causal influence of PAI-1 on CHD risk. Methods and Results--To evaluate the association between PAI-1 and CHD, we applied a 3-step strategy. First, we investigated the observational association between PAI-1 and CHD incidence using a systematic review based on a literature search for PAI-1 and CHD studies. Second, we explored the causal association between PAI-1 and CHD using a Mendelian randomization approach using summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies. Finally, we explored the causal effect of PAI-1 on cardiovascular risk factors including metabolic and subclinical atherosclerosis measures. In the systematic meta-analysis, the highest quantile of blood PAI-1 level was associated with higher CHD risk comparing with the lowest quantile (odds ratio=2.17; 95% CI: 1.53, 3.07) in an age- and sex-adjusted model. The effect size was reduced in studies using a multivariable-adjusted model (odds ratio=1.46; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.88). The Mendelian randomization analyses suggested a causal effect of increased PAI-1 level on CHD risk (odds ratio=1.22 per unit increase of log-transformed PAI-1; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47). In addition, we also detected a causal effect of PAI-1 on elevating blood glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions--Our study indicates a causal effect of elevated PAI-1 level on CHD risk, which may be mediated by glucose dysfunction