New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Phytoplankton characteristics in a polluted Bombay Harbour-Thana-Bassein creek estuarine complex

281-285Annual variations in phytoplankton characteristics were studied from Bombay Harbour-Thana creek-Bassein, Maharashtra, India creek (BHTCBC) estuarine confluence to assess the levels of pigment concentration, productivity and, qualitative and quantitative nature of these microalgae during the premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. Of the 37 genera (33 diatoms and 4 dinoflagellates) recorded, Thalassiosira, Coscinodiscus, Nitzschia and Synaedra were most common. Maximum density of Skeletonema costatum (up to 93% of total cells) was observed during monsoon (June-September) months in the creek region which receive effluents from adjacent industrial estates. Chlorophyll α (av. 3.5 mg m-3) and phaeophytin (av. 4.2 mg m-3), cell counts (av. 631.9 x 103 l-1) and productivity (71.4 mgC m-3 d-1) were high and diversity index was low (H' 1.3) in the creek region compared to those recorded from the outer (coastal) stations, suggesting eutrophication in the former area. Effluents from the Bombay metropolis seem to have adversely affected phytoplankton diversity, abundance and productivity

Developmental stages of chaetognaths in the coastal environs of Bombay

94-97Abundances of developmental stages - - juveniles, developing and mature - of Sagitta bedoti, S. oceania, S. enflata and S robusta were recorded from the coastal, estuarine and creek environs of Bombay from October 1985 to September 1986. It was seen from this study that all these species breed continuously in these environs, though periods of heavy spawning varies with each

Population abundance and species composition of chaetognaths in the Bombay harbour- Thana and Bassein creek estuarine complex

89-93Detailed study on the abundance, distribution and species composition of chaetognaths from the Bombay harbour-Thana and Bassein creek estuarine complex was carried out from October 1985 to September 1986. Percentage contribution of chaetognaths to total zooplankton biomass varied from as low as 0.01 to as high as 25.78%. Unlike earlier studies in the same area, the present study recorded the presence of only 4 species viz. Sagitta bedoti, S. oceania, S. enflata and S. robusta, S. bedoti being the most common, dominant and tolerant of them. Total absence of S. enflata in the interior stations receiving large quantities of sewage and industrial effluents signifies a highly sensitive nature of this species. The present study shows a general decrease in the species diversity but an overall increase in the population density of chaetognaths. S. bedoti and S. oceania dominated the complex indicating adaptation of these hardy species to the prevailing water quality

Distribution and abundance of copepods in the pollution gradient zones of Bombay harbour-Thana creek-Bassein creek, west coast of India

20-25Forty six species of copepods were identified, of which, 40 belonged to Calanoida with an overall dominance of Acartiidae. Acartia spinicauda, A. centrura and Centropages dorsispinatus were the common species throughout the year at all locations. Eucalanus subcrassus and Paracalanus aculeatus were more abundant in the outer zone, while A. tropica was very common in the interior region. Hyposaline species, Pseudodiaptomus binghami malayalus was recorded from the interior locations particularly during the monsoon months (June-September). Diversity indices (Shannon-Weaver's H' and Margalef's D) were higher in the outer coastal waters than in creek zone indicating lethal or sublethal effects of industrial and domestic wastes on the general faunistic composition as well as water quality of the creek stations

Ecology of hydromedusae from Bombay Harbour - Thana and Bassein Creek estuarine complex

162-168Species composition, abundance, seasonal variation and distribution of Hydromedusae were carried out during October 1985 to September 1986. Thirty four species belonging to twenty two genera were recorded from this region. Blackfordia virginica and Phialidium brunescens were found from all stations at least during certain period. The present study shows a general decrease in species diversity in the interior stations which receive large quantities of sewage and industrial effluents and this signifies the sensitive nature of these species. Density of dominant species such as Blackfordia virginica, Eirene ceylonensis, Phialidium brunescens and Eutima commensalis occurring in swarms at times constitute high standing stock. Maximum density was observed at st. 4 which is interior and closer to the industrial estates of Thana District. Abnormalities like occurrence of specimens having 3,5, and 6 radial canals instead of its usual 4 radial canals were observed in Blackfordia virginica and Eutima commensalis were found to be crumbled, distorted and brownish in colour. This indicates the adaptation of these hardy species to the prevailing water quality. Station 5 was found to be very poor in density as well as in species diversity of hydromedusae. This suggestive of the fact that some environmental factor or combination of several factors inhibit the growth and activity of these animals of this area. Ostroumovia inkermanica is a new record to Arbian Sea

Unusual thickening of collarette in Sagitta bedoti (Chaetognatha) from the polluted environments of Bombay coast

296-299Sagitta bedoti dominated the chaetognath fauna of the nearshore waters of Bombay. S. bedoti from the polluted creek environments developed an unusually bulky collarette which extended from the neck to the seminal vesicles. Such extensive development of epidermal thickening probably serves as a protective sheath to withstand the unfavourable water quality

Zooplankton standing and diversity in the Gulf of Kachchh with special reference to larvae of decapoda and pisces

340-345Zooplankton characteristics of the Gulf of Kachchh including the major creek systems of Nakti, Kandla and Hansthal were studied for monsoon, postmonsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Zooplankton collections were made at seven locations. The area was very rich in zooplankton standing stock showing a variation of 0.59 to 185.50 ml/10 m3. The maximum biomass was at st 5-112.6 ml/100 m3 in monsoon; population maximum were 942 no/100 m3 during monsoon, 109.91 ml/100 m3 in postmonsoon and 8027 no/100 m3 during premonsoon. Metapenaeus affinis, M. dobsoni, Penaeus indicus, Parapenaeopsis stylifera and P. hardwickii were the species of penaeid prawns present in the samples. Larvae of M. affinis were dominant in the creek and gulf during monsoon, whereas Acetes indicus dominated in the collections during premonsoon and postmonsoon. Among the fish larvae, majority of them were in the early stages of development and the size varied from 1 mm to 5 mm. Boleophthalmus glaucus, Engraulis mystax, and Clupeids were the most common fish larvae present in this area. The major species of larvae of prawns and fishes occurring in the gulf were compared with the adults caught from the area. The environmental parameters like salinity, temperature, oxygen and nutrients were taken to study the zooplankton population, its intensity and diversity