Food and Feeding of Most Abundant Fish Species in Flemish Cap

Food and feeding of the 15 fish species taken by bottom trawl from Flemish Cap Bank in summer during the period 2001-2003 were analysed. The stomach contents of 17 773 fish were collected in depths from 83 to 730 m. In general, the feeding intensity was high in all the species with a maximum value for Gadus morhua (96.3%) and minimum for Lycodes reticulatus (35.0%). The prey spectrum was width, with a total of 134 items for all the stomachs analysed. In frequency of occurrence, the crustaceans were the most important preys (FO = 80.4%), while in volume (V = 39.4%) they were less significant than fishes (V = 43.5%). The main prey group in frequency of occurrence were Hyperiidea, Copepoda, Pandalus borealis and Chaetognata. The niche width index was also calculated for these species

Feeding Habits and Diet Overlap of Skates (Amblyraja radiata, A. hyperborea, Bathyraja spinicauda, Malacoraja senta and Rajella fyllae) in the North Atlantic

The contents of 5061 stomach of five skate species -thorny (Amblyraja radiata), Arctic (A. hyperborea), spinytail (Bathyraja spinicauda), smooth (Malacoraja senta) and round skates (Rajella fyllae) obtained from Spanish Bottom Trawl Research Surveys in northwest and northeast Atlantic (NAFO, Divisions 3NO and Div. 3M; ICES, Div. IIb) in the period 1996-2005 were analyzed to study the feeding intensity and food habits. Feeding intensity was high in all skate species and areas, slightly higher in Div. IIb, showing a general trend to decrease according to the predator size increase. Importance of prey was based in weight percentage. The main prey groups for thorny and Arctic skates were Pisces and Crustacea, but the importance of each group and prey species changed with area. Pisces has turn out to be the dominant prey taxa for spinytail skate in Div. 3NO and 3M. Crustacea have been the dominant prey group for smooth skate. Round skate has changed its main prey group in each area, but polychaetes have been prominent in Div. 3NO. Predation on fishing processed remnant was important for Arctic skate. Predation on several species of commercial importance was mainly relevant in Div. 3M. Intra-specific diet overlap showed a different pattern varying with skate species and area. Inter-specific diet overlap reached its highest level in the Arctic area. Thorny skate showed a high diet overlap with the majority of the skate species studied in the NAFO Area, and round skate did not show diet overlap with other skate species in Div. 3NO. Thorny skate appear as dominant predator in NAFO Div. 3NO

Little-Parks effect governed by magnetic nanostructures with out-of-plane magnetization

Little-Parks effect names the oscillations in the superconducting critical temperature as a function of the magnetic field. This effect is related to the geometry of the sample. In this work, we show that this effect can be enhanced and manipulated by the inclusion of magnetic nanostructures with perpendicular magnetization. These magnetic nanodots generate stray fields with enough strength to produce superconducting vortex-antivortex pairs. So that, the L-P effect deviation from the usual geometrical constrictions is due to the interplay between local magnetic stray fields and superconducting vortices. Moreover, we compare our results with a low-stray field sample (i.e. with the dots in magnetic vortex state) showing how the enhancement of the L-P effect can be explained by an increment of the effective size of the nanodots

Smooth-muscle-derived WNT5A augments allergen-induced airway remodelling and Th2 type inflammation

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by chronic inflammation and structural changes in the airways. The airway smooth muscle (ASM) is responsible for airway narrowing and an important source of inflammatory mediators. We and others have previously shown that WNT5A mRNA and protein expression is higher in the ASM of asthmatics compared to healthy controls. Here, we aimed to characterize the functional role of (smooth muscle-derived) WNT5A in asthma. We generated a tet-ON smooth-muscle-specific WNT5A transgenic mouse model, enabling in vivo characterization of smooth-muscle-derived WNT5A in response to ovalbumin. Smooth muscle specific WNT5A overexpression showed a clear trend towards enhanced actin (α-SMA) expression in the ASM in ovalbumin challenged animals, but had no effect on collagen content. WNT5A overexpression in ASM also significantly enhanced the production of the Th2-cytokines IL4 and IL5 in lung tissue after ovalbumin exposure. In line with this, WNT5A increased mucus production, and enhanced eosinophilic infiltration and serum IgE production in ovalbumin-treated animals. In addition, CD4+ T cells of asthma patients and healthy controls were stimulated with WNT5A and changes in gene transcription assessed by RNA-seq. WNT5A promoted expression of 234 genes in human CD4+ T cells, among which the Th2 cytokine IL31 was among the top 5 upregulated genes. IL31 was also upregulated in response to smooth muscle-specific WNT5A overexpression in the mouse. In conclusion, smooth-muscle derived WNT5A augments Th2 type inflammation and remodelling. Our findings imply a pro-inflammatory role for smooth muscle-derived WNT5A in asthma, resulting in increased airway wall inflammation and remodelling

Los primeros 1000 días: una oportunidad para reducir la carga de las enfermedades no transmisibles

El crecimiento y desarrollo de un individuo está determinado desde la etapa embrionaria por su genética y los factores ambientales con los que interactúa. Los riesgos para la salud infantil y adulta pueden programarse durante las etapas fetal-neonatal y esta programación metabólica precoz puede afectar al desarrollo posterior de enfermedades como la obesidad y otras enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) asociadas. La vida temprana, por la gran plasticidad que la caracteriza, constituye el momento ideal para intervenir y prevenir el riesgo de ENT (ventana de oportunidad). Una nutrición óptima durante los primeros 1000 días, que comprende desde la concepción hasta los dos años, es clave para la salud a lo largo de la vida. El rápido crecimiento y desarrollo del organismo y sus funciones durante el embarazo, la lactancia y el niño de corta edad conlleva requisitos nutricionales específicos en cada una de estas etapas. La microbiota del tracto gastrointestinal desempeña una labor fundamental en la función y el desarrollo del sistema inmune. Las interacciones entre el hospedador y su microbiota intestinal se consideran factores potenciales en la programación temprana de las funciones intestinales, con una evidencia creciente de que las alteraciones de la colonización bacteriana en el neonato se asocian con un mayor riesgo de enfermedad, incluidas las enfermedades alérgicas. La evidencia científica acumulada muestra que los primeros 1000 días son cruciales para alcanzar el mejor desarrollo y salud a largo plazo, y constituyen un periodo estratégico en términos de prevención y salud pública.Growth and development are determined by genetic and environmental factors since the very early embryonic life. Long-term health risks, as obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCD), could be programmed since these early stages. Early life, characterized by plasticity, is the ideal time to intervene and to prevent the risk of suffering a NCD (window of opportunity). Optimal nutrition during the first 1,000 days, since conception to the end of the second year of life, has a determinant role for long-term health. Pregnancy, infancy and toddler periods have specific nutritional requirements. Intestinal microbiota enhances maturation and functioning of the immune system. The interactions between host and intestinal microbiota are potential factors influencing early programming of the intestinal function. Alterations in intestinal colonization are associated to a higher risk of allergic diseases in childhood. Scientific evidence supports the fact that the first 1,000 days are crucial to achieve a better long-term health and represents a strategic period to intervene under the perspective of prevention and public health

Field Measurements of Terrestrial and Martian Dust Devils

Surface-based measurements of terrestrial and martian dust devils/convective vortices provided from mobile and stationary platforms are discussed. Imaging of terrestrial dust devils has quantified their rotational and vertical wind speeds, translation speeds, dimensions, dust load, and frequency of occurrence. Imaging of martian dust devils has provided translation speeds and constraints on dimensions, but only limited constraints on vertical motion within a vortex. The longer mission durations on Mars afforded by long operating robotic landers and rovers have provided statistical quantification of vortex occurrence (time-of-sol, and recently seasonal) that has until recently not been a primary outcome of more temporally limited terrestrial dust devil measurement campaigns. Terrestrial measurement campaigns have included a more extensive range of measured vortex parameters (pressure, wind, morphology, etc.) than have martian opportunities, with electric field and direct measure of dust abundance not yet obtained on Mars. No martian robotic mission has yet provided contemporaneous high frequency wind and pressure measurements. Comparison of measured terrestrial and martian dust devil characteristics suggests that martian dust devils are larger and possess faster maximum rotational wind speeds, that the absolute magnitude of the pressure deficit within a terrestrial dust devil is an order of magnitude greater than a martian dust devil, and that the time-of-day variation in vortex frequency is similar. Recent terrestrial investigations have demonstrated the presence of diagnostic dust devil signals within seismic and infrasound measurements; an upcoming Mars robotic mission will obtain similar measurement types

A Biomarker-Based Diagnostic Model for Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Background: Childhood cancer survivors at risk for heart failure undergo lifelong echocardiographic surveillance. Previous studies reported the limited diagnostic accuracy of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in detecting left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, potential enhanced diagnostic accuracy through the combination of biomarkers and clinical characteristics has been suggested. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and internally validate a diagnostic model that combines cardiac biomarkers with clinical characteristics for effectively ruling in or ruling out LV dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study included 1,334 survivors (median age 34.2 years) and 278 siblings (median age 36.8 years). Logistic regression models were developed and validated through bootstrapping, combining biomarkers with clinical characteristics. Results: Abnormal NT-proBNP levels were observed in 22.1% of survivors compared with 5.4% of siblings, whereas hs-cTnT levels exceeding 10 ng/L were uncommon in both survivors (5.9%) and siblings (5.0%). The diagnostic models demonstrated improvement upon the addition of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT to clinical characteristics, resulting in an increased C statistic from 0.69 to 0.73 for LV ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt;50% and a more accurate prediction of more severe LV dysfunction, with the C statistic increasing from 0.80 to 0.86 for LVEF &lt;45%. For LVEF &lt;50% (prevalence 10.9%), 16.9% of survivors could be effectively ruled out with high sensitivity (95.4%; 95% CI: 90.4%-99.3%) and negative predictive value (97.5%; 95% CI: 94.6%-99.7%). Similarly, for LVEF &lt;45% (prevalence 3.4%), 53.0% of survivors could be ruled out with moderate to high sensitivity (91.1%; 95% CI: 79.2%-100%) and high negative predictive value (99.4%; 95% CI: 98.7%-100%). Conclusions: The biomarker-based diagnostic model proves effective in ruling out LV dysfunction, offering the potential to minimize unnecessary surveillance echocardiography in childhood cancer survivors. External validation is essential to confirm these findings. (Early Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors; A DCOG LATER Study; https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/nl/trial/23641)</p

A Biomarker-Based Diagnostic Model for Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Background: Childhood cancer survivors at risk for heart failure undergo lifelong echocardiographic surveillance. Previous studies reported the limited diagnostic accuracy of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in detecting left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, potential enhanced diagnostic accuracy through the combination of biomarkers and clinical characteristics has been suggested. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and internally validate a diagnostic model that combines cardiac biomarkers with clinical characteristics for effectively ruling in or ruling out LV dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study included 1,334 survivors (median age 34.2 years) and 278 siblings (median age 36.8 years). Logistic regression models were developed and validated through bootstrapping, combining biomarkers with clinical characteristics. Results: Abnormal NT-proBNP levels were observed in 22.1% of survivors compared with 5.4% of siblings, whereas hs-cTnT levels exceeding 10 ng/L were uncommon in both survivors (5.9%) and siblings (5.0%). The diagnostic models demonstrated improvement upon the addition of NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT to clinical characteristics, resulting in an increased C statistic from 0.69 to 0.73 for LV ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt;50% and a more accurate prediction of more severe LV dysfunction, with the C statistic increasing from 0.80 to 0.86 for LVEF &lt;45%. For LVEF &lt;50% (prevalence 10.9%), 16.9% of survivors could be effectively ruled out with high sensitivity (95.4%; 95% CI: 90.4%-99.3%) and negative predictive value (97.5%; 95% CI: 94.6%-99.7%). Similarly, for LVEF &lt;45% (prevalence 3.4%), 53.0% of survivors could be ruled out with moderate to high sensitivity (91.1%; 95% CI: 79.2%-100%) and high negative predictive value (99.4%; 95% CI: 98.7%-100%). Conclusions: The biomarker-based diagnostic model proves effective in ruling out LV dysfunction, offering the potential to minimize unnecessary surveillance echocardiography in childhood cancer survivors. External validation is essential to confirm these findings. (Early Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors; A DCOG LATER Study; https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/nl/trial/23641)</p

Presence and utility of electrocardiographic abnormalities in long-term childhood cancer survivors

Background: We assessed the prevalence and diagnostic value of ECG abnormalities for cardiomyopathy surveillance in childhood cancer survivors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1381 survivors (≥5 years) from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study part 2 and 272 siblings underwent a long-term follow-up ECG and echocardiography. We compared ECG abnormality prevalences using the Minnesota Code between survivors and siblings, and within biplane left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) categories. Among 880 survivors who received anthracycline, mitoxantrone or heart radiotherapy, logistic regression models using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator identified ECG abnormalities associated with three abnormal LVEF categories (&lt;52% in male/&lt;54% in female, &lt;50% and &lt;45%). We assessed the overall contribution of these ECG abnormalities to clinical regression models predicting abnormal LVEF, assuming an absence of systolic dysfunction with a &lt;1% threshold probability. Results: 16% of survivors (52% female, mean age 34.7 years) and 14% of siblings had major ECG abnormalities. ECG abnormalities increased with decreasing LVEF. Integrating selected ECG data into the baseline model significantly improved prediction of sex-specific abnormal LVEF (c-statistic 0.66 vs 0.71), LVEF &lt;50% (0.66 vs 0.76) and LVEF &lt;45% (0.80 vs 0.86). While no survivor met the preset probability threshold in the first two models, the third model used five ECG variables to predict LVEF &lt;45% and was applicable for ruling out (sensitivity 93%, specificity 56%, negative predictive value 99.6%). Calibration and internal validation tests performed well. Conclusion: A clinical prediction model with ECG data (left bundle branch block, left atrial enlargement, left heart axis, Cornell's criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy and heart rate) may aid in ruling out LVEF &lt;45%.</p

Presence and utility of electrocardiographic abnormalities in long-term childhood cancer survivors

Background: We assessed the prevalence and diagnostic value of ECG abnormalities for cardiomyopathy surveillance in childhood cancer survivors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1381 survivors (≥5 years) from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study part 2 and 272 siblings underwent a long-term follow-up ECG and echocardiography. We compared ECG abnormality prevalences using the Minnesota Code between survivors and siblings, and within biplane left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) categories. Among 880 survivors who received anthracycline, mitoxantrone or heart radiotherapy, logistic regression models using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator identified ECG abnormalities associated with three abnormal LVEF categories (&lt;52% in male/&lt;54% in female, &lt;50% and &lt;45%). We assessed the overall contribution of these ECG abnormalities to clinical regression models predicting abnormal LVEF, assuming an absence of systolic dysfunction with a &lt;1% threshold probability. Results: 16% of survivors (52% female, mean age 34.7 years) and 14% of siblings had major ECG abnormalities. ECG abnormalities increased with decreasing LVEF. Integrating selected ECG data into the baseline model significantly improved prediction of sex-specific abnormal LVEF (c-statistic 0.66 vs 0.71), LVEF &lt;50% (0.66 vs 0.76) and LVEF &lt;45% (0.80 vs 0.86). While no survivor met the preset probability threshold in the first two models, the third model used five ECG variables to predict LVEF &lt;45% and was applicable for ruling out (sensitivity 93%, specificity 56%, negative predictive value 99.6%). Calibration and internal validation tests performed well. Conclusion: A clinical prediction model with ECG data (left bundle branch block, left atrial enlargement, left heart axis, Cornell's criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy and heart rate) may aid in ruling out LVEF &lt;45%.</p