| 1. |
- Kraufvelin, Patrik, et al.
(författare)
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Essential fish habitats (EFH) : conclusions from a workshop on the importance, mapping, monitoring, threats and conservation of coastal EFH in the Baltic Sea
- 2016
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Many fish species in the Baltic Sea are highly dependent on shallow and sheltered coastal habitats that they use for spawning, nursery, feeding and migration. Still, the role of these essential fish habitats (EFH) for the development and support of fish stocks and communities has received relatively little attention, even though there is general consensus among scientists about their critical importance. Little is also known about the major threats to EFH, and their conservation status in different countries has previously not been reviewed. As EFH often are found in the same parts of the coastal zone that are also highly valued by humans, this gap in knowledge needs to be addressed. Hence, there is an urgent need to focus more thoroughly on the importance, mapping, monitoring and protection of EFH and also the driving factors and mechanisms behind the changes we observe in their status. Only this way, we will be able to predict and mitigate future effects of environmental change in these valuable habitats and to create adaptive management plans. The main objectives of this project were to 1) organize a workshop for experts around the Baltic Sea on the importance, protection of and threats to coastal EFH (including an overview of the methods used for the mapping and monitoring of these habitats), and 2) based on the outcome of the workshop, produce a review paper in an international scientific journal about the state of the art of the subject for the Baltic Sea, including knowledge gaps and future research needs. Here, we report the results of the project, focusing on the outcome of the workshop. From the workshop (organised during 2nd-4th June 2015 in öregrund, Sweden) we conclude that there are only few quantitative studies available concerning the importance of EFH for fish stocks. This evidence is in turn quite complex and do not necessarily provide straightforward answers. Nevertheless, for some coastal species, indirect evidence exists and sufficient data are also available to carry out further quantitative analyses. More evidence on the role of EFH for fish production could potentially also be achieved using spatial and temporal data analyses, stage-structured modelling and otolith chemistry techniques. Based on qualitative results/analyses, it can be reasoned that EFH are very important and valuable for the provisioning of rich fish communities and for fish production. This conclusion is reached, despitethe still quite low degree of targeted studies that are focusing explicitly on the role of the habitats and that are providing straight quantitative relationships. Most likely the importance of these habitats has been underestimated in the past and more studies could contribute to pinpoint their ecological importance. For the monitoring and mapping aspects of EFH in Baltic Sea countries, a lot of data seems to be available. Different sampling methods are used for a wide range of both coastal and offshore species and life stages (from eggs, larvae, YOY (young of the year) to adult fish). The use of these data in producing habitat maps has for long been poor, but the situation is now improving rapidly in many countries as a result of national and regional underwater mapping and inventory programs. In this sense, not only habitat mapping and mapping of fish distribution (fish in different life stages) are of importance. Also the mapping of major threats, pressures and environmental background conditions should be performed. This would ensure maximum availability and optimized use of information necessary for efficient management and for the improvement of marine spatial planning. The threats to and conservation status of EFH suggest urgent and diverse management solutions. Eutrophication, climate change, coastal construction and development, invasive species and fishery seem to constitute the major threats to the habitats. Among these threats, the physical pressures, including for example marine shipping/boat traffic and its associated infrastructure (like dredging), physical exploitation of shore areas and trawl fishery, tend to be more easily manageable. These activities disturb fish habitats both directly and indirectly, and are typically more serious to fish reproduction and juvenile stages. The conservation status of EFH is generally poor, mainly due to that fisheries management and nature conservation in the Baltic Sea region historically have been separated. Internationally, however, many marine ecological studies have shown how mutual benefits may be reached through an integrated management of fisheries and habitats. This gives EFH a central role in management, merging the interests of fisheries management and habitat protection, and simultaneously attracting a lot of scientific interest to associated research questions. The results of the current project hence suggest that there are data for quantitative analyses to support the role of EFH for fish production, a potential to initiate, develop and synchronize future monitoring and mapping of the habitats, and that there is an increasing awareness for the protection and increased concern for the sustainability of these shallow coastal systems. The outcome of this project could serve as a basis for improving cooperation between Baltic Sea countries in this field, which in the long run could result in both harmonized monitoring and mapping methods of the EFH in the Baltic Sea and a strengthened management. The work also provides important input for developing indicators to assess the status of EFH and for the implementation of international agreements and legislative acts as the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), the Habitats Directive (HD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
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| 2. |
- Abbasi, Rasha, et al.
(författare)
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IceCube search for neutrinos from GRB 221009A
- 2023
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Ingår i: Proceedings of 38th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2023). - : Sissa Medialab Srl.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- GRB 221009A is the brightest Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) ever observed. The observed extremelyhigh flux of high and very-high-energy photons provide a unique opportunity to probe the predictedneutrino counterpart to the electromagnetic emission. We have used a variety of methods to searchfor neutrinos in coincidence with the GRB over several time windows during the precursor, promptand afterglow phases of the GRB. MeV scale neutrinos are studied using photo-multiplier ratescalers which are normally used to search for galactic core-collapse supernovae neutrinos. GeVneutrinos are searched starting with DeepCore triggers. These events don’t have directionallocalization, but instead can indicate an excess in the rate of events. 10 GeV - 1 TeV and >TeVneutrinos are searched using traditional neutrino point source methods which take into accountthe direction and time of events with DeepCore and the entire IceCube detector respectively. The>TeV results include both a fast-response analysis conducted by IceCube in real-time with timewindows of T0 − 1 to T0 + 2 hours and T0 ± 1 day around the time of GRB 221009A, as well asan offline analysis with 3 new time windows up to a time window of T0 − 1 to T0 + 14 days, thelongest time period we consider. The combination of observations by IceCube covers 9 ordersof magnitude in neutrino energy, from MeV to PeV, placing upper limits across the range forpredicted neutrino emission.
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| 3. |
- Ahonen, Matti, et al.
(författare)
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Back Pain and Quality of Life 10 Years After Segmental Pedicle Screw Instrumentation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- 2023
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Ingår i: Spine. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0362-2436 .- 1528-1159. ; 48:10, s. 665-671
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Study Design.Comparative cohort study. Objective.The aim of the present study was to evaluate pain and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in surgically managed patients with a minimum follow-up of 10 years compared with patients with untreated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and a healthy control group. Summary of Background Data.Posterior spinal fusion with pedicle screws is the standard treatment for AIS, although it remains unclear whether this procedure results in improved long-term HRQoL compared with untreated patients with AIS. Patients and Methods.Sixty-four consecutive patients at a minimum follow-up of 10 years, who underwent posterior pedicle screw instrumentation for AIS were prospectively enrolled. Fifty-three (83%) of these patients completed Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) 24 questionnaires, clinical examination, and standing spinal radiographs. Pain and HRQoL were compared with age and sex-matched patients with untreated AIS and healthy individuals. Results.The mean major curve was 57 degrees preoperatively and 15 degrees at the 10-year follow-up. SRS-24 self-image domain score showed a significant improvement from preoperative to 2 years and remained significantly better at the 10-year follow-up (P < 0.001). Patients fused to L3 or below had lower pain, satisfaction, and total score than patients fused to L2 or above (P < 0.05), but self-image, function, and activity scores did not differ between groups at 10-year follow-up. Pain, self-image, general activity, and total SRS domains were significantly better at 10-year follow-up in the surgically treated patients as compared with untreated patients (all P < 0.05). Healthy controls had significantly higher total scores than those surgically treated at 10-year follow-ups (P < 0.001). Conclusion.Patients undergoing segmental pedicle screw instrumentation for AIS maintain high-level HRQoL during a 10-year follow-up. Their HRQoL was significantly better than in the untreated patients with AIS, except for the function domain. However, HRQoL remained at a lower level than in healthy controls.
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| 4. |
- Almqvist, Gustaf, 1972-
(författare)
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Round goby Neogobius melanostomus in the Baltic Sea – Invasion Biology in practice
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Human mediated transfer of non-indigenous species is considered to be a major threat to global biodiversity. The Ponto-Caspian round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), which has established populations in various regions in Eurasia and North-America, was first observed in Gulf of Gdańsk, Baltic Sea, in 1990. In this thesis the round goby is used as case study for assessing the invasion process of an alien species in to the Baltic Sea. Factors governing life history characteristics, traits that have enhanced the invasion, and ecological consequences for the Baltic Sea are assessed. Two diverging life history strategies of the round goby related to habitat were found: one to-wards early maturation and short population turnover time in sheltered areas, the other towards high growth rate and late maturation in exposed areas. Females produced two batches in average during the spawning season. Lengths of spawning season and annual fecundity of round gobies in Gulf of Gdańsk were in the same range as in the donor region. The species was found to compete with juvenile flounder for space and food resources, and probably also other native species are affected in coastal areas. Round goby comprised a main food source for cod and perch, forming a new energetic pathway between mussels and predatory fish. It is predicted that the species must produce more than one batch per season to sustain a viable population. Low temperature in the northern Baltic Sea is expected to hamper the devel-opment of new round goby populations, however, the global climate change might change this situation. In the southern Baltic Sea a shortage of optimal reproduction habitats is suggested to moderate the rate of spread. Although round goby in the Gulf of Gdańsk seems to have passed abundance maximum it is likely that the species will continue to be an important ecosystem component, at least in southern Baltic Sea, in the future.
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| 5. |
- Arjonen, Antti, et al.
(författare)
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Mutant p53-associated myosin-X upregulation promotes breast cancer invasion and metastasis
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : American Society for Clinical Investigation. - 0021-9738 .- 1558-8238. ; 124:3, s. 1069-1082
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mutations of the tumor suppressor TP53 are present in many forms of human cancer and are associated with increased tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Several mechanisms have been identified for promoting dissemination of cancer cells with TP53 mutations, including increased targeting of integrins to the plasma membrane. Here, we demonstrate a role for the filopodia-inducing motor protein Myosin-X (Myo10) in mutant p53-driven cancer invasion. Analysis of gene expression profiles from 2 breast cancer data sets revealed that MYO10 was highly expressed in aggressive cancer subtypes. Myo10 was required for breast cancer cell invasion and dissemination in multiple cancer cell lines and murine models of cancer metastasis. Evaluation of a Myo10 mutant without the integrin-binding domain revealed that the ability of Myo10 to transport 131 integrins to the filopodia tip is required for invasion. Introduction of mutant p53 promoted Myo10 expression in cancer cells and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in mice, whereas suppression of endogenous mutant p53 attenuated Myo10 levels and cell invasion. In clinical breast carcinomas, Myo10 was predominantly expressed at the invasive edges and correlated with the presence of TP53 mutations and poor prognosis. These data indicate that Myo10 upregulation in mutant p53-driven cancers is necessary for invasion and that plasma-membrane protrusions, such as filopodia, may serve as specialized metastatic engines.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Bondia-Pons, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
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Metabolome and fecal microbiota in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for weight : a Big Mac challenge
- 2014
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Ingår i: The FASEB Journal. - : Wiley. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 28:9, s. 4169-4179
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Postprandial responses to food are complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. We studied postprandial responses to a Big Mac meal challenge in monozygotic co-twins highly discordant for body weight. This unique design allows assessment of the contribution of obesity, independent of genetic liability. Comprehensive metabolic profiling using 3 analytical platforms was applied to fasting and postprandial serum samples from 16 healthy monozygotic twin pairs discordant for weight (body mass index difference >3 kg/m(2)). Nine concordant monozygotic pairs were examined as control pairs. Fecal samples were analyzed to assess diversity of the major bacterial groups by using 5 different validated bacterial group specific denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods. No differences in fecal bacterial diversity were detected when comparing co-twins discordant for weight (ANOVA, P<0.05). We found that within-pair similarity is a dominant factor in the metabolic postprandial response, independent of acquired obesity. Branched chain amino acids were increased in heavier as compared with leaner co-twins in the fasting state, but their levels converged postprandially (paired t tests, FDR q<0.05). We also found that specific bacterial groups were associated with postprandial changes of specific metabolites. Our findings underline important roles of genetic and early life factors in the regulation of postprandial metabolite levels.
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| 8. |
- Bryhn, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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External nutrient loading from land, sea and atmosphere to all 656 Swedish coastal water bodies
- 2017
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Ingår i: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0025-326X .- 1879-3363. ; 114:2, s. 664-670
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Identifying the main sources of nutrient loading is a key factor for efficient mitigation of eutrophication. This study has investigated the pathways of external nutrient loading to 656 coastal water bodies along the entire Swedish coastline. The studied water bodies have been delineated to meet requirements in the European Union's Water Framework Directive, and recent status assessments have shown that 57% of them fail to attain good or high ecological status with respect to nutrients. The analysis in the study was performed on data from mass balance based nutrient budgets computed using the modelling framework Vattenwebb. The external nutrient contribution from the sea to the water bodies was highly variable, ranging from about 1% to nearly 100%, but the median contribution was >99% of the total external loading regarding both nitrogen and phosphorus. External loading from the atmosphere and local catchment area played a minor role in general. However, 45 coastal water bodies received >25% of the external nitrogen and phosphorus from their catchments. Loading from land typically peaked in April following ice-break and snow melting and was comparatively low during summer. The results indicate that for many eutrophicated Swedish coastal water bodies, nutrient abatement is likely to be optimally effective when potential measures in all of the catchment area of the concerned sea basin are considered. Local-scale mitigation in single water bodies will likely be locally effective only in the small proportion of areas where water and thereby also nutrient input from the catchment is high compared to the influx from the sea. Future studies should include nutrient reduction scenarios in order to refine these conclusions and to identify relevant spatial scales for coastal eutrophication mitigation measures from a water body perspective.
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| 9. |
- Engström-Öst, Jonna, et al.
(författare)
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The indirect effects of eutrophication on habitat choice and survival of fish larvae in the Baltic Sea
- 2007
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Ingår i: Marine Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0025-3162 .- 1432-1793. ; 151:1, s. 393-400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The structure of the habitat is usually crucial for growth and survival of young life stages. Presently, some nursery areas of fish larvae are changing due to eutrophication, e.g. due to enhanced growth of ephemeral filamentous algae at the expense of perennial species. We studied the influence of two habitats, one with filamentous algae (Cladophora glomerata) and the other with bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), on habitat choice of pike larvae (Esox lucius) in the absence/presence of a predator or a competitor. We further tested whether the habitat choice is adaptive in increasing survival under predation threat. In contrast to expectations, pike larvae preferred the habitat with ephemeral filamentous algae to the bladder wrack, thriving in clean waters, independent of the presence/absence of both predator/competitor. In addition, the survival of the larvae was higher in the filamentous algae in the presence of predators, which suggested that the habitat preference of the larvae was adaptive. The structure of the bladderwrack habitat was probably too open for newly hatched larvae, which implies that F. vesiculosus and other large brown algae are not as important refuges for young larvae as previously thought.
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| 10. |
- Eriksson, Britas Klemens, et al.
(författare)
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Declines in predatory fish promote bloom-forming macroalgae.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Ecological Applications. - 1051-0761 .- 1939-5582. ; 19:8, s. 1975-1988
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the Baltic Sea, increased dominance of ephemeral and bloom-forming algae is presently attributed to increased nutrient loads. Simultaneously, coastal predatory fish are in strong decline. Using field data from nine areas covering a 700-km coastline, we examined whether formation of macroalgal blooms could be linked to the composition of the fish community. We then tested whether predator or nutrient availability could explain the field patterns in two small-scale field experiments, by comparing joint effects on algal net production from nutrient enrichment with agricultural fertilizer and exclusion of larger predatory fish with cages. We also manipulated the presence of invertebrate grazers. The abundance of piscivorous fish had a strong negative correlation with the large-scale distribution of bloom-forming macroalgae. Areas with depleted top-predator communities displayed massive increases in their prey, small-bodied fish, and high covers of ephemeral algae. Combining the results from the two experiments showed that excluding larger piscivorous fish: (1) increased the abundance of small-bodied predatory fish; (2) changed the size distribution of the dominating grazers, decreasing the smaller gastropod scrapers; and (3) increased the net production of ephemeral macroalgae. Effects of removing top predators and nutrient enrichment were similar and additive, together increasing the abundance of ephemeral algae many times. Predator effects depended on invertebrate grazers; in the absence of invertebrates there were no significant effects of predator exclusion on algal production. Our results provide strong support for regional declines of larger predatory fish in the Baltic Sea promoting algal production by decreasing invertebrate grazer control. This highlights the importance of trophic interactions for ecosystem responses to eutrophication. The view emerges that to achieve management goals for water quality we need to consider the interplay between top-down and bottom-up processes in future ecosystem management of marine resources.
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