Global shark fishing mortality still rising despite widespread regulatory change

Over the past two decades, sharks have been increasingly recognized among the world's most threatened wildlife and hence have received heightened scientific and regulatory scrutiny. Yet, the effect of protective regulations on shark fishing mortality has not been evaluated at a global scale. Here we estimate that total fishing mortality increased from at least 76 to 80 million sharks between 2012 and 2019, ~25 million of which were threatened species. Mortality increased by 4% in coastal waters but decreased by 7% in pelagic fisheries, especially across the Atlantic and Western Pacific. By linking fishing mortality data to the global regulatory landscape, we show that widespread legislation designed to prevent shark finning did not reduce mortality but that regional shark fishing or retention bans had some success. These analyses, combined with expert interviews, highlight evidence-based solutions to reverse the continued overexploitation of sharks.

Integrating climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation in the global ocean

The impacts of climate change and the socioecological challenges they present are ubiquitous and increasingly severe. Practical efforts to operationalize climate-responsive design and management in the global network of marine protected areas (MPAs) are required to ensure long-term effectiveness for safeguarding marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here, we review progress in integrating climate change adaptation into MPA design and management and provide eight recommendations to expedite this process. Climate-smart management objectives should become the default for all protected areas, and made into an explicit international policy target. Furthermore, incentives to use more dynamic management tools would increase the climate change responsiveness of the MPA network as a whole. Given ongoing negotiations on international conservation targets, now is the ideal time to proactively reform management of the global seascape for the dynamic climate-biodiversity reality.

High seas fisheries play a negligible role in addressing global food security

Recent international negotiations have highlighted the need to protect marine diversity on the high seas-the ocean area beyond national jurisdiction. However, restricting fishing access on the high seas raises many concerns, including how such restrictions would affect food security. We analyze high seas catches and trade data to determine the contribution of the high seas catch to global seafood production, the main species caught on the high seas, and the primary markets where these species are sold. By volume, the total catch from the high seas accounts for 4.2% of annual marine capture fisheries production and 2.4% of total seafood production, including freshwater fisheries and aquaculture. Thirty-nine fish and invertebrate species account for 99.5% of the high seas targeted catch, but only one species, Antarctic toothfish, is caught exclusively on the high seas. The remaining catch, which is caught both on the high seas and in national jurisdictions, is made up primarily of tunas, billfishes, small pelagic fishes, pelagic squids, toothfish, and krill. Most high seas species are destined for upscale food and supplement markets in developed, food-secure countries, such as Japan, the European Union, and the United States, suggesting that, in aggregate, high seas fisheries play a negligible role in ensuring global food security.

Effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy in the treatment of mechanical thoracic spine pain: a pilot randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

To date, no substantiated studies have been performed to investigate the efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy on thoracic spinal syndromes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy in the treatment of mechanical thoracic spine pain.

STUDY DESIGN

A single-blind, randomized, comparative, controlled pilot study.

SETTING

Technikon Natal Chiropractic Clinic in Durban, South Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty subjects selected from the general population (from 16 to 60 years old) were randomly divided into two different treatment groups of 15 each.

METHODS

The objective measurements collected were the thoracic spine ranges of motion with the BROM II goniometer and pain threshold with an algometer. The subjective information required completion of the Oswestry Back Pain Disability Index, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Numerical Pain Rating Scale-101 Questionnaire by the patient. These 3 forms and objective measurements were collected before the first and final treatment and again at the 1-month follow-up consultation. The data gathered were then statistically analyzed with use of a 95% confidence level. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare intergroup and intragroup data, respectively. This was conducted at the alpha =.05 level of confidence. Further assessment of the data was conducted by use of power analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

The treatment group received thoracic spinal manipulation. The placebo group received nonfunctional ultrasound application only. The research project was carried out so that both groups received 6 treatments over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. A 1-month follow-up appointment was scheduled after the final treatment to assess the relative long-term benefits of the two different treatments.

RESULTS

Statistically significant results (P < or = .025) were noted for the percentage of pain experienced (Numerical Pain Rating Scale) and for right and left lateral flexion during intergroup comparison after the final treatment. The final treatment results were maintained at the 1-month follow-up consultation; however, there were no further statistically significant results. It was noted that the power was weak, so the probability of committing type II error (falsely accepting the null hypothesis) for the other measurements was high. The intragroup analysis showed statistically significant improvements in the group that received spinal manipulative therapy in both subjective and objective measurements between the first to final treatment and the first treatment to the 1-month follow-up consultation. The placebo group analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in sensory pain only (subjective measurement) between the first treatment and the final treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggests that spinal manipulative therapy has greater benefits than placebo treatment. The sample size was small, therefore the findings of this trial study should not be considered conclusive but rather should be used as a foundation for planning future studies. In further studies a larger sample size will be necessary to identify subtle changes in measurement parameters and to add to the validity of the results.

Double external direct-current shocks for refractory atrial fibrillation

Encouraged by preliminary data using double external direct-current (DC) shocks in patients with atrial fibrillation refractory to single external DC shocks, we undertook a prospective study of all patients with atrial fibrillation of > 1-month duration using a shock sequence with (1) 1 shock of 200 J anterior-posterior, (2) 1 shock of 360 J anterior-posterior, (3) 1 shock of 360 J apex-anterior, and (4) double shocks with configurations 2 and 3 delivered almost simultaneously by 2 defibrillators. The double shocks appeared to be safe and restored sinus rhythm in approximately 2 of 3 of patients in whom DC cardioversion failed with single shocks.

Efficacy and toxicity of 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (Cladribine)--2 h infusion for 5 days--as first-line treatment for advanced low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (Cladribine) is a new purine analogue with high activity in pretreated low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). To evaluate the efficacy of this drug in untreated patients with advanced NHL, we performed a prospective multicentre trial. Cladribine (0.12 mg/kg) was administered intravenously daily for 5 consecutive days in an out-patient setting. The treatment was repeated every 28 days for four cycles. Included were patients with a histological diagnosis of low grade NHL according to the Kiel classification and stage III or IV disease. Stage II patients were included when radiotherapy had failed. 55 patients were entered into the study. 50 patients were evaluable. The remission rate was 44/50 (88%; 95% confidence interval 82-100%), including complete remissions (CR) in 14 (28%) patients. Only 2 patients showed progression while on Cladribine treatment. The estimated overall survival, and time to treatment failure (TTF) were 85% and 51%, respectively, after a median observation time of 92 weeks. 11 (22%) patients showed grade 3 or 4 toxicity according to the WHO grading. Haematological toxicity was responsible for 86% of the overall toxicity and 100% of grade 3 and 4 toxicity. 7 patients (14%) had an infection, two of which were opportunistic. 12 (24%) patients did not experience any toxicity during the treatment. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the safety and considerable activity of this regimen. Cladribine is very effective even at lower doses than have been used so far.

Evidence for a graft-versus-tumor effect in a patient treated with marrow ablative chemotherapy and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for breast cancer

Graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) has been shown to be an important immune-mediated antitumor effect in hematologic malignancies. It is still unknown whether such an immunemediated antitumor effect has clinical implications in patients with solid tumors. A 32-year-old woman with inflammatory breast cancer received a bone marrow transplant (BMT) from her HLA-identical sibling. During graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) cytotoxic T lymphocytes were grown and tested in a chromium-release assay against B and T lymphocytes of the patient and donor and against a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Resolution of liver metastases was observed simultaneously with clinical GvHD in the first weeks after transplant. In addition, minor histocompatibility antigen (MiHA)-specific and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing breast carcinoma target cells were isolated from the blood of the patient. Pretreatment of such target cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha but not with interferon (IFN)-alpha or IFN-gamma increased susceptibility of these cells to lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Clinical course and in vitro results suggest that a graft-versus-tumor (GvT) effect might exist after allogeneic BMT for breast cancer. However, clinical experience on a larger scale would be required to determine the clinical efficacy of GvT effects in patients with solid tumors.

CEOP-IMVP-Dexa in the treatment of aggressive lymphomas: an Austrian multicenter trial

PURPOSE

This trial evaluated the efficacy, toxicity, and practicability of a new intensive chemotherapy regimen in a multicenter setting of university and community hospitals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We tested a hybrid protocol of two non-cross-resistant regimens, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CEOP) and ifosfamide, etoposide (VP-16), methotrexate, and dexamethasone (IMVP-Dexa) given every fourth week, three to six times according to response, in patients with untreated intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ten Austrian centers entered 81 patients onto this multicenter trial. Eleven patients were excluded. The median age was 55 years. Twenty-six of 70 patients had stage III or IV disease. The distribution among international risk categories low, intermediate-low, intermediate-high, and high was 20%, 34%, 23%, and 23%, respectively.

RESULTS

Of 70 eligible patients, 56 (80%) had a complete remission and seven (10%) a partial remission. After a median observation time of 36 months, the estimated time to relapse and overall survival rates are 67% and 72%, respectively. Age and Karnofsky index were the only independent risk factors for survival. Toxicity was primarily hematologic, with a median granulocyte nadir of 0.56 x 10(9)/L. Sixty-seven percent of patients had infections; 25.7% were severe World Health Organization (WHO) grade III or IV. There were three treatment-related deaths.

CONCLUSION

CEOP-IMVP-Dexa chemotherapy is safe and feasible on a groupwide basis even when used in community hospitals. Neutropenic infections are the major complications. A 72% 3-year survival rate in patients with intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma warrants further studies. These data are the basis for a randomized trial to compare cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP) with CEOP/IMVP-Dexa.

Randomised phase II study of epirubicin-vindesine versus mitoxantrone-vindesine in metastatic breast cancer

The purpose of this study was to compare the activity and toxicity of epirubicin-vindesine (EV) with mitoxantrone-vindesine (MV) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. A total of 295 patients was randomly allocated to treatment with vindesine 3 mg/m2 combined with either epirubicin 40 mg/m2 or mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2. All drugs were given by intravenous push, treatment cycles were repeated at 3-4 week intervals. 255 patients were available for response, and 283 for toxicity. EV and MV yielded similar objective response rates (34 and 26%, respectively), response durations, times to progression and survival. Median time to remission was 1.8 and 3.1 months (P = 0.006) with EV and MV, respectively. In patients with visceral metastases, response rate was higher with EV than MV (40 versus 23%; P = 0.03). Patients receiving MV had less nausea/vomiting (P = 0.007) and alopecia (P = < 0.001) of WHO grade > or = 2. Bone marrow, cardiac and other toxicities were mild with both treatments. The observed differences in activity and toxicity between the two regimens appear to have clinical relevance. EV proved to be more active in visceral disease and to be able to induce remissions more rapidly. Accordingly, patients with visceral metastases or severe tumour-related symptoms may benefit from epirubicin-based treatment. Subjective toxicities, i.e. nausea/vomiting and alopecia, were less frequent and severe with MV. Thus, MV may prove useful in patients with more indolent disease and appears to warrant phase III evaluation in such patients.

Cubonavicular coalition

The cubonavicular coalition is a rare form of tarsal coalition that probably accounts for less than 1% of all coalitions. The authors present a new case of cubonavicular coalition as well as the findings of the 17 previously published accounts. Etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition are discussed.

Calcium acetate, an effective phosphorus binder in patients with renal failure

Calcium salts are increasingly used as phosphorus binders in patients with chronic renal failure. Calcium carbonate is the principal salt presently utilized, however, other calcium salts may be more effective and safer phosphorus binders. Theoretical calculations, in vitro experiments, and in vivo studies in normal subjects have shown calcium acetate to be a more effective phosphorus binder than other calcium salts. This salt has not previously been studied in patients with chronic renal failure. We used a one-meal gastrointestinal balance technique to measure phosphorus absorption, calcium absorption and phosphorus binding in six patients with chronic renal failure. Calcium acetate was compared with calcium carbonate and placebo. Equivalent doses (50 mEq Ca++) of calcium acetate bound more than twice as much phosphorus (106 +/- 23 mg) as calcium carbonate (43 +/- 39 mg) P less than 0.05. When phosphorus binding was factored for calcium absorption, calcium acetate bound 0.44 mEq HPO4 =/mEq absorbed Ca++ compared with 0.16 mEq HPO4 = bound/mEq Ca++ absorbed with calcium carbonate. More efficient phosphorus binding permits serum phosphorus concentration to be controlled with lower doses of calcium salts. The higher phosphorus binding/calcium absorption ratio coupled with a lower dose indicates that less calcium will be absorbed when calcium acetate is used for phosphorus control. Markedly positive calcium balance, hypercalcemia and ectopic calcification should be less likely to occur with this drug than other calcium salts.

Vindesine-epirubicin versus vindesine-mitoxantrone in metastatic breast cancer

The present study was designed to assess the toxicity and efficacy of two chemotherapy protocols in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Starting in December 1985, 230 patients were randomized to receive vindesine (V) (3 mg/m2 i.v.) and mitoxantrone (M) (10 mg/m2 i.v.) or V and epirubicin (E) (40 mg/m2 i.v.) every 3 weeks x 3 and every 4 weeks thereafter. Patients were stratified according to site of disease (visceral, bone or soft tissue dominant) and prior therapy. Patient groups were comparable with respect to menopausal status, age, estrogen receptor status and disease-free interval. About two-thirds of the patients presented with visceral recurrence and 30% with bone lesions: only 8% had soft tissue metastases.

RESULTS

We observed a significant difference (p = 0.003) in the frequency of alopecia (WHO grade 3-4, 36% vs. 60% favoring regimen VM); gastrointestinal and hematologic side effects and neurotoxicity were mild and similar for both groups. In 182 evaluable patients there was a 26% response rate (CR + PR. UICC criteria) for VM and 35% for VE (not significant). NC was observed in 37% and 43% of patients treated with VM or VE respectively. There was no significant difference between these two groups with regard to time to progression and survival. The median time of follow-up was 8 months and therefore too short to draw definite conclusions. Both regimens were well tolerated and seem to be equally effective, although the response rate for VM and VE was lower than expected.

Phosphate/hexose 6-phosphate antiport in Streptococcus lactis

After growth in appropriate media, resting cells of Streptococcus lactis 7962 showed a rapid exchange between external and internal pools of inorganic phosphate. This exchange was not found in other strains of S. lactis (ML3, 133, or K1) or in Streptococcus faecalis. Phosphate exchange in S. lactis 7962 did not require other anions or cations in the assay medium, nor was phosphate influx affected by the membrane potential and pH gradient formed during glycolysis. Thus, the exchange reaction was independent of known ionic drivers (H+, Na+, OH-, etc.). Experiments testing inhibitions of phosphate entry suggested that alternative substrates for exchange included arsenate, as well as the 6-phosphates of glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, fructose, mannose, or glucosamine, and direct studies with 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate verified that resting cells could accumulate this sugar phosphate to levels expected for exchange with internal phosphate. Two other observations supported the idea of an exchange between phosphate and sugar phosphate. First, early addition of the heterologous substrate blocked entry of the test compound, whereas later addition caused efflux of preaccumulated material. Second, expression of phosphate exchange and 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate transport varied in parallel. Both activities were found at high levels after growth in medium supplemented with rhamnose or arabinose, at intermediate levels with addition of galactose, and at low levels after growth with glucose, fructose, or mannose. We conclude that these findings describe a novel anion antiporter that mediates the exchange of phosphate (arsenate) and sugar 6-phosphates.