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Elasmobranchs play important ecological roles but are highly threatened. Understanding their habitat use and abundance is crucial for the management and conservation of these species and their habitats. While some species are known to use estuaries as vital habitats (e.g. feeding or nursery grounds), this remains an understudied area. A multi-method approach was used to survey the Keurbooms Estuary on the south coast of South Africa, over two years, to quantify the diversity, relative abundance and habitat use of elasmobranchs in this system. The survey methods were baited remote underwater video (BRUV), boat-based visual sightings, and unmanned aerial video (UAV). Opportunistic sightings were also collected. Six elasmobranch species were observed, with significant differences in community composition between the methods. Whereas effort was skewed towards BRUV surveys, the boat and UAV surveys recorded more elasmobranchs more frequently, and opportunistic sightings recorded the highest diversity. The common eagle ray Myliobatis aquila was the most abundant elasmobranch species and the only one recorded year-round; most individuals (93%) were juveniles, suggesting the Keurbooms Estuary may be a nursery area for this Critically Endangered species. The duckbill ray Aetomylaeus bovinus and common smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus were observed during summer, the latter forming large aggregations. Another three ray species were recorded rarely. This study highlights the benefit of using a multi-method survey approach for shallow ecosystems and reveals the Keurbooms Estuary as an important habitat for elasmobranchs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted gully shark Triakis megalopterus (Triakidae) is a mesopredatory species endemic to southern Africa. It is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List in accordance with an estimated increase in population size, general release by recreational linefishers and incidental catches in the commercial linefisheries. Previous research suggests this species to be resident, and as such it is likely to receive protection in coastal marine protected areas (MPAs). However, its ecology and movement behaviour remain poorly studied. This study employed acoustic telemetry to provide information on the species' movements along the coast of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. We used network analyses to investigate movement randomness, associations between individuals, sexual segregation, and the effectiveness of MPAs. Our findings reveal nonrandom movements as well as patterns of co-occurrence between individuals. Spatial network analysis suggested sexual segregation, because areas of high use (Walker Bay and De Hoop) differed between males and females. Co-occurrences were observed exclusively in Walker Bay, chiefly between males, with no co-occurrence found between females. The tagged spotted gully sharks were not detected extensively within existing MPA boundaries, though there was no significant difference between their movements inside and outside protected areas for both sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data collected from mark-recapture programmes have proven invaluable in assessing the movements and growth of numerous fishery species along the South African coastline. This short note reports on tag and recapture information on the Vulnerable endemic lesser guitarfish Acroteriobatus annulatus. This species appears to exhibit site-affinity behaviour, with an observed mean distance moved of 38.5 km (SD 121.4, range 0–726 km). The recapture of two individuals (tagged as adults; ∼100 cm total length) 6 and 12 years after tagging suggests that the maximum age for this species is likely more than double the current maximum recorded age of 7 years (estimated from vertebral ring counts). This has major implications for the management of this bycatch species (with a declining population trend), and for other guitarfish species occurring in South Africa for which the maximum age is currently unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-five juvenile porcupine ray Urogymnus asperrimus were collected in the isolated St Joseph Atoll, Seychelles. Stomach contents were sampled using non-lethal gastric lavage to determine the dietary composition, degree of prey selectivity and whether sex or size affected their diet. Sediment samples were collected to quantify prey availability so that prey selectivity could be estimated. Two phyla (Sipuncula and Nemertea) and 11 polychaete and crustacean families were recorded in stomach contents. Juvenile U. asperrimus appeared to specialize on one polychaete family, Capitellidae, which was the most important prey item (index of importance = 35%). This polychaete family was also most abundant in the sediment samples and U. asperrimus are thus considered opportunistic predators. There was evidence of a size-related shift in the crustacean families consumed by juvenile U. asperrimus. Data collected at this remote location provides important baseline ecological information that may prove useful in developing conservation strategies for this ecologically important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecklonia maximadominates kelp beds on the west coast of southern Africa, and is commercially and ecologically valuable. Some plants lose all their secondary blades (fronds), leaving only the gas-filled bulb and short primary blade at the top of the stipe. These ‘bald’ kelps may persist for months or longer, occupying substratum space but contributing little to productivity. We investigated natural causes of balding in five kelp beds in False Bay, South Africa, and the effect of simulated commercial frond-harvesting on loss of fronds. Densities of sporophytes with and without fronds were measured at the water surface during low tides. Generalised linear modelling analysis showed a significant relationship between balding and site (whether sheltered from or exposed to swell/wind), position in the kelp bed (shoreward or seaward) and totalE. maximadensity. We conclude that balding is caused mainly by drying of meristematic basal regions of fronds during emersion of kelp heads at low tide. After partial harvesting of fronds, kelp heads floated higher out of the water, but after 95 days frond loss was significantly higher only when fronds were cut too close to the primary blade, possibly because of damage to meristematic tissue. Nevertheless, increased emersion that results from frond-harvesting may increase desiccation and blade loss and we suggest caution in setting harvest limits for this kelp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the trophic interactions of ecologically important mesopredators such as Myliobatiformes (stingrays) is vital, but, given their susceptibility to overexploitation, the collection of stomach contents for dietary analysis necessitates the use of non-lethal methods. We provide a detailed method of using gastric lavage to collect stomach contents from the ‘Vulnerable’ porcupine rayUrogymnus asperrimusat the St Joseph Atoll of the Amirantes Group, Seychelles. Rays were captured by hand, inverted and restrained while a plastic hose, connected to a bilge pump, was inserted into the stomach to flush out the contents. A high percentage (94.5%) of gastric lavage attempts resulted in the collection of stomach contents. There was no visual evidence of stress or short-term, post-release mortality and, given the success and relative ease of this technique, we conclude that the described method of gastric lavage is an effective, non-lethal means of obtaining stomach contents from stingrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of a core biopsy diagnosis of lobular neoplasia is controversial. Detailed radiological-pathological review of 47 patients with cores showing classical lobular neoplasia was performed (patients with pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or associated risk lesions were considered separately). Immediate surgical excision in 25 patients showed invasive carcinoma in 7, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 1 and pleomorphic LCIS in 1; radiological-pathological review showed that the core biopsy missed a mass in 5, missed calcification in 2 and that calcification appeared adequately sampled in 2. Nineteen patients had follow-up of at least 2 years. Four patients developed malignancy at the site of the core biopsy (invasive carcinoma in three, DCIS in one); one carcinoma was mammographically occult, one patient had dense original mammograms and two had calcifications apparently adequately sampled by the core. In conclusion, most carcinomas identified at the site of core biopsy showing lobular neoplasia were the result of the core missing the radiological lesion, emphasising the importance of multidisciplinary review and investigation of any discordance. Some carcinomas were found after apparently adequate core biopsy, raising the question of whether excision biopsy should be considered after all core biopsy diagnoses of lobular neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent randomized controlled studies have reported success for hospital at home for prevention and early discharge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using hospital based respiratory nurse specialists. This observational study reports results using an integrated hospital and community based generic intermediate care service. The length of care, readmission within 60 days and death within 60 days in the early discharge (9.37 days, 21.1%, 7%) and the prevention of admission (five to six days, 34.1%, 3.8%) are similar to previous studies. We suggest that this generic community model of service may allow hospital at home services for COPD to be introduced in more areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate aspects of the current practice of sentinel lymph node (SLN) pathology in breast cancer via a questionnaire based survey, to recognise major issues that the European guidelines for mammography screening should address in the next revision. Methods: A questionnaire was circulated by mail or electronically by the authors in their respective countries. Replies from pathology units dealing with SIN specimens were evaluated further. Results: Of the 382 respondents, 240 European pathology units were dealing with SLN specimens. Sixty per cent of these units carried out intraoperative assessment, most commonly consisting of frozen sections. Most units slice larger SINs into pieces and only 12% assess these slices on a single haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained slide. Seventy one per cent of the units routinely use immunohistochemistry in all cases negative by HE. The terms micrometastasis, submicrometastasis, and isolated tumour cells (ITCs) are used in 93%, 22%, and 71% of units, respectively, but have a rather heterogeneous interpretation. Molecular SLN staging was reported by only 10 units (4%). Most institutions have their own guidelines for SLN processing, but some countries also have well recognised national guidelines. Conclusions: Pathological examination of SINs throughout Europe varies considerably and is not standardised. The European guidelines should focus on standardising examination. They should recommend techniques that identify metastases > 2 mm as a minimum standard. Uniform reporting of additional findings may also be important, because micrometastases and ITCs may in the future be shown to have clinical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 90 patients with primary operable breast cancer and with up to 36 months of follow up were investigated for expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in their tumours by immunocytochemical staining with the monoclonal antibody EGFR 1. Tumour samples were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after resection and subsequently stained using a standard indirect immunocytochemical method. Tumour staining was assessed by two observers and scored on a four point scale (0-3). Thirteen (14%) tumours showed positive immunoreactivity. A strong correlation between distinct EGFR expression and short disease free interval was observed. Significant correlations were also shown with oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression and tumour nuclear size. No significant association was found with tumour size, lymph node stage, and histological grade. The association with disease free interval remained significant in multivariate analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Histopathological assessment and flow cytometric analyses were carried out on 32 placentas (representative of each trimester) and 88 molar pregnancies. Three first trimester placentas were triploid, and the remaining 29 placentas were diploid. Of the 88 cases originally diagnosed as molar pregnancies, 26 were triploid (two complete moles, 20 partial moles, and four hydropic abortions); 59 were diploid (46 complete moles, 10 partial moles, three hydropic abortions); one was tetraploid (partial mole); and two were DNA aneuploid (one partial mole, one complete mole). A significantly increased hyperdiploid fraction (a measure of cell proliferation) was detected in diploid complete moles (p less than 0.0001) and cases of persistent trophoblastic disease (p less than 0.001) when compared with diploid placentas and diploid partial moles. All seven cases of established persistent trophoblastic disease, for which follow up was available, were diploid and showed high hyperdiploid fractions within the range for diploid complete moles. These findings suggest that flow cytometric DNA measurements may be an important aid in the diagnosis of molar pregnancy. The high degree of cell proliferation found in this study may explain the premalignant potential of complete hydatidiform moles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]