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21 pages, 2 figures, 6 tables.-- This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, With the aim of maintaining or obtaining good environmental status in the Northeast Atlantic and northern Mediterranean Sea, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU-MSFD) came into force in 2008. All EU Member States (MS) have the task of assessing the current state of their adjacent waters to guarantee sustainable use of marine resources and healthy ecosystems for the current and future generations. Although the MSFD has been implemented for over a decade, there are still gaps in the assessment of various ecologically and commercially important marine species, such as cephalopods. Here we describe the status of cephalopods, a key component of marine ecosystems and a valuable fishing resource, within the MSFD. To do so, we review how MS deal with this group in their reporting and identify and explain the gaps in the cephalopod assessment. We describe the main challenges including the limited data and the rarity of dedicated surveys on cephalopods. However, we argue that cephalopods can be partially integrated into the EU-MSFD assessment, illustrating the current opportunities and future possibilities of their integration into the MSFD, mainly using Descriptors 1–4, Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. This project was funded by the Begabtenförderungswerk Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst e.V.

Background: Abnormal cholesterol metabolism changes the neuronal membrane and may promote amyloidogenesis. Oxysterols in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Cholesterol turnover is important for axonal and white matter (WM) microstructure maintenance. Objective: We aim to demonstrate that the association of oxysterols, AD biomarkers, and WM microstructure occurs early in asymptomatic individuals. Methods: We studied the association of inter-individual variability of CSF 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC), 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC), 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol (7 beta-OHC), amyloid-beta(42) (A beta(42)), total-tau (t-tau), phosphorylated-tau (p-tau), neurofilament (NfL), and WM microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging, generalized linear models and moderation/mediation analyses in 153 healthy adults. Results: Higher 7-KC levels were related to lower A beta(42), indicative of greater AD pathology (p = 0.041). Higher 7-KC levels were related to lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean (MD), axial (AxD), and radial (RD) diffusivity. 7-KC modulated the association between AxD and NfL in the corpus callosum splenium (B = 39.39, p = 0.017), genu (B = 68.64, p = 0.000), and fornix (B = 10.97, p = 0.000). Lower A beta(42) levels were associated to lower FA and higher MD, AxD, and RD in the fornix, corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and hippocampus. The association between AxD and A beta(42) was moderated by 7K-C (p = 0.048). Conclusion: This study adds clinical evidence to support the role of 7K-C on axonal integrity and the involvement of cholesterol metabolism in the A beta(42) generation process.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipidome is attracting increasing attention due to the importance of lipids in brain molecular signaling and their involvement in several neurological diseases. Different solvent systems have been used for the extraction of multiple lipid classes from CSF but no comparative study of the effectiveness of these protocols has been carried out. To optimize CSF lipid extraction for lipidomic measurements by untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry, we evaluate and compare two sample preparation protocols, one involving protein precipitation with isopropanol (IPA) and other consisting of a liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform-methanol. For that purpose, human CSF from neurologically healthy and normolipidemic volunteers was used. The criteria established to compare these two methods were based on four critical aspects of sample preparation: simplicity, lipid coverage, reproducibility and recovery efficiencies. We found that both methods were highly reproducible techniques (>75% of the lipids with coefficient of variation (CV)

Dislipidemia is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. We studied the association between interindividual variability of plasma lipids and white matter (WM) microstructure, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 273 healthy adults. Special focus was placed on 7 regions of interest (ROI) which are structural components of cognitive neurocircuitry. We also investigated the effect of plasma lipids on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL), an axonal degeneration marker. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels showed a negative association with axial diffusivity (AxD) in multiple regions. High density lipoproteins (HDL) showed a positive correlation. The association was independent of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, blood pressure or use of statins. LDL moderated the relation between NfL and AxD in the body of the corpus callosum (p = 0.041), right cingulum gyrus (p = 0.041), right fornix/stria terminalis (p = 0.025) and right superior longitudinal fasciculus (p = 0.020) and TG in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (p = 0.004) and left fornix/stria terminalis (p = 0.001). We conclude that plasma lipids are associated to WM microstructural changes and axonal degeneration and might represent a risk factor in the transition from healthy aging to disease.

While the central nervous system is considered an immunoprivileged site and brain tumors display immunosuppressive features, both innate and adaptive immune responses affect glioblastoma (GBM) growth and treatment resistance. However, the impact of the major immune cell population in gliomas, represented by glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs), on patients' clinical course is still unclear. Thus, we aimed at assessing the immunohistochemical expression of selected microglia and macrophage markers in 344 gliomas (including gliomas from WHO grade I-IV). Furthermore, we analyzed a cohort of 241 IDH1R132H-non-mutant GBM patients for association of GAM subtypes and patient overall survival. Phenotypical properties of GAMs, isolated from high-grade astrocytomas by CD11b-based magnetic cell sorting, were analyzed by immunocytochemistry, mRNA microarray, qRT-PCR and bioinformatic analyses. A higher amount of CD68-, CD163- and CD206-positive GAMs in the vital tumor core was associated with beneficial patient survival. The mRNA expression profile of GAMs displayed an upregulation of factors that are considered as pro-inflammatory M1 (eg, CCL2, CCL3L3, CCL4, PTGS2) and anti-inflammatory M2 polarization markers (eg, MRC1, LGMN, CD163, IL10, MSR1), the latter rather being associated with phagocytic functions in the GBM microenvironment. In summary, we present evidence that human GBMs contain mixed M1/M2-like polarized GAMs and that the levels of different GAM subpopulations in the tumor core are positively associated with overall survival of patients with IDH1R132H-non-mutant GBMs.

ObjectiveTo investigate the cognitive profile of healthy individuals with increased Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) dementia risk score and to explore whether this association is related to vascular burden and CSF biomarkers of amyloidosis and neurodegeneration.MethodCognitively normal participants (mean age 57.6 years) from the Gipuzkoa Alzheimer Project study were classified as having high risk (HR; n = 82) or low risk (LR; n = 293) for dementia according to a CAIDE score cutoff of 9. Cognitive composites were compared between groups. We explored using generalized linear models the role of APOE genotype, MRI white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and CSF (n = 218) levels of β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1-42), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the association between CAIDE score and cognition.ResultsHR participants obtained lower scores on executive function (EF) (p = 0.001) and visual perception and construction (VPC) (p < 0.001) composites. EF composite was associated with CAIDE score × p-tau (p = 0.001), CAIDE score × t-tau (p = 0.001), and WMH (p = 0.003). VPC composite was associated with APOE (p = 0.001), Aβ1–42 (p = 0.004), the interaction APOE × Aβ1–42 (p = 0.003), and WMH (p = 0.004). Performance on global memory was associated with Aβ1–42 (p = 0.006), APOE (p = 0.008), and their interaction (p = 0.006). Analyses were adjusted for age, education, sex, premorbid intelligence, and stress.ConclusionHealthy participants at increased dementia risk based on CAIDE scores show lower performance in EF and VPC. This difference is related to APOE, WMH, and Alzheimer biomarkers.

Advice for commercially exploited fish stocks is usually given on a stock-by-stock basis. In light of the ecosystem-based fisheries management, the need to move towards a holistic approach has been largely acknowledged. In addition, the discard bans in some countries requires consistent catch advice among stocks to mitigate choke species limiting fisheries activity. In this context, in 2015, the European Commission proposed the use of fishing mortality ranges around fishing mortality targets to give flexibility to the catch advice system and improve the use of fishing opportunities in mixed-fisheries. We present a multi-stock harvest control rule (HCR) that uses single stock assessment results and fishing mortality ranges to generate a consistent catch advice among stocks. We tested the performance of the HCR in two different case studies. An artificial case study with three stocks exploited simultaneously by a single fleet and the demersal mixed-fishery operating in Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea. The HCR produced consistent catch advice among stocks when there was only a single fleet exploiting them. Even more, the HCR removed the impact of the discard ban. However, in a multi-fleet framework the performance of the HCR varied depending on the characteristics of the fleets.

The aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the degree of participation and influence of Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) across the European Union Atlantic Area putting forward a set of good practices and recommendations for policymakers, Non-Governmental Organisations and SSF representatives. The actual margin for enhancing the degree of influence of SSF on decision-making processes is still large. Moving towards community-based management models from the current hierarchical models is compulsory. A set of measures have been adopted in Western Waters following participatory processes, introducing self-management and co-management tools at the local and regional levels. This research goes beyond the governance model addressing issues such as the increase of influence when the final decision-makers promote a certain devolution of power to the local/regional levels carried out in parallel with reinforcing the capacity of the SSF representatives to exercise such power.

Introduction: Cortical mean diffusivity (MD) and free water fraction (FW) changes are proposed biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We included healthy control subjects (N = 254), mild cognitive impairment (N = 41), and AD dementia (N = 31) patients. Participants underwent a lumbar puncture and a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. Healthy control subjects were classified following National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association stages (stage 0, N = 220; stage 1, N = 25; and stage 2/3, N = 9). We assessed the cortical MD, cortical FW, and cortical thickness (CTh) changes along the AD continuum. Results: Microstructural and macrostructural changes show a biphasic trajectory. Stage 1 subjects showed increased CTh and decreased MD and FW with respect the stage 0 subjects. Stage 2/3 subjects showed decreased CTh and increased cortical MD and FW, changes that were more widespread in symptomatic stages. Discussion: These results support a biphasic model of changes in AD, which could affect the selection of patients for clinical trials and the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate marker of disease modification. (C) 2017 the Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Oxysterols are oxidized derivatives of cholesterol that are formed enzymatically or via reactive oxygen species or both. Cholesterol or oxysterols ingested as food are absorbed and packed into lipoproteins that are taken up by hepatic cells. Within hepatic cells, excess cholesterol is metabolised to form bile acids. The endoplasmic reticulum acts as the main organelle in the bile acid synthesis pathway. Metabolised sterols originating from this pathway are distributed within other organelles and in the cell membrane. The alterations to membrane oxysterol:sterol ratio affects the integrity of the cell membrane. The presence of oxysterols changes membrane fluidity and receptor orientation. It is well documented that hydroxylase enzymes located in mitochondria facilitate oxysterol production via an acidic pathway. More recently, the presence of oxysterols was also reported in lysosomes. Peroxisomal deficiencies favour intracellular oxysterols accumulation. Despite the low abundance of oxysterols compared to cholesterol, the biological actions of oxysterols are numerous and important. Oxysterol levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases ranging from chronic inflammatory diseases (atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and bowel disease), cancer and numerous neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we review the distribution of oxysterols in sub-cellular organelles and in biological fluids.

Bilingualism as a component of cognitive reserve has been claimed to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its effect on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD-biomarkers has not been investigated. We assessed cognitive performance and CSF AD-biomarkers, and potential moderation effect of bilingualism on the association between age, CSF AD-biomarkers, and cognition. Cognitively healthy middle-aged participants classified as monolinguals (n = 100, nCSF = 59), early (n = 81, nCSF = 55) and late bilinguals (n = 97, nCSF = 52) were evaluated. Models adjusted for confounders showed that bilinguals performed better than monolinguals on digits backwards (early-bilinguals p = 0.003), Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO) (early-bilinguals p = 0.018; late-bilinguals p = 0.004), and Trail Making Test-B (late-bilinguals p = 0.047). Early bilingualism was associated with lower CSF total-tau (p = 0.019) and lower prevalence of preclinical AD (NIA-AA classification) (p = 0.02). Bilingualism showed a moderation effect on the relationship between age and CSF AD-biomarkers and the relationship between age and executive function. We conclude that bilingualism contributes to cognitive reserve enhancing executive and visual-spatial functions. For the first time, this study reveals that early bilingualism is associated with more favorable CSF AD-biomarker profile.

The implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is directing European marine research towards the coordinated and integrated assessment of sea environmental status, following the ecosystem-based approach. The MSFD uses a set of 11 descriptors which, together, summarise the way in which the whole system functions. As such, the European Commission has proposed an extensive set of indicators, to assess environmental status. Hence, taking account of the large amount of data available for the Basque coast (southern Bay of Biscay), together with a recent proposal for assessment within the MSFD, an integrated environmental status assessment approach is developed (for the first time) in this contribution. The strengths and weaknesses of the method, combined with proposals from the MSFD, are discussed.

Selection of fishing area by Basque trawlers is analysed. A qualitative description and a random utility model are employed to establish the most important determinants of area choice. Five types of variables are studied: vessel, trip, management, economic and behaviour characteristics. Empirical results suggest that all types of variables are determinants in the fishing area decision of Basque trawlers. In particular, we find that vessel length, fishing rights, fuel costs and risk are the variables that most influence fishing area choice.

Fisheries management is moving towards ecosystem based management instead of traditional single species based advice. To progress towards an ecosystem approach, a new methodology called “Fleet and Fisheries Forecast” (Fcube) has been proposed. In the application of the method, a precise initial fleet and metier segmentation used is important to get representative results in the analysis. Once they were defined, different data aggregations for fleets and metiers were tested with the objective of getting the best aggregation level to get equilibrium between detailed results and real management. Results showed that the difference in the forecast catches in different aggregation levels was low. Finally, hindcasting analyses were carried out to evaluate how sensitive forecasts are to different parameters. Stock indicators and catchability show the highest source of error and the effort share the lowest. In this analysis, Western Waters fleet management results show consistency between stocks and their respective TACs. The study highlights that it is possible to deliver advice within the context of mixed fisheries using the Fcube method.

The impact of the fishing effort exerted by a vessel on a population depends on catchability, which depends on population accessibility and fishing power. The work investigated whether the variation in fishing power could be the result of the technical characteristics of a vessel and/or its gear or whether it is a reflection of inter-vessel differences not accounted for by the technical attributes. These inter-vessel differences could be indicative of a skipper/crew experience effect. To improve understanding of the relationships, landings per unit effort (lpue) from logbooks and technical information on vessels and gears (collected during interviews) were used to identify variables that explained variations in fishing power. The analysis was undertaken by applying a combination of generalized additive models and generalized linear models to data from several European fleets. The study highlights the fact that taking into account information that is not routinely collected, e.g. length of headline, weight of otter boards, or type of groundrope, will significantly improve the modelled relationships between lpue and the variables that measure relative fishing power. The magnitude of the skipper/crew experience effect was weaker than the technical effect of the vessel and/or its gear., Sí

Crew share remuneration systems are extensively used in fisheries as a way to tackle the moral hazard problem caused by asymmetric information distribution between the capital owner and the crew. To conduct a principal-agent analysis of such a system, it is important to know how it deals with fuel costs. This paper is based on economic efficiency indicator calculations and a number of simulations for the Basque purse seiner-live bait fleet to shed light on the crew-capital owner relationship in this principal-agent problem. We conclude that the share remuneration system can protect crewmembers from variations in fuel prices, which might be one of the factors explaining its popularity. However, some profit indicators are affected by the remuneration system and, thus, cannot be used for the comparisons of economic efficiency of the fleets.

Marchal, P., Andersen, B., Caillart, B., Eigaard, Guyader, O., Hovgaard, H., Iriondo, A., Le Fur, F., Sacchi, J., and Santurtún, M. 2007. Impact of technological creep on fishing effort and fishing mortality, for a selection of European fleets–ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, 192–209. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to identify the main changes in gear and vessel technology that may have improved the fishing efficiency of a number of French, Danish, and Basque fleets over the past few decades. Important changes include the gradual appearance of twin trawls (Danish and French trawlers) and trammel-nets (French gillnetters), and the increased polyvalence of Basque bottom trawlers. The results suggest that fishing effort descriptors that are not traditionally measured (gear type, groundrope type, length of net used per day, headline length, crew size, number of winch or net drums) may have a substantial impact on catch rates. Adjusting fishing effort using such descriptors may generally improve the relationship between fishing effort and fishing mortality.