Genetic analysis of reveals high gene flow in the South-West Indian Ocean.

(Gray, 1849), abundant in the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO), constitutes a vital resource for both subsistence and commercial fisheries. However, despite this socioeconomic importance, and recent indications of overfishing, little is known about the population structure of in the region. To inform sustainable management strategies, this study assessed the spatio-temporal population structure and genetic variability of at 20 sites in the SWIO (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, and the Seychelle Islands) by complementary analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) noncoding region (NCR) sequences and microsatellite markers.

Cryptic species and parallel genetic structuring in Lethrinid fish: Implications for conservation and management in the southwest Indian Ocean.

Analysis of genetic variation can provide insights into ecological and evolutionary diversification which, for commercially harvested species, can also be relevant to the implementation of spatial management strategies and sustainability. In comparison with other marine biodiversity hot spots, there has been less genetic research on the fauna of the southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO). This is epitomized by the lack of information for lethrinid fish, which support socioeconomically important fisheries in the region.

Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci for studies of the big blue octopus, .

The big blue octopus, , occurs on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, wherein it is of great ecological and socio-economic importance. However, many components of its intraspecific biodiversity, such as population structure, are unresolved due to a lack of informative genetic markers. To address this issue, which may compromise conservation and sustainability efforts, the development and characterisation of the first species-specific microsatellite loci for are described here.

Evaluation of predictive models for six minute walk test among children with pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Existing six minute walk distance (6MWD) prediction equations were developed using healthy children and include relatively small sample sizes. Children with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) are often small-for-age, so the existing pediatric prediction equations are likely a poor fit for children with PH. Currently, there are no equations for 6MWD among children with PH.

Ventilatory efficiency slope correlates with functional capacity, outcomes, and disease severity in pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is widely used in a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Ventilatory efficiency slope can be derived from submaximal exercise testing. The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between ventilatory efficiency slope and functional capacity, outcomes, and disease severity in pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Restrictive lung function in pediatric patients with structural congenital heart disease.

Objectives: We sought to describe the prevalence of restrictive lung function in structural congenital heart disease and to determine the effect of cardiothoracic surgical intervention.

Methods: The data from a retrospective review of the spirometry findings from pediatric patients with structural congenital heart disease were compared with the data from 220 matched controls. Restrictive lung function was defined as a forced vital capacity of <80%, with a preserved ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity of >80%.

Progression of aortic dilation in children with a functionally normal bicuspid aortic valve.

Adults with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) are at risk for progressive aortic dilation independent of valve function. The evolution of aortic dilation in children with functionally normal BAVs has not been studied. In this study, ascending aortic diameters were assessed in a group of children with functionally normal BAVs (peak gradient < or =16 mm Hg) to determine whether progressive dilation occurs during childhood.

The influence of short and long duration on the blood pressure response to an acute bout of dynamic exercise.

Background: The minimum duration of exercise needed to acutely lower blood pressure (BP) has not been established. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of short and long duration on the BP response to a session of aerobic exercise.

Methods: Subjects were 45 men (mean +/- SEM, 43.

Effects of sildenafil on pulmonary hypertension and exercise tolerance in severe cystic fibrosis-related lung disease.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with advanced lung disease are at risk for developing pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension, characterized by progressive exercise intolerance beyond the exercise-limiting effects of airways disease in CF. We report on a patient with severe CF lung disease who experienced clinically significant improvements in exercise tolerance and pulmonary hypertension without changing lung function during sildenafil therapy.

RAAS polymorphisms alter the acute blood pressure response to aerobic exercise among men with hypertension.

Limited evidence suggests renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) polymorphisms alter the blood pressure (BP) response to aerobic exercise training. We examined if RAAS polymorphisms influenced postexercise hypotension in men with high normal to Stage 1 hypertension. Forty-seven men (44.

Utility of cardiopulmonary stress testing in assessing disease severity in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This study sought to assess the safety of cardiopulmonary stress testing in 40 children with pulmonary arterial hypertension and to compare exercise responses in this patient cohort with those of a healthy control population. Patients with pulmonary hypertension had significant impairment in aerobic capacity, with a peak oxygen consumption of 20.7 +/- 6.

Exercise intensity alters postexercise hypotension.

Objective: Blood pressure (BP) is immediately lowered after a session of dynamic exercise, e.g. postexercise hypotension (PEH).