Body condition of returning Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. correlates with scale δC and δN content deposited at the last marine foraging location.

Patterns of feeding and growth of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. in the marine environment are critical to understanding how observed declines in recruitment may reflect warming or other oceanic drivers. The isotopic composition of scales can provide insight into differences in marine feeding location and possibly temperature regime.

Associations between metabolic traits and growth rate in brown trout () depend on thermal regime.

Metabolism defines the energetic cost of life, yet we still know relatively little about why intraspecific variation in metabolic rate arises and persists. Spatio-temporal variation in selection potentially maintains differences, but relationships between metabolic traits (standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and aerobic scope) and fitness across contexts are unresolved. We show that associations between SMR, MMR, and growth rate (a key fitness-related trait) vary depending on the thermal regime (a potential selective agent) in offspring of wild-sampled brown trout from two populations reared for approximately 15 months in either a cool or warm (+1.

Alternative migratory tactics in brown trout () are underpinned by divergent regulation of metabolic but not neurological genes.

The occurrence of alternative morphs within populations is common, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Many animals, for example, exhibit facultative migration, where two or more alternative migratory tactics (AMTs) coexist within populations. In certain salmonid species, some individuals remain in natal rivers all their lives, while others (in particular, females) migrate to sea for a period of marine growth.

Redefining the oceanic distribution of Atlantic salmon.

Determining the mechanisms driving range-wide reductions in Atlantic salmon marine survival is hindered by an insufficient understanding of their oceanic ecology and distribution. We attached 204 pop-up satellite archival tags to post-spawned salmon when they migrated to the ocean from seven European areas and maiden North American salmon captured at sea at West Greenland. Individuals migrated further north and east than previously reported and displayed increased diving activity near oceanographic fronts, emphasizing the importance of these regions as feeding areas.

Metabolic traits in brown trout () vary in response to food restriction and intrinsic factors.

Metabolic rates vary hugely within and between populations, yet we know relatively little about factors causing intraspecific variation. Since metabolic rate determines the energetic cost of life, uncovering these sources of variation is important to understand and forecast responses to environmental change. Moreover, few studies have examined factors causing intraspecific variation in metabolic flexibility.

The spawning location of vulnerable ferox trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the Lough Corrib and Lough Mask catchments, Western Ireland.

Ferox trout are large, long-lived, piscivorous trout normally found in deep lakes; they are highly prized by trophy anglers. Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, Western Ireland, have recorded the majority of Irish specimen ferox trout since angling records began. Little was known regarding the spawning location of ferox trout relative to sympatric brown trout, and a radio telemetry study was initiated in both catchments in 2005.

Assessment of the quality of European silver eels and tentative approach to trace the origin of contaminants - A European overview.

The European eel is critically endangered. Although the quality of silver eels is essential for their reproduction, little is known about the effects of multiple contaminants on the spawning migration and the European eel management plan does not take this into account. To address this knowledge gap, we sampled 482 silver eels from 12 catchments across Europe and developed methods to assess three aspects of eel quality: muscular lipid content (N = 169 eels), infection with Anguillicola crassus (N = 482), and contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs, N = 169) and trace elements (TEs, N = 75).

Food and temperature stressors have opposing effects in determining flexible migration decisions in brown trout (Salmo trutta).

With rapid global change, organisms in natural systems are exposed to a multitude of stressors that likely co-occur, with uncertain impacts. We explored individual and cumulative effects of co-occurring environmental stressors on the striking, yet poorly understood, phenomenon of facultative migration. We reared offspring of a brown trout population that naturally demonstrates facultative anadromy (sea migration), under different environmental stressor treatments and measured life history responses in terms of migratory tactics and freshwater maturation rates.

Ocean predation and mortality of adult Atlantic salmon.

Predation and mortality are often difficult to estimate in the ocean, which hampers the management and conservation of marine fishes. We used data from pop-up satellite archival tags to investigate the ocean predation and mortality of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) released from 12 rivers flowing into the North Atlantic Ocean. Data from 156 tagged fish revealed 22 definite predation events (14%) and 38 undetermined mortalities (24%).

Unprecedented widespread occurrence of Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha in Ireland in 2017.

The occurrence of non-native pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha in multiple river systems in Ireland in 2017 was unprecedented and reflected similar concurrent events observed in other countries in the North Atlantic region. Thirty-six fish were captured in a total of 11 river systems located in the south-west, west and north-west of Ireland in the period June to September 2017. The biological characteristics of sampled specimens are described and the potential for establishment in Ireland are considered.

Exploring subjective wellbeing after birth: A qualitative deductive descriptive study.

Introduction: Subjective wellbeing is made up of cognitive (life satisfaction and positive functioning) and emotional (positive and negative affect) components. The subjective wellbeing of women in the perinatal period is poorly understood compared to that experienced by the general population. The aim of this paper is to describe women's experiences of subjective wellbeing postpartum using the European Social Survey Wellbeing module to facilitate discussion.

Online information for parents caring for their premature baby at home: A focus group study and systematic web search.

Background: Online resources are a source of information for parents of premature babies when their baby is discharged from hospital.

Objectives: To explore what topics parents deemed important after returning home from hospital with their premature baby and to evaluate the quality of existing websites that provide information for parents post-discharge.

Methods: In stage 1, 23 parents living in Northern Ireland participated in three focus groups and shared their information and support needs following the discharge of their infant(s).

A novel and dedicated multidisciplinary service to manage breech presentation at term; 3 years of experience in a tertiary care maternity unit.

Objective: In order to provide uniform and unbiased multidisciplinary counselling on the options available, including vaginal breech delivery (VBD) and external cephalic version (ECV), the latter of which could then be performed, a weekly Breech Clinic was introduced to a tertiary care maternity unit in Northern Ireland in June 2013, replacing the traditional ECV Clinic introduced in June 2012.

Methods: Retrospective data collection was undertaken using clinic proformas, Northern Ireland Maternity System data and case notes of women who attended the clinics (ECV and Breech) from June 2012 to May 2015.

Results: There were 434 referrals to the clinic over the 3-year period; 356 women attended.

Preliminary evaluation of the Well-being in Pregnancy (WiP) questionnaire.

Background: The concept of well-being is multi-faceted by encompassing both positive and negative emotions and satisfaction with life. Measuring both positive and negative thoughts and emotions is highly relevant in maternity care that aims to optimise a woman's experience of pregnancy and childbirth, focussing on positive aspects of health and well-being, not just the prevention of ill health. Yet our understanding of well-being in pregnancy and childbirth is limited as research to date has focussed on negative aspects such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Distribution, prevalence and intensity of Anguillicola crassus (Nematoda) infection in Anguilla anguilla in the Republic of Ireland.

This study is the first comprehensive documentation of the geographical range of Anguillicola crassus in its host, the European eel Anguilla anguilla, in the Republic of Ireland. The prevalence and intensity of infections across 234 sites and 93 river basins in Ireland comprising rivers, lakes and transitional waters (estuaries) were analysed. While only 32% of the river basins were affected by this nematode, they correspond to 74% of the total wetted area.

Impact of parasites on salmon recruitment in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

Parasites may have large effects on host population dynamics, marine fisheries and conservation, but a clear elucidation of their impact is limited by a lack of ecosystem-scale experimental data. We conducted a meta-analysis of replicated manipulative field experiments concerning the influence of parasitism by crustaceans on the marine survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Genetic stock identification of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in the southern part of the European range.

Background: Anadromous migratory fish species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have significant economic, cultural and ecological importance, but present a complex case for management and conservation due to the range of their migration. Atlantic salmon exist in rivers across the North Atlantic, returning to their river of birth with a high degree of accuracy; however, despite continuing efforts and improvements in in-river conservation, they are in steep decline across their range. Salmon from rivers across Europe migrate along similar routes, where they have, historically, been subject to commercial netting.

Oceanic spawning migration of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

European eels (Anguilla anguilla) undertake a approximately 5000-kilometer (km) spawning migration from Europe to the Sargasso Sea. The larvae are transported back to European waters by the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. However, details of the spawning migration remain unknown because tracking eels in the Atlantic Ocean has, so far, eluded study.

Spatial and temporal variation in the infestation of sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) by the caligid copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) in relation to sources of infection in Ireland.

Infestations of post-smolt sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) by the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer) were characterized in 42 estuaries over a 5 year period in Ireland. Spatial variation in infestation was more significant than temporal trends and existed at 3 levels; between regions (regions > 100 km of coastline), between bays within regions (bays < 50 km in length) and between estuaries within bays (distance between estuaries < 10 km).

Cardiopulmonary thromboembolism detected by Tc-99m MH-1 antifibrin antibody.

A patient with shortness of breath had a high probability lung scan for pulmonary embolism, but no obvious embolic source. Whole-body scintigraphy using Tc-99m labeled Fab' antifibrin monoclonal antibody showed large central pulmonary emboli as well as tracer uptake in the right atrium and aortic arch. No lower extremity clot was detected.

Thrombus precursor protein (TpP): marker of thrombosis early in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay for quantifying the immediate precursor proteins to intravascular thrombi. This thrombus precursor protein (TpP) assay identifies active thrombosis in several clinical conditions, including early myocardial infarction (MI). In a study of patients recruited for the GUSTO intervention study, MI patients had concentrations of TpP 4-20-fold that of controls; patients diagnosed without MI had concentrations similar to the control subjects.

A rapid latex agglutination assay for the determination of plasma fibrinogen.

A monoclonal antibody to intact fibrinogen has been employed to develop a rapid latex agglutination assay for the estimation of plasma fibrinogen. The monoclonal antibody, 45J, recognizes an epitope located in the mid-section of the carboxy terminal end of the A alpha-chain. The epitope is destroyed by plasmin digestion of fibrinogen and there is no immunoreactivity with soluble cross-linked fibrin degradation products.

Immunochemical evidence for intramolecular interaction of the carboxy terminal A alpha-appendages of plasma fibrinogen.

A monoclonal antibody (Mab), 45J, which reacts with intact fibrinogen, has been employed to demonstrate the interaction of the carboxy terminal regions of the A alpha-chain in non-denatured plasma fibrinogen. The 45J Mab recognizes an epitope in the mid section of the carboxy terminal end of the A alpha chain. The epitope is destroyed by plasmin and trypsin digestion.

A model system for the in vivo determination of the thrombolytic effect of plasminogen activators.

An in vivo model system for measuring the thrombolytic efficiency of plasminogen activators was used. The formation of radiolabelled microthrombi was induced by infusion with I-125 labelled fibrinogen and thrombin. Reactive fibrinolysis was inhibited by administration of suboptimal levels of e-aminocaproic acid.