Radiological changes during fracture and repair in neural and haemal spines of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua).

Although spinal injuries in fish have been associated with electric stimuli applied during electrofishing and electrotrawling, bone fracture and repair in the axial skeleton have yet not been studied. To study this, we radiographed a group (n = 64) of individually tagged farmed cod twice, with a 1-year interval (∼36 cm at first and ∼ 50 cm at second inspection). The study focus was on the neural and haemal spines.

Vertebral column deformity in adult wild haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus).

This study describes radiological malformations in the vertebral column of adult sexually mature wild haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus collected from Masfjorden, Western Norway, in 2014 and 2015. There were seven deformed fish (33% of sampled fish), five with mild deformities and two with severe deformities. The deformity types discovered were lordosis, vertebra body asymmetry, compression, fusion (ankylosis), remodelling, and haemal spine hyperostosis.

The metagenome of the female upper reproductive tract.

Background: The human uterus is traditionally believed to be sterile, while the vaginal microbiota plays an important role in fending off pathogens. Emerging evidence demonstrates the presence of bacteria beyond the vagina. However, a microbiome-wide metagenomic analysis characterizing the diverse microbial communities has been lacking.

Sexual maturation and smoltification in domesticated Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) - is there a developmental conflict?

We present data from two experiments that examined how the developmental processes of smoltification and sexual maturation proceed in parallel in domesticated Atlantic salmon. Onset of maturation and smoltification was stimulated using temperature and photoperiod. Our observations on gonadosomatic index (GSI), spermatogenic activity, gill Na+, K+-ATPase enzyme (NKA) activity, and plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), Na, Cl, and Ca show that smoltification and maturation were both triggered and developed in parallel in male Atlantic salmon, but that the progressing maturation impaired hypoosmoregulation.

Establishment of a Macaca fascicularis gut microbiome gene catalog and comparison with the human, pig, and mouse gut microbiomes.

Macaca fascicularis, the cynomolgus macaque, is a widely used model in biomedical research and drug development as its genetics and physiology are close to those of humans. Detailed information on the cynomolgus macaque gut microbiota, the functional interplay between the gut microbiota and host physiology, and possible similarities to humans and other mammalians is very limited. The aim of this study was to construct the first cynomolgus macaque gut microbial gene catalog and compare this catalog to the human, pig, and mouse gut microbial gene catalogs.

Suboptimal Iodine Status and Low Iodine Knowledge in Young Norwegian Women.

Previous studies have documented mild to moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant and lactating women in Norway. This study focused on non-pregnant young women because their future children may be susceptible to the adverse effects of iodine deficiency. We assessed urinary iodine concentration (UIC), iodine intake from food and supplements, and iodine knowledge in 403 non-pregnant women, mainly students, aged 18⁻30 years.

Modelling the long-term feed-to-fillet transfer of leuco crystal violet and leuco malachite green in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Leuco crystal violet (LCV) and leuco malachite green (LMG) are the main metabolites of two dyes that are forbidden for use in food production, but can be present at low background concentration in novel Atlantic salmon feed ingredients such as processed animal proteins (animal by-product [ABP]). In this study, the potential transfer of dietary LCV or LMG to the fillet of farmed Atlantic salmon was investigated. The uptake and elimination rate kinetics were determined in seawater-adapted Atlantic salmon (initial weight 587 ± 148 g) fed two levels of either LCV- or LMG-enriched diets (~500 and 4000 µg kg, respectively) for 40 days, followed by a 90-day depuration period with feeding on control diets (<0.

Analysis of coastal cod (Gadus morhua L.) sampled on spawning sites reveals a genetic gradient throughout Norway's coastline.

Background: Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) has formed the basis of many economically significant fisheries in the North Atlantic, and is one of the best studied marine fishes, but a legacy of overexploitation has depleted populations and collapsed fisheries in several regions. Previous studies have identified considerable population genetic structure for Atlantic cod.

Iodine status in Norwegian preschool children and associations with dietary iodine sources: the FINS-KIDS study.

Purpose: Iodine is an essential trace element necessary for thyroid hormone synthesis. Iodine deficiency is a continuing public health problem despite international efforts to eliminate it. Studies on iodine status in preschoolers are scarce.

T Cell Receptor Alpha Chain Genes in the Teleost Ballan Wrasse Are Subjected to Somatic Hypermutation.

Previously, somatic hypermutation (SHM) was considered to be exclusively associated with affinity maturation of antibodies, although it also occurred in T cells under certain conditions. More recently, it has been shown that SHM generates diversity in the variable domain of T cell receptor (TCR) in camel and shark. Here, we report somatic mutations in TCR alpha chain genes of the teleost fish, Ballan wrasse (), and show that this mechanism adds extra diversity to the polymorphic constant (C) region as well.

Low Iodine Intake from Dairy Foods Despite High Milk Iodine Content in Israel.

Background: Milk is a major source of iodine in human nutrition. Because both iodine content and the consumption of milk and dairy vary widely over time and populations, their contribution to iodine intake must be evaluated regularly. A recent national iodine survey found Israel's population to be mildly iodine deficient, possibly due to unmonitored changes in the food content of dietary iodine.

Iodine content of six fish species, Norwegian dairy products and hen's egg.

Iodine is a trace element required for the production of thyroid hormones, essential for metabolism, growth and brain development, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. Milk and lean fish are the main dietary sources of iodine in the Norwegian diet. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide updated analysed values of iodine concentration in six fish species, 27 selected Norwegian iodine-rich dairy foods and Norwegian hen's eggs.

Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster () in a Mediterranean fishery.

In the Balearic Islands, different trammel net designs have been adopted to promote fisheries sustainability and reduce discards. Here, we compare the catch performance of three trammel net designs targeting the spiny lobster in terms of biomass, species composition and revenue from commercial catches and discards. Designs differ in the netting fiber type (standard polyfilament, PMF, or a new polyethylene multi-monofilament, MMF) and the use of a guarding net or , a mesh piece intended to reduce discards.

Iodine Deficiency in a Study Population of Norwegian Pregnant Women-Results from the Little in Norway Study (LiN).

Iodine sufficiency is particularly important in pregnancy, where median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in the range of 150⁻250 µg/L indicates adequate iodine status. The aims of this study were to determine UIC and assess if dietary and maternal characteristics influence the iodine status in pregnant Norwegian women. The study comprises a cross-sectional population-based prospective cohort of pregnant women (Little in Norway (LiN)).

Fatty fish intake and cognitive function: FINS-KIDS, a randomized controlled trial in preschool children.

Background: Marine resources including fatty fish are important sources of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs), which are important for brain development. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the impact of fatty fish on cognition in preschool children. The purpose of the trial was to investigate whether an increased intake of fatty fish compared to meat improves cognitive function in children 4-6 years old.

Are we what we eat? Changes to the feed fatty acid composition of farmed salmon and its effects through the food chain.

'Are we what we eat?' Yes and no. Although dietary fat affects body fat, there are many modifying mechanisms. In Atlantic salmon, there is a high level of retention of the n-3 fatty acid (FA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) relative to the dietary content, whereas saturated FAs never seem to increase above a specified level, which is probably an adaptation to low and fluctuating body temperature.

The effects of fatty fish intake on adolescents' nutritional status and associations with attention performance: results from the FINS-TEENS randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adolescence involves changes in dietary habits that may induce imbalances in the intake of different nutrients. Fish is an important dietary source of omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), vitamin D, several minerals and high-quality protein. By using secondary outcomes and exploratory analyses, the aims of this paper were to evaluate if nutritional biomarkers (red blood cell fatty acids, serum (s)-25(OH)D, s-ferritin and urinary iodine concentration (UIC)) were altered during a dietary intervention, and if they mediated previously reported changes in attention performance.

Behavioural responses of krill and cod to artificial light in laboratory experiments.

Most fishes and crustaceans respond to light, and artificial light sources may therefore be an efficient stimulus to manipulate behaviours in aquatic animals. It has been hypothesised that the catch efficiency of pots could be increased if prey, for example krill, can be attracted into the pots providing a visual stimulus and a source of live bait. To find which light characteristics are most attractive to krill, we tested the effects of light intensity and wavelength composition on Northern krill's (Meganyctiphanes norvegica) behavioural response to an artificial light source.

Genetic factors have a major effect on growth, number of vertebrae and otolith shape in Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus).

Atlantic herring, Clupea harengus, have complex population structures. Mixing of populations is known, but the extent of connectivity is still unclear. Phenotypic plasticity results in divergent phenotypes in response to environmental factors.

Bioenergetics modeling of the annual consumption of zooplankton by pelagic fish feeding in the Northeast Atlantic.

The present study uses bioenergetics modeling to estimate the annual consumption of the main zooplankton groups by some of the most commercially important planktivorous fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, namely Norwegian spring-spawning (NSS) herring (Clupea harengus), blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and NEA mackerel (Scomber scombrus). The data was obtained from scientific surveys in the main feeding area (Norwegian Sea) in the period 2005-2010. By incorporating novel information about ambient temperature, seasonal growth and changes in the diet from stomach content analyses, annual consumption of the different zooplankton groups by pelagic fish is estimated.

Sea trout adapt their migratory behaviour in response to high salmon lice concentrations.

Sea trout face growth-mortality trade-offs when entering the sea to feed. Salmon lice epizootics resulting from aquaculture have shifted these trade-offs, as salmon lice might both increase mortality and reduce growth of sea trout. We studied mortality and behavioural adaptations of wild sea trout in a large-scale experiment with acoustic telemetry in an aquaculture intensive area that was fallowed (emptied of fish) synchronically biannually, creating large variations in salmon lice concentrations.

Consistent melanophore spot patterns allow long-term individual recognition of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar.

The present study shows that permanent melanophore spot patterns in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar make it possible to use images of the operculum to keep track of individual fish over extended periods of their life history. Post-smolt S. salar (n = 246) were initially photographed at an average mass of 98 g and again 10 months later after rearing in a sea cage, at an average mass of 3088 g.

Climate-driven changes in functional biogeography of Arctic marine fish communities.

Climate change triggers poleward shifts in species distribution leading to changes in biogeography. In the marine environment, fish respond quickly to warming, causing community-wide reorganizations, which result in profound changes in ecosystem functioning. Functional biogeography provides a framework to address how ecosystem functioning may be affected by climate change over large spatial scales.