Source, fate and management of recreational fishing marine debris.

Marine debris, directly and indirectly, threatens marine habitat and biota. Fishing activity is generally recognised as a contributor to marine debris, but the relative input from recreational fishing remains unassessed. Here we provide the first comprehensive literature review of recreational fishing marine debris (RFMD) on a global scale. A systematic literature review identified 70 studies related to RFMD, and plastic and metal respectively were the dominant debris materials found. Nearshore coastal areas and reefs, acted as both sources and sinks of RFMD and a diverse suite of potential impacts such as ghost fishing and entanglement were identified at local scales. Overall, research of RFMD is lacking globally, however, its role in marine debris input is likely underestimated. We recommend more research on the volumes and risks, using a standardised classification approach. Where intervention is required, we suggest cooperative approaches between the sector and authorities.

An ecological halo surrounding a large offshore artificial reef: Sediments, infauna, and fish foraging.

Artificial reefs are deployed in coastal systems to meet a range of social objectives and infrastructure requirements, such as recreational diving and fisheries enhancement. Such reefs are typically deployed on soft sediments and yet we know little of their effect on the biophysical characteristics of the surrounding benthos. This study investigated the composition of benthic infauna, sediment characteristics, and demersal fish foraging activity surrounding a large, steel, designed offshore artificial reef (OAR), measuring 12 m × 16 m x 12 m (height x length x width) and weighing approximately 42 tonnes. Using a gradient approach we established four transects with sediment sampling sites located 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 m from the OAR. Taxon richness of infauna was lower close to the OAR (15, 30 m), and abundances of total infauna elevated at 15 m, driven largely by two families of polychaete (Onuphidae and Spionidae). Sediment characteristics (grain size, total organic carbon, metals) did not vary with distance from the OAR. Using unbaited videos we established that fish foraging activity on the soft sediments was enhanced close to the OAR (15 m), with a 5-10 fold increase in total foraging time that was largely accounted for by the activity of four benthivorous fish species (blue morwong Nemadactylus douglasii, the silver trevally Pseudocaranx georgianus, and goatfishes Upeneichthys vlamingii and U. lineatus). Fish foraging may cause changes in the composition of benthic infauna due to disturbance and selective predation. The effective benthic 'ecological halo' or 'footprint' of the OAR was 15 times the area of the actual reef. We demonstrate that a single large OAR can influence the surrounding benthic invertebrate and vertebrate communities, but that the effects are highly localised.

Geographical differences in survival of dogs with non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with a CHOP based chemotherapy protocol.

BACKGROUND: In humans geographical differences in the incidence and presentation of various cancers have been reported. However, much of this information has not been collected in veterinary oncology. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine if a geographic difference in progression free survival exists for dogs with lymphoma treated within the US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 775 cases of canine lymphoma from 3 US regions (west, south and north), treated with CHOP chemotherapy, were retrospectively evaluated. Cases were collected from referral institutions and were required to have received at least one doxorubicin treatment and have follow up information regarding time to progression. RESULTS: Significant differences in sex (p = 0.05), weight (p = 0.049), stage (p < 0.001), immunophenotype (p = <0.001), and number of doxorubicin doses (p = 0.001) were seen between regions. Upon univariate analysis, progression free survival (PFS) differed by region (p = 0.006), stage (p = 0.009), sub-stage (p = 0.0005), and immunophenotype (p = 0.001). A multivariable Cox regression model showed that dogs in the western region had a significantly shorter PFS when compared to the south and east. CONCLUSION: PFS was significantly affected by stage, sub-stage and phenotype.

Non-coherent light for photodynamic therapy of superficial tumours in animals.

Cultured 9L cells were incubated with varying concentrations of pheophorbide-a-hexyl ether (HPPH) and then exposed to 665-nm red light from a non-coherent light source or a dye laser. Cell death was produced by both light sources, with the non-coherent light being most effective at the highest HPPH concentrations. To assess the feasibility of using the non-coherent light source for clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT), four dogs and three cats presenting with spontaneous superficial tumours were injected intravenously with 0.15 mg kg(-1) of HPPH, 1 h before their tumours were irradiated with 665-nm non-coherent light (50 mW cm(-2), 100 J cm(-2)). Of the nine tumours treated, there were eight complete responses, all occurring in animals with squamous cell carcinoma. After 68 weeks of follow-up, the median initial disease-free interval had not been reached. These data suggest that non-coherent light sources may be efficacious for photodynamic therapy of spontaneous superficial tumours in animals, representing a cost-effective alternative to medical lasers in both veterinary and human oncology.