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The Hawaiian Archipelago experienced a moderate bleaching event in 2019—the third major bleaching event over a 6-year period to impact the islands. In response, the Hawai‘i Coral Bleaching Collaborative (HCBC) conducted 2,177 coral bleaching surveys across the Hawaiian Archipelago. The HCBC was established to coordinate bleaching monitoring efforts across the state between academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and governmental agencies to facilitate data sharing and provide management recommendations. In 2019, the goals of this unique partnership were to: 1) assess the spatial and temporal patterns of thermal stress; 2) examine taxa-level patterns in bleaching susceptibility; 3) quantify spatial variation in bleaching extent; 4) compare 2019 patterns to those of prior bleaching events; 5) identify predictors of bleaching in 2019; and 6) explore site-specific management strategies to mitigate future bleaching events. Both acute thermal stress and bleaching in 2019 were less severe overall compared to the last major marine heatwave events in 2014 and 2015. Bleaching observed was highly site- and taxon-specific, driven by the susceptibility of remaining coral assemblages whose structure was likely shaped by previous bleaching and subsequent mortality. A suite of environmental and anthropogenic predictors was significantly correlated with observed bleaching in 2019. Acute environmental stressors, such as temperature and surface light, were equally important as previous conditions (e.g. historical thermal stress and historical bleaching) in accounting for variation in bleaching during the 2019 event. We found little evidence for acclimation by reefs to thermal stress in the main Hawaiian Islands. Moreover, our findings illustrate how detrimental effects of local anthropogenic stressors, such as tourism and urban run-off, may be exacerbated under high thermal stress. In light of the forecasted increase in severity and frequency of bleaching events, future mitigation of both local and global stressors is a high priority for the future of corals in Hawai‘i.

Coral reef ecosystems are being fundamentally restructured by local human impacts and climate-driven marine heatwaves that trigger mass coral bleaching and mortality 1 . Reducing local impacts can increase reef resistance to and recovery from bleaching 2 . However, resource managers lack clear advice on targeted actions that best support coral reefs under climate change 3 and sector-based governance means most land- and sea-based management efforts remain siloed 4 . Here we combine surveys of reef change with a unique 20-year time series of land–sea human impacts that encompassed an unprecedented marine heatwave in Hawai‘i. Reefs with increased herbivorous fish populations and reduced land-based impacts, such as wastewater pollution and urban runoff, had positive coral cover trajectories predisturbance. These reefs also experienced a modest reduction in coral mortality following severe heat stress compared to reefs with reduced fish populations and enhanced land-based impacts. Scenario modelling indicated that simultaneously reducing land–sea human impacts results in a three- to sixfold greater probability of a reef having high reef-builder cover four years postdisturbance than if either occurred in isolation. International efforts to protect 30% of Earth’s land and ocean ecosystems by 2030 are underway 5 . Our results reveal that integrated land–sea management could help achieve coastal ocean conservation goals and provide coral reefs with the best opportunity to persist in our changing climate. Surveys of reef change are combined with a unique 20-year time series of land–sea human impacts and the results show that integrated land–sea management could help achieve coastal ocean conservation goals and provide coral reefs with the best opportunity to persist in our changing climate.

Pelagic Sargassum provides refuge in the open ocean for a wide array of fish and other species, and it became an Essential Fish Habitat in the South Atlantic in 1996. Despite the significance of pelagic Sargassum in the open ocean, few studies have been conducted for Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Sargassum communities. To define Sargassum community composition and trophic dynamics in the north-central GOM, I combined field sampling and stable isotope techniques to: 1) describe the species composition of Sargassum-associated fish, 2) define relationships between Sargassum morphology and associated fish assemblages, and 3) define the contribution of Sargassum to the diets of consumers in the Sargassum community. Carangidae was the most diverse and abundant family of fish associated with Sargassum, and the fish assemblage in the north-central GOM was similar to Sargassum communities in other GOM and Atlantic studies. Sargassum morphology did not influence fish assemblage, but stable isotope analysis revealed that Sargassum contributed to the consumer's diet in the Sargassum community. My findings demonstrate that Sargassum provides shelter and a food source for a variety of fish in the north-central GOM.

Special Protected Areas (SPAs) were established within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 1997 to address a variety of management goals including coral reef resource protection and recovery. Within these areas all consumptive activities are prohibited. To evaluate whether SPA establishment has resulted in reef assemblage differences on inshore patch reefs, we quantified reef fish abundance and biomass, grazing intensity and benthic cover on abiotically similar protected and reference reefs. Transect surveys indicated that biomass and mean body lengths for several common predatory fish species were significantly greater within SPAs. Size classes of herbivorous fish also varied with protection; adult herbivorous fish were significantly more abundant, while juveniles were significantly less abundant within SPAs. Grazing intensity and benthic cover were site-specific and did not vary consistently with protection, suggesting that SPA establishment has not immediately (within 10 yr) driven observable indirect effects on the benthos.

Several ‘Special Protected Areas’ have been established within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to promote the recovery of coral reef communities. To evaluate the effectiveness of these areas, I quantified reef fish abundance, grazing intensity, and benthic cover on abiotically similar protected and fished patch reefs. Baited underwater videos and transect surveys revealed greater abundances and size for several targeted fish species, and skewed size-class distributions for herbivorous fish within protected areas. Grazing intensity, coral recruitment and benthic cover did not vary consistently with protection. These results suggest that S.P.A.s, (1) increase the abundance and mean size of exploited reef fish, (2) support greater abundances of large/adult herbivorous fish, (3) limit the abundance of juvenile herbivorous fish, and (4) do not alter coral recruitment and benthic cover. By prohibiting exploitation, marine reserves establish a mechanism for ‘improvement’ in the fish community. However, additional management is needed to promote the recovery of benthic assemblages.

Increasing evidence suggests rural breast cancer survivors (BCS) may experience greater burden in symptoms known to be associated with cancer-associated cognitive decline (CACD). Yet, little is known about CACD in rural BCS. This study (1) examined differences in cognitive function, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and other CACD correlates and (2) tested the effects of MVPA on cognitive function in rural versus urban BCS. Rural and urban BCS (N = 80), matched on age, education, and time since diagnosis from a larger study, completed cognitive tasks assessing processing speed (Trails-B, Mazes, Task-Switch) and working memory (spatial working memory) and questionnaires assessing subjective memory impairment (SMI), MVPA, and CACD correlates (i.e., sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety/depression). Some participants (n = 62) wore an accelerometer to objectively estimate MVPA. Multiple linear regression and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to test study aims. Rural BCS (n = 40, M = 61.1±8.4 years-old) performed significantly slower on Trails-B (p<0.01) compared with urban BCS (n = 40, M = 61.0±8.2 years-old) and engaged in less objectively-estimated daily MVPA (mean difference = 13.83±4.73 minutes; p = 0.01). No significant differences in SMI, self-reported MVPA, or CACD correlates were observed (all p>0.28). Regression models did not reveal a significant interaction between MVPA and cognitive performance (all p>0.1); however, estimated marginal means models indicated that the effect of MVPA on processing speed was evident only among rural BCS (Trails-B, p = 0.04; Mazes, p = 0.03). Findings suggest rural BCS may suffer greater CACD and engage in less MVPA. Additional research is warranted to further examine CACD and more effectively promote MVPA in rural BCS.

An expanded GGGGCC hexanucleotide of more than 30 repeats (termed (G4C2)30+) within C9orf72 is the most prominent mutation in familial frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (termed C9+). Through an unbiased large-scale screen of (G4C2)49-expressing Drosophila we identify the CDC73/PAF1 complex (PAF1C), a transcriptional regulator of RNA polymerase II, as a suppressor of G4C2-associated toxicity when knocked-down. Depletion of PAF1C reduces RNA and GR dipeptide production from (G4C2)30+ transgenes. Notably, in Drosophila, the PAF1C components Paf1 and Leo1 appear to be selective for the transcription of long, toxic repeat expansions, but not shorter, nontoxic expansions. In yeast, PAF1C components regulate the expression of both sense and antisense repeats. PAF1C is upregulated following (G4C2)30+ expression in flies and mice. In humans, PAF1 is also upregulated in C9+-derived cells, and its heterodimer partner, LEO1, binds C9+ repeat chromatin. In C9+ FTD, PAF1 and LEO1 are upregulated and their expression positively correlates with the expression of repeat-containing C9orf72 transcripts. These data indicate that PAF1C activity is an important factor for transcription of the long, toxic repeat in C9+ FTD.The (G4C2)30+ repeat expansion is the most prominent mutation in familial FTD and ALS. Here the PAF1 complex is identified as a transcriptional regulator of this unique mutation. Data from FTD tissue positive for the C9orf72 mutation support the relevance of this complex in disease.

Background The aetiology and pathogenesis of non-genetic forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is unknown and even with the genetic forms of FTD, pathogenesis remains elusive. Given the association between systemic inflammation and other neurodegenerative processes, links between autoimmunity and FTD need to be explored. Objective To describe the prevalence of systemic autoimmune disease in semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), a clinical cohort, and in progranulin (PGRN) mutation carriers compared with neurologically healthy normal controls (NC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) as dementia controls. Design Case control. Setting Academic medical centres. Participants 129 svPPA, 39 PGRN, 186 NC and 158 AD patients underwent chart review for autoimmune conditions. A large subset of svPPA, PGRN and NC cohorts underwent serum analysis for tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels. Outcome measures χ2 Comparison of autoimmune prevalence and follow-up logistic regression. Results There was a significantly increased risk of autoimmune disorders clustered around inflammatory arthritides, cutaneous disorders and gastrointestinal conditions in the svPPA and PGRN cohorts. Elevated TNF-α levels were observed in svPPA and PGRN compared with NC. Conclusions svPPA and PGRN are associated with increased prevalence of specific and related autoimmune diseases compared with NC and AD. These findings suggest a unique pattern of systemic inflammation in svPPA and PGRN and open new research avenues for understanding and treating disorders associated with underlying transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 aggregation.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of surveillance endoscopy in patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BE) for reducing oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)-related mortality in patients with BE is unclear.MethodsThis is a cohort study of patients with BE diagnosed in the National Veterans Affairs hospitals during 2004–2009 excluding those with conditions that affect overall survival. We identified those diagnosed with EAC after BE diagnosis through 2011 and conducted chart reviews to identify BE surveillance programme, and indication for EAC diagnosis, verify diagnosis, stage, therapy and cause of death. We examined the association between surveillance indication for EAC diagnosis with or without surveillance programme and EAC stage and treatment receipt in logistic regression models, and with time to death or cancer-related death using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsAmong 29 536 patients with BE, 424 patients developed EAC during a mean follow-up of 5.0 years. A total of 209 (49.3%) patients with EAC were in BE surveillance programme and were diagnosed as a result of surveillance endoscopy. These patients were more likely to be diagnosed at an early stage (stage 0 or 1: 74.7% vs 56.2, p<0.001), survived longer (median 3.2 vs 2.3 years; p<0.001) and have lower cancer-related mortality (34.0% vs 54.0%, p<0.0001) and had a trend to receive oesophagectomy (51.2% vs 42.3%; p=0.07) than 215 patients diagnosed by non-BE surveillance endoscopy (17.2% of whom were BE surveillance failure). BE surveillance endoscopy was associated with a decreased risk of cancer-related death (HR 0.47, 0.35 to 0.64), which was largely explained by the early stage of EAC at the time of diagnosis. Similarly, the adjusted mortality for patients with cancer in a prior surveillance programme for overall death was 0.63 (0.47 to 0.84) compared with patients with cancer not in a surveillance programme.ConclusionsSurveillance endoscopy among patients with BE is associated with significantly better EAC outcomes including cancer-related mortality compared with other non-surveillance endoscopy.