These data provide the first direct experimental evidence demonstrating that regular aerobic exercise reduces hepatic lipids in obesity even in the absence of body weight reduction. Physical activity should be strongly promoted for the management of fatty liver, the benefits of which are not exclusively contingent upon weight loss.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver is frequently observed in obese individuals, yet the factors that predict its development and progression to liver disease are poorly understood. We proposed that proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (

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The biota and environment of fumarolic ground recently discovered near Mount Rittmann are described. Three patches (about 1 m2 each) of the moss Pohlia nutans were found in a minor caldera rim. Cyanophytes, chlorophytes, protozoa and bacteria were isolated from the moss and warm ground (30–50°C). The results are compared with those of previous studies on Antarctic volcanoes. The origin of the geothermal flora is discussed in terms of long-distance transport of propagules to the continent.

For over 50 years the Antarctic has been governed through the Antarctic Treaty, an international agreement now between 49 nations of whom 28 Consultative Parties (CPs) undertake the management role. Ostensibly, these Parties have qualified for their position on scientific grounds, though diplomacy also plays a major role. This paper uses counts of policy papers and science publications to assess the political and scientific outputs of all CPs over the last 18 years. We show that a subset of the original 12 Treaty signatories, consisting of the seven claimant nations, the USA and Russia, not only set the political agenda for the continent but also provide most of the science, with those CPs producing the most science generally having the greatest political influence. None of the later signatories to the Treaty appear to play a major role in managing Antarctica compared with this group, with half of all CPs collectively producing only 7% of the policy papers. Although acceptance as a CP requires demonstration of a substantial scientific programme, the Treaty has no formal mechanism to review whether a CP continues to meet this criterion. As a first step to addressing this deficiency, we encourage the CPs collectively to resolve to hold regular international peer reviews of their individual science programmes and to make the results available to the other CPs

Summary: Résumé: Zusamenfassung The species of European weeds which occur as persistent aliens on the subantarctic islands are listed. Their persistence and degree of success in establishment of populations is examined and probable means of introduction suggested for certain species. Poa annua, Cerastium holosteoides and Stellaria media appear to be the most widespread species while Poa annua is undoubtedly the most successful species. Grazing effects can materially influence the spread of introduced species, reindeer on South Georgia having brought about the establishment of pure Poa annua swards. Viable seeds of some species have been found to persist for several years, only germinating under unusual weather conditions. It is concluded that whilst Man's activities have not so far damaged irreparably the floras of any of the islands there is considerable cause for concern for the future. Les mauvaises herbes européennes et autres espéces étrangéres dans la zone subantarctique. On a dressé la liste des espèces européennes de mauvaises herbes qui apparaissent comme des adventices persistantes dans les îles de la zone subantarctique. Leur persistance et Ie degré de réussite dans l'établissement de population est examiné et il est suggéré quelques moyens probables d'intro‐duction pour certaines espéces. Poa annua, Cerastium holosteoides et Stellaria media apparaissent comme les espéces les plus répandues, cependant que Poa annua est indubitable‐ment I'espéce qui a le mieux réussi. Les effets du pâturage peuvent matériellement influencer la dispersion des espéces introduites, les rennes en Georgie du Sud ayant contribué a l'etablissement de pelouses monospé cifiques de Poa annua. Il a été constaté que des semences viables de certaines espéces peuvent persister pendant plusieurs années, ne germant que dans des conditions climatiques inhabituelles. Il en est conclu que si les activités de l'homme n'ont pas encore endommagd de façon irréparable les flores d'aucune des îles, il y a cependant de graves raisons d'inquiétude pour le futur. Europäische Unkräuter tmd andere fremdiändische Arten in der Sub‐Antarklis Die europäischen Unkrautarten die sich auf den subantarktischen Inseln eingebürgert haben, sind zusammen‐gestellt. Ihr Ausdauern und ihr Vermögen Poputationen zu bilden wird untersucht und mögliche Wege der Einbüirgerung werden für einige Arten dargelegt. Poa annua, Cerastium holosteoides und Stellaria media scheinen die am weitesten verbreiteten Arten zu sein, während Poa annua zweifelsohne die erfolgreichste Art ist. Durch Abweiden kann die Aus‐breitung der eingeführten Arten wesentlich beeinflusst werden; so entstanden auf Süd‐Georgien durch Rentiere reine Poa annud‐Rasen. Es wurde gefunden, dass die Samen einiger Arten mehrere Jahre lebensfähig bleiben und nur onter ungewöhnlichen Witterungsbedingungen keimen. Es wird gefolgert, dass die Tätigkeit des Menschen bisher auf keiner der Inseln zu irreparablen Schaden der Floren gefuhrt hat, die weitere Entwicklung gibt jedoch Anlass zur Sorge.

Since Greene and Greene (1963) published their check list of the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic vascular flora, a number of works have appeared which have added new taxa for the region and new records for many of the islands. Some nomenclatural changes have also become necessary following taxonomic revisions so the present check list, which adopts a style and layout similar to that used by Greene and Greene (1963), takes the opportunity to incorporate all of these emendations. Although this paper refers to all taxa noted by Greene and Greene (1963), not all of the sources cited by those authors have been repeated.