Symbiodinium Transcriptomes: Genome Insights into the Dinoflagellate Symbionts of Reef-Building Corals

Dinoflagellates are unicellular algae that are ubiquitously abundant in aquatic environments. Species of the genus Symbiodinium form symbiotic relationships with reef-building corals and other marine invertebrates. Despite their ecologic importance, little is known about the genetics of dinoflagellates in general and Symbiodinium in particular. Here, we used 454 sequencing to generate transcriptome data from two Symbiodinium species from different clades (clade A and clade B). With more than 56,000 assembled sequences per species, these data represent the largest transcriptomic resource for dinoflagellates to date. Our results corroborate previous observations that dinoflagellates possess the complete nucleosome machinery. We found a complete set of core histones as well as several H3 variants and H2A.Z in one species. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis points toward a low number of transcription factors in Symbiodinium spp. that also differ in the distribution of DNA-binding domains relative to other eukaryotes. In particular the cold shock domain was predominant among transcription factors. Additionally, we found a high number of antioxidative genes in comparison to non-symbiotic but evolutionary related organisms. These findings might be of relevance in the context of the role that Symbiodinium spp. play as coral symbionts

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

Production System and Societal Devolopment

Not AvailableThe quality and viability of the shrimp seeds play a vital role in the success of shrimp culture. Indian white shrimp Pindicus, is the first indigenous penaeid shrimp for which seed production was standardized in India during the 1980s. Along with black tiger shrimp (P monodon), Indian white shrimp dominated the shrimp fishery till the early 1990s. However, wild broodstock-dependent Indian shrimp farming was severely hampered by the viral epidemics since 1994. In this situation, the introduction of exotic species SPF P.vannamei in 2009 gave impetus to shrimp farming. Presently, India has around 311 CAA registered P.vananmei shrimp hatcheries and 90 nauplius rearing centers (NRC). The registered hatcheries import Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstock mainly from the USA, Madagascar, Mexico, and Hawaii. Aquatic Quarantine Facility (MPEDA-RGCAAQF) located at Chennai under Govt. of India is the nodal center that issues quarantine clearance for imported broodstock. In 2019-2020, about 1,24,957 pairs of Pacific white shrimp broodstocks were imported from the 14 authorized suppliers to cater to the demand of the Indian shrimp hatcheries. The annual production capacity for shrimp postlarvae (PL.) from these hatcheries is 70 billion seeds. Broodstock development and larval rearing are essential components of any commercial shrimp hatcheries. Major features of shrimp hatchery include quarantine facilities, broodstock maturation units, spawning and hatching units, algal culture units, larval and post- larval rearing section, water treatment system, etc. This chapter discusses broodstock and larval rearing components of the hatchery system.Not Availabl