Active Site Structures of CYP11A1 in the Presence of Its Physiological Substrates and Alterations upon Binding of Adrenodoxin

The rate-limiting step in the steroid synthesis pathway is catalyzed by CYP11A1 through three sequential reactions. The first two steps involve hydroxylations at positions 22 and 20, generating 20(R),22(R)-dihydroxycholesterol (20R,22R-DiOHCH), with the third stage leading to a C20–C22 bond cleavage, forming pregnenolone. This work provides detailed information about the active site structure of CYP11A1 in the resting state and substrate-bound ferric forms as well as the CO-ligated adducts. In addition, high-quality resonance Raman spectra are reported for the dioxygen complexes, providing new insight into the status of Fe–O–O fragments encountered during the enzymatic cycle. Results show that the three natural substrates of CYP11A1 have quite different effects on the active site structure, including variations of spin state populations, reorientations of heme peripheral groups, and, most importantly, substrate-mediated distortions of Fe–CO and Fe–O2 fragments, as revealed by telltale shifts of the observed vibrational modes. Specifically, the vibrational mode patterns observed for the Fe–O–O fragments with the first and third substrates are consistent with H-bonding interactions with the terminal oxygen, a structural feature that tends to promote O–O bond cleavage to form the Compound I intermediate. Furthermore, such spectral data are acquired for complexes with the natural redox partner, adrenodoxin (Adx), revealing protein–protein-induced active site structural perturbations. While this work shows that Adx has an only weak effect on ferric and ferrous CO states, it has a relatively stronger impact on the Fe–O–O fragments of the functionally relevant oxy complexes

Contemporary splinting practice in the UK for adults with neurological dysfunction: A cross-sectional survey

This article is made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Aim: To explore the contemporary splinting practice of UK occupational therapists and physiotherapists for adults with neurological dysfunction. Method: Cross-sectional online survey of members of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology and College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section Neurological Practice. Results: Four hundred and twenty therapists completed the survey. Contracture management is the most common rationale for therapists splinting adults with neurological dysfunction. Other shared therapeutic goals of splinting include maintaining muscle and joint alignment, spasticity management, function, pain management and control of oedema. Considerable clinical uncertainty was uncovered in practice particularly around wearing regimens of splints. Most therapists have access to locally-derived splinting guidelines, which may contribute to this diversity of practice. Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into aspects of contemporary splinting practice among UK therapists, who belong to a specialist neurological professional network and work in a number of different health-care settings with adults who have a neurological condition. Study findings show a wide variation in splinting practice, thereby indicating a potential need for national guidance to assist therapists in this area of clinical uncertainty. Further research is required to establish best practice parameters for splinting in neurological rehabilitation

2019 Annual Report Estimating Relative Juvenile Abundance of Ecologically Important Finfish in the Virginia Portion of Chesapeake Bay (1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Trawl Survey provides crucial data to state, regional, and national fisheries management agencies, including the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The MAFMC recognizes the juvenile trawl survey as one of the key predictors of Summer Flounder recruitment. Annual indices of juvenile abundance have been generated from trawl survey data for species of key recreational and ecological importance in the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay. These include Spot, Atlantic Croaker, Weakfish, Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Scup, Striped Bass, White Perch, White Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Silver Perch, American Eel, and Bay Anchovy. We completed 1,224 tows in 2018–2019. We collected 660,907 fishes and Bay Anchovy continue to be the most abundant species observed in the survey, accounting for 58% of all fishes collected. Of the target species for which we provide indices of relative abundance, 10 species categories (considering YOY and Age 1+ as distinct categories) exhibited below-average abundance in 2018 – 2019 (American Eel [all three rivers], Bay Anchovy, Black Sea Bass, Blue Catfish age 1+ [Rappahannock River], Channel Catfish juveniles and age 1+ [all three rivers], Scup, Weakfish, White Catfish juveniles [York and Rappahannock rivers], and White Catfish age 1+ [all three rivers]). Seven species categories exhibited above-average abundances (Blue Catfish juveniles [all three rivers], Blue Catfish age 1+ [James and York rivers], Silver Perch, Striped Bass, White Catfish juveniles [James River], White Perch juveniles [James and Rappahannock rivers], and White Perch age 1+ [James River]). Juvenile Atlantic Croaker, Spot, Summer Flounder, and White Perch [York River], as well as age 1+ White Perch [York and Rappahannock rivers] exhibited average relative abundance in 2018-2019. In 2018, we observed the second lowest level of recruitment for Black Sea Bass and the highest recruitment of Blue Catfish juveniles in the James River, and the second highest levels in the York and Rappahannock rivers. Striped Bass juveniles showed strong recruitment this year and Silver Perch continued to exhibit above-average recruitment, whereas Weakfish had below-average recruitment for the fifth year in a row

Evaluating Recruitment of American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, to the Potomac River (Spring 2008)

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the American eel in November 1999. The FMP focuses on increasing coastal states’ efforts to collect American eel data through both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent studies. Consequently, member jurisdictions agreed to implement an annual survey for young of the year (YOY) American eels. The survey is intended to “…characterize trends in annual recruitment of the YOY eels over time [to produce a] qualitative appraisal of the annual recruitment of American eel to the U.S. Atlantic Coast” (ASMFC, 2000). The development of these surveys began in 2000 with full implementation by 2001. Survey results should provide necessary data on coastal recruitment success and further understanding of American eel population dynamics. A recent American eel stock assessment report (ASMFC, 3 2006) emphasized the importance of the coast-wide survey as an index of sustained recruitment over the historical coastal range and an early warning of potential range contraction of the species. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science continued its spring sampling to estimate relative abundance of YOY American eels in the Potomac River. Funding was provided by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, which ensured compliance with the 1999 ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eels

Evaluating Recruitment of American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in the Potomac River (Spring 2009)

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the American eel in November 1999. The FMP focuses on increasing coastal states’ efforts to collect American eel data through both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent studies. Consequently, member jurisdictions agreed to implement an annual survey for young of year (YOY) American eels. The survey is intended to “…characterize trends in annual recruitment of the YOY eels over time [to produce a] qualitative appraisal of the annual recruitment of American eel to the U.S. Atlantic Coast” (ASMFC 2000). The development of these surveys began in 2000 with full implementation by 2001. Survey results should provide necessary data on coastal recruitment success and further understanding of American eel 3 population dynamics. A recent American eel stock assessment report (ASMFC 2006) emphasized the importance of the coast-wide survey for providing data useful in calculating an index of recruitment over the historical coastal range and for serving as an early warning of potential range contraction of the species. Funding for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s spring survey in the Potomac River was provided by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, thereby ensuring compliance with the 1999 ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eels

Evaluating Recruitment of American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in the Potomac River (Spring 2012)

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the American eel in November 1999. The FMP focuses on increasing coastal states’ efforts to collect American eel data through both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent studies. Consequently, member jurisdictions agreed to implement an annual survey for young-of-year (YOY) American eels. The survey is intended to “…characterize trends in annual recruitment of the YOY eels over time [to produce a] qualitative appraisal of the annual recruitment of American eel to the U.S. Atlantic Coast” (ASMFC 2000). The development of these surveys began in 2000 with full implementation by 2001. Survey results should provide necessary data on 4 coastal recruitment success and further understanding of American eel population dynamics. A recent American eel stock assessment report (ASMFC 2009) emphasized the importance of the coast-wide survey for providing data useful in calculating an index of recruitment over the historical coastal range and for serving as an early warning of potential range contraction of the species. Funding for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science’s spring survey in the Potomac River was provided by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, thereby ensuring compliance with the 1999 ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eels

Estimating Relative Abundance of Young-of-Year American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, in the Virginia Tributaries of Chesapeake Bay (Spring 2014)

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the American Eel in November 1999. The FMP calls for efforts to collect American Eel data through both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent studies in coastal states. Consequently, member jurisdictions agreed to implement an annual survey for young-of-year (YOY) American Eels. The survey is intended to “…characterize trends in annual recruitment of the YOY eels over time [to produce a] qualitative appraisal of the annual recruitment of American Eel to the 4 U.S. Atlantic Coast” (ASMFC 2000). The development of these surveys began in 2000 with full implementation by 2001. Survey results provide necessary data on coastal recruitment success and further understanding of American Eel population dynamics. A recent American Eel benchmark stock assessment report found that the American Eel stock status is depleted and emphasized the importance of the coast-wide survey as an index of recruitment over the historical coastal range in the U.S. and an early warning of potential range contraction of the species (ASMFC 2012). In 2014, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science continued its spring sampling to estimate relative abundance of YOY American Eels in Virginia tributaries of Chesapeake Bay

Calibration of VIMS Research Vessel Catch Data to Ensure Continuity of Recruitment Indices for the Chesapeake Bay Region

The VIMS Juvenile Fish Trawl Survey, which has been in operation since 1955, has undergone considerable changes to the sampling gear, location of sampling sites, and the methodology used to select sampling sites. Recently, a new vessel, the R/V Tidewater, replaced the R/V Fish Hawk, which had been in service for 25 years. In addition to the change in vessel, a new net was used; this net design is more robust to deployment methods and performs more consistently under varying environmental conditions. Therefore, a calibration study was conducted whereby the two research vessels with different nets fished in the same area at the same time. This calibration study provides an estimate of the species-specific factors necessary to ‘convert’ the R/V Tidewater catches to those of the R/V Fish Hawk, taking into account the combination of vessel and net. All other protocols (tow duration, scope, vessel speed, and sample processing) remained unchanged. Comparison sampling with the R/V Tidewater and the R/V Fish Hawk began in April 2014 and concluded in May 2015; additional paired tows were completed in August 2016 to provide sufficient samples for Scup, Black Sea Bass, and adult Summer Flounder. We completed a total of 1,141 paired tows during 97 days-at-sea, capturing a total of 327,526 fishes, crabs, and shrimp aboard the R/V Fish Hawk and 323,580 fishes, crabs, and shrimp aboard the R/V Tidewater. From these data, we developed calibration factors for 41 species groups (species-age or species-size combinations). Calibration factors were estimated from the best-fitting model from among four candidate models that accounted for variability in catches between the two vessels. In addition, we examined species composition of the catches from the paired tows using multivariate analysis and found that catches from the two vessels were similar in all months and strata except for shallow stations in Chesapeake Bay. Our ‘whole survey’ approach allowed us to estimate calibration factors for species in all available habitats that are routinely monitored by the VIMS Juvenile Fish Trawl Survey. Further, our consideration of depth, tidal currents, tow direction, water clarity, tow distance, and salinity in the calibration models ensures that the estimates are applicable across the range of estuarine characteristics that are inhabited by these species. The estimated calibration factors will be applied to catches of the R/V Tidewater at the individual-tow level; relative abundance indices will be estimated using the random-stratified survey design in effect since 1988, thus preserving the integrity of the long-term survey data for estimating relative abundance of juvenile fishes and blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay

2022 Annual Report - Estimating Relative Juvenile Abundance of Ecologically Important Finfish in the Virginia Portion of Chesapeake Bay (1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022)

The Trawl Survey provides crucial data to state, regional, and national fisheries management agencies, including the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Mid‐Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The MAFMC recognizes the juvenile trawl survey as one of the key predictors of Summer Flounder recruitment. Annual indices of juvenile abundance have been generated from trawl survey data for species of key recreational and ecological importance in the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay. These include Spot, Atlantic Croaker, Weakfish, Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Scup, Striped Bass, White Perch, White Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Silver Perch, American Eel, and Bay Anchovy. We completed all planned tows (1,224) from July 2021 to June 2022 and collected 478,313 fishes. Bay Anchovy continue to be the most abundant species observed in the survey, accounting for 58% of all fishes collected. Of the 36 target species categories for which we provide indices of relative abundance, 29 species categories (considering YOY and age 1+ as distinct categories) exhibited below‐average abundance in 2021 – 2022. Five species categories exhibited average abundances including Atlantic Croaker, Black Sea Bass, White Perch YOY (York River) and age 1+ White Perch (Rappahannock and York rivers). Only age 1+ Blue Catfish (York and James rivers exhibited above‐average abundances in 2021‐2022