53 research outputs found
Spatio-Temporal Variation in Length-Weight Relationships and Condition of the Ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758): Implications for Fisheries Management
Knowledge of length-weight relationships for commercially exploited fish is an important tool for assessing and managing of fish stocks. However, analyses of length-weight relationship fisheries data typically do not consider the inherent differences in length-weight relationships for fish caught from different habitats, seasons, or years, and this can affect the utility of these data for developing condition indices or calculating fisheries biomass. Here, we investigated length-weight relationships for ribbonfish Trichiurus lepturus in the waters of the Arabian Sea off Oman collected during three periods (2001-02, 2007-08, and 2014-15) and showed that a multivariate modelling approach that considers the areas and seasons in which ribbonfish were caught improved estimation of length-weight relationships. We used the outputs of these models to explore spatio-temporal variations in condition indices and relative weights among ribbonfish, revealing fish of 85-125 cm were in the best overall condition. We also found that condition differed according to where and when fish were caught, with condition lowest during spring and pre-south-west monsoon periods and highest during and after the south-west monsoons. We interpret these differences to be a consequence of variability in temperature and food availability. Based on our findings, we suggest fishing during seasons that have the lowest impact on fish condition and which are commercially most viable; such fishery management would enhance fisheries conservation and economic revenue in the region
Effect of nesiritide in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.
BACKGROUND: Nesiritide is approved in the United States for early relief of
dyspnea in patients with acute heart failure. Previous meta-analyses have raised
questions regarding renal toxicity and the mortality associated with this agent.
METHODS: We randomly assigned 7141 patients who were hospitalized with acute
heart failure to receive either nesiritide or placebo for 24 to 168 hours in
addition to standard care. Coprimary end points were the change in dyspnea at 6
and 24 hours, as measured on a 7-point Likert scale, and the composite end point
of rehospitalization for heart failure or death within 30 days.
RESULTS: Patients randomly assigned to nesiritide, as compared with those
assigned to placebo, more frequently reported markedly or moderately improved
dyspnea at 6 hours (44.5% vs. 42.1%, P=0.03) and 24 hours (68.2% vs. 66.1%,
P=0.007), but the prespecified level for significance (P≤0.005 for both
assessments or P≤0.0025 for either) was not met. The rate of rehospitalization
for heart failure or death from any cause within 30 days was 9.4% in the
nesiritide group versus 10.1% in the placebo group (absolute difference, -0.7
percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.1 to 0.7; P=0.31). There were
no significant differences in rates of death from any cause at 30 days (3.6% with
nesiritide vs. 4.0% with placebo; absolute difference, -0.4 percentage points;
95% CI, -1.3 to 0.5) or rates of worsening renal function, defined by more than a
25% decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (31.4% vs. 29.5%; odds
ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.21; P=0.11).
CONCLUSIONS: Nesiritide was not associated with an increase or a decrease in the
rate of death and rehospitalization and had a small, nonsignificant effect on
dyspnea when used in combination with other therapies. It was not associated with
a worsening of renal function, but it was associated with an increase in rates of
hypotension. On the basis of these results, nesiritide cannot be recommended for
routine use in the broad population of patients with acute heart failure. (Funded
by Scios; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00475852.
Gene expression profiles in rat mesenteric lymph nodes upon supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid during gestation and suckling
Background Diet plays a role on the development of the immune system, and polyunsaturated fatty acids can modulate the expression of a variety of genes. Human milk contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that seems to contribute to immune development. Indeed, recent studies carried out in our group in suckling animals have shown that the immune function is enhanced after feeding them with an 80:20 isomer mix composed of c9,t11 and t10,c12 CLA. However, little work has been done on the effects of CLA on gene expression, and even less regarding immune system development in early life. Results The expression profile of mesenteric lymph nodes from animals supplemented with CLA during gestation and suckling through dam's milk (Group A) or by oral gavage (Group B), supplemented just during suckling (Group C) and control animals (Group D) was determined with the aid of the specific GeneChip® Rat Genome 230 2.0 (Affymettrix). Bioinformatics analyses were performed using the GeneSpring GX software package v10.0.2 and lead to the identification of 89 genes differentially expressed in all three dietary approaches. Generation of a biological association network evidenced several genes, such as connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1), galanin (Gal), synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2), actin gamma 2 (Actg2) and smooth muscle alpha actin (Acta2), as highly interconnected nodes of the resulting network. Gene underexpression was confirmed by Real-Time RT-PCR. Conclusions Ctgf, Timp1, Gal and Syt1, among others, are genes modulated by CLA supplementation that may have a role on mucosal immune responses in early life
Gene expression profiles in rat mesenteric lymph nodes upon supplementation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid during gestation and suckling
Background Diet plays a role on the development of the immune system, and polyunsaturated fatty acids can modulate the expression of a variety of genes. Human milk contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that seems to contribute to immune development. Indeed, recent studies carried out in our group in suckling animals have shown that the immune function is enhanced after feeding them with an 80:20 isomer mix composed of c9,t11 and t10,c12 CLA. However, little work has been done on the effects of CLA on gene expression, and even less regarding immune system development in early life. Results The expression profile of mesenteric lymph nodes from animals supplemented with CLA during gestation and suckling through dam's milk (Group A) or by oral gavage (Group B), supplemented just during suckling (Group C) and control animals (Group D) was determined with the aid of the specific GeneChip® Rat Genome 230 2.0 (Affymettrix). Bioinformatics analyses were performed using the GeneSpring GX software package v10.0.2 and lead to the identification of 89 genes differentially expressed in all three dietary approaches. Generation of a biological association network evidenced several genes, such as connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1), galanin (Gal), synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1), growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2), actin gamma 2 (Actg2) and smooth muscle alpha actin (Acta2), as highly interconnected nodes of the resulting network. Gene underexpression was confirmed by Real-Time RT-PCR. Conclusions Ctgf, Timp1, Gal and Syt1, among others, are genes modulated by CLA supplementation that may have a role on mucosal immune responses in early life
Time series data for Canadian arctic vertebrates: IPY contributions to science, management, and policy
Detection of Amino-terminal Extracellular Domain of Somatostatin Receptor 2 by Specific Monoclonal Antibodies and Quantification of Receptor Density in Medulloblastoma
Synthesis of N-succinimidyl 4-guanidinomethyl-3-[*I]iodobenzoate: a radio-iodination agent for labeling internalizing proteins and peptides
Patient characteristics and clinical events from GRACE and SYNERGY: Differences persist in utilization of standard therapies in clinical practice
Human glioblastoma xenografts overexpressing a tumor-specific mutant epidermal growth factor receptor sensitized to cisplatin by the AG1478 tyrosine kinase inhibitor
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