River plume effects on larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens ) survival and predation in the western basin of Lake Erie

The western basin of Lake Erie receives input from two main tributaries (Maumee and Detroit River), which differ greatly in their nutrient and sediment loading. The higher turbidity of the Maumee River plume is thought to reduce predation on early-stage juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens), consequently increasing their survival. For this reason, my overall objective was to evaluate the effect of the Maumee River plume on the overall recruitment of larval yellow perch to the juvenile stage. However, traditional diet analyses are not effective for evaluating larval predation rates. I therefore review genetic and non-genetic diet analysis techniques, and how they have evolved with technological advances, allowing researchers to effectively explore trophic interactions and energy movement in aquatic ecosystems. This provided a framework for my doctoral research for which I used a variety of molecular genetic techniques to estimate survival of larval yellow perch using population genetics and predation rates through stomach content analysis of predator fish. Using yellow perch microsatellite markers, I measured temporal and spatial genetic structure in larval yellow perch, while Bayesian genotype assignment provided relative larval survival estimates for yellow perch inhabiting the Maumee and Detroit River plumes. Overall, genotype assignment of Age-0 yellow perch establishes that, in the western basin of Lake Erie, larval recruitment to the juvenile stage is significantly higher for fish inhabiting the Maumee River plume relative to those in the Detroit River plume. In addition, I utilized molecular genetic techniques to accurately identify highly digested early-stage juvenile prey to the species level which was not possible with a more traditional approach (visual inspection of gut contents). Specifically, I use polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning and sequencing, to demonstrate the diversity of prey consumed by several freshwater fish species. Finally, using species-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays and microsatellite markers, I quantified predation and cannibalism experienced by larval yellow perch in the Maumee and Detroit river plumes. The combination of markers showed generally higher predation and cannibalism in the less turbid waters of the Detroit River plume, indicative of river-plume effects (possibly mediated through turbidity) reducing larval yellow perch predation mortality. My doctoral research shows the likely mechanism that river plumes in the western basin of Lake Erie contribute to larval yellow perch survival and consequently potential recruitment; however, temporal and spatial variability indicate that other factors also contribute

Benefits of Turbid River Plume Habitat for Lake Erie Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Recruitment Determined by Juvenile to Larval Genotype Assignment

Nutrient-rich, turbid river plumes that are common to large lakes and coastal marine ecosystems have been hypothesized to benefit survival of fish during early life stages by increasing food availability and (or) reducing vulnerability to visual predators. However, evidence that river plumes truly benefit the recruitment process remains meager for both freshwater and marine fishes. Here, we use genotype assignment between juvenile and larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from western Lake Erie to estimate and compare recruitment to the age-0 juvenile stage for larvae residing inside the highly turbid, south-shore Maumee River plume versus those occupying the less turbid, more northerly Detroit River plume. Bayesian genotype assignment of a mixed assemblage of juvenile (age-0) yellow perch to putative larval source populations established that recruitment of larvae was higher from the turbid Maumee River plume than for the less turbid Detroit River plume during 2006 and 2007, but not in 2008. Our findings add to the growing evidence that turbid river plumes can indeed enhance survival of fish larvae to recruited life stages, and also demonstrate how novel population genetic analyses of early life stages can contribute to determining critical early life stage processes in the fish recruitment process

Novel Porous Materials Solution for Instability Decrease of Problem Soils under Buildings

Problem clay soils represent a great cracking problem for all light buildings over them because of volumetric instability caused by variations in moisture. A generalized solution has been to extract them and substituted by inert soil, thus they become construction trash. A foundation solution to solve the problem of soil is inverted ribbed slab which generates hollow spaces between the soil and the slab for the soil movement. Therefore this work presents a novel solution for reducing instability of soils based on the inclusion of natural porous material within its structure. After results, we conclude that porous material placed within the soil decreased their growth favorably and it depended on its natural void volume. In fact total vertical deformation of the soil (by volume) was decreased with only 65% of its value within the voids when it theoretically should be equal to the vertical volume deformed. This is probably due growth pressure soil was redirected into the porous which generates greater density in the soil introduced requiring less void volume of the total volume deformed. So, according to the natural growth of the clay soil we may include porous materials with the amount of void volume required for such growth

Particle Backtracking Improves Breeding Subpopulation Discrimination and Natal-Source Identification in Mixed Populations

We provide a novel method to improve the use of natural tagging approaches for subpopulation discrimination and source-origin identification in aquatic and terrestrial animals with a passive dispersive phase. Our method integrates observed site-referenced biological information on individuals in mixed populations with a particle-tracking model to retrace likely dispersal histories prior to capture (i.e., particle backtracking). To illustrate and test our approach, we focus on western Lake Erie\u27s yellow perch (Perca flavescens) population during 2006-2007, using microsatellite DNA and otolith microchemistry from larvae and juveniles as natural tags. Particle backtracking showed that not all larvae collected near a presumed hatching location may have originated there, owing to passive drift during the larval stage that was influenced by strong river-and wind-driven water circulation. Re-assigning larvae to their most probable hatching site (based on probabilistic dispersal trajectories from the particle backtracking model) improved the use of genetics and otolith microchemistry to discriminate among local breeding subpopulations. This enhancement, in turn, altered (and likely improved) the estimated contributions of each breeding subpopulation to the mixed population of juvenile recruits. Our findings indicate that particle backtracking can complement existing tools used to identify the origin of individuals in mixed populations, especially in flow-dominated systems

Caracterização de registros produtivos de ovinos Katahdin e efeito do tamanho de grupos contemporâneos na avaliação genética do peso ao desmame

The objective of this research was to characterize the database of the Katahdin sheep breed from Mexico, in order to establish editing and modeling criteria for use in national genetic evaluations of said breed and to compare contemporary groups (CG) of different sizes to determine which size produces greater accuracy of breeding values. The analyzed database contains 92,965 phenotypic and genealogical records. To carry out the descriptive analysis, measures of central tendency and dispersion were calculated, and through univariate ANOVA the influence of environmental factors on growth characteristics was evaluated. The productiva variables were: birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT) and post-weaning daily gain (PWG). Data analysis was performed using R software and genetic evaluation using an animal model was performed using the WOMBAT software. The variables of BWT and WWT were statistically influenced (P < 0.001) by the year and month of birth, sex, herd, age of the mother and the number of lambs per birth. The weighing date also influenced the WWT. The age of the mother and the number of lambs per birth did not influence the PWG. The genetic evaluation analysis showed that the use of CG with 1 or more animals generates a higher accuracy (average=0.43) of the breeding values, but restricting the analysis to only CG with 6 or more animals and at least 2 sires produces a similar accuracy (average=0.37) and hierarchy (Spearman's correlation of 0.89). It is recommended to filter the database by extreme values and eliminate levels with few records for factors such as the age of the mother, herd and year of birth. It is also recommended to use CG with enough records to control or remove part of the environmental effects in a genetic evaluation.El objetivo de esta investigación fue realizar una caracterización de la base de datos de la raza ovina Katahdin de México, con el fin de establecer criterios de edición y modelación para su uso en las evaluaciones genéticas nacionales y comparar grupos contemporáneos (GC) de diferentes tamaños para determinar cuál tamaño produce una mayor exactitud de los valores genéticos. La base de datos analizada contiene 92,965 registros fenotípicos y genealógicos. Para realizar el análisis descriptivo, se calcularon medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, y mediante ANOVA univariados se evaluó la influencia de factores ambientales sobre las características de crecimiento: peso al nacimiento (PN), al destete (PD) y ganancia diaria posdestete (GDP). El análisis de datos se realizó en el software R y la evaluación genética mediante un modelo animal se realizó en el programa WOMBAT. Las variables de PN y PD estuvieron estadísticamente influidas (P < 0.001) por el año y mes de nacimiento, el sexo, el rebaño, la edad de la madre y el número de corderos por parto. La fecha de pesada también influyó sobre el PD. La edad de la madre y el número de corderos por parto no influyeron sobre la GDP. El análisis de evaluación genética mostró que el uso de GC con 1 o más animales genera una mayor exactitud (promedio=0.43) de los valores genéticos, pero restringiendo el análisis a solo GC con 6 o más animales y al menos 2 sementales produce una exactitud (promedio=0.37) y jerarquía similar (correlación de Spearman de 0.89). Se recomienda filtrar la base de datos por valores extremos y eliminar niveles con pocos registros para factores como la edad de la madre, rebaño y año de nacimiento. También se recomienda utilizar GC con suficientes registros para remover parte de los efectos ambientales en evaluaciones genéticas

Two common nonsynonymous paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphisms and brain astrocytoma and meningioma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) plays a major role in the metabolism of several organophosphorus compounds. The enzyme is encoded by the polymorphic gene <it>PON1</it>, located on chromosome 7q21.3. Aiming to identify genetic variations related to the risk of developing brain tumors, we investigated the putative association between common nonsynonymous <it>PON1 </it>polymorphisms and the risk of developing astrocytoma and meningioma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventy one consecutive patients with brain tumors (43 with astrocytoma grade II/III and 28 with meningioma) with ages ranging 21 to 76 years, and 220 healthy controls subjects were analyzed for the frequency of the nonsynonymous <it>PON1 </it>genotypes L55M rs854560 and Q192R rs662. All participants were adult Caucasian individuals recruited in the central area of Spain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequencies of the <it>PON1 </it>genotypes and allelic variants of the polymorphisms <it>PON1 </it>L55M and <it>PON1 </it>Q192R did not differ significantly between patients with astrocytoma and meningioma and controls. The minor allele frequencies were as follows: <it>PON1 </it>55L, 0.398, 0.328 and 0.286 for patients with astrocytoma, meningioma and control individuals, respectively; <it>PON1 </it>192R, 0.341, 0.362 and 0.302 for patients with astrocytoma, meningioma and control individuals, respectively. Correction for age, gender, or education, made no difference in odds ratios and the <it>p </it>values remained non-significant. Haplotype association analyses did not identify any significant association with the risk of developing astrocytoma or meningioma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Common nonsynonymous <it>PON1 </it>polymorphisms are not related with the risk of developing astrocytoma and meningioma.</p

Cephalopod fauna of the Pacific Southern Ocean using Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) as biological samplers and fisheries bycatch specimens

Cephalopods are an important component of Southern Ocean food webs but studies analysing their habitat and trophic ecology are scarce. Here, we use the Antarctic toothfish Dissostichus mawsoni as a biological sampler of Southern Ocean’s cephalopods in the Ross, Amundsen, and D’Urville Seas. Ten cephalopod taxa were identified in the diet of the Antarctic toothfish, with Pareledone turqueti and Moroteuthopsis longimana being the only species present in all the three studied areas. DNA analysis conducted on squid flesh samples allowed identification of eight and two specimens of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni and M. longimana, respectively, proving this technique as a potential tool to improve the knowledge of cephalopods biodiversity and biogeography in the Southern Ocean. Stable isotopes were used to compare the habitat (δ13C) and trophic ecology (δ15N) between two life-stages of the two most abundant squid species (M. longimana and Psychroteuthis glacialis) from the D’Urville Sea (both squid species) and Amundsen Sea (only P. glacialis). Higher δ13C values in M. longimana suggest that this species inhabits waters near the Antarctic Polar Front, with incursions into sub-Antarctic waters, whilst P. glacialis spends its entire life in Antarctic waters. The most recently deposited part of the beak is enriched in 15N suggesting an increase in trophic level during squid growth. These results give us the first insights into the bathyal distribution of cephalopods in the Amundsen and D’Urville Seas, as well as into the ontogenetic changes of two of the most consumed squid species by top predators in this region. Such results are an important step towards improving the biogeography of Antarctic cephalopods, being of utmost importance to understand the biodiversity, food web structure, and functioning of this regioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity