Alien Registration- Marquis, Cecile (Madawaska, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/35143/thumbnail.jp

When diving animals help us to observe the oceans: the MEOP data portal

Seals help gather information on some of the harshest environments on the planet, through the use of miniaturized ocean sensors glued on their fur. The resulting data – gathered from remote, icy seas over the last decade – are now freely available to scientists around the world from the data portal http://www.meop.net. The Polar oceans are changing rapidly as a result of global warming. Ice caps in Antarctica and Greenland are melting, releasing large quantities of freshwater into surface waters. The winter sea ice cover is receding in the Arctic and in large areas of the Southern Ocean, which promotes further warming. Southern winds are intensifying for reasons that are not fully understood. To understand the changing marine environment, it is necessary to have a comprehensive network of oceanographic measurements. Yet, until recently, the harsh climate and remoteness of these areas make them extremely difficult to observe. Diving marine animals equipped with sensors are now increasingly filling in the gaps. When diving animals help us to observe the oceans Since 2004, hundreds of diving marine animals, mainly Antarctic and Arctic seals, were fitted with a new generation of Argos tags developed by the Sea Mammal Research Unit of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland (Fig. 1). These tags can be used to investigate simultaneously the at-sea ecology (displacement, behaviour, dives, foraging success...) of these animals while collecting valuable oceanographic data (Boehme et al. 2009). Some of these species are travelling thousands of kilometres continuously diving to great depths (590 ± 200 m, with maxima around 2000m). The overall objective of most marine animal studies is to assess how their foraging behavior responds to oceanographic changes and how it affects their ability to aquire the resources they need to survive. But in the last decade, these animals have become an essential source of temperature and salinity profiles, especially for the polar oceans. For example, elephant seals and Weddell seals have contributed 98 % of the existing temperature and salinity profiles within the Southern Ocean pack ice. The sensors are non-invasive (attached to the animal’s fur, they naturally fall off when the animal moults) and the only devices of their kind that can be attached to animals. MEOP: an international data portal for ocean data collected by marine animals The international consortium MEOP (Marine mammals Exploring the Ocean Pole-to-pole), originally formed during the International Polar Year in 2008-2009, aims to coordinate at the global scale animal tag deployments, oceanographic data processing and data distribution. The MEOP consortium includes participants from 12 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Greenland, Norway, South Africa and Sweden). The MEOP consortium is associated with GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System), POGO (Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans), and SOOS (Southern Ocean Observing System). At the European level, the European Animal-Borne Instrument (ABI) EuroGOOS Task Team is about to be launched to facilitate and promote the use of animal-borne instruments. Over 300,000 oceanographic profiles (i.e. representing 1/3 of the total number of Argo profiles) collected by marine biologists have already been made freely available to the international community through the MEOP data portal (Fig. 2). This so-called MEOP-CTD database is a significant contribution to the observation of the world ocean that can be used to conduct regional Polar studies. The MEOP-CTD database of animal-derived temperature and salinity profiles An increasing number of studies now show the importance of these remote and inaccessible parts of the ocean, which are so difficult to observe. For example, more than 90% of extra heat in the Earth system is now stored in the oceans and the Southern Ocean in particular is a key site for understanding the uptake of heat and carbon. MEOP provides several thousand oceanographic profiles per year helping us to close gaps in our understanding of the climate system. Instrumented animals complement efficiently other existing observing systems, such as Argo buoys, providing data in sea-ice covered areas and on high-latitude continental shelves. Recent published work (Roquet et al. 2013; Roquet et al. 2014) has shown how important such observations are in predicting ice cover and mixed layer depth in large parts of the oceans where the observations were made. The inclusion of these data should improve significantly the quality of the projections provided by ocean-climate models. All these data are now available into a format file (Argo standard format) easily usable by oceanographers and accessible via the MEOP portal where it can be freely and easily downloaded by users (national data centers, researchers...) with a guaranteed quality level. This database is updated on an annual basis, and it has already been integrated into major oceanographic data centres including NODC, BODC and Coriolis. Figures Figure 1: Weddell seal carrying a SRDL-CTD instrument that collects temperature and salinity profiles while the animal is at sea (Credits: D. Costa). Figure 2: Distribution of hydrographic data in the MEOPCTD database for the Southern Ocean sector (source: meop.net). References Boehme, L. et al., 2009. Technical Note: Animal-borne CTD-Satellite Relay Data Loggers for real-time oceanographic data collection. Ocean Science, 5:685-695. Roquet F. et al., 2013. Estimates of the Southern Ocean General Circulation Improved by Animal-Borne Instruments. Geoph. Res. Letts., 40:1-5. doi: 10.1002/2013GL058304 Roquet F. et al., 2014. A Southern Indian Ocean database of hydrographic profiles obtained with instrumented elephant seals. Nature Scientific Data, 1:140028, doi: 10.1038/sdata.2014.2

Constitutive activity of the melanocortin-4 receptor is maintained by its N-terminal domain and plays a role in energy homeostasis in humans.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), a centrally expressed G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is essential for the maintenance of long-term energy balance in humans. Mutations in MC4R are the most common genetic cause of obesity. Since activation of this receptor leads to a decrease in food intake, MC4R is also a major therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity. Control of MC4R activity in vivo is modulated by the opposing effects of the anorexigenic agonist alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and the orexigenic antagonist agouti-related protein (AGRP). In addition, experiments in vitro have demonstrated that the human MC4R has an intrinsic constitutive activity on which AGRP also acts as an inverse agonist. The physiological role of this constitutive activity in the control of energy balance as well as the domain of the protein implicated in its maintenance are unknown. By systematically studying functional defects in naturally occurring MC4R mutations from obese patients, we defined a cluster of N-terminal mutations that selectively impair the constitutive activity of the receptor. Further characterization of this domain demonstrated that it functions as a tethered intramolecular ligand that maintains the constitutive activity of MC4R and may provide novel avenues for the design of drugs targeting this receptor. Our results also suggest that the tonic satiety signal provided by the constitutive activity of MC4R may be required for maintaining long-term energy homeostasis in humans.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Obesity-associated mutations in the melanocortin 4 receptor provide novel insights into its function.

Mutations in the Melanocortin 4 receptor are implicated in 1-6% of early onset or severe adult obesity cases. Most of the patients carry heterozygous missense mutations. Arguments for the pathogenicity of these mutations are based on the frequency of rare functionally relevant non-synonymous mutations in severely obese children and adults versus non-obese controls, the segregation of mutations with obesity in the family of the probands (although with incomplete penetrance) and the relevant functional defects described for these mutations. We have developed new assays to study the functional characteristics of these obesity-associated MC4R mutations. Systematic and comparative functional study of over 50 different obesity-associated mutations suggests that multiple functional alterations contribute to their pathogenicity. These studies also lead to new insights into the structure-function relationship of MC4R, provide novel hypotheses for the genetic predisposition to common obesity in humans and allow the development of new molecular tools for studying the physiological role of GPCRs.Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H. ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Reviewinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A thrombopoietin receptor agonist to rescue an unusual platelet transfusion-induced reaction in a p.V1316M-associated von Willebrand disease type 2B patient

International audienceThis report describes the first case of splenic injury in a patient with p.V1316M-associated von Willebrand disease type 2B (VWD2B) with chronic thrombocytopenia, successfully treated with nonoperative management including von Willebrand factor (VWF) replacement therapy, and platelet transfusions relayed by a thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA, Eltrombopag). Eltrombopag was initially introduced to rescue an unusual post-platelet-transfusion reaction exacerbating the thrombocytopenia. In-depth analysis of the dramatic platelet count drop and VWF measurements timeline ruled out an allo-immune reaction and supported an alternative hypothesis of a sudden platelet clearance as a consequence of stress-induced release of abnormal VWF. One year later, a second life-threatening bleeding episode required urgent surgery successfully managed with VWF replacement therapy and platelet transfusions. Eltrombopag was further introduced in the post-surgery period to allow bleeding-free and platelet-transfusion-free successful recovery. Treatment decisions are particularly challenging in patients with VWD2B, and this case highlights how such decisions can benefit from understanding the molecular origin of platelet count fluctuations observed in these patients. Here, we successfully used a new therapeutic approach combining VWF-replacement therapy and initial platelet-transfusion relayed by TPO-RA to optimize patient management. Plain language summary A combination of von Willebrand factor replacement and thrombopoietin receptor agonist in thrombocytopenic patients with von Willebrand disease type 2B: a new therapy approach to optimize patient management? Therapeutic management of patients with von Willebrand disease type 2B are particularly challenging in case of severe thrombocytopenia. Treatment includes von Willebrands factor replacement therapy and iterative platelet transfusions. We describe the first case of splenic injury in a patient with p.V1316M-associated von Willebrand disease type 2B successfully treated with nonoperative management including von Willebrand factor replacement therapy and platelet transfusions relayed by a thrombopoietin receptor agonist. We showed that the unusual post-platelet-transfusion reaction associated with a dramatic platelet count drop was a consequence of stress-induced release of abnormal von Willebrand factor. The combination of von Willebrand factor replacement therapy and thrombopoietin receptor agonist may offer a new therapeutic approach to optimize patient management

Recent advances in omic technologies for meat quality management

The knowledge of the molecular organization of living organisms evolved considerably during the last years. The methodologies associated also progressed with the development of the high-throughput sequencing (SNP array, RNAseq, etc.) and of genomic tools allowing the simultaneous analysis of hundreds or thousands of genes, proteins or metabolites. In farm animals, some proteins, mRNAs or metabolites whose abundance has been associated with meat quality traits have been detected in pig, cattle, chicken. They constitute biomarkers for the assessment and prediction of qualities of interest in each species, with potential biomarkers across species. The ongoing development of rapid methods will allow their use for decision-making and management tools in slaughterhouses, to better allocate carcasses or cuts to the appropriate markets. Besides, their application on living animals will help to improve genetic selection and to adapt breeding system to fulfill expected quality level. The ultimate goal is to propose effective molecular tools for the management of product quality in meat production chains

Des marqueurs génomiques au service de la qualité de la viande

Le séquençage et l’annotation du génome des principaux animaux producteurs de viande ou de chair, ont permis l’essor des études de génomique au cours de la dernière décennie. Les techniques utilisées concernent d’une part la détection de mutations sur des régions du génome (QTL : « Quantitative Trait Loci »). Cette approche dite de génomique structurale a permis la détection de gènes majeurs (mutations ayant un effet majeur sur un caractère), comme le gène « culard » chez le bovin et le mouton, les gènes halothane et « Rendement Napole » chez le porc. Des QTL associés à une qualité, comme la vitesse de chute de pH chez le poulet, ont été identifiés. D’autre part, le niveau d’expression des gènes mesuré au travers de l’abondance relative d’ARN messagers et de protéines est analysé respectivement dans les études de transcriptomique et de protéomique. Des protéines ou des ARN messagers dont l’abondance est associée à une composante de qualité de viande, ont été identifiés chez le porc, le bovin, le poulet et la truite. Ils constituent des biomarqueurs d’intérêt pour la compréhension et la maîtrise des qualités d’intérêt pour chaque espèce. Le développement en cours d’outils d’évaluation de la qualité à destination des acteurs des filières permettra des applications sur l’animal vivant pour l’évaluation de son potentiel de qualité et l’adaptation de la conduite d’élevage à ce potentiel. Sur la carcasse, ils serviront à orienter sa destination bouchère ou celle des pièces ou morceaux de découpe. Ces biomarqueurs seront également utiles pour fournir des mesures phénotypiques pour la sélection génomique appliquée à la qualité de la viande.Sequencing and annotation of the genomes of the main animals producing meat or flesh, have enabled the development of genomic studies in the last decade. The techniques developed allow the detection of mutations in the genome called QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci). These approaches allowed the detection of major genes (mutations with a major effect on a character) suche as the "double muscling" gene in cattle and sheep, RN halothane gene in pigs. QTL associated with quality, such as the speed of post-mortem pH decrease in chickens, have been revealed. Transcriptomics and proteomics allow respectively the analysis of relative abundance of mRNA and protein. Proteins or mRNA whose abundance is associated with meat quality traits have been detected in pigs, cattle, chickens and trout. They are potential biomarkers for understanding and controlling qualities of interest for each species. The ongoing development of tools for quality evaluation will allow applications on the live animal especially for the adaptation of the breeding system to its quality potential. Applied to carcasses it will help to orientate the destination of carcasses or cuts. These biomarkers will also be useful to provide phenotypic measures for application in genomic selection applied to meat quality

Qualités des viandes : influences des caractéristiques des animaux et de leurs conditions d'élevage

Cette synthèse présente l’influence des caractéristiques des animaux et de leurs conditions d’élevage sur les qualités des viandes et des chairs des principales espèces animales d’élevage (porc, bovins, ovins, poulets, poissons). Les dimensions intrinsèques (composition des carcasses, qualités sensorielle, nutritionnelle et technologique) et extrinsèques (interactions entre productions animales et environnement, bien-être des animaux, origine des produits, authenticité des pratiques de production…) de la qualité des produits sont considérées. Dans toutes les espèces, le type génétique et la conduite alimentaire sont les principaux déterminants de la composition des carcasses. La nature de l’alimentation des animaux constitue le principal levier pour moduler la qualité nutritionnelle, toutefois le niveau d’enrichissement des viandes et chairs en acides gras, minéraux ou vitamines favorables à la santé humaine varie selon les espèces. Pour une espèce donnée, les caractéristiques des animaux, leurs conditions d’élevage et d’abattage interagissent pour déterminer les propriétés (teneurs en lipides, glycogène, myoglobine…) et le métabolisme péri et post-mortem des muscles, et consécutivement la qualité sensorielle des viandes ou chairs et de leurs produits. A l’inverse, la qualité technologique, composante importante dans les filières porc, poulet et poisson résulte essentiellement du type génétique et des conditions d’abattage des animaux et de transformation des viandes. Dans les différentes filières animales, les qualités extrinsèques des produits font partie intégrante de certaines démarches collectives ou privées et sont garanties aux consommateurs au travers des signes officiels de qualité. Elles visent à améliorer les interactions favorables entre les productions animales et l’environnement et/ou le bien-être des animaux, garantir l’origine des produits et/ou valoriser l’authenticité des méthodes de production et de transformation. Différents exemples sont développés pour illustrer la prise en compte par les acteurs des filières de cette demande croissante des consommateurs et plus largement des citoyens envers leur alimentation.This review describes the influences of the characteristics of animals and their rearing conditions on the quality of meat and flesh in the main livestock species (pig, cattle, sheep, poultry, fish). Both the intrinsic (carcass composition and sensory, nutritional and technological qualities) and extrinsic (interactions between animal production and the environment, animal welfare, origin of products, authenticity of production practices…) dimensions of quality of meat and flesh products are considered. In all animal species, the genotype and feeding practices are the main factors determining carcass composition. Feed composition is the main factor modulating nutritional quality, even though the enrichment level of meat or flesh with fatty acids, minerals or vitamins favorable for human health depends on the species considered. Within species, interactions between the characteristics of animals and their rearing and slaughtering conditions determine the properties (intramuscular fat, glycogen, myoglobin contents…) and peri and postmortem metabolism of muscles and, consequently, the sensory quality of meat or flesh and their products. Conversely, the technological quality of meat, which is important especially for pig, poultry and fish mainly results from the animal genotype and the slaughtering and processing techniques. In all meat animal chains, some productions are differentiated on claims on extrinsic qualities of products and are guaranteed to consumers by official quality schemes. They aim at improving the positive interactions between animal production and environment and/or animal welfare, or guaranteeing products origin or authenticity of production and processing methods. Some examples are described to underline the awareness of meat chain actors about the increasing demand from consumers and more generally citizens towards their diet