Southern California partyboat sampling study Quarterly Report no. 8

Between April 1 and June 30, 1977, 125 trips were sampled aboard southern California partyboats by Department personnel. A total of 14,842 fishes belonging to 72 species was identified and measured. Otoliths were removed from 134 rockfish carcasses representing 20 species for age deterination studies. The 10 most common species sampled during the quarter accounted for 76.9% of the catch. Individually, the most common were Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus (16.9%); kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus (14.5%); bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis (11.4%); Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis (10.3%); barred sand bass, Paralabrax nebulifer (5.6%); olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides (5.3%); chilipepper, S. goodei (4.0%); California barracuda, Sphyraena argentea (2.9%); and ocean whitefish, Caulolatilus princeps (2.8%). Fishing effort switched from "rockcod" to surface activity as it did during the second quarter of 1976 (26pp.

Southern California commercial passenger fishing vessel sampling study Quarterly Report no. 13: July 1 - September 30, 1978

Between July 1 and September 30, 1978, Departmental personnel sampled catches during 185 trips aboard commercial passenger fishing vessels (partyboats) operating in southern California. A total of 35,984 fishes representing 98 species were identified and measured. Otoliths for age determination studies were removed from 285 rockfish carcasses representing 18 species. In addition, 10 long-range trips originating in San Diego and fishing in Mexican waters were sampled. A total of 957 fishes comprising 17 species were identified and measured at dockside from these vessels. The ten most commonly seen species during the quarter accounted for 83.5% of the southern California catch. The most frequently sampled species were Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus (26.5%); kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus (20.5%); bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis (8.2%); Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis (7.7%); barred sand bass, P. nebulifer (6.7%); olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides (4.9%); white croaker, Genyonemus lineatus (2.9%); blue rockfish, S. mystinus (2.7%) ; chilipepper, S. goodei (1.8%); and albacore, Thunnus alalunga (1.7%). Data gathered from long-range vessels showed the top five species accounted for 92.6% of the fish sampled. The most frequently sampled species were yellowtail, Seriola dorsalis (61.5%); wahoo, Acanthocybium solanderi (11.7%); albacore (8.3%); yellowfin tuna, T. albacares (6.8%); and giant sea bass, Stereolepis gigas (4.4%). (59pp.

Southern California partyboat sampling study Quarterly Report no. 10

Between October 1 and December 31, 1977, Departmental personnel sampled catches during 166 trips aboard commercial passenger fishing vessels operating in southern California. A total of 27,468 fishes belonging to 101 species were identified and measured. Otoliths for age determination studies were removed from 263 rockfish carcasses representing 27 species. In addition, 37 long-range trips originating in San Diego and fishing in Mexican waters were sampled. A total of 7,204 fishes comprising 20 species was identified and measured at dockside from these vessels. The 10 most commonly taken species during the quarter accounted for 74.3% of the southern California catch. The most frequently sampled species were chilipepper, Sebastes goodei (16.1%); Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus (15.4%) ; bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis (10.1%); kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus (7.8%); halfmoon, Medialuna californiensis (5.7%); olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides (5.4%); blue rockfish, S. mystinus (4.4%); greenspotted rockfish, S. chlorostictus (3.4%); vermilion rockfish, S. miniatus (3.2%); and Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis (2.7%). Data gathered from long-range trips showed the top five species accounted for 88.8% of the fish sampled. The most frequently sampled species were yellowtail, Seriola dorsalis (31.0%); yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (23.7%); dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (18.6%); wahoo, Acanthocybium solanderi (10.0%); and snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus (5.6%). (67pp.

Southern California commercial passenger fishing vessel sampling study Quarterly Report no. 14; October 1 - December 31, 1978

Between October 1 and December 31, 1978, Departmental personnel sampled catches during 132 trips aboard commercial passenger fishing vessels (partyboats) operating in southern California. A total of 25,571 fishes belonging to 87 species were identified and measured. In addition, six long-range trips originating in San Diego and fishing in Mexican waters were sampled. A total of 1,225 fishes comprising 20 species was identified and measured at dockside from these vessels. The 10 most commonly taken species during the quarter accounted for 76.3% of the southern California catch. The most frequently sampled species were bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis (24.7%); Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus (15.8%); chilipepper, Sebastes goodei (8.7%); kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus (7.4%); Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis (5.7%); olive rockfish, Sebastes serranoides (4.1%); blue rockfish, S. mystinus (4.0%); squarespot rockfish, S. hopkinsi (2.1%); greenspotted rockfish, S. chlorostictus (2.l%); and vermilion rockfish, S. miniatus (1.9%). Samples gathered from long-range trips showed the top five species accounted for 90.4% of the fishes sampled. The most frequently sampled species were yellowtail, Seriola lalandi (28.8%); yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (20.7%); wahoo, Acanthocybium solanderi (16.2%); snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus (12.4%); and dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (12.3%). December marked the final month in which partyboats were sampled off southern California. (69pp.

Southern California partyboat sampling study Quarterly Report no. 12: April 1 - June 30, 1978

Between April 1 and June 30, 1978, Departmental personnel sampled catches during 148 trips aboard commercial passenger fishing vessels operating in southern California. A total of 29,374 fishes representing 97 species were identified and measured. Otoliths for age determination studies were removed from 72 rockfish carcasses representing 11 species. In addition, nine long-range trips originating in San Diego and fishing in Mexican waters were sampled. A total of 1,190 fishes comprising 21 species was identified and measured at dockside from these vessels. The 10 most commonly taken species during the quarter accounted for 76.9% of the southern California catch. The most frequently sampled species were kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus (21.1%); bocaccio, Sebastes paucispinis (15.5%); Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus (13.1%); white croaker, Genyonemus lineatus (6.0%); chilipepper, Sebastes goodei (4.8%); California barracuda, Sphyraena argentea (4.5%); kelp rockfish, Sebastes atrovirens (3.6%); barred sand bass, P. nebulifer (3.2%); halfmoon, Medialuna californiensis (2.6%); and blue rockfish, S. mystinus (2.6%). Data gathered from long-range vessels fishing off Baja California showed the top five species accounted for 94.0% of the fish sampled. The most frequently sampled species were yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares (34.4%); yellowtail, Seriola dorsalis (28.7%); wahoo, Acanthocybium solanderi (22.9%); snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus (5.9%); and leather bass, E. dermatolepis (2.0%). (69pp.

A Computational Model of Quantitative Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Analysis

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis is widely used to identify the locations in genomes occupied by transcription factors (TFs). The approach involves chemical cross-linking of DNA with associated proteins, fragmentation of chromatin by sonication or enzymatic digestion, immunoprecipitation of the fragments containing the protein of interest, and then PCR or hybridization analysis to characterize and quantify the genomic sequences enriched. We developed a computational model of quantitative ChIP analysis to elucidate the factors contributing to the method’s resolution. The most important variables identified by the model were, in order of importance, the spacing of the PCR primers, the mean length of the chromatin fragments, and, unexpectedly, the type of fragment width distribution, with very small DNA fragments and smaller amplicons providing the best resolution of TF binding. One of the major predictions of the model was also validated experimentally

Stem cell-derived macrophages as a new platform for studying host-pathogen interactions in livestock

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases of farmed and wild animals pose a recurrent threat to food security and human health. The macrophage, a key component of the innate immune system, is the first line of defence against many infectious agents and plays a major role in shaping the adaptive immune response. However, this phagocyte is a target and host for many pathogens. Understanding the molecular basis of interactions between macrophages and pathogens is therefore crucial for the development of effective strategies to combat important infectious diseases. RESULTS: We explored how porcine pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can provide a limitless in vitro supply of genetically and experimentally tractable macrophages. Porcine PSC-derived macrophages (PSCdMs) exhibited molecular and functional characteristics of ex vivo primary macrophages and were productively infected by pig pathogens, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV), two of the most economically important and devastating viruses in pig farming. Moreover, porcine PSCdMs were readily amenable to genetic modification by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing applied either in parental stem cells or directly in the macrophages by lentiviral vector transduction. CONCLUSIONS: We show that porcine PSCdMs exhibit key macrophage characteristics, including infection by a range of commercially relevant pig pathogens. In addition, genetic engineering of PSCs and PSCdMs affords new opportunities for functional analysis of macrophage biology in an important livestock species. PSCs and differentiated derivatives should therefore represent a useful and ethical experimental platform to investigate the genetic and molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions in pigs, and also have wider applications in livestock. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01217-8

Stem cell-derived porcine macrophages as a new platform for studying host-pathogen interactions

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases of farmed and wild animals pose a recurrent threat to food security and human health. The macrophage, a key component of the innate immune system, is the first line of defence against many infectious agents and plays a major role in shaping the adaptive immune response. However, this phagocyte is a target and host for many pathogens. Understanding the molecular basis of interactions between macrophages and pathogens is therefore crucial for the development of effective strategies to combat important infectious diseases. RESULTS: We explored how porcine pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can provide a limitless in vitro supply of genetically and experimentally tractable macrophages. Porcine PSC-derived macrophages (PSCdMs) exhibited molecular and functional characteristics of ex vivo primary macrophages and were productively infected by pig pathogens, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV), two of the most economically important and devastating viruses in pig farming. Moreover, porcine PSCdMs were readily amenable to genetic modification by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing applied either in parental stem cells or directly in the macrophages by lentiviral vector transduction. CONCLUSIONS: We show that porcine PSCdMs exhibit key macrophage characteristics, including infection by a range of commercially relevant pig pathogens. In addition, genetic engineering of PSCs and PSCdMs affords new opportunities for functional analysis of macrophage biology in an important livestock species. PSCs and differentiated derivatives should therefore represent a useful and ethical experimental platform to investigate the genetic and molecular basis of host-pathogen interactions in pigs, and also have wider applications in livestock. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01217-8

Layer-by-Layer Assembled Antisense DNA Microsponge Particles for Efficient Delivery of Cancer Therapeutics

Antisense oligonucleotides can be employed as a potential approach to effectively treat cancer. However, the inherent instability and inefficient systemic delivery methods for antisense therapeutics remain major challenges to their clinical application. Here, we present a polymerized oligonucleotides (ODNs) that self-assemble during their formation through an enzymatic elongation method (rolling circle replication) to generate a composite nucleic acid/magnesium pyrophosphate sponge-like microstructure, or DNA microsponge, yielding high molecular weight nucleic acid product. In addition, this densely packed ODN microsponge structure can be further condensed to generate polyelectrolyte complexes with a favorable size for cellular uptake by displacing magnesium pyrophosphate crystals from the microsponge structure. Additional layers are applied to generate a blood-stable and multifunctional nanoparticle via the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. By taking advantage of DNA nanotechnology and LbL assembly, functionalized DNA nanostructures were utilized to provide extremely high numbers of repeated ODN copies for efficient antisense therapy. Moreover, we show that this formulation significantly improves nucleic acid drug/carrier stability during in vivo biodistribution. These polymeric ODN systems can be designed to serve as a potent means of delivering stable and large quantities of ODN therapeutics systemically for cancer treatment to tumor cells at significantly lower toxicity than traditional synthetic vectors, thus enabling a therapeutic window suitable for clinical translation.United States. Dept. of Defense. Ovarian Cancer Research Program (Teal Innovator Award Grant OC120504)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Postdoctoral Fellowship)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award 1F32EB017614-01)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research Fellowshi

A mobile phone application for the assessment and management of youth mental health problems in primary care: a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over 75% of mental health problems begin in adolescence and primary care has been identified as the target setting for mental health intervention by the World Health Organisation. The <it>mobiletype </it>program is a mental health assessment and management mobile phone application which monitors mood, stress, coping strategies, activities, eating, sleeping, exercise patterns, and alcohol and cannabis use at least daily, and transmits this information to general practitioners (GPs) via a secure website in summary format for medical review.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a randomised controlled trial in primary care to examine the mental health benefits of the <it>mobiletype </it>program. Patients aged 14 to 24 years were recruited from rural and metropolitan general practices. GPs identified and referred eligible participants (those with mild or more mental health concerns) who were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (where mood, stress, and daily activities were monitored) or the attention comparison group (where only daily activities were monitored). Both groups self-monitored for 2 to 4 weeks and reviewed the monitoring data with their GP. GPs, participants, and researchers were blind to group allocation at randomisation. Participants completed pre-, post-, and 6-week post-test measures of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale and an Emotional Self Awareness (ESA) Scale.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 163 participants assessed for eligibility, 118 were randomised and 114 participants were included in analyses (intervention group n = 68, comparison group n = 46). Mixed model analyses revealed a significant group by time interaction on ESA with a medium size of effect suggesting that the <it>mobiletype </it>program significantly increases ESA compared to an attention comparison. There was no significant group by time interaction for depression, anxiety, or stress, but a medium to large significant main effect for time for each of these mental health measures. Post-hoc analyses suggested that participation in the RCT lead to enhanced GP mental health care at pre-test and improved mental health outcomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Monitoring mental health symptoms appears to increase ESA and implementing a mental health program in primary care and providing frequent reminders, clinical resources, and support to GPs substantially improved mental health outcomes for the sample as a whole.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00794222">NCT00794222</a>.</p