Forecasting the combined effects of anticipated climate change and agricultural conservation practices on fish recruitment dynamics in Lake Erie

Many aquatic ecosystems are experiencing multiple anthropogenic stressors that threaten their ability to support ecologically and economically important fish species. Two of the most ubiquitous stressors are climate change and non- point source nutrient pollution.Agricultural conservation practices (ACPs, i.e. farming practices that reduce runoff, prevent erosion, and curb excessive nutrient loading) offer a potential means to mitigate the negative effects of non- point source pollution on fish populations. However, our understanding of how ACP implementation amidst a changing climate will affect fish production in large ecosystems that receive substantial upstream sediment and nutrient inputs remains incomplete.Towards this end, we explored how anticipated climate change and the implementation of realistic ACPs might alter the recruitment dynamics of three fish populations (native walleye Sander vitreus and yellow perch Perca flavescens and invasive white perch Morone americana) in the highly productive, dynamic west basin of Lake Erie. We projected future (2020- 2065) recruitment under different combinations of anticipated climate change (n = 2 levels) and ACP implementation (n = 4 levels) in the western Lake Erie catchment using predictive biological models driven by forecasted winter severity, spring warming rate, and Maumee River total phosphorus loads that were generated from linked climate, catchment- hydrology, and agricultural- practice- simulation models.In general, our models projected reduced walleye and yellow perch recruitment whereas invasive white perch recruitment was projected to remain stable or increase relative to the recent past. Our modelling also suggests the potential for trade- offs, as ACP implementation was projected to reduce yellow perch recruitment with anticipated climate change.Overall, our study presents a useful modelling framework to forecast fish recruitment in Lake Erie and elsewhere, as well as offering projections and new avenues of research that could help resource management agencies and policy- makers develop adaptive and resilient management strategies in the face of anticipated climate and land- management change.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156436/2/fwb13515.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156436/1/fwb13515_am.pd

Isolation and Characterization of Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Normal and SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Impairment of intestinal epithelial barriers contributes to the progression of HIV/SIV infection and leads to generalized HIV-induced immune-cell activation during chronic infection. Rhesus macaques are the major animal model for studying HIV pathogenesis. However, detailed characterization of isolated rhesus epithelial cells (ECs) from intestinal tissues is not well defined. It is also not well documented whether isolated ECs had any other cell contaminants from intestinal tissues during the time of processing that might hamper interpretation of EC preparations or cultures. In this study, we identify and characterize ECs based on flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry methods using various enzymatic and mechanical isolation techniques to enrich ECs from intestinal tissues. This study shows that normal healthy ECs differentially express HLA-DR, CD23, CD27, CD90, CD95 and IL-10R markers. Early apoptosis and upregulation of ICAM-1 and HLA-DR in intestinal ECs are thought to be the key features in SIV mediated enteropathy. The data suggest that intestinal ECs might be playing an important role in mucosal immune responses by regulating the expression of different important regulatory and adhesion molecules and their function

Evaluating Management Regimes Using Per-Recruit Models and Relative Stock Density for Mississippi\u27s Spotted Seatrout

The Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus is the most popular target of recreational inshore fisheries in Mississippi coastal waters. The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) stock of Spotted Seatrout is composed of spatially distinct substocks, and each state imposes unique bag and size limits. In Mississippi, the stock is managed using minimum length limits and daily bag limits. We used two methods to evaluate the efficacy of length restrictions and fishing mortality (F) levels: (1) a per-recruit model simulation to evaluate the effects of proposed management actions on reproductive output and yield, and (2) an evaluation of how management regimes impact relative stock density (RSD). Relative stock density has been widely used as a management tool in recreational and generally freshwater fisheries but has not been widely employed in informing management of marine stocks. We used demographic information from fisheries-independent sampling and length-specific natural mortality estimates to construct both models. Our analysis suggested that decreased F, increased minimum length limits, and slot limits that include intermediate upper length limits could increase RSD measures for GOM Spotted Seatrout. We found that for all management regimes examined, local demographic properties of Spotted Seatrout may preclude large proportions of trophy-length (≥686 mm TL) individuals. Per-recruit modeling and RSD analysis are complementary approaches to inform management, as they consider spawning stock biomass, yield, and the maximization of angler satisfaction

Growth, Mortality, and Movement of Cobia (\u3ci\u3eRachycentron canadum\u3c/i\u3e)

© 2017, National Marine Fisheries Service. All rights reserved. We describe the length-at-age relationship of cobia (\u3eRachycentron canadum) with the use of 3 nonlinear models, and examine both the movement patterns of cobia in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean and the instantaneous total mortality rate (Z, per year) from tag-recovery models with data from the Sport Fish Tag and Release Program of the Universityof Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. The estimated mean asymptotic length (L∞) in this study (1172 mm in fork length [95% confidence interval (CI): 1151–1192]) was in the range of values reported for this species in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, and the annual growth coefficient (k: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.52–0.61]) was greater than that reported for cobia elsewhere. Movements were reported between the 7Gulf of Mexico and the South Atantic Ocean and a statistically significant seasonal trend in recaptures was observed, both of which suggest that cobia inhabit the Florida Keys during the winter and the north central Gulf of Mexico during the summer. The most supported tag-recovery model included time-invariant survivorship and time-dependent recovery probability and the estimated Z was 0.59/year (95% CI: 0.55–0.63). This study provides a summary of a long-term cobia tagging program and information for future management of this species. We describe the lengthat-age relationship of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) with the use of 3 nonlinear models, and examine both the movement patterns of cobia in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean and the instantaneous total mortality rate (Z, per year) from tag-recovery models with data from the Sport Fish Tag and Release Program of the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. The estimated mean asymptotic length (L∞) in this study (1172 mm in fork length [95% confidence interval (CI): 1151-1192]) was in the range of values reported for this species in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, and the annual growth coefficient (k: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.52-0.61]) was greater than that reported for cobia elsewhere. Movements were reported between the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic Ocean and a statistically significant seasonal trend in recaptures was observed, both of which suggest that cobia inhabit the Florida Keys during the winter and the northcentral Gulf of Mexico during the summer. The most supported tag-recovery model included time-invariant survivorship and time-dependent recovery probability and the estimated Z was 0.59/year (95% CI: 0.55-0.63). This study provides a summary of a long-term cobia tagging program and information for future management of this species

Effect of Flu on steady state levels of ATZ compared to wild type AT and other AT variants in genetically engineered HeLa cell lines.

<p>Exactly as in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0087260#pone-0087260-g002" target="_blank">Figure 2</a>. A, HTO/Z cell line expressing mutant ATZ; changes in relative ATZ levels as determined by densitometry is shown at the top of the panel; B, Dose-response relationship for the effect of Flu on soluble and insoluble ATZ levels in the HTO/Z cell line. These data represent mean +/− standard error from 4 separate experiments and the effect of dose is highly significant, p<0.0001 by two-way ANOVA; C, HTO/M cell line expressing wild type AT; D, HTO/Saar cell line expressing mutant AT Saar; E, HTO/Saar Z cell line expressing mutant AT Saar Z. In each case, GAPDH is used as a loading control for the soluble fraction and GelCode Blue stained bands are used as a loading control for the insoluble fraction.</p

Effect of Flu on kinetics of secretion of ATZ in the HTO/Z cell line.

<p>Separate monolayers were incubated for 48 hours in the absence or presence of Flu (0.1 nM) and then were subjected to pulse radiolabeling for 60 mins. The monolayers were rinsed vigorously and then subjected to chase in medium with excess unlabeled methionine for time periods up to 240 mins. The extracellular fluid (EC) and cell lysates (IC) were analyzed by immunoprecipitation for AT followed by SDS-PAGE/fluorography. A, Fluorograms of control (top) and Flu-treated cells. Chase time points are shown at the top. B, Densitometric analysis of kinetics. Disappearance of ATZ from IC compartment is shown on the left and appearance in EC is shown on the right for n = 3 experiments. Mean +/−SEM is shown for each time point with error bars. The IC disappearance is increased significantly (p = 0.0012) and the EC appearance is decreased significantly (p = 0.0033), using the matched ANOVA in GraphPad. The half-time for disappearance is shown with dashed lines, 180 mins for control and 140 mins for Flu-treated cells. C, Densitometric analysis of ATZ fate. Representative fluorographic images were subjected to densitometric scanning and relative ATZ levels in intracellular and extracellular compartments are shown together for each time point. The relative densitometric intensity of the ATZ band at T0 IC is set at 100% and every other band is compared to that. The results for control are shown at left and for Flu on the right. This analysis shows loss of ATZ in the Flu-treated cells that can only be accounted for by increased degradation.</p

Effect of Fluphenazine on median survival times of sGFP:: ATZ animals.

<p>The sGFP::ATZ worm strain was treated with Flu 50 µM or DMSO for determination of life-span. Results are presented as median survival time (hours) and were analyzed for statistical significance using Student’s t-test.</p>*<p>p<0.05.</p

Effect of Flu on steady state levels of ATZ in other genetically engineered cell line models of ATD.

<p>Two different cell line models were analyzed for the effect of Flu exactly as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0087260#pone-0087260-g002" target="_blank">Figure 2</a>. A, HG2TONBZ#2; B, HG2TONGZT#1. In each case levels of ATZ and GAPDH are shown. GelCode blue stained bands are also shown as a control for the insoluble fractions. The change in level of ATZ as determined by densitometry is shown at the top of the panels.</p