State of the California current 2012-13: No such thing as an “average” year

This report reviews the state of the California Current System (CCS) between winter 2012 and spring 2013, and includes observations from Washington State to Baja California. During 2012, large-scale climate modes indicated the CCS remained in a cool, productive phase present since 2007. The upwelling season was delayed north of 42°N, but regions to the south, especially 33° to 36°N, experienced average to above average upwelling that persisted throughout the summer. Contrary to the indication of high production suggested by the climate indices, chlorophyll observed from surveys and remote sensing was below average along much of the coast. As well, some members of the forage assemblages along the coast experienced low abundances in 2012 surveys. Specifically, the concentrations of all lifestages observed directly or from egg densities of Pacific sardine, Sardinops sagax, and northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax, were less than previous years’ survey estimates. However, 2013 surveys and observations indicate an increase in abundance of northern anchovy. During winter 2011/2012, the increased presence of northern copepod species off northern California was consistent with stronger southward transport. Krill and small-fraction zooplankton abundances, where examined, were generally above average. North of 42°N, salps returned to typical abundances in 2012 after greater observed concentrations in 2010 and 2011. In contrast, salp abundance off central and southern California increased after a period of southward transport during winter 2011/2012. Reproductive success of piscivorous Brandt’s cormorant, Phalacrocorax penicillatus, was reduced while planktivorous Cassin’s auklet, Ptychoramphus aleuticus was elevated. Differences between the productivity of these two seabirds may be related to the available forage assemblage observed in the surveys. California sea lion pups from San Miguel Island were undernourished resulting in a pup mortality event perhaps in response to changes in forage availability. Limited biological data were available for spring 2013, but strong winter upwelling coastwide indicated an early spring transition, with the strong upwelling persisting into early summer

The Role of Purported Mucoprotectants in Dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Diarrhea, and Other Chronic Diarrheal Disorders in Adults

Chronic diarrhea is a frequent presenting symptom, both in primary care medicine and in specialized gastroenterology units. It is estimated that more than 5% of the global population suffers from chronic diarrhea. and that about 40% of these subjects are older than 60 years. The clinician is frequently faced with the need to decide which is the best therapeutic approach for these patients. While the origin of chronic diarrhea is diverse, impairment of intestinal barrier function, dysbiosis. and mucosal micro-inflammation are being increasingly recognized as underlying phenomena characterizing a variety of chronic diarrheal diseases. In addition to current pharmacological therapies, there is growing interest in alternative products such as mucoprotectants, which form a mucoadhesive film over the epithelium to reduce and protect against the development of altered intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and mucosal micro-inflammation. This manuscript focuses on chronic diarrhea in adults, and we will review recent evidence on the ability of these natural compounds to improve symptoms associated with chronic diarrhea and to exert protective effects for the intestinal barrier

Influence of the geostrophic transport of phosphates on primary production off Baja California (Mexico)

We estimated the net flux of inorganic phosphorus (kg P d–1) due to geostrophic transport in the upper 100 m of a control volume (CV) off Baja California (Mexico) during 2003 and 2004. The influence of this flux on integrated primary production (IPP) in the photic zone (less than 100 m depth) was estimated comparing the net P flux into the CV against the P requirements for IPP. The greatest P fluxes occurred during spring and summer 2004; the northern side of the CV was the main recipient of P. The most persistent P outflow occurred along the southern side of the CV, except in winter 2003, when there was an input of P fluxes related to cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies off Ensenada. The net geostrophic transport during 2003 and 2004 contributed enough P to support the IPP requirements during winter and spring, indicating that P was not limiting for phytoplankton organic carbon production during these seasons.

Daily variation of physico-chemical characteristics, biomass and phytoplankton primary production in an upwelling coastal zone of Baja California

From June 25 to July 10 of 1986 temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chlorophyll a and primary productivity were determined daily at one station off Punta Banda, Baja California. Hydrographic variables suggested that coastal upwelling events were present at the beginning and at the end of the period studied, with a relaxation period in the middle and weak upwelling before July 10. During strong upwelling events surface values of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and phosphate were: 13 to 14ºC, 33.65 to 33.70‰, 4.0 to 5.0 ml/l and between 0.95 to 1.25 µM, respectively. We found low chlorophyll a and primary productivity values as a result of unadapted phytoplankton as well as strong mixing of water in the area. Higher chlorophyll a and primary productivity values were measured at the beginning of the relaxation period; with 4.8 mg.m–3 of chlorophyll a and 3.6 mgCm–3.h–1 of primary production. The phytoplankton size fraction 8 µm contributed more to biomass and primary production