Autohtoni nasadi mekušaca: strategijsko upravljanje, zaštita, obnavljanje i eksploatacija

It is no secret that commercially important oyster beds are declining or fluctuating sharply all over the world. In Chesapeake Bay (USA) from 1985-1990 there was a sharp decline in production from 700,000 - 800,000 kg to 4,000 - 5,000 kg. In Australia production has declined since World War II to 45% of earlier levels. The same has occurred in the Mediterranean: according to F.A.O. (1997) European oyster stocks increased from 1950-1990, but by 1995-2000 they had declined almost linearly to about one-half earlier amounts. In addition, other Molluscs are considered to represent “concave downward” declining stocks (F.A.O., 1997). The main producing countries in the East Mediterranean for the European flat oyster are Italy (46.1%), Greece (4.4%), Turkey (2.2%), and Croatia (1.5%). For other species, the main producing countries are Italy (69.0%), Greece (16.0%), Turkey (2.2%), and Croatia (3.7%). The Adriatic, with considerable river input and a high degree of eutrophication, is important for mollusc production. The main question, however, is how stable and sensitive this industry is. Starting from the main issue that the natural stocks decline the need for the elaboration of a strategic management plan for the native mollusc beds is imperative. Strategic planning is an important tool for any sector when we need to do more than react to events as they unfold. Strategic planning involves a realistic assessment of the external environment and the factors bearing on it, now and in the future. Arising from this analysis, various “strategies” can be determined which will enable overall objectives to be met. The framework of a strategic management plan includes discussion and measures on issues such as property rights, policy issues affecting water quality and quality assurance, other aspects of government administration, generic promotion and R&D. Issues affecting business structure, the specific production technology employed, brand development and related aspects of marketing, are more likely to reflect the goals of individual businesses, although there may be a role for voluntary collective action (but not mandatory, or industry-wide action) in some circumstances. Strategic planning for the development of mollusc industry is not strictly a scientific or a administration problem to solve. It is a multi-parametric and multi-sectoral problem and as in any similar case, our inability to handle multi-parametric problems results to plans with limited results or more frequently, to disasters.Općenito je poznato da su nasadi kamenica posvuda u svijetu izloženi većim oscilacijama ili su u opadanju. U SAD-u, Chesapeake Bay, u razdoblju od 1985. do 1990. zabilježeno je znatno opadanje u proizvodnji sa 700 - 800.000 kg godišnje na 4.000 - 5.000 kg godišnje. U Australiji proizvodnja je u padu od Drugog svjetskog rata, i iznosi 45%. Slično je i na Mediteranu: prema godišnjaku FAO (1997.) europski stokovi kamenica pokazivali su rast u razdoblju 1950.-1990., nakon toga opadanje je linearnog oblika pa od 1995. do 2000. iznosi 45-50%. Što se tiče proizvodnje ostalih pripadnika skupine školjkaša, smatra se da su stokovi u opadanju te prate “konkavno silazeću” putanju (FAO, 1997.). Glavni proizvođači europske plosnate kamenice na istočnom Mediteranu su: Italija (46,1%), Grčka (4,4%), Turska (2,2%) i Hrvatska (1,5%). Glavne zemlje proizvođači skupine mekušaca su: Italija (69,0%), Grčka (16,0%), Turska (2,2%) i Hrvatska (3,7%). Površina Jadranskog mora, sa značajnim dotokom slatke vode i visokim stupnjem eutrofikacije, bitno je područje za proizvodnju mekušaca. Ključno je pitanje pritom koliko je ova industrija osjetljiva i stabilna

Identification of longevity-associated genes in long-lived Snell and Ames dwarf mice

Abstract Recent landmark molecular genetic studies have identified an evolutionarily conserved insulin/IGF-1 signal transduction pathway that regulates lifespan. In C. elegans, Drosophila, and rodents, attenuated insulin/IGF-1 signaling appears to regulate lifespan and enhance resistance to environmental stress. The Ames (Prop1 df/df ) and Snell (Pit1 dw/dw ) hypopituitary dwarf mice with growth hormone (GH), thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin deficiencies live 40-60% longer than control mice. Both mutants are resistant to multiple forms of environmental stress in vitro. Taken collectively, these genetic models indicate that diminished insulin/IGF-l signaling may play a central role in the determination of mammalian lifespan by conferring resistance to exogenous and endogenous stressors. These pleiotropic endocrine pathways control diverse programs of gene expression that appear to orchestrate the development of a biological phenotype that promotes longevity. With the ability to investigate thousands of genes simultaneously, several microarray surveys have identified potential longevity assurance genes and provided information on the mechanism(s) by which the dwarf genotypes (dw/dw) and (df/df), and caloric restriction may lead to longevity. We propose that a comparison of specific changes in gene expression shared between Snell and Ames dwarf mice may provide a deeper understanding of the transcriptional mechanisms of longevity determination. Furthermore, we propose that a comparison of the physiological consequences of the Pit1dw and Prop1df mutations may reveal transcriptional profiles similar to those reported for the C. elegans and Drosophila mutants. In this study we have identified classes of genes whose expression is similarly affected in both Snell and Ames dwarf mice. Our comparative microarray data suggest that specific detoxification enzymes of the P 450 (CYP) family as well as oxidative and steroid metabolism may play a key role in longevity assurance of the Snell and Ames dwarf mouse mutants. We propose that the altered expression of these genes defines a biochemical phenotype which may promote longevity in Snell and Ames dwarf mice

Oxidatively damaged proteins of heart mitochondrial electron transport complexes

AbstractProtein modifications, such as carbonylation, nitration and formation of lipid peroxidation adducts, e.g. 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), are products of oxidative damage attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mitochondrial respiratory chain Complexes I and III have been shown to be a major source of ROS in vitro. Additionally, modifications of the respiratory chain Complexes (I–V) by nitration, carbonylation and HNE adduct decrease their enzymatic activity in vitro. However, modification of these respiratory chain complex proteins due to in vivo basal level ROS generation has not been investigated. In this study, we show a basal level of oxidative damage to specific proteins of adult bovine heart submitochondrial particle (SMP) complexes, and find that most of these proteins are localized in the mitochondrial matrix. We postulate that electron leakage from respiratory chain complexes and subsequent ROS formation may cause damage to specific complex subunits and contribute to long-term accumulation of mitochondrial dysfunction

THE BASIS OF COASTAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT FOR SMALL FISHING COMMUNITIES: THE CASE OF THE SHRIMP (PENAEUS KERA THURUS) FISHERY IN WESTERN GREECE

The fishery for Penaeus kerthurus in western Greece illustrates key features of the balance that must be struck to manage marine resources in small coastal communities, whether in Greece or in Croatia

Scaling the Vibrations of Water Pipes: Application to Industrial Case Studies

ABSTRACT A scaling approach for the vibrations of water pipes was proposed in the ASME PVP 2005 Conference. Using a single hole orifice in non-cavitating conditions as a reference noise source, the vibrations of a piping system were estimated on the basis of plane wave propagation for the acoustics, and on the basis of vibrating beams for the structure. The scaling of the velocity Power Spectral Density (PSD) of a pipe is then a function of the pressure drop of the device considered, of the inner and outer diameters of the pipe, of the flow velocity, of the support spacing and of the densities of steel and water. The present paper describes the application of the scaling approach to industrial case studies: velocity PSD were measured on a sample of piping systems with pressures varying from 3 to 100 bars, with flows varying from 30 to 1000 m 3 /h and with hydraulic powers varying from 10 to 200 kW. The sources of vibrations were orifices, globe valves and butterfly valves in turbulent or cavitating regimes, and centrifugal pumps operating at nominal or partial flow regimes. In most cases, the measured data match the scaling law based on the single hole orifice noise, as an order of magnitude. A closer look reveals that different sources of vibrations exhibit recognizable patterns; the partial flow regime of a centrifugal pump generates a velocity PSD different from the nominal regime, and the cavitation of a globe valve generates a velocity PSD very different from the one generated by the cavitation of a single hole orifice. Typical non-dimensional spectra are proposed for each type of noise generating device. INTRODUCTION Scientific works about water pipes vibrations in the low frequency range are rare (see the review in [1] an

Impact of a novel surgical wound protection device on observed versus expected surgical site infection rates after colectomy using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Risk Calculator

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a persistent and morbid problem in colorectal surgery. A novel surgical device that combines barrier surgical wound protection and continuous surgical wound irrigation was evaluated in a cohort of elective colorectal surgery patients. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing rates of SSI observed in a prospective cohort study with the predicted rate of SSI using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Risk Calculator.A prospective multi-center study of colectomy patients was conducted using a study device for surgical site retraction and protection, as well as irrigation of the incision. Patients were followed for 30 days after the surgical procedure to assess for SSI. After completion of the study, patients' characteristics were inserted into the ACS-NSQIP Risk Calculator to determine the predicted rate of SSI for the given patient population and compared with the observed rate in the study.A total of 108 subjects were enrolled in the study. The observed rate of SSI in the prospective study using the novel device was 3.7% (4/108). The predicted rate of SSI in the same patient population utilizing the ACS-NSQIP Risk Calculator was estimated to be 9.5%. This demonstrated a 61% difference (3.7% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.04) in SSI from the NSQIP predicted rate with the use of the irrigating surgical wound protection and retraction device.These data suggest the use of a novel surgical wound protection device seems to reduce the rate of SSIs in colorectal surgery

Cube law, condition factor and weight-length relationships: history, meta-analysis and recommendations

This study presents a historical review, a meta-analysis, and recommendations for users about weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight equations. The historical review traces the developments of the respective concepts. The meta-analysis explores 3929 weight–length relationships of the type W = aLb for 1773 species of fishes. It shows that 82% of the variance in a plot of log a over b can be explained by allometric versus isometric growth patterns and by different body shapes of the respective species. Across species median b = 3.03 is significantly larger than 3.0, thus indicating a tendency towards slightly positive-allometric growth (increase in relative body thickness or plumpness) in most fishes. The expected range of 2.5 < b < 3.5 is confirmed. Mean estimates of b outside this range are often based on only one or two weight–length relationships per species. However, true cases of strong allometric growth do exist and three examples are given. Within species, a plot of log a vs b can be used to detect outliers in weight–length relationships. An equation to calculate mean condition factors from weight–length relationships is given as Kmean = 100aLb−3. Relative weight Wrm = 100W/(amLbm) can be used for comparing the condition of individuals across populations, where am is the geometric mean of a and bm is the mean of b across all available weight–length relationships for a given species. Twelve recommendations for proper use and presentation of weight–length relationships, condition factors and relative weight are given