Where the Weird Things Are: A Collection of Species Range Extensions in the Southern California Bight

A large-scale monitoring program associated with the establishment of a marine protected area network in southern California provided an opportunity to observe and document unique or rare species across the region. Scientists and students from several educational and research institutions surveyed 145 subtidal reefs, 39 intertidal reefs, and five sandy beaches from 2011-2017, a period of time where oceanographic and climatic conditions changed serially and dramatically. In conjunction with an increase in monitoring frequency and locations, dramatic shifts in oceanographic climate during this same time period likely caused shifts in tolerable habitat conditions for many nearshore species. Here we describe range extensions – both to the north and south – of fourteen marine fish, invertebrate, and algae species as observed during the 2011-2012 South Coast MPA Baseline Program and subsequent monitoring efforts

P-Type ATPase TAT-2 Negatively Regulates Monomethyl Branched-Chain Fatty Acid Mediated Function in Post-Embryonic Growth and Development in C. elegans

Monomethyl branched-chain fatty acids (mmBCFAs) are essential for Caenorhabditis elegans growth and development. To identify factors acting downstream of mmBCFAs for their function in growth regulation, we conducted a genetic screen for suppressors of the L1 arrest that occurs in animals depleted of the 17-carbon mmBCFA C17ISO. Three of the suppressor mutations defined an unexpected player, the P-type ATPase TAT-2, which belongs to the flippase family of proteins that are implicated in mediating phospholipid bilayer asymmetry. We provide evidence that TAT-2, but not other TAT genes, has a specific role in antagonizing the regulatory activity of mmBCFAs in intestinal cells. Interestingly, we found that mutations in tat-2 also suppress the lethality caused by inhibition of the first step in sphingolipid biosynthesis. We further showed that the fatty acid side-chains of glycosylceramides contain 20%–30% mmBCFAs and that this fraction is greatly diminished in the absence of mmBCFA biosynthesis. These results suggest a model in which a C17ISO-containing sphingolipid may mediate the regulatory functions of mmBCFAs and is negatively regulated by TAT-2 in intestinal cells. This work indicates a novel connection between a P-type ATPase and the critical regulatory function of a specific fatty acid

Consensus Recommendations for the Use of Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) Technologies in Clinical Practice

International audienceThe significant and growing global prevalence of diabetes continues to challenge people with diabetes (PwD), healthcare providers and payers. While maintaining near-normal glucose levels has been shown to prevent or delay the progression of the long-term complications of diabetes, a significant proportion of PwD are not attaining their glycemic goals. During the past six years, we have seen tremendous advances in automated insulin delivery (AID) technologies. Numerous randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have shown that the use of AID systems is safe and effective in helping PwD achieve their long-term glycemic goals while reducing hypoglycemia risk. Thus, AID systems have recently become an integral part of diabetes management. However, recommendations for using AID systems in clinical settings have been lacking. Such guided recommendations are critical for AID success and acceptance. All clinicians working with PwD need to become familiar with the available systems in order to eliminate disparities in diabetes quality of care. This report provides much-needed guidance for clinicians who are interested in utilizing AIDs and presents a comprehensive listing of the evidence payers should consider when determining eligibility criteria for AID insurance coverage

Sequencing three crocodilian genomes to illuminate the evolution of archosaurs and amniotes

The International Crocodilian Genomes Working Group (ICGWG) will sequence and assemble the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) genomes. The status of these projects and our planned analyses are described

Characterization of <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae trans</italic> Golgi network protein trafficking events using cell-free systems.

The regulated transfer of protein and lipid cargo between organelles is essential to the maintenance of eukaryotic cell structure. Such processes are particularly critical at the trans Golgi network (TGN), where extensive, highly coordinated protein sorting must occur to mediate vesicular communication between the TGN and other organelles including the vacuole, endosomes, the plasma membrane and earlier Golgi compartments. To gain a better understanding of protein trafficking at the TGN, we use the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system to study the transmembrane TGN resident processing protease, Kex2p. Kex2p maintains steady-state localization to the TGN by cycles of transport between TGN and endocytic compartments, making it an excellent reporter for vesicular delivery between these compartments. Using Kex2p as a marker, we have begun to reconstitute TGN transport and fusion events in cell-free systems. Initial experiments identified a previously uncharacterized membrane fusion event, homotypic fusion of TGN compartments. Homotypic TGN fusion was found to require a t-SNARE complex consisting of Tlg2p, Tlg1p and Vti1p. Fusion was impaired between TGN membranes lacking function of the rab GTPase, Vps21p. A putative membrane tethering complex protein Pep3p was also required for fusion. As is the case for homotypic fusion of other endomembrane compartments, this fusion likely reflects a basic mechanism for maintenance of the integrity of the TGN. To further the analysis of Kex2p trafficking at the TGN, we developed a cell-free assay for the specific transport of Kex2p from the TGN to the late endosome/prevacuolar compartment (PVC). This transport step is critical for the biogenesis of the yeast vacuole/lysosome as it is the step in which hydrolytic enzyme precursors are sorted away from secretory protein traffic for delivery into the endosomal/lysosomal membrane system. Cell-free TGN to PVC transport requires Pep12p, a neuronal syntaxin homolog thought to mediate fusion of all incoming vesicular traffic at the prevacuolar compartment. This work enhances our understanding of TGN trafficking by illuminating a novel membrane fusion event, homotypic TGN fusion, that may be important for TGN maintenance and sorting, and sets the stage for biochemical dissection of TGN to late endosomal delivery of lysosomal precursor enzymes.Ph.D.BiochemistryBiological SciencesCellular biologyPure SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/124630/2/3150162.pd

The value of usability testing for Internet-based adolescent self-management interventions: “Managing Hemophilia Online”

Abstract Background As adolescents with hemophilia approach adulthood, they are expected to assume responsibility for their disease management. A bilingual (English and French) Internet-based self-management program, “Teens Taking Charge: Managing Hemophilia Online,” was developed to support adolescents with hemophilia in this transition. This study explored the usability of the website and resulted in refinement of the prototype. Methods A purposive sample (n=18; age 13–18; mean age 15.5 years) was recruited from two tertiary care centers to assess the usability of the program in English and French. Qualitative observations using a “think aloud” usability testing method and semi-structured interviews were conducted in four iterative cycles, with changes to the prototype made as necessary following each cycle. This study was approved by research ethics boards at each site. Results Teens responded positively to the content and appearance of the website and felt that it was easy to navigate and understand. The multimedia components (videos, animations, quizzes) were felt to enrich the experience. Changes to the presentation of content and the website user-interface were made after the first, second and third cycles of testing in English. Cycle four did not result in any further changes. Conclusions Overall, teens found the website to be easy to use. Usability testing identified end-user concerns that informed improvements to the program. Usability testing is a crucial step in the development of Internet-based self-management programs to ensure information is delivered in a manner that is accessible and understood by users

Where the Weird Things are: A Collection of Species Range Extensions in the Southern California Bight

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