Spatio-Temporal Determination of Small-Scale Vessels’ Fishing Grounds Using a Vessel Monitoring System in the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico

In most small-scale fisheries (SSF), there is limited or null information about the distribution and spatial extent of the fishing grounds where the fleets operate, due to the lack of explicit spatial and temporal data. This information is key when addressing marine spatial planning and fisheries management programs for SSF. In addition to technical or biogeographic restrictions, environmental conditions in the area influence the way fishers operate. Making use of data from a pilot Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) project tested in a small-scale fleet in the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico (SGoM), for the first time in the region, we were able to learn what role environmental factors play in the distribution of potential fishing grounds for this fleet. We got tracking information of 1,608 daily fishing trips from vessels operating in four states using the VMS for 7 months. We used a correlative modeling approach to identify potential fishing grounds where this fleet operates along the SGoM, accounting for environmental variables. We assumed that environmental conditions can shape the spatial distribution of species targeted by this fleet and hence influence fishers’ operations. The results indicated that net primary production and sea surface temperature were the main drivers that shape the spatio-temporal potential distribution of fishing grounds in the study site. The approach employed here seems appropriated and opens an opportunity to learn more about the factors that define the spatial distribution of small-scale fleets and their potential fishing grounds

Validation of Davson's equation in patients suffering from idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

INTRODUCTION: The so-called Davson's equation relates baseline intracranial pressure (ICP) to resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow (Rout), formation of cerebrospinal fluid (If) and sagittal sinus pressure (PSS) There is a controversy over whether this fundamental equation is applicable in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). We investigated the relationship between Rout and ICP and also other compensatory, clinical and demographic parameters in NPH patients. METHOD: We carried out a retrospective study of 229 patients with primary NPH who had undergone constant-rate infusion studies in our hospital. Data was recorded and processed using ICM+ software. Relationships between variables were sought by calculating Pearson product correlation coefficients and p values. RESULTS: We found a significant, albeit weak, relationship between ICP and Rout (R = 0.17, p = 0.0049), Rout and peak-to-peak amplitude of ICP (AMP) (R = 0.27, p = 3.577e-05) and Rout and age (R = 0.16, p = 0.01306). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship found between ICP and Rout provides indirect evidence to support disturbed Cerebrospinal fluid circulation as a key factor in disturbed CSF dynamics in NPH. Weak correlation may indicate that other factors-variable PSS and formation of CSF outflow-contribute heavily to linear model expressed by Davson's equation

Atomistic basis of opening and conduction in mammalian inward rectifier potassium (Kir2.2) channels

Potassium ion conduction through open potassium channels is essential to control of membrane potentials in all cells. To elucidate the open conformation and hence the mechanism of K+ ion conduction in the classic inward rectifier Kir2.2, we introduced a negative charge (G178D) at the crossing point of the inner helix bundle, the location of ligand-dependent gating. This forced open mutation generated channels that were active even in the complete absence of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), an otherwise essential ligand for Kir channel opening. Crystal structures were obtained at a resolution of 3.6 Å without PIP2 bound, or 2.8 Å in complex with PIP2. The latter revealed a slight widening at the helix bundle crossing (HBC) through backbone movement. MD simulations showed that subsequent spontaneous wetting of the pore through the HBC gate region allowed K+ ion movement across the HBC and conduction through the channel. Further simulations reveal atomistic details of the opening process and highlight the role of pore-lining acidic residues in K+ conduction through Kir2 channels

Structural basis of control of inward rectifier Kir2 channel gating by bulk anionic phospholipids

Inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel activity is controlled by plasma membrane lipids. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) binding to a primary site is required for opening of classic inward rectifier Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 channels, but interaction of bulk anionic phospholipid (PL(−)) with a distinct second site is required for high PIP(2) sensitivity. Here we show that introduction of a lipid-partitioning tryptophan at the second site (K62W) generates high PIP(2) sensitivity, even in the absence of PL(−). Furthermore, high-resolution x-ray crystal structures of Kir2.2[K62W], with or without added PIP(2) (2.8- and 2.0-Å resolution, respectively), reveal tight tethering of the C-terminal domain (CTD) to the transmembrane domain (TMD) in each condition. Our results suggest a refined model for phospholipid gating in which PL(−) binding at the second site pulls the CTD toward the membrane, inducing the formation of the high-affinity primary PIP(2) site and explaining the positive allostery between PL(−) binding and PIP(2) sensitivity

Role of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) in post-lung transplant patients: a multicenter experience

Background and study aims: Gastroparesis post-lung transplant (LTx) can lead to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and accelerated graft dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), a promising tool in patients with refractory gastroparesis, for managing refractory gastroparesis and GER in post-LTx patients. Patents and methods  This was a multicenter retrospective study on post-LTx patients who underwent G-POEM for management of gastroparesis and GER that were refractory to standard medical therapy. The primary outcome was clinical success post-G-POEM. Secondary outcomes included the rate of post-G-POEM objective esophageal pH exam normalization, rate of gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) normalization, technical success, and adverse events. Results: A total of 20 patients (mean age 54.7 ± 14.1 years, Female 50 %) underwent G-POEM at a median time of 13 months (interquartile range 6.5-13.5) post-LTx. All G-POEM procedures were technically successful. Clinical success was achieved in 17 (85 %) patients during a median follow-up time of 8.9 (IQR: 3-17) months post-G-POEM. Overall GCSI and two of its subscales (bloating and postprandial fullness/early satiety) improved significantly following G-POEM. Two patients (10 %) developed post-procedural AEs (delayed bleeding 1, pyloric stenosis 1, both moderate in severity). Post-G-POEM GES improvement was achieved in 12 of 16 patients (75 %). All 20 patients were on proton pump inhibitors pre-G-POEM, as opposed to five post-G-POEM. Post-G-POEM PH study normalization was noted in nine of 10 patients (90 %) who underwent both pre- and post-G-poem pH testing. Conclusions: G-POEM is a promising noninvasive therapeutic tool for management of refractory gastroparesis and GER post-LTx

The importance of cytoplasmic strings during early human embryonic development

Objectives: During human in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, embryologists attempt to select the most viable embryos for embryo transfer (ET). Previously, embryos were evaluated based on light microscopic morphological parameters. However, this is currently accomplished by morphokinetic analysis of time-lapse recordings. This technique provides us the opportunity to observe cytoplasmic strings at the blastocyst stage. The aim of this work was to examine the relationship between the presence of cytoplasmic strings (CS) and the embryo viability in human in vitro fertilised embryos.Study design: Herein, we present an evaluation of the morphokinetic data on the development of embryos obtained during IVF treatments performed at the Division of Assisted Reproduction between December 2020 and March 2021. The dynamics of embryo development, embryo morphology, and morphokinetic scores generated by a time-lapse system were compared between the presence of cytoplasmic strings (CS+) and their absence (CS-) at the blastocyst stage.Results: The development of 208 embryos from 78 patients was examined. Moreover, 81.2% of the embryos had CS in the blastocyst stage; 77% of CS existed in embryos created by conventional IVF, while 86% of CS existed in embryos fertilised by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (p = 0.08). A greater number of CS+ embryos developed into a higher quality blastocyst (52.1% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.02). The morphokinetic score values characterising the development of embryos, such as Known Implantation Data Score (KIDScore) and Intelligent Data Analysis (iDAScore), were higher in CS+ groups (KID: 6.1 ± 2.1 vs. 4.7 ± 2.07; iDA: 8.0 ± 1.9 vs. 6.8 ± 2.3, p < 0.01). The dynamics of the early embryo development were similar between the two groups; however, CS+ embryos reached the blastocyst stage significantly earlier (tB: 103.9 h vs. tB: 107.6 h; p = 0.001).Conclusion: Based on our results, the number of embryos with cytoplasmic strings was higher than that without cytoplasmic strings, and its presence is not related to the fertilisation method. These embryos reached the blastocyst stage earlier, and their morphokinetic (KIDScore and iDAScore) parameters were better. All these results suggest that the presence of CS indicates higher embryo viability. The examination of this feature may help us make decisions about the embryos with higher implantation potential

In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals region specific metabolic responses to SIV infection in the macaque brain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>In vivo </it>proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) studies of HIV-infected humans have demonstrated significant metabolic abnormalities that vary by brain region, but the causes are poorly understood. Metabolic changes in the frontal cortex, basal ganglia and white matter in 18 SIV-infected macaques were investigated using MRS during the first month of infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Changes in the N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), <it>myo</it>-inositol (MI), creatine (Cr) and glutamine/glutamate (Glx) resonances were quantified both in absolute terms and relative to the creatine resonance. Most abnormalities were observed at the time of peak viremia, 2 weeks post infection (wpi). At that time point, significant decreases in NAA and NAA/Cr, reflecting neuronal injury, were observed only in the frontal cortex. Cr was significantly elevated only in the white matter. Changes in Cho and Cho/Cr were similar across the brain regions, increasing at 2 wpi, and falling below baseline levels at 4 wpi. MI and MI/Cr levels were increased across all brain regions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data best support the hypothesis that different brain regions have variable intrinsic vulnerabilities to neuronal injury caused by the AIDS virus.</p

Transverse-Momentum Dependence of the J/psi Nuclear Modification in d+Au Collisions at sqrt(s_NN)=200 GeV

We present measured J/psi production rates in d+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV over a broad range of transverse momentum (p_T=0-14 GeV/c) and rapidity (-2.2<y<2.2). We construct the nuclear-modification factor R_dAu for these kinematics and as a function of collision centrality (related to impact parameter for the R_dAu collision). We find that the modification is largest for collisions with small impact parameters, and observe a suppression (R_dAu<1) for p_T<4 GeV/c at positive rapidities. At negative rapidity we observe a suppression for p_T1) for p_T>2 GeV/c. The observed enhancement at negative rapidity has implications for the observed modification in heavy-ion collisions at high p_T.Comment: 384 authors, 24 pages, 19 figures, 13 tables. Submitted to Phys. Rev. C. Plain text data tables for the points plotted in figures for this and previous PHENIX publications are publicly available at http://www.phenix.bnl.gov/phenix/WWW/info/data/ppg123_data.htm

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO