Inferring fish escape behaviour in trawls based on catch comparison data: Model development and evaluation based on data from Skagerrak, Denmark

During the fishing process, fish react to a trawl with a series of behaviours that often are species and size specific. Thus, a thorough understanding of fish behaviour in relation to fishing gear and a scientific understanding of the ability of different gear designs to utilize or stimulate various behavioural patterns during the catching process are essential for developing more efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly trawls. Although many behavioural studies using optical and acoustic observation systems have been conducted, harsh observation conditions on the fishing grounds often hamper the ability to directly observe fish behaviour in relation to fishing gear. As an alternative to optical and acoustic methods, we developed and applied a new mathematical model to catch data to extract detailed and quantitative information about species- and size-dependent escape behaviour in towed fishing gear such as trawls. We used catch comparison data collected with a twin trawl setup; the only difference between the two trawls was that a 12 m long upper section was replaced with 800 mm diamond meshes in one of them. We investigated the length-based escape behaviour of cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), saithe (Pollachius virens), witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus), and lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) and quantified the extent to which behavioural responses set limits for the large mesh panel's selective efficiency. Around 85% of saithe, 80% of haddock, 44% of witch flounder, 55% of lemon sole, and 55% of cod (below 68 cm) contacted the large mesh panel and escaped. We also demonstrated the need to account for potential selectivity in the trawl body, as it can bias the assessment of length-based escape behaviour. Our indirect assessment of fish behaviour was in agreement with the direct observations made for the same species in a similar section of the trawl body reported in the literature

Study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, parallel group, sham-controlled clinical trial investigating the effect of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation on gastrointestinal symptoms in people with diabetes complicated with diabetic autonomic neuropathy:The DAN-VNS Study

Introduction A high proportion of people with diabetes experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which may be manifestations of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN). The current treatment regime is ineffective and associated with major side effects. Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a new therapeutic option, which has been shown to increase GI motility and reduce inflammatory responses. As vagus is the main neuronal pathway for extrinsic coordination of GI secretion and motility, we hypothesise that tVNS will improve DAN-induced GI symptoms in subjects with diabetes.Methods and analysis The DAN-VNS study is a randomised multicentre clinical trial investigating the effect of short-term, high intensity as well as long-term, medium-intensity tVNS on GI symptom alleviation in 120 subjects with diabetes. The primary outcome consists of changes from baseline in subjective ratings of symptom severity. Secondary outcomes include changes in gastric motility and GI transit time measured by MRI and wireless motility capsule. Moreover, cardiovascular and sudomotor function, glycaemic control, brain sensory processing and presence of low-grade inflammation will be investigated as secondary outcome measures. Lastly, 15 responders of tVNS treatment will be included in an explorative, randomised, cross-over study, in which the acute endocrine and metabolic response to short-term tVNS will be investigated.Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the North Denmark Region Committee on Health Research Ethics (N-20190020). Results will be published in relevant international peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NCT04143269

Ultrasound evidence of altered lumbar connective tissue structure in human subjects with chronic low back pain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although the connective tissues forming the fascial planes of the back have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic low back pain (LBP), there have been no previous studies quantitatively evaluating connective tissue structure in this condition. The goal of this study was to perform an ultrasound-based comparison of perimuscular connective tissue structure in the lumbar region in a group of human subjects with chronic or recurrent LBP for more than 12 months, compared with a group of subjects without LBP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In each of 107 human subjects (60 with LBP and 47 without LBP), parasagittal ultrasound images were acquired bilaterally centered on a point 2 cm lateral to the midpoint of the L2-3 interspinous ligament. The outcome measures based on these images were subcutaneous and perimuscular connective tissue thickness and echogenicity measured by ultrasound.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index (BMI) or activity levels between LBP and No-LBP groups. Perimuscular thickness and echogenicity were not correlated with age but were positively correlated with BMI. The LBP group had ~25% greater perimuscular thickness and echogenicity compared with the No-LBP group (ANCOVA adjusted for BMI, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first report of abnormal connective tissue structure in the lumbar region in a group of subjects with chronic or recurrent LBP. This finding was not attributable to differences in age, sex, BMI or activity level between groups. Possible causes include genetic factors, abnormal movement patterns and chronic inflammation.</p

A Serological Biomarker of Laminin Gamma 1 Chain Degradation Reflects Altered Basement Membrane Remodeling in Crohn’s Disease and DSS Colitis

Background: The laminin gamma 1 chain (LMγ1) is abundant along the crypt-villus axis in the intestinal basement membrane. / Aims: We investigated whether a serological biomarker of laminin degradation was associated with disease activity in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. / Methods: Serum samples from CD patients (n = 43), healthy subjects (n = 19), and Sprague Dawley rats receiving 5–6% DSS water for five days and regular drinking water for 11 days were included in this study. The LG1M biomarker, a neo-epitope degradation fragment of the LMγ1 chain generated by matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), was measured in serum to estimate the level of laminin degradation. / Results: Serum LG1M was elevated in CD patients with active and inactive disease compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). LG1M distinguished CD patients from healthy subjects, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 (p < 0.0001). Serum LG1M was decreased in DSS rats compared to controls 2 days after DSS withdrawal, and increased upon reversal of the disease. / Conclusions: Increased serum LG1M in active and inactive CD patients supports the evidence of altered LM expression in both inflamed and non-inflamed tissue. Moreover, lower LG1M levels in the early healing phase of DSS-induced colitis may reflect ongoing mucosal repair

Het gaat weer beter met de natuur in Nederland

In een Volkskrantinterview (22 mei 2009) poneerden de eerste drie auteurs de stelling, dat het weer beter gaat met de Nederlandse natuur. Aanleiding vormde de presentatie van de Monitor Duurzaam Nederland (CBS, 2009) waarbij het Planbureau concludeerde dat de biodiversiteit in ons land nog steeds achteruitholt. Dit artikel onderbouwt de stelling van 22 mei en is in feite een vervolg op een eerdere discussie, waarin de methodiek van het PBL werd gepresenteerd. Dit artikel gaat uit van de vraag hoe het gaat met de biodiversiteit en kijkt van daaruit naar de methode

Grb7 SH2 domain structure and interactions with a cyclic peptide inhibitor of cancer cell migration and proliferation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (Grb7) is an adapter protein that mediates the coupling of tyrosine kinases with their downstream signaling pathways. Grb7 is frequently overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human cancers and is implicated in cancer progression via its interaction with the ErbB2 receptor and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that play critical roles in cell proliferation and migration. It is thus a prime target for the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. Recently, an inhibitory peptide (G7-18NATE) has been developed which binds specifically to the Grb7 SH2 domain and is able to attenuate cancer cell proliferation and migration in various cancer cell lines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As a first step towards understanding how Grb7 may be inhibited by G7-18NATE, we solved the crystal structure of the Grb7 SH2 domain to 2.1 Å resolution. We describe the details of the peptide binding site underlying target specificity, as well as the dimer interface of Grb 7 SH2. Dimer formation of Grb7 was determined to be in the μM range using analytical ultracentrifugation for both full-length Grb7 and the SH2 domain alone, suggesting the SH2 domain forms the basis of a physiological dimer. ITC measurements of the interaction of the G7-18NATE peptide with the Grb7 SH2 domain revealed that it binds with a binding affinity of K_d= ~35.7 μM and NMR spectroscopy titration experiments revealed that peptide binding causes perturbations to both the ligand binding surface of the Grb7 SH2 domain as well as to the dimer interface, suggesting that dimerisation of Grb7 is impacted on by peptide binding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together the data allow us to propose a model of the Grb7 SH2 domain/G7-18NATE interaction and to rationalize the basis for the observed binding specificity and affinity. We propose that the current study will assist with the development of second generation Grb7 SH2 domain inhibitors, potentially leading to novel inhibitors of cancer cell migration and invasion.</p