Southern California fisheries monitoring summary for 1993 and 1994

The southern California Monitoring and Management Units collectively gathered 803 discrete samples of 7,329 marine finfishes and invertebrates from local commercial fish markets or authorized fish transporters in 1993. Nineteen different species were sampled and biological information recorded for future summarization and use in formulating fisheries management strategies and decisions. Increased sampling efforts in 1994 resulted in 801 samples of 14,566 marine finfish and invertebrates representing 44 different species. Fisheries trends and threats to local fishing opportunities were identified. Results of Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey interviews were also incorporated for a more complete overview of species targeted by both the sport and commercial industries. (26pp.

Inflammatory cell tumor necrosis factor signaling modulates post-infarction left ventricular remodeling.

The fundamental question of the exact nature of the role played by TNF in the failing myocardium remains one of contention. Many preclinical studies have demonstrated beneficial effects with TNF antagonism and recently the dichotomous role played by the two TNF receptors in chronic ischemic injury has come to light. The failing heart has also been determined to have low levels of inflammatory cell infiltration. As these cells are known to be potent producers of inflammatory cytokines, we hypothesized that inflammatory cell localized TNF receptors play an important role in the progression of LV remodeling following ischemic injury. To isolate the in vivo effects of inflammatory cell TNF receptors, we generated chimeric mice. Wild-type (WT, C57BLl6) mice underwent radiation-induced bone marrow (BM) ablation followed by reconstitution with BM from WT mice (WTc control, n=30), TNFR 1-/- mice (R1-/-c, n = 30) or TNFR2 -/- mice (R2-/-c, n = 30). Six weeks later, WTc, R1-/-c, and R2-/-c mice were subjected to coronary ligation to induce heart failure (HF) or sham operation. Our results demonstrated that compared to WTc sham, 4 weeks after surgery, WTc HF hearts exhibited significantly (p \u3c O.OS): 1) increased LV size (EDV 96.7 ±. 13.7 vs. 26.6 ± 8.2 IJL) and dysfunction (LVEF 2S.S ± 7.S vs. 69.8 ± 4.S%); 2) greater hypertrophy (LV/tibia length [TL] 3.91 ± 0.S3 vs. 2.9 ± 0.4, -4-fold greater atrial natriuretic factor [ANF] mRNA); 3) increased fibrosis (16.10 ± 8.16% vs. 1.4 ± 0.4%) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA expression, and 4) increased (-2-fold) mRNA levels of TNF, interleukin (IL)-1j3, and IL-6. WTc HF mice also had markedly reduced survival (60% vs. 100%) and increased blood levels of activated F4/80+/CD11 b+ monocytes vs. WTc sham mice. In contrast, compared to WTc HF, R1-1-c HF mice exhibited significantly (p \u3c O.OS): 1) improved survival (80%), 2) less LV dilatation and improved LVEF (42.9 ± 4.2%), 3) less cardiac hypertrophy (LVITL 3.14 ± 0.2) and ANF mRNA expression, 4) less cardiac fibrosis (S.48 ± 2.26%) and CTGF mRNA expression, and S) less cardiac TNF and IL-1j3 mRNA expression. Also, compared to WTc HF, R2-/-c HF mice exhibited significantly (p \u3c O.OS) greater circulating F4/80+/CD11 b+ monocytes (1S.32 ± 4.41 vs. 12.1 ±1.24%), and greater cardiac fibrosis (21.92 ±.10.81%). Also noted was an increase, although not significant, in EDV and ESV. In parallel in vitro studies, the contribution of inflammatory cell TNFR1 and TNFR2 (Le., macrophage-derived) to cardiac contractile dysfunction was investigated. Macrophages isolated from WT mice with HF 4 week postinfarction, when co-cultured with na lve cardiomyocytes induced contractile dysfunction and myocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in a juxtacrine but not paracrine maner (

Drug resistant HIV: Behaviors and characteristics among Los Angeles men who have sex with men with new HIV diagnosis.

Epidemiology of drug resistant HIV has focused on trends and less attention has been given to identification of factors, especially behaviors including substance use, in acquisition of drug-resistant HIV. From 2009 to 2012 The Metromates Study enrolled and followed for one year men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking testing for HIV in a community clinic in Los Angeles assessing those testing positive for acute and recent HIV infection. Behavioral data were collected via Computer-Assisted Self-Interview from 125 classified as newly HIV infected and 91 as chronically infected (newly HIV-diagnosed); specimens were available and viable for resistance testing for 154 of the 216 HIV positives with new diagnoses. In this community clinic we found prevalence of resistance among MSM with new HIV-diagnosis was 19.5% (n = 30/154) with no difference by recency of HIV infection. Sexual partnership characteristics were associated with resistance; those who reported transgendered sex partners had a higher prevalence of resistance as compared to those who did not report transgendered sex partners (40% vs. 17%; p value = 0.04), while those who reported having a main partner had a lower prevalence of drug resistance (12% vs. 24%; p value = 0.07). In multivariable analyses adjusting for HIV recency and antiviral use, reporting a main partner decreased odds [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.87], reporting a transgendered partnered increased odds (AOR = 3.37; 95% CI 0.95-12.43); and being African American increased odds of drug resistance (AOR = 5.63, 95%CI 1.41-22.38). This suggests African American MSM and TG individuals in Los Angeles represent pockets of exceptional risk that will require special approaches to prevention and care to enhance their own health and reduce their likelihood to support transmission of drug resistance in the US

Quantum-Enhanced Sensing Based on Time Reversal of Nonlinear Dynamics

We experimentally demonstrate a nonlinear detection scheme exploiting time-reversal dynamics that disentangles continuous variable entangled states for feasible readout. Spin-exchange dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates is used as the nonlinear mechanism which not only generates entangled states but can also be time reversed by controlled phase imprinting. For demonstration of a quantum-enhanced measurement we construct an active atom SU(1,1) interferometer, where entangled state preparation and nonlinear readout both consist of parametric amplification. This scheme is capable of exhausting the quantum resource by detecting solely mean atom numbers. Controlled nonlinear transformations widen the spectrum of useful entangled states for applied quantum technologies.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 3 pages supplementary material, 2 supplementary figure

Nutrient Loading of Streams Entering Sodus Bay and Port Bay, NY 1 April, 1990 To 30 June, 1991

Freshwater resources have historically played a key role in community development and sustainability. Maintaining a high quality freshwater resource is of equal importance. Within the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, degradation of water quality and aesthetics due to excessive plant growth is a growing concern. Involved agencies have recently focused their attention on non-point source pollution as a primary candidate linked to accelerated macrophyte growth and surface water degradation. Wayne County recognizes the importance of maintaining a quality water resource and has responded by developing a Water Quality Program. Established in 1 987 and administered jointly between the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Wayne County Planning Department, the program has received financial support made possible through the Finger Lakes Aquatic Vegetation Control Program (AVCP). The AVC program was created through a mutual effort between the New York State Legislature, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Finger Lakes Water Resources Board. The overall goal of Wayne County\u27s water quality program is to develop a long-term water quality /lake management plan designed to control non-point source pollution on Sodus and Port Bays. Once implemented, this plan will serve to protect the integrity of these resources. A major improvement in our assessment capability occurred with the construction of a continuous stage height recorder on Sodus Creek. The addition of the continuous stream height recorder fine tunes our ability to evaluate nutrient and sediment loading into Sodus Bay during hydrologic events. In addition ,initiation of weekly sampling of Wolcott Creek on Port Bay has expanded this program to another body of water in Wayne County. The objectives of Wayne County\u27s program include: 1 ) To determine the status of Wayne County\u27s primary surface waters and observe changes over time; 2) To document what types and amounts of nutrients may be adversely impacting water quality and the conditions which generate them; 3) To develop a technical database for informed water quality management decisions; and 4) To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of potential control measures likely to be used to reduce non-point sources

Circular 64

Treatment of Alaska-produced food products by ionizing radiation may benefit the seafood and agricultural industries and the Alaskan consumer. A feasibility study to evaluate the potential social and economic benefits and risks as well as the costs of using the process in Alaska on Alaskan products is being coordinated by the Institute of Northern Engineering. A research and development project to determine effects on the quality o f Alaskan products could be the next phase in the introduction o f a new food-preservation technique to Alaska

Palmitoylation of Desmoglein 2 Is a Regulator of Assembly Dynamics and Protein Turnover.

Desmosomes are prominent adhesive junctions present between many epithelial cells as well as cardiomyocytes. The mechanisms controlling desmosome assembly and remodeling in epithelial and cardiac tissue are poorly understood. We recently identified protein palmitoylation as a mechanism regulating desmosome dynamics. In this study, we have focused on the palmitoylation of the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein-2 (Dsg2) and characterized the role that palmitoylation of Dsg2 plays in its localization and stability in cultured cells. We identified two cysteine residues in the juxtamembrane (intracellular anchor) domain of Dsg2 that, when mutated, eliminate its palmitoylation. These cysteine residues are conserved in all four desmoglein family members. Although mutant Dsg2 localizes to endogenous desmosomes, there is a significant delay in its incorporation into junctions, and the mutant is also present in a cytoplasmic pool. Triton X-100 solubility assays demonstrate that mutant Dsg2 is more soluble than wild-type protein. Interestingly, trafficking of the mutant Dsg2 to the cell surface was delayed, and a pool of the non-palmitoylated Dsg2 co-localized with lysosomal markers. Taken together, these data suggest that palmitoylation of Dsg2 regulates protein transport to the plasma membrane. Modulation of the palmitoylation status of desmosomal cadherins can affect desmosome dynamics

Association of Cumulative Lead Exposure with Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND. Research using reconstructed exposure histories has suggested an association between heavy metal exposures, including lead, and Parkinson's disease (PD), but the only study that used bone lead, a biomarker of cumulative lead exposure, found a nonsignificant increase in risk of PD with increasing bone lead. OBJECTIVES. We sought to assess the association between bone lead and PD. METHODS. Bone lead concentrations were measured using 109Cd excited K-shell X-ray fluorescence from 330 PD patients (216 men, 114 women) and 308 controls (172 men, 136 women) recruited from four clinics for movement disorders and general-community cohorts. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for PD were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS. The average age of cases and controls at bone lead measurement was 67 (SD = 10) and 69 (SD = 9) years of age, respectively. In primary analyses of cases and controls recruited from the same groups, compared with the lowest quartile of tibia lead, the OR for PD in the highest quartile was 3.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-8.83]. Results were similar but slightly weaker in analyses restricted to cases and controls recruited from the movement disorders clinics only (fourth-quartile OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.11-5.93) or when we included controls recruited from sites that did not also contribute cases (fourth-quartile OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.01-3.60). We found no association with patella bone lead. CONCLUSIONS. These findings, using an objective biological marker of cumulative lead exposure among typical PD patients seen in our movement disorders clinics, strengthen the evidence that cumulative exposure to lead increases the risk of PD.National Institutes of Health (R01-ES010798, K01-ES01265