Trophic Ecology of Meso- and Bathypelagic Predatory Fishes in the Gulf of Mexico

The trophic ecology of eight circumglobal meso- and bathypelagic fishes (Anoplogaster cornuta, Chauliodus sloani, Coccorella atlantica, Gigantura chuni, G. indica, Omosudis lowii, Photostomias guernei, and Stomias affinis) with contrasting vertical migration habits (vertical migrators vs. non-migrators) were examined using stable isotope analysis (SIA). Mean δ13C values of these predators were similar among species, ranging from –18.17 to –18.99 ‰, suggesting that all species are supported by a similar carbon source. This finding was supported by mixing-model analysis; all of these deep-living predators received the majority (\u3e73%) of their carbon from epipelagic food resources. Mean δ15N values of the predators ranged from 9.18 to 11.13 ‰, resulting in trophic position estimates between the third and fourth trophic level, although significant shifts in δ15N with increasing body size suggest that some of these species undergo ontogenetic shifts in trophic position. Bayesian standard ellipses, used to estimate isotopic niche areas, differed in size among species, with those occupying the highest relative trophic positions possessing the largest isotopic niches. These results, which provide the first trophic descriptions using dietary tracers for several of these species, offer insight into the trophic structure of deep-sea ecosystems and will help inform the construction of ecosystem-based models

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease

Phosphorylation of a Novel Site on the β4 Integrin at the Trailing Edge of Migrating Cells Promotes Hemidesmosome Disassembly

Hemidesmosomes (HDs) are multiprotein structures that anchor epithelial cells to the basement membrane. HD components include the α6β4 integrin, plectin, and BPAGs (bullous pemphigoid antigens). HD disassembly in keratinocytes is necessary for cells to migrate and can be induced by EGF through β4 integrin phosphorylation. We have identified a novel phosphorylation site on the β4 integrin: S1424. Preventing phosphorylation by mutating S→A1424 results in increased incorporation of β4 into HDs and resistance to EGF-induced disassembly. In contrast, mutating S→D1424 (mimicking phosphorylation) partially mobilizes β4 from HDs and potentiates the disassembly effects of other phosphorylation sites. In contrast to previously described sites that are phosphorylated upon growth factor stimulation, S1424 already exhibits high constitutive phosphorylation, suggesting additional functions. Constitutive phosphorylation of S1424 is distinctively enriched at the trailing edge of migrating keratinocytes where HDs are disassembled. Although most of this S1424-phosphorylated β4 is found dissociated from HDs, a substantial amount can be associated with HDs near the cell margins, colocalizing with plectin but always excluding BPAGs, suggesting that phospho-S1424 might be a mechanism to dissociate β4 from BPAGs. S1424 phosphorylation is PKC dependent. These data suggest an important role for S1424 in the gradual disassembly of HDs induced by cell retraction

Development of an intervention delivered by mobile phone aimed at decreasing unintended pregnancy among young people in three lower middle income countries

The collection consists of four files: [1] a discussion guide used in focus group discussions and interviews with the target group; [2] a discussion guide used in interviews with providers; [3] a matrix that displays the change objectives by crossing the determinants and performance objectives; and [4] the behaviour change methods included in the intervention, the basis upon which they were selected, determinants, parameters for effectiveness, and how the parameters were taken into account