Genetic aspects of conservation and cultivation of giant clams

Report of a 1992 workshop. Includes discussion papers on population genetics, broodstock establishment, preservation of biodiversity, hatchery procedures, and identifying strains; country papers from Australia, Fiji, Palau, Philippines and the Solomon Islands; discussion sessions and recommendations.Clam culture, Population genetics, Conservation, Conferences Tridacnidae

Caribbean coral reef fishery resources

Reef fisheries, Coral reefs, Fishery management, Fishery biology, Fishery resources, Reef fish, Caribbean,

Astral Signals Spatially Bias Cortical Myosin Recruitment to Break Symmetry and Promote Cytokinesis

SummaryBackgroundAfter anaphase, the segregated chromosomes are sequestered by cytokinesis into two separate daughter cells by a cleavage furrow formed by the actomyosin-based contractile ring. The failure to properly position the contractile ring between the segregated chromosomes can result in aneuploidy. In both C. elegans embryos and human cells, the central spindle regulates division-plane positioning in parallel with a second pathway that involves astral microtubules.ResultsWe combined genetic and pharmacological manipulations with live cell imaging to spatially separate the two division cues in a single cell. We demonstrate that the two pathways for furrow formation are mechanistically and genetically distinct. By following the distribution of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged nonmuscle myosin, we have found that the astral pathway for furrow formation involves the negative regulation of cortical myosin recruitment. An asymmetrically positioned spindle induces the asymmetric cortical accumulation of myosin. This cortical myosin behaves as a coherent contractile network. If the cortical network is nonuniform over the cell, the cortical contractile elements coalesce into a single furrow. This coalescence requires interconnections among contractile elements.ConclusionsWe conclude that the two pathways of cleavage-furrow formation are mechanistically distinct. In particular, we conclude that the astral pathway for cleavage-furrow formation involves the negative regulation of myosin distribution by astral cues

Sensitivity bond graphs

A sensitivity bond graph, of the same structure as the system bond graph, is shown to provide a simple and effective method of generating sensitivity functions of use in optimisation. The approach is illustrated in the context of partially known system parameter and state estimation

Structure, dynamics, and function of the monooxygenase P450 BM-3: insights from computer simulations studies

The monooxygenase P450 BM-3 is a NADPH-dependent fatty acid hydroxylase enzyme isolated from soil bacterium Bacillus megaterium. As a pivotal member of cytochrome P450 superfamily, it has been intensely studied for the comprehension of structure-dynamics-function relationships in this class of enzymes. In addition, due to its peculiar properties, it is also a promising enzyme for biochemical and biomedical applications. However, despite the efforts, the full understanding of the enzyme structure and dynamics is not yet achieved. Computational studies, particularly molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, have importantly contributed to this endeavor by providing new insights at an atomic level regarding the correlations between structure, dynamics, and function of the protein. This topical review summarizes computational studies based on MD simulations of the cytochrome P450 BM-3 and gives an outlook on future directions

Immune sensing of Candida albicans requires cooperative recognition of mannans and glucans by lectin and Toll-like receptors

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Reversible Induction of Phantom Auditory Sensations through Simulated Unilateral Hearing Loss

Tinnitus, a phantom auditory sensation, is associated with hearing loss in most cases, but it is unclear if hearing loss causes tinnitus. Phantom auditory sensations can be induced in normal hearing listeners when they experience severe auditory deprivation such as confinement in an anechoic chamber, which can be regarded as somewhat analogous to a profound bilateral hearing loss. As this condition is relatively uncommon among tinnitus patients, induction of phantom sounds by a lesser degree of auditory deprivation could advance our understanding of the mechanisms of tinnitus. In this study, we therefore investigated the reporting of phantom sounds after continuous use of an earplug. 18 healthy volunteers with normal hearing wore a silicone earplug continuously in one ear for 7 days. The attenuation provided by the earplugs simulated a mild high-frequency hearing loss, mean attenuation increased from <10 dB at 0.25 kHz to >30 dB at 3 and 4 kHz. 14 out of 18 participants reported phantom sounds during earplug use. 11 participants presented with stable phantom sounds on day 7 and underwent tinnitus spectrum characterization with the earplug still in place. The spectra showed that the phantom sounds were perceived predominantly as high-pitched, corresponding to the frequency range most affected by the earplug. In all cases, the auditory phantom disappeared when the earplug was removed, indicating a causal relation between auditory deprivation and phantom sounds. This relation matches the predictions of our computational model of tinnitus development, which proposes a possible mechanism by which a stabilization of neuronal activity through homeostatic plasticity in the central auditory system could lead to the development of a neuronal correlate of tinnitus when auditory nerve activity is reduced due to the earplug

A Review of Pink Salmon in the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans

The Northern Hemisphere Pink Salmon Expert Group Meeting was held on October 2–3, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada, immediately preceding the International Year of the Salmon (IYS) Synthesis Symposium. The rapid expansion of pink salmon was the theme for the meeting, and experts came together to discuss the current state of knowledge for pink salmon. Specific topics of focus included the range expansion into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, trends in distribution and abundance, research and monitoring approaches, potential inter-specific interactions, mitigation efforts, and plans for future collaborations. The outcomes of the meeting were presented at the IYS Synthesis Symposium and are further disseminated through this NPAFC Technical Report. The Executive Summary section of this report provides a brief background, a condensed overview of each topic, and concludes with overarching takeaway messages that are intended to guide future collaborations.publishedVersio

A Review of Pink Salmon in the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans

The Northern Hemisphere Pink Salmon Expert Group Meeting was held on October 2–3, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada, immediately preceding the International Year of the Salmon (IYS) Synthesis Symposium. The rapid expansion of pink salmon was the theme for the meeting, and experts came together to discuss the current state of knowledge for pink salmon. Specific topics of focus included the range expansion into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, trends in distribution and abundance, research and monitoring approaches, potential inter-specific interactions, mitigation efforts, and plans for future collaborations. The outcomes of the meeting were presented at the IYS Synthesis Symposium and are further disseminated through this NPAFC Technical Report. The Executive Summary section of this report provides a brief background, a condensed overview of each topic, and concludes with overarching takeaway messages that are intended to guide future collaborations.publishedVersio