True Metabolized Energy of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Semi-Permanent Marshes for Dabbling Ducks in the Upper Midwest Annual Performance Report Period: 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016

Our primary objectives were to 1) estimate true metabolizable energy of common species of submersed aquatic vegetation in semi-permanent marsh habitats of the Upper Midwest for gadwall and mallard during autumns 2015–2017, and 2) use current and historic estimates of semi-permanent marsh vegetation communities during autumn within the IRV to document the net change in energetic carrying capacity for dabbling ducks and compare with habitat use by waterfowl using long-term aerial surveys of the Illinois Natural History Survey. We assayed six species of SAV common in the Midwest and that have been previously documented as waterfowl foods: coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), wild celery (Vallisneria americana), Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), and sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinate; Anderson 1959, Stewart 1962, Bergman 1973, Havera 1999, Benedict and Hepp 2000, Hitchcock 2009, Baldassarre 2014). Understanding the energetic value of SAV for dabbling ducks will allow wetland managers to accurately evaluate wetland management practices and conservation planners to develop more accurate energetic carrying capacity models. We predicted that the energetic carrying capacity of semi-permanent marshes containing SAV will be slightly less than if the same wetlands were managed for moist-soil vegetation (Bowyer et al. 2005). We hypothesized that the TME of SAV per unit biomass will be less than that of moist-soil seeds and agricultural grains. Further, we hypothesized that the TME values derived from male and female mallards and between time periods (week of trial) will be similar.United States Fish and Wildlife Service Contract Number: F15AP00687unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

The Epithelial Cell-Derived Atopic Dermatitis Cytokine TSLP Activates Neurons to Induce Itch

SummaryAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic itch and inflammatory disorder of the skin that affects one in ten people. Patients suffering from severe AD eventually progress to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis, in a process known as the “atopic march.” Signaling between epithelial cells and innate immune cells via the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is thought to drive AD and the atopic march. Here, we report that epithelial cells directly communicate to cutaneous sensory neurons via TSLP to promote itch. We identify the ORAI1/NFAT calcium signaling pathway as an essential regulator of TSLP release from keratinocytes, the primary epithelial cells of the skin. TSLP then acts directly on a subset of TRPA1-positive sensory neurons to trigger robust itch behaviors. Our results support a model whereby calcium-dependent TSLP release by keratinocytes activates both primary afferent neurons and immune cells to promote inflammatory responses in the skin and airways

Effect of rhPDGF-BB on bone turnover during periodontal repair

Purpose : Growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) exert potent effects on wound healing including the regeneration of periodontia. Pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) is a well-known biomarker of bone turnover, and as such is a potential indicator of osseous metabolic activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the release of the ICTP into the periodontal wound fluid (WF) following periodontal reconstructive surgery using local delivery of highly purified recombinant human PDGF (rhPDGF)-BB. Methods : Forty-seven human subjects at five treatment centres possessing chronic severe periodontal disease were monitored longitudinally for 24 weeks following PDGF regenerative surgical treatment. Severe periodontal osseous defects were divided into one of three groups and treated at the time of surgery with either: Β -tricalcium phosphate (TCP) osteoconductive scaffold alone (active control), Β -TCP+0.3 mg/ml of rhPDGF-BB, or Β -TCP+1.0 mg/ml of rhPDGF-BB. WF was harvested and analysed for local ICTP levels by radioimmunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and an area under the curve analysis (AUC). Results : The 0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml PDGF-BB treatment groups demonstrated increases in the amount of ICTP released locally for up to 6 weeks. There were statistically significant differences at the week 6 time point between Β -TCP carrier alone group versus 0.3 mg/ml PDGF-BB group ( p <0.05) and between Β -TCP alone versus the 1.0 mg/ml PDGF-BB-treated lesions ( p <0.03). The AUC analysis revealed no statistical differences amongst groups. Conclusion : This study corroborates the release of ICTP as a measure of active bone turnover following local delivery of PDGF-BB to periodontal osseous defects. The amount of ICTP released from the WF revealed an early increase for all treatment groups. Data from this study suggests that when PDGF-BB is delivered to promote periodontal tissue engineering of tooth-supporting osseous defects, there is a direct effect on ICTP released from the wound.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72239/1/j.1600-051X.2005.00870.x.pd

True metabolizable energy of submersed aquatic vegetation in semi-permanent marshes for dabbling ducks in the Upper Midwest

We completed 186 TME assays with mallards (n = 72) and gadwall (n = 114) between 2015 and 2018. Bioavailable energy (i.e., TME) of submersed aquatic vegetation was highly variable among duck and vegetation species as supported by their interaction in the most parsimonious model (wi = 0.42; R2m = 0.33, R2c = 0.47). For gadwall, mean TME (± SE; kcal/g[dry]) was greatest for Eurasian watermilfoil (0.77 ± 0.32, n = 19), followed by Canadian waterweed (0.70 ± 0.31, n = 20), coontail (0.55 ± 0.28, n = 18), southern naiad (–0.61 ± 0.34, n = 17), wild celery (–0.98 ± 0.39, n = 20), sago pondweed (–1.07 ± 0.33, n = 20). Mallards assimilated greatest energy from Canadian waterweed (1.66 ± 0.26, n = 13), followed by coontail (1.51 ± 0.28, n = 8), southern naiad (1.37 ± 0.39, n = 14), sago pondweed (0.50 ± 0.22, n = 14), wild celery (0.05 ± 0.42, n = 11), and Eurasian watermilfoil (–0.13 ± 0.26, n = 12). There was evidence from a competing model (wi = 0.11; R2m = 0.34, R2c = 0.47) that females acquired 0.52 kcal/g (± 0.34) more energy from vegetation than males and that TME declined 0.20 kcal/g (± 0.16) for every 100 g increase in initial mass. We estimated energetic carrying capacity at 318 random points within 20 wetlands across three years (2015–2017) in the Midwest, USA (Simpson et al. 2017). Across all points, Ceratophyllum spp. was the most commonly encountered genera (n = 188) of submersed aquatic vegetation, followed by Myriophyllum spp. (n = 64), Najas spp. (n = 47), Elodea spp. (n = 41), and Stuckenia spp. (n = 36). These five genera comprised 91.5% of the total energy density across all points and years. Extrapolated energy density estimated at sample points ranged from 0 to 5,624 EUD/ha (̅ = 426 ± 52) and biomass estimates ranged from 0 to 2,340 kg/ha (dry) (̅ = 204 ± 22). Evidenced from the best supported model (wi = 0.68; R2m = 0.19, R2c = 0.27), energy density was 195 EUD/ha (85% CI = 39 – 964) greater at managed points than unmanaged points, decreased 2 EUD/ha (85% CI = 1 – 3) for every 100 cm increase in water depth, increased 9 EUD/ha (85% CI = 6 – 12) for every 100 cm increase in Secchi depth, and increased 3 EUD/ha (85% CI = 0 – 11) if emergent vegetation was present.Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Joint Venture U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Contract Number F15AP00687unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

True metabolizable energy of submersed aquatic vegetation in semi-permanent marshes for dabbling ducks in the upper Midwest

Our primary objectives were to 1) estimate true metabolizable energy of common species of submersed aquatic vegetation in semi-permanent marsh habitats of the Upper Midwest for gadwall and mallards during autumns 2015–2017, and 2) use current and historic estimates of semi-permanent marsh vegetation communities during autumn within the IRV to document the net change in energetic carrying capacity for dabbling ducks and compare with habitat use by waterfowl using long-term aerial surveys of the Illinois Natural History Survey. We assayed seven species of SAV common in the Midwest that have been documented as waterfowl foods: coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), wild celery (Vallisneria americana), Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis),southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima), and sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinate; Anderson 1959, Stewart 1962, Bergman 1973, Havera 1999, Benedict and Hepp 2000, Hitchcock 2009, Baldassarre 2014). Understanding the energetic value of SAV for dabbling ducks will allow wetland managers to accurately evaluate wetland management practices and conservation planners to develop more accurate energetic carrying capacity models. We predicted that the energetic carrying capacity of semi-permanent marshes containing SAV will be slightly less than if the same wetlands were managed for moist-soil vegetation (Bowyer et al. 2005). We hypothesized that the TME of SAV per unit biomass will be less than that of moist-soil seeds and agricultural grains. Further, we hypothesized that the TME of SAV will be independent of sex and trial week.Unites States Fish and Wildlife Service Contract Number: F15AP00687unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Accelerating environmental flow implementation to bend the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss

Environmental flows (e-flows) aim to mitigate the threat of altered hydrological regimes in river systems and connected waterbodies and are an important component of integrated strategies to address multiple threats to freshwater biodiversity. Expanding and accelerating implementation of e-flows can support river conservation and help to restore the biodiversity and resilience of hydrologically altered and water-stressed rivers and connected freshwater ecosystems. While there have been significant developments in e-flow science, assessment, and societal acceptance, implementation of e-flows within water resource management has been slower than required and geographically uneven. This review explores critical factors that enable successful e-flow implementation and biodiversity outcomes in particular, drawing on 13 case studies and the literature. It presents e-flow implementation as an adaptive management cycle enabled by 10 factors: legislation and governance, financial and human resourcing, stakeholder engagement and co-production of knowledge, collaborative monitoring of ecological and social-economic outcomes, capacity training and research, exploration of trade-offs among water users, removing or retrofitting water infrastructure to facilitate e-flows and connectivity, and adaptation to climate change. Recognising that there may be barriers and limitations to the full and effective enablement of each factor, the authors have identified corresponding options and generalizable recommendations for actions to overcome prominent constraints, drawing on the case studies and wider literature. The urgency of addressing flow-related freshwater biodiversity loss demands collaborative networks to train and empower a new generation of e-flow practitioners equipped with the latest tools and insights to lead adaptive environmental water management globally. Mainstreaming e-flows within conservation planning, integrated water resource management, river restoration strategies, and adaptations to climate change is imperative. The policy drivers and associated funding commitments of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offer crucial opportunities to achieve the human benefits contributed by e-flows as nature-based solutions, such as flood risk management, floodplain fisheries restoration, and increased river resilience to climate change

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

The Epithelial Cell-Derived Atopic Dermatitis Cytokine TSLP Activates Neurons to Induce Itch

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic itch and inflammatory disorder of the skin that affects one in ten people. Patients suffering from severe AD eventually progress to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis, in a process known as the "atopic march." Signaling between epithelial cells and innate immune cells via the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is thought to drive AD and the atopic march. Here, we report that epithelial cells directly communicate to cutaneous sensory neurons via TSLP to promote itch. We identify the ORAI1/NFAT calcium signaling pathway as an essential regulator of TSLP release from keratinocytes, the primary epithelial cells of the skin. TSLP then acts directly on a subset of TRPA1-positive sensory neurons to trigger robust itch behaviors. Our results support a model whereby calcium-dependent TSLP release by keratinocytes activates both primary afferent neurons and immune cells to promote inflammatory responses in the skin and airways