scholarly journals Multiple observations of Bigfin Squid (Magnapinna sp.) in the Great Australian Bight reveal distribution patterns, morphological characteristics, and rarely seen behaviour

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241066
Author(s):  
Deborah Osterhage ◽  
Hugh MacIntosh ◽  
Franziska Althaus ◽  
Andrew Ross

One of the most remarkable groups of deep-sea squids is the Magnapinnidae, known for their large fins and strikingly long arm and tentacle filaments. Little is known of their biology and ecology as most specimens are damaged and juvenile, and in-situ sightings are sparse, numbering around a dozen globally. As part of a recent large-scale research programme in the Great Australian Bight, Remotely Operated Vehicles and a towed camera system were deployed in depths of 946–3258 m resulting in five Magnapinna sp. sightings. These represent the first records of Bigfin Squid in Australian waters, and more than double the known records from the southern hemisphere, bolstering a hypothesis of cosmopolitan distribution. As most previous observations have been of single Magnapinna squid these multiple sightings have been quite revealing, being found in close spatial and temporal proximity of each other. Morphological differences indicate each sighting is of an individual rather than multiple sightings of the same squid. In terms of morphology, previous in-situ measurements have been roughly based on nearby objects of known size, but this study used paired lasers visible on the body of a Magnapinna squid, providing a more accurate scaling of size. Squid of a juvenile size were also recorded and are confirmed to possess the long distal filaments which have thus far been mostly missing from specimens due to damage. We have described fine-scale habitat, in-situ colouration, and behavioural components including a horizontal example of the ‘elbow’ pose, and coiling of distal filaments: a behaviour not previously seen in squid. These sightings add to our knowledge of this elusive and intriguing genus, and reinforce the value of imagery as a tool in deep-sea squid research.

1991 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 473-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZABETH DAHLHOFF ◽  
GEORGE N. SOMERO

Effects of temperature and hydrostatic pressure were measured on cytosolic malate dehydrogenases (cMDHs) from muscle tissue of a variety of shallow- and deep-living benthic marine invertebrates, including seven species endemic to the deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of coenzyme (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NADH), used to index temperature and pressure effects, was conserved within a narrow range (approximately 15–25 μmoll−1) at physiological temperatures and pressures for all species. However, at elevated pressures, the Km of NADH rose sharply for cMDHs of shallow species (depths of occurrence >Approximately 500 m), but not for the cMDHs of deep-sea species. Cytosolic MDHs of invertebrates from the deep-sea hydrothermal vents generally were not perturbed by elevated temperatures (15–25°C) at in situ pressures, but cMDHs of cold-adapted deep-sea species were. At a single measurement temperature, the Km of NADH for cMDHs from invertebrates from habitats with well-characterized temperatures was inversely related to maximal sustained body temperature. This correlation was used to predict the maximal sustained body temperatures of vent invertebrates for which maximal habitat and body temperatures are difficult to estimate. Species occurring on the ‘smoker chimneys’, which emit waters with temperatures up to 380°C, are predicted to have sustained body temperatures that are approximately 20–25°C higher than vent species living in cooler vent microhabitats. We conclude that, just as adaptation of enzymes to elevated pressures is important in establishing species’ depth distribution patterns, adaptation of pressure-adapted enzymes to temperature is critical in enabling certain vent species to exploit warm-water microhabitats in the vent environment.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1501 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
ED A. HENDRYCKS

Deep-sea sampling off the central California coast has provided numerous material of a new amphipod species of the genus Valettiopsis Holmes, 1908. Valettiopsis concava sp. nov. is described from abyssal collections taken from baited traps and sponge stalk communities. Morphological characteristics which distinguish the new species from its congeners are found in the dorsal profile of the body, integument surface, and shape of coxa 2 and basis of pereopod 7. This contribution presents the second recorded species of the genus Valettiopsis described from the north Pacific, the first being the type species V. dentata Holmes, 1908. The new species is fully illustrated and compared with related species. The generic identity of Valettiopsis ruffoi Serejo & Wakabara, 2003 is discussed. A key to Valettiopsis species is provided.


Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 217 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Mohr ◽  
Sudhir Gopal Tattikota ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
Jonathan Zirin ◽  
Yanhui Hu ◽  
...  

AbstractSingle-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) experiments provide a powerful means to identify clusters of cells that share common gene expression signatures. A major challenge in scRNAseq studies is to map the clusters to specific anatomical regions along the body and within tissues. Existing data, such as information obtained from large-scale in situ RNA hybridization studies, cell type specific transcriptomics, gene expression reporters, antibody stainings, and fluorescent tagged proteins, can help to map clusters to anatomy. However, in many cases, additional validation is needed to precisely map the spatial location of cells in clusters. Several approaches are available for spatial resolution in Drosophila, including mining of existing datasets, and use of existing or new tools for direct or indirect detection of RNA, or direct detection of proteins. Here, we review available resources and emerging technologies that will facilitate spatial mapping of scRNAseq clusters at high resolution in Drosophila. Importantly, we discuss the need, available approaches, and reagents for multiplexing gene expression detection in situ, as in most cases scRNAseq clusters are defined by the unique coexpression of sets of genes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 613-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Yamamoto ◽  
Hitoshi Kodamatani ◽  
Yuriko Kono ◽  
Akinori Takeuchi ◽  
Ken Takai ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Vikas V. Gaikwad ◽  
Abasaheb B. Patil ◽  
Madhuri V. Gaikwad

Scaffolds are used for drug delivery in tissue engineering as this system is a highly porous structure to allow tissue growth.  Although several tissues in the body can regenerate, other tissue such as heart muscles and nerves lack regeneration in adults. However, these can be regenerated by supplying the cells generated using tissue engineering from outside. For instance, in many heart diseases, there is need for heart valve transplantation and unfortunately, within 10 years of initial valve replacement, 50–60% of patients will experience prosthesis associated problems requiring reoperation. This could be avoided by transplantation of heart muscle cells that can regenerate. Delivery of these cells to the respective tissues is not an easy task and this could be done with the help of scaffolds. In situ gel forming scaffolds can also be used for the bone and cartilage regeneration. They can be injected anywhere and can take the shape of a tissue defect, avoiding the need for patient specific scaffold prefabrication and they also have other advantages. Scaffolds are prepared by biodegradable material that result in minimal immune and inflammatory response. Some of the very important issues regarding scaffolds as drug delivery systems is reviewed in this article.


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 291-298
Author(s):  
Frits A. Fastenau ◽  
Jaap H. J. M. van der Graaf ◽  
Gerard Martijnse

More than 95 % of the total housing stock in the Netherlands is connected to central sewerage systems and in most cases the wastewater is treated biologically. As connection to central sewerage systems has reached its economic limits, interest in on-site treatment of the domestic wastewater of the remaining premises is increasing. A large scale research programme into on-site wastewater treatment up to population equivalents of 200 persons has therefore been initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and Environment. Intensive field-research work did establish that the technological features of most on-site biological treatment systems were satisfactory. A large scale implementation of these systems is however obstructed in different extents by problems of an organisational, financial and/or juridical nature and management difficulties. At present research is carried out to identify these bottlenecks and to analyse possible solutions. Some preliminary results are given which involve the following ‘bottlenecks':-legislation: absence of co-ordination and absence of a definition of ‘surface water';-absence of subsidies;-ownership: divisions in task-setting of Municipalities and Waterboards; divisions involved with cost-sharing;-inspection; operational control and maintenance; organisation of management;-discharge permits;-pollution levy;-sludge disposal. Final decisions and practical elaboration of policies towards on-site treatment will have to be formulated in a broad discussion with all the authorities and interest groups involved.


Author(s):  
Deborah Carr ◽  
Vera K. Tsenkova

The body weight of U.S. adults and children has risen markedly over the past three decades. The physical health consequences of obesity are widely documented, and emerging research from the Midlife in the United States study and other large-scale surveys reveals the harmful impact of obesity on adults’ psychosocial and interpersonal well-being. This chapter synthesizes recent research on the psychosocial implications of body weight, with attention to explanatory mechanisms and subgroup differences in these patterns. A brief statistical portrait of body weight is provided, documenting rates and correlates of obesity, with a focus on race, gender, and socioeconomic status disparities. The consequences of body weight for three main outcomes are described: institutional and everyday discrimination, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the ways that recent integrative health research on the psychosocial consequences of overweight and obesity inform our understanding of population health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e16-e16
Author(s):  
Ahmed Moussa ◽  
Audrey Larone-Juneau ◽  
Laura Fazilleau ◽  
Marie-Eve Rochon ◽  
Justine Giroux ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Transitions to new healthcare environments can negatively impact patient care and threaten patient safety. Immersive in situ simulation conducted in newly constructed single family room (SFR) Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) prior to occupancy, has been shown to be effective in testing new environments and identifying latent safety threats (LSTs). These simulations overlay human factors to identify LSTs as new and existing process and systems are implemented in the new environment OBJECTIVES We aimed to demonstrate that large-scale, immersive, in situ simulation prior to the transition to a new SFR NICU improves: 1) systems readiness, 2) staff preparedness, 3) patient safety, 4) staff comfort with simulation, and 5) staff attitude towards culture change. DESIGN/METHODS Multidisciplinary teams of neonatal healthcare providers (HCP) and parents of former NICU patients participated in large-scale, immersive in-situ simulations conducted in the new NICU prior to occupancy. One eighth of the NICU was outfitted with equipment and mannequins and staff performed in their native roles. Multidisciplinary debriefings, which included parents, were conducted immediately after simulations to identify LSTs. Through an iterative process issues were resolved and additional simulations conducted. Debriefings were documented and debriefing transcripts transcribed and LSTs classified using qualitative methods. To assess systems readiness and staff preparedness for transition into the new NICU, HCPs completed surveys prior to transition, post-simulation and post-transition. Systems readiness and staff preparedness were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Average survey responses were analyzed using dependent samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVAs. RESULTS One hundred eight HCPs and 24 parents participated in six half-day simulation sessions. A total of 75 LSTs were identified and were categorized into eight themes: 1) work organization, 2) orientation and parent wayfinding, 3) communication devices/systems, 4) nursing and resuscitation equipment, 5) ergonomics, 6) parent comfort; 7) work processes, and 8) interdepartmental interactions. Prior to the transition to the new NICU, 76% of the LSTs were resolved. Survey response rate was 31%, 16%, 7% for baseline, post-simulation and post-move surveys, respectively. System readiness at baseline was 1.3/5,. Post-simulation systems readiness was 3.5/5 (p = 0.0001) and post-transition was 3.9/5 (p = 0.02). Staff preparedness at baseline was 1.4/5. Staff preparedness post-simulation was 3.3/5 (p = 0.006) and post-transition was 3.9/5 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Large-scale, immersive in situ simulation is a feasible and effective methodology for identifying LSTs, improving systems readiness and staff preparedness in a new SFR NICU prior to occupancy. However, to optimize patient safety, identified LSTs must be mitigated prior to occupancy. Coordinating large-scale simulations is worth the time and cost investment necessary to optimize systems and ensure patient safety prior to transition to a new SFR NICU.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Zhou ◽  
Youzhou Yang ◽  
Jiaxin Wang ◽  
Qingyang Wu ◽  
Zhuozhi Gu ◽  
...  

AbstractIn vivo bioprinting has recently emerged as a direct fabrication technique to create artificial tissues and medical devices on target sites within the body, enabling advanced clinical strategies. However, existing in vivo bioprinting methods are often limited to applications near the skin or require open surgery for printing on internal organs. Here, we report a ferromagnetic soft catheter robot (FSCR) system capable of in situ computer-controlled bioprinting in a minimally invasive manner based on magnetic actuation. The FSCR is designed by dispersing ferromagnetic particles in a fiber-reinforced polymer matrix. This design results in stable ink extrusion and allows for printing various materials with different rheological properties and functionalities. A superimposed magnetic field drives the FSCR to achieve digitally controlled printing with high accuracy. We demonstrate printing multiple patterns on planar surfaces, and considering the non-planar surface of natural organs, we then develop an in situ printing strategy for curved surfaces and demonstrate minimally invasive in vivo bioprinting of hydrogels in a rat model. Our catheter robot will permit intelligent and minimally invasive bio-fabrication.


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