Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Integrated Policy ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Integrated Assessments ◽  
Science Symposium ◽  
State Of The Environment

<i>Abstract</i>.—This paper briefly summarizes some of the regional developments and advances in the theme “Tools for Integrated Policy and Management” that were presented at the October 2009 Gulf of Maine Science Symposium held in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Tools for integrated policy and management meet a wide range of functions and originate from a variety of fields, from the physical and biological sciences to social sciences and organizational studies. Some of the tools presented at the 2009 Gulf of Maine symposium are discussed in this paper. Knowledge gaps still exist regarding impacts of development and industrial activities, which becomes apparent when trying to evaluate and quantify cumulative impacts. Geographic information system-based tools and elements of marine spatial planning such as human use mapping can help establish better cumulative impact assessments. While it is recognized that advances in integrated policy and management have occurred since the previous (1996) Gulf of Maine science symposium, evaluation of that progress is still in development. Tools such as state of the environment reporting, integrated assessments/ ecosystem overviews, frameworks for implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM), or approaches developed by the EBM Tools Network all assist in measuring and evaluating our progress towards full implementation of an ecosystem approach within the context of management activities and actions.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Water Bloom ◽  
Sun Compass ◽  
Fine Sediments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Crangon Septemspinosa

<i>Abstract</i> .—Because of partial recirculation and steep bottom slopes, the Gulf of Maine (GoM) contains steep environmental gradients in both space and time. I focus, in particular, on optical properties associated with both resources and risks. The GoM estuary-shelf systems differ from those whose fine sediments are trapped behind barrier bars; in the GoM, nepheloid layers prevail over a wide range of depths, and onshore-offshore turbidity gradients at a given water depth are also steep. Turbidity reduces predation risk. Three crustacean species that are major fish forages respond to the strong environmental gradients in resources and risks by migrating seasonally both horizontally and vertically. Northern shrimp (also known as pink shrimp) <i>Pandalus borealis</i> , sevenspine bay shrimp <i>Crangon septemspinosa</i> , and the most common mysid shrimp in the GoM, <i>Neomysis americana</i> , share both stalked eyes that appear capable of detecting polarized light and statocysts. This pair of features likely confers sun-compass navigational ability, facilitating use of multiple habitats. All three species converge on a shallow-water bloom at depths <100 m of the western GoM shelf in December–March, well before the basin-wide, climatological spring bloom in April. In addition to reaching abundant food resources, I propose that they are also using optical protection, quantified as the integral of the beam attenuation coefficient from the surface to the depth that they occupy during daylight. Spring immigration into, and fall emigration from, estuaries appear to be common in GoM sevenspine bay shrimp and <i>N. americana</i> , out of phase with their populations south of New England and with turbidity differences a likely cause. Migration studies that include measurements of turbidity are needed, however, to test the strength of the effect of optical protection on habitat use by all three species. Simultaneous sampling of estuaries and the adjacent shelf, together with trace-element tracer studies, would be very useful to resolve timing and extent of mass migrations, which likely are sensitive to turbidity change resulting from climate change. These migrations present special challenges to ecosystem-based management by using so many different habitats.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The State ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Scientific Validity ◽  
Human Resource Capacity ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
State Of The Environment ◽  
Resource Capacity

<i>Abstract</i>.—The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, established in 1989 as a regional entity to manage environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine, recently recognized the importance of state-of-the-environment reporting as a management tool. Although participating members are individually taking steps to catalogue the collective understanding of the Gulf of Maine, until recently there has been no gulf-wide synthesis of pressures on the environment, biophysical and socioeconomic status and trends, and responses to identified issues. After a 9-month process to develop a scope for the project, in December 2009, the council approved the compilation of the “State of the Gulf of Maine Report,” to be launched in June 2010. The main objective of the “State of the Gulf of Maine Report” will be to provide information on the issues affecting the gulf in a form that is easily accessible and readable without compromising scientific validity. The reporting framework to be used will be the driving forces-pressure-state-impacts-response framework. This framework lends itself most easily to reporting on an issue-by-issue basis, so that the pressures, state, impacts, and responses are described for each issue in turn. The “State of the Gulf of Maine Report” will be a modular document that comprises an upfront section or “context document” that provides the background and context to the Gulf of Maine and a series of issue or theme papers that focus on priority areas of the council. It is also envisaged that a wiki site would be useful for informal reporting by interested parties. The main challenges to developing a state-of-the-environment reporting system for the Gulf of Maine are meeting target audience’s expectations, providing the correct level of detail, providing adequate facts in an understandable manner, processing and management of information, development and use of indicators, and funding and human resource capacity.

Advancing an Ecosystem Approach in the Gulf of Maine

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Biological Variables ◽  
Assessment Approach ◽  
New Research ◽  
Science Symposium

<i>Abstract</i>.—This chapter summarizes contributions to a theme session of the 2009 Gulf of Maine Science Symposium held in St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick in October, 2009. The session highlighted the present status of science required to observe, interpret, and predict changes in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem in the context of strategies for regional implementation of an ecosystem approach to management (EAM). Perspectives on present ecosystem approaches to Gulf of Maine fisheries management contrast the integrated ecosystem assessment approach by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the more incremental advancement to EAM based on traditional fisheries management practices undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. A section on contributions from the broader research community provides perspectives on observations and different approaches to analysis, including coupled physical biological modeling as a tool for the integration, interpretation, and prediction of multidisciplinary environmental data. The Atlantic Zonal Monitoring Program has established an observing system for physical and biological characteristics of Canadian coastal waters, and NERACOOS (the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems) is developing infrastructure for coordination of U.S. regional observing activities. A common theme is the need for more sustained time series of critical physical and biological variables that document change, especially in nearshore, coastal, and benthic habitats. Additionally, there is a need to development and maintain bridges to transfer new research knowledge, understanding, and analysis tools to the state, provincial, and federal agencies and fisheries management councils where EAM will be implemented.

Structure, Function and Interactions of Tau: Particular Focus on Potential Drug Targets for the Treatment of Tauopathies

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hojjat Borna ◽  
Kasim Assadoulahei ◽  
Gholamhossein Riazi ◽  
Asghar Beigi Harchegani ◽  
Alireza Shahriary
Keyword(s):  
Tau Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Potential Drug Targets

Background & Objective: Neurodegenrative diseases are among the most widespread lifethreatening disorders around the world in elderly ages. The common feature of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, called tauopathies, is an accumulation of microtubule associated protein tau inside the neurons. The exact mechanism underlying tauopathies is not well-understood but several factors such as traumatic brain injuries and genetics are considered as potential risk factors. Although tau protein is well-known for its key role in stabilizing and organization of axonal microtubule network, it bears a broad range of functions including DNA protection and participation in signaling pathways. Moreover, the flexible unfolded structure of tau facilitates modification of tau by a wide range of intracellular enzymes which in turn broadens tau function and interaction spectrum. The distinctive properties of tau protein concomitant with the crucial role of tau interaction partners in the progression of neurodegeneration suggest tau and its binding partners as potential drug targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusion: This review aims to give a detailed description of structure, functions and interactions of tau protein in order to provide insight into potential therapeutic targets for treatment of tauopathies.

scholarly journals Role of Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein in Diseases and Its Therapeutic Outlook

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2754
Author(s):  
Naila Qayyum ◽  
Muhammad Haseeb ◽  
Moon Suk Kim ◽  
Sangdun Choi
Keyword(s):  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Thioredoxin Interacting Protein ◽  
Signaling Complex ◽  
Current Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Species Production ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Significant Attention

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), widely known as thioredoxin-binding protein 2 (TBP2), is a major binding mediator in the thioredoxin (TXN) antioxidant system, which involves a reduction-oxidation (redox) signaling complex and is pivotal for the pathophysiology of some diseases. TXNIP increases reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress and thereby contributes to apoptosis. Recent studies indicate an evolving role of TXNIP in the pathogenesis of complex diseases such as metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, and inflammatory illnesses. In addition, TXNIP has gained significant attention due to its wide range of functions in energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity, improved insulin secretion, and also in the regulation of glucose and tumor suppressor activities in various cancers. This review aims to highlight the roles of TXNIP in the field of diabetology, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammation. TXNIP is found to be a promising novel therapeutic target in the current review, not only in the aforementioned diseases but also in prolonged microvascular and macrovascular diseases. Therefore, TXNIP inhibitors hold promise for preventing the growing incidence of complications in relevant diseases.

scholarly journals The Role of HCN Channels on Membrane Excitability in the Nervous System

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Kase ◽  
Keiji Imoto
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Hcn Channels ◽  
Heart Cells ◽  
Hcn Channel ◽  
Membrane Excitability ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Channel Currents

Hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels were first reported in heart cells and are recently known to be involved in a variety of neural functions in healthy and diseased brains. HCN channels generate inward currents when the membrane potential is hyperpolarized. Voltage dependence of HCN channels is regulated by intracellular signaling cascades, which contain cyclic AMP, PIP2, and TRIP8b. In addition, voltage-gated potassium channels have a strong influence on HCN channel activity. Because of these funny features, HCN channel currents, previously called funny currents, can have a wide range of functions that are determined by a delicate balance of modulatory factors. These multifaceted features also make it difficult to predict and elucidate the functional role of HCN channels in actual neurons. In this paper, we focus on the impacts of HCN channels on neural activity. The functions of HCN channels reported previously will be summarized, and their mechanisms will be explained by using numerical simulation of simplified model neurons.

scholarly journals Secondary Structure Libraries for Artificial Evolution Experiments

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1671
Author(s):  
Ráchel Sgallová ◽  
Edward A. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Sequence Space ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Nucleotide Composition ◽  
Artificial Evolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions

Methods of artificial evolution such as SELEX and in vitro selection have made it possible to isolate RNA and DNA motifs with a wide range of functions from large random sequence libraries. Once the primary sequence of a functional motif is known, the sequence space around it can be comprehensively explored using a combination of random mutagenesis and selection. However, methods to explore the sequence space of a secondary structure are not as well characterized. Here we address this question by describing a method to construct libraries in a single synthesis which are enriched for sequences with the potential to form a specific secondary structure, such as that of an aptamer, ribozyme, or deoxyribozyme. Although interactions such as base pairs cannot be encoded in a library using conventional DNA synthesizers, it is possible to modulate the probability that two positions will have the potential to pair by biasing the nucleotide composition at these positions. Here we show how to maximize this probability for each of the possible ways to encode a pair (in this study defined as A-U or U-A or C-G or G-C or G.U or U.G). We then use these optimized coding schemes to calculate the number of different variants of model stems and secondary structures expected to occur in a library for a series of structures in which the number of pairs and the extent of conservation of unpaired positions is systematically varied. Our calculations reveal a tradeoff between maximizing the probability of forming a pair and maximizing the number of possible variants of a desired secondary structure that can occur in the library. They also indicate that the optimal coding strategy for a library depends on the complexity of the motif being characterized. Because this approach provides a simple way to generate libraries enriched for sequences with the potential to form a specific secondary structure, we anticipate that it should be useful for the optimization and structural characterization of functional nucleic acid motifs.

Secretory Proteases of the Human Skin Microbiome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wisely Chua ◽  
Si En Poh ◽  
Hao Li
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Skin Microbiome ◽  
Protein Cleavage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
Secreted Proteases ◽  
Pathogenic Agents

The human skin is our outermost layer and serves as a protective barrier against external insults. Advances in next generation sequencing have enabled the discoveries of a rich and diverse community of microbes - bacteria, fungi and viruses that are residents of this surface. The genomes of these microbes also revealed the presence of many secretory enzymes. In particular, proteases which are hydrolytic enzymes capable of protein cleavage and degradation are of special interest in the skin environment which is enriched in proteins and lipids. In this minireview, we will focus on the roles of these skin-relevant microbial secreted proteases, both in terms of their widely studied roles as pathogenic agents in tissue invasion and host immune inactivation, and their recently discovered roles in inter-microbial interactions and modulation of virulence factors. From these studies, it has become apparent that while microbial proteases are capable of a wide range of functions, their expression is tightly regulated and highly responsive to the environments the microbes are in. With the introduction of new biochemical and bioinformatics tools to study protease functions, it will be important to understand the roles played by skin microbial secretory proteases in cutaneous health, especially the less studied commensal microbes with an emphasis on contextual relevance.

RESISTANCE TO DIEBACK DISEASE CAUSED BY FUSARIUM AND LASIODIPLODIA SPECIES IN CACAO (THEOBROMA CACAO L.) GENOTYPES

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD ADU-ACHEAMPONG ◽  
SIMON ARCHER ◽  
SIMON LEATHER
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
Genotypic Differences ◽  
Sources Of Resistance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Sahlbergella Singularis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dieback Disease ◽  
Moderately Resistant

SUMMARYFusarium and Lasiodiplodia species invade feeding lesions caused by mirid bugs (Distantiella theobroma [Dist.] and Sahlbergella singularis Hagl.) and inflict serious damage and yield loss to susceptible cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) varieties in West Africa. As it is the fungal invasion rather than the physical feeding injury by mirids that cause dieback and tree death in cacao, a dieback resistance strategy in cacao crop must take into account resistance to these causal agents. Twenty-nine and 15 cacao genotypes were screened in the laboratory and the greenhouse, respectively, for resistance to isolates of Fusarium decemcellulare and Lasiodiplodia theobromae at Imperial College London's Biological Sciences Campus, UK. Resistance was assessed as the size of necrotic lesions, distance of fungal colonisation in the stem and the proportion of seedlings with dieback symptoms. Genotypic differences were found in both laboratory and greenhouse tests among various cacao genotypes, and the clones showed a wide range of disease reactions from highly resistant to very susceptible. The pathogenicity of F. decemcellulare and L. theobromae were similar in this study, which suggests that a breeding programme for controlling one of the pathogens can have benefit against the other. Direct significant correlations (r = 0.7) were obtained between visual dieback assessment scores and the percentage cross-sectional area of stem necrosis. Moreover, the response of inoculated stem segments corresponded to the reaction of intact plants despite the variation in the used methodology. Three cacao genotypes (CATIE 1000, T85/799 and MXC 67) were resistant or moderately resistant to F. decemcellulare and L. theobromae. These genotypes could be useful sources of resistance to both pathogens and other wilt causing pathogens in cacao.

scholarly journals Ultrabithorax Is a Micromanager of Hindwing Identity in Butterflies and Moths

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amruta Tendolkar ◽  
Aaron F. Pomerantz ◽  
Christa Heryanto ◽  
Paul D. Shirk ◽  
Nipam H. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Junonia Coenia ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Color Patterns ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Pyralid Moth

The forewings and hindwings of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are differentiated from each other, with segment-specific morphologies and color patterns that mediate a wide range of functions in flight, signaling, and protection. The Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is a master selector gene that differentiates metathoracic from mesothoracic identities across winged insects, and previous work has shown this role extends to at least some of the color patterns from the butterfly hindwing. Here we used CRISPR targeted mutagenesis to generate Ubx loss-of-function somatic mutations in two nymphalid butterflies (Junonia coenia, Vanessa cardui) and a pyralid moth (Plodia interpunctella). The resulting mosaic clones yielded hindwing-to-forewing transformations, showing Ubx is necessary for specifying many aspects of hindwing-specific identities, including scale morphologies, color patterns, and wing venation and structure. These homeotic phenotypes showed cell-autonomous, sharp transitions between mutant and non-mutant scales, except for clones that encroached into the border ocelli (eyespots) and resulted in composite and non-autonomous effects on eyespot ring determination. In the pyralid moth, homeotic clones converted the folding and depigmented hindwing into rigid and pigmented composites, affected the wing-coupling frenulum, and induced ectopic scent-scales in male androconia. These data confirm Ubx is a master selector of lepidopteran hindwing identity and suggest it acts on many gene regulatory networks involved in wing development and patterning.

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