Heat stress during reproductive stages reduces camelina seed productivity and changes seed composition.

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is a low-input oilseed crop with great potential in bioenergy and industrial oils. Improving tolerance to high temperatures is essential for camelina agronomic sustainability. Two genotypes, Suneson and Pryzeth, were exposed to a transient 14-day heat stress at 37 °C during the reproductive stages. Four cohorts of pods along the main stem, which were at different stages from fully developed pods (C1), young pods (C2), open flowers (C3) and flowering buds (C4) at the time of heat treatment, were examined for morphological and seed quality traits at maturity. The main stem length was shortened in both genotypes. Pods and seeds in all cohorts were negatively affected by heat, resulting in lower seed yield and reduced oil content. Seed size and seed weight had the greatest reduction in C1, pod size reduction was found the most in C3, and the number of fertile pods that contain at least one seed was reduced in C3 and C4. These results suggest that heat stress effects are developmental stage specific. Heat stress significantly reduced fertility during flowering and inhibited storage product biosynthesis and accumulation during seed filling which resulted in smaller and lighter seeds. Analyzing seed composition indicated that oil content decreased while protein content increased in seeds from heat treated plants. In addition, fatty acid composition was altered with the reduction of omega-3 α-linolenic acid and concomitantly increased omega-6 linoleic acid being the most significantly affected. Our results also revealed the different responses in the two genotypes examined, suggesting genetic variation in camelina germplasm which can be explored to improve heat tolerance. This study provides resources and guidance for future studies to understand genetic and physiological mechanisms of heat stress and to assist in improving the sustainability of camelina production facing climate change.

Food web ecology of Gulf Stream flounder (Citharichthys arctifrons): a continental shelf perspective.

Gulf Stream flounder, Citharichthys arctifrons, are regularly observed in fish diets of the northeast U.S. continental shelf, yet lack commercial value and are often ignored. Similarly, Gulf Stream flounder diets of the Northwest Atlantic have remained largely unexamined, except for a brief period from 1976 to 1980. To better understand their role in the ecosystem, juvenile through adult Gulf Stream flounder were examined both as a predator and prey, and the magnitude of their feeding footprint (removal of prey biomass) was quantified for the northeast U.S. continental shelf. Their stomachs were sampled from 2005 to 2010, with the majority examined in the field macroscopically. Due to large proportions of unidentifiable prey, the effort was expanded in 2011-2012, and all stomachs were processed in the laboratory microscopically. Gulf Stream flounder were consumed by 15 fish, and what they eat (percentage mass and percentage frequency of occurrence) was documented by season, spatial region and year. Highly benthivorous, Gammaridea and Polychaeta dominated the diet in all years, seasons and regions, but Ophiuroidea (brittle stars) were also prominent in Southern New England during the spring. Gulf Stream flounder diets remained consistent across regions and time, with only a few feeding differences between seasons and one region. Relative to the productivity of benthos for this shelf ecosystem, the feeding footprint of Gulf Stream flounder was minor for their predominant benthic prey with a maximum percentage of benthos production eaten of 0.01% m-2 in Southern New England. With an ecosystem perspective, this feeding information offers a foundation for improving fisheries management among shared living marine resources considering benthic habitat and prey availability.

Controllable X-Ray Pulse Trains from Enhanced Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission.

We report the demonstration of optical compression of an electron beam and the production of controllable trains of femtosecond, soft x-ray pulses with the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) free-electron laser (FEL). This is achieved by enhanced self-amplified spontaneous emission with a 2 µm laser and a dechirper device. Optical compression was achieved by modulating the energy of an electron beam with the laser and then compressing with a chicane, resulting in high current spikes on the beam which we observe to lase. A dechirper was then used to selectively control the lasing region of the electron beam. Field autocorrelation measurements indicate a train of pulses, and we find that the number of pulses within the train can be controlled (from 1 to 5 pulses) by varying the dechirper position and undulator taper. These results are a step toward attosecond spectroscopy with x-ray FELs as well as future FEL schemes relying on optical compression of an electron beam.

Global associations of national economic wealth are more robust with inflammatory bowel diseases than with obesity.

The inflammatory bowel diseases consisting of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis have expanded into previously low incidence areas of the world. The spread follows the relatively recent pandemic of global obesity. Pathological relations have been proposed between these two diseases. Both inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity originated in wealthier western societies marked by high gross domestic product per capita. The pathogenic influence of national wealth on the inflammatory bowel diseases has been recognized but are less clear with obesity. Parallel correlations of national wealth with obesity would further strengthen relations between these two diseases. Alternatively, diverging relations could suggest that obesity is less dependent on wealth. As such it would supports another earlier hypothesis that obesity depends on adoption of western diet which precedes national acquisition of wealth. Previously ecological modifiers of global disease patterns, including latitude and lactose digestion status have shown different influences on IBD compared with obesity. We evaluate. the influence of the Gross Domestic Product on these two diseases taking into consideration the former's relationship with ecological markers. Patterns of correlations could suggest contributing mechanisms how these ecological parameters influence some disease distributions. The literature and internet were searched for national rates of obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, national gross domestic product per capita and national lactase distribution rates. National average latitudes were calculated previously. Pearson correlations were used to compare variables in three regions; global, European and Asian theaters. SAS statistical package was used and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Globally and in Europe correlations of gross domestic product were moderate and significant r = 0.55 and r = 0.6 respectively with Crohn's disease but weaker with ulcerative colitis. The results were negligible in Asia. Obesity was weakly correlated with gross domestic product globally r = 0.32 and negligible in Europe and Asia. In addition, gross domestic product was moderately correlated with latitude r = 0.6, and inversely with lactase non persistence r = -0.6 both globally and in Europe. This relationship is similar to that with inflammatory bowel diseases, but less related to obesity. Overall results suggest unequal effect of national wealth and industrialization on obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. It has been suggested that western type diet precedes full industrialization and this could promote obesity.

A real-time PCR assay to detect predation by spiny dogfish on Atlantic cod in the western North Atlantic Ocean.

Conventional observations show spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthius Linnaeus) rarely eat Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus; 0.02% of stomachs) in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Critics express concern that digestion may limit species-level prey identification, and with recovery from overfishing, dogfish populations may be suppressing cod by competition or predation. This study applied a real-time PCR TaqMan assay to identify cod in dogfish stomachs collected by cooperating fishing boats during normal trawling operations (May 2014-May 2015; Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank). Conventional methods observed 51 different prey taxa and nearly 1,600 individual prey items, but no cod were observed. Cod DNA was detected in 31 (10.5%) of the dogfish stomachs, with a higher percentage of these from the homogenate of amorphous, well-digested prey and stomach fluids (20 stomachs or 65%) than from discrete animal tissues (11 stomachs or 35%). Re-examination of photographs of these 11 tissue samples revealed one whole, partially digested fish that could be recognized in hindsight as cod. Cod DNA was observed in dogfish stomachs year round: in January (1 of 1 trip), February (1 of 1), May (1 of 3), June (0 of 1), July (3 of 4), August (1 of 2), and October (3 of 3). Although these data suggest higher interaction rates between dogfish and cod than previously observed, addressing the population consequences of this predator-prey relationship requires a robust sampling design, estimates of digestion rates by dogfish to account for complete degradation of DNA sequences, and consideration for dogfish scavenging during fishing operations.

Changing Patterns of Relationships Between Geographic Markers and IBD: Possible Intrusion of Obesity.

Background: Latitude and lactase digestion status influence incidence and prevalence rates of some noncommunicable diseases. Latitudinal correlations helped define beneficial roles of vitamin D in many diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In view of recent global expansion of IBD and population migrations, we reexamine relations with these markers. As these changes also paralleled the pandemic of obesity, we explore possible interactions with IBD. Methods: We undertook a literature review to compare rates of obesity, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis with the geographic markers of lactase digestion status, average population-weighted national latitude, and national yearly sunshine exposure. Pearson correlations were used throughout to determine r correlation factors. Statistical significance was accepted at P <0.05 using 2-tailed tests. Results: Forty-seven countries were matched with various data sets that could be analyzed (range of availability was 49%-85%). While global correlations of IBD with latitude and lactase status remain similar to previous analyses, in Europe and Asia, outcomes were different. Global outcome contains a statistical paradox related to combining countries from Europe and Asia. Obesity showed moderate global correlations with IBD but weak and negligible correlations in Europe and Asia. There was also a weak global correlation with latitude. Conclusions: It is suggested that global correlations point to parallel geographic spread of IBD and obesity. The lack of latitudinal relations with obesity suggests reduced vitamin D effect. The paradox supports epidemiological differences in western and eastern IBD. Obesity combined with IBD may contribute to different relations, partly due to variable vitamin D effects.

Heritable variation in garter snake color patterns in postglacial populations.

Global climate change is expected to trigger northward shifts in the ranges of natural populations of plants and animals, with subsequent effects on intraspecific genetic diversity. Investigating how genetic diversity is patterned among populations that arose following the last Ice Age is a promising method for understanding the potential future effects of climate change. Theoretical and empirical work has suggested that overall genetic diversity can decrease in colonial populations following rapid expansion into postglacial landscapes, with potential negative effects on the ability of populations to adapt to new environmental regimes. The crucial measure of this genetic variation and a population's overall adaptability is the heritable variation in phenotypic traits, as it is this variation that mediates the rate and direction of a population's multigenerational response to selection. Using two large full-sib quantitative genetic studies (N(Manitoba) = 144; N(South Dakota) = 653) and a smaller phenotypic analysis from Kansas (N(Kansas) = 44), we compared mean levels of pigmentation, genetic variation and heritability in three pigmentation traits among populations of the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, along a north-south gradient, including a postglacial northern population and a putative southern refuge population. Counter to our expectations, we found that genetic variance and heritability for the three pigmentation traits were the same or higher in the postglacial population than in the southern population.

New genus and species of eudactylinid (Siphonostomatoida: Copepoda) from gill lamellae of ornate eagle rays, Aetomylaeus vespertilio (Myliobatidae), collected in the Beagle Gulf off northern Australia.

Janinecaira darkthread n. gen., n. sp. (Eudactylinidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda) infects gills of the ornate eagle ray Aetomylaeus vespertilio (Bleeker, 1852) (Myliobatidae, Myliobatiformes) in the Beagle Gulf (Timor Sea, eastern Indian Ocean) off northern Australia. The adult female of Janinecaira darkthread n. sp. is most easily distinguished from other eudactylinids (Eudactylinidae) by its long genital complex that comprises about 86-90% of the total body length. A diagnostic key to genera of Eudactylinidae based on adult females is provided.

Antinuclear antibodies can be detected in dog sera reactive to Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, Ehrlichia canis, or Leishmania infantum antigens.

The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) is used to support a clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in dogs. However, clinicians must interpret the detection of ANAs with caution, particularly in light of increasing evidence that dogs with known bacterial and protozoal infections can have high ANA titers. Retrospectively, medical records were reviewed for all dogs that were concurrently tested for antinuclear antigens and Bartonella vinsonii (berkhoffii), Ehrlichia canis, or Rickettsia rickettsii antigens between 1990 and 2000. When analyzed on the basis of reactivity to a specific infectious agent, 75% of the B vinsonii (berkhoffii) seroreactors, 16.7% of the E canis seroreactors, and 0% of the R rickettsii seroreactors had concurrent ANAs. Subsequent prospective testing did not detect ANAs in convalescent sera from dogs experimentally infected with B vinsonii (berkhoffii), E canis, or R rickettsii. However, 10-20% B vinsonii (berkhoffii), E canis, or Leishmania infantum reactive sera from naturally infected dogs contained ANAs. In addition, 45% of sera from dogs that are reactive to multiple vectorborne organisms were more likely to contain ANAs when compared to sera from dogs reactive to only 1 test antigen. When interpreting the relevance of seroreactivity to nuclear antigens, clinicians should recognize that dogs with seroreactivity to B vinsonii (berkhoffii), E canis, or L infantum antigens (especially those with seroreactivity to more than one of these pathogens) may produce ANAs.

Simulation study of rested versus sleep-deprived anesthesiologists.

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation causes physiologic and subjective sleepiness. Studies of fatigue effects on anesthesiologist performance have given equivocal results. The authors used a realistic simulation environment to study the effects of sleep deprivation on psychomotor and clinical performance, subjective and objective sleepiness, and mood. METHODS: Twelve anesthesia residents performed a 4-h anesthetic on a simulated patient the morning after two conditions of prior sleep: sleep-extended (EXT), in which subjects were allowed to arrive at work at 10:00 AM for 4 consecutive days, thus allowing an increase in nocturnal sleep time, and total sleep deprivation (DEP), in which subjects were awake at least 25 h. Psychomotor testing was performed at specified periods throughout the night in the DEP condition and at matched times during the simulation session in both conditions. Three types of vigilance probes were presented to subjects at random intervals as well as two clinical events. Task analysis and scoring of alertness were performed retrospectively from videotape. RESULTS: In the EXT condition, subjects increased their sleep by more than 2 h from baseline (P = 0.0001). Psychomotor tests revealed progressive impairment of alertness, mood, and performance in the DEP condition over the course of the night and when compared with EXT during the experimental day. DEP subjects showed longer response latency to vigilance probes, although this was statistically significant for only one probe type. Task analysis showed no difference between conditions except that subjects "slept" more in the DEP condition. There was no significant difference in the cases' clinical management between sleep conditions. Subjects in the DEP condition had lower alertness scores (P = 0.02), and subjects in the EXT condition showed little video evidence of sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Psychomotor performance and mood were impaired while subjective sleepiness and sleepy behaviors increased during simulated patient care in the DEP condition. Clinical performance between conditions was similar.