Eye lens-derived Δ14C signatures validate extreme longevity in the deepwater scorpaenid blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus).

Many members of the scorpaenid subfamily: Sebastinae (rockfishes and their relatives) exhibit slow growth and extreme longevity (> 100 y), thus are estimated to be vulnerable to overfishing. Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) is a deepwater sebastine whose longevity estimates range widely, possibly owing to different regional levels of fisheries exploitation across its Atlantic Ocean range. However, age estimation has not been validated for this species and ageing for sebastines in general is uncertain. We performed age validation of northern Gulf of Mexico blackbelly rosefish via an application of the bomb radiocarbon chronometer which utilized eye lens cores instead of more traditional otolith cores as the source of birth year Δ14C signatures. The correspondence of eye lens core Δ14C with a regional reference series was tested with a novel Bayesian spline analysis, which revealed otolith opaque zone counts provide accurate age estimates. Maximum observed longevity was 90 y, with 17.5% of individuals aged to be > 50 y. Bayesian growth analysis, with estimated length-at-birth included as a prior, revealed blackbelly rosefish exhibit extremely slow growth (k = 0.08 y-1). Study results have important implications for the management of blackbelly rosefish stocks, as extreme longevity and slow growth imply low resilience to fishing pressure.

Life history of northern Gulf of Mexico Warsaw grouper Hyporthodus nigritus inferred from otolith radiocarbon analysis.

Warsaw grouper, Hyporthodus nigritus, is a western Atlantic Ocean species typically found at depths between 55 and 525 m. It is listed as a species of concern by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and as near threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. However, little information exists on the species' life history in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) and its stock status in that region is currently unknown. Age of nGOM Warsaw grouper was investigated via opaque zone counts in otolith thin sections (max age = 61 y), and then the bomb 14C chronometer was employed to validate the accuracy of age estimates. Otolith cores (n = 14) were analyzed with accelerator mass spectrometry and resulting Δ14C values overlain on a loess regression computed for a regional coral and known-age red snapper Δ14C time series. Residual analysis between predicted Δ14C values from the loess regression versus Warsaw grouper otolith core Δ14C values indicated no significant difference in the two data series. Therefore, the accuracy of otolith-based aging was validated, which enabled growth and longevity estimates to be made for nGOM Warsaw grouper. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) Δ14C values collected from the nGOM support the inference that juvenile Warsaw grouper occur in shelf waters (<200 m) since DIC Δ14C values in this depth range are enriched in 14C and similar to the Δ14C values from otolith cores. A Bayesian model was fit to fishery-dependent age composition data and produced von Bertalanffy growth function parameters of L∞ = 1,533 mm, k = 0.14 y-1, and t0 = 1.82 y. Fishing mortality also was estimated in the model, which resulted in a ratio of fishing to natural mortality of 5.1:1. Overall, study results indicate Warsaw grouper is a long-lived species that is estimated to have experienced significant overfishing in the nGOM, with the age of most landed fish being <10 y.

External quality assessment of cervical vaginal cytology laboratory screening in the Caribbean - abstract

A model external quality assessment of cervical/vaginal cytology laboratory screening (PAP Smear) programme was piloted during 1996 to assess the proficiency of cytopathologists and cytotechnologists and to provide an opportunity for review/and reassessment of results as an integral component of continuous quality improvement of cytology services in the Caribbean. Eight pathologists and 22 cytotechnologists/technicians from seven Caribbean laboratories participated in this survey which consisted or reviewing eight reference slides provided by the Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program (LPTP, Ontario). The overall agreement with the LPTP results ranged from 5 percent to 63 percent in cytotechnologists as compared to cytopathologists (13 percent to 73 percent). The percentage agreement for severe dysplasia was between 22 percent (cytotechnologists) and 25 percent (cytopathologists), while better rates were observed for invasive carcinoma (60 - 63 percent). Inflammatory effects ere missed by both cytotechnologists (73 percent) and cytopathologists (49 percent). Moderate dysplasia was missed by both categories of laboratory professionals. There was a wide inter-laboratory variation of results as compared eith the LPTp (0 to 100 percent). Generally, laboratory professionals have placed greater emphasis on cervical biopsy, repeat smear, and provided guarded reports on PAP smears. The data show that there is a wide variation in the interpretation and reporting of cervico-vaginal cytology smears in Caribbean laboratories. Hence, there is an urgent need for continuous quality assessment and improvement of cervical cancer cytology screening services in the Caribbean (AU).