Assessment of the effectiveness of antifouling solutions for recreational boats in the context of marine bioinvasions

The recreational boating sector is a major vector for the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) via biofouling. Despite applying control measures to prevent the growth of fouling communities, most vessels are NIS carriers. This study assessed the effectiveness of different antifouling strategies in a manipulative experiment by testing two common coating typologies (biocide-based and foul-release coatings), accompanied with simulated maintenance practices. The experiment was carried out in the Gulf of La Spezia (Italy) and samples were collected at two different periods. Results showed significant differences among antifouling treatments regarding community structure, diversity, coverage and biovolume of the sessile component, alongside a significant decrease in the performance of biocide-based coating with time. Interestingly, peracarid NIS/native species ratio was higher for biocide-based treatments, suggesting potential biocide resistance. This study highlights the urgent need to develop common and feasible biofouling management plans and provides insights towards identification of best practices for recreational vessels.

New species and new records of bryozoan species from fouling communities in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic)

Hull fouling is considered to be the most significant vector of introduction of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic) because these islands provide a vital passage route for many ships. The transfer of species between boat hulls and artificial substrates in marinas is known to be high. Bryozoans are among the most common groups of marine invertebrates growing on this type of substrate. In recent years, significant advances have been made in our knowledge about the biodiversity of bryozoans in the Madeira Archipelago. Nonetheless, the currently recognized numbers remain far from reflecting the actual bryozoan species richness. In this context, we examine bryozoan samples stemming from NIS monitoring surveys on artificial substrates along the southern coast of the Madeira Archipelago, in four recreational marinas and in two offshore aquaculture farms. This has yielded new information about ten bryozoan species. Two of them, Crisia noronhai sp. nov. and Amathia maderensis sp. nov., are described for the first time, although at least the first one was previously recorded from Madeira but misidentified. Bugula ingens, Cradoscrupocellaria insularis, Scruparia ambigua, and Celleporaria brunnea are recorded for the first time in Madeira. Moreover, the material of C. brunnea was compared with the type, and a biometric analysis was performed with material from the Atlantic and Mediterranean. All samples identified as C. brunnea in both regions are the same species, and the variations described in the literature apparently reflect high intracolonial variability. Finally, we provide new information for the descriptions of 4 additional bryozoans, namely, Crisia sp. aff. elongata, Cradoscrupocellaria bertholletii, Scrupocaberea maderensis, and Tricellaria inopinata.

Hurdles and opportunities in implementing marine biosecurity systems in data-poor regions

Managing marine nonindigenous species (mNIS) is challenging, because marine environments are highly connected, allowing the dispersal of species across large spatial scales, including geopolitical borders. Cross-border inconsistencies in biosecurity management can promote the spread of mNIS across geopolitical borders, and incursions often go unnoticed or unreported. Collaborative surveillance programs can enhance the early detection of mNIS, when response may still be possible, and can foster capacity building around a common threat. Regional or international databases curated for mNIS can inform local monitoring programs and can foster real-time information exchange on mNIS of concern. When combined, local species reference libraries, publicly available mNIS databases, and predictive modeling can facilitate the development of biosecurity programs in regions lacking baseline data. Biosecurity programs should be practical, feasible, cost-effective, mainly focused on prevention and early detection, and be built on the collaboration and coordination of government, nongovernment organizations, stakeholders, and local citizens for a rapid response.

Biotic resistance of native fouling communities to bioinvasions could not be demonstrated by transplant experiments in Northern Italy

Biotic resistance is considered an important driver in the establishment of non-indigenous species (NIS), but experiments in the marine environment have led to contradictory results. In this context, a transplant experiment of fouling communities was carried out over five months. Settlement panels were moved from low impact (species-rich native communities) to high impact sites by NIS in two Italian areas to test the biotic resistance hypothesis. Fouling communities displayed significant differences among treatments before and after the transplant, thus indicating the maintenance of a peculiar fouling community in transplanted panels. On the other hand, newly recruited species were similar between treatments and neither a facilitation nor a mitigation role from native fouling communities on NIS was observed. Our results highlight the importance to better investigate the factors affecting the high variability obtained in experiments testing this hypothesis, with the aim to identify potential solutions for NIS management in ports.

Sexual precocity and productivity of beef cattle female under grazing conditions

In view of the importance of female reproductive traits as a key profit indicator in beef-cattle production systems, the objective of the present study was to explore the relationships between female sexual precocity and potential predictive traits of easy and early measurement, related to the productive and reproductive efficiency. Heifers born in 2011 and 2012 (n = 132) from five genetic groups (Angus, Hereford, Angus-Hereford, Hereford-Angus and Argentine Creole) in 2 years (Trial 1 and Trial 2) under grazing conditions were evaluated. After weaning, the presence of corpus luteum, liveweight, body condition score, hip height, rump fat thickness and rib fat thickness were recorded every 28 days, and Longissimus muscle area at 15 months of age. Also, to evaluate the relationships between age at puberty and the subsequent production efficiency, the annual records of 895 cows (217 Angus, 253 Hereford, 125 Creole, 116 Angus-Hereford and 184 Hereford-Angus) born between 1986 and 2009 were studied to estimate the average annual productivity of cows, and its components of (Co)variance, heritability and breeding values. Nutritional conditions immediately after weaning were determinants in reaching puberty. The univariate animal model for average annual productivity showed a heritability of 0.14 ± 0.05. Regression multiple and covariance analyses revealed that the rib fat thickness at 450 days of age was a good predictor of age at puberty, but lose some relevance as early selection criterion. Finally, it is important for future studies to analyse in more detail the existence of critical thresholds of fat deposition for the onset of reproductive activity.

A massive update of non-indigenous species records in Mediterranean marinas

The Mediterranean Sea is home to over 2/3 of the world's charter boat traffic and hosts an estimated 1.5 million recreational boats. Studies elsewhere have demonstrated marinas as important hubs for the stepping-stone transfer of non-indigenous species (NIS), but these unique anthropogenic, and typically artificial habitats have largely gone overlooked in the Mediterranean as sources of NIS hot-spots. From April 2015 to November 2016, 34 marinas were sampled across the following Mediterranean countries: Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus to investigate the NIS presence and richness in the specialized hard substrate material of these marina habitats. All macroinvertebrate taxa were collected and identified. Additionally, fouling samples were collected from approximately 600 boat-hulls from 25 of these marinas to determine if boats host diverse NIS not present in the marina. Here, we present data revealing that Mediterranean marinas indeed act as major hubs for the transfer of marine NIS, and we also provide evidence that recreational boats act as effective vectors of spread. From this wide-ranging geographical study, we report here numerous new NIS records at the basin, subregional, country and locality level. At the basin level, we report three NIS new to the Mediterranean Sea (Achelia sawayai sensu lato, Aorides longimerus, Cymodoce aff. fuscina), and the re-appearance of two NIS previously known but currently considered extinct in the Mediterranean (Bemlos leptocheirus, Saccostrea glomerata). We also compellingly update the distributions of many NIS in the Mediterranean Sea showing some recent spreading; we provide details for 11 new subregional records for NIS (Watersipora arcuata, Hydroides brachyacantha sensu lato and Saccostrea glomerata now present in the Western Mediterranean; Symplegma brakenhielmi, Stenothoe georgiana, Spirobranchus tertaceros sensu lato, Dendostrea folium sensu lato and Parasmittina egyptiaca now present in the Central Mediterranean, and W. arcuata, Bemlos leptocheirus and Dyspanopeus sayi in the Eastern Mediterranean). We also report 51 new NIS country records from recreational marinas: 12 for Malta, 10 for Cyprus, nine for Greece, six for Spain and France, five for Turkey and three for Italy, representing 32 species. Finally, we report 20 new NIS records (representing 17 species) found on recreational boat-hulls (mobile habitats), not yet found in the same marina, or in most cases, even the country. For each new NIS record, their native origin and global and Mediterranean distributions are provided, along with details of the new record. Additionally, taxonomic characters used for identification and photos of the specimens are also provided. These new NIS records should now be added to the relevant NIS databases compiled by several entities. Records of uncertain identity are also discussed, to assess the probability of valid non-indigenous status.

Role of commercial harbours and recreational marinas in the spread of non-indigenous fouling species

The role of commercial harbours as sink and source habitats for non-indigenous species (NIS) and the role of recreational boating for their secondary spread were investigated by analysing the fouling community of five Italian harbours and five marinas in the western Mediterranean Sea. It was first hypothesised that NIS assemblages in the recreational marinas were subsets of those occurring in commercial harbours. However, the data did not consistently support this hypothesis: the NIS pools of some marinas significantly diverged from harbours even belonging to the same coastal stretches, including NIS occurring only in marinas. This study confirms harbours as hotspots for marine NIS, but also reveals that numbers of NIS in some marinas is higher than expected, suggesting that recreational vessels effectively facilitate NIS spread. It is recommended that this vector of NIS introduction is taken into account in the future planning of sustainable development of maritime tourism in Europe.

A fuzzy 'boater' model to detect fouling and spreading risk of non-indigenous species by recreational boats

Recreational boating is an unregulated and underestimated vector of spread of non-indigenous species (NIS) in marine environments. The risk of a single boat to spread NIS depends not only on the local environmental context, but also on the type of boat and on the boat owner's behaviour (hull cleaning and painting frequency, travel history). In this paper we present a model to assess the risk of fouling and spreading of NIS and its application to data derived from a questionnaire given to Italian boat owners. The model uses a two-levels fuzzy logic approach: (1) the first level assesses the risk of hull fouling and risk of spreading separately; (2) the second level combines the two separate risks in an overall index ranging from 0 (null risk) to 100 (highest risk) and measures the global risk of NIS introduction and spread through recreational boating. The questionnaire and the fuzzy model allow for a simple and rapid assessment of boats most likely to be infested. The proposed fuzzy model can be easily edited and adapted to context-specific ecological and social conditions. The results of this Italian study showed that 53.9% of the respondents were in the very-low and low risk categories, and 46.1% in the medium, high and very-high risk categories. Possible associations between some boaters habits and the fouling and spreading risk were explored using logistic regression analyses. The results indicate a high-risk profile of boat owner as an experienced sailor who visits many marinas during the summer season. Biosecurity guidelines, containment measures and awareness raising programmes should be implemented to prevent and avoid further spread of NIS in marine environments, and such management actions would benefit from the early detection of high-risk boats, and from the identification of profiles of boaters upon which these initiatives should be prioritized.

In vivo upregulation of endogenous NGF in the rat brain by the alpha2-adrenoreceptor antagonist dexefaroxan: potential role in the protection of the basalocortical cholinergic system during neurodegeneration

We have previously reported that the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist dexefaroxan protects against the degeneration of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NbM) cholinergic neurons following cortical devascularization in the adult rat. Since nerve growth factor (NGF) is critical to the survival of NbM cholinergic neurons in the adult brain and its synthesis is known to be regulated by noradrenergic mechanisms, we examined whether the protective effect of dexefaroxan in the devascularization model was associated with regional induction of NGF biosynthesis. Dexefaroxan or vehicle was administered to rats via subcutaneous minipumps for 28 days following devascularization or sham operation procedures. In vehicle-treated devascularized rats, NGF protein levels in the cortex were increased at 5 days but had normalized by 2 weeks postoperation; NGF levels in NbM remained unchanged during this time. In dexefaroxan-treated devascularized rats, increases in NGF protein levels (2-fold) and immunoreactivity were maintained in both the cortex and NbM over the entire 28-day postoperation period; these increases were coincident with changes in functional markers characteristic of NGF's actions, including increases in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), p75 and TrkA immunoreactivities, and a preservation of NbM cholinergic cell numbers. Dexefaroxan also increased NGF protein levels in sham-operated rats, but without any significant consequence to the otherwise normal NbM cholinergic phenotype in these animals. Results indicate that activation of endogenous NGF systems could contribute to the cholinergic protective effect of dexefaroxan in the cortical devascularization model, and provide further support for a potential therapeutic utility of dexefaroxan in neurodegenerative diseases where central cholinergic function is progressively compromised.

The concentration and distribution of 2,3,7,8-dibenzo-p-dioxins/-furans in chickens

The concentrations of the 2,3,7,8-Cl substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins/-furans (PCDDs/PCDFs) were determined in the edible tissues of whole chicken fryers and compared with the values found in their abdominal fat. The values are presented both on a whole weight basis and on a lipid adjusted basis for each tissue. While there is a marked difference in the concentration of the 2,3,7,8-dibenzo-p-dioxins in the edible tissues expressed on a whole weight basis, the lipid-adjusted concentrations of the individual dioxins were not statistically different in the various tissues. This validates the use of lipid adjusted concentrations of 2,3,7,8-PCDDs/PCDFs in abdominal fat for the determination of the presence of these compounds in different tissues.

Increased [125I]sulpiride binding in the subthalamic nucleus of rats with nigrostriatal lesions

Subthalamic nucleus (STN) hyperactivity follows lesions of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The mechanism leading to sustained STN hyperactivity in parkinsonism is not well understood, but it seems not to depend on the integrity of striato-pallido-subthalamic connections (the so called indirect pathway). Sustained STN hyperactivity could result from the loss of the direct dopaminergic innervation of the STN. Here we report increased [125I]sulpiride binding in the STN of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, we found that chronic oral treatment with levodopa reverted the lesion-induced increase in [125I]sulpiride binding. Our results demonstrate that most STN D2-class dopamine receptors are postsynaptic to afferent dopaminergic fibers. Furthermore, they suggest that alterations of local STN dopaminergic mechanisms could play a role in the pathophysiology of parkinsonism and mediate the therapeutic/adverse effects of chronic levodopa administration.

Dose-response relationships for disposition and hepatic sequestration of polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls following subchronic treatment in mice

Humans are exposed to mixtures of polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls mainly through the diet. Many of these chemicals are dioxin-like and their relative toxicity is related to their ability to bind and activate the Ah receptor. The present study examines the structure-activity relationship for disposition of these chemicals in female B6C3F1 mice following subchronic exposures. Mice were treated 5 days/week for 13 weeks by oral gavage with different doses of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PeCDD),2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin (TBDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (1-PeCDF), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (4-PeCDF), octachlorodibenzofuran (OCDF), 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (126), 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (169), 2,3,3',4,4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (105), 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (118), and 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl (156). All of the chemicals examined exhibited dose-dependent increases in the liver/fat concentrations except PCBs 105, 118, and 156. While TCDD is the most potent toxicant in this class of chemicals, 4-PeCDF, PeCDD, OCDF, TCDF, and PCB126 were sequestered in hepatic tissue to a greater extent than was TCDD. The high affinity for hepatic tissue supports the presence of an inducible hepatic binding protein for some dixin-like chemicals. The differences in disposition between these chemicals suggests that pharmacokinetic differences between congeners is important in the relative potency of these chemicals.

Background contamination by coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in trace level high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) analytical procedures

The addition of the "dioxin-like" polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to the assessment of risk associated with the 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted dioxins and furans has dramatically increased the number of laboratories worldwide that are developing analytical procedures for their detection and quantitation. Most of these procedures are based on established sample preparation and analytical techniques employing high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS), which are used for the analyses of dioxin/furans at low parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels. A significant and widespread problem that arises when using these sample preparation procedures for the analysis of coplanar PCBs is the presence of background levels of these congeners. Industrial processes, urban incineration, leaking electrical transformers, hazardous waste accidents, and improper waste disposal practices have released appreciable quantities of PCBs into the environment. This contamination has resulted in the global distribution of these compounds via the atmosphere and their ubiquitous presence in ambient air. The background presence of these compounds in method blanks must be addressed when determining the exact concentrations of these and other congeners in environmental samples. In this study reliable procedures were developed to accurately define these background levels and assess their variability over the course of the study. The background subtraction procedures developed and employed increase the probability that the values reported accurately represent the concentrations found in the samples and were not biased due to this background contamination.

Extensive amplification and self-renewal of human primitive hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood

The use of umbilical cord blood as a source of marrow repopulating cells for the treatment of pediatric malignancies has been established. Given the general availability, the ease of procurement, and progenitor content, cord blood is an attractive alternative to bone marrow or growth factor mobilized peripheral blood cells as a source of transplantable hematopoietic tissue. However, there is a major potential limitation to the widespread use of cord blood as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for marrow replacement and gene therapy. There may be enough hematopoietic stem cells to reconstitute children, but the ability to engraft an adult might require ex vivo manipulations. We describe an in vitro system in which the growth of cord blood CD34+ cells is sustained and greatly expanded for more than 6 months by the simple combination of two hematopoietic growth factors. Progenitors and cells belonging to all hematopoietic lineages are continuously and increasingly generated (the number of colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage [CFU-GM] present at the end of 6 months of culture are well over 2,000,000-fold the CFU-GM present at the beginning of the culture). Very primitive hematopoietic progenitors, including long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-ICs) and blast cell colony-forming units, are also greatly expanded (after 20 weeks of liquid culture, LTC-IC number is over 200,000-fold the initial number). The extremely prolonged maintenance and the massive expansion of these progenitors, which share many similarities with murine long-term repopulating cells, suggest that extensive renewal and little differentiation take place. This system might prove useful in diverse clinical settings involving treatment of grown-up children and adults with transplantation of normal or genetically manipulated hematopoietic stem cells.

Determination of 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans at the part per trillion level in United States beef fat using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry

As part of the U.S. EPA Dioxin Reassessment Program, the 2,3,7,8-chlorine-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans were measured at part per trillion (ppt) levels in beef fat collected from slaughter facilities in the United States. This is the first statistically designed national survey of these compounds in the U.S. beef supply. Analyte concentrations were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, using isotope dilution methodology. Method limits of detection on a whole weight basis were 0.05 ppt for TCDD and 0.10 ppt for TCDF, 0.50 ppt for the pentas (PeCDDs/PeCDFs)/hexas (HxCDDs/HxCDFs)/heptas (HpCDDs/HpCDFs), and 3.00 ppt for the octas (OCDD/OCDF). Method detection and quantitation limits were established on the basis of demonstrated performance criteria utilizing fortified samples rather than by conventional signal-to-noise or variability of response methods. The background subtraction procedures developed for this study minimized the likelihood of false positives and increased the confidence associated with reported values near the detection limits. Mean and median values for each of the 2,3,7,8-Cl-substituted dioxins and furans are reported, along with the supporting information required for their interpretation. The mean toxic equivalence values for the samples are 0.35 ppt (nondetects = 0) and 0.89 ppt (nondetects = 1/2 LOD).

A statistical survey of dioxin-like compounds in United States beef: a progress report

The USEPA and the USDA have completed the first statistically designed survey of the occurrence and concentration of CDDs and CDFs in the fat of beef animals raised for human consumption in the United States. Back fat was sampled from 63 carcasses at federally inspected slaughter establishments nationwide. The sample design called for sampling beef animal classes in proportion to national annual slaughter statistics. All samples were analyzed using a modification of EPA method 1613, using isotope dilution, High Resolution GC/MS to determine the rate of occurrence of 2,3,7,8-substituted CDDs/CDFS. The whole weight method detection limits ranged from 0.05 ng kg-1 for TCDD to 3 ng kg-1 for OCDD. The results of this survey showed a mean concentration (reported as I-TEQ, lipid adjusted) in U.S. beef animals of 0.35 ng kg-1 and 0.89 ng kg-1 when either non-detects are treated as 0 value or assigned a value of 1/2 the detection limit, respectively.

Calming aggressive reactions--a preventive program

1. Aggressive behavior of nursing home residents towards caregivers, specifically nurse aides, is increasingly a problem in nursing homes. 2. The C.A.R.E. Program was developed to educate nursing personnel about prevention of aggressive incidents through early identification of residents most likely to become abusive. 3. The C.A.R.E. Program utilizes didactic presentation, role playing, sharing experiences, and group support as teaching strategies. 4. A major implication for professional nurses is to assume responsibility for identifying elders at risk for aggression and to provide the nursing team with the training to best care for these residents.