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LEIODERMATOLIDE, A POTENT ANTIMITOTIC MACROLIDE FROM THE MARINE SPONGE LEIODERMATIUM SP.
No full textMarine macrolides that selectively disrupt cell cycle events continue to occupy a central position as lead compounds in the ongoing search for novel anticancer agents, [1, 2] highlighted by the recent FDA approval of Halaven (eribulin mesylate, a fully synthetic analogue of the halichondrins) for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.[3] Lithistid sponges have proven to be a particularly fertile source[4] of such biologically relevant polyketide metabolites, including dictyostatin [5] and discodermolide. [5d, 6] As part of a continued program aimed at the discovery of novel bioactive natural products from deepwater marine invertebrates, we have examined the relatively Unexplored [7] lithistid sponge Leiodermatium. A crude extract of Leiodermatium sp. was found to exhibit substantial activity in an assay which identifies antimitotic agents through detection of phosphonucleolin, a marker of mitosis.[8] Bioassay- guided fractionation led to the isolation of leiodermatolide (1, Figure 1), whose unprecedented 16-membered macrolide skeleton, featuring an unsaturated side chain terminating in a d-lactone, has been elucidated through a combination of extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis, comparative DFT GIAO NMR shift calculations, and molecular modeling. Leiodermatolide was found to exhibit potent and selective antimitotic activity (IC50\u3c 10 nm) against a range of human cancer cell lines by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, and represents a promising new lead for anticancer drug discovery
JOHNSON-SEA-LINK SUBMERSIBLES TOOLS FOR RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY: SUMMARY OF USERS, PUBLICATIONS, DOCUMENTARIES AND TESTIMONIALS.
Get PDFThis document was compiled by various scientists and users of the Johnson-Sea-Link (JSL) submersibles. This document is not inclusive but presents some highlights of major discoveries, publications, and grants made possible by use of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution\u27s (HBOI) research submersibles. The Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles were the cornerstone of Harbor Branch when Edwin Link invented and built the submersibles at HBOI (Harbor Branch Foundation) nearly 40 years ago. The Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles have resulted in international acclaim for Harbor Branch from recent research discoveries to Discovery Channel documentaries. The ocean going and deep-water capabilities of HBOI have been a core strength of Harbor Branch since its inception in 1971. These capabilities have attracted world-class researchers to the Institute both as employees and as collaborators and have provided a unique niche of ocean exploration and deep sea research in which HBOI scientists and engineers have excelled. The Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles remain the most capable manned submersibles in the United States for mid-water and benthic research in the 3000 ft depth class
Library Issues in Adult Online Education
No full textThe book provides comprehensive coverage and definitions of the most important issues, concepts, trends and theories in adult education, adult ESL (English as a Second Language) and information communication technologies, offering an in-depth description of key terms and theories/concepts related to different areas, issues and trends in adult education worldwid
MIAMI OCEAN-DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL SITE: TILEFISH(MALACANTHIDAE) HABITAT IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION STUDY.
Get PDFThe USACE Jacksonville District has identified a need to have the 1986 video dataset reviewed and analyzed for the possible presence of species of fisheries management interest. Preliminary review of the video records indicated possible tilefish (Malacanthidae) habitat evidenced by the presence of large burrows in soft substrate. The main objective of this project is to confirm or deny the presence of tilefish or tilefish burrows in the Miami ODMDS based on the 1986 video transects. In the event that the presence of tilefish is confirmed (based on video evidence), analyses will include an estimation of distribution and abundance within the ODMDS and surrounding area. If results suggest the absence of tilefish, then best scientific judgment will be used to suggest the organism(s) responsible for the mounds and burrows. In addition, habitat type and biota will be characterized to the degree possible based on the video. It must be noted that these videotape surveys were conducted 24 years ago and are not indicative of the current presence or absence of tilefish or the current presence of hard/live bottom or anthropogenic debris.
This report includes detailed analysis of the original videotapes with documentation of substrate, habitat, bioturbation, burrows, and fauna along with photographs (from video frame grabs). Results are illustrated spatially on figures generated using ArcView GIS software. This final report to the USCOE includes this hard copy and a DVD containing a PDF copy of this report with the complete videotape annotations (Appendix 2), and JPEG images from the video frame grabs documenting the dominant habitat types and fauna. This study is intended to provide a basis for further research into the occurrence of tilefish within the Miami ODMDS. In this way, it is hoped that future management decisions affecting the ODMDS and its economically important inhabitants can be made using sound scientific judgment
SPAWNING AGGREGATION OF BEARDFISH POLYMIXIA LOWEI, IN ADEEP-WATER SINKHOLE OFF THE FLORIDA KEYS.
No full textA large spawning aggregation of Polymixia lowei, Beardfish, was documented via video and specimen collection in a deep-water (413 m) sinkhole off Key West, Florida on 5 June 2007. The use of the human-occupied submersible, Johnson-Sea-Link II, allowed for in situ observations, video documentation, and specimen collection. The maximum density (117 fish m22), average abundance (56 fish m22), and average standard length (152.1 mm) were estimated from video transects. Ovarian histology of the fish collected indicated recent spawning activity. Observations of a deep scattering layer above the sinkhole by echo sounder suggested that P. lowei were in the water column during the pre-dawn hours. This represents the first report of aggregating behavior for reproduction in P. lowei
GYMNOCHROMES E AND F, CYTOTOXIC PHENANTHROPERYLENEQUINONES FROM A DEEP-WATER CRINOID, HOLOPUS RANGII.
Get PDFBioactivity-guided fractionation of metabolites from the crinoid Holopus rangii led to the discovery of two new phenanthroperylenequinone derivatives, gymnochromes E (1) and F (2). Gymnochrome E showed cytotoxic activity toward the NCI/ADR-Res with an IC50 of 3.5 μM. It also inhibited histone deacetylase-1 with an IC50 of 3.3 μM. Gymnochrome F was a moderate inhibitor of myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL-1) binding to Bak. Two anthraquinone metabolites, emodic acid (4) and its new bromo derivative (5), were also isolated from the crinoid and show remarkable similarity to the phenanthroperylenequinone core, suggesting that these metabolites share the same polyketide biosynthetic pathway
DISTRIBUTION OF DEEP-WATER COMMERCIAL FISHERIES SPECIES-GOLDEN CRAB, TILEFISH, ROYAL RED SHRIMP-IN DEEP-WATER HABITATS OFF EASTERN FLORIDA FROM SUBMERSIBLE AND ROV DIVES.
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to document the occurrence and distribution of golden crab, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish, and royal red shrimp in deep-water habitats (200 m to ~900 m) off eastern and southern Florida, within the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC). The scope of this study extends from the latitude of the north Florida border to the Dry Tortugas and out to the boundary of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone which is ~900 m deep within the Straits of Florida. Videotapes from manned submersible and ROV dives were selected to be representative of the geographical range north to south off Florida and the depth range from 200 m to 900 m. In addition, some sites had multiple dives which allowed for comparisons of potential diurnal cycles and seasonal cycles for some of the species. The videotapes of each of these dives were re-analyzed to document these species and associated habitats. In addition to the submersible dives which targeted coral and hard-bottom habitat, several deep-water benthic environmental surveys for proposed natural gas pipelines, port, and telecommunications cable were also re-analyzed. These provided east-west transects from depths of 200 m to the EEZ (~900 m), which included extensive soft-bottom habitat for comparison of species distributions with the hard-bottom sites. And finally, data were included from a 1987 ROV benthic survey of a deep-water EPA Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site off Miami for the occurrence of tilefish and golden crab
COMPARISON OF THE ANAEROBIC MICROBIOTA OF DEEP-WATER GEODIA SPP. AND SANDY SEDIMENTS IN THE STRAITS OF FLORIDA.
Get PDFMarine sediments and sponges may show steep variations in redox potential, providing niches for both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Geodia spp. and sediment specimens from the Straits of Florida were fixed using paraformaldehyde and 95% ethanol (v/v) for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In addition, homogenates of sponge and sediment samples were incubated anaerobically on various cysteine supplemented agars. FISH analysis showed a prominent similarity of microbiota in sediments and Geodia spp. samples. Furthermore, the presence of sulfate-reducing and annamox bacteria as well as other obligate anaerobic microorganisms in both Geodia spp. And sediment samples were also confirmed. Anaerobic cultures obtained from the homogenates allowed the isolation of a variety of facultative anaerobes, primarily Bacillus spp. and Vibrio spp. Obligate anaerobes such as Desulfovibrio spp. and Clostridium spp. were also found. We also provide the first evidence for a culturable marine member of the Chloroflexi, which may enter into symbiotic relationships with deep-water sponges such as Geodia spp. Resuspended sediment particles, may provide a source of microorganisms able to associate or form a symbiotic relationship with sponges
FAU CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE PRIORITY THEME: RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND ADAPTION TO A CHANGE CLIMATE.
No full textGlobally, sea level rise has the potential to impact two billion people living along coastlines. In South Florida, sea level rise is already a threat to coastal infrastructure and will continue to require new engineering solutions. Research universities, particularly those with strengths in hydrology, engineering, and ocean sciences, will play a major role in human adaptation to a rapidly changing climate; FAU can be one of these institutions with its current interdisciplinary climate change research. FAU’s premier engineering program provides opportunities to develop and apply new technologies to ascertain climate change impacts and develop solutions to assist in adaptatio
ASSESSMENT OF FISH POPULATIONS AND HABITAT ON OCULINA BANK, A DEEP-SEA CORAL MARINE PROTECTED AREA OFF EASTERN FLORIDA.
Get PDFA portion of the Oculina Bank located off eastern Florida is a marine protected area (MPA) preserved for its dense populations of the ivory tree coral (Oculina varicosa), which provides important habitat for fish. Surveys of fish assemblages and benthic habitat were conducted inside and outside the MPA in 2003 and 2005 by using remotely operated vehicle video transects and digital still imagery. Fish species composition, biodiversity, and grouper densities were used to determine whether O. varicosa forms an essential habitat compared to other structure-forming habitats and to examine the effectiveness of the MPA. Multivariate analyses indicated no differences in fish assemblages or biodiversity among hardbottom habitat types and grouper densities were highest among the most complex habitats; however the higher densities were not exclusive to coral habitat. Therefore, we conclude that O. varicosa was functionally equivalent to other hardbottom habitats. Even though fish assemblages were not different among management areas, biodiversity and grouper densities were higher inside the MPA compared to outside. The percentage of intact coral was also higher inside the MPA. These results provide initial evidence demonstrating effectiveness of the MPA for restoring reef fish and their habitat. This is the first study to compare reef fish populations on O. varicosa with other structure-forming reef habitats and also the first to examine the effectiveness of the MPA for restoring fish populations and live reef cover