Scriven, V., Campbell, L., Montressor, M., Sarno D., (2018) Morphological and Genetic Comparison between the Toxic Spp. Pseudo-nitzschia multistriatia in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Naples. Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography 2019 Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Poster Presentation
Scriven, V., Campbell, L., Montressor, M., Sarno D., (2018) Morphological and Genetic Comparison between the Toxic Spp. Pseudo-nitzschia multistriatia in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Naples. Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography 2019 Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Poster Presentation
Morphological and Genetic Comparison between the Toxic spp. Pseudo-nitzschia multistriatia in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Naples.
Victoria Scriven, Lisa Campbell, Marina Montressor, Diana Sarno
Abstract
The toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata (Takano 1995) is known to produce domoic acid, a toxin associated with Amnesic Shellfish poisoning (ASP). Isolates of Pseudo-nitzschia were established from net tow samples collected off the coast of Surfside, TX in the Gulf of Mexico and grown in culture. Since Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata has many cryptic and pseudo-cryptic species, molecular analysis is the only way to identify with certainty the presence of P. multistriata. Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscope (TEM) was performed to confirm the identity of the Pseudo-nitzschia isolates. Four multistriata isolates were cultured from the July sampling date. DNA sequencing results using the LSU, 18S, cox1 and ITS2 primers will be conducted to demonstrate if the isolates from the Gulf of Mexico are genetically different from the strains sequenced in the Gulf of Naples since the TEM comparison showed morphological similarity.
Predatory Impact Assessment of the Oceanic Ctenophore; Bolinopsis infundibulum, in Monterey Bay, California
Victoria Scriven, Kakani Katija, Joost Daniels, Bradford Gemmell
Abstract
Bolinopsis infundibulum is a wide-ranging, ubiquitous ctenophore within temperate oceanic waters. However, their fragile nature has precluded the quantification of many predator-prey activities in the laboratory. As these animals can also be abundant at depths well beyond those attainable by divers, very little in situ empirical data exist over the depth range of their natural habitats. Thus, we cannot yet assess key predator-prey interactions or reliably evaluate their ecological role in midwater food webs. Working in Monterey Bay, California, we utilize the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) deployed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Using both live collections and in situ high-definition video footage of ctenophore predator-prey relationships, we assess; gut contents, feeding behaviors, and swimming dynamics during and after predation. Combined with ship-board digestion rate data, this study serves as the first collection of in situ quantitative data for this species at midwater depths. The data was used to quantify thermal sensitivity, daily carbon intake, and other ecologically relevant parameters of the predator-prey interaction. We discuss the implications and feasibility of Bolinopsis populations living at variable depths, the potential impact of their predation on copepods, and nutrient cycling in this important but understudied species.
CLINICAL CASE STUDY - "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Treatment for Gadolinium Deposition Disease: A Successful Test-Case in Symptom Remediation"
Victoria Scriven, MS; Sierra Taylor, IHT ; Jessica Dyson, DMT; Joseph Dituri, Ph.D.
Abstract
Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) is a rare but life altering medical condition brought on following an allergic reaction to Gadolinium based contrast agents used in routinely administered magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI). Patients diagnosed with this condition report symptoms of cognitive deficits, pain, loss of energy and loss of mobility. Currently no Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment exists in the remediation of symptoms associated with GDD. This case study anecdotally reports on a 51-year-old female’s successful symptom remediation following 40 treatments of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) with 100% Oxygen at 1.75 ATA X 60 min b.i.d in a cycle of five days of treatment with two days off. Subject demonstrated improvements in cognitive function, speech, and mobility during and upon completion of the treatment protocol. While this report acknowledges significant study limitations due to the rarity of this condition and anecdotal evidence with n=1, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may be a potential treatment for Gadolinium Deposition Disease after further study.