The mid-day sun beats down on me as I'm standing with my feet firmly nestled in the sand of a tidal creek in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. I look down and notice that the water once above my knees has ...dropped to mid-calf. 1 cast my gaze back towards the mangroves where the previously flooded root system is becoming fully exposed to the light breeze that moves my hair. "They're coming," reassures Andy, who's poised like a stork in a quick-dry shirt. I watch in anticipation, scanning the fleeting water looking for movement and flashes of silver. I realize we aren't the only ones waiting patiently as a juvenile lemon shark swims by. Hairs stand on my arms as an hour has ticked away while I remain almost motionless, like a mannequin in a store-front window. Then it appears, a wave of movement coming towards me! I stiffen and then move slightly into my strike pose. "Okay, now!" signals Andy as we rush to close the seine net on our well-stalked prey. Minutes later the net is alive with action and adrenaline courses through our veins as we hurry to release the bycatch and extract our target species, bonefish.
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The acute action of insulin on neurogenic flare was investigated using iontophoresis. Twenty-five patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 25 age- and gender-matched controls were ...studied. Axon reflex vasodilatation was evoked by transdermal iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) before and after skin treatment by the iontophoresis of insulin and measured using laser Doppler velocimetry. Axon reflex responses were reduced in IDDM patients compared with controls (p< 0.001) but were restored after the iontophoresis of insulin. Insulin iontophoresis had no effect on the size of the axon reflex response in control subjects (p > 0.05). This study confirms the reduction of the ACh-induced flare in human patients with IDDM and has demonstrated relatively rapid effects of insulin on this cutaneous neurogenic response.
Despite providing symptomatic relief in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), supplemental oxygen (O(2)) has been demonstrated to increase total peripheral resistance. The present study ...investigated the possibility that O(2) inhalation reduces nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, using endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine) and -independent (phentolamine) vasodilators, and the antioxidant ascorbic acid. Ten patients (nine male and one female) with primary left ventricular failure participated in the study. Forearm venous occlusion plethysmography was used to study blood flow responses to acetylcholine and the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine during inhalation of either room air or 100% O(2), with and without the simultaneous infusion of ascorbic acid. Neither O(2) inhalation (3.9+/-0.4 compared with 3.8+/-0.3 ml.min(-1).100 ml(-1)) nor ascorbic acid infusion (5.2+/-0.4 compared with 5.5+/-0.4 ml.min(-1).100 ml(-1)) affected resting forearm blood flow. The percentage increase from basal blood flow after acetylcholine infusion was not altered by either O(2) inhalation or ascorbic acid infusion (room air, 140+/-55%; O(2), 118+/-46%; ascorbic acid, 147+/-39%; ascorbic acid+O(2), 109+/-31%). O(2) inhalation did, however, reduce the dilation induced by phentolamine (room air, 131+/-24%; O(2), 80+/-14%; P<0.05). These data indicate that oxygen inhalation does not increase forearm vascular resistance. Secondly, preservation of reactivity to acetylcholine during O(2) inhalation suggests that degradation of NO by O(2)-derived free radicals is not enhanced. Attenuation of phentolamine-induced vasodilation during O(2) inhalation, however, implies increased adrenergic activity, which may possibly exacerbate the detrimental effects of elevated sympathetic activity in CHF.
– Technological advances have lead to the production of micro radio‐transmitters capable of being implanted in fish as small as c. 5 g. Although the actual tags are small, transmitters are equipped ...with long antennas that can increase drag and tangle in debris. We examined the effects of radio‐transmitter antenna length on the swimming performance of juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, (N = 156, mean mass = 34 g, mean fork length = 148 mm). Although we tested a variety of different antenna lengths up to a maximum of 300 mm, only the longest antenna significantly impaired swimming performance relative to control fish (P < 0.001). There was no difference in swimming performance between the sham (surgery, but no transmitter) and the control fish (handled, but no surgery), suggesting that the surgical procedure itself did not negatively affect the fish. Regression analysis, however, indicated that there was a significant decrease in swimming performance associated with increased antenna length (R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). In addition, when held in laboratory tanks, fish with the three longest antennas (150, 225 and 300 mm) frequently became entangled with the standpipe. We suggest that researchers, under the guidance of the tag manufacturer, trim antennas to the shortest possible length required to detect fish in their specific study area. Antenna length is clearly an important issue for small fish, especially for species that inhabit complex habitats where antennas may become entangled, and where fish must attain speeds near limits of their swimming capacity.
Resumen
1. Los avances tecnológicos han llevado a producir micro radio‐trasmisores capaces de ser implantados en peces de muy pequeño tamaño (≈5 g). Aunque las marcas actuales son pequeñas, los trasmisores están equipados con antenas largas que pueden llegar a enredarse en los restos de vegetación. Examinamos los efectos de la longitud de la antena sobre la rutina natatoria de juveniles de Oncorhynchus mykiss (n = 156, peso medio = 34 g, longitud furcal media = 148 mm).
2. Aunque analizamos varias longitudes de antena, hasta 300 mm, solamente las de mayor longitud alteraron la rutina natatoria en relación a los peces control (P < 0.001). No hubo diferencia en la rutina natatoria entre individuos bajo cirugía pero sin trasmisores respecto de los individuos control (manipulados pero sin cirugía) lo que sugiere que los procedimientos de cirugía no afectaron negativamente a los peces. Sin embargo, análisis de regresión indicaron un declive significativo en la rutina natatoria asociado a la longitud de la antena (R2 = 0.11, P < 0.001). Además, al ser mantenidos en tanques, los individuos con las tres antenas mas largas (150, 225, y 300 mm) frecuentemente se enredaron con las tuberías.
3. Sugerimos a los investigadores que, bajo la dirección de los productores de marcas y antenas, consideren el uso de las antenas más pequeñas que permitan detectar a los peces en sus respectivas áreas de estudio. La longitud de la antena es una cuestión importante para los pequeños peces, especialmente para especies en hábitats complejos donde las antenas pueden llegar a enredarse y donde los peces pueden alcanzar velocidades casi al limite de su capacidad natatoria.
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Sport fishing for sharks, including fishing with the intent to release, is becoming more prevalent within the recreational angling community. Common targets of recreational anglers are juvenile lemon ...sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) that frequent shallow tropical nearshore habitats. In this study, we captured 32 juvenile lemon sharks (530-875 mm total length) with conventional angling gear (i.e. spinning rods, dead fish bait and 5/0 barbed circle hooks) from the coastal waters of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, to determine the consequences of capture for individual sharks. Each shark was examined for hooking injuries, blood sampled to quantify physiological disturbance, assessed for reflex impairment and then monitored to assess postrelease behaviour and mortality. Four sharks (12.5%) died following release during the 15 min tracking period. Principal components (PC) analysis revealed four axes describing 66.5% of the variance for blood physiology parameters, total length and water temperature. The PC1 and PC3 scores, characterized by positive factor loadings for indicators of exercise-induced stress and blood ion concentrations, respectively, were significantly related to fight time but were not associated with short-term mortality. Short-term mortality was significantly related to factor scores for PC4 that loaded heavily for water temperature and total length. Ten sharks (31%) exhibited impaired reflexes, with loss of bite reflex being most prevalent. Sharks that died had the following characteristics: (i) they had two or more impaired reflexes; (ii) they were hooked in the basihyal; (iii) they exhibited no movement after the initial bout of directional swimming; and (iv) they experienced high water temperatures (i.e. >31degreesC). Collectively, these results indicate that for juvenile lemon sharks inhabiting tropical flats, fight time can influence the degree of physiological disturbance, while water temperature contributes to the likelihood of survival following release.
Objective
To quantify the change in quality of life, disease-specific indicators, health and lifestyle before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with musculoskeletal diagnoses and ...symptoms.
Methods
We undertook an additional follow-up of two existing UK registers involving people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and participants in a trial in the UK who had regional pain and were identified at high risk of developing chronic widespread pain. Participants completed the study questionnaire between July and December 2020, throughout which time there were public health restrictions in place.
Results
The number of people taking part in the study was 1054 (596 axSpA, 162 PsA, 296 regional pain). In comparison with their previous (pre-pandemic) assessment, there was an age-adjusted significant, small decrease in quality of life measured by EQ-5D −0.020 (95% CI −0.030, −0.009) overall and across all population groups examined. This was primarily related to poorer mental health and pain. There was a small increase in fibromyalgia symptoms, but a small decrease in sleep problems. There was a small deterioration in axSpA disease activity, and disease-specific quality of life and anxiety in PsA participants. Predictors of poor quality of life were similar pre- and during the pandemic. The effect of lockdown on activity differed according to age, gender and deprivation.
Conclusion
Important lessons include focusing on addressing anxiety and providing enhanced support for self-management in the absence of normal health care being available, and awareness that all population groups are likely to be affected.
1 Educational tool and point-of-care tests to assist antibiotic prescribing decisions for diabetic foot ulcer infections (INDUCE study) John Ingram1, Scott Cawley2, Angela Jones2, Elinor Coulman3, ...Clive Gregory4, Tim Pickles3 1Department of Dermatology and Academic Wound Healing, Division of Infection & Immunity, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; 2Podiatry Department, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff, UK; 3Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; 4Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK Correspondence: Angela Jones Background Assessing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) for infection is difficult because clinical symptoms and signs may be masked by neuropathy and vasculopathy and there are no objective tests available at point of care to guide clinicians. Calprotectin in wound exudate may have value, but only in combination with other biomarkers. 2 Shoe hardness and gait Him Shun Hinson Kei, Paul Fletcher, Mike Curran Faculty of Health and Society, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK Correspondence: Him Shun Hinson Kei Introduction This study will have implications for any healthcare professionals who aim to alter patient’s gait with footwear. Comparison of a commercially available rowing specific shoe to a training shoe Trevor Prior Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Background In the sport of rowing, load applied through the feet must be efficiently and effectively translated into propulsive force at the oar. By contrast, the rowing shoe focussed the force beneath the 1st Met head and, due to the reduced contact area, resulted in a greater peak pressures. 4 Importance of accurate identification of arterial perfusion using different physiological tests Cynthia Formosa Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta Background Although diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in patients with peripheral
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Certain A + T-rich DNA sequences (C-type inducing sequences) cause adjacent inverted repeats to undergo cruciform extrusion by a particular pathway (C-type extrusion), which is characterized by large ...activation energies and extrusion at low salt concentrations and relatively low temperatures. When they are supercoiled, these sequences become reactive toward the normally single-strand-selective reagents bromoacetaldehyde, glyoxal, osmium tetraoxide, and sodium bisulfite. The following evidence is presented: (1) The most reactive sequences are those to the left of the inverted repeat. (2) Chemical reactivity is suppressed by either sodium chloride or micromolar concentrations of distamycin. The suppression of reactivity closely parallels that of C-type cruciform extrusion. (3) Chemical reactivity requires a threshold level of negative supercoiling. The threshold superhelix density depends on the prevailing salt concentration. (4) Analysis of temperature dependences suggests that reaction with osmium tetraoxide involves transient unstacking events, while bromoacetaldehyde requires larger scale helix opening. Thus a variety of opening events may occur in the supercoiled A + T-rich sequences, from small-amplitude breathing to low-frequency, large-amplitude openings. The latter appear to be responsible for C-type cruciform extrusion.
The composition of pulmonary surfactant during development was compared in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby, and the rat. For both species phospholipid fatty acid and neutral lipid fatty acid ...composition is similar, and phosphatidylcholine was the principal phospholipid at each age group. The relative amount of each phospholipid class significantly changed with time in both species but the extent of these changes did not vary between species. The neutral lipid component of surfactant varied significantly between the marsupial and eutherian, with higher levels of free cholesterol observed in the former. Overall the lipid composition of pulmonary surfactant in the developing wallaby is similar to that seen in eutherians with the exception being the level of free cholesterol.
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