Selectivity in regeneration of the oculomotor nerve in the cichlid fish, Astronotus ocellatus

It has long been considered a general rule for nerve regeneration that the reinnervation of skeletal muscle is nonselective. Regenerating nerve fibers are supposed to reconnect with one skeletal muscle as readily as another according to studies covering a wide range of vertebrates (Weiss, 1937; Weiss & Taylor, 1944; Weiss & Hoag, 1946; Bernstein & Guth, 1961; Guth, 1961, 1962, 1963). Similarly, in embryogenesis proper functional connexions between nerve centers and particular muscles are supposedly attained, not by selective nerve outgrowth but rather through a process of ‘myotypic modulation’ (Weiss, 1955) that presupposes nonselective peripheral innervation. Doubt about the general validity of this rule and the concepts behind it has come from a series of studies on regeneration of the oculomotor nerve in teleosts, urodeles, and anurans and of spinal fin nerves in teleosts (Sperry, 1946, 1947, 1950, 1965; Sperry & Deupree, 1956; Arora & Sperry, 1957a, 1964)

Myotypic Respecification of Regenerated Nerve-fibres in Cichlid Fishes

In man and other mammals normal motor co-ordination is not restored, as a rule, after regeneration of a severed peripheral nerve-trunk (Sperry, 1945). The random misdirection of regenerating fibres into foreign muscles tends to prevent normal dissociated action within the re-innervated musculature. In contrast, larval amphibians have been found to show excellent recovery of motor function in the form of ‘homologous or myotypic response’ (Weiss, 1936, 1941) following the cutting and regeneration of limb-nerves, limb transplantation, and the cross-connecting of limb nerves to foreign muscles. Similarly, good restoration of muscle co-ordination has been observed in the pectoral fin of adult teleost fishes (Sperry, 1950, 1956)

Electromagnetic Determination of Carotid Blood Flow in the Anesthetized Rat

The paper describes the design and performance of the smallest iron core electromagnetic flow transducer built so far. The design is miniaturized as to the total volume of the device as well as to the size of the artery it accommodates. The use of this transducer for recording of blood flow in the smallest species of animal employed until now in blood flow research is described. Illustrations of pharmacological observations in anesthetized rats are presented

Association of Breakfast Intake with Obesity, Dietary and Physical Activity Behavior Among Urban School-Aged Adolescents in Delhi, India: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

In developed countries, regular breakfast consumption is inversely associated with excess weight and directly associated with better dietary and improved physical activity behaviors. Our objective was to describe the frequency of breakfast consumption among school-going adolescents in Delhi and evaluate its association with overweight and obesity as well as other dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Methods: Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Eight schools (Private and Government) of Delhi in the year 2006. Participants: 1814 students from 8th and 10th grades; response rate was 87.2%; 55% were 8th graders, 60% were boys and 52% attended Private schools. Main outcome measures: Body mass index, self-reported breakfast consumption, diet and physical activity related behaviors, and psychosocial factors. Data analysis: Mixed effects regression models were employed, adjusting for age, gender, grade level and school type (SES). Results: Significantly more Government school (lower SES) students consumed breakfast daily as compared to Private school (higher SES) students (73.8% vs. 66.3%; p<0.01). More 8th graders consumed breakfast daily vs. 10th graders (72.3% vs. 67.0%; p<0.05). A dose-response relationship was observed such that overall prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents who consumed breakfast daily (14.6%) was significantly lower vs. those who only sometimes (15.2%) or never (22.9%) consumed breakfast (p<0.05 for trend). This relationship was statistically significant for boys (15.4 % vs. 16.5% vs. 26.0; p<0.05 for trend) but not for girls. Intake of dairy products, fruits and vegetables was 5.5 (95% CI 2.4-12.5), 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.5) and 2.2 (95% CI 1.3-3.5) times higher among those who consumed breakfast daily vs. those who never consumed breakfast. Breakfast consumption was associated with greater physical activity vs. those who never consumed breakfast. Positive values and beliefs about healthy eating; body image satisfaction; and positive peer and parental influence were positively associated with daily breakfast consumption, while depression was negatively associated. Conclusion: Daily breakfast consumption is associated with less overweight and obesity and with healthier dietary-and physical activity-related behaviors among urban Indian students. Although prospective studies should confirm the present results, intervention programs to prevent or treat childhood obesity in India should consider emphasizing regular breakfast consumption.Obesity Prevention Center, University of MinnesotaPRIME program of the University of Texas, School of Public Health (Stigler, PI)Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Population

Dissolution Potentials of Sodium & Potassium Chlorides, Bromides & Iodides & of Ammonium Halides

561-56

Surface optical Raman modes in InN nanostructures

Raman spectroscopic investigations are carried out on one-dimensional nanostructures of InN,such as nanowires and nanobelts synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. In addition to the optical phonons allowed by symmetry; A1, E1 and E2(high) modes, two additional Raman peaks are observed around 528 cm-1 and 560 cm-1 for these nanostructures. Calculations for the frequencies of surface optical (SO) phonon modes in InN nanostructures yield values close to those of the new Raman modes. A possible reason for large intensities for SO modes in these nanostructures is also discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, Submitted in Journa

Applying Task Force Recommendations on Integrating Science and Practice in Health Service Psychology Education

The proper role of research skills and training to conduct research in professional psychology education has been controversial throughout the history of the field. An extensive effort was undertaken recently to address that issue and identify ways the field might move forward in a more unified manner. In 2015, the American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Educational Affairs convened a task force to address one of the recommendations made by the Health Service Psychology Education Collaborative in 2013. That recommendation stated that the education and training of health service psychologists (HSPs) include an integrative approach to science and practice that incorporates scientific-mindedness, training in research skills, and goes well beyond merely “consuming” research findings. The task force subsequently developed recommendations related to the centrality of science competencies for HSPs and how these competencies extend beyond training in evidence-based practice. This article discusses the findings of the task force and the implications of its recommendations for education and training in HSP. The challenges and opportunities associated with implementing these recommendations in HSP graduate programs are examined

Kinetics of Various Chemical Changes During Storage of Processed Cheese

Three batches of processed cheese (PC) were manufactured by the standard procedure and packed aseptically in polystyrene (Sunpet) pet jars with screw cap of about 200 g capacity and stored at 5, 30 and, 45°C. The PC samples were analysed for proximate composition, selected physico-chemical characteristics and sensory attributes at intervals of 7 days for the product stored at 5°C upto 56 days, 3 days for the product stored at 30°C upto 6 days and 24 days at 45°C till the sample became organoleptically unacceptable. The results revealed that 30°C was conducive for mold growth, due to which the product got spoiled after 8 days of storage and hence the studies were terminated at this temperature. An increasing trend was observed in all the chemical parameters except pH with increase in time of storage at all the temperatures. The reaction rate constants for all the chemical parameters, followed a zero order reaction and were higher at higher temperature of storage as compared to lower temperatures. The least square analysis of variance for the chemical parameters had no significant differences between batches, while there was a significant to highly significant difference between storage period and temperature of storage

Predictors of dental visits among primary school children in the rural Australian community of Lithgow

Background: Regular dental attendance is significant in maintaining and improving children’s oral health and well-being. This study aims to determine the factors that predict and influence dental visits in primary school children residing in the rural community of Lithgow, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: All six primary schools of Lithgow were approached to participate in a cross-sectional survey prior to implementing water fluoridation in 2014. Children aged 6–13 years (n = 667) were clinically examined for their oral health status and parents were requested to complete a questionnaire on fluoride history, diet, last dental visit, and socio-demographic characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the independent predictors of a 6-monthly and a yearly dental visit. Results: Overall, 53% of children visited a dentist within six months and 77% within twelve months. In multiple logistic regression analyses, age of the child and private health insurance coverage were significantly associated with both 6-monthly and twelve-month dental visits. In addition, each serve of chocolate consumption was significantly associated with a 27% higher odds (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.54) of a 6-monthly dental visit. Conclusion: It is imperative that the socio-demographic and dietary factors that influence child oral health must be effectively addressed when developing the oral health promotion policies to ensure better oral health outcomes.James Rufus John, Haider Mannan, Subrat Nargundkar, Mario D’Souza, Loc Giang Do and Amit Aror