Dystrophic crisis event in Papas Lagoon, Araxos Cape, Western Greece in the summer 2012

A dystrophic crisis occurred in late June 2012 in the Lagoon of Papas, Araxos region, Western Greece (Ionian Sea) resulting in massive mortalities of aquatic organisms. The whole event was monitored through the basic aquatic physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) recorded before, during and after its occurrence. Although the phenomenon was manifested locally, it resulted in complete anoxia at the largest part of the lagoon which lasted ten days. Water quality of the entire lagoon was greatly affected by the dystrophic event and first signs of recovery were observed four months later

The Neurogenesis Actuator and NR2B/NMDA Receptor Antagonist Ro25-6981 Consistently Improves Spatial Memory Retraining Via Brain Region-Specific Gene Expression

NR2B-containing NMDA (NR2B/NMDA) receptors are important in controlling neurogenesis and are involved in generating spatial memory. Ro25-6981 is a selective antagonist at these receptors and actuates neurogenesis and spatial memory. Inter-structural neuroanatomical profiles of gene expression regulating adult neurogenesis and neuroapoptosis require examination in the context of memory retrieval and reversal learning. The aim was to investigate spatial memory retrieval and reversal learning in relation to gene expression-linked neurogenetic processes following blockade of NR2B/NMDA receptors by Ro25-6981. Rats were trained in Morris water maze (MWM) platform location for 5 days. Ro25-6981 was administered (protocol days 6–7) followed by retraining (days 15–18 or 29–32). Platform location was tested (on days 19 or 33) then post-mortem brain tissue sampling (on days 20 or 34). The expression of three genes known to regulate cell proliferation (S100a6), differentiation (Ascl1), and apoptosis (Casp-3) were concomitantly evaluated in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum in relation to the MWM performance protocol. Following initial training, Ro25-6981 enhanced visuospatial memory retrieval performance during further retraining (protocol days 29–32) but did not influence visuospatial reversal learning (day 33). Hippocampal Ascl1 and Casp-3 expressions were correspondingly increased and decreased while cerebellar S100a6 and Casp-3 activities were decreased and increased respectively 27 days after Ro25-6981 treatment. Chronological analysis indicated a possible involvement of new mature neurons in the reconfiguration of memory processes. This was attended by behavioral/gene correlations which revealed direct links between spatial memory retrieval enhancement and modified gene activity induced by NR2B/NMDA receptor blockade and upregulation

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common acute hyperglycaemic emergency in people with diabetes mellitus. A diagnosis of DKA is confirmed when all of the three criteria are present — ‘D’, either elevated blood glucose levels or a family history of diabetes mellitus; ‘K’, the presence of high urinary or blood ketoacids; and ‘A’, a high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Early diagnosis and management are paramount to improve patient outcomes. The mainstays of treatment include restoration of circulating volume, insulin therapy, electrolyte replacement and treatment of any underlying precipitating event. Without optimal treatment, DKA remains a condition with appreciable, although largely preventable, morbidity and mortality. In this Primer, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors and diagnosis of DKA and provide practical recommendations for the management of DKA in adults and children

Verbal aggression in basketball: Perceived coach use and athlete intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

The purpose of this study was to examine how coaches’ verbal aggressiveness, as perceived by the athletes of basketball team sport, is related to athletes’ intrinsic-extrinsic motivation. One hundred eighty basketball athletes completed two questionnaires, during their training sessions. Statistically significant differences were observed in coaches’ verbal aggressiveness (t1,178=3.53, p<.05), intrinsic motivation (t1,177=-6.31, p<.05), identified regulation (t1,178=-8.80, p<.05), external regulation (t1,172=8.56, p<.05) and amotivation (t1,173=8.82, p<.05), between the two genders of the athletes. Correlation analysis revealed that there was a negative significant relationship between coaches’ verbal aggression with intrinsic motivation (r=-.49) and identified regulation (r=.44), but there was a positive significant one with external regulation (r=.46) and amotivation (r=.40). The results of regression analysis revealed that perceived coaches’ verbal aggressiveness could significantly predict the variables of athletes’ intrinsic motivation and external regulation. Findings and implications for coaches’ type of communication are discussed as well as future research suggestions. © 2015, Editura Universitatea din Pitesti. All rights reserved

Photophysical studies of aerosol-OT films loaded with biological macromolecules and made from reverse micelles

Journal URL: http://www.springerlink.com/content/110318

Dystrophic event in Papas lagoon, Araxos Cape, western Greece in the summer 2012

A dystrophic crisis occurred in late June 2012 in the lagoon of Papas, Araxos region, western Greece (Ionian Sea), resulting in massive mortalities of aquatic organisms. The whole event was monitored through the basic aquatic physicochemical parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH) recorded before, during, and after its occurrence. Although the phenomenon was manifested locally, it resulted in complete anoxia in the largest part of the lagoon and lasted ten days. Water quality of the entire lagoon was greatly affected by this dystrophic event and first signs of recovery were observed four months later