A Study of Thoracic Skeletomusculature in Peracarida (Crustacea)

Two species of peracarid malacostracans, a mysid, Neomysis americana, and an oniscid isopod, Trachelipus cf. rathkei, were used to study the skeletomusculature system. Serial sections, whole mounts, and gross dissections were made. Coxal promotors and remotors and basal adductors and abductors were the muscle groups examined. The promotor and remotor muscles of N. americana were found to be numerous, well developed, taking origin primarily from the dorsal thoracic wall, and extending nearly ventrally to insert in the coxa; the adductor muscle and two abductor muscles are weakly developed. The coxa in T. cf. rathkei is incorporated completely into the pleura of the thorax and is not directly functional in locomotion. Coxal muscles were observed in the isopod, but could not be easily distinguished due to this incorporation. Many large muscle bands, originating from the dorsal and dorsolateral thoracic wall, were observed. Some of these muscles are coxal and some are strictly thoracic. The basis of T. cf. rathkei is quite large and held parallel to the body during locomotion. The adductor series is composed of several relatively small muscle bundles. The abductor series has fewer elements, but the muscle bundles are large. These muscle patterns reflect functional adaptations that occurred during specialization from a primitive, generalized form to an advanced, specialized form. These muscles were selected for modification and improvement in accordance with their functional possibilities during the peracarid adaptive radiation

A Study of Thoracic Skeletomusculature in Peracarida (Crustacea)

Two species of peracarid malacostracans, a mysid, Neomysis americana, and an oniscid isopod, Trachelipus cf. rathkei, were used to study the skeletomusculature system. Serial sections, whole mounts, and gross dissections were made. Coxal promotors and remotors and basal adductors and abductors were the muscle groups examined. The promotor and remotor muscles of N. americana were found to be numerous, well developed, taking origin primarily from the dorsal thoracic wall, and extending nearly ventrally to insert in the coxa; the adductor muscle and two abductor muscles are weakly developed. The coxa in T. cf. rathkei is incorporated completely into the pleura of the thorax and is not directly functional in locomotion. Coxal muscles were observed in the isopod, but could not be easily distinguished due to this incorporation. Many large muscle bands, originating from the dorsal and dorsolateral thoracic wall, were observed. Some of these muscles are coxal and some are strictly thoracic. The basis of T. cf. rathkei is quite large and held parallel to the body during locomotion. The adductor series is composed of several relatively small muscle bundles. The abductor series has fewer elements, but the muscle bundles are large. These muscle patterns reflect functional adaptations that occurred during specialization from a primitive, generalized form to an advanced, specialized form. These muscles were selected for modification and improvement in accordance with their functional possibilities during the peracarid adaptive radiation

Reporting on social marketing issues - a news media analysis

This paper explores online news media reporting through automated web content analysis to determine the prevalence and attitudes of social marketing issues across various countries. Results showed that Education and Work was the most commonly reported on category followed by Health Services, Family Planning, Environment, Crime and Justice and Road Safety. News media reporting in South Africa was particularly strong across Education and Work as well as Health Services. Canada recorded the highest reporting for Family Planning. New Zealand was the most prevalent reporter for the Environmental category. Crime and Justice and Road Safety only contributed a negligible amount to the overall term frequency counts across all categories. Social marketing stakeholders must continue to rally supportfrom the media in order to increase awareness of specific issues facing countries and society

Cerebellar and brainstem differences in children with developmental coordination disorder: A voxel-based morphometry study

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly impairs a child’s ability to learn motor skills and to perform everyday activities. The cause of DCD is unknown; however, evidence suggests that children with DCD have altered brain structure and function. While the cerebellum has been hypothesised to be involved in developmental coordination disorder, no studies have specifically examined cerebellar structure in this population. The purpose of our study was to examine cerebellar differences in children with DCD compared to typically-developing children. Using voxel-based morphometry, we assessed cerebellar morphology in children 8–12 years of age. Forty-six children (12 typically-developing and 34 with DCD) were investigated using high resolution T1-weighted images, which were then processed using the spatially unbiased atlas template of the cerebellum and brainstem (SUIT) toolbox for a region of interest-based examination of the cerebellum. Results revealed that children with DCD had reduced grey matter volume in several regions, namely: the brainstem, right/left crus I, right crus II, left VI, right VIIb, and right VIIIa lobules. Further, Pearson correlations revealed significant positive associations between the total motor percentile score on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and regions that had reduced grey matter volume in our cohort (brainstem, left crus I, right VIIb, and right VIIIa). These findings indicate that reductions in cerebellar grey matter volume are associated with poorer motor skills. Given the cerebellum’s involvement in internal models of movement, results of this study may help to explain why children with DCD struggle to learn motor skills

Investigating the prevalence of malnutrition, frailty and physical disability and the association between them amongst older care home residents

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, frailty and physical disability are inter-related, more prevalent in the older population and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Thus, screening is essential, especially in the understudied care home setting where the population is vulnerable and at higher risk of malnutrition. Furthermore, prevalence may vary depending upon screening tools used. The aims of this study were to: 1) investigate the prevalence of 1) malnutrition risk using Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF) and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), 2) frailty using the Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS), 3) physical disability using the Barthel Index (BI) and (4) examine the association between variables and coexistence of states. METHODS: Screening for malnutrition (MNA-SF and MUST) and frailty (EFS) was performed as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in 527 residents from 17 care homes in Lincoln, UK. Mean age of the group was 85.6 ± 7.6 years and body mass index, BMI 23.0 ± 5.1 kg/m2. RESULTS: A high prevalence of malnutrition risk was detected: 41.4% by MNA-SF and 25.5% by MUST (high risk/malnourished). Furthermore, there was a clear discordance between MNA-SF and MUST scoring of malnutrition; for example, the percentage of those identified as being at low risk was 18.8% using the MNA-SF and 57.0% using the MUST. In addition, there was a high prevalence of severe frailty by EFS (69.6%) and functional impairment by BI (62.0%). There was good association between some variables (P < 0.001) and 33.4% of residents had coexistence of all three states of malnutrition, frailty and physical disability. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition risk, frailty and physical disability are highly prevalent in care home residents and interrelated. However, prevalence varies depending on the screening tool used. More research should be conducted in the care home setting to improve daily clinical practice as screening may impact upon subsequent treatment and care modalities and clinical outcomes

Communicating Sustainability: A Web Content Analysis of North American, European and Asian Firms

Purpose. The purpose of this research is to determine firms' sustainability efforts through triple bottom line reporting on the World Wide Web. Sustainability reporting can assist in brand differentiation to stakeholder groups and ultimately lead to a positive corporate reputation. Method. Automated web content analysis was used to determine and differentiate 39 oil and gas firms' reporting of economic, social and environmental disclosures across Europe, North America and Asia. Firms were benchmarked for their disclosures against key terms derived from the Global Reporting Initiative. Findings. North American firms disclose the greatest amount of TBL information for both environmental and economic indicators. European firms are the most prevalent reporters of social indicators. Asian firms displayed the most positive bias to their sustainability reporting

Cloning and Characterization of Glutamate Receptors in Californian Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)

Domoic acid produced by marine algae has been shown to cause acute and chronic neurologic sequelae in Californian sea lions following acute or low-dose exposure. Histological findings in affected animals included a degenerative cardiomyopathy that was hypothesized to be caused by over-excitation of the glutamate receptors (GluRs) speculated to be present in the sea lion heart. Thus tissues from five sea lions without lesions associated with domoic acid toxicity and one animal with domoic acid-induced chronic neurologic sequelae and degenerative cardiomyopathy were examined for the presence of GluRs. Immunohistochemistry localized mGluR 2/3, mGluR 5, GluR 2/3 and NMDAR 1 in structures of the conducting system and blood vessels. NMDAR 1 and GluR 2/3 were the most widespread as immunoreactivity was observed within sea lion conducting system structures. PCR analysis, cloning and subsequent sequencing of the seal lion GluRs showed only 80% homology to those from rats, but more than 95% homologous to those from dogs. The cellular distribution and expression of subtypes of GluRs in the sea lion hearts suggests that exposure to domoic acid may induce cardiac damage and functional disturbances

Chemical Plants Remain Vulnerable to Terrorists: A Call to Action

U.S. chemical plants currently have potentially catastrophic vulnerabilities as terrorist targets. The possible consequences of these vulnerabilities echo from the tragedies of the Bhopal incident in 1984 to the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 and, most recently, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Findings from a 2004 nationwide participatory research study of 125 local union leaders at sites with very large volumes of highly hazardous chemicals suggest that voluntary efforts to achieve chemical plant security are not succeeding. Study respondents reported that companies had only infrequently taken actions that are most effective in preventing or in preparing to respond to a terrorist threat. In addition, companies reportedly often failed to involve key stakeholders, including workers, local unions, and the surrounding communities, in these efforts. The environmental health community thus has an opportunity to play a key role in advocating for and supporting improvements in prevention of and preparation for terrorist attacks. Policy-level recommendations to redress chemical site vulnerabilities and the related ongoing threats to the nation’s security are as follows: a) specify detailed requirements for chemical site assessment and security; b) mandate audit inspections supported by significant penalties for cases of noncompliance; c) require progress toward achieving inherently safer processes, including the minimizing of storage of highly hazardous chemicals; d) examine and require additional effective actions in prevention, emergency preparedness, and response and remediation; e) mandate and fund the upgrading of emergency communication systems; and f) involve workers and community members in plan creation and equip and prepare them to prevent and respond effectively to an incident