A small collection of bryophytes from Ethiopia

6 liverwort taxa and 21 moss taxa were collected at or near Lalibela, Wolo Province, Ethiopia, on 1-2 March 1997, of which 12 moss taxa are new to the country

Caudalejeunea yangambiensis (Vanden Berghen) E.W.Jones (Lejeuneaceae) with mature perianths from Ghana

Mature perianths of Caudalejeunea yangambiensis (Vanden Berghen) E.W.Jones (Lejeuneaceae) are described for the first time, and the species reported new to Ghana

British Bryological Society expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi : 15., Lejeuneaceae, and the occurrence and frequency of foliicolous taxa

Details of habitat and location are given for 64 taxa of Lejeuneaceae collected during the BBS expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi in 1991, of which 47 are new to Malawi. The occurrence and frequency of foliicolous taxa are documented

A small collection of bryophytes from Montserrat, West Indies

Four species of liverworts and 13 taxa of mosses have been identified from samples collected in Montserrat in 1980, 11 of which appear to be new to the island

Bryophytes of Uganda : 1., BBS Tropical Bryology Group expeditions, 1996-1998 ; introduction and collecting sites

The British Bryological Society Tropical Bryology Group (TBG) undertook three expeditions to Uganda, in Jan-Feb 1996, Jan-Feb 1997 and June-Jul 1998. Collections were made from 134 sites, mainly from national parks and forest reserves in western and southern Uganda

Bryophytes of Uganda : 4., new and additional records, 2

20 hepatics and 16 mosses are reported new to Uganda, 1 moss being also new to Africa. A further 6 taxa are recorded for the second time from Uganda

British Bryological Society expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi : 13., new and other unpublished records

Further results are provided of the 1991 British Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mt., Malawi including 168 taxa of bryophyte, comprising 72 taxa of liverwort (38 new to Malawi) and 96 taxa of mosses (45 new to Malawi)

Bryophytes of Uganda : 2., new and interesting records

51 hepatics and 46 mosses are reported new to Uganda, including one moss new to Africa, one hepatic and two mosses new to mainland Africa, and 2 hepatics that are otherwise known only from their type collection

Is it safe to vape? Analyzing online forums discussing e-cigarette use during pregnancy

Introduction Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping, is increasing against a backdrop of declining smoking rates. E-cigarettes contain fewer toxicants than cigarettes, but their appearance and mode of use has the potential to satisfy the habitual aspects of smoking. To date, we know little about lay perceptions of the safety of using e-cigarettes in pregnancy. Methods We conducted a thematic discourse analysis of 13 online discussion forum threads that discussed e-cigarette use during pregnancy. We focused on the major discursive strategies that forum posters used to debate the safety of e-cigarette use during pregnancy. Results We identified three distinct ways in which forum posters debated the safety of using e-cigarettes during pregnancy: 1) quitting (nicotine) cold turkey is unsafe, 2) vaping is the lesser of two evils, and 3) vaping is not worth the risk. Conclusions Discussions about the safety of e-cigarettes drew on the premise that 1) immediate cessation of nicotine was potentially harmful and unsafe, 2) e-cigarettes were a harm reduction tool, or 3) vaping could be dangerous and should be avoided. Although these arguments are not necessarily specific to pregnancy (beside mentions of fetal-specific risks), this analysis points to the need to educate and support women about harm reduction options. Implications Health professionals should be aware that some women may be currently using or considering using e-cigarettes in an effort to quit or reduce smoking. It is important that health professionals are equipped to educate women with accurate, up-to-date, and balanced information about the risks and benefits of e-cigarette use during pregnancy

The potential role of serum ferritin in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Elevated serum ferritin levels have been observed in several disease states including various malignancies, inflammatory states, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This discussion will examine the normal sequence of events in T cell activation and proliferation, as well as the various defects in these events, and monocyte/macrophage and NK cell activity seen in AIDS patients. Further, the potential role of a serum suppressor factor as a contributor to the profound immunosuppression seen in AIDS will be discussed, as will evidence suggesting that ferritin may be this factor. A model is presented to explain mechanisms by which ferritin might suppress immune function and further studies to elaborate these mechanisms are proposed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27766/1/0000160.pd