Accurate automated quantitative imaging of tortoise erythrocytes using the NIS image analysis system

The standard method for assessing blood cell characteristics using an ocular micrometer is time-consuming and limited. We used the Nikon NIS Elements imaging software and May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining to determine whether automated image analysis is suitable for rapid and accurate quantitative morphometry of erythrocytes. Blood was collected during four seasons from 126 geometric tortoises and the blood smears were evaluated for cell (C) and nuclear (N) characteristics of the erythrocytes. We measured area, length (L), width (W), perimeter, elongation and pixelation intensity, and calculated L/W and N/C areas. Erythrocyte size differed among cohorts; females, the larger sex, had smaller erythrocytes than either males or juveniles. Males had more elongated erythrocytes than females and erythrocytes of adults were more elongated than those of juveniles. Erythrocyte size and shape influence the efficiency of gas exchange owing to surface area to volume ratios, which are greater for small, elongated cells than for large, round cells. The high N/C ratio and low pixelation intensities of males and juveniles indicate that they may have had more immature erythrocytes in their circulation than females. The use of pixelation intensity to indicate the presence of immature erythrocytes was validated by seasonal differences that corresponded to the biology of the tortoises. Pixelation intensity was lowest in winter. We found that automated image analysis is a rapid and reliable method for determining cell size and shape, and it offers the potential for distinguishing among developmental stages that differ in staining intensity. The method should be useful for rapid health assessments, particularly of threatened species, and for comparative studies among different vertebrates.Web of Scienc

Whole-body vibration as a treatment option for chronic lower back pain

Occupational exposure to vibration has long been seen as an important cause of chronic lower back pain (CLBP). However, research has also established that CLBP is associated with reduction or loss of spinal reflexes in the trunk musculature, and also with hampered lumbo-pelvic proprioception. It was therefore hoped that whole-body vibration (WBV), which has been shown to elicit muscle stretch and stretch reflexes, can help to re-establish functionality in the trunk musculature. Studies into the acute spinal responses to vibration support this idea. Independent of this, vibration seems to also reduce the perception of pain in the trunk musculature and elsewhere. Today, a series of clinical studies with more than 300 patients effectively demonstrates the suitability of WBV as a treatment of CLBP, with improvements in pain sensation, in disability, in pelvic flexibility, in pelvic proprioception, in quality of life and in habitual physical activity levels. Thus, WBV lends itself for application in CLBP treatment on a larger scale. Future research should also try to establish which types of vibration exposures (exercising vs. occupational) and which dosage (amplitude, frequency, shape, duration) determine whether vibration is helpful or detrimental

Linking autonomy-supportive leadership to volunteer satisfaction

This study examines the development of volunteer satisfaction within the framework of self-determination theory (SDT). Therewith, autonomy-supportive leadership—as an influential part of the organizational context—is studied as an antecedent of volunteer satisfaction. The hypothesized model suggests that the link between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer satisfaction is serially mediated by general need satisfaction and autonomous motivation. Volunteers (N = 113) working closely together with their supervisors completed a paper-based questionnaire. As predicted, both general need satisfaction and autonomous motivation serially mediated the link between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer satisfaction. The results indicate that autonomy-supportive leadership is an important factor of the organizational context, increasing both volunteers’ autonomous motivation and satisfaction. Practical implications for volunteering organizations, as well as implications for further research, are discussed