Levinseniella deblocki, New Species (Trematoda: Digenea: Microphallidae) from Salt Marshes along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico with Notes on Its Functional Morphology and Life History

Levinseniella (Austromicrophallus) deblocki, n. sp., was collected during parasitologic studies of homeothermic vertebrates from salt marshes along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Because L. deblocki lacks a femal epouch, it belongs to the subgenus Monarrhenos proposed by Deblock and Pearson (1970). However, since Deblock and Pearson did not explicitly designate a type species for Monarrhenos, it is not available and is a nomen nudum. The next available name, Austormicrophallus Szidat, 1964, a genus synonymized with Levinseniella Stiles and Hassall, 1901 by Deblock (1978), is reinstated as a subgenus to receive the species lacking a female pouch and previously assigned to Monarrhenos. The adult of L. deblocki is found in the lower digestive tracts of the clapper rail (Rallus longirostris), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Morphologically, L. deblocki appears to be most similar to L. polydactyla Deblock and Rose, 1962, known from Europe, and L. ophidea (Nicol, Dameree, and Wootton, 1985), described from a freshwater habitat in California. Differences in the life cycle, habitat type, and geographic distribution, plus a combination of distinctive morphological characters (presence of lappets on the oral sucker, number of genital pockets, and body size) separate L. deblocki from the other members of the subgenus Austromicrophallus. The metacercarial stage of L. deblocki occurs in the gonads of fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the fist intermediate host appears to be a hydrobud gastropod (Heleobops sp.). Observations on living and preserved specimens fixed in copula indicate that the genital atrium functions as an eversible hermaphroditic organ bearing the male papillae and metraterm. The genital hooks or “Jägersköld’s bodies” appear to function as holdfast structures during copulation

Levinseniella deblocki, New Species (Trematoda: Digenea: Microphallidae) from Salt Marshes along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico with Notes on Its Functional Morphology and Life History

Levinseniella (Austromicrophallus) deblocki, n. sp., was collected during parasitologic studies of homeothermic vertebrates from salt marshes along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Because L. deblocki lacks a femal epouch, it belongs to the subgenus Monarrhenos proposed by Deblock and Pearson (1970). However, since Deblock and Pearson did not explicitly designate a type species for Monarrhenos, it is not available and is a nomen nudum. The next available name, Austormicrophallus Szidat, 1964, a genus synonymized with Levinseniella Stiles and Hassall, 1901 by Deblock (1978), is reinstated as a subgenus to receive the species lacking a female pouch and previously assigned to Monarrhenos. The adult of L. deblocki is found in the lower digestive tracts of the clapper rail (Rallus longirostris), rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Morphologically, L. deblocki appears to be most similar to L. polydactyla Deblock and Rose, 1962, known from Europe, and L. ophidea (Nicol, Dameree, and Wootton, 1985), described from a freshwater habitat in California. Differences in the life cycle, habitat type, and geographic distribution, plus a combination of distinctive morphological characters (presence of lappets on the oral sucker, number of genital pockets, and body size) separate L. deblocki from the other members of the subgenus Austromicrophallus. The metacercarial stage of L. deblocki occurs in the gonads of fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the fist intermediate host appears to be a hydrobud gastropod (Heleobops sp.). Observations on living and preserved specimens fixed in copula indicate that the genital atrium functions as an eversible hermaphroditic organ bearing the male papillae and metraterm. The genital hooks or “Jägersköld’s bodies” appear to function as holdfast structures during copulation

Reliability and validity of pendulum test measures of spasticity obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from patients with chronic stroke

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spasticity is a common impairment accompanying stroke. Spasticity of the quadriceps femoris muscle can be quantified using the pendulum test. The measurement properties of pendular kinematics captured using a magnetic tracking system has not been studied among patients who have experienced a stroke. Therefore, this study describes the test-retest reliability and known groups and convergent validity of the pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight patients with chronic stroke underwent pendulum tests with their affected and unaffected lower limbs, with and without the addition of a 2.2 kg cuff weight at the ankle, using the Polhemus magnetic tracking system. Also measured bilaterally were knee resting angles, Ashworth scores (grades 0–4) of quadriceps femoris muscles, patellar tendon (knee jerk) reflexes (grades 0–4), and isometric knee extension force.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three measures obtained from pendular traces of the affected side were reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ .844). Known groups validity was confirmed by demonstration of a significant difference in the measurements between sides. Convergent validity was supported by correlations ≥ .57 between pendulum test measures and other measures reflective of spasticity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from the affected side of patients with stroke have good test-retest reliability and both known groups and convergent validity.</p

Mini-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement reduces the length of stay in the cardiac intensive care unit: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background Mini-sternotomy for isolated aortic valve replacement aims to reduce operative trauma hastening recovery and improving the cosmetic outcome of cardiac surgery. The short-term clinical benefits from the mini-sternotomy are presumed to arise because the incision is less extensive and the lower half of the chest cage remains intact. The basic conduct of virtually all other aspects of the aortic valve replacement procedure remains the same. Therefore, similar long-term outcomes are to be expected. Objectives To conduct a meta-analysis of the only available randomised controlled trials (RCT) in the published English literature. Data sources Electronic search for relevant publications in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were performed. Four studies met the criteria. Study eligibility criteria RCT comparing minimally invasive (inverted C or L (J)-shaped) hemi-sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy for adults undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement using standard cardiopulmonary bypass technique. Methods Outcome measures were the length of positive pressure ventilation, blood loss, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. Results The length of ICU stay was significantly shorter by 0.57 days in favour of the mini-sternotomy group (CI −0.95 to −0.2; p=0.003). There was no advantage in terms of duration of ventilation (CI −3.48 to 0.36; p=0.11). However, there was some evidence to suggest a reduction in blood loss and the length of stay in hospital in the mini-sternotomy group. This did not prove to be statistically significant (154.17 ml reduction (CI −324.51 to 16.17; p=0.08) and 2.03 days less (CI −4.12 to 0.05; p=0.06), respectively). Limitations This study includes a relatively small number of subjects (n=220) and outcome variables. The risk of bias was not assessed during this meta-analysis. Conclusion Mini-sternotomy for isolated aortic valve replacement significantly reduces the length of stay in the cardiac ICU. Other short-term benefits may include a reduction in blood loss or the length of hospital stay

Applications of a Hybrid Manufacturing Process for Fabrication and Repair of Metallic Structures

Since its appearance, rapid prototyping technology has been of interest to various industries that are looking for a process to produce/build a part directly from a CAD model in a short time. Among them, the direct metal deposition process is the only process which directly manufactures a fully dense metal part without intermediate steps. However, challenges of the direct metal deposition process include building overhang structures, producing precision surfaces, and making parts with complex structures. Coupled between the additive and the subtractive processes into a single workstation, the integrated process, or hybrid process, can produce a metal part with machining accuracy and surface finish. Therefore, the hybrid process is potentially a very competitive process to fabricate and repair metallic structures. This paper summarizes the current development of the hybrid process to process high temperature metallic materials, including tool steel and Ti64. Research in simulation and modeling, process development, and actual part building and repair are discussed

Modeling and Simulation of a Laser Deposition Process

A laser deposition process involves the supply of metallic powders into a laser-heated spot where the powder is melted and forms a melt puddle which quickly solidifies into a bead. In order to design an effective system, the laser beam, the powder beam, and their interactions need to be fully understood. In this paper, the laser-material interaction within the melt pool is reported using a multi-scale model: A macroscopic model to model mass, heat, and momentum transfer. Experiments were also conducted to validate the simulation model

Selective incorporation of iododeoxyuridine into DNA of hepatic metastases versus normal human liver

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109868/1/cptclpt1988166.pd