A Survey of the Reef-Related Medusa (Cnidaria) Community in the Western Caribbean Sea

The species composition, distribution, and abundance of medusae collected during a 4-day plankton survey in a reef system of the Mexican Caribbean were studied. Highest mean medusae abundance was observed over the fore-reef zone and in daytime samples. Lowest abundances occurred in the reef lagoon and at dusk. Seventeen species were identified, with Liriope tetraphylla, Aglaura hemistoma, Cubaia aphrodite, and Sarsia prolifera being the most abundant. They belong to a group of medusae dominant along the world\u27s second largest barrier reef. Cluster analysis revealed primary (fore-reef) and secondary (reef lagoon, channel) oceanic groups, showing the strong oceanic influence along and across the reef system. Day-to-day variation in the reef medusan community seemed relatively unimportant. The community structure of the reef medusa fauna appeared to be quite uniform despite the expected migratory behavior of these predators, tidal exchange across the reef, introduction of oceanic species, and time of day. The species composition was most closely related to that of the Campeche Bank and oceanic Caribbean waters. Dominance of oceanic medusae within the reef lagoon was attributed to the narrowness of the continental shelf and the mesoscale hydrological features of the zone

A Survey of the Reef-Related Medusa (Cnidaria) Community in the Western Caribbean Sea

The species composition, distribution, and abundance of medusae collected during a 4-day plankton survey in a reef system of the Mexican Caribbean were studied. Highest mean medusae abundance was observed over the fore-reef zone and in daytime samples. Lowest abundances occurred in the reef lagoon and at dusk. Seventeen species were identified, with Liriope tetraphylla, Aglaura hemistoma, Cubaia aphrodite, and Sarsia prolifera being the most abundant. They belong to a group of medusae dominant along the world\u27s second largest barrier reef. Cluster analysis revealed primary (fore-reef) and secondary (reef lagoon, channel) oceanic groups, showing the strong oceanic influence along and across the reef system. Day-to-day variation in the reef medusan community seemed relatively unimportant. The community structure of the reef medusa fauna appeared to be quite uniform despite the expected migratory behavior of these predators, tidal exchange across the reef, introduction of oceanic species, and time of day. The species composition was most closely related to that of the Campeche Bank and oceanic Caribbean waters. Dominance of oceanic medusae within the reef lagoon was attributed to the narrowness of the continental shelf and the mesoscale hydrological features of the zone

Response of steppe birds to various levels of farming intensity and of modification of the agricultural landscape: a comparative analysis of their effects on population density and habitat selection in the Little and Great Bustards (Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda)

We review the main studies on habitat selection at the scale of agrarian substrate by two non-passerine birds typical of Iberian and Mediterranean cereal farmland, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax and the Great Bustard Otis tarda. For each species and at each study site, we analyse the influence of landscape composition and degree of agrarian intensification on population density and pattern of agrarian substrate selection. Neither landscape composition nor intensification level showed any significant effect on population density, although landscape diversity was positively co-related with little bustard population density. The pattern of agrarian substrate selection was unaffected by landscape composition or agrarian intensification in either species, while the type of substrate itself was the only variable affecting such pattern in both of them. We discuss the implications of these results for the conservation of both speciesNous présentons ici une synthèse des principaux travaux sur la sélection de l'habitat en plaine cultivée par l'Outarde canepetière Tetrax tetrax et l'Outarde barbue Otis tarda, oiseaux non passeriformes inféodés aux paysages agricoles céréaliers ibériques et méditerranéens. Pour chacune de ces deux espèces et pour chaque site d'étude, nous analysons l'influence de la composition du paysage agricole ainsi que celle du degré d'intensification de l'agriculture sur les densités de population et le patron de sélection de couverture agraire. La composition et le degré d'intensification du paysage agricole, mesurés respectivement par des indices de culture et d'intensification, ne montrent aucun effet significatif sur les densités de population de ces deux espèces, bien que, pour l'Outarde canepetière, il existe une relation positive significative entre la densité de population et la diversité des cultures. Chez les deux espèces étudiées, ni la composition du paysage, ni le degré d'intensification rencontré sur les différents sites d'étude n'ont d'effet significatif sur le patron de sélection de couverture agraire. Les causes possibles des résultats observés et leurs implications pour la conservation sont discutées

Accuracy and Precision of the COSMED K5 Portable Analyser

The main aims of this study were to determine the accuracy of the portable metabolic cart K5 by comparison with a stationary metabolic cart (Vyntus CPX), to check on the validity of Vyntus CPX using a butane combustion test, and to assess the reliability of K5 during prolonged walks in the field. For validation, measurements were consecutively performed tests with both devices at rest and during submaximal exercise (bicycling) at low (60 W) and moderate intensities (130–160 W) in 16 volunteers. For the reliability study, 14 subjects were measured two times during prolonged walks (13 km, at 5 km/h), with the K5 set in mixing chamber (Mix) mode. Vyntus measured the stoichiometric RQ of butane combustion with high accuracy (error <1.6%) and precision (CV <0.5%), at VO2 values between 0.788 and 6.395 L/min. At rest and 60 W, there was good agreement between Vyntus and K5 (breath-by-breath, B×B) in VO2, VCO2, RER, and energy expenditure, while in Mix mode the K5 overestimated VO2 by 13.4 and 5.8%, respectively. Compared to Vyntus, at moderate intensity the K5 in B×B mode underestimated VO2, VCO2, and energy expenditure by 6.6, 6.9, and 6.6%, respectively. However, at this intensity there was an excellent agreement between methods in RER and fat oxidation. In Mix mode, K5 overestimated VO2 by 5.8 and 4.8%, at 60 W and the higher intensity, respectively. The K5 had excellent reliability during the field tests. Total energy expenditure per Km was determined with a CV for repeated measurements of 4.5% (CI: 3.2–6.9%) and a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.91, similar to the variability in VO2. This high reproducibility was explained by the low variation of FEO2 measurements, which had a CV of 0.9% (CI: 0.7–1.5%) combined with a slightly greater variability of FECO2, VE, VCO2, and RER. In conclusion, the K5 is an excellent portable metabolic cart which is almost as accurate as a state-of-art stationary metabolic cart, capable of measuring precisely energy expenditure in the field, showing a reliable performance during more than 2 h of continuous work. At high intensities, the mixing-chamber mode is more accurate than the B×B mode

Colon cancer controls versus population controls in case-control studies of occupational risk factors

BACKGROUND: Since updated population registers do not exist in many countries it is often difficult to sample valid population controls from the study base to a case-control study. Use of patient controls is an alternative option if the exposure experience under study for these patients are interchangeable with the experience for population controls. Patient controls may even be preferable from population controls under certain conditions. In this study we examine if colon cancer patients can serve as surrogates for proper population controls in case-control studies of occupational risk factors. METHODS: The study was conducted from 1995 to 1997. Incident colon cancer controls (N = 428) aged 35–69 years with a histological verified diagnosis and population controls (N = 583) were selected. Altogether 254 (59%) of the colon cancer controls and 320 (55%) of the population controls were interviewed about occupational, medical and life style conditions. RESULTS: No statistical significant difference for educational level, medical history or smoking status was seen between the two control groups. There was evidence of a higher alcohol intake, less frequent work as a farmer and less exposure to pesticides among colon cancer controls. CONCLUSIONS: Use of colon cancer controls may provide valid exposure estimates in studies of many occupational risk factors for cancer, but not for studies on exposure related to farming

Estilos de vida en estudiantes del área de la salud de Bucaramanga

ABSTRACT: In this study, the lifestyles of 378 health care students from Bucaramanga city were examined. Four analytical dimensions were considered: exercise and physical activity; alcohol consumption; smoking and psychoactive substances use; and sexuality. The research concludes that consistent with previous studies the possession of knowledge, adequate health beliefs, and motivations towards healthy practices are insufficient for the adoption of healthy behaviors. A larger exploratory study that addresses the reasons for the inconsistencies between beliefs and motivations versus healthy practices is required.RESUMEN: En el presente estudio se evaluaron los estilos de vida de 378 estudiantes del área de la salud residentes en la ciudad de Bucaramanga. Se estudiaron cuatro dimensiones analíticas: ejercicio y actividad física; consumo de alcohol; consumo de cigarrillo y sustancias psicoactivas; y la sexualidad. La investigación concluyó que, acorde con estudios previos, la posesión de conocimiento no es suficiente para la adopción de conductas saludables, así como tampoco lo son el disponer de creencias adecuadas sobre la salud o de motivaciones consistentes frente a la práctica saludable. Se requiere un estudio explicativo de mayor envergadura que aborde las razones de las incongruencias entre las creencias y las motivaciones frente a las prácticas saludables.

N-1-methylnicotinamide is a signalling molecule produced in skeletal muscle coordinating energy metabolism

Obesity is a major health problem, and although caloric restriction and exercise are successful strategies to lose adipose tissue in obese individuals, a simultaneous decrease in skeletal muscle mass, negatively effects metabolism and muscle function. To deeper understand molecular events occurring in muscle during weight-loss, we measured the expressional change in human skeletal muscle following a combination of severe caloric restriction and exercise over 4 days in 15 Swedish men. Key metabolic genes were regulated after the intervention, indicating a shift from carbohydrate to fat metabolism. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) was the most consistently upregulated gene following the energy-deficit exercise. Circulating levels of N-1-methylnicotinamide (MNA), the product of NNMT activity, were doubled after the intervention. The fasting-fed state was an important determinant of plasma MNA levels, peaking at similar to 18 h of fasting and being lowest similar to 3 h after a meal. In culture, MNA was secreted by isolated human myotubes and stimulated lipolysis directly, with no effect on glucagon or insulin secretion. We propose that MNA is a novel myokine that enhances the utilization of energy stores in response to low muscle energy availability. Future research should focus on applying MNA as a biomarker to identify individuals with metabolic disturbances at an early stage.Peer reviewe

Risk of infection and adverse outcomes among pregnant working women in selected occupational groups: A study in the Danish National Birth Cohort

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exposure to infectious pathogens is a frequent occupational hazard for women who work with patients, children, animals or animal products. The purpose of the present study is to investigate if women working in occupations where exposure to infections agents is common have a high risk of infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used data from the Danish National Birth Cohort, a population-based cohort study and studied the risk of Infection and adverse outcomes in pregnant women working with patients, with children, with food products or with animals. The regression analysis were adjusted for the following covariates: maternal age, parity, history of miscarriage, socio-occupational status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking habit, alcohol consumption.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pregnant women who worked with patients or children or food products had an excess risk of sick leave during pregnancy for more than three days. Most of negative reproductive outcomes were not increased in these occupations but the prevalence of congenital anomalies (CAs) was slightly higher in children of women who worked with patients. The prevalence of small for gestational age infants was higher among women who worked with food products. There was no association between occupation infections during pregnancy and the risk of reproductive failures in the exposed groups. However, the prevalence of CAs was slightly higher among children of women who suffered some infection during pregnancy but the numbers were small.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite preventive strategies, working in specific jobs during pregnancy may impose a higher risk of infections, and working in some of these occupations may impose a slightly higher risk of CAs in their offspring. Most other reproductive failures were not increased in these occupations.</p