Quantification of Reef Fish Assemblages: A Comparison of Several In Situ Methods

On two coral reef biotopes off St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands a total of 41 in situ visual assessments of reef fish assemblages were conducted using six different methods. These methods included: transect, quadrat, random count, clnetransect, cineturret, and still photography. The dependent variables (numbers of species and species diversity) were examined for possible influence by the independent sample variables (time of day, amount of observation, time, reef site, and census method). Cluster analyses indicated that all methods gather data which allow community separation based on the sample variables. However, methods which tend to produce more information in terms of more species and numbers of individuals tend to recognize these sample variables more distinctly. Census assessment methods strongly Influenced the dependent variables. It is suspected that the amount of time employed for each method may be the most Important feature influencing in situ reef fish assemblage assessments

Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease: Four years of experience

Background-The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate efficacy and middle-term results of the stent graft treatment for diseases of descending thoracic aorta. Methods and Results-From March 1999 to October 2003, 132 patients (113 male and 19 female, mean age 62±14 years) were enrolled. They were divided into 4 groups: aneurysms (43, group A), post-traumatic lesions (24, group B), and complicated type B dissections (43, group C). Twenty-two further patients, with chronic type B dissection and not suitable for endovascular or surgical or hybrid techniques because of multiple entry tears without difference between the true and false lumen and poor clinical conditions, were obliged to receive medical management only (group D). All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan and angiography as preoperative assessment. An optimal deployment with exclusion of the aneurysm and/or closure of the entry tear in dissection was achieved in 96.4% (106/110) of the patients that were discharged in good conditions within 6 days. No spinal cord injuries were observed. The follow-up (average 20.82±10.01 months, range 1 to 55 months), performed with serial chest CT scans, was 100% complete. No stent graft-related complications were detected, although only in 1 case, an asymptomatic rupture of the Excluder connecting bar was found with a perforation of the fabric and an intra-aortic exposition of the bar itself. In 2 patients with chronic dissection an asymptomatic type II endoleak was detected. A total of 4 hospital deaths resulted in an overall operative mortality of 3.9%. Seven patients (6.3%) died during the follow-up 5 of them for other diseases (4.5%). However, a 40.9% mortality was observed within the obliged medical treatment group. Conclusions-Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic diseases, even in the acute phase, may represent a valid option with a low mortality rate. Moreover, the efficacy is proved in the middle-term whereas the long-term follow-up is still pending

Population Changes and Location-Specific Differences for Otolith-Derived Age and Growth of Recreationally Harvested Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) From Alabama in 2007

Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), is a nonmigratory game fish common in the Gulf of Mexico that is important in estuarine ecosystems. Population dynamics of spotted seatrout were examined using otolith-based age-and-growth models derived from observed and back-calculated length-at-age values. These data were used to identify sex-based differences and annular variation. Recent growth was quantified, using marginal increment analysis for comparisons between sexes and the two major bays in Alabama (Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound). Sex ratios were also compared for these locations. Our results show that females were larger than males and that fish collected in Mobile Bay were larger than those from Mississippi Sound. Combined data from both bays resulted in a sex ratio that approached 1 : 1; however, examination of each bay individually showed that the Mississippi Sound had a female-biased population and that Mobile Bay had a male-biased population. Differences in observed length-at-age measurements became evident between males and females by age 2 with females typically larger than males, whereas the maximum age for males was greater. The oldest females were age 5 and the oldest males were age 8. Compared to previous estimates of trout growth in Alabama, results showed an increase in the modal length of fish and increased growth rates. Results suggest faster growth of the fish in the current population and decreased harvest of larger fish compared to historic estimates. This may be indicative of ecosystem-wide changes in spotted seatrout populations and highlights the need to closely monitor this population

Immersive Virtual Environments and Wearable Haptic Devices in rehabilitation of children with neuromotor impairments: a single-blind randomized controlled crossover pilot study

Background: The past decade has seen the emergence of rehabilitation treatments using virtual reality. One of the advantages in using this technology is the potential to create positive motivation, by means of engaging environments and tasks shaped in the form of serious games. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of immersive Virtual Environments and weaRable hAptic devices (VERA) for rehabilitation of upper limb in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Developmental Dyspraxia (DD). Methods: A two period cross-over design was adopted for determining the differences between the proposed therapy and a conventional treatment. Eight children were randomized into two groups: one group received the VERA treatment in the first period and the manual therapy in the second period, and viceversa for the other group. Children were assessed at the beginning and the end of each period through both the Nine Hole Peg Test (9-HPT, primary outcome) and Kinesiological Measurements obtained during the performing of similar tasks in a real setting scenario (secondary outcomes). Results: All subjects, not depending from which group they come from, significantly improved in both the performance of the 9-HPT and in the parameters of the kinesiological measurements (movement error and smoothness). No statistically significant differences have been found between the two groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that immersive VE and wearable haptic devices is a viable alternative to conventional therapy for improving upper extremity function in children with neuromotor impairments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials, NCT03353623. Registered 27 November 2017-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03353623

Factors Associated with Artificial-Reef Fish Assemblages

Visual census (5-min point-count, 100 m2) was used to estimate fish assemblage parameters associated with artificial reef variables from 64 reefs over a 3-yr period in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Dependent variables, recorded by divers [i.e., number of species, number of individuals, length (TL in cm), and species diversity (H\u27)], were analyzed for their associations with potentially underlying environmental attributes using stepwise regression, TWINSPAN, and canonical correspondence analyses (CCA). The fish assemblages (dominated by haemulids, labrids, and serranids) were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the assemblages described by others from the same general area. Pelagic fishes (carangids and scombrids) associated with the reefs were among the most numerous and were the largest predators in the assemblage. The stepwise regression analysis was able to account for fairly high percentages of the variation in number of species (37%), number of red snapper (43%), and size of red snapper (52%). TWINSPAN allowed the recognition of fish assemblages based on their inshore-offshore biotopes. Vermilion snapper was identified as a key indicator species. The CCA helped identify species groups and factors associated with them. The affinity of pinfish and spottail pinfish with rock jetty was evident, as was the association of triggerfish with vertical steel structure. Although the axis loadings using CCA did not identify a clear species/factor relationship, this analytical method should prove useful in recognizing environmental factors that can be controlled to optimize species-specific artificial reef construction

Leaves and fruits preparations of Pistacia lentiscus L.: A review on the ethnopharmacological uses and implications in inflammation and infection

There is an increasing interest in revisiting plants for drug discovery, proving scientifically their role as remedies. The aim of this review was to give an overview of the ethnopharmacological uses of Pistacia lentiscus L. (PlL) leaves and fruits, expanding the search for the scientific discovery of their chemistry, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antimicrobial activities. PlL is a wild-growing shrub rich in terpenoids and polyphenols, the oil and extracts of which have been widely used against inflammation and infections, and as wound healing agents. The more recurrent components in PlL essential oil (EO) are represented by α-pinene, terpinene, caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, with high variability in concentration depending on the Mediterranean country. The anti-inflammatory activity of the oil mainly occurs due to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the arachidonic acid cascade. Interestingly, the capacity against COX-2 and LOX indicates PlL EO as a dual inhibitory compound. The high content of polyphenols enriching the extracts provide explanations for the known biological properties of the plant. The protective effect against reactive oxygen species is of wide interest. In particular, their anthocyanins content greatly clarifies their antioxidative capacity. Further, the antimicrobial activity of PlL oil and extracts includes the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, periodontal bacteria and Candida spp. In conclusion, the relevant scientific properties indicate PlL as a nutraceutical and also as a therapeutic agent against a wide range of diseases based on inflammation and infections