Density control of Tilapia sp. population pouds by Lates niloticus (Nile perch)

Experiments in controlling Tilapia populations in ponds by using Lates as a predator have been carried cut in Kajansi Fish Farm, Kampala, since 1957. The Lates for these experiments were brought from Lake Albert. Failure to produce Lates fingerlings in any number at Kajansi brought the experiments to a standstill. The high turbidity of Kajansi's Ponds may be the explanation for the failure to breed the Lates. The only breeding which has taken place was a wild spawning which produced about 100 fingerlings. It has not been possible to artificially reproduce the conditions which brought about this spawning

Neurotrophin 3 stimulates the differentiation of motoneurons from avian neural tube progenitor cells.

Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) promotes differentiation of neural tube progenitors into motoneurons expressing the BEN/SC1 and islet-1 epitopes. A 1.75- to 6.7-fold increase in BEN-positive motoneurons was obtained when quail neural tube cells were cultured with NT-3 at 0.1-10 ng/ml, respectively. In contrast, the overall number of cells, as well as the proportion of motoneurons that developed from cycling precursors, did not change. Addition of NT-3 at 1 ng/ml to cells obtained from ventral half-neural tubes promoted a 2.5-fold stimulation in motoneuron number, confirming the specificity of the effect. Moreover, NT-3 had no significant effect on survival of differentiated avian motoneurons. The distribution of trkC mRNA, which encodes the high-affinity receptor for NT-3, is consistent with these findings. trkC expression is homogeneous in the embryonic day 2 (E2) neural tube, becomes restricted to the mantle layer on E3, where differentiation occurs, and disappears from the ventral third of the E4-E5 spinal cord right before the onset of normal motoneuron death. These results suggest that NT-3 and trkC regulate early neurogenesis in the avian central nervous system

Attitudes and beliefs about medical cannabis among social work students: Cross-national comparison

Objectives: Worldwide, considerable attention is being given to cannabis use for medical conditions. In the current study, we sought to assess attitudes and beliefs about MC among social work students from the US and Israel. Methods: We sought to assess attitudes and beliefs about MC among a sample of 417 social work students (230 from the US and 187 from Israel) who voluntarily participated in an anonymous online survey. Chi-square tests were used to analyze differences between groups. Results: Most of the US and Israeli participants (84.3 % and 96.7 %, respectively) reported no formal education about MC; and, they would recommend MC for their clients. Participants who reported any cannabis use, compared to non-users, were more likely to believe MC could benefit physical or mental health and less inclined to believe use of the substance poses serious physical or mental health risks. Secular, compared to religious students, believed it has more benefits for physical and/or mental health. Conclusions: Our findings evidence a considerable dearth of formal evidence-based education about cannabis for medical conditions in two university-based cohorts, despite beliefs in MC as useful for physical and mental health conditions. Efforts to develop curricula and training programs for social work students are needed since they will be among key professionals addressing client needs from health care and counseling perspectives

Toward medical cannabis education in Israel

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding medical cannabis among Israeli medical, nursing, social work and other health related students as well as to outline the formation of an instrument for standardized data collection on these topics. Methods: An invitation to participate with a link for the online survey was sent to all students pursuing a degree in medicine, nursing, social work, and other health disciplines in the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel. The instrument included 32 items that measured knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding medical cannabis. In addition, demographic data were collected and participants were asked about the frequency of medical or recreational cannabis use. Results: Among the 763 participants, 596 were females (78 %), and the mean age was 25.8 years. While the reported personal use of medical cannabis was minimal (1.9 %), cannabis use for recreational purposes was relatively common (54.0 %). The vast majority believed that medical cannabis holds significant health benefits but expressed concerns regarding potential risks of cannabis use. Additionally, the vast majority of students felt unprepared to answer patients' questions about medical cannabis and expressed a desire to receive more training. Several significant differences between the different academic disciplines were observed. Conclusions: In light of current regulatory and scientific developments, it is apparent that students of health professions will need a greater level of understanding of medical cannabis than previous generations of students. This study emphasizes the ample need for more knowledge and formal education to students of health and related professions

Study of sex ratio in progeny of a complex Oreochromis hybrid, the Florida red tilapia

This paper reports a study on the progeny sex-ratio distribution in the Florida red tilapia. This hybrid originated as a cross between O. mossambicus male and O. urolepis hornorum female, which was then crossed with 0. niloticus and 0. aureus in order to improve its growth rate and its resistance to low temperature. We have studied the sex-ratio of I I I progenies from 46 females and 12 males, where the male percentage varied between 5% to 89%. The analysis of distribution showed three groups characterised by a mean male percentage of 26.7 +/- 9.81; 50.0 +/- 8.9 and 70.3 +/- 5.5%. The stability of sex ratios in repeated single pair matings and the parental influence on progeny sex ratios obtained are in agreement with a polygenic basis of sex determination in this complex hybrid. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved