Parasites of the invasive tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus: evidence for co-introduction

Reduced parasite species diversity and infection intensity on invasive populations can facilitate establishment and spread of invasive species. We investigated the parasite diversity of invasive populations of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus from published literature and necropsies conducted on 72 fish captured in the Ross River, north Queensland, Australia. The parasite diversity of invasive O. mossambicus from 13 countries was compared to published reports on endemic populations in African river systems and tributaries to determine parasite species that had likely been co-introduced. In total, four parasite species were shared between native and invasive tilapia. We propose that these parasites (three monogeneans, Cichlidogyrus tilapiae Paperna, 1960, Cichlidogyrus sclerosus Paperna and Thurston, 1969, Cichlidogyrus halli (Price and Kirk, 1967) and one trichodinid Trichodina heterodentata Duncan, 1977) have likely been co-introduced with invasive Oreochromis mossambicus populations. Invasive Australian O. mossambicus had substantially reduced parasite diversity (five species) compared to cumulative parasite species diversity documented from the native region (23 species). Australian O. mossambicus were infected by two co-introduced parasites and three additional parasite species that have not been recorded previously on this species in Africa indicating possible parasite "spillback" from Australian natives or alternatively, acquisition from other introduced fauna. The substantially reduced parasite diversity on invasive Australian O. mossambicus could contribute to the ability of this species to become a serious fish pest

Mahasiswa Diseru Terokai Bidang Keusahawanan

USM KUBANG KERIAN, 11 Mac 2018 – “Mahasiswa yang masih lagi melanjutkan pelajaran di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) digalakkan menceburi bidang keusahawanan walaupun masih bergelar pelajar”, demikian perkongsian Pengerusi Koperasi Ko-Ummah yang juga Alumni Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Luqman Nurhakim Perma Suria

Shock compaction heating and collisional processes in the production of type 3 ordinary chondrites: Lessons from the (nearly) unique L3 chondrite melt breccia Northwest Africa 8709*

Northwest Africa (NWA) 8709 is a rare example of a type 3 ordinary chondrite melt breccia and provides critical information for the shock compaction histories of chondrites. An L3 protolith for NWA 8709 is inferred on the basis of oxygen isotope composition, elemental composition, diverse mineral chemistry, and overall texture. NWA 8709 is among the most strongly shocked type 3 chondrites known, and experienced complete melting of the matrix and partial melting of chondrules. Unmelted phases underwent FeO reduction and partial homogenization, with reduction possibly occurring by reaction of olivine and low‐Ca pyroxene with an S‐bearing gas that was produced by vaporization. Chondrules and metal grains became foliated by uniaxial compaction, and during compression, chondrules and fragments became attached to form larger clumps. This process, and possibly also melt incorporation into chondrules to cause “inflation,” may have contributed to anomalously large chondrule sizes in NWA 8709. The melt breccia character is attributed to strong shock affecting a porous precursor. Data‐model comparisons suggest that a precursor with 23% porosity that was impacted by a 3 km/s projectile could have produced the meteorite. The rarity of other type 3 ordinary chondrite melt breccias implies that the immediate precursors to such chondrites were lower in porosity than the NWA 8709 precursor, or experienced weaker shocks. Altogether, the data imply a predominantly “quiet” dynamical environment to form most type 3 ordinary chondrites, with compaction occurring in a series of relatively weak shock events

High-impact jumping mitigates the short-term effects of low energy availability on bone resorption but not formation in regularly menstruating females:A randomized control trial

Low energy availability (LEA) is prevalent in active individuals and negatively impacts bone turnover in young females. High-impact exercise can promote bone health in an energy efficient manner and may benefit bone during periods of LEA. Nineteen regularly menstruating females (aged 18–31 years) participated in two three-day conditions providing 15 (LEA) and 45 kcals kg fat-free mass−1 day−1 (BAL) of energy availability, each beginning 3 ± 1 days following the self-reported onset of menses. Participants either did (LEA+J, n = 10) or did not (LEA, n = 9) perform 20 high-impact jumps twice per day during LEA, with P1NP, β-CTx (circulating biomarkers of bone formation and resorption, respectively) and other markers of LEA measured pre and post in a resting and fasted state. Data are presented as estimated marginal mean ± 95% CI. P1NP was significantly reduced in LEA (71.8 ± 6.1–60.4 ± 6.2 ng mL−1, p 0.999, d = 0.19), and these effects were significantly different (time by condition interaction: p = 0.007). Morning basal bone formation rate is reduced following 3 days LEA, induced via dietary restriction, with or without high-impact jumping in regularly menstruating young females. However, high-impact jumping can prevent an increase in morning basal bone resorption rate and may benefit long-term bone health in individuals repeatedly exposed to such bouts

Lung cancer lymph node micrometastasis detection using real-time polymerase chain reaction: Correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor expression

ObjectivesLymph node staging provides critical information in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lymphangiogenesis may be an important contributor to the pathophysiology of lymphatic metastases. We hypothesized that the presence of lymph node micrometastases positively correlates with vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) A, C, and D as well as VEGF-receptor-3 (lymphangiogenic factors) expression in lymph nodes.MethodsForty patients with NSCLC underwent preoperative positron emission tomography-computed tomography and mediastinoscopy. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for messenger RNA expression of epithelial markers (ie, cytokeratin 7; carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5; and palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein) were performed in selected fluorodeoxyglucose-avid lymph nodes. VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGF receptor-3 expression levels were measured in primary tumors and lymph nodes. Wilcoxon rank sum test was run for the association between the RT-PCR epithelial marker levels and VEGF expression levels in the lymph nodes.ResultsRT-PCR for cytokeratin 7; carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5; or palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein indicated lymph node micrometastatic disease in 19 of 35 patients (54%). There was a high correlation between detection of micrometastases and VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, or VEGF receptor-3 expression levels in lymph nodes. Median follow-up was 12.6 months.ConclusionsRT-PCR analysis of fluorodeoxyglucose-avid lymph nodes results in up-staging a patient's cancer. Micrometastases correlate with the expression of VEGF in lymph nodes in patients with NSCLC. This may reflect the role of lymphangiogenesis in promoting metastases

The stepped wedge trial design: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Stepped wedge randomised trial designs involve sequential roll-out of an intervention to participants (individuals or clusters) over a number of time periods. By the end of the study, all participants will have received the intervention, although the order in which participants receive the intervention is determined at random. The design is particularly relevant where it is predicted that the intervention will do more good than harm (making a parallel design, in which certain participants do not receive the intervention unethical) and/or where, for logistical, practical or financial reasons, it is impossible to deliver the intervention simultaneously to all participants. Stepped wedge designs offer a number of opportunities for data analysis, particularly for modelling the effect of time on the effectiveness of an intervention. This paper presents a review of 12 studies (or protocols) that use (or plan to use) a stepped wedge design. One aim of the review is to highlight the potential for the stepped wedge design, given its infrequent use to date. METHODS: Comprehensive literature review of studies or protocols using a stepped wedge design. Data were extracted from the studies in three categories for subsequent consideration: study information (epidemiology, intervention, number of participants), reasons for using a stepped wedge design and methods of data analysis. RESULTS: The 12 studies included in this review describe evaluations of a wide range of interventions, across different diseases in different settings. However the stepped wedge design appears to have found a niche for evaluating interventions in developing countries, specifically those concerned with HIV. There were few consistent motivations for employing a stepped wedge design or methods of data analysis across studies. The methodological descriptions of stepped wedge studies, including methods of randomisation, sample size calculations and methods of analysis, are not always complete. CONCLUSION: While the stepped wedge design offers a number of opportunities for use in future evaluations, a more consistent approach to reporting and data analysis is required