The Distribution of \u3ci\u3eCorydalus Cornutus\u3c/i\u3e (Linnaeus) and \u3ci\u3eNigronia Serricornis (Say) (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) in Michigan

(excerpt) The distribution of the hellgrammite [Corydalus cornutus (Linnaeus)] and the sawcombed fishfly [Nigronia serricornis (Say)] in Michigan was determined as part of an investigation of the biology of these large Megalopterans (Knight and Simmons, 1975a, 1975b). Megalopteran larvae are some of the largest aquatic insects, with a maximum length of approximately 84 mm. They are robust larvae with paired lateral abdominal appendages on segments 1-8 and a pair of anal prolegs bearing two strong hooks. They are fiercely predaceous and generally insectivorous, feeding chiefly on larvae of Simulium, Cheumatopsyche, Hydropsyche and Chironomidae, but eating almost anything they can subdue, including their own kind (Chandler, 1956; Stewart et al., 1973)

\u3ci\u3eAquastella gen. nov.\u3c/i\u3e: A new genus of saprolegniaceous oomycete rotifer parasites related to \u3ci\u3eAphanomyces\u3c/i\u3e, with unique sporangial outgrowths

The oomycete genus Aquastella is described to accommodate two new species of parasites of rotifers observed in Brooktrout Lake, New York State, USA. Three rotifer species – Keratella taurocephala,Polyarthra vulgaris, and Ploesoma truncatum – were infected, and this is the first report of oomycete infection in these species. Aquastella attenuata was specific to K. taurocephala and Aquastella aciculariswas specific to P. vulgaris and P. truncatum. The occurrence of infections correlated with peak host population densities and rotifers were infected in the upper layers of the water column. Sequencing of 18S rRNA and phylogenetic analysis of both species placed them within the order Saprolegniales, in a clade closely related to Aphanomyces. The Aquastella species were morphologically distinct from other rotifer parasites as the developing sporangia penetrated out through the host body following its death to produce unique tapered outgrowths. Aquastella attenuata produced long, narrow, tapering, finger-like outgrowths, whilst A. acicularis produced shorter, spike-like outgrowths. We hypothesize that the outgrowths serve to deter predation and slow descent in the water column. Spore cleavage was intrasporangial with spore release through exit tubes. Aquastella attenuata produced primary zoospores, whereas A. acicularisreleased spherical primary aplanospores, more typical of other genera in the Aphanomyces clade

The Germinal Center Kinase GCK-1 Is a Negative Regulator of MAP Kinase Activation and Apoptosis in the C. elegans Germline

The germinal center kinases (GCK) constitute a large, highly conserved family of proteins that has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes including cell growth and proliferation, polarity, migration, and stress responses. Although diverse, these functions have been attributed to an evolutionarily conserved role for GCKs in the activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinase pathways. In addition, multiple GCKs from different species promote apoptotic cell death. In contrast to these paradigms, we found that a C. elegans GCK, GCK-1, functions to inhibit MAP kinase activation and apoptosis in the C. elegans germline. In the absence of GCK-1, a specific MAP kinase isoform is ectopically activated and oocytes undergo abnormal development. Moreover, GCK-1- deficient animals display a significant increase in germ cell death. Our results suggest that individual germinal center kinases act in mechanistically distinct ways and that these functions are likely to depend on organ- and developmental-specific contexts

Tremor in multiple sclerosis

Tremor is estimated to occur in about 25 to 60 percent of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This symptom, which can be severely disabling and embarrassing for patients, is difficult to manage. Isoniazid in high doses, carbamazepine, propranolol and gluthetimide have been reported to provide some relief, but published evidence of effectiveness is very limited. Most trials were of small size and of short duration. Cannabinoids appear ineffective. Tremor reduction can be obtained with stereotactic thalamotomy or thalamic stimulation. However, the studies were small and information on long-term functional outcome is scarce. Physiotherapy, tremor reducing orthoses, and limb cooling can achieve some functional improvement. Tremor in MS remains a significant challenge and unmet need, requiring further basic and clinical research

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

SEASONAL ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CRANGON FRANCISCORUM AND PALAEMON MACRODACTYLUS (DECAPODA, CARIDEA) IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY-DELTA

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FEEDING OF NEOMYSIS MERCEDIS (HOLMES)

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Changes in the zooplankton of Onondaga Lake: Causes and implications

The zooplankton assemblage of ionically polluted, culturally eutrophic Onondaga Lake was monitored over the 1979–1989 interval, and compared to surveys conducted in 1968 and 1978. A major shift in the assemblage was apparent by 1987, soon after the closure (1986) of an industrial discharger of ionic (Cl; Na+ and Ca2+) waste. Species richness increased from 8 to 18 common species, and more efficient grazers, large-bodied cladocera and the calanoid copepod Diaptomus sitihides, became dominants. Until 1987, a single cyclopoid copepod, Cyclops vernalis, was the dominant component of zooplankton biomass. The most likely cause for the shift in the zooplankton assemblage of the lake is the reduction in salinity, and attendant precipitation of calcium carbonate, associated with the closure of the industry. Improved clarity in the lake, manifested largely as intervals of dramatic increases described as ‘clearing events’, observed annually since 1987, has been attributed to die shift to more efficient grazers. The increased grazing pressure, particularly from large daphnids, may also be responsible for the return of late summer nuisance blooms of filamentous cyanobacteria, not observed in the lake since the early 1970s. © 1996 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Species profiles : life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Southwest) : crangonid shrimp /

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