An unexpected twist: Sperm cells coil to the right in land snails and to the left in song birds

In animals, cell polarity may initiate symmetry breaking very early in development, ultimately leading to whole-body asymmetry. Helical sperm cells, which occur in a variety of animal clades, are one class of cells that show clearly visible bilateral asymmetry. We used scanning-electron microscopy to study coiling direction in helical sperm cells in two groups of animals that have figured prominently in the sperm morphology literature, namely land snails, Stylommatophora (514 spermatozoa, from 27 individuals, belonging to 8 species and 4 families) and songbirds, Passeriformes (486 spermatozoa, from 26 individuals, belonging to 18 species and 8 families). We found that the snail sperm cells were consistently dextral (clockwise), whereas the bird sperm cells were consistently sinistral (counterclockwise). We discuss reasons why this apparent evolutionary conservatism of sperm cell chirality may or may not be related to whole-body asymmetry

Царський і республіканський Рим в антикознавчих дослідженнях М.П. Драгоманова

У статті розглянуто особливості вивчення та рецепції римської історії VIII–I ст. до н. е. в антикознавчих студіях М. Драгоманова. Зроблено висновок, що дослідження М. Драгоманова з історії Риму вплинули на формування наукових і суспільно-політичних поглядів вченого, а також Лесі Українки та І. Франка.In the article peculiarities of study and reception of Roman history VIII–I centuries B.C. in M. Drahomanov’s classical researches are highlighted. The author concludes that M. Drahomanov’s Roman classical studies influenced on formation of scientific and political views of M. Drahomanov, Lesya Ukrainka, I. Franko

病院紹介

Background: Delirium is a common condition in hospitalized patients, associated with adverse outcomes such as longer hospital stay, functional decline and higher mortality, as well as higher rates of nursing home placement. Nurses often fail to recognize delirium in hospitalized patients, which might be due to a lack of knowledge of delirium diagnosis and treatment. The objective of the study was to test the effectiveness of an e-learning course on nurses' delirium knowledge, describe nursing staff's baseline knowledge about delirium, and describe demographic factors associated with baseline delirium knowledge and the effectiveness of the e-learning course. Methods: A before-and-after study design, using an e-learning course on delirium. The course was introduced to all nursing staff of internal medicine and surgical wards of 17 Dutch hospitals. Results: 1,196 invitations for the e-learning course were sent to nursing staff, which included nurses, nursing students and healthcare assistants. Test scores on the final knowledge test (mean 87.4, 95% CI 86.7 to 88.2) were significantly higher than those on baseline (mean 79.3, 95% CI 78.5 to 80.1). At baseline, nursing staff had the most difficulty with questions related to the definition of delirium: what are its symptoms, course, consequences and which patients are at risk. The mean score for this category was 74.3 (95% CI 73.1 to 75.5). Conclusions: The e-learning course significantly improved nursing staff's knowledge of delirium in all subgroups of participants and for all question categories. Contrary to other studies, the baseline knowledge assessment showed that, overall, nursing staff was relatively knowledgeable regarding delirium. Trial registration: The Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR). Trial number: NTR 2885, 19 April 2011

Chances for biomass: integrated valorisation of biomass resources

This report is the final document of the project “Integrated Valorisation of Biomass Resources”. There are two major thresholds that need to be overcome to implement the necessary transition process to a more sustainable use of biomass resources: 1. A departmentalised approach to biomass application development blindfolds stakeholders for negative externalities; 2. Short term focus on quick wins and return on investments instigate a lack of sense of urgency, impeding the necessary actions that enable the long term transition process. The magnitude of the challenge could be paralysing, if it weren’t for the innovativeness of people and the ability to change. This project calls upon the examples of possible solution pathways that clearly show a road to a sustainable, biobased economy, that is an answer to these facing threats. Renewable resources are available in sufficient quantities to serve as sustainable input for Food, Feed, Functional materials and Fuels. The project wants to investigate the barriers and opportunities to overcome the mentioned thresholds and to inspire the stakeholders involved in further action

Referral for rehabilitation in case of permanent visual handicap:guideline of the Dutch Society of Ophthalmology

The Dutch Society of Ophthalmology (NOG) has developed an evidence-based guideline for the referral of visually impaired people for rehabilitation and support. Referral for rehabilitation and support must be preceded by diagnosis and treatment. Consultation of an ophthalmologist is essential. Information about the disease should be given to the patient orally as well as in writing. The ophthalmologist brings up the possibility of rehabilitation in the presence of a visual acuity &lt; 0.5 and/or visual field of &lt; 30 degrees in the better eye and a well-defined request for help. Visually impaired patients with a relatively simple request for help are referred to a specialised optometrist whenever possible. Visually impaired patients with more complex requests for help are referred to a multidisciplinary (regional or national) rehabilitation centre for people with a visual handicap. Visually impaired and blind patients are informed about the existence of patient organisations. Referral for rehabilitation is done by means of a structured letter with all relevant information. A copy of this letter should be sent to the family physician and all other attending physicians.</p