Tail shape and the swimming speed of sharks

Trait-based ecology is a rapidly growing approach for developing insights and predictions for data-poor species. Caudal tail fin shape has the potential to reveal much about the energetics, activity and ecology of fishes and can be rapidly measured from field guides, which is particularly helpful for data-sparse species. One outstanding question is whether swimming speed in sharks is related to two morphological traits: caudal fin aspect ratio (CFAR, height2/tail area) and caudal lobe asymmetry ratio (CLAR). We derived both metrics from the species drawings in Sharks of the world (Ebert et al. 2013 Sharks of the world: a fully illustrated guide) and related fin shape to two published datasets of (1) instantaneous swimming speeds (Jacoby et al. 2015 Biol. Lett. 11, 20150781 (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0781)) and (2) cruising speeds (Harding et al. 2021 Funct. Ecol. 35, 1951-1959 (doi:10.1111/1365-2435.13869)) for 28 total unique shark species. Both estimates of swimming speed were positively related to CFAR (and weakly negatively to CLAR). Hence, shark species with larger CFAR and more symmetric tails (low CLAR) tended to be faster-moving and have higher average speeds. This relationship demonstrates the opportunity to use tail shape as an easily measured trait to index shark swimming speed to broader trait-based analyses of ecological function and extinction risk.

Energetic costs increase with faster heating in an aquatic ectotherm

The thermal sensitivity of metabolism is widely studied due to its perceived importance for organismal fitness and resilience to future climate change. Almost all such studies estimate metabolism at a variety of constant temperatures, with very little work exploring how metabolism varies during temperature change. However, temperature in nature is rarely static, so our existing understanding from experiments may not reflect how temperature influences metabolism in natural systems. Using closed-chamber respirometry, we estimated the aerobic metabolic rate of an aquatic ectotherm, the Atlantic ditch shrimp Palaemonetes varians, under varying thermal conditions. We continuously measured oxygen consumption of shrimp during heating, cooling and constant temperatures, starting trials at a range of acclimation temperatures and exposing shrimp to a variety of rates of temperature change. In a broad sense, cumulative oxygen consumption estimated from static temperature exposures corresponded to estimates derived from ramping experiments. However, further analyses showed that oxygen consumption increases for both faster heating and faster cooling, with rapid heating driving higher metabolic rates than if shrimp were warmed slowly. These results suggest a systematic influence of heating rate on the thermal sensitivity of metabolism. With influential concepts such as the metabolic theory of ecology founded in data from constant temperature experiments, our results encourage further exploration of how variable temperature impacts organism energetics, and to test the generality of our findings across species. This is especially important given climate forecasts of heat waves that are characterised by both increased temperatures and faster rates of change.

Tiger sharks support the characterization of the world's largest seagrass ecosystem

Seagrass conservation is critical for mitigating climate change due to the large stocks of carbon they sequester in the seafloor. However, effective conservation and its potential to provide nature-based solutions to climate change is hindered by major uncertainties regarding seagrass extent and distribution. Here, we describe the characterization of the world's largest seagrass ecosystem, located in The Bahamas. We integrate existing spatial estimates with an updated empirical remote sensing product and perform extensive ground-truthing of seafloor with 2,542 diver surveys across remote sensing tiles. We also leverage seafloor assessments and movement data obtained from instrument-equipped tiger sharks, which have strong fidelity to seagrass ecosystems, to augment and further validate predictions. We report a consensus area of at least 66,000 km² and up to 92,000 km² of seagrass habitat across The Bahamas Banks. Sediment core analysis of stored organic carbon further confirmed the global relevance of the blue carbon stock in this ecosystem. Data from tiger sharks proved important in supporting mapping and ground-truthing remote sensing estimates. This work provides evidence of major knowledge gaps in the ocean ecosystem, the benefits in partnering with marine animals to address these gaps, and underscores support for rapid protection of oceanic carbon sinks.

Capture heats up sharks

Catch-and-release fishing is an important component of ecotourism industries and scientific research worldwide, but its total impact on animal physiology, health and survival is understudied for many species of fishes, particularly sharks. We combined biologging and blood chemistry to explore how this fisheries interaction influenced the physiology of two widely distributed, highly migratory shark species: the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Nineteen sharks were caught by drum line or rod-and-reel angling; subcutaneous body temperature measurements were taken immediately upon capture, with six individuals also providing subsequent subcutaneous body temperature measurements via biologging as they swam freely for several hours post-release. We found that short-term capture caused shark body temperature to increase significantly and rapidly, with increases of 0.6°C-2.7°C for blue sharks (mean, 1.2 ± 0.6°C) and 0.5°C-0.9°C for tiger sharks (mean, 0.7 ± 0.2°C) and with capture-induced heating rates of blue sharks averaging 0.3°C min^-1 but as high as 0.8°C min^-1. Blue shark body temperature was even higher deeper into the white muscle. These heating rates were three to eight times faster than maximum rates encountered by our biologging sharks swimming through thermally stratified waters and faster than most acute heating experiments conducted with ectotherms in laboratory experiments. Biologging data showed that body temperatures underwent gradual decline after release, returning to match water temperatures 10-40 mins post-release. Blood biochemistry showed variable lactate/glucose levels following capture; however, these concentrations were not correlated with the magnitude of body temperature increase, nor with body size or hooking time. These perturbations of the natural state could have immediate and longer-term effects on the welfare and ecology of sharks caught in catch-and-release fisheries and we encourage further study of the broader implications of this reported phenomenon.

Short-term behavioural responses of Atlantic bluefin tuna to catch-and-release fishing

Catch-and-release (C&R) angling is often touted as a sustainable form of ecotourism, yet the fine-scale behaviour and physiological responses of released fish is often unknown, especially for hard-to-study large pelagic species like Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT; Thunnus thunnus). Multi-channel sensors were deployed and recovered from 10 ABFTs in a simulated recreational C&R event off the west coast of Ireland. Data were recorded from 6 to 25 hours, with one ABFT (tuna X) potentially suffering mortality minutes after release. Almost all ABFTs (n = 9, including tuna X) immediately and rapidly (vertical speeds of ~2.0 m s^-1) made powered descents and used 50-60% of the available water column within 20 seconds, before commencing near-horizontal swimming ~60 seconds post-release. Dominant tailbeat frequency was ~50% higher in the initial hours post-release and appeared to stabilize at 0.8-1.0 Hz some 5-10 hours post-release. Results also suggest different short-term behavioural responses to noteworthy variations in capture and handling procedures (injury and reduced air exposure events). Our results highlight both the immediate and longer-term effects of C&R on ABFTs and that small variations in C&R protocols can influence physiological and behavioural responses of species like the commercially valuable and historically over-exploited ABFT.

"Always Events® "… just another quality improvement tool … or is it?

INTRODUCTION

Always Events® are defined as "those aspects of the care experience that should always occur when patients, their family members or other care partners, and service users interact with health care professionals and the health care system". It is a quality improvement methodology that starts by asking our patients the simple question "what matters to you?" and then through coproduction, works out a way to achieve this.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This article tells our story and highlights the value of undertaking an Always Event® within the Radiology department at Warrington and Halton Hospitals. It will demonstrate how this approach combines research, an evaluation of findings and implementation of those findings within a very short timeframe. Embedded within the article are comments from our staff, volunteers and patients which reflect upon their experiences, our limitations, the outcomes we achieved and the impact it has had upon our patients and staff.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

It was important to our patients that they would be informed of how long they would wait for their examination once they booked in at x-ray reception. By undertaking an Always Event® this process is now embedded in our departments everyday activities with over 90% of our patients now being informed of their waiting time. This continued collaboration has really emphasised the value of listening to our patients, and the benefits this can lead to. It has also encouraged a positive research culture within our department (optimisation studies, working with industry, quality projects), helping to progress our profession and resulting in a quality service for our patients.

Prophylactic vs Postoperative Antibiotic Use in Complex Septorhinoplasty Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of prophylactic vs postoperative antibiotic use in complex septorhinoplasty and strengthen the evidence base for antibiotic use in nasal surgery.

DESIGN

A randomized, prospective, single-blinded trial. One hundred sixty-four patients requiring complex septorhinoplasty surgery were recruited sequentially from the waiting lists of the 2 senior authors. Power was calculated at 80% at the 5% significance level. Patients randomized to the prophylactic arm of the study received three 1200-mg intravenous doses of amoxicillin-clavulanate, given at induction of anesthesia and at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively. Patients in the postoperative antibiotic arm received a 7-day course of 375 mg of amoxicillin-clavulanate 3 times a day. Patients allergic to penicillin were given erythromycin. Clinical and microbiological evidence of infection on the 10th postoperative day was categorized as either minor (vestibulitis) or major (nasal or septal cellulitis, septal abscess, secondary hemorrhage, or donor-site infection) infections.

RESULTS

At follow-up, 6 (7%) of 82 patients in the prophylactic arm and 9 (11%) of 82 of patients in the postoperative arm showed evidence of infection. Most (80%) of infections were minor. There was no significant difference in infection rates between the prophylactic and postoperative arms on chi2 analysis (P = .42). All 164 patients completed the study on an intention-to-treat basis.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics rather than empirical postoperative antibiotics for patients undergoing complex septorhinoplasty.

A controlled study of children born at gestation 28 weeks or less: psychological characteristics at seven to ten years of age

Forty seven children aged between seven and ten years who were born at 28 weeks gestation or less were followed up and assessed using psychometric tests, questionnaires and a parental interview. Birth and post-birth medical details were also collected. A control group of 47 normal gestation/birth weight children, matched with the children in the low gestation (LG) cohort on nine other criteria, were assessed using the same procedures. Children in the LG cohort were of average intelligence and attainment, but differed from the control group in that they had significantly lower scores on the WISC-R (VIQ, PIQ and FSIQ, Freedom from Distractibility), information processing, visual motor memory, speech and auditory discrimination, mathematics, spelling and restlessness. Handedness was related to birth weight. In addition to birth weight, centile score (weight in relation to gestation) was found to predict later FSIQ, VIQ and reading, spelling and mathematics. Neurological factors such as the absence of suspected intracranial haemorrhage or seizures were predictors of PIQ and Freedom from Distractibility, respectively. Although children in the LG cohort scored significantly lower than control children on various cognitive tests, only two had Full Scale IQs below 70 and most functioned at least at the normal range of intelligence.

Cause, prevalence, and response to occupational musculoskeletal injuries reported by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are susceptible to occupational musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the reported causes and prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal injuries to PTs and PTAs during a 2-year period.

SUBJECTS

A questionnaire was mailed to 500 PTs and 500 PTAs randomly selected from the American Physical Therapy Association 1996 active membership list. Six hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 67%.

METHOD

Based on a literature review and a pilot study, an occupational injury questionnaire was constructed and mailed. Self-reports of injuries were obtained.

RESULTS

Thirty-two percent of the PTs and 35% of the PTAs reported sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. The highest prevalence of injury was to the low back (62% of injured PTs and 56% of injured PTAs). The PTs reported the upper back and the wrist and hand as having the second highest prevalence (23%). The PTAs reported the upper back as having the second highest prevalence (28%). The PTs and PTAs reported making changes in their work habits of improved body mechanics, increased use of other personnel, and frequent change of work position. The majority of PTs and PTAs reported they did not limit patient contact time or area of practice after sustaining an injury.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

Although PTs and PTAs are recognized to be knowledgeable in prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, they are susceptible to sustaining occupational musculoskeletal injuries because of performing labor-intensive tasks.

Management options and survival in malignant melanoma of the sinonasal mucosa

OBJECTIVES/METHODS

To determine whether surgery combined with radiotherapy confers any survival benefit on radical local excision alone in the management of mucosal malignant melanoma of the nose and sinuses.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

From a cohort of 72 patients treated between 1963 and 1996 within a single unit, complete data were available for 58 individuals who were examined to determine whether there was any significant statistical difference in local control and/or survival between those receiving surgery and those receiving combined surgery and radiotherapy.

RESULTS

There were 30 men and 28 women. Their ages ranged from 39 to 90 years (mean, 64 y). Twenty-nine patients underwent surgery alone; 23 patients underwent surgery and radiotherapy; 6 patients received surgery and chemotherapy; and 3 patients received surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Primary surgery included lateral rhinotomy (42 cases), maxillectomy (8 cases [orbital clearance in 3 cases]), craniofacial resection (3 cases), total rhinectomy (3 cases), and endoscopic clearance (2 cases). Survival ranged from 1 to 228 months with rapid patient loss due to local (and/or systemic) disease during the first 36 months, irrespective of the treatment modality. Overall 5-year actuarial survival was 28%, and overall 10-year actuarial survival 20%, with a median survival of 21 months. There was no statistical difference in local control or survival between patients receiving surgery alone and those receiving surgery and radiotherapy, irrespective of whether this treatment was given in the early part of the series (i.e., before 1983) or thereafter. The addition of chemotherapy had no impact on survival, nor did the site of the tumor, the surgical procedure, the presence of lymph node metastases or the age of the patient.

CONCLUSION

In this large cohort of sinonasal melanoma, overall survival was poor and did not appear to be improved by the addition of radiotherapy.

HL7 document patient record architecture: an XML document architecture based on a shared information model

The HL7 SGML/XML Special Interest Group is developing the HL7 Document Patient Record Architecture. This draft proposal strives to create a common data architecture for the interoperability of healthcare documents. Key components are that it is under the umbrella of HL7 standards, it is specified in Extensible Markup Language, the semantics are drawn from the HL7 Reference Information Model, and the document specifications form an architecture that, in aggregate, define the semantics and structural constraints necessary for the exchange of clinical documents. The proposal is a work in progress and has not yet been submitted to HL7's formal balloting process.

Assessing occupational stress in psychiatric nurses using the full job strain model: the value of social support to nurses

The present research examined the effects of occupational stress in psychiatric nursing on employee well-being using the full Job Strain Model. The Job Strain Model was assessed for its ability to predict employee well-being in terms of job satisfaction and mental health. The original Job Strain Model was expanded to include social support based on previous research concerning the impact of social support on well-being. In the present study, both work support and non-work were assessed for their contribution to well-being. The results of this study indicate that the full Job Strain Model can be used to significantly predict job satisfaction and mental health in this sample of Australian psychiatric nurses. Furthermore, social support was shown to be an important component of the Job Strain Model.

Inhibition of neuronal high voltage-activated calcium channels by insect peptides: a comparison with the actions of omega-conotoxin GVIA

The whole cell variant of the patch clamp technique was used to investigate the actions of two novel insect peptides on high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones. The insect peptides (PMP-D2 and PMP-C) were isolated originally from insect brains and fat bodies, and have been found to have similar three-dimensional structures to the N-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx GVIA). High voltage-activated Ca2+ currents were activated from a holding potential of -90 mV by depolarizing step commands to 0 mV. Extracellular application of synthetic PMP-D2 or PMP-C (1 microM) attenuated high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents. The effects of PMP-C were strongly dependent on the frequency of current activation, but inhibition was apparent and reached a steady state after 20 steps when currents were evoked for 30 msec at 0.1 Hz. The actions of the two insect peptides overlapped both with each other and with omega-CgTx GVIA, suggesting that N-type Ca2+ current was predominantly sensitive to these peptides. Low voltage-activated T-type current and 1,4-dihydropyridine sensitive L-type Ca2+ currents were insensitive to 1 microM PMP-D2 and PMP-C, which indicates a degree of selectivity. The presence of a fucose group on PMP-C abolished the ability of this peptide to attenuate high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents, which may reflect a mechanism by which peptide function could be regulated in insects. The electrophysiological data are supported by studies on 45Ca2+ influx into rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes. Both PMP-D2 (10 microM), PMP-C (10 microM) and omega-CgTx GVIA (1 microM) attenuated a proportion of 45Ca2+ influx into the synaptosomes, but additive effects of these peptides were not observed. We conclude that these naturally occurring peptides obtained from invertebrate preparations have inhibitory effects on N-type Ca2+ channels. Although the peptides have related three-dimensional structures, they have distinct amino acid sequences and appear to have different mechanisms of action to produce inhibition of mammalian neuronal high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels.

Drug history taking and the identification of drug related problems in an accident and emergency department

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of drug related problems that fail to be noted on casualty cards in patients subsequently admitted, and to compare medication histories as recorded by accident and emergency (A&E) senior house officers (SHOs) and a pharmacist.

METHODS

An initial retrospective survey of 1459 acute inpatient admissions through A&E over a three month period was followed by a prospective study of 33 elderly patients.

RESULTS

In the retrospective survey, 52 medication related problems were confirmed after examination of the medical records, of which only 16 were identified in A&E. In the prospective study, 125 currently prescribed items were identified by the pharmacist compared to 77 by A&E SHOs; 66% of the missed information was clinically relevant. Of 17 previous adverse drug reactions identified by the pharmacist only six were also recorded by the A&E officer. Only four over the counter medicines were identified by the A&E SHOs compared to 30 by the pharmacist.

CONCLUSIONS

More accurate recording of drug history on casualty cards should be undertaken, particularly in respect of over the counter medication and the identification of drug related problems.

Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis by interleukin-1beta is amplified by interferons but inhibited by interleukin-4 in human amnion-derived WISH cells

Human amnion-derived WISH cells synthesize little prostaglandin E2 at the basal state. However, the cells were stimulated greatly to synthesize prostaglandin E2 by interleukin-1beta in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulation by interleukin-1beta was synergistically increased by pretreatment of the cells with interferon alpha or gamma, which alone were inactive. Synergism by interferons was dose-dependent. Stimulation by interleukin-1beta, on the contrary, was inhibited by preincubation of the cells with interleukin-4. Inhibition by interleukin-4 was also dose-dependent. Regulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis by cytokines was further examined at the m-RNA level of cyclooxygenase-2. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that the m-RNA level was not increased by interferon-gamma but was synergistically increased by interferon-gamma plus interleukin-1beta. Furthermore, the m-RNA level increased by interleukin-1beta was attenuated by interleukin-4. These results indicate that regulation of interleukin-1beta-stimulated prostaglandin E2 synthesis by interferons and interleukin-4 is controlled at the m-RNA level of cyclooxygenase-2.

Management of retraction pockets of the pars tensa in children by excision and ventilation tube insertion

Retraction pockets of the pars tensa in children can result in erosion of the ossicles leading to hearing loss and eventually cholesteatoma formation. Several different types of treatment for the more severe grades of retraction pocket have been described. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the outcome following simple excision and ventilation tube insertion of grade II, III and IV retraction pockets of the pars tensa. The eardrums were graded according to Sadé's classification (1979). There were seven grade II and four grade III retractions. Ten eardrums healed completely in a mean time of 3.6 months (mean follow-up 16 months) and there was one residual perforation. Two retractions recurred and both of these were only grade I. Clinically, an improvement in hearing was reported in seven children (eight ears) and the average air conduction threshold gain for these patients was 16 dB. A larger prospective study is currently underway.

Inhibition of high voltage-activated Ca2+ currents from cultured sensory neurones by a novel insect peptide

PMP-D2, a novel 35 amino acid peptide isolated from the brain of the locust Locusta migratoria, is localised specifically in neurosecretory cells and nerve tracts of the Pars intercerebralis. When PMP-D2 is applied onto rat sensory neurones it blocks high voltage-activated inward Ca2+ currents at concentrations ranging from 0.1 mu M to 10 mu M. The inhibitory effect of PMP-D2 is more marked on the sustained inward Ca2+ current measured at the end of 100 ms voltage step commands than on the maximum inward Ca2+ current. These results suggests that PMP-D2 may differentially inhibit the two components of the high voltage-activated inward Ca2+ currents of rat sensory neurones.

Chloramphenicol pharmacokinetics in the newborn

We studied pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in 9 neonates having a mean gestational age of 31.2 +/- 1.9 weeks (mean +/- SEM). The studied dose was the final dose of treatment in 8 of these and the first dose in 2 of these. 1 neonate was studied twice. Concentrations of chloramphenicol and its 3-monosuccinate and 1-monosuccinate esters were measured in serum by high performance liquid chromatography. Apparent total body clearance of chloramphenicol correlated with postnatal age (r = 0.81, p less than 0.01). Mean apparent clearance was 1.1 ml X min-1 X kg-1. Serum concentrations of succinate esters were below assay sensitivity after 6 h postdose. Factors leading to excessive chloramphenicol concentrations (greater than 25.0 mg/l) were evaluated in another 44 newborns. Instability of the patient's clinical condition was an important cause of excessive serum concentrations during ongoing therapy.

Bacteriology of sputum in cystic fibrosis: evaluation of dithiothreitol as a mucolytic agent

Liquefaction and homogenization have been recommended to ensure accurate, representative sputum cultures. We evaluated dithiothreitol (DTT) as mucolytic agent for culturing sputum samples obtained from 79 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Liquefaction with DTT was not superior to direct plating of specimens for routine qualitative cultures. Unliquefied sputum cultures failed to direct 3 of 47 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates; DTT-treated specimens missed 5 of 13 Candida albicans isolates. Neither treated nor untreated sputum cultures were completely successful in detecting Staphylococcus aureus or Enterobacteriaceae. Since Haemophilus influenzae was recovered from only two qualitative cultures, we could not evaluate the effect of DTT on the receovery of this organism. However, 27 of 29 strains of H. influenzae were inhibited by concentrations of DTT near the recommended final working concentration of 50 micrograms/ml, suggesting that liquefaction might impair isolation of this organism. Liquefaction with DTT permitted quantitative cultures of CF sputum. The predominant pathogen in our CF population was P. aeruginosa; 37 of 43 (86%) patients were colonized with this organism. Median densities of rough and mucoid strains were 3.2 x 10(7) and 4.3 x 10(7) colony-forming units per ml, respectively. Previous oral antistaphylococcal therapy may have accounted for the observed low density of S. aureus (mean density, 3.5 x 10(3) colony-forming units per ml). We conclude that DTT treatment does not improve recovery of organisms from qualitative cultures but does facilitate quantitative studies of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in CF sputum.

Clinical trials of bivalent A/New Jersey/76-A/Victoria/75 influenza vaccines in high-risk children

Various doses of two whole-virus and one split-product bivalent influenza A/New Jersey/76-A/Victoria/75 vaccines were administered to 253 children aged six to 18 years. There were no statistically significant differences in either reactivity or humoral antibody response among the 167 children in seven chronic disease categories and 86 healthy children. The whole-virus vaccines were associated with unacceptably high rates of reaction when given in sufficiently antigenic initial doses but were relatively nonreactive when used for booster immunization. Split-product vaccines were no more reactive than placebo. All vaccine preparations induced adequate seroconversion rates and protective titers of antibody to A/Victoria virus after one dose and to A/New Jersey virus after two doses.

Studies of the effectiveness of an isolation ward

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Selection of Staphylococcus aureus in cultures from air samples

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