Thalassophilia and marine identity: Drivers of 'thick' marine citizenship.

Changing humanity's relationship with the ocean is identified as one of ten key challenges in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Marine citizenship is one potential policy approach for reducing anthropogenic harms to the ocean and promoting ocean recovery, and there is a need to better understand marine citizenship motivating factors and their interactions. To contribute to a more holistic understanding, we approached this problem using an interdisciplinary, mixed methodology, which prioritised the voices and experiences of active marine citizens. An online survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine factors spanning environmental psychology (values, environmental identity) and human geography (place attachment and dependency). Our data uncovered a unique marine place attachment, or thalassophilia, which is a novel conceptualisation of the human capacity to bond with a type of place beyond human settlements or defined localities. It is the product of strong emotional responses to the sensorial experience of the ocean and shared social or cultural understanding of ocean place identifications. A key driver of deeper marine citizenship is marine place dependency, and it is positively influence by stimulation and non-conformity values, environmental identity, and thalassophilia. We map significant motivating factors to identity process theory and describe a novel marine identity concept. We propose this as an operational mechanism of marine citizenship action, potentially filling the value- and knowledge-action gaps in the context of marine environmental action. This research provides a cornerstone in marine citizenship research by analysing together in one study a multitude of variables, which cross human-ocean relationships and experiences. The identification and characterisation of thalassophilia and marine identity process theory will enable research and practice to move forwards with a clearer framework of the role of the ocean as a place in environmental action.

Mining for natural product antileishmanials in a fungal extract library.

Leishmaniasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease caused by the insect-vector borne protozoan parasite, Leishmania species. Infection affects millions of the World's poorest, however vaccines are absent and drug therapy limited. Recently, public-private partnerships have developed to identify new modes of controlling leishmaniasis. Most of these collaborative efforts have relied upon the small molecule synthetic compound libraries held by industry, but the number of New Chemical Entities (NCE) identified and entering development as antileishmanials has been very low. In light of this, here we describe a public-private effort to identify natural products with activity against Leishmania mexicana, a causative agent of cutaneous leishmanaisis (CL). Utilising Hypha Discovery's fungal extract library which is rich in small molecule (<500 molecular weight) secondary metabolites, we undertook an iterative phenotypic screening and fractionation approach to identify potent and selective antileishmanial hits. This led to the identification of a novel oxidised bisabolane sesquiterpene which demonstrated activity in an infected cell model and was shown to disrupt multiple processes using a metabolomic approach. In addition, and importantly, this study also sets a precedent for new approaches for CL drug discovery.

Antimicrobial-resistant Faecal Organisms in Algae Products Marketed as Health Supplements.

Dietary supplements are increasingly popular in Irish society. One of these is blue-green algae which is used with a variety health benefits in mind. A batch of Chlorella powder was found to be contaminated with Salmonella species in Ireland in 2015. This prompted additional testing of a total of 8 samples of three different products (Chlorella, Spirulina and Super Greens), for other faecal flora and antimicrobial resistance in any bacteria isolated. All 8 samples cultured enteric flora such as Enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed one isolate with extended-spectrum ?-lactamase (ESBL) activity and one with carbapenemase activity. Clinicians caring for vulnerable patients should be aware of the potential risk of exposure to antimicrobial resistant bacteria associated with these products.

An electrophysiological study of boundary conditions for control of recollection in the exclusion task.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were collected in a memory retrieval task that was designed to assess the resolution with which people exerted control over memory retrieval. Participants were first required to indicate whether the objects denoted by concrete nouns (i) had pleasant or unpleasant connotations, (ii) were typically smaller or larger than a shoebox, or (iii) were easy or difficult to draw. They then completed a retrieval task where old (studied) and new words were presented. Participants pressed one key for words encountered in the drawing task, and a second key for all other test words (new words as well as those encountered in the pleasantness and size judgment tasks). The left-parietal ERP old/new effect--an electrophysiological index of recollection--was reliable for words from the drawing task only. This finding is consistent with the view that participants were successful at prioritising recollection of some kinds of information over others. The data also provide an insight into the resolution with which this prioritisation can be implemented, because there was little evidence of a left-parietal ERP old/new effect for words to which a size judgment was made, despite the fact that visual imagery is likely to have been employed for drawing as well as for size judgments.

Serum potassium, calcium and magnesium in patients receiving ESHAP chemotherapy for relapsed lymphomas.

UNLABELLED: Etoposide, methylprednisolone, cytarabine and cisplatin (ESHAP) is one of the mostly widely used chemotherapy regimens for patients with relapsed lymphomas. Cisplatin administration is commonly associated with electrolyte imbalance. Careful monitoring of renal function and serum electrolytes is therefore essential in this setting. AIMS: To review the practice of electrolyte monitoring - potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) - in patients receiving ESHAP and the frequency and severity of abnormalities and their management. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients received ESHAP. The medical records of 16 patients were retrievable and reviewed retrospectively. Results of serum K, Ca and Mg were collected prior to and after cycles 1, 2 and 3 of ESHAP, if measured. RESULTS: Serum K levels prior to every cycle did not show any noticeable change. The means were 4.42, 4.34 and 4.43 mmol/l before cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In one patient hypokalaemia was severe, refractory and symptomatic when preceded by hypomagnesaemia. Serum-adjusted calcium levels showed only minimal reduction. The means were 2.46, 2.40 and 2.38 mmol/l before cycles 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Mean serum Mg levels prior to every cycle showed progressive reduction; 0.84, 0.75 and 0.67 mmol/l before cycles 1, 2 and 3, respectively. This was associated with a progressive increase in the amount of required Mg supplementation. Serum K, Ca and Mg was measured prior to 100%, 67% and 35% of administered cycles, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients receiving ESHAP, hypokalaemia can occasionally be seen, especially if preceded by hypomagnesaemia. Mild cumulative hypocalcaemia is recognised. Hypomagnesaemia is a progressive complication and physicians need be aware of its importance. alcaemia is recognised. Hypomagnesaemia is a progressive complication and physicians need be aware of its importance.

Elevated core and muscle temperature to levels comparable to exercise do not increase heat shock protein content of skeletal muscle of physically active men.

AIM: Exercise-associated hyperthermia is routinely cited as the signal responsible for inducing an increased production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) following exercise. This hypothesis, however, has not been tested in human skeletal muscle. The aim of the present study was to therefore investigate the role of increased muscle and core temperature in contributing to the exercise-induced production of the major HSP families in human skeletal muscle. METHODS: Seven physically active males underwent a passive heating protocol of 1 h duration during which the temperature of the core and vastus lateralis muscle were increased to similar levels to those typically occurring during moderately demanding aerobic exercise protocols. One limb was immersed in a tank containing water maintained at approximately 45 degrees C whilst the contra-lateral limb remained outside the tank and was not exposed to heat stress. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of both legs immediately prior to and at 48 h and 7 days post-heating. RESULTS: The heating protocol induced significant increases (P < 0.05) in rectal (1.5 +/- 0.2 degrees C) and muscle temperature of the heated leg (3.6 +/- 0.5 degrees C). Muscle temperature of the non-heated limb showed no significant change (P > 0.05) following heating (pre: 36.1 +/- 0.5, post: 35.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C). Heating failed to induce a significant increase (P > 0.05) in muscle content of HSP70, HSC70, HSP60, HSP27, alphaB-crystallin, MnSOD protein content or in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that increases in both systemic and local muscle temperature per se do not appear to mediate the exercise-induced production of HSPs in human skeletal muscle and suggest that non-heat stress factors associated with contractile activity are of more importance in mediating this response.

Separation of uranium(VI) and transition metal ions with 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol by capillary electrophoresis.

A capillary electrophoresis method utilizing 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol (TAR) was developed to separate uranium, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, titanium and copper metal ions. TAR was chosen as the visible absorbing chelating ligand because of its ability to form stable complexes with a wide variety of metals. Several parameters that included pH, electrophoretic run buffer concentration, buffer type and the influence of chelating ligand in the electrophoretic run buffer were examined to determine the best separating conditions. Optimum separation of the six metal chelates was achieved in a 15 mM Na2B4O7-NaH2PO4, pH 8.3 buffer containing 0.1 mM TAR. Method validation included injection and method precision studies as well as detection limit and linear dynamic range determination. High-ppb to low-ppm (w/w ratio) detection limits were achieved with linear dynamic ranges between 0.1 and 75 ppm.

Bone densitometry should be included in the evaluation of candidates for lung transplantation.

Bone loss and fractures are common complications of heart and liver transplantation, and are likely related to high-dose immunosuppressive therapy. We have previously demonstrated that many patients with end-stage lung disease already have osteoporosis and may be at even greater risk for fracture after lung transplantation. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of fracture in lung transplant recipients on osteoporosis prevention regimens, the relationship of fracture to pretransplant bone mineral density, and the impact of fracture on quality of life after lung transplantation. Twenty-one lung transplant candidates were prospectively evaluated with spine radiographs and bone mineral densitometry. Bone density was expressed as T scores, the number of standard deviations from the mean bone density of a young normal population of the same gender. Of 21 patients, 8 (38%) fractured during the first year. The mean pretransplant lumbar spine T score was significantly lower in the fracture patients (P = .03). Four of the 7 surviving fracture patients and 1 of the 10 patients who survived without fracture believed that chronic pain diminished their quality of life (X2 = 4.408; P = .04). These findings suggest that bone mineral density should be routinely included in the evaluation of lung transplant candidates. Patients with extremely low bone density or osteoporotic fracture should be counseled about the increased risk of fracture after transplantation.

Primary nursing--an alternative approach for midwives.

In task allocation and team nursing systems the least complex task is given to the least trained staff member and the most complex task is given to a more skilled worker, registered nurses often do no more than checking up on others. Primary nursing is a way of thinking and working with patients that challenges outdated and traditional nursing hierarchies and supports the way forward for professional nurses. Primary nursing allows nurses to provide consistent individualised care and encourages the nurse to practice with greater professional autonomy. Task allocation, team nursing and even patient allocation methods of nursing are not wholly supportive of individualised and humanistic care. In contrast, primary nursing presents a structure in which the care planner and principle care giver are the same person. With the focus on helping the client to make her own decisions and greater professional autonomy for nurses, primary nursing is an ideal method of patient care delivery for the specialty of post-natal nursing. The way nursing activities are organised reflects the attitude towards holistic care of the patient and primary nursing is an unconditional patient-centred method of nursing care delivery and the way forward for the professionalism and autonomy of nurses.

Predicting injection site muscle damage. I: Evaluation of immediate release parenteral formulations in animal models.

PURPOSE: The current animal model generally accepted by the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA for assessment of muscle damage following intramuscular injection (IM) is the rabbit lesion volume model (RbLV). However, this model is resource intensive. The goal of this study was to find a resource sparing alternative to the rabbit lesion model for assessing injection site toleration in IM formulation screening. METHODS: Short term animal model alternatives to RbLV for evaluating IM formulations were examined. In addition to RbLV, myeloperoxidase (MPO), p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminide (NA beta G) and/or plasma creatine phosphokinase (CK) activities were determined in rabbits (Rb) and rats (Rt) after injection of formulations (digoxin, azithromycin and danofloxacin). The edema from these formulations 24 hr after subcutaneous injection into the rat footpad (RFE) was also determined. RESULTS: MPO and NA beta G were not considered very useful as biochemical predictors of muscle damage for these formulations. Histology generally correlated with RbLV values. Compared to saline, RbLV was marked for all formulations within 1-3 days of injection. After day 3, lesions quickly resolved, and no significant differences were found. For these formulations, all CK animal models and RFE were generally predictive of RbLV. A formulation with RtCK > 1000 U/L or RbCK > 3000 U/L, was predicted to be poorly, tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to ease, number of animals, time and intrinsic mechanism, we concluded that for most formulations, 2 and 4 hr RtCK data alone should be reasonably predictive of muscle damage.

Predicting injection site muscle damage. II: Evaluation of extended release parenteral formulations in animal models.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to find a resource sparing alternative to the rabbit lesion model (RbLV) for assessing injection site toleration in extended release (ER) intramuscular (IM) formulation screening. METHODS: ER formulations (danofloxacin oily and aqueous suspensions) were evaluated in RbLV, rat and rabbit plasma creatine phosphokinase (CK), and rat foot edema (RFE) models as described in the companion article. RESULTS: None of the short term models could consistently predict acute and chronic effects of the. For example, RFE predicted little muscle damage from aqueous vehicle (0.03 +/- 0.03 g) and 60 mg/ml (0.08 +/- 0.03 g) formulation; while RbLVdays1-3 was marked and greater (p < 0.05) for 60 mg/ml (6.0 +/- 3.1) than vehicle (2.2 +/- 2.9) formulations. Furthermore, RbLVdays 1-3) for vehicle (6.5 +/- 7.5) and 60 mg/ml (4.9 +/- 4.6) danofloxacin oily formulations were worse (p < 0.05) than oil alone (1.4 +/- 2.2); an observation not predicted by CK models, since they apparently reflected only the acute muscle damage of formulation components immediately available to surrounding tissue at the time of injection. CONCLUSIONS: The CK models may be useful to screen those ER formulations with unacceptable acute damage due to immediately available components. However, to evaluate potential delayed effects from ER formulations, the long-term model RbLV was still recommended.

Surgical treatment of uterine torsion in a llama (Lama glama).

A multiparous llama was presented because of failure to proceed into the second stage of labor. Clockwise uterine torsion and a live fetus were identified by rectal and vaginal examinations. A cesarean operation was elected because of the prolonged first stage of labor and lack of cervical dilatation. Anesthesia was induced with a 10% guaifenesin solution administered intravenously via a pressurized pump followed by intubation and maintenance with 2% halothane. A ventral midline surgical approach exposed the uterus and the fetus was removed through a uterotomy. The placenta was manually stripped from the myometrial edges of the incision and the margins were oversewn using a continuous interlocking pattern. The uterus was then closed using a continuous Utrecht pattern and the uterus rotated 180 degrees back to its normal anatomical position. The abdomen was closed in 3 layers. Recovery of the llama was uneventful with the male cria able to nurse 6 hours post-operatively. Placental expulsion occurred approximately 48 hours after fetal removal.

A double-blind placebo controlled evaluation of acupressure in the treatment of motion sickness.

We used 36 subjects in a double-blind placebo controlled experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure as a prophylaxis against motion sickness. There were two independent variables with two levels each: acupressure vs. placebo, and motion sickness high vs. low susceptible subjects. The provocative stimulus was rotation about two orthogonal axes. Signs and symptoms of motion sickness were scored both by the subject and the observer. In spite of previous reports to the contrary, acupressure provided no protection against motion sickness for either high or low susceptible subjects.

Hyperventilation and panic attacks.

The role of hyperventilation in the aetiology of panic attacks is still unclear. This paper briefly reviews the role of hyperventilation and abnormal respiration to panic attacks and examines the experimental evidence. Evidence has been found that physiological variables such as paCO2 and pH are involved in the aetiology of panic attacks and panic disorder but the extent and the nature of the involvement of cognitive variables is undetermined. Based on current evidence, there is a need to integrate cognitive variables with the physiological framework proposed by the hyperventilation theory. Until clear experimental evidence is produced about the relationships between cognitive and physiological factors, the applicability of hyperventilation in the aetiology and treatment of panic attacks remains in question.

Interferon alfa-2a combined with phototherapy in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Escalating doses of recombinant interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A), administered intramuscularly three times weekly, combined with psoralen plus ultraviolet light irradiation (PUVA), were tested in a phase I trial for the therapy of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Interferon doses were escalated in groups of three patients from 6 million to 30 million IUs three times weekly. Disease stages ranged from IB to IVB. Eighty percent of the patients entered in this trial had failed at least one prior therapy. Complete remissions were obtained in 12 of 15 patients, and partial responses were seen in two of 15 patients, for an overall response rate of 93%. The median duration of response exceeded 13 months (range, 3-15+). All patients who responded have been maintained on therapy. The dose-limiting toxic effects were constitutional symptoms such as fevers and malaise (93.3%), leukopenias (40.0%), mental status changes consisting of depression and confusion (33.3%), and photosensitivity (26.6%). These side effects were reversible with a decrement in dose or discontinuation of the interferon. No patient tolerated 30 million IU of the interferon for extended periods; the maximally tolerated dose was 18 million IU. Interferon plus PUVA appears to be a highly effective regimen for the treatment of patients with CTCL. Phase II studies investigating this combination, using 18 million IU of interferon alfa-2a three times weekly, should be undertaken to expand these findings, and to attempt to reduce the toxic effects associated with this therapy.

Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion after cataract extraction under local anesthesia.

We report a case of a patient who underwent bilateral cataract extractions under local anesthesia. In both operations, the patient developed signs, symptoms, and laboratory data consistent with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. In this era of outpatient cataract surgery, we believe this diagnosis should be entertained postoperatively in the proper clinical setting.

Phase I and pharmacologic evaluation of nafazatrom in patients with cancer.

Nafazatrom was evaluated in escalating daily oral doses ranging from 0.25 to 8.0 g/m2 without producing significant toxicities. Malabsorption proved dose limiting at 8.0 g/m2 as a single daily dose, but splitting the same total dose into two or four doses circumvented this problem. Doses of 2.0 g/m2 at 6-h intervals or 4.0 g/m2 every 12 h are reasonable for Phase II and adjuvant trials. Pharmacologic evaluation of nafazatrom confirmed malabsorption at the highest single daily dose level tested and suggests that absorption was impaired in patients with extensive liver metastases.