Habitat and behaviour of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the Gulf of Mexico determined using pop-up satellite archival tags.

This study presents the first data on movement, habitat use and behaviour for yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares in the Atlantic Basin. Six individuals were tracked in the Gulf of Mexico using pop-up satellite archival tags. Records up to 80 days in length were obtained, providing information on depth and temperature preferences as well as horizontal movements. Thunnus albacares in the Gulf of Mexico showed a strong preference for the mixed layer and thermocline, consistent with findings for this species in other ocean basins. Fish showed a diel pattern in depth distribution, remaining in surface and mixed layer waters at night and diving to deeper waters during the day. The vertical extent of T. albacares habitat appeared to be temperature limited, with fish generally avoiding waters that were >6 degrees C cooler than surface waters. The vertical and thermal habitat usage of T. albacares differs from that of bigeye Thunnus obesus and bluefin Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus orientalis and Thunnus maccoyii tunas. These results are consistent with the results of earlier studies conducted on T. albacares in other oceans.

Response to Comment on "Atlantic and Pacific multidecadal oscillations and Northern Hemisphere temperatures".

Kravtsov et al. claim that we incorrectly assess the statistical independence of simulated samples of internal climate variability and that we underestimate uncertainty in our calculations of observed internal variability. Their analysis is fundamentally flawed, owing to the use of model ensembles with too few realizations and the fact that no one model can adequately represent the forced signal.

The effects of octreotide on healing of small bowel anastomosis.

Octreotide (OCT) is a somatostatin analog used for its inhibitory action on multiple GI functions. Although octreotide has numerous clinical benefits, it has also been shown to inhibit postresectional hyperplasia of small bowel and hepatic regeneration. Because octreotide inhibits both trophic and anabolic hormones, we hypothesize that the use of octreotide may be detrimental in patients with a recent bowel anastomosis. To test this hypothesis, 60 male rats were randomized to four equal groups following small bowel anastomosis. Group I = control; Group II = 10 mg/day of hydrocortisone succinate; Group III = 2.5 micrograms/kg/day octreotide (equivalent of a clinical dose); Group IV = 25 micrograms/kg/day octreotide. Hydrocortisone was used as a negative control because it is known to have inhibitory effects on small bowel anastomotic healing. On postoperative Day 7, bursting pressures were measured. Serum T-kininogen levels, as a marker for systemic inflammation, and hydroxyproline content from the anastomotic segments were obtained. These results indicate that in the rat small bowel model, octreotide did not have any deleterious effect on anastomotic strength, systemic inflammation, and collagen content, even at high doses. Hydrocortisone, as expected, showed significant detrimental effects on bursting strength, as well as decreasing systemic inflammation. These findings have significant clinical implications, as octreotide could be used without jeopardizing the intestinal anastomosis.

Effect of the radioprotector WR2721 on irradiation-induced injury to ciliated cells of eustachian tube.

Our previous studies revealed that injury to the ciliated cells of the eustachian tube may be the primary cause of irradiation-induced serous otitis media. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the radioprotector WR2721 on irradiation-induced injury to ciliated cells of the eustachian tube (ET) in chinchillas. Twelve chinchillas were divided into two groups: the control group and the experimental group, which was pretreated with a single intraperitoneal dose of the radioprotector S-2-[3-aminopropylamino]ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR2721) 400 mg/kg. The two groups were exposed to 30 Gy of 13-MeV electrons in a single fraction to the area of the bullae and nasopharynx. Ciliary dysfunction was tested and ciliated cells of the ET were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pretreatment with WR2721 was found to protect ciliated cells of the ET from irradiation injury.

Effect of leukotriene inhibitor on cochlear blood flow in salicylate ototoxicity.

Our previous studies showed that salicylate ototoxicity is associated with decreased levels of vasodilating prostaglandins (PGs) and increased vasoconstricting leukotrienes (LTs) in the perilymph and reduced cochlear blood flow (CoBF). The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that leukotriene inhibitor prevents salicylate ototoxicity by preventing abnormal elevation of LT levels in the inner ear, thus averting a decrease in CoBF resulting from abnormal levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in the inner ear. Ototoxicity was induced in chinchillas by either local round window membrane (RWM) application or systemic treatment with salicylate both with and without pretreatment with leukotriene inhibitor (Sch 37224). A moderate reduction in CoBF was documented with both local RWM and systemic treatment with salicylate. Salicylate induced hearing loss and reduction in CoBF were prevented by pretreatment with a leukotriene inhibitor. This study suggests that leukotriene inhibitor prevents salicylate ototoxicity by averting a decrease in CoBF mediated by abnormal levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in the inner ear.

The effects of ammonium sulfate and acid on horse and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8).

1. Results of laboratory experiments which compared horse and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) with respect to their acid inactivation and ammonium sulfate protection show: 2. Horse serum butyrylcholinesterase is more resistant to inactivation at pH 3.0 than human serum butyrylcholinesterase. 3. The loss of activity at pH 3.0 for both horse and human butyrylcholinesterase does not follow first order kinetics. 4. Both human and horse serum butyrylcholinesterase are protected from pH 3.0 inactivation by ammonium sulfate concentrations up to 33% saturation (1.37 M).

Impact of a gerontological nurse practitioner on the nursing home elderly in the acute care setting.

A retrospective analysis of the length of stay of nursing home elderly patients admitted to the hospital demonstrates a significant decrease when patients are comanaged by a nurse practitioner and attending physicians. A comparison of the 20 most heavily populated diagnostic groups between 1993 and 1994 reveals a shorter average length of stay in 17 of the 20 diagnostic groups, and an overall mean decrease of 2.78 days for all groups. This article discusses the impact of the gerontological nurse practitioner on hospital length of stay of the nursing home elderly with acute illness. Research is needed to document advanced practices that decrease length of stay, as well as to control for extraneous variables.

Defining the acute in acute care nurse practitioner.

The role of the nurse practitioner in the tertiary care or hospital setting has become well established during the course of this decade. With the introduction of a national certifying examination for acute care nurse practitioners in 1995, it is important that the word acute be defined in a way that is acknowledged universally. Should an examination certifying acute care nurse practitioners contain critical care content? Are the terms acute care and critical care synonymous? The existing examination contains critical care content, but a review of relevant literature suggests a conflict. At times acute care and critical care are used interchangeably, and at other times they are discussed in a way that suggests they are two distinct specialties. This article presents the conflicting use of these two terms in the literature and provides a rationale for recognizing the differences. It is suggested that the definition of the word acute, as it is used in the title acute care nurse practitioner, be reexamined, and that either the content or the title of the certifying examination for acute care nurse practitioners be reconsidered.

Nurse practitioners in the county correctional facility setting: unique challenges and suggestions for effective health promotion.

The correctional facility practice setting is among the newer practice specialties emerging for nurse practitioners (NPs). As with any new setting, a variety of unique challenges continues to emerge. Because there is a relative paucity of literature regarding NP practice in this particular specialty, those practicing now do not have adequate resources to assist in the development of their practice. This article discusses some of the challenges unique to this area of practice and offers suggestions for incorporating theory-based health promotion interventions. This article is also an effort to begin development of a body of knowledge for NPs providing primary, secondary, and tertiary care to the inmate population of jails and prisons. Hopefully, nurse practitioners in this unique setting will be encouraged to share their own anecdotal and research-based suggestions for improving correctional facility practice.

The effects of cyclosporin A on leucocyte infiltration and procoagulant activity in the mouse delayed hypersensitivity response in vivo.

A model of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to methylated bovine serum albumin was established and characterised in the mouse pleural cavity. Fluid exudate formation was delayed, peaking around 24 h and diminishing by 48-72 h. Exudate leucocyte accumulation was also delayed, rising by 24 h and reaching maximal levels between 24-72 h. Significant PMN leucocyte infiltration was observed early on, although macrophages dominated the reaction from 24 h onwards. Small numbers of lymphoid cells were also observed. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) at 100 mg/kg p.o. around the time of antigen challenge significantly reduced fluid exudate volume but consistently failed to reduce either leucocyte infiltration or the PMN: mononuclear cell ratio throughout the reaction. CsA treatment enhanced DTH exudate leucocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) although leucocyte morphology remained unaltered. The development of carrageenan edema in the hind paws of mice was unaffected by CsA treatment (50-200 mg/kg p.o.). These results suggest that (1) CsA selectively suppresses DTH vascular permeability responses without affecting leucocyte accumulation and (2) CsA does not affect the lymphokine-mediated induction of leucocyte PCA associated with DTH reactions in vivo.

Identifying barriers to the administration of HIV medications to county correctional facility inmates.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of HIV medication administration at a county correctional facility. Anecdotal data suggested serious barriers to the process. Professional and licensed practical nursing staff practicing at a New Jersey county correctional facility participated in focus group interviews designed to discuss the process of medication administration and potential barriers to that process. Analysis of data revealed five contextual themes: uniqueness of the county correctional facility setting, barriers perceived by nursing staff, inmates' perceptions of HIV infection, internal systems' barriers, and the role of systems external to the correctional facility.

Adolescent smoking. A review of prevalence and prevention.

This review critically evaluates the extensive literature on the epidemiology and prevention of adolescent smoking. Trends in adolescent smoking attitudes and behavior as well as the immediate and long-term health consequences of adolescent smoking are discussed. The factors associated with adolescent smoking and several smoking interventions are analyzed. Suggestions are made for improving the evaluation of future programs designed to prevent adolescent smoking.

Implementing TQM.

Total quality management (TQM) is an organized, systematic approach to problem solving and continuous improvement. American corporations have found that TQM is an excellent way to improve competitiveness, lower operating costs, and improve productivity. Increasing numbers of laboratories are investigating the benefits of TQM. For this month's column, we asked our respondents: What steps has your laboratory taken to implement TQM?