285 research outputs found
Halecium maximum Galea & Schories, sp. nov.
No full textHalecium maximum Galea & Schories, sp. nov. (Plate 2 B; Figs 2 G, H; 3 E, F; 4 D; Table 4) Material examined. Corral, Chaihuin/Huiro, lat. -39.95000, long. - 73.61667, 09.xi.2011, 10 m, sample 05: a 8 cm high, female colony (holotype: MHNG-INVE- 86218); 16.xi.2011, 8‒ 10 m, sample 18: a 5.7 cm high, female colony (paratype: MHNG-INVE- 86220); 30.xi.2011, 8‒ 10 m, sample 20: a 4 cm high male colony and several fragments (paratype: MHNG-INVE- 86221); 30.xi.2011, 8‒ 10 m, sample 56: a 9 cm high, male colony (paratype: MHNG-INVE- 86219). Description. Colonies arising from a mass of loosely aggregated, creeping, branching stolonal fibers. Stems rather tall, up to 9 cm high (Pl. 2 B), mostly monosiphonic, except for a short, basal portion invested by a reduced number of auxiliary tubes. Internodes geniculate, of moderate length, delimited by oblique nodes; there are slight bulges at both ends of each internode, as well as a well-developed, latero-distal hydrophore, greatly surpassing the level of distal node, and provided with a conspicuous pseudodiaphragm on its adaxial side (Fig. 2 G). Hydrothecae very deep, with everted margins; renovations present (Fig. 2 H). Branches arising singly from the primary hydrophores (Fig. 2 G). Largest branches given off irregularly and in all directions, while comparatively shorter branchlets, of no more than 3–5 internodes, are given off from every single hydrophore, and appear arranged on all sides of the stem and branches. Gonothecae large, lenticular, tapering abruptly basally into short pedicels; male (Fig. 3 F) similar to female (Fig. 3 E), both provided with an aperture, the latter notched in female (Fig. 3 E1, 3, 4). Cnidome (Fig. 4 D): small (ca. 4.6 × 1.7 µm) and large (ca. 8.3 × 2.9 µm) heteronemes (none seen discharged), as well as microbasic mastigophores (ca. 6.0 × 1.7 µm). Remarks. This species superficially resembles the following one, and their differences are listed under the latter. 12. Millard (1957) accepted the synonymy between H. gracile Bale, 1888 and H. parvulum Bale, 1888, and recognized that the name of the former was threatened by H. gracile Verrill, 1874. She thus used the second available name, viz. H. parvulum, most probably ignoring that a substitution name for the former, H. balei, was introduced earlier by Fraser (1911). Female gonothecae with a similar shape were found previously in specimens from Tristan da Cunha examined by one of us (see Galea 2010 b, Halecium ? delicatulum Coughtrey, 1876, morphotype 2). Consequently, a comparison between the two sets of collection materials, as well as with the other species of Halecium discussed herein, was found necessary. The Tristan da Cunha specimens are mainly characterized by their nearly straight stems and side branches, with almost collinear internodes, and by their unusual, exceedingly long primary hydrophores. Although most of its hydranths were shed, a closer inspection of the available material (part of NHM 2009.18) revealed the remains of a couple of polyps. These were used to analyze the cnidome composition (Fig. 4 E), which showed, besides the common spindle shaped microbasic mastigophores, the presence of a peculiar, large nematocyst [(10.9–12.3) × (5.5–5.7) µm] with a long, coiled shaft, apparently making more than a complete turn inside the capsule. The sole (partly?) discharged capsule exhibited a shaft whose length exceeded that of the capsule itself. Taken together, these differences with the related congeners prompted the first author of the present study to introduce the new name, Halecium tristaniensis 13 Galea, sp. nov., in order to distinguish this species from its relatives. Etymology. From the Latin maximus (-a, -um), used with the meaning “the largest”, to show its size difference with the following species. Distribution in Chile. Only known from Corral (present study).Published as part of Galea, Horia R., Schories, Dirk, Försterra, Günter & Häussermann, Verena, 2014, New species and new records of hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Chile, pp. 1-50 in Zootaxa 3852 (1) on pages 20-22, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3852.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/28695
Data extraction form - Review of the impact of transportation and service corridors on primates
No full textThis is the form used to extract all relevant data from literature relating to the impact of transportation and service corridors on primates. From each included study, we extracted information about the author/s and publication date, type of literature, study design, study continent, country, location, specific site (if available), protection status of location, geographical location (latitude and longitude, decimal degrees), species or subspecies studied (common name, Latin binomial, family, IUCN conservation status), types of T&S corridors affecting species studied, impacts (divided into direct and indirect), summary-of-findings/quotes from studies, and mitigation measures (divided into recommended, implemented, and evaluated). If mitigation measures were implemented in a study, based on the information provided, they it was categorised as either effective, partially effective, not effective, or not evaluated. We considered publications from the same sites independently when assessing the number of studies that have taken place. However, these were then pooled and considered as a single data unit when analysing impacts and mitigation measures. Subspecies were also included in the data extraction process, under the assumption that subspecies in different locations may be affected differently, and thus may require their own unique management interventions
Neurobehavioral Alterations from Noise Exposure in Animals: A Systematic Review
No full textEcosystems are increasingly involved and influenced by human activities, which are ever-increasing. These activities are mainly due to vehicular, air and sea transportation, thus causing possible repercussions on the fauna that exists there. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the possible consequences that these activities may have in the field of animal neurobehavior, with special emphasis on the species involved, the most common environment concerned, the noise source and the disturbance that is caused. This research includes articles published in the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Web of Sciences); the online search yielded 1901 references. After selection, 49 articles (14 reviews and 35 original articles) were finally scrutinized. The main problems that were reported were in relation to movement, reproduction, offspring care and foraging. In live experiments carried out, the repercussions on the marine environment mainly concerned altered swimming, shallower descents, less foraging and an escape reaction for fear of cetaceans and fish. In birds, alterations in foraging, vocalizations and nests were noted; laboratory studies, on the other hand, carried out on small mammals, highlighted spatio-temporal cognitive alterations and memory loss. In conclusion, it appears that greater attention to all ecosystems should be given as soon as possible so as to try to achieve a balance between human activity and the well-being of terrestrial fauna
Zanclea migottoi Galea, 2008, sp. nov.
No full text<i>Zanclea migottoi</i> sp. nov. <p>(fig. 3J–L, tables 1–2)</p> <p> <i>Zanclea costata</i> — Migotto, 1996: 20, fig. 5A–C (not <i>Zanclea costata</i> Gegenbaur, 1857: 229, pl. 8 figs 4–6). <i>Zanclea</i> cf. <i>alba</i> — Vervoort, 2006: 200, figs 1A–B, 2.1–2.3 [not <i>Zanclea alba</i> sensu Calder (1988b) = <i>Acrochordium album</i> Meyen, 1834: 165, pl. 28 fig. 8].</p> <p> <b>Type material</b>. <b>Stn. 3</b>: 26.01.2008 —several small colonies, composed of a few hydranths, some with medusa buds, on algae (MHNG INVE 61000).</p> <p> <b>Type locality</b>. Petite Anse, Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe.</p> <p> <b>Description</b>. Colonies stolonal, monomorphic, with hydranths arising from creeping hydrorhiza. Pedicels 735–1790 µm long, 45–65 µm in diameter basally, gradually widening distally to 85–180 µm. Perisarc strongly corrugated basally (not forming distinct annuli), smooth distally. Hydranths cylindrical, 635–980 µm long, 170–230 µm wide; slightly tapering basally; hypostome rounded, short. About 30–40 tentacles, of which 5–6 around mouth, the remaining ones scattered more or less regularly over 2/3 of body; all tentacles capitate, 100–160 µm long, 45–50 µm wide at base, diameter of capitulum 50–60 µm. Gonophores, medusa buds, borne in small clusters on short stalks among basal tentacles. Newly-liberated medusa not seen. Nematocysts of polyp (undischarged capsules, for dimensions see table 1): two size classes of stenoteles in tentacle tips; macrobasic euryteles, with parallel sides and rounded ends, in groups of 2–7 capsules at bases of tentacles. Nematocysts of medusa buds: stenoteles and macrobasic euryteles with bean-shaped capsules.</p> <p> <b>TABLE 1.</b> Comparative measurements of the nematocysts from polyps of <i>Zanclea migottoi</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, from various sources, in µm. (1)Nematocysts from preserved material. (2)Nematocysts from living material.</p> <p> <b>Remarks</b>. The various nominal species of <i>Zanclea</i> Gegenbaur, 1857 can be reliably identified only if the entire life cycle is known. However, recent studies (Gravili <i>et al</i>. 1996, Boero <i>et al</i>. 2000, Puce <i>et al</i>. 2002) described in detail the morphological features of both the polyp and medusa stages of numerous members of the genus, and provided essential data on their nematocyst complement. As stated by Gravili <i>et al</i>. (1996), study of the cnidome is an essential tool for species identification in <i>Zanclea</i> hydroids.</p> <p> The nematocyst complement of the present hydroid material was compared with the available data from the literature, and proved to be identical with the Brazilian specimens assigned to <i>Z. costata</i> Gegenbaur, 1857 by Migotto (1996). Although not stated in the original description given by this author, the macrobasic euryteles of the polyp are located in groups of 2–5 capsules at the tentacle bases and have the same shape as those found in the Guadeloupe hydroids. Their shaft is 10 times or more longer than the capsule itself. Moreover, the macrobasic euryteles of the Brazilian medusa are bean-shaped and thus resemble those of the medusabuds in my material (A. E. Migotto, personal communication).</p> <p> From the cnidome data, it is obvious that the Brazilian material does not belong to Gegenbaur’s (1857) species. The latter is only known from the Mediterranean and has a different cnidome in both the hydroid and medusa stages, as illustrated by the detailed description given by Cerrano <i>et al</i>. (1997).</p> <p> Additionally, the hydroid material from the Azores assigned to <i>Zanclea</i> cf. <i>alba</i> (Meyen, 1834) by Vervoort (2006) comes very close to ours. The macrobasic euryteles, in particular, in Vervoort’s (2006) specimens have the same shape and size as those from the Guadeloupe hydroids, and are similarly located at the bases of tentacles, as illustrated in his fig. 2–2.</p> <p> However, the material included by Vervoort (2006) in the synonymy of Meyen’s (1834) species is different from that attributable by Calder (1988b) to <i>Z. alba</i>. The latter author neither reported macrobasic euryteles in his original redescription of <i>Z. alba</i> (see Calder 1988b), nor found them during a recent reexamination of three different samples from Bermuda (D. Calder, personal communication).</p> <p> Therefore, the Brazilian specimens are regarded here as being conspecific with the present material from Guadeloupe and that from the Azores. The macrobasic euryteles did not match any of those described in the known <i>Zanclea</i> species, and all the above-mentioned materials are allocated to the new species <i>Z. migottoi</i>. For a description of its medusa stage, see Migotto (1996). A comparison of various species of <i>Zanclea</i> with a known hydroid stage and monomorphic colonies is presented in table 2.</p> <p> <b>Etymology</b>. This species is named after Dr. Alvaro E. Migotto, who found and described it for the first time.</p> <p> <b>Distribution</b>. The Azores (Vervoort 2006), Caribbean Sea (present study), Brazil (Migotto 1996).</p>Published as part of <i>Galea, Horia R., 2008, On a collection of shallow-water hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from Guadeloupe and Les Saintes, French Lesser Antilles, pp. 1-54 in Zootaxa 1878</i> on pages 14-15, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/184149">10.5281/zenodo.184149</a>
Allergic anaphylactic risk in farming activities: A systematic review
No full textAllergic disorders in the agriculture sector are very common among farm workers, causing many injuries and occupational diseases every year. Agricultural employees are exposed to multiple conditions and various allergenic substances, which could be related to onset of anaphylactic reactions. This systematic review highlights the main clinical manifestation, the allergens that are mostly involved and the main activities that are usually involved. This research includes articles published on the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus), using a combination of keywords. The online search yielded 489 references; after selection, by the authors, 36 articles (nine reviews and 27 original articles) were analyzed. From this analysis, the main clinical problems that were diagnosed in this category were respiratory (ranging from rhinitis to asthma) and dermatological (eczema, dermatitis, hives) in nature, with a wide symptomatology (from a simple local reaction to anaphylaxis). The main activities associated with these allergic conditions are harvesting or cultivation of fruit and cereals, beekeepers and people working in greenhouses. Finally, in addition to the allergens already known, new ones have emerged, including triticale, wine, spider and biological dust. For these reasons, in the agricultural sector, research needs to be amplified, considering new sectors, new technologies and new products, and ensuring a system of prevention to reduce this risk.peer-reviewe
Urban noise and psychological distress: A systematic review
No full textChronic exposure to urban noise is harmful for auditory perception, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous systems, while also causing psychological annoyance. Around 25% of the EU population experience a deterioration in the quality of life due to annoyance and about 5–15% suffer from sleep disorders, with many disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually. This systematic review highlights the main sources of urban noise, the relevant principal clinical disorders and the most effected countries. This review included articles published on the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus), using a combination of some keywords. The online search yielded 265 references; after selection, the authors have analyzed 54 articles (5 reviews and 49 original articles). From the analysis, among the sources of exposure, we found the majority of items dealing with airports and wind turbines, followed by roads and trains; the main disorders that were investigated in different populations dealt with annoyance and sleep disorders, sometimes associated with cardiovascular symptoms. Regarding countries, studies were published from all over the world with a slight prevalence from Western Europe. Considering these fundamental health consequences, research needs to be extended in such a way as to include new sources of noise and new technologies, to ensure a health promotion system and to reduce the risk of residents being exposed.peer-reviewe
Nemalecium gracile Galea, Ferry & Bertot, 2012, sp. nov.
No full textNemalecium gracile sp. nov. (Figs 2 H–N, 3, 4 A–D; Table 1) Nemalecium lighti — Calder, 1991 a: 27, figs 17, 18.— Galea, 2008 (pro parte): 24, fig. 4 M, O [not fig. 4 N = Nemalecium cf. lighti (Hargitt, 1924)]. not Halecium lighti Hargitt, 1924, 489, pl. 4 fig. 13. Material examined. Nemalecium gracile — Martinique, Les Abîmes, lat. 14.807514, long. -61.226698, 25 February 2012, 8 m, sample M 257: female colony, ca. 3.5 cm high, with ripe gonophores (holotype, MHNG- INVE- 82194); sample M 258: male colony, ca. 3.0 cm high, with ripe gonophores (paratype, MHNG-INVE- 82195). Martinique, Anse Trois Airs, lat. 14.513223, long. -61.097730, 0 4 February 2012, sample M 147: colony up to 2.4 cm high, with mono- and dioecious stems, on Pinna carnea (Bivalvia) (MHNG-INVE- 82196). Martinique, Pointe Lamare, lat. 14.780461, long. -61.211935, 28 January 2012, 10 m, sample M098: monoecious colony on Halimeda sp. Martinique, Petite Sirène, lat. 14.490951, long. -61.089147, 29 January 2012, 6 m, sample M 114: female colony, ca. 1.2 cm high, on Halimeda sp. Guadeloupe, Stn1. 1, 20 March 2008, several colonies, ca. 5 mm high, some fertile, on Thalassia testudinum. Guadeloupe, Stn. 6, 28 March 2008, numerous colonies, some fertile, up to 0.4 cm high, on T. testudinum. Guadeloupe, Stn. 7, 27 March 2008, a few sterile colony, up to 0.5 cm high, on T. testudinum. Nemalecium cf. lighti (Caribbean) — Guadeloupe, Stn. 6, 23 March 2008: numerous sterile colonies, with both mono- and polysiphonic stems, up to 5.0 cm high, on various algae, concretions and sponge. Guadeloupe, Stn. 7, 25 March 2008: a monoecious colony, ca. 1.8 cm high, on sponge; 27 March 2008, a 1. Data on stations from Guadeloupe are given in Galea (2008). few sterile colonies, up to 1.0 cm high, on hydrocoral. Martinique, Les Abîmes, sample M 252: colonies on dead gorgonians, up to 2.0 cm high, some stems bearing rare, immature male gonothecae. Nemalecium cf. lighti (Indonesia) —Hatta (Rozengain) Island, lat. -4.590954, long. 130.039919, 19 October 2011, 7 m: portion of a rich colony growing on hydrocoral, with stems up to 1.2 cm high and numerous mature male gonothecae. Derawan Island, lat. 2.284377, long. 118.243072, 18 April 2010, 15 m: portion of a colony growing on dead gorgonian, stems up to 1.8 cm high, some bearing immature male gonothecae. Alor Island, lat -8.272613, long. 124.400860, 29 October 2010, 20 m: small colony composed of a few stems detached from substrate, up to 2.2 cm high, some bearing mature male gonothecae. Description. Delicate, upright, unbranched or sparingly branched, coplanar colonies, up to 3.5 cm high, with mono- or slightly polysiphonic stems, arising at irregular intervals from creeping, ramified hydrorhiza (Figs 2 H, 3 A). Stems and side branches divided into internodes by transverse to slightly oblique nodes; internodes long, slender, slightly geniculate, of approximately the same length (Fig. 2 I); distally with a lateral hydrophore and an upwards-directed apophysis supporting subsequent internode. Hydrophore slightly surpassing level of distal node, bearing a hydrotheca at top (Fig. 2 J). Side branches borne on short apophyses given off laterally from hydrophores, just below hydrothecal bases (Fig. 2 I 1); first internode comparatively longer than subsequent ones; branching up to 3 rd order. Hydrotheca shallow, walls straight, slightly flaring, margin not everted, rather slightly rolled inwardly for a short distance; distinct, large desmocytes as a ring of refringent nodules above diaphragm (Fig. 2 J). Renovated hydrothecae occur irregularly; secondary hydrothecae arising at level of diaphragm from within primary hydrothecae; borne on funnel shaped hydrophores of varied length, perisarc annulated basally, smooth elsewhere (Fig. 2 I 3–5). Hydranths tall, slender, constantly foraging; distally, a prominent constriction, delimiting the hypostome region from the rest of the body; body with a short, distal, slightly swollen digestive region, bright yellow in life, and a much longer, non digestive part below, nearly transparent in life (Fig. 3 A, insert); hypostome region conical, bearing terminally the mouth, encircled by a row of 22–26 filiform tentacles (Fig. 3 B), characteristically irregularly raised (Fig. 3 A, insert); normally two conspicuous nematodactyls; between tentacle bases, large glandular cells (Fig. 3 E), these also scattered over the hydranth body as ovoid, granular patches (Fig. 3 B, g.c.); nematodactyls curved inwards towards hypostome from diametrically opposite sides or nearly so; each armed along either side with a row of 12–13 large pseudostenoteles (Fig. 3 F). Nematocysts (Fig. 4 A–D): 1) pseudostenoteles, 2) microbasic mastigophores typical of the haleciid hydroids, 3) microbasic euryteles resembling the microbasic mastigophores, but comparatively wider, and 4) ovoid rhopaloid heteronemes with oblique shaft (for measurements, see Table 1). Colonies and individual stems either mono- or dioecious. Gonothecae given off from primary hydrophores below hydrothecal bases (Fig. 2 K, L, N, 3 H–J), occasionally from the stolon. Gonothecae of both sexes similar, tubular, tapering gradually basally, walls undulated, distally truncate to watch glass shaped. Gonophores one per gonotheca, budded off from a blastostyle ending in a conspicuous apical plate, all enveloped together in an ectodermic mantle (Fig. 3 J). Gonophores of cryptomedusoid type; large, ovoid, with thick mesoglea; an eccentric, moderately long, club shaped spadix (Fig. 3 P) surrounded by a compact mass of gametes, living only a reduced subumbrellar cavity (Fig. 3 J); basally a fairly developed velum; bell aperture surrounded by a belt of spherical (8.5–17.0 µm wide), solid, refringent corpuscles arranged in 1–3 concentric rows (Fig. 3 L and insert); subumbrella provided with conspicuous transverse myoepithelial cells (Fig. 3 O); there are no radial or circular canals, no tentacles, no mouth, and no sense organs. Female gonophore with ca. 30–35 polygonal eggs with large nuclei (Fig. 3 H). Elongating blastostyle, followed by the mantle withdrawal allow the gonophore to be progressively liberated (Fig. 3 K) through the rupture of a rounded, apical "lid" of the gonotheca (fig. 2 M). Spawning and fertilization could not be observed in either sex. Discussion. The material assigned to Nemalecium lighti (Hargitt, 1924) by Calder (1991 a) shows striking resemblances to the present species. The shape and size of the internodes, the primary hydrophores surpassing the level of the distal node, as well as the size of the pseudostenoteles, strongly suggest that it is conspecific with N. gracile (see also Table 1 for comparison). The same is partly true for the material studied earlier by Galea (2008). Indeed, upon its reexamination, it was found that it is actually composed of two species, one of which is N. gracile. Distinction between them is easier, especially when living specimens are examined, given the present material from Martinique. Nemalecium gracile has very long, nearly transparent (except for the digestive part, with a conspicuous bright yellow tinge), constantly foraging hydranths, whose tentacles are typically raised at different levels (see insert of Fig. 3 A). In contrast, the second species 2 has shorter, nearly immobile, milky white hydranths (except for their digestive part, which is pale yellow), with all tentacles always raised at the same level. Microscopically, both species are especially distinguished through the shape and size of their internodes (compare Fig. 2 I 1–5 and 2 P, Q), as well as the cnidome composition (compare Fig. 4 A–D and E–H). The type material of N. lighti, the sole nominal species belonging so far to that genus, was not examined and specimens from the type locality (Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental, Philippines) were unavailable for this study in order to confirm the identification of the second Caribbean species. However, material belonging to Nemalecium originating from three remote (700–1500 km distant) Indonesian localities (Alor, Derawan, and Hatta islands) is housed in the private collection of the senior author and was therefore available for comparison with the original description of N. lighti by Hargitt (1924) and with the Caribbean specimens in hand. The materials from Alor and Derawan agree well with the description of the type of N. lighti (especially in the colony structure and the length of their internodes 3), and they are most probably conspecific. In contrast, the colony from Hatta, growing over a gorgonian, has a different appearance and seems to display a few distinctive features, such as a tendency to form widely-spaced, mostly unbranched, rather stout stems, with irregular internodes (Fig. 2 X), while the specimens from Alor and Derawan form characteristically more crowded stems, branched strictly in one plane, and provided with typical collinear internodes (Fig. 2 U, V). In contrast, the cnidome seems uniform in all three sets of material 4. 2. A living colony from Guadeloupe is illustrated in Galea (2010), p. 6, fig. 1 A. 3. Material with a similar trophosome was reported on by Pennycuik (1959) from Queensland, Australia. 4. This should be checked again using living material so as to obtain fully discharged capsules. data and the present study. N.I. signifies that information was not indicated by the authors cited. N.B.: Male and female gonothecae of the Caribbean specimens assigned to Nemalecium cf. lighti were not fully formed and their dimension are expected to be above the range given herein. There is increasing evidence that we are most probably dealing with more than one species of Nemalecium in the Indo-Pacific, some materials having been likely erroneously assigned earlier to the binomen N. lighti, as exemplified by the specimens from Papua New Guinea studied by Bouillon (1986). His material displays some obvious morphological differences compared to the type of N. lighti described by Hargitt (1924), such as the presence of very long, slender internodes, similar to those of N. gracile. In addition, Di Camillo et al. (2008) mentioned an as yet unnamed species inhabiting the "shady crevices of the corals" in North Sulawesi, while Gravier-Bonnet & Bourmaud (2006) found another species "colonizing walls and tips of large grey sponges" in Juan de Nova Island, as well as two additional species occurring in the Maldives (Gravier-Bonnet & Bourmaud 2012) 5. We conclude that a comprehensive study of Nemalecium, based on abundant, fertile material, is imperative, though out of the scope of the present paper. Subtle morphological differences could, indeed, be noted only if living material is studied, including the precise identification of the nematocyst types upon obtaining fully discharged capsules. On the other hand, comparison of the second species of Nemalecium from the Caribbean (Fig. 2 P, Q) with the materials from Alor and Derawan indicate that they are indistinguishable morphologically from each other, a conclusion equally supported by their respective cnidomes (compare Fig. 4 E–H and 4 I –L). Therefore, we tentatively assign the second Caribbean Nemalecium to Hargitt's (1924) species, pending reexamination of the type of N. lighti. It is curious to note that the cnidome of Nemalecium was underestimated in earlier accounts (Bouillon 1986, Calder 1991 a, Migotto 1996). In addition to the conspicuous pseudostenoteles and the numerous microbasic mastigophores, it appears to comprise at least two additional, less abundant types of capsules: a microbasic eurytele similar in length to the mastigophores, but comparatively wider (Fig. 4 C, G, K), and an unidentified rhopaloid heteroneme, possibly a microbasic eurytele (Fig. 4 D, H, L). Pseudostenoteles are found not only in the nematodactyls (Fig. 3 F, G), but occur also in the coenosarc of the trophosome, as well as in the gonophores, where they are more easily seen in the male medusoids as large capsules (p.s.) scattered among the mass of sperm cells (Fig. 3 P). The microbasic mastigophores (m.b.m.) heavily arm the filiform tentacles of the hydranths (Fig. 3 F), but are equally found in the coenosarc and the exumbrella of the medusoid. The microbasic euryteles occur in the coenosarc of the trophosome, as well as in the gonophore mantle, while the heteronemes are found in the coenosarc and the spadix of the medusoid. Based on the cnidome composition alone, especially on the shape and size of the pseudostenoteles, it is obvious that N. gracile could be readily distinguished, through its comparatively smaller capsules (Calder 1991 and the present study), from the Indonesian (present study), Papua New Guinean (Bouillon et al. 1986), and Brazilian (Migotto 1996) materials, as well as from the Caribbean specimens provisionally assigned to N. lighti. The swimming gonophores of N. gracile are morphologically similar to, and exhibit apparently the same expulsion mechanism from the gonotheca as those described earlier by Gravier-Bonnet & Migotto (2000) for N. cf. lighti 6. Gross differences rely in the number of eggs (possibly 7 30–35 vs. 40–62) and the shape of the marginal corpuscles (rounded vs. irregular). Similarities between the medusoids of Nemalecium and those belonging to other hydrozoan families have been discussed at length by the above-mentioned authors. Due to their apparent mineral composition and their shape and size possibly being influenced by physicochemical parameters, it is unclear whether these corpuscles are good indicators for the separation of species. Morphological differences have been observed, for instance, between specimens from Reunion and Brazil, as noted by Gravier-Bonnet & Migotto (2000). Moreover, corpuscles with heterogenous morphology may occur within the same species, as illustrated by Antennella sp. from Reunion Island (Bourmaud & Gravier-Bonnet 2005). On the other hand, the number of eggs should be, in theory, species-specific, but there are contrary evidences demonstrating that it can vary depending on environmental factors in at least two documented cases: Macrorhynchia philippina and an as yet unidentified Rhizogeton from the Indian Ocean (Bourmaud & Gravier- Bonnet 2004). 5. Due to complete absence of formal descriptions and illustrations, all these "species" records are considered with some reservation, and are listed herein for information only, pending detailed taxonomical studies that clarify their identities. 6. According to Gravier-Bonnet & Migotto (2000), slight differences were observed between the specimens from São Sebastião and those from Reunion Island, suggesting that they were probably dealing with two different species. 7. Egg number could not be evaluated with certainty in non-spawned medusoids. Their number was estimated in nonreleased gonophores, through the transparency of the gonothecal wall. Attempts to estimate their number in dissected, formalin-fixed gonophores proved inconclusive. Since neither swimming of the gonophore, nor the spawning could be observed in N. gracile, it is assumed that the role of the subumbrellar myoepithelial cells is to favor peristaltic movements of the bell allowing the gametes to be liberated out of the gonophore, while the contractions of the velum would help the medusoid to swim and spread its gametes in the water column. Ecology. Nemalecium gracile occurs on Halimeda sp., on the leaves of Thalassia testudinum, on some bivalve shells (e.g. Pinna carnea), and on artificial inert substrates (e.g. fishing wires). In contrast, N. cf. lighti of the tropical western Atlantic is found on a larger variety of substrates, mainly sponges and (dead) gorgonians, but also on mineral concretions, worm tubes, various artificial inert substrates, or the algae Tricleocarpa sp. and Amphiroa sp., as well as Halimeda sp. Geographical distribution. Bermuda (Calder 1991 a), Guadeloupe (Galea 2008, pro parte), Martinique (present study), possibly Belize (Calder 1991 b, as N. lighti, presumably the specimens growing on T. testudinum). The species is expected to occur in the whole Caribbean basin and northwards to Bermuda, and possibly to the neighboring Gulf of Mexico (though not listed by Calder & Cairns 2009). Etymology. The specific name gracile, Latin, meaning “slender” or “thin”, makes reference to the delicate appearance of the colonies and the features of their internodes.Published as part of Galea, Horia R., Ferry, Romain & Bertot, Jean-Marie, 2012, Medusoids in the life cycle of Dentitheca dendritica (Nutting, 1900) and Nemalecium gracile sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), pp. 43-54 in Zootaxa 3527 on pages 47-53, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.28275
Post-typhoon prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder in a Vietnamese sample
No full textIn 2006, typhoon Xangsane disrupted a multiagency health needs study of 4,982 individuals in Vietnam. Following this disaster, 798 of the original participants were reinterviewed to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), panic disorder (PD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Posttyphoon prevalences were PTSD 2.6%, MDD 5.9%, PD 9.3%, and GAD 2.2%. Of those meeting criteria for a disorder, 70% reported only one disorder, 15% had two, 14% had three, and 1% met criteria for all four disorders. Risk factors for posttyphoon psychopathology differed among disorders, but generally were related to high typhoon exposure, prior trauma exposure, and in contrast to Western populations, higher age, but not gender
The role of electrocardiography in occupational medicine, from einthoven’s invention to the digital era of wearable devices
No full textClinical-instrumental investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), represent a corollary of a procedures that, nowadays, is called upon as part of the principles of precision medicine. However when carrying out the professional routine examinations, most tend to ignore how a “simple” instrument can offer indispensable support in clinical practice, even in occupational medicine. The advent of the digital age, made of silicon and printed circuit boards, has allowed the miniaturization of the electronic components of these electro-medical devices. Finally, the adoption of patient wearables in medicine has been rapidly expanding worldwide for a number of years. This has been driven mainly by consumers’ demand to monitor their own health. With the ongoing research and development of new features capable of assessing and transmitting real-time biometric data, the impact of wearables on cardiovascular management has become inevitable. Despite the potential offered by this technology, as evident from the scientific literature, the application of these devices in the field of health and safety in the workplace is still limited. This may also be due to the lack of targeted scientific research. While offering great potential, it is very important to consider and evaluate ethical aspects related to the use of these smart devices, such as the management of the collected data relating to the physiological parameters and the location of the worker. This technology is to be considered as being aimed at monitoring the subject’s physiological parameters, and not at the diagnosis of any pathological condition, which should always be on charge of the medical specialist We conducted a review of the evolution of the role that electrophysiology plays as part of occupational health and safety management and on its possible future use, thanks to ongoing technological innovation.peer-reviewe
Neurobehavioral alterations in occupational noise exposure : a systematic review
No full textThe psychology of sustainability and sustainable development emphasizes the value to ensure health and well-being in different environments, including workplaces. Chronic exposure to noise can cause several extraordinary effects and involve all the systems of the human organism. In addition to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune effects, the data in the literature show alterations in behavioral disturbances, memory capacity, and cognitive performance. Through this systematic review, the authors try to find out the main neurobehavioral alterations in the case of occupational exposure to noise. The literature review included articles published in the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase), using a combination of some relevant keywords. This online search yielded 4434 references; after selection, the authors analyzed 41 articles (4 narrative reviews and 37 original articles). From this analysis, it appears that the main symptoms are related to psychological distress, annoyance, sleep disturbances, and cognitive performance. Regarding tasks, the most frequent employments concern school staff, followed by employees from various industrial sectors and office workers. Although the causes are still widely debated, it is essential to protect these workers against chronic exposure to noise. In fact, in addition to a hearing loss, they can manifest many other related discomforts over time and compromise their full working capacity, as well as expose them to a greater risk of accidents or absences from work.peer-reviewe
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