scholarly journals Comparative studies of Echinometra mathaei species complex (Echinoidea: Camarodonta: Echinometridae) from two sites in Western Visayas, Philippines (Taklong Island, Guimaras and Nabas, Aklan)

Author(s):  
Joseph Ricky Tamayo ◽  
Maria Celia D Malay

Echinometra mathaei is a species complex with its constituent reproductively-isolated species informally called A, B, C and D based on studies done in Okinawa and the Red Sea. Little research has been done on this genus, and to our knowledge no studies have been done on the E. mathaei complex in the Philippines. To help clarify species delineations in the E. mathaei complex, a comparative study was done between two localities in Western Visayas, Philippines: the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and Barangay Unidos in Nabas, Aklan. Morphological characteristics (spine color, milled rings, and skin around the peristome) and tubefeet and gonad spicules were observed. Two or possibly three species of Echinometra were found in the two sites based on their morphology and spicules, namely: Echinometra sp. A, Echinometra sp. C, and Echinometra affinity C, which resembles sp. C but differs in the milled rings and gonad spicules. Echinometra sp. C and E. affinity C cannot be distinguished on the basis of field-visible characters, thus the two morphs are referred to as Echinometra VC for the purpose of field surveys. Echinometra VC and Echinometra sp. A exhibited differences in abundance (VC was much more common) and microhabitat (VC was restricted to rocky shores and never observed in coral communities). To study the abundance and distribution of Echinometra VC, 50 m by 2 m belt transects were surveyed along the rocky shores of both sites: two parallel transects (at 0 m and at 0.9 m) and a perpendicular transect (only in Nabas), each with three replicates. The transect data showed that the mean densities for 0 m and 0.9 m in Nabas are significantly higher in Taklong yielding p-values of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively, when analyzed using t-test.Of the two sites, only Nabas showed a significant difference between the mean densities at 0 m and 0.9 m, with the mean density at 0.9 m significantly higher than that of 0 m yielding a p-value of 0.02 when analyzed using two-sample t-test. A Poisson regression on the perpendicular transect data from Nabas showed a trend of increasing Echinometra density with increasing distance from the shore. In the future, DNA barcoding and cross-fertilization studies should be performed in order to confirm the species of Echinometra observed. Many factors can affect the density and distribution of Echinometra, so further studies must be conducted to explain observed differences in their distribution and abundance.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ricky Tamayo ◽  
Maria Celia D Malay

Echinometra mathaei is a species complex with its constituent reproductively-isolated species informally called A, B, C and D based on studies done in Okinawa and the Red Sea. Little research has been done on this genus, and to our knowledge no studies have been done on the E. mathaei complex in the Philippines. To help clarify species delineations in the E. mathaei complex, a comparative study was done between two localities in Western Visayas, Philippines: the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and Barangay Unidos in Nabas, Aklan. Morphological characteristics (spine color, milled rings, and skin around the peristome) and tubefeet and gonad spicules were observed. Two or possibly three species of Echinometra were found in the two sites based on their morphology and spicules, namely: Echinometra sp. A, Echinometra sp. C, and Echinometra affinity C, which resembles sp. C but differs in the milled rings and gonad spicules. Echinometra sp. C and E. affinity C cannot be distinguished on the basis of field-visible characters, thus the two morphs are referred to as Echinometra VC for the purpose of field surveys. Echinometra VC and Echinometra sp. A exhibited differences in abundance (VC was much more common) and microhabitat (VC was restricted to rocky shores and never observed in coral communities). To study the abundance and distribution of Echinometra VC, 50 m by 2 m belt transects were surveyed along the rocky shores of both sites: two parallel transects (at 0 m and at 0.9 m) and a perpendicular transect (only in Nabas), each with three replicates. The transect data showed that the mean densities for 0 m and 0.9 m in Nabas are significantly higher in Taklong yielding p-values of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively, when analyzed using t-test.Of the two sites, only Nabas showed a significant difference between the mean densities at 0 m and 0.9 m, with the mean density at 0.9 m significantly higher than that of 0 m yielding a p-value of 0.02 when analyzed using two-sample t-test. A Poisson regression on the perpendicular transect data from Nabas showed a trend of increasing Echinometra density with increasing distance from the shore. In the future, DNA barcoding and cross-fertilization studies should be performed in order to confirm the species of Echinometra observed. Many factors can affect the density and distribution of Echinometra, so further studies must be conducted to explain observed differences in their distribution and abundance.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ricky Tamayo ◽  
Maria Celia D Malay

Echinometra mathaei is a species complex with its constituent reproductively-isolated species informally called A, B, C and D based on studies done in Okinawa and the Red Sea. Little research has been done on this genus, and to our knowledge no studies have been done on the E. mathaei complex in the Philippines. To help clarify species delineations in the E. mathaei complex, a comparative study was done between two localities in Western Visayas, Philippines: the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras and Barangay Unidos in Nabas, Aklan. Morphological characteristics (spine color, milled rings, and skin around the peristome) and tubefeet and gonad spicules were observed. Two or possibly three species of Echinometra were found in the two sites based on their morphology and spicules, namely: Echinometra sp. A, Echinometra sp. C, and Echinometra affinity C, which resembles sp. C but differs in the milled rings and gonad spicules. Echinometra sp. C and E. affinity C cannot be distinguished on the basis of field-visible characters, thus the two morphs are referred to as Echinometra VC for the purpose of field surveys. Echinometra VC and Echinometra sp. A exhibited differences in abundance (VC was much more common) and microhabitat (VC was restricted to rocky shores and never observed in coral communities). To study the abundance and distribution of Echinometra VC, 50 m by 2 m belt transects were surveyed along the rocky shores of both sites: two parallel transects (at 0 m and at 0.9 m) and a perpendicular transect (only in Nabas), each with three replicates. The transect data showed that the mean densities for 0 m and 0.9 m in Nabas are significantly higher in Taklong yielding p-values of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively, when analyzed using t-test.Of the two sites, only Nabas showed a significant difference between the mean densities at 0 m and 0.9 m, with the mean density at 0.9 m significantly higher than that of 0 m yielding a p-value of 0.02 when analyzed using two-sample t-test. A Poisson regression on the perpendicular transect data from Nabas showed a trend of increasing Echinometra density with increasing distance from the shore. In the future, DNA barcoding and cross-fertilization studies should be performed in order to confirm the species of Echinometra observed. Many factors can affect the density and distribution of Echinometra, so further studies must be conducted to explain observed differences in their distribution and abundance.


Author(s):  
Eliyas Sulaiman Mohandas ◽  
Nik Mastura Nik Ismail Azlan ◽  
Salwa Othman ◽  
Muhammad Aizat Azhari

This study aims to investigate whether the use of six selected short stories throughout the duration of a 14-week course could enhance students’ reading comprehension achievement at the end of the semester. Out of the six short stories read, three were chosen as in-class assignments known as ‘Personal Reading Logs’ (hereafter, PRLs). One group of semester two Diploma students taking a reading skills course was selected through a convenience sampling method. A pre-test was conducted by having the students answer a past semester reading quiz of which the results would then be compared to their post-test (final reading exam) results. A paired samples t-test revealed no significant difference in the reading scores of the pre-test and the post-test, t (17) = -.265, p > .05. Since the p-value was bigger than 0.05, this indicated that the mean reading score of the post-test (M = 50.556) was not significantly higher than the mean reading score of the pre-test (M = 49.722). Therefore, the null hypothesis which stated that there was no difference in the mean score of the pre-test and post-test was retained. Overall, the result refuted the findings of other studies promoting the effectiveness of using short stories to enhance L2 reading comprehension achievement.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma S. Al Sharhan ◽  
Mohammed H. Al Bar ◽  
Shahad Y. Assiri ◽  
Assayl R. AlOtiabi ◽  
Deemah M. Bin-Nooh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammation of the nose and the paranasal sinuses. Intractable CRS cases are generally treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Although the effect of ESS on CRS symptoms has been studied, the pattern of symptom improvement after ESS for CRS is yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and sequence of symptom improvement after ESS for CRS, and to assess the possible preoperative factors that predict surgical outcomes in CRS patients. Methods This was a longitudinal prospective study of 68 patients who had CRS (with or without nasal polyps). The patients underwent ESS at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire was used for assessment at four time points during the study: pre-ESS, 1-week post-ESS, 4 weeks post-ESS, and 6 months post-ESS. Results The difference between the mean scores recorded for the five SNOT-22 domains pre-ESS and 6 months post-ESS were as follows: rhinologic symptoms (t-test = 7.22, p-value =  < 0.001); extra-nasal rhinologic symptoms (t-test = 4.87, p-value =  < 0.001); ear/facial symptoms (t-test = 6.34, p-value =  < 0.001); psychological dysfunction (t-test = 1.99, p-value = 0.049); and sleep dysfunction (t-test = 5.58, p-value =  < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the mean scores recorded for the five domains pre-ESS and 6 months post-ESS. Rhinologic symptoms had the largest effect size (d = 1.12), whereas psychological dysfunction had the least effect size (d = 0.24). The only statistically significant difference in the SNOT-22 mean scores recorded 4 weeks post-ESS was observed between allergic and non-allergic patients (t = − 2.16, df = 66, p = 0.035). Conclusion Understanding the pattern of symptom improvement following ESS for CRS will facilitate patient counselling and aid the optimization of the current treatment protocols to maximize surgical outcomes and quality of life. Level of evidence Prospective observational.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Javier Aragoneses ◽  
Ana Suárez ◽  
Nansi López-Valverde ◽  
Francisco Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Juan Manuel Aragoneses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implant surface treatment with carboxyethylphosphonic acid and fibroblast growth factor 2 on the bone–implant interface during the osseointegration period in vivo using an animal model. The present research was carried out in six minipigs, in whose left tibia implants were inserted as follows: eight implants with a standard surface treatment, for the control group, and eight implants with a surface treatment of carboxyethylphosphonic acid and immobilization of FGF-2, for the test group. At 4 weeks after the insertion of the implants, the animals were sacrificed for the histomorphometric analysis of the samples. The means of the results for the implant–bone contact variable (BIC) were 46.39 ± 17.49% for the test group and 34.00 ± 9.92% for the control group; the difference was not statistically significant. For the corrected implant–bone contact variable (BICc), the mean value of the test group was 60.48 ± 18.11%, and that for the control group, 43.08 ± 10.77%; the difference was statistically significant (p-value = 0.035). The new bone formation (BV/TV) showed average results of 27.28 ± 3.88% for the test group and 26.63 ± 7.90% for the control group, meaning that the differences were not statistically significant (p-value = 0.839). Regarding the bone density at the interthread level (BAI/TA), the mean value of the test group was 32.27 ± 6.70%, and that of the control group was 32.91 ± 7.76%, with a p-value of 0.863, while for the peri-implant density (BAP/TA), the mean value of the test group was 44.96 ± 7.55%, and that for the control group was 44.80 ± 8.68%, without a significant difference between the groups. The current research only found a significant difference for the bone–implant contact at the cortical level; therefore, it could be considered that FGF-2 acts on the mineralization of bone tissue. The application of carboxyethylphosphonic acid on the surface of implants can be considered a promising alternative as a biomimetic coating for the immobilization of FGF-2. Despite no differences in the new bone formation around the implants or in the interthread or peri-implant bone density being detected, the biofunctionalization of the implant surface with FGF-2 accelerates the mineralization of the bone–implant interface at the cortical level, thereby reducing the osseointegration period.


Author(s):  
Priyanka Jain ◽  
Rakesh Jain

Background & Method: We conducted a double blinded study at Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Indore. The sample size was determined to be minimum of 120 cases as based upon previous years admission due to acute bronchiolitis. Initially, 146 cases were included in the study out of which 23 cases dropped out of the study after giving consent by guardian for participation in the study as they left against medical advice from the hospital. Result: The mean difference of CSS between 0 minutes to 60 minutes of nebulisation between groups in all cases was 0.4 ± 0.6, between 60 minutes and 4 hours was 0.8 ± 0.6, between 4 to 8 hours was 0.7 ± 0.6, between 8-12 hours was 0.6 ± 0.4, between 12-24 hours was 1.6 ± 0.9 and between 24-48 hours was 1.9 ± 0.9.The mean values and resultant p-value of ANOVA of various nebulising agents used for improvement in CSS shows significant association between various nebulising agents used along with improvement in CSS at the end of assessment at 48 hours of treatment. Conclusion: This study was conducted to establish the efficacy of each nebulisation agent (i.e.  adrenaline, 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline) currently used and compare the outcomes as there is not enough evidence amongst Indian population on level of efficacy of each drug in causing improvement in symptoms and signs in various severities of bronchiolitis in early childhood. Comparison of significant improvement in mean difference in CSS at various intervals in all cases compared between groups by post hoc test revealed non-significant difference (p-value 0.700) between 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline. Keywords: nebulisation, adrenaline, bronchiolitis & clinical.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharda Udassi ◽  
Jai P Udassi ◽  
Melissa Lamb ◽  
Doug Theriaque ◽  
Arno L Zaritsky ◽  
...  

Introduction: In animals Active Compression-Decompression(ACD)-CPR improves hemodynamics compared with standard CPR (S-CPR). We evaluated the feasibility of achieving ACD-CPR with a novel, simple and inexpensive Adhesive Glove Device (AGD) in an infant manikin model using two thumb (TT) chest compression. Hypothesis: AGD-ACD CPR provides better chest decompression compared to S-CPR in an infant manikin model without excessive rescuer fatigue. Methods: Laerdal ™ Baby ALS Trainer manikin was modified to digitally record compression pressure (CP), compression depth (CD) and decompression depth (DD). The thumb portion of two oven mitts were sewn together and a Velcro adhesive patch was stitched on the underside with an encircling adjustable strap for proper fit to create the AGD. An interlocking Velcro patch was glued to the manikin chest wall. Sixteen BLS or PALS certified healthcare providers were prospectively randomized to perform either two-thumb S-CPR or AGD-ACD-CPR for 5 minutes with a 30:2 compression:ventilation ratio using a crossover design. During AGD-ACD-CPR subjects were asked to pull up during chest decompression. Rescuer heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), recovery time (RT) for HR/RR to return to baseline and actual compressions delivered per minute were recorded. Subjects were blinded to data recordings. Data (mean±SEM) was analyzed using 2 sided paired t-test; p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Chest decompression was greater with AGD-ACD-CPR; the mean DD difference was 0.11±0.02 inches, p=<0.001. Compressions given per minute were 102±21 in S-CPR group vs. 96±16 in AGD-ACD-CPR group, p=0.04. In AGD-CPR 75% and in S-CPR only 12% of subjects achieved complete recoil to or beyond baseline. There was no significant difference in CD, CP, HR, RR and RT between the groups. Conclusions: Active decompression and improved recoil was achievable with the use of our simple, inexpensive AGD in this infant CPR model. Use of our device did not result in excessive rescuer fatigue compared to S-CPR. The clinical significance of 6 less compressions/minute in the AGD-CPR group needs to be determined.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-59
Author(s):  
Ivana Goluza ◽  
Jay Borchard ◽  
Nalin Wijesinghe ◽  
Kishan Wijesinghe ◽  
Nagesh Pai

Objectives: The objective of the current study was to examine the pathology test utilisation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) within an Australian inpatient psychiatric setting. Method: A retrospective audit of 300 random hospital files of those admitted as inpatients between Nov 2014 and Nov 2015 was undertaken. Data was quantitatively analysed and described. Results: The number of inpatients who had a vitamin D determination during their admission was 37/300 (12.33%). The mean vitamin D level of those tested was 51.63 nmol/l. Of those that were tested, 18/37 (48.6%) were mildly to moderately deficient. There was a statistically significant difference in age and length of stay between those that were and were not tested for vitamin D levels, p-value <0.001 and 0.017, respectively. In addition, a simple linear regression indicated a weak association between length of stay and vitamin D levels. Conclusion: This audit highlights vitamin D screening inadequacy. More research is recommended to establish tangible benefits of supplementation, while local practice provides valuable data for education and policy purposes.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Abdaltawab ◽  
Z F Ismail ◽  
W M A Ebeid ◽  
S M Fawzy

Abstract Aim of the Work The aim of this work is to compare the response of treatment with ranibizumab in terms of visual acuity in cases of CNV secondary to pathological myopia versus CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Methods This prospective, comparative study included ten eyes newly diagnosed as having CNV secondary to pathological myopia, and 10 eyes newly diagnosed as having subfoveal active CNV secondary to AMD. All patients had 3 monthly intravitreal Injections of 0.50 mg (in 0.05 ml of solution) ranibizumab with monthly evaluation of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by Landolt C chart, and also calculated in Logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution (Log MAR). Results pretreatment there was no significant difference between the two groups as the mean VA (Log Mar) was 1.31 ± 0.2 in AMD group and 1.17 ± 0.3 in MCNV group of P value = 0.431 and also post three IVI of ranibizumab showed no significant difference between the two groups as the mean VA (Log Mar) was 1.22 ± 0.2 for AMD and 1.22 ± 0.5 for MCNV of P value = 0.635. Conclusion there was no significant difference in BCVA between AMD and MCNV groups after three intravitreal injections of ranibizumab.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Vesna Micevska ◽  
Tatjana Jakovska Mareti ◽  
Ilija Kirovski ◽  
Olivera Jordanova

Asthma is a chronical disease of the airways characterized by reversible obstruction of the bronchi and airway inflammation. In recent decades, the scientific interest of the vitamin D system and its role in development of asthma and other alergic diseases has been increased. Aims of this study are to mesure and compare the serum level of 25 OHD in asthmatic and healthy children and corelate the level of 25OHD and total IgE in asthmatic children. This prospective study includes 70 children at age 2 to 14, of which 32 are children with diagnosed asthma and 38 healthy children. In both  of the groups the serum level of 25 OHD was measured  and by the results 18 % of the healthy children (C) and 28% of the asthma children (E) had 25OHD  deficiency, 45%  of C and 50% of E were insufficient and 37 % of C / 22% of E were with normal 25 OHD serum level. The mean level of 25OHD in C was 27,83 +/- 10,24 and in E 20,9 ng/ml +/- 10,72. The mean levels in both groups had statistic significant difference with p-value < 0,05. According to age no statistic significant difference was found in both of the groups. There was a statisticaly significant decreased serum level of 25 OHD in asthmatic females.In the examined group (children with asthma) there was a negative linear correlation (association) of the level of 25OHD and total IgE serum level with r=- 0,55  Vitamin D serum level measurements in asthma patients gives the possibility for discovering the connection between its deficiency and development of asthma symptoms.


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