Parasite Diversity of the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), and Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja)

Thus far, there has been little research on the parasitic biodiversity in wild reptiles, particularly in India. Research has been done on the parasite diversity of certain species, such as the King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and the Spectacled cobra (Naja naja), however these samples were purely from captive animals (Rajesh, 2015). This gap in knowledge is important to address because of how critical parasites are to the ecosystem and understanding their host population (Hudson, 2006). Parasites are some of the most biodiverse organisms, yet there is little work done to describe them in biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats rainforest (Hudson, 2006). Additionally, conservation of snakes in India is critical as they protect agriculture sites from detrimental rodents (Tripathi, 2014). In order to address this, a physical examination was performed to evaluate ectoparasites of the King cobra, Spectacled cobra, and Indian rat snake. In addition, an in-depth analysis of internal parasites was done by collecting fecal samples and examining for parasite eggs using a formalin ethyl-acetate sedimentation technique. Eggs, oocysts, and larval parasites were identified via microscopy. If deceased individuals are found, a necropsy was performed to examine and collect digestive samples that cannot be analyzed using a formalin sedimentation or stain, as well as respiratory parasites. This research is significant as it can provide important health information on the species an provide cryptic information on how climate change and human interaction is impacting the health of a species by disrupting host-parasite dynamics. This study would provide extensive information on an unknown host-parasite dynamic, which would provide a foundation of knowledge on host-specific and generalist parasites of the snakes

Concussion Safety Law Should be Enacted in all Canadian Provinces and Territories

The concussion crisis in sports remains an important public health issue. Indeed, it is cited by 97% of Canadians as a major public health concern

“It's only sport” - the symbolic neutralization of “violence”

Within the commodified world of professional ice hockey, athletes sell their bodily performances in return for a salary. A central feature of this transaction is the very real risk of physical injury – a risk inherent within most contact sports, but particularly so within those that feature seemingly ‘violent’ confrontations between competitors, as ice hockey is widely reputed to do. Yet within the spectacle of sport, where physicality can be constructed as playful and unserious, it is possible for the consequences of such action to be concealed behind a symbolic, ludic veneer. Within this paper we explore this process with a particular focus on ice hockey spectators, for whom notions of sport violence as in some important way ‘mimetic’ of the ‘real’ enabled their propensity to both enjoy, and find moral validation through, potentially deleterious behaviours among athletes

A prospective, multicenter, phase I matched-comparison group trial of safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of riluzole in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

A prospective, multicenter phase I trial was undertaken by the North American Clinical Trials Network (NACTN) to investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of, as well as obtain pilot data on, the effects of riluzole on neurological outcome in acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirty-six patients, with ASIA impairment grades A-C (28 cervical and 8 thoracic) were enrolled at 6 NACTN sites between April 2010 and June 2011. Patients received 50 mg of riluzole PO/NG twice-daily, within 12 h of SCI, for 14 days. Peak and trough plasma concentrations were quantified on days 3 and 14. Peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure to riluzole varied significantly between patients. On the same dose basis, Cmax did not reach levels comparable to those in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Riluzole plasma levels were significantly higher on day 3 than on day 14, resulting from a lower clearance and a smaller volume of distribution on day 3. Rates of medical complications, adverse events, and progression of neurological status were evaluated by comparison with matched patients in the NACTN SCI Registry. Medical complications in riluzole-treated patients occurred with incidences similar to those in patients in the comparison group. Mild-to-moderate increase in liver enzyme and bilirubin levels were found in 14-70% of patients for different enzymes. Three patients had borderline severe elevations of enzymes. No patient had elevated bilirubin on day 14 of administration of riluzole. There were no serious adverse events related to riluzole and no deaths. The mean motor score of 24 cervical injury riluzole-treated patients gained 31.2 points from admission to 90 days, compared to 15.7 points for 26 registry patients, a 15.5-point difference (p=0.021). Patients with cervical injuries treated with riluzole had more-robust conversions of impairment grades to higher grades than the comparison group

A clinical prediction model for long-term functional outcome after traumatic spinal cord injury based on acute clinical and imaging factors.

To improve clinicians\u27 ability to predict outcome after spinal cord injury (SCI) and to help classify patients within clinical trials, we have created a novel prediction model relating acute clinical and imaging information to functional outcome at 1 year. Data were obtained from two large prospective SCI datasets. Functional independence measure (FIM) motor score at 1 year follow-up was the primary outcome, and functional independence (score ≥ 6 for each FIM motor item) was the secondary outcome. A linear regression model was created with the primary outcome modeled relative to clinical and imaging predictors obtained within 3 days of injury. A logistic model was then created using the dichotomized secondary outcome and the same predictor variables. Model validation was performed using a bootstrap resampling procedure. Of 729 patients, 376 met the inclusion criteria. The mean FIM motor score at 1 year was 62.9 (±28.6). Better functional status was predicted by less severe initial American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale grade, and by an ASIA motor score \u3e50 at admission. In contrast, older age and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal characteristics consistent with spinal cord edema or hemorrhage predicted worse functional outcome. The linear model predicting FIM motor score demonstrated an R-square of 0.52 in the original dataset, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.52,0.53) across the 200 bootstraps. Functional independence was achieved by 148 patients (39.4%). For the logistic model, the area under the curve was 0.93 in the original dataset, and 0.92 (95% CI 0.92,0.93) across the bootstraps, indicating excellent predictive discrimination. These models will have important clinical impact to guide decision making and to counsel patients and families

Investigating fuel loading in an altered post-fire landscape

Fire has been an integral ecological process in California for thousands of years and removing the natural process of fire has had severe consequences. Dozer lines, a common type of fire suppression, can impact the post-fire recovery of different species that can alter the ecosystem and future ecosystem processes. While there are many studies on post-fire vegetation regeneration, there are few that study this specifically within dozer lines. In addition to post-fire vegetation recovery, there is a large concern over fuel load changes following large fires. Fuels are the source of heat that sustains combustion and are characterized by physical and chemical properties, which will affect combustion and fire behavior. As fuel loads increase, so does the probability of catastrophic wildfires. This study examines temporal changes of fuel loads within dozer lines post-fire and quantifies any differences there may be with the adjacent burned forest.This study was designed to see if there were any environmental variables that best predict changes in fuel loading over time. Thirty-two dozer lines were sampled within the burn perimeters of five fires: Helena Fire (2017), Carr Fire (2018), August Complex (2020), Monument Fire (2021) and the McFarland Fire (2021). Field sampling included quantifying fuels using three modified Brown's transects within each dozer line and three transects adjacent to the dozer line. Environmental metrics, such as percent canopy cover, slope, elevation, burn severity, and aspect were all recorded at each dozer line.I found there were very few significant differences in fuel loading within dozer lines and in adjacent burned forest post-fire. I also found that there were very small amounts of large, downed woody fuels (100- and 1000-hour) and herbaceous fuel recovery, even four years post-fire. Results from this research showed that there were few significant differences in fuel loading, and certain environmental variables were good predictors of fuel presence at certain sites

Processing Stamp Bags for Latent Prints: Impact of Rubric Selection and Gray-Scaling on Experimental Results

We report data on two open issues in our previous experimentation seeking an effective method for development of latent prints on glassine drug bags: (1) the choice of rubric to assess the quality of fingerprints and (2) the choice of whether to use color or gray-scale images. Two research projects were performed to evaluate the impact of the rubric choice and the color adjustments applied. The Dove rubric is preferable to the modified rubric previously used. Analysts report a more uniform application and a more thorough analysis resulting in an upward trend in scores. Although gray-scaling in experimentation is necessary to conceal which treatment was employed, native color images are preferable for casework. The results of this research quantitatively show the impact of native color as measured by the Dove rubric