The Swansea 6D model: a diagnostic and conversational framework for supervisors, mentors and doctors in training.

Doctors in training are particularly vulnerable to stress and burnout, with the transition into the early parts of training being a period of acute anxiety. Supervisors and mentors have a key role to play in helping trainees make the transition from medical student to practising doctor. This often involves professional conversations, ranging from the relatively routine to difficult issues.

Disease profiles of juvenile edible crabs (Cancer pagurus L.) differ at two geographically-close intertidal sites.

The prevalence of disease in edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) was assessed at two sites in South West Wales; one estuarine (Pembroke Ferry) and another facing open water (Freshwater East). Diseases included pink crab disease caused by Hematodinium sp., an infection of the antennal gland caused by Paramikrocytos canceri and an idiopathic inflammatory condition of the connective tissue surrounding the anterior ganglionic masses.

Effect of the copepod parasite Nicothoë astaci on haemolymph chemistry of the European lobster Homarus gammarus.

The gills of the European lobster Homarus gammarus (L.) are susceptible to parasitization by the copepod Nicothoë astaci, the lobster louse. This copepod feeds on haemolymph of the host and can damage the gills, potentially affecting gaseous exchange capabilities.

Parasitization of juvenile edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) by the dinoflagellate, Hematodinium sp.: pathobiology, seasonality and its potential effects on commercial fisheries.

This study reports on the prevalence and severity of infections caused by the parasitic dinoflagellate, Hematodinium in juvenile edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) found in 2 intertidal survey sites (Mumbles Head and Oxwich Bay) in the Bristol Channel, UK. Crabs were assessed for the presence and severity of Hematodinium infections by the histological examination of infected tissues. Such infections were found to exhibit a seasonal trend in the 2 study areas with high numbers of animals (ca.

Twelve tips for providing effective student support in undergraduate medical education.

Medical students often require high levels of specialised institutional and personal support to facilitate success. Contributory factors may include personality type, course pressures and financial hardship. Drawing from research literature and the authors' experience, 12 tips are listed under five subheadings: policy and systems; people and resources; students; delivering support; limits of support.

A comparison of the structure of American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus gammarus) lobster cuticle with particular reference to shell disease susceptibility.

The integument of arthropods is an important first-line defence against the invasion of parasites and pathogens. Once damaged, this can be subject to colonisation by microbial agents from the surrounding environment, which in crustaceans can lead to a condition termed shell disease syndrome. This condition has been reported in several crustacean species, including crabs and lobsters.

Infection of juvenile edible crabs, Cancer pagurus by a haplosporidian-like parasite.

This study aimed to examine the pathobiology of a haplosporidian-like infection in juvenile (pre-recruit) edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) from two locations in South West Wales, UK. Infected crabs showed no external symptoms of the disease but dissection revealed an infected and hypertrophic antennal gland. Histological examination showed extensive parasitisation of the antennal gland overlying the hepatopancreas.

Increased disease calls for a cost-benefits review of marine reserves.

Marine reserves (or No-Take Zones) are implemented to protect species and habitats, with the aim of restoring a balanced ecosystem. Although the benefits of marine reserves are commonly monitored, there is a lack of insight into the potential detriments of such highly protected waters. High population densities attained within reserves may induce negative impacts such as unfavourable trophic cascades and disease outbreaks.

Characterization and molecular epidemiology of a fungal infection of edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) and interaction of the fungus with the dinoflagellate parasite Hematodinium.

This study reports on an emerging fungal disease of the edible crab, Cancer pagurus. Juvenile (prerecruit) crabs were found to be subject to this disease condition during the months of May to September at two intertidal sites in South Wales, United Kingdom. Histopathology revealed that the fungi overwhelm the host response in the tissues, leading to progressive septicemia.

Morphology and pathology of the ectoparasitic copepod, Nicothoë astaci ('lobster louse') in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus.

Ectoparasitic copepods have been reported in a wide range of aquatic animals, including crustacean shellfish. However, with the exception of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, our knowledge of such parasites in commercial species is rudimentary. The current study examines the morphology and pathology of the parasitic copepod, Nicothoë astaci (the 'lobster louse') in its host, the European lobster, Homarus gammarus.

Interaction between eicosanoids and the complement system in salmonid fish.

Both eicosanoid generation and the complement system have long evolutionary histories predating the emergence of the vertebrates over 500 myr ago. This study investigated the interplay between these two systems in an example of a bony fish, the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Specifically, it examined whether purified complement fragments including C3a-1 and zymosan-activated serum, stimulate the biosynthesis of any of these eicosanoids by trout macrophages.

Shell disease in crustaceans - just chitin recycling gone wrong?

The exoskeletons of aquatic crustaceans and other arthropods contain chitin, a biopolymer of beta-(1,4)-linked N-acetylglucosamine together with associated proteins. Despite the vast amounts of chitin within such animals little is found in sediments and open water because microorganisms rapidly degrade this following its loss after moulting or upon the animals' death. Shell disease syndrome is a worldwide disease condition that affects a wide range of crustaceans.

Prostaglandins in non-insectan invertebrates: recent insights and unsolved problems.

Prostaglandins (PG) are oxygenated derivatives of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids including arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. In mammals, these compounds have been shown to play key roles in haemostasis, sleep-wake regulation, smooth muscle tone, and vaso-, temperature and immune regulation. In invertebrates, PGs have been reported to perform similar roles and are involved in the control of oogenesis and spermatogenesis, ion transport and defence.

Hepoxilins and trioxilins in barnacles: an analysis of their potential roles in egg hatching and larval settlement.

The barnacle life cycle has two key stages at which eicosanoids are believed to be involved in cellular communication pathways, namely the hatching of nauplii and the settlement of cypris larvae. Barnacle egg-hatching activity has previously been reported to reside in a variety of eicosanoids, including 8-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid and a number of tri-hydroxylated polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives, the trioxilins. The production of the eicosapentaenoic acid metabolite trioxilin A4 (8,11,12-trihydroxy-5,9,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid) by the barnacles Balanus amphitrite and Elminius modestus was confirmed using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, both linked to mass spectrometry.

Dynamics of shell disease in the edible crab Cancer pagurus: a comparative study between two sites on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales, UK.

Shell disease syndrome is a degradative condition of the crustacean exoskeleton which results in the formation of black-spot lesions. Field surveys on the edible crab Cancer pagurus (L.) population at 2 sites in the Gower Peninsula of South Wales, UK, namely Langland Bay and Rhossili causeway, revealed similarities in the prevalence of shell disease but differences in the severity.

Shell disease syndrome in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus--isolation, characterization and pathogenicity of chitinolytic bacteria.

Chitinolytic bacteria are believed to be the primary aetiological agents of shell disease syndrome in marine crustaceans. The disease principally results from the breakdown of their chitinous exoskeletons by the shell disease pathogens, but pathogenicity may also manifest internally should a breach of the carapace occur. The current study looks at the pathogenicity of a number of bacteria (predominantly from the genus Vibrio) isolated from the edible crab, Cancer pagurus.