No abstract

Blocking Rac1 function in precursors of the indirect flight muscle of Drosophila severely disrupts muscle formation. The DLM fibers that develop using larval scaffolds are reduced in number and fiber size, while the DVMs, which develop using founder cells, are mostly absent. These adult muscle phenotypes are in part due to a reduced myoblast pool present at the third larval instar. BrDU labeling studies indicated that this is primarily due to a reduction in proliferation. In addition, DVM myoblasts display altered morphology and are unable to segregate into primordia. This defect precedes the evident block in fusion. We also show that the recently described DVM founder cells can be labeled with 22C10 and beta-3 tubulin, and that they are present under conditions of dominant negative Rac1(N17) expression. Despite the presence of founder cells, DVM fiber formation is rarely observed. Although DLM myoblasts are able to segregate around their larval scaffolds, the pace of fusion is reduced and consequently there is a delay in DLM fiber formation. Thus, in addition to its well-established role in fusion, Rac1 is also involved in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and segregation during adult myogenesis. These are two new roles for Rac1 in Drosophila.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of online guided group journaling for an individual’s mental health. The authors focused on a specific social networking platform called Family eJournal. Design/methodology/approach In total, 51 female participants were recruited from an American university with an average age of 20 years. Participants completed an online survey called the Relationship and Lifestyle Questionnaire. The questionnaire utilized two subscales, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Diener et al., 1985) and the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). In addition, the questionnaire also measured several items related to an individual’s health choices such as smoking or dieting. Half of the participants in the study were randomly assigned to the Family eJournal user group. Findings Following the ten-week time period, the Family eJournal group reported significantly higher social support and lower scores of depression compared to the non-Family eJournal control group. However, there was no difference between groups in regard to anxiety or health choices. Implications of online group journaling and future directions are discussed. Research limitations/implications Current findings suggest that online journal sharing may provide a buffer from depression. For those who experience a negative perception of social experiences, building and maintaining interpersonal relationships becomes increasingly difficult, furthering the experiences of social isolation. Therefore, the ability to self-disclose and share personal experiences is crucial, albeit difficult to express (Heinrich and Gullone, 2006; Wei et al., 2005). As depression increases, individuals may alter the types of social, cognitive and emotional behaviors they employ. In turn, online asynchronous communication platforms may foster a reduction in discomfort in self-disclosure and increase positive perceptions of social experiences. Practical implications The findings suggest that the SNS platform FamilyeJournal may provide a simple opportunity to improve family relationships. Asynchronous online communication is immune to drawbacks and barriers associated with traditional means of communication such as busy schedules and geographic disparity (Perron, 2002). Social implications Online social networking may be a beneficial way to connect with others and facilitate positive mental health. Originality/value While the authors have known the benefits of journaling for some time, few studies to date have examined the potential benefits of asynchronous communication via online journaling. Online journaling platforms may provide an attractive avenue for enhancing the well-being for individuals who have limited opportunities to communicate in real time.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has led to a global pandemic. The virus mainly spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person, but environmental contamination can also act as a source of infection, making social distancing an important key in containing the spread of infection. Those with underlying health conditions are more susceptible to complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, which can be fatal. However, healthy individuals experience a mild flu-like illness or may be asymptomatic, recuperating from the infection even without any particular intervention. We present a case of a healthy COVID positive individual, with no underlying comorbidities, who rapidly deteriorated overnight on readmission to the hospital after initial discharge and succumbed to this disease due to a superimposed bacterial infection with COVID pneumonia. This case report highlights the importance of educating COVID-19 positive patients about the precautions, as well as signs and symptoms of a superimposed bacterial infection, when their plan of care is in a home setting. It also emphasizes the potential role of checking procalcitonin levels as a part of routine laboratory investigation at initial presentation in all suspected as well as confirmed COVID-19 cases to rule out an ongoing bacterial infection that can prove fatal in the course of the disease.