Body site matters: an evaluation and application of a novel histological methodology on the quantification of mucous cells in the skin of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L

Mucous cell size and distribution were investigated in the skin of five salmon using a novel stereology-based methodology: one (48 cm) fish to test 15 tissue treatment combinations on measures of cell area and density on the dorsolateral region and, using the most suitable treatment, we mapped mucous cell differences between body regions on four (52 cm) salmon, comprising a male and a female on each of two diets. The section site, decalcification, embedding medium and plane of sectioning all impacted significantly on mucous cell size, whereas mucous cell density is more robust. There were highly significant differences in both mucosal density and mean mucous cell size depending on body site: the dorsolateral skin of the four salmon had significantly denser (about 8% of skin area) and larger (mean about 160 μm(2)) mucous cells, whereas the lowest mean density (about 4%) and smallest mean area (115 μm(2)) were found on the head. We found that 100 random measurements may be sufficient to distinguish differences >7 μm(2) in mean mucous cell areas. The results further suggest that salmon exhibit a dynamic repeatable pattern of mucous cell development influenced by sex, diet and possibly strain and season.

Dependency, self-criticism and social interactions

We investigated the social interactions of college students varying in dependency and self-criticism. Forty-eight college students used a modified version of the Rochester Interaction Record to record quantitative and qualitative features of every 10-minute or longer interaction during a seven-day period. Daily measures of mood were also collected. Dependency was related to more frequent and more intimate interactions, and self-criticism was negatively related to pleasantness of social interactions. Although dependency and self-criticism were both associated with daily dysphoria, the social interaction findings could not be attributed to the effects of mood. The social environments associated with dependency and self-criticism may influence the aetiology and course of depressive episodes.