Decoding the Evolution of Melanin in Vertebrates.

Melanins are widespread pigments in vertebrates, with important roles in visual signaling, UV protection, and homeostasis. Fossil evidence of melanin and melanin-bearing organelles - melanosomes - in ancient vertebrates may illuminate the evolution of melanin and its functions, but macroevolutionary trends are poorly resolved. Here, we integrate fossil data with current understanding of melanin function, biochemistry, and genetics. Mapping key genes onto phenotypic attributes of fossil vertebrates identifies potential genomic controls on melanin evolution. Taxonomic trends in the anatomical location, geometry, and chemistry of vertebrate melanosomes are linked to the evolution of endothermy. These shifts in melanin biology suggest fundamental links between melanization and vertebrate ecology. Tissue-specific and taxonomic trends in melanin chemistry support evidence for evolutionary tradeoffs between function and cytotoxicity.

Words matter: Recommendations for clarifying coral disease nomenclature and terminology.

Coral diseases have caused significant losses on Caribbean reefs and are becoming a greater concern in the Pacific. Progress in coral disease research requires collaboration and communication among experts from many different disciplines. The lack of consistency in the use of terms and names in the recent scientific literature reflects the absence of an authority for naming coral diseases, a lack of consensus on the meaning of even some of the most basic terms as they apply to corals, and imprecision in the use of descriptive words. The lack of consensus partly reflects the complexity of this newly emerging field of research. Establishment of a nomenclature committee under the Coral Disease and Health Consortium (CDHC) could lead to more standardized definitions and could promote use of appropriate medical terminology for describing and communicating disease conditions in corals. This committee could also help to define disease terminology unique to corals where existing medical terminology is not applicable. These efforts will help scientists communicate with one another and with the general public more effectively. Scientists can immediately begin to reduce some of the confusion simply by explicitly defining the words they are using. In addition, digital photographs can be posted on the CDHC website and included in publications to document the macroscopic (gross) signs of the conditions observed on coral colonies along with precisely written characterizations and descriptions.

The piglet as a model for B cell and immune system development.

The ability to identify factors responsible for disease in all species depends on the ability to separate those factors which are environmental from those that are intrinsic. This is particularly important for studies on the development of the adaptive immune response of neonates. Studies on laboratory rodents or primates have been ambiguous because neither the effect of environmental nor maternal factors on the newborn can be controlled in mammals that: (i) transmit potential maternal immunoregulatory factors in utero and (ii) are altricial and cannot be reared after birth without their mothers. Employing the newborn piglet model can address each of these concerns. However, it comes at the price of having first to characterize the immune system of swine and its development. This review focuses on the porcine B cell system, especially on the methods used for its characterization in fetal studies and neonatal piglets. Understanding these procedures is important in the interpretation of the data obtained. Studies on neonatal piglets have (a) provided valuable information on the development of the adaptive immune system, (b) lead to important advances in evolutionary biology, (c) aided our understanding of passive immunity and (d) provided opportunities to use swine to address specific issues in veterinary and biomedical research and immunotherapy. This review summarizes the history of the development of the piglet as a model for antibody repertoire development, thus providing a framework to guide future investigators.

Safety, efficacy, and cost of intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated, in a randomized controlled trial, the safety and effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion of washed salvaged red blood cells after first-time coronary artery bypass grafting performed on the beating heart. METHODS: Sixty-one patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were prospectively randomized to autotransfusion (n = 30; receiving autotransfused washed blood from intraoperative cell salvage) or control (n = 31; receiving homologous blood only as blood-replacement therapy). Homologous blood was given according to unit protocols. RESULTS: The groups were well matched with respect to demographic and comorbid characteristics. Patients in the autotransfusion group had a significantly higher 24-hour postoperative hemoglobin concentration (11.9 g/dL; SD, 1.41 g/dL) than those in the control group (10.5 g/dL; SD, 1.37 g/dL) (mean difference, 1.02 g/dL; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-0.44 g/dL; P = .0007), as well as a 20% reduction in the frequency of homologous blood product use (11/31 vs 5/30; P = .095). Autotransfusion of washed red blood cells was not associated with any derangement of thromboelastograph values or laboratory measures of clotting pathway function (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen levels), increased postoperative bleeding, fluid requirements, or adverse clinical events. There was no statistical difference between groups in the total operation, hospitalization, and management costs per patient (median difference, USD 1015.90; 95% confidence interval, -USD 2260 to USD 206; P = .11). Conclusions Intraoperative cell salvage and autotransfusion was associated with higher postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, a modest reduction in transfusion requirements, no adverse clinical or coagulopathic effects, and no significant increase in cost compared with controls. This study supports its routine use in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Smoking cessation counseling by resident physicians in internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics.

Residents in primary care specialties care for many patients who smoke cigarettes, but little is known about their smoking cessation counseling (SCC). We surveyed 309 residents (72 family practice, 171 internal medicine, and 66 pediatrics residents) in 13 programs to determine their practices, knowledge, attitudes, and training in SCC. More than 90% thought physicians are responsible for SCC, the majority routinely took smoking histories, and 80% attempted to motivate patients to quit smoking. However, 25% or fewer reported discussing obstacles to quitting, setting a quit date, prescribing nicotine gum, scheduling follow-up visits, or providing self-help materials. Family practice residents used more SCC techniques (1.8) than did internal medicine (0.8) and pediatrics (0.1) residents. Only 54% of residents reported recent SCC training and 13% reported formal SCC training. Recent training correlated with the number of counseling techniques used. Residents in primary care specialties report positive attitudes but inadequate practice and training in SCC.

Effects of ibuprofen on airway vascular response to cotton smoke injury.

We studied the effects of ibuprofen on bronchial blood flow and myocardial function after inhalation injury. Sheep (n = 12) were chronically instrumented with cardiovascular and pulmonary catheters. After 5 days of recovery period, baseline data were collected and the sheep were divided into two groups. Group S (n = 6) were insufflated with 48 breaths of cotton smoke; while group I (n = 6) were pretreated with ibuprofen (12mg/kg bolus followed by 3 mg/kg/h continuous infusion for 24 h) and challenged with the same dose of smoke. All the animals were studied for 24h. Bronchial blood flow increased significantly in both groups throughout the experimental period; while stroke volume as well as right and left ventricular stroke work indices of both groups were significantly decreased (group I worse than group S) in the second half of the experimental period. These data suggest that vasodilatory prostaglandins do not play a major role in the bronchial vascular response to smoke inhalation injury and myocardial depression seen post injury is worse in animals treated with ibuprofen.

Feeding behaviors, food attitudes, and body fatness in infants.

One hundred and thirty-four infants were studied at 3 and 9 months of age to determine possible behavioral causes of fatness. A feeding behaviors interview and a semantic differential to measure mothers' attitudes toward food were developed. A stepwise multiple regression procedure revealed that none of the independent variables significantly predicted the dependent variable of infant triceps skinfold thickness at the age of 9 months. Even so, care should be exercised in instructing caregivers concerning specific feeding behaviors to use with infants.

Psychosocial challenges for children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

This article describes the particular relevance of Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages of development for children with insulin-dependent diabetes. The developmental issues for young children centering on trust, autonomy, initiative, and industry have special significance for children with diabetes. Although the issues faced in each of Erikson's psychosocial stages are present in every stage, behaviors are manifested differently at each stage. Practical suggestions are provided for families and healthcare providers living with or working with children of various ages who have diabetes.

Morphogenesis of the venous valves in the rat heart. I. Light and scanning electron microscopy.

Hearts from rat embryos ranging from 12.5 days gestation through birth were studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. Both valves of the sinus venosus are very prominent structures in the right atrium of the developing rat heart. The right venous valve is large and undulating and extends to the right atrioventricular canal. Many nodules are apparent on the surface of this valve by the thirteenth day. These nodules decrease in number as development progresses. The left venous valve is considerably smaller than the right. Neither valve shows signs of regression, and just prior to birth, both valves are very prominent. The right valve is so large that it almost divides the right atrium into two chambers. Based on these observations the rat may serve as a model for cor triatriatum dexter.

Acute airway compromise due to tracheal mucocele.

Two cases of patients with acute airway compromise due to benign tracheal mucocele are presented. In each, the diagnosis was made by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Each patient developed the acute episode at 12 months of age following an upper airway infection. The mucoceles were "unroofed" and drained through rigid bronchoscopes. Both patients had been intubated following premature birth; trauma to the tracheal mucosa is proposed as the etiologic factor in the development of these mucoceles.

Atrial septation in the rat. II. An electron microscopic study.

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the process of atrial septation in the embryonic rat heart utilizing scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. SEM shows septum primum, the first partition to develop, to extend from the dorsocranial wall of the primitive atrium by day 12.50. This begins the division of the common chamber into right and left portions. As septum primum grows foramen primum decreases in size and a second interatrial communication develops. Foramen secundum rapidly develops in the ventrocranial portion of septum primum during days 13.00 through 15.50. TEM studies of septum primum in the area of foramen secundum formation demonstrate that foramen formation is accomplished through transseptal communications established by cellular processes of rounded-up endocardial cells. These extensions protrude into the septal core isolating the septal tissue into small cords and the size of foramen secundum is increased. Areas of extremely dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum are prominent in the rounded-up endocardial cells and have a characteristic honeycomb appearance. No evidence of cell death is seen. A second septum develops to the right of septum primum and scanning electron micrographs show it to be a definitive partition by 16.50 days. At the fine structural level, elongated endocardial cells cover a center of myocytes containing many myofibrils, ribosomes and mitochondria.