Ecological habitat partitioning and feeding specialisations of coastal minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) using a recently designated MPA in northeast Scotland.

In the design of protected areas for cetaceans, spatial maps rarely take account of the life-history and behaviour of protected species relevant to their spatial ambit, which may be important for their management. In this study, we examined the distribution and feeding behaviours of adult versus juvenile minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from long-term studies in the Moray Firth in northeast Scotland, where a Marine Protected Area (MPA) has recently been designated. Data were collected during dedicated boat surveys between 2001 and 2022 inclusive, from which 784 encounters with 964 whales of confirmed age-class (471 juveniles and 493 adults) were recorded from 56,263 km of survey effort, resulting in 238 focal follows. Adults and juveniles were occasionally seen together, but their distributions were not statistically correlated, and GIS revealed spatial separation / habitat partitioning by age-class-with juveniles preferring shallower, inshore waters with sandy-gravel sediments, and adults preferring deeper, offshore waters with greater bathymetric slope. GAMs suggested that the partitioning between age-classes was predominantly based on the differing proximity of animals to the shore, with juveniles showing a preference for the gentlest seabed slopes, and both adults and juveniles showing a similar preference for sandy gravel sediment types. However, the GAMs only used sightings data with available survey effort (2008 to 2022) and excluded depth due to collinearity issues. Whilst adult minkes employed a range of "active" prey-entrapment specialisations, showing inter-individual variation and seasonal plasticity in their targeted prey, juveniles almost exclusively used "passive" (low energy) feeding methods targeting low-density patches of inshore prey. These findings corroborate the need to incorporate demographic and behavioural data into spatial models when identifying priority areas for protected cetacean species. Not all areas within an MPA have equal value for a population and a better knowledge of the spatial preferences of these whales within the designated Scottish MPAs, appointed for their protection, is considered vital for their conservation.

Wintertime overlaps between female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) and the krill fishery at South Georgia, South Atlantic.

The diet of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at South Georgia is dominated by Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). During the breeding season, foraging trips by lactating female fur seals are constrained by their need to return to land to provision their pups. Post-breeding, seals disperse in order to feed and recover condition; estimates indicate c.70% of females remain near to South Georgia, whilst others head west towards the Patagonian Shelf or south to the ice-edge. The krill fishery at South Georgia operates only during the winter, providing the potential for fur seal: fishery interaction during these months. Here we use available winter (May to September) tracking data from Platform Terminal Transmitter (PTT) tags deployed on female fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia. We develop habitat models describing their distribution during the winters of 1999 and 2003 with the aim of visualising and quantifying the degree of spatial overlap between female fur seals and krill harvesting in South Georgia waters. We show that spatial distribution of fur seals around South Georgia is extensive, and that the krill fishery overlaps with small, highly localised areas of available fur seal habitat. From these findings we discuss the implications for management, and future work.

Presenting vertebral deformities in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves from a protected population in northeast Scotland.

Photographs collected during a 23 yr photo-identification study in the Moray Firth were examined to assess the prevalence, type and severity of vertebral deformations present in bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus calves. Fifteen cases of presenting spinal anomalies (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and combinations thereof) of variable severity were identified in 7.4% of all known calves from the population. Thirteen of the 15 anomalies were either manifest from birth or acquired from an early age, as ascertained from longitudinal sightings histories of their mothers. Most afflicted calves died during early development or shortly after maternal separation. However, 3 survived to adulthood and persist in the population to date, in addition to 2 dependent infants whose fate remains to be established. At 15+ yr of age, the oldest surviving individual was remarkably one of the most severe cases identified, highlighting the ability of these delphinids for adaptation to such gross structural deformities. The aetiology of the observed conditions could be attributed to a range of causative factors that may have implications for the well-being and health of this North Sea coastal dolphin population, a topic which merits further investigation.

The influence of gender on the ocular surface.

PURPOSE: Dry eye is more prevalent among women than men. To examine whether gender influences the ocular surface, conjunctival goblet-cell density was monitored for a 30-day period. Changes in goblet-cell density are a sensitive marker for ocular surface disease. METHODS: Six men and twelve women who were free from ocular surface disease were sampled by impression cytology on the inferior bulbar conjunctiva every other day for 30 days. Samples were analyzed for goblet-cell content. The mean age of the subjects was 24 years for the men and 25.4 years for the women. A minimum of 200 epithelial cells were scored per microscopic field examined. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant difference in goblet-cell count between men and women over the 30-day test period. The mean goblet-cell count measured for men was 3.75% +/- 1.04%, while the mean count for women was 2.545% +/- 0.8%. When the data on women were replotted with reference to the menstrual cycle, the largest and longest depression of goblet-cell count occurs midcycle, around the time of ovulation. A significant difference in goblet-cell count was also noted when subjects using oral contraceptives (3.065% +/- 0.98%) are compared with those not using oral contraceptives (2.28% +/- 0.92%). CONCLUSION: It appears there may be a reproductive hormonal influence on conjunctival goblet-cell count.

The effectiveness of several current soft contact lens care systems against Aspergillus.

PURPOSE: Fungal contamination of contact lenses is a common occurrence. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of currently used soft contact lens care systems against Aspergillus fumigatus. METHODS: We prepared and added 100 microL inoculums of 1 x 10(6) colony forming units/mL to each test solution. We exposed fungi to disinfectant for 4, 6, and 8 hours or to cleaning solution for 1 minute. We then diluted and plated the samples. After 48 hours, we counted the number of colony forming units. RESULTS: We represented the cleaning agent results as a percentage of the number of colony forming units found in the control at the same exposure period: Quick CARE Starting Solution--0%, MiraFlow--12%, Opti-Free Daily Cleaner--41%, and PureEyes Cleaner/Rinse--82%. We calculated the percent control for 4, 6 and 8 hour exposures for each disinfecting solution: Opti-One--197%, 163%, and 109%; Quick-CARE Finishing Solution--84.6%, 55%, and 31%; ReNu--97.4%, 17%, and 4%; Complete--10%, 1%, and 0.4%; PureEyes Disinfectant/Soaking Solution--0%, 0%, and 0%; and Hydrocare--0%, 0%, and 0%. CONCLUSION: This study of contact lens care systems provides a direct comparison of their effectiveness against the same strain of Aspergillus. The results allow practitioners to select the appropriate care system for each patient.

The effects of disposable daily wear contact lenses on goblet cell count.

PURPOSE: The number of goblet cells on the inferior bulbar conjunctiva increases in response to daily wear contact lens use. We conducted a study to examine whether daily wear soft contact lenses worn on a 2-week disposable schedule would also induce the same goblet cell response. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects who had never worn contact lenses were fit with 38% water polymacon lenses. The lenses were worn on a daily wear basis and replaced every two weeks over a 6-month period. Goblet cell count was determined by impression cytology of the inferior bulbar conjunctiva. RESULTS: No significant increase in goblet cell count was observed in the subjects during the 6 months period; the 3.23% baseline goblet cell count was never exceeded. In our previous study, after 6 months of conventional daily wear lens use, the goblet cell count increased from a baseline of 4.19% to 8.0%. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that wearing daily wear soft contact lenses on a disposable basis may be less irritating to the ocular surface than wearing soft contact lenses on a conventional daily wear basis.

The effects of daily wear contact lenses on goblet cell density.

BACKGROUND: Some patients can wear contact lenses with a low tear breakup time while others with an identical tear breakup time cannot wear lenses. This suggests the current method of tear film assessment is inadequate at differentiating between these two types of patients. The study attempts to expand our knowledge of the tear film with special attention directed to a critical yet little studied component: mucin. Mucin is vital to maintenance of the tear film and functions as a tear film stabilizer. The condition of the precorneal tear film is a major determinant in the success of contact lens wear. METHODS: Eighteen subjects free of ocular surface disease who had never worn contact lenses had the goblet cell density of their inferior bulbar conjunctiva determined by impression cytology. The subjects were then fit in a 38 percent water polymacon lens and their goblet cell density determined on a monthly basis for 6 months. RESULTS: Nearly a 2-fold increase in goblet cell density was observed in 88 percent of the subjects over the 6-month period. The first statistically significant increase occurred 5 months after the initiation of lens wear when the goblet cell density rose from 4.19-7.84 percent. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate the increase in goblet cells is an adaptive response of the ocular surface to a coated daily wear contact lens.

The clinical efficacy of Rev-Eyes in reversing the effects of pupillary dilation.

BACKGROUND: Pupillary dilation to perform binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy has become a routine part of optometric practice. Many patients find the resulting photophobia and incapacity of near vision to be an inconvenience. Rev-Eyes (0.5% dapiprazole HCl) is a new alpha-antagonist reported to reverse the effects of pupillary dilation in approximately one hour. This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of Rev-Eyes in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: Seventy-nine subjects free of eye disease that ranged in age from 21 to 40 years received 0.5% proparacaine, 2.5% phenylephrine, and 1.0% tropicamide in each eye. Rev-Eyes was administered to 61 subjects. Eighteen control subjects received 5% NaCl. Effects on pupil diameter, accommodation, and distance and near visual acuity were measured. Conjunctival vasodilation, corneal stippling, patient comfort, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Our results confirm that a statistically significant reduction in pupil diameter is achieved 60 minutes after installation of Rev-Eyes. However, no significant improvement was obtained in any of the other functional aspects measured CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest limited utility for Rev-Eyes with a young population. The recovery rate of near visual acuity and amplitude of accommodation is identical with or without Rev-Eyes.

Modification of impression cytology for in-office use.

An in-office procedure for assessment of the conjunctival epithelium, goblet cells, mucin and immune cells is described. The collection of three samples from each eye greatly improves cell harvest and increases reproducibility of the technique called impression cytology. The protocol and its pitfalls are discussed as well as the numerous applications of impression cytology.

Effectivity of contact lens disinfection systems against Acanthamoeba culbertsoni.

Thirteen commercially available contact lens solutions were tested for their ability to kill the cysts of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni. Miraflow, which contains 20% isopropyl alcohol, was the most effective at killing the cyst (94%), followed by solutions containing thimerosal (89%). The rigid gas permeable lens solutions in general were more effective than soft lens solutions. None of the solutions tested were completely cidal, but our data do suggest a combination of a good daily cleaner and disinfecting solution may be effective in reducing acanthamoeba exposure. These findings should provide guidelines for the practitioner in selecting the best disinfection system for the contact lens patient.

Microbiological aspects of extended-wear soft contact lenses.

Corneal ulcers are the most devastating complication associated with extended-wear soft contact lenses. The increasing prevalence of microbial keratitis associated with the wear of these lenses is a major concern for the optometrist. Studies of extended-wear and daily-wear contact lens patients strongly suggest that extended-wear patients face a greater risk of ulcerative keratitis than other cosmetic contact lens wearers. This discussion addresses the potential risks of extended-wear, with emphasis on ulcerative keratitis, the likely causes for these increased risks, and what the optometrist can do to reduce the risk of a microbial infection.

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and contact lens disinfection systems.

Acanthamoeba culbertsoni was used in this study inasmuch as its susceptibility to disinfection has not been examined. Although heat was found to be the most effective means of disinfection some cysts survived this procedure. Chlorhexidine exhibited a dose-response kill curve but the most effective concentrations are also corneo-toxic. Polyaminopropylbiguanide (0.00005%) has good effectiveness against the cyst but was not completely cidal at the dose tested. Thimerosal (0.002%) and hydrogen peroxide (3%) were found to be without effect. These findings should give contact lens practitioners guidelines for selecting a disinfection system for their patients.

Contact lens-induced corneal endothelial polymegathism: functional significance and possible mechanisms.

The corneal endothelium is principally responsible for maintenance of corneal deturgescence. Therefore, compromise of corneal endothelial functional integrity can result in corneal swelling and opacification. Contact lenses constitute a potential insult to the cornea because their wear reduces the oxygen available to that tissue. It has been reported that contact lens wear induces transient as well as permanent morphologic changes in the corneal endothelium. One of the permanent changes reported is referred to as polymegathism, which is a variation in cell size within the endothelial monolayer. Several investigators have suggested that polymegathism reflects a compromised endothelial functional status. Mechanisms proposed to explain contact lens-induced polymegathism include lactate accumulation, changes in pH, and elevation in CO2 content. We discuss these possibilities as well as speculate that these polymegathous shape changes may be a result of decreased endothelial ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels and disturbed calcium homeostasis due to corneal endothelial hypoxia.

Eel electric organ: hyperexpressing calmodulin system.

The electroplax of the electric eel Electrophorus electricus is the most abundant source of the calcium-binding protein calmodulin. The electroplax has 250 times the amount of calmodulin and its mRNA than eel skeletal muscle. Our data suggest that there is no major difference in gene copies, the degree of methylation, or genome rearrangement of the calmodulin gene in DNAs from eel electroplax and muscle. Differences in the calmodulin-binding proteins in electroplax and muscle suggest a differential role for the functional expression of calmodulin in cellular regulation.

The role of calmodulin in cell transformation.

Two cell lines transformed with temperature sensitive retroviruses were examined for: their ability to grow in low Ca2+ medium, their calmodulin levels and changes in calmodulin acceptor proteins. Both cell lines grow in low Ca2+ medium at the permissive temperature 34 degrees C while both lines did not replicate at the non-permissive temperature 39 degrees C. The NRKLA23 cells have nearly twice as much calmodulin at the permissive temperature than they do at the non-permissive temperature while the 6M2 cells have an equal amount of calmodulin at both temperatures. Both cell lines exhibit changes in the calmodulin acceptor proteins going from the permissive to the non-permissive temperature. We suspect that the changes in the calmodulin acceptor proteins may be involved in the altered Ca2+-sensitivity of growth in the cells going from the permissive to non-permissive temperature.

Alterations of the cytoplasmic organization of WIRL cells induced by trifluoperazine.

The antipsychotic drug trifluoperazine (TFP) causes a reversible rounding of cells of the rat liver epithelial cell line, WIRL. We have investigated the cytoplasmic organization of these cells after TFP treatment using SEM, TEM and immunofluorescence and have observed significant differences between the control and treated cells. Mitochondria are converted to the condensed configuration with distended cristae and the endoplasmic reticulum becomes tubular with distended cisternae. Intermediate filaments, visualized with a monoclonal antibody, are aggregated to a cap on the nucleus in an arrangement different from that induced by colcemid.

Application of the nitrocellulose transfer technique and alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-immunoglobulin for determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies to protein mixtures.

The target antigens of a series of monoclonal antibodies raised against a complex mixture of proteins have been identified. The protein mixture was fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS, and the fractionated proteins electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose sheets. Protein bands reacting with antibody were identified by incubating the nitrocellulose strips with the 'hybridoma' culture supernatants, followed by detection of bound antibody using alkaline phosphatase conjugated to rabbit anti-mouse F(ab')2 antibody, and histochemical substrates. With this technique, the antigens reacting with 4 of a series of 5 monoclonal antibodies have been identified.

Trifluoperazine inhibits spreading and migration of cells in culture.

Trifluoperazine (TFP) blocks spreading and migration of cultured mammalian cells. These are calcium-dependent and microfilament-mediated processes. Calmodulin, a regulator of many calcium-dependent processes in cells, is selectively inhibited by TFP. Cell spreading on a plastic- or collagen-coated substratum was reversibly inhibited by 10 micro M TFP. The drug blocks cell spreading even in the presence of 1 mM cAMP. TFP is as effective as cytochalasin B (CB), in inhibitor of microfilament function, in blocking cell spreading. All cell lines tested, whether "normal" or virally transformed, failed to spread to TFP. The drug, at a concentration sufficient to inhibit spreading, does not interfere with the initial attachment of a cell to a plastic surface. Cells plated in the presence of 10 micro M TFP attach at a rate and to an extent equal to untreated controls. TFP added to already spread cells results in a reversible cell rounding. Detection of fibronectin by indirect immunofluorescence suggests TFP-induced cell rounding is not due to shedding of fibronectin from the cell surface. TFP reversibly blocks cell migration into a would edge almost as effectively as CB. We suggest that TFP interferes with these microfilament-mediated functions by direct action on the microfilaments or indirect action by inactivating calmodulin.