A biochemical study of the marine annelid worm, Thoracophelia mucronata: Its food, biochromes and carotenoid metabolism

Comparative biochemical studies of numerous marine invertebrates and fishes have indicated that the majority of such species so far examined selectively assimilate and store xanthophyllic or allied oxygenated carotenoids rather than carotenes, when consuming food containing both types of pigment. In some forms there is complete exclusion of carotenes, e.g., in several fishes, in the sea mussel (Mytilus californianus), in at least three brittle stars, and in some color-variants of the anemone Metridium senile. Some asteroid echinoderms store carotenes, but in far lower concentrations than xanthophylls, while four species of echinoids appear to assimilate relatively greater quantities of carotenes (Fox, Updegraff and Novelli, 1944)

Motherhood: Female Perspectives and Experiences of Being a Parent with ASC

Little is known about the emotional pressures and practical management of daily challenges and, intra and interpersonal demands of raising a child as a parent with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The present study utilised a qualitative approach to understand perceptions of females diagnosed on the autistic spectrum of ‘being a parent’. Eight semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Benefits and challenges of being a parent were highlighted alongside population-specific skill and characteristics associated with strength and resilience, love, nurture, routine and sensory considerations. Findings identify the need for population-specific specialist parenting support, provide direction for professionals in clinical settings and expand the paucity of research in this area

CONCERNING THE PIGMENTS OF THE TWO-SPOTTED OCTOPUS AND THE OPALESCENT SQUID

Volume: 82Start Page: 284End Page: 29

Activation of endothelial cell IK(Ca) with 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone evokes smooth muscle hyperpolarization in rat isolated mesenteric artery

1. In rat small mesenteric arteries contracted with phenylephrine, 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO; 3 – 300 μM) evoked concentration-dependent relaxation that, above 100 μM, was associated with smooth muscle hyperpolarization. 2. 1-EBIO-evoked hyperpolarization (maximum 22.1±3.6 mV with 300 μM, n=4) was endothelium-dependent and inhibited by charybdotoxin (ChTX 100 nM; n=4) but not iberiotoxin (IbTX 100 nM; n=4). 3. In endothelium-intact arteries, smooth muscle relaxation to 1-EBIO was not altered by either of the potassium channel blockers ChTX (100 nM; n=7), or IbTX (100 nM; n=4), or raised extracellular K(+) (25 mM). Removal of the endothelium shifted the relaxation curve to the right but did not reduce the maximum relaxation. 4. In freshly isolated mesenteric endothelial cells, 1-EBIO (600 μM) evoked a ChTX-sensitive outward K-current. In contrast, 1-EBIO had no effect on smooth muscle cell conductance whereas NS 1619 (33 μM) stimulated an outward current while having no effect on the endothelial cells. 5. These data show that with concentrations greater than 100 μM, 1-EBIO selectively activates outward current in endothelial cells, which presumably underlies the smooth muscle hyperpolarization and a component of the relaxation. Sensitivity to block with charybdotoxin but not iberiotoxin indicates this current is due to activation of IK(Ca). However, 1-EBIO can also relax the smooth muscle by an undefined mechanism, independent of any change in membrane potential

HIV infection, cardiovascular disease risk factor profile, and risk for acute myocardial infarction.

BackgroundTraditional cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRFs) increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among HIV-infected (HIV+) participants. We assessed the association between HIV and incident AMI within CVDRF strata.MethodsCohort-81,322 participants (33% HIV+) without prevalent CVD from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort (prospective study of HIV+ and matched HIV- veterans) participated in this study. Veterans were followed from first clinical encounter on/after April 1, 2003, until AMI/death/last follow-up date (December 31, 2009). Predictors-HIV, CVDRFs (total cholesterol, cholesterol-lowering agents, blood pressure, blood pressure medication, smoking, diabetes) used to create 6 mutually exclusive profiles: all CVDRFs optimal, 1+ nonoptimal CVDRFs, 1+ elevated CVDRFs, and 1, 2, 3+ major CVDRFs. Outcome-Incident AMI [defined using enzyme, electrocardiogram (EKG) clinical data, 410 inpatient ICD-9 (Medicare), and/or death certificates]. Statistics-Cox models adjusted for demographics, comorbidity, and substance use.ResultsOf note, 858 AMIs (42% HIV+) occurred over 5.9 years (median). Prevalence of optimal cardiac health was <2%. Optimal CVDRF profile was associated with the lowest adjusted AMI rates. Compared with HIV- veterans, AMI rates among HIV+ veterans with similar CVDRF profiles were higher. Compared with HIV- veterans without major CVDRFs, HIV+ veterans without major CVDRFs had a 2-fold increased risk of AMI (HR: 2.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.0 to 3.9; P = 0.044).ConclusionsThe prevalence of optimal cardiac health is low in this cohort. Among those without major CVDRFs, HIV+ veterans have twice the AMI risk. Compared with HIV- veterans with high CVDRF burden, AMI rates were still higher in HIV+ veterans. Preventing/reducing CVDRF burden may reduce excess AMI risk among HIV+ people