New Distributional Records and Notes on the Pale-bellied White-eye Zostaops consobrinorum

This paper summarizes and reviews our knowledge of the Pale-bellied White-eye Zosterops consobrinorum of south-east Sulawesi, Indonesia. Fieldwork during late 1995 resulted in the discovery of seven new localities for the species on the Sulawesi mainland. In addition we discovered an undescribed race of Z. consobrinorum on Buton Island. These records significantly increase the known distribution of the species. Information on the species' habitat, behaviour, plumage, vocalisations, taxonomy and status is presented and it is concluded that the species is not threatened

Overexpressing temperature-sensitive dynamin decelerates phototransduction and bundles microtubules in drosophila photoreceptors

shibire(ts1), a temperature-sensitive mutation of the Drosophila gene encoding a Dynamin orthologue, blocks vesicle endocytosis and thus synaptic transmission, at elevated, or restrictive temperatures. By targeted Gal4 expression, UAS-shibire(ts1) has been used to dissect neuronal circuits. We investigated the effects of UAS-shibire(ts1) overexpression in Drosophila photoreceptors at permissive (19 degrees C) and restrictive (31 degrees C) temperatures. At 19 degrees C, overexpression of UAS-shi(ts1) causes decelerated phototransduction and reduced neurotransmitter release. This phenotype is exacerbated with dark adaptation, age and in white mutants. Photoreceptors overexpressing UAS-shibire(ts1) contain terminals with widespread vacuolated mitochondria, reduced numbers of vesicles and bundled microtubules. Immuno-electron microscopy reveals that the latter are dynamin coated. Further, the microtubule phenotype is not restricted to photoreceptors, as UAS-shibire(ts1) overexpression in lamina cells also bundles microtubules. We conclude that dynamin has multiple functions that are interrupted by UAS-shibire(ts1) overexpression in Drosophila photoreceptors, destabilizing their neural communication irreversibly at previously reported permissive temperatures

The Status, Habitat and Nest of the Satanic Nightjar Eurostopodus diabolicus

The Satanic Nightjar Eurostopodus diabolicus a little-known, putatively threatened species endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia was recently observed in two protected areas in North Sulawesi. Presently classified as Vulnerable to extinction, these new records suggest a more widespread geographical distribution and greater tolerance of disturbed habitats than was previously thought. Consequently, we recommend that this species be downgraded to Near Threatened. Descriptions of plumage characters (which differ from the type specimen in some respects), nesting, and behaviour are presented. Morphological and ecological evidence suggests E. diabolicus is most closely related to the Archbold's Nightjar E. archboldi and Papuan Nightjar E. papuensis, both endemic to New Guinea

Oral Mucositis

Mucositis is a generalized term used to denote either oral or gastrointestinal mucositis as a consequence of cancer therapy. This chapter will describe the epidemiology of mucositis in relation to radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, chemotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinical features, risk factors and pathogenesis of mucositis are covered in depth. In addition, the current consensus on mucositis management and economic consequences are reviewed in this chapter. Although considered to have a different pathogenesis, targeted therapy related oral mucosal adverse effects are often referred in the literature as mucositis or stomatitis. This entity is described in this chapter, too.</p

Neural control of dynamic 3-dimensional skin papillae for cuttlefish camouflage.

The colour and pattern changing abilities of octopus, squid and cuttlefish via chromatophore neuro-muscular organs are unparalleled. Cuttlefish and octopuses also have a unique muscular hydrostat system in their skin. When expressed, dermal bumps called papillae disrupt body shape and imitate the fine texture of surrounding objects, yet the control system is unknown. Here we report for papillae: (i) the motoneurons and the neurotransmitters that control activation and relaxation, (ii) a physiologically fast expression and retraction system, and (iii) a complex of smooth and striated muscles that enables long-term expression of papillae through sustained tension in the absence of neural input. The neural circuits controlling acute shape-shifting skin papillae in cuttlefish show homology to the iridescence circuits in squids. The sustained-tension in papillary muscles for long-term camouflage utilizes muscle heterogeneity, and points toward the existence of a "catch-like" mechanism that would reduce the necessary energy expenditure.This work was funded by an AFOSR grant no. FA9550-14-1-0134 , Isaac Newton Trust/Wellcome Trust ISSF/University of Cambridge Joint Research Grant ( 097814/Z/11/Z ) to P.T.G-B., and a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council David Phillips Fellowship (BBSRC, BB/L024667/1 ) to T.J.W

Tight junction defects are seen in the buccal mucosa of patients receiving standard dose chemotherapy for cancer

Oral mucositis is one of the most common and debilitating side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Patients are often unable to eat and drink, which can lead to poor clinical outcomes and extensive resource utilisation. The primary aim of this study was to determine the molecular integrity of oral epithelial tight junctions in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The secondary aim was to correlate these changes with proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase profiles.Patients (n = 23) were recruited from the Royal Adelaide Hospital between 2000 and 2003. Reach patient underwent two oral buccal mucosa biopsies (4 mm): one prior to chemotherapy treatment and a second one after chemotherapy treatment. Oral buccal mucosa biopsies were also taken from seven healthy volunteers with no history of cancer, chemo- or radiotherapy treatment or inflammatory disorders. Routine haematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to determine epithelial thickness. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for claudin-1, zonular occludens-1, occludin, interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor, interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9.Patients receiving standard dose chemotherapy had significant epithelial atrophy. Elevations in all cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases were seen, with significant lamina propria staining for interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 appeared most upregulated within the oral epithelium. These changes coincided with altered tight junction staining properties. Changes in the staining intensity and localisation were both noted, with clear cytoplasmic staining for zonular occludens-1 and claudin-1 in patients treated with chemotherapy.Chemotherapy causes defects in oral tight junctions, coupled with altered cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase profiles. Tight junction disruption in the epithelium may contribute to ulcer development or lead to poor tissue integrity, and the timing of these events may be a target for preventative treatment.Hannah R. Wardill, Richard M. Logan, Joanne M. Bowen, Ysabella Z. A. Van Sebille, Rachel J. Gibso