Blue Spots Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A HPTLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS DENSITOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF GLYCYRRHETIC ACID AND SOLASODINE IN HERBAL DRUG FORMULATION

Objective: To develop and validate a simple, precise, selective, and accurate high-performance thin layer chromatographic method for simultaneous densitometric analysis of glycyrrhetic acid and solasodine in the polyherbal formulation.Methods: The method was developed using HPTLC silica gel GF254precoated aluminium plate as the stationary phase and Chloroform: Methanol (9:1 v/v) as the mobile phase. Quantization of glycyrrhetic acid was achieved by determining the area under the curve at 267 nm using CAMAG TLC Scanner and CATS 3 software. Since the structure of solasodine lacks conjugated double bond, it does not give any fluorescence either in the absorbance mode or reflectance mode hence solasodine was derivatized using 0.5%anisaldehyde sulphuric acids which gave a bluish spot as seen on TLC plate. These spots were scanned at 546 nm wavelength using CAMAG TLC Scanner and CATS 3 software.Results: The retention factor for glycyrrhetic acid and solasodine were found to be 0.52±0.01, 0.40±0.01% w/w respectively. The developed HPTLC method was validated using parameters described in International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline. The proposed method showed good linearity in the range of 400-2000 ng spot-1 for glycyrrhetic acid as well as for solasodine. The content of glycyrrhetic acid and solasodine in marketed polyherbal formulation were found to be 0.67%±0.8 and 0.10±0.35%w/w respectively.Conclusion: The developed method can be used as quality control tool for the routine analysis of glycyrrhetic acid and solasodine in polyherbal formulation.

ZODIA SOAP AS REPELLENT AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITOES

Zodia is known as a native plant from Papua which is traditionally used as a mosquitoes repellent . The contents of zodia leaves are linalool and a-pinene which have been scientifically tested as a mosquitoes Aedes aegypti L repellent caused Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Essential oil of zodia has got by vapor distillation will be made as repellen in soap. The purpose of this research is to create a solid soap and mosquito repellent of zodia leaf (Evodia suaveolens Scheff) and to know the efficacy of the repellent against Aedes aegypti L. The results of this study indicated that the steam distilation process on this study produced 48,33 ml of the essential oils. The blue spot appeared on Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and the value of Rf is 0,3 indicated a linalool. All formulations produce good solid soap in terms of organoleptic, pH, ability to form foam and skin irritation tests. Solid soap with 1,5 ml zodia essensial oil was the most effective formula as Aedestaegypti L repellentfor two hours. The protection efficacy was reduced because the oil is volatile. Zodia soap was made successfully with white cream , aromatic smell, and solid phase. S oap has great foam, pH 8-9, homogen y, and non-irriating. The addition of concentration essential oils increase protection power as reppelent. With The addition of essential oils 1,5%, the protection power soap was 81% to mosquito Aedes aegypti L .

Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis: Birthmarks which might not be so benign

Introduction: Mongolian blue spot (Dermal melanocytosis) is a common birth mark. We describe the case of an infant with extensive cutaneous lesions who presented with apnoea. Case: This baby was born following an uncomplicated pregnancy to unrelated Asian parents in good condition. She had extensive vascular malformation and dermal melanosis on all limbs and abdomen. She had macroglossia and hemihypertrophy of left upper limb. A clinical diagnosis of Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis was made. At two months of age, she presented with apnoea needing intubation and ventilation. She was noted to have subglottic stenosis. Her tone was increased and she had hyperreflexia. Her intra ocular pressures were elevated. MRI of brain showed a global reduction in brain volume with extra axial dilatation of the ventricles. The left hemisphere was smaller and more atrophic. There were extensive abnormal tortuous veins over the surface of the entire brain and extensive ischaemia in both cerebral hemispheres. Following discussions with the family, she was extubated with a view for palliation. She passed away one week after discharge. Discussion: Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV) is a rare disorder characterised by combination of dermal melanocytic lesions and vascular malformations. It is classified based on cutaneous phenotypes. 50% of cases have systemic involvement involving the eye, brain, overgrowth of soft tissue and melanoma. PPV without systemic complications is benign and requires no treatment. Pathogenesis is not fully established. It has been proposed that it is associated with post zygotic mutations in genes encoding Gα subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins like GNAQ or GNA11. Early death and subglottic stenosis like our case has not been described. Genetic test result is awaited. Conclusion: Extensive or aberrant Mongolian blue spots present along with naevus flammeus should alert the clinician of the possibility of this rare condition with potentially significant systemic complications.

Development and validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatographic—densitometric method for the quantification of guggulsterones E and Z in a polyherbal formulation containing Commiphora Mukul

The present article focuses on the quantitative analysis of a polyherbal formulation containing arjuna, guggul, and pushkarmoola in a combined dosage form which is used for its cardioprotective, anti-anginal, and hypolipidemic activities. Quantification of guggulsterones E and Z was done by developing and validating a high-performance thin-layer chromatography method after extraction by methanol. Densitometric evaluation was carried out on precoated silica gel G60 F254 high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) plates using toluene—ethyl acetate (8:2, v/v) as the mobile phase. Based on the HPTLC results, the methanol extract of guggulsterone was chosen as it showed a better separation of spots as compared to another extract. After postderivatization of plates with anisaldehyde—sulfuric acid (10%) reagent, the methanol extracts gave different color spots (the arjuna extract gave a blue spot, the guggul extract gave orange and brown spot, and pushkarmoola gave dark blue spot). Scanning and densitome...

Two new Pseudoceros (Polycladida: Pseudocerotidae) and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida: Euryleptidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Polyclads are free-living marine flatworms known for their striking colour and patterns. These animals though frequently encountered are still understudied in the Indian context. The present paper describes three new species, two belonging to the genus Pseudoceros Lang, 1884 and one to the genus Prostheceraeus Schmarda, 1859. Pseudoceros auranticrinis sp. nov. is characterised by whitish cream background colour, brown mottling with numerous white and dark brown spots all over the body except margins and a smooth dorsal surface with orange pseudotentacles, Pseudoceros vishnui sp. nov. is characterised by having purple to violet spots on dorsum with margin made up of blue spots, while Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus sp. nov. is characterised by presence of brown longitudinal lines on dorsum and black erected tentacles. This is the first description of any species under the genus Prostheceraeus from central Indo-Pacific as well as Indian Ocean. Some insights on feeding behaviour of P. vishnui sp. nov. are also provided.

Clinical study of neonatal skin lesions

<div class="WordSection1"><p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">A thorough knowledge of the skin changes, physiological as well as acquired, in neonates is of prime importance for the dermatologist as well as paediatrician.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">A total of 430 randomly selected live-born neonates delivered and admitted to the postpartum ward or to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and neonates attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department of a tertiary care institute were included in this study after taking written informed consent. A detailed assessment of history was performed and a detailed dermatological examination of each neonate was carried out. Laboratory procedures were performed to confirm diagnosis if required. Data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 20</span>.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Most common physiological skin change observed was Mongolian spot (65.35%) followed by Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum (51.63%), Epstein’s pearls (46.97%) and Sebaceous gland hyperplasia (45.81%). Lanugo hair was seen in 16.74% neonates. Among congenital skin lesions, Salmon patch was seen in 15.58% of the neonates whereas congenital melanocytic nevi are seen in 4.19% of the neonates. <span lang="EN-IN">Diaper dermatitis was the most common acquired skin manifestation seen in 5.81% of cases. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Neonates are prone to suffer from a wide range of dermatological problems, physiological as well as pathological. These manifestations are unique to the neonates. A detailed history and awareness of the clinical presentation facilitates the confirmation of the diagnosis.</span></p></div>

Prevalence and characterization of neonatal skin disorders in the first 72 h of life

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of neonatal dermatological findings and analyze whether there is an association between these findings and neonatal and pregnancy characteristics and seasonality. MethodsNewborns from three maternity hospitals in a Brazilian capital city were randomly selected to undergo dermatological assessment by dermatologists. Results2938 neonates aged up to three days of life were randomly selected, of whom 309 were excluded due to Intensive Care Unit admission. Of the 2530 assessed neonates, 49.6% were Caucasians, 50.5% were males, 57.6% were born by vaginal delivery, and 92.5% of the mothers received prenatal care. Some dermatological finding was observed in 95.8% of neonates; of these, 88.6% had transient neonatal skin conditions, 42.6% had congenital birthmarks, 26.8% had some benign neonatal pustulosis, 2% had lesions secondary to trauma (including scratches), 0.5% had skin malformations, and 0.1% had an infectious disease. The most prevalent dermatological findings were: lanugo, which was observed in 38.9% of the newborns, sebaceous hyperplasia (35%), dermal melanocytosis (24.61%), skin desquamation (23.3%), erythema toxicum neonatorum (23%), salmon patch (20.4%), skin erythema (19%), genital hyperpigmentation (18.4%), eyelid edema (17.4%), milia (17.3%), genital hypertrophy (12%), and skin xerosis (10.9%). ConclusionsDermatological findings are frequent during the first days of life and some of them characterize the newborn's skin. Mixed‐race newborns and those whose mothers had some gestational risk factor had more dermatological findings. The gestational age, newborn's ethnicity, gender, Apgar at the first and fifth minutes of life, type of delivery, and seasonality influenced the presence of specific neonatal dermatological findings.

Halolike Phenomenon Around a Café au Lait Spot Superimposed on a Mongolian Spot.

An 8-month-old Caucasian infant with neurofibromatosis type 1 presented with a congenital plexiform neurofibroma and multiple café au lait spots. A pale area surrounded one of the café au lait spots located on the left gluteus in the area of dermal melanocytosis. This halolike phenomenon results from the disappearance of the Mongolian spot around the café au lait spots, revealing normal pigmented skin. This sign has been described rarely in the literature and the pathogenic mechanism is unclear.

Metabolic screening and its impact in children with nonsyndromic intellectual disability.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyze the value of routine metabolic screening tests in children with an intellectual disability (ID) and its impact on improving their outcome and quality of life through appropriate intervention and treatment.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pediatric Neurology Clinic, Al Khafji Joint Operations Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 children with nonsyndromic ID (66% males) in the age range of 5–17 years were compared with 50 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched controls. All studied groups were subjected to detailed history taking, family pedigree, thorough clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, routine laboratory investigations and urine metabolic screening tests (ferric chloride test and toluidine blue spot test and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). Electroencephalography, IQ, psychiatric assessment and chromosomal study were done for the patient group only.ResultsPositive consanguineous marriage, older maternal or paternal age and family history of mental disabilities in other siblings were considered as risk factors for the development of mental disabilities. History of admission to neonatal intensive care unit was significantly higher among the patient group than among the controls (P<0.05). Metabolic screening tests showed that up to 35% of patients were positive for ferric chloride test, 9% of patients were positive for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and only 7 out of 150 (4.7%) patients were toluidine blue test positive.ConclusionMetabolic testing should be considered in the workup of individuals with nonsyndromic ID, which will need further specific investigations to confirm the diagnosis and determine the possible treatable cases.

IDENTIFIKASI SENYAWA GOLONGAN FENOL DARI EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN SIRIH HIJAU (PIPER BETLE LINN.) DENGAN METODE KLT-SPEKTROFOTODENSITOMETRI

Phenol compound in Piper betle leaves has several pharmacology activities such as antibacteria, antifungi and antioxidant. The pharmacology activities of a herbal drug are influenced by the phytochemistry content, so in order to do a quality determination that provides phytochemistry profile and consistent pharmacology activities, a standardization is required. Fingerprint is the main standard to perform quality control for herbal drug. TLC-spectrophotodensitometry was used as the method in order to provide fingerprint profile of phenol compound. In this experiment, Piper betle leaves samples were extracted by reflux method using ethanol 96% as the solvent. Identification of phenol compound was done using TLC-spectrophotodensitometry with Silica gel 60 F254 as the stationary phase, toluena: ethyl acetate (93:7 v/v) as the mobile phase, FeCl3 and Folin-Ciocalteau as the reagent. The fingerprint profile of phenol compund was shown in Rf value 0,19; 0,42; and 0,62. Positive results of phenol compound are black spot on FeCl3 colour test and dark blue spot on Folin-Ciocalteau colour test. Maximum wavelength of phenol compound was 283 nm.

A clinical study of cutaneous manifestations in neonates

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Various cutaneous manifestations are common in the neonatal period. Transient and pathological neonatal dermatoses should be differentiated to avoid unnecessary treatment and to relieve parent’s stress. The present study is being carried out to study the clinical pattern of cutaneous lesion during the neonatal period, to determine the frequency of various dermatoses i.e. physiological and pathological lesions in neonate along with appropriate management of cases.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A total of 100 neonates from labour rooms and pediatric nursery of Basaveshwara general hospital, Kalaburagi were evaluated for cutaneous manifestations. All the relevant data regarding history, clinical examination and investigations were recorded and analyzed.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Of the 100 neonates, 56 (56%) were males and 44 (44%) were females, 72 (72%) were full term, 23 (23%) were pre-term and 5% were post term. Of these 78% newborns were born to multigravidae mothers, while 24% newborns born of consanguineous marriage had cutaneous lesions. The majority of newborns 54% were born through normal delivery. The largest number of babies with cutaneous lesions (72%) was seen in newborns of mothers in the age group of 20-29 years. The most common dermatoses were physiological scaling (18%) and Mongolian spots (20%) followed by milia (13%), miliaria (14%).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; The present study helps to understand the type and distribution of cutaneous lesions presenting in the early neonatal period in newborns.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Majority of skin lesions were transient and did not need any medical treatment. Counselling the parents helped alleviate their significant psychological stress as well as play a role in creating awareness in the community and benefit the people at large.&lt;/p&gt;

Clinical profile and triggering factors for acquired, bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules

Background: Acquired, bilateral nevus of Ota-like macules (ABNOM) is one of the most common dermal melanocytoses. Although there are some literatures on ABNOM, its clinical features and etiopathogenetic factors have not been fully understood.Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of ABNOM among the Chinese patients.Methods: A survey was carried out using the clinical examination and a questionnaire on 3212 first-time outpatients in our dermatology department, and 102 cases of ABNOM were subsequently enrolled.Results: The outpatient prevalence of ABNOM was 3.18%, and the age of the onset was 27.2 years on average. They all presented as speckled macules on the face alone or coexisted with patchy lesions (17.7%) or a band-like pigmentation (1.0%). Unprecedentedly, we found the zygomatic arch, the infraorbital, the cheek and the parotid region can be involved, and 52.0% cases had sclera pigmentation. ABNOM commonly coexisted with the pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue, the melasma, the acne, prementstrual syndrome (female) and breast cystic hyperplasia (female) with the rates of 33.3%, 20.6%, 26.5%, 47.0% and 43.0% separately. Triggering factors’ investigation disclosed screen irradiation (47.1%), pregnancy (32.0%), cosmetics (29.4%), sensitive skin (22.6%), and positive family histories (21.6%) were highly related.Conclusions: Our study confirms that ABNOM is a relatively common disorder among adult Chinese’s outpatients. It is commonly distributed over the malar, lateral forehead and temple’s areas. The sclera pigmentation is another common finding that is overlooked in previous research. ABNOM is concomitant with melasma and some other disorders. Excessive sun exposure, hormonal disturbances and hereditary susceptibility are the main potential triggering factors of ABNOM.

A Paper-Based Electrochromic Array for Visualized Electrochemical Sensing.

We report a battery-powered, paper-based electrochromic array for visualized electrochemical sensing. The paper-based sensing system consists of six parallel electrochemical cells, which are powered by an aluminum-air battery. Each single electrochemical cell uses a Prussian Blue spot electrodeposited on an indium-doped tin oxide thin film as the electrochromic indicator. Each electrochemical cell is preloaded with increasing amounts of analyte. The sample activates the battery for the sensing. Both the preloaded analyte and the analyte in the sample initiate the color change of Prussian Blue to Prussian White. With a reaction time of 60 s, the number of electrochemical cells with complete color changes is correlated to the concentration of analyte in the sample. As a proof-of-concept analyte, lactic acid was detected semi-quantitatively using the naked eye.

Survey of cutaneous findings in newborns in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundSkin lesions are commonly observed in newborns. They have been studied in different regions of the world. There are limited reports from Arab countries and they have not been studied in Saudi Arabia. ObjectiveTo determine the occurrence rate of cutaneous findings in Saudi newborns and evaluate their association with maternal and newborn factors. MethodThis is a prospective study of cutaneous findings in newborns delivered at King Fahd Hospital of the University between November 2015 and May 2016.Through performing dermatologic examinations, the relationships between the neonatal skin findings and gender, neonatal age, route of delivery, nationality, skin type, maternal age, illnesses, intake of drugs, and consanguinity were statistically evaluated. ResultsA total of 313 newborns were included in this descriptive prospective cohort study. Skin findings were found in all the examined infants.The commonest skin finding were Mongolian spot (63.07%) followed by milia (61.34%), erythema toxicum neonatorum (24.92%) and physiological scaling (18.01%). The prevalence of salmon patch was higher in females, milia was more common in newborn examined at the age of 24–48h.Mongolian spots were more frequent in babies whose mothers were having diabetes mellitus and physiological scaling was more prevalent in newborns whose parents were relatives. ConclusionAll newborns had cutaneous lesions. Skin type, baby gender, nationality and age of the baby at the time of examination were influential factors in congenital melanocytic nevus, linea nigra, salmon patch and milia.Moreover, illnesses during pregnancy and consanguinity had a role on Mongolian spot and physiological scaling occurrences.

A Simple and Cogent Forensic Technique to Trap and Nab a Bribe-Seeking Corrupt Public Servant ‘Blue-Handed’

For strengthening the legal system of justice against the menace of bribery, a highly cogent and sensitive forensic technique has been developed using an indicator dye of triphenylmethane group---Bromocresol green (BCG)---as corruption marker. By means of BCG, a bribe-seeker can be so firmly trapped that not only his/her hand or finger(s) get colored blue upon treatment with water, that even the shirt's pocket as well as some of the coercively-received currency notes also get tainted with deep blue color. The new technique replaces the age-old use of phenolphthalein for trapping the bribe-seeker wherein, when bribe-taker's hand is dipped in sodium carbonate solution a pink color is produced. The necessity for a new and cogent technique has become desirable because owing to several procedural deficiencies and techno-legal lacunae as pointed out in various High Courts’ and Supreme Court's judgments, and also because of the instability of the pink color generated by phenolphthalein and alkali, the trapped-and-convicted persons are quite often set free upon appeals. But the sturdy blue color produced by BCG is of highly stable in nature which firmly and truly ratifies the “Locard's Exchange Principle” of forensic science. The strong blue spots specially on the hand or fingers and the blue-spotted shirt pocket along with the blue-tinted currency notes, can all act collectively as strong incriminating legal evidence(s) against the trapped person. Unlike phenolphthalein, sodium carbonate is not required in the BCG method to generate the color (blue) either in water or on other (hard) objects. Moreover, any additional stabilizer like hydroquinone, etc., is also not required either for storing the blue solution, or for safekeeping the blue-spotted hard materials like shirt, handkerchief, or currency notes for showing them in the court of law at appropriate stage. Since the BCG-produced blue color on the currency notes is of utmost stability and can not be wiped away by ordinary means, a special method has also been reported to safely remove (conceal) the blue spots from the currency notes used in the ‘Operation BCG’. Having all these (hard) bluish objects in the hands of anti-corruption bureau (ACB) as irrefutable evidences against the accused, there is hardly left any need for safekeeping the blue-colored water solution (the liquid obtained after dipping trapped person's hand in water).

Picosecond Laser Treatment for Tattoos and Benign Cutaneous Pigmented Lesions (Secondary publication).

The selective removal of tattoos and benign cutaneous pigmented lesions with laser energy evolved rapidly with the development of the nanosecond-domain Q-switched laser (ns-laser). Recently, however, a series of picosecond-domain lasers (ps-lasers) with pulsewidths less than 1 ns has become commercially available, enabling more efficient and faster removal of pigmented lesions in the field of dermatologic laser surgery. The efficacy of the ns-laser depended on the theory of selective photothermolysis, whereby an extremely short pulse width was delivered less than the thermal relaxation time (TRT) of a target. At sub-ns pulsewidths, i.e. in the ps-domain, this efficacy is dramatically extended through defeating the stress relaxation time (SRT) of a target allowing for even more effective pigment destruction with even less damage to the surrounding normal tissue. This will be discussed in detail. The ps-laser has been reported as achieving tattoo removal in fewer sessions than the ns-laser, with less in the way of unwanted side effects. Tattoos recalcitrant to ns-laser treatment have responded well to the ps-laser, and although true 'color blindness' is not yet completely achieved with the ps-domain pulses currently available, multicolored tattoos have also responded very favorably. The ability to limit damage precisely to the pigment target gives greater efficacy in treatment of epidermal lesions with less induction of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in the PIH-susceptible Asian skin, and dermal melanocytosis also respond very well to ps-laser treatment. Illustrative clinical examples from the author's experience are given. Current ps-lasers could be a revolutionary advance for laser tattoo removal but may be less effective for some specific aesthetic indications such as melasma and other cosmetic procedures. Manufacturers must make an effort to reduce the current comparatively long ps-domain pulsewidths to deliver a 'true' ps-domain laser, with more basic studies also being required to allow expansion of the safe and effective use of the ps-laser outside of tattoo removal.

Toxicity Evaluation of Iron Oxide (Fe₃O₄) Nanoparticles on Human Neuroblastoma-Derived SH-SY5Y Cell Line.

Several studies suggest that Iron Oxide nanoparticles may arrive to central nervous system independently of the route of administration. Actually, evidences indicate that the presence iron oxide nanoparticles into nervous system are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. In this regard, our goal was to assess in vitro PolyVinylPirrolidone coated Iron Oxide nanoparticles, diameter of 20 nm, neuro-toxicity and their mechanism of action, which was fixed over the human neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y. Inducted biological effects were evaluated after 4–48 hours at crescents doses 1–100 μg/mL using the following endpoints: (i) Membrane integrity: Nanoparticles have produced no effect over cellular membrane for every dose and time evaluated; (ii) Mitochondrial activity: Starting at 10 μg/mL with a decrease of cellular vitality of 35%, and a maximum decrease of 45% at highest dose (100 μg/mL); (iii) Cellular morphology: Cells have evidenced no alteration after 48 hours of exposure; (iv) Cellular uptake: Dose-time dependent accumulation has observed: blue spots have been found at 10 μg/mL and over. Concluding, mitochondria are apparently the target: considering that the toxic effect produced by PolyVinylPirrolidone coated Iron Oxide nanoparticles after 48 hours of exposure in a dose-time dependent manner was evident.

Hunter Syndrome with Extensive Mongolian Spots.

Hunter Syndrome with Extensive Mongolian Spots.

WhaleWatch: a dynamic management tool for predicting blue whale density in the California Current

Summary Management of highly migratory species is reliant on spatially and temporally explicit information on their distribution and abundance. Satellite telemetry provides time‐series data on individual movements. However, these data are underutilized in management applications in part because they provide presence‐only information rather than abundance information such as density. Eastern North Pacific blue whales are listed as threatened, and ship strikes have been suggested as a key factor limiting their recovery. Here, we developed a satellite‐telemetry‐based habitat model in a case–control design for Eastern North Pacific blue whales Balaenoptera musculus that was combined with previously published abundance estimates to predict habitat preference and densities. Further, we operationalize an automated, near‐real‐time whale density prediction tool based on up‐to‐date environmental data for use by managers and other stakeholders. A switching state‐space movement model was applied to 104 blue whale satellite tracks from 1994 to 2008 to account for errors in the location estimates and provide daily positions (case points). We simulated positions using a correlated random walk model (control points) and sampled the environment at each case and control point. Generalized additive mixed models and boosted regression trees were applied to determine the probability of occurrence based on environmental covariates. Models were used to predict 8‐day and monthly resolution, year‐round density estimates scaled by population abundance estimates that provide a critical tool for understanding seasonal and interannual changes in habitat use. The telemetry‐based habitat model predicted known blue whale hot spots and had seasonal agreement with sightings data, highlighting the skill of the model for predicting blue whale habitat preference and density. We identified high interannual variability in occurrence emphasizing the benefit of dynamic models compared to multiyear averages. Synthesis and applications. This near‐real‐time tool allows a more accurate examination of the year‐round spatio‐temporal overlap of blue whales with potentially harmful human activities, such as shipping. This approach should also be applicable to other species for which sufficient telemetry data are available. The dynamic predictive product developed here is an important tool that allows managers to consider finer‐scale management areas that are more economically feasible and socially acceptable.

Genetic characterization of esocid herpesvirus 1 (EsHV1).

Blue spot disease, believed to be caused by esocid herpesvirus 1 (EsHV1), has been observed in wild northern pike Esox lucius in a number of cold-water locations, including the northern USA, Canada, and Ireland. In the spring of 2014, a northern pike was caught in Wisconsin displaying the characteristic bluish-white circular plaques on the dorsum and fins. Microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the proliferative cutaneous lesions revealed a focally extensive abundance of panepidermal, megalocytic keratinocytes with karyomegaly. Enlarged nuclei stained basophilic, and an abundance of coarse eosinophilic granules were observed in the expanded cytoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed aggregates of enveloped virus particles with electron-dense, hexagonal nucleocapsids surrounded by a uniformly staining ellipsoidal tegument layer within cytoplasmic vacuoles of megalocytic epidermal cells. More than 7000 bp of the EsHV1 genome were sequenced from infected skin tissues. Phylogenetic and phenetic analyses, based on the partial DNA-dependent DNA polymerase and terminase gene sequences, revealed EsHV1 forms a novel branch within the family Alloherpesviridae as the sister group to the clade that includes members of the genera Ictalurivirus and Salmonivirus. The gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions reported in our study were identical to previous reports of blue spot disease in northern pike; however, here we provide the first molecular evidence supporting EsHV1 as a new species in the family Alloherpesviridae.