Unique Pigmentation Research Articles

Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment of amyloidosis: A Review

The name Amyloid is derived from the word "Oid", which means semi-starch, which is a protein that transforms into the shape or amyloid state when a distortion or a change occurs in its secondary structure as it becomes insoluble, shaped, and assembled as beta folded sheets. The structure of the amyloid protein can be seen by the electronic microscope as a group of non-branched fibers, with unspecified lengths and cross-sections between (7.5–10) nanometers. Also, the distinguished structure (the folded beta sheets) is clearly seen, and this structure is responsible for the unique pigmentation that is shown by the amyloid proteins with the Congo red stain.

Cis-regulatory evolution underlying the changes in wingless expression pattern associated with wing pigmentation of Drosophila.

The co-option of regulatory genes has the potential to play an important role in the evolutionary gain of new traits. However, the changes at the sequence level that underlie such a co-option event are still elusive. We identified the changes in the cis-regulatory sequence of wingless that caused co-option of wingless and led to its expression in new places in Drosophila guttifera, which has unique pigmentation patterns on its wings. The newly gained function of gene expression activation was acquired evolutionarily via a combination of pre-existing sequences containing a putative binding site for SMAD transcription factors that exhibit an ancestral function in driving expression at crossveins, and a sequence that is specific to the lineage leading to D. guttifera.

A new classification method to simplify blue whale photo-identification technique

Individual identification of blue whales is based on unique pigmentation patterns. Historically photo-identification has been based on the pigmentation patterns observed on a large portion of the animal’s flanks. The new classification method presented here is based primarily on seven dorsal fin shapes and secondarily on five pigmentation patterns selected from a minor portion of the flank adjacent to the dorsal fin. This classification is then applied to a blue whale catalogue that comprises 621 individuals photo-identified in the waters adjacent to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. The classification system adequately divides the number of individuals per dorsal fin category and pigmentation patterns. It has been useful not only for reducing time and for matching photographs more efficiently but also has facilitated the finding of intra-catalogue photographic recaptures or photo-recaptures and has enhanced the efficiency of the field work. This new classification method should be considered by other blue whale researchers and for future inter-catalogue comparisons.

Monkeying around with monkeyflowers: Modeling pigmentation patterning mechanisms in Mimulus.

Mimulus (Monkeyflowers) is a diverse genus of angiosperms that produce many beautiful and unique pigmentation patterns. The basic mechanisms of pattern production have been tentatively described in certain species of Mimulus, and it is based on the reaction-diffusion system of a slow activator NEGAN (called a pre-pattern) and a fast inhibitor RTO. Such activator-inhibitor pair forms a Turing pattern, and we have shown that it generates various patterns in Monkeyflower petals. Using the modeling and simulation software VCell, the reaction-diffusion system can be spatially simulated with a series of differential equations. By changing the parameters of the math model or the shape of the pre-pattern, many different patterns emerge, corresponding to phenotypes observed in species of Mimulus. We aim to classify flower patterns, so they can be easily distinguished, and to identify key parameters and parameter regions that correspond to changes in patterns related to a mix of mutants in a plant, and trajectories in parameter space describing the lineage of patterns. (Supported by NIGMS grant R01 GM140092.)

Laugier–Hunziker syndrome: A case report

Laugier–Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is a rare, benign pigmentary disorder characterized by unique pigmentation over mucosa, nails, and acral sites, arising spontaneously during adulthood. It has no malignant potential or systemic involvement. It has a female preponderance (2:1 ratio). The pigmentary lesions in LHS respond poorly to therapy, and has high recurrence. Since LHS is a diagnosis based on exclusion, we discuss the differential diagnosis of mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation. We present a case of a 66-year-old man with LHS.

Description of a New Species of Rariphotic Parapercis (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) from the Solomon Islands

A new species belonging to the pinguipedid genus Parapercis is described herein from a single specimen collected via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from rariphotic depths in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Parapercis rota, new species, is readily distinguished from all other congeners by a unique pigmentation pattern comprising four large, rounded, orangish-olive saddles dorsally on the flank, each with a distinct, large, dorsomedial white spot completely enclosed within the saddles, plus a fifth saddle on the caudal peduncle with only a small white dorsomedial dot; 10 discrete broad, dark orangish-olive oval vertical bars below the lateral midline; a single row of dark spots on the soft dorsal fin; caudal fin lined dorsally and ventrally with stripes of yellowish-olive pigmentation extending the length of the fin; and two prominent dark brown to black spots at the caudal-fin base. ROV-based collecting systems are a promising and relatively affordable technology for studying ichthyological diversity on deeper reef habitats, particularly those beyond the reach of technical SCUBA. The discovery and description of P. rota adds to the growing number of Parapercis species that are known to occur in mesophotic and deeper waters.

A New Cryptic Species of Polymixia (Teleostei, Acanthomorpha, Polymixiiformes, Polymixiidae) Revealed by Molecules and Morphology

A new and previously cryptic fish species, Polymixia hollisterae, new species, proposed common name “Bermuda Beardfish,” is described from two voucher specimens collected in 1997 at a depth of about 280 fm or 512 m on the NW slope of the Bermuda Platform, and a third voucher collected by a midwater trawl in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. The species belongs to the paracanthopterygian acanthomorph genus Polymixia, family Polymixiidae, order Polymixiiformes, and is named after pioneering ichthyologist, ocean explorer, and conservationist Gloria E. Hollister (Anable). It is distinguished from all other species in the genus by its greater dorsal and anal fin heights (19% and 14% of SL, respectively), its extremely long pectoral and pelvic fins (22% and 14% of SL, respectively), its relatively large eye diameter (34% of total head length), and its morphologically distinctive first anal-fin radial. It has a unique pigmentation pattern on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins consisting of narrow, dark black patches near the tips of the longest few soft dorsal- and anal-fin rays, and a caudal-fin margin with a dark black fringe covering the distal fourth of the fin. Based on an earlier molecular study that revealed it to be a cryptic species, P. hollisterae, new species, is closely related to P. japonica, but it differs by 20–33 nucleotides in a total alignment of 4,983 nuclear and mitochondrial sites. The new species shares a distinctive scale morphology with P. japonica and P. nobilis (the type species); an intermediate number of dorsal-fin rays (V,31–32), like P. japonica (V,31–34); a distinctive preopercle shape with P. japonica, P. lowei, and P. berndti; and a low number of pyloric caeca with P. lowei and P. berndti. Pored lateral-line scales number 35, an intermediate number compared to reported counts of other species (31–39). The three supraneurals are sigmoid-shaped like those of P. nobilis, while dorsal-fin proximal radials interfinger with neural spines in a unique pattern. Body shape, as studied with measurement proportions and multivariate morphometrics, is distinguished by a relatively large head, large eyes, long jaws, and a more streamlined pre-dorsal body profile than its congeners. Further research and additional collecting will be needed to ascertain the geographic distribution and conservation status of the new species.

Video image of genital melanosis provides strong evidence to support identification of a sexual offender

A man in his thirties was suspected of committing a sexual offense against a young girl. A video on his mobile telephone provided the only evidence. Photographs obtained from the video showed male genitalia in two views, with the penis in both views exhibiting unique pigmentation. We appraised this case with the cooperation of dermatologists, who diagnosed the pigmentation as male genital melanosis, a relatively rare disease, which matched that on the suspected perpetrator’s penis. Photographs obtained from the video were thus decisive evidence of sexual offense and identified the perpetrator.

The color pattern inducing gene wingless is expressed in specific cell types of campaniform sensilla of a polka-dotted fruit fly, Drosophila guttifera.

A polka-dotted fruit fly, Drosophila guttifera, has a unique pigmentation pattern on its wings and is used as a model for evo-devo studies exploring the mechanism of evolutionary gain of novel traits. In this species, a morphogen-encoding gene, wingless, is expressed in species-specific positions and induces a unique pigmentation pattern. To produce some of the pigmentation spots on wing veins, wingless is thought to be expressed in developing campaniform sensillum cells, but it was unknown which of the four cell types there express(es) wingless. Here we show that two of the cell types, dome cells and socket cells, express wingless, as indicated by in situ hybridization together with immunohistochemistry. This is a unique case in which non-neuronal SOP (sensory organ precursor) progeny cells produce Wingless as an inducer of pigmentation pattern formation. Our finding opens a path to clarifying the mechanism of evolutionary gain of a unique wingless expression pattern by analyzing gene regulation in dome cells and socket cells.

WHAT IDENTIFIES A WHALE BY ITS FLUKE? ON THE BENEFIT OF INTERPRETABLE MACHINE LEARNING FOR WHALE IDENTIFICATION

Abstract. Interpretable and explainable machine learning have proven to be promising approaches to verify the quality of a data-driven model in general as well as to obtain more information about the quality of certain observations in practise. In this paper, we use these approaches for an application in the marine sciences to support the monitoring of whales. Whale population monitoring is an important element of whale conservation, where the identification of whales plays an important role in this process, for example to trace the migration of whales over time and space. Classical approaches use photographs and a manual mapping with special focus on the shape of the whale flukes and their unique pigmentation. However, this is not feasible for comprehensive monitoring. Machine learning methods, especially deep neural networks, have shown that they can efficiently solve the automatic observation of a large number of whales. Despite their success for many different tasks such as identification, further potentials such as interpretability and their benefits have not yet been exploited. Our main contribution is an analysis of interpretation tools, especially occlusion sensitivity maps, and the question of how the gained insights can help a whale researcher. For our analysis, we use images of humpback whale flukes provided by the Kaggle Challenge ”Humpback Whale Identification”. By means of spectral cluster analysis of heatmaps, which indicate which parts of the image are important for a decision, we can show that the they can be grouped in a meaningful way. Moreover, it appears that characteristics automatically determined by a neural network correspond to those that are considered important by a whale expert.

Black sea bass are a host in the developmental cycle of Lernaeenicus radiatus (Copepoda: Pennellidae): insights into parasite morphology, gill pathology and genetics - CORRIGENDUM.

Lernaeenicus radiatus, a mesoparasitic pennellid copepod, has long been known in the northwest Atlantic with metamorphosed females infecting the muscle of marine fish. The study herein is the first to identify a definitive first host, black sea bass Centropristis striata, for L. radiatus supporting larval development to adults and sexual reproduction in the gills. This finding suggests a two-host life cycle for L. radiatus, with black sea bass as the first host. Heavy infections in the gill were associated with considerable pathology related to a unique and invasive attachment process that penetrated the gill and selectively attached to the gill filament cartilage. The morphology of the developing copepod was highly conserved with that of a related pennellid copepod, Lernaeocera branchialis, though was distinguished by the attachment process, unique pigmentation and other morphologic features described herein. Sequencing the small and large subunits of the ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes demonstrated L. radiatus to share closer identities with Lernaeocera and Haemobaphes spp. pennellid copepods rather than other Lernaeenicus spp. available in GenBank to date. Taxonomy of L. radiatus is discussed in relation to life cycles, tissue tropism, morphology and genetics of other closely related pennellid copepods.

Black sea bass are a host in the developmental cycle of Lernaeenicus radiatus (Copepoda: Pennellidae): insights into parasite morphology, gill pathology and genetics.

Lernaeenicus radiatus, a mesoparasitic pennellid copepod, has long been known in the northwest Atlantic with metamorphosed females infecting the muscle of marine fish. The study herein is the first to identify a definitive first host, black sea bass Centropristis striata, for L. radiatus supporting larval development to adults and sexual reproduction in the gills. This finding suggests a two-host life cycle for L. radiatus, with black sea bass as the first host. Heavy infections in the gill were associated with considerable pathology related to a unique and invasive attachment process that penetrated the gill and selectively attached to the gill filament cartilage. The morphology of the developing copepod was highly conserved with that of a related pennellid copepod, Lernaeocera branchialis, though was distinguished by the attachment process, unique pigmentation and other morphologic features described herein. Sequencing the small and large subunits of the ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes demonstrated L. radiatus to share closer identities with Lernaeocera and Haemobaphes spp. pennellid copepods rather than other Lernaeenicus spp. available in GenBank to date. Taxonomy of L. radiatus is discussed in relation to life cycles, tissue tropism, morphology and genetics of other closely related pennellid copepods.

Effect on the Growth and Nutritional Components in Two Red Lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) Cultivated Under UV Light in a Mini Plant Factory

Lettuce is one of the most suitable plant species to grow indoor or in a Plant Factory with Artificial lighting (PFAL) system, due to its short height and the relatively low light saturation point. Red lettuces are highly cultivated in PFALs, highly appreciated for its unique pigmentation and antioxidant activity, especially, the anthocyanin content that gives it the red color. However, red lettuces cultivated with PFAL in controlled environments face the challenge of having low anthocyanin content due of the lack of ultraviolet (UV) light that is necessary for its production. In this study, two red-lettuce cultivars ‘Annapolis’ and ‘Salanova’ were grown in a plant factory with LEDs (light-emitting diode) and UV light treatments to compare their growth trajectory and nutritional characteristics. Other characteristics such as Fresh Weight (FW) and total leaf area were measured to evaluate the influence of UV light in the lettuce growth. The nutritional quality of lettuces was assessed by measuring anthocyanins and polyphenols contents using a microplate reader and their ascorbic acid content measured via a reflectometer. Fresh Weight (FW), leaf area and leaf thickness under the conditions of this study, showed no effect (p>0.05) on the plants growth with the incorporation of UV radiation. However, the incorporation of UV light increased the functional components in ‘Annapolis’ and ‘Salanova’ lettuces. The polyphenol and anthocyanins contents in both lettuce cultivars showed significant differences (p<0.05). For ascorbic acid content, a significant difference was found only for ‘Annapolis’ lettuce. The incorporation of UV light can increase the functional ingredients such as polyphenols and anthocyanins without growth suppression for ‘Salanova’ cultivar. UV light increased polyphenol and anthocyanins contents in both cultivars, making them suitable cultivars for PFAL under the growth conditions used in this experiment. These results taken together can be used to improve the accumulation of functional ingredients in red lettuces without growth suppression incorporating UV light and that could be suitable for production in PFALs.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the endothelin 3 gene in black bone sheep

BackgroundBlack bone sheep was first discovered in Yunnan province of China in 1970, with unique black pigmentation on the body and internal organs. Endothelin 3 (EDN3) has been known as a key gene causing hyperpigmentation in black bone chicken, the Silky fowl.MethodsIn this study, EDN3 was employed as a candidate gene for regulating black color pigmentation. First, EDN3 was cloned from sheep to obtain the full-length cDNA by using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Genomic EDN3 was screened and a total of thirty predicted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped for allele and genotype frequency analysis in a case-control study involving two black bone sheep populations. Genomic copy number analysis of EDN3 in sheep was conducted to measure the variation in copy number. EDN3 expression levels were observed among the groups in adult liver, lymph node, and kidney tissues, as well as embryo kidney samples. Also, among the tissues of black bone and non-black bone sheep.ResultsThe size of the full-length cDNA was 1,578 bp, which included 426 bp of 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR), an open reading frame (ORF) of 639 bp encoding a protein of 212 amino acids, and a 3′-UTR of 513 bp. Genotype and allele frequencies of all the discovered SNPs were found insignificantly different in black bone and non-black bone sheep (P > 0.05). Genomic copy number analysis of EDN3 in sheep revealed no significant difference between the two sheep groups. No significant variations were found in the adult liver and kidney embryo samples. However, the expression in lymph node and kidney tissue was significantly higher in black bone sheep than that in non-black bone sheep (P < 0.05). Significant variations in the EDN3 expression levels were observed among the tissues of non-black bone sheep.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study indicate that unlike in Silky chickens, EDN3 is not responsible for hyperpigmentation but may play a key functional role in immune and excretory systems of black bone sheep.

Differential diagnosis of an oral mucosal pigmented lesion: a case of essential melanosis

Introduction: The presence of a pigmented lesion of the oral mucosa raises numerous diagnostic hypotheses. The INCa (National Cancer Institute) considers “any pigmented lesion of the oral mucosa as a melanoma until proven otherwise.” A histological confirmation is thus necessary. Clinical observation: A 64-year-old female patient consulted for a pigmented lesion of the marginal gingiva of 11 and 21, corresponding to a single round macule of approximately 0.5 cm diameter, brown, homogeneous, covered with a slight keratinization, with regular edges. The rest of the clinical examination was unremarkable. An excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of essential melanosis or Laugier–Hunziker syndrome. Discussion: Pigmented lesions may occur in an isolated form or may be a component of major syndromes. Unique pigmentation of the oral mucosa can be of endogenous origin ( e.g., malignant melanoma, essential melanosis, lentigo, different nevi) or of exogenous origin ( e.g. , ethnic pigmentations, metallic or medicinal origin, vascular lesions, and neuroectodermal tumor in children). Conclusion: Although rare at the gingival level, essential melanosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a single flat lesion. Nevertheless, melanoma should always be ruled out, and its early diagnosis is the only favorable prognostic factor in its evolution.

Pigmented Heirloom Beans: Nutritional and Cooking Quality Characteristics

Dry beans are considered an important source of macro‐ and micronutrients and an economical source of protein and fiber. Although many varieties exist, production is limited to a relatively small set of commodity varieties, whereas little is known about heirloom varieties. To facilitate their adoption into everyday use, this study aimed to characterize the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, pasting properties, texture, and in vitro starch digestibility of four heirloom varieties (Hutterite Soup, Jacob's Cattle, Koronis Purple, and Tiger's Eye) that are characterized by unique pigmentation. Pinto bean was used as the control. The content in protein, total fiber, and soluble fiber was generally higher in heirlooms compared with Pinto, with Koronis Purple showing the best nutritional characteristics. Moreover, all the heirlooms except Hutterite Soup showed higher in vitro antioxidant capacity than the control. Starch in heirloom varieties was characterized by lower pasting temperature and higher viscosity during heating and cooling, resulting in a paste with greater retrogradation tendency than Pinto. Heirloom in vitro starch digestibility was lower and resistant starch content higher than the control. With regard to cooking quality, Hutterite Soup and Jacob's Cattle showed lower firmness than Koronis Purple and Tiger's Eye, whose texture was similar to Pinto.

Changes in carotenoid and chlorophyll content of black tomatoes (Lycopersicone sculentum L.) during storage at various temperatures.

Black tomatoes have a unique color and higher lycopene content than typical red tomatoes. Here, black tomatoes were investigated how maturation stage and storage temperature affected carotenoid and chlorophyll accumulation. Immature fruits were firmer than mature fruits, but failed to develop their distinctive color and contained less lycopene when stored at 8 °C. Hunter a* values of black tomatoes increased with storage temperature and duration; storage of immature fruits at high temperature favored lycopene accumulation. Chlorophyll levels of black tomatoes declined during storage, but differences between mature and immature tomatoes stored at 12 °C were minimal. β-Carotene levels of black tomatoes increased during early storage, but rapidly declined beginning 13 d post-harvest. The highest lycopene and chlorophyll levels were observed in mature black tomatoes stored at 12 °C for 13 d; these conditions also yielded the best quality fruit. Thus, the unique pigmentation properties of black tomatoes can be precisely controlled by standardizing storage conditions.

Halogenated carbazoles induce cardiotoxicity in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

Halogenated carbazoles are increasingly identified as a novel class of environmental contaminants. However, no in vivo acute toxicity information on those compounds was available. In the present study, an in vivo zebrafish embryonic model (Danio rerio) was used to investigate the developmental toxicity of those halogenated carbazoles. The results suggested that acute toxicity was structure-dependent. Two of the 6 tested carbazoles, 2,7-dibromocarbazole (27-DBCZ) and 2,3,6,7-tetrachlorocarbazole, showed obvious developmental toxicity at nanomolar levels. The typical phenotypes were similar to dioxin-induced cardiotoxicity, including swollen yolk sac, pericardial sac edema, elongated and unlooped heart, and lower jaw shortening. During embryonic development 27-DBCZ also induced a unique pigmentation decrease. Gene expression and protein staining of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) showed that both halogenated carbazoles could induce CYP1A expression at the micromolar level and primarily in the heart area, which was similar to dioxin activity. Further, aryl hydrocarbon receptor-(AhR)2 gene knockdown with morpholino confirmed that the acute cardiotoxicity is AhR-dependent. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that halogenated carbazoles represent yet another class of persistent organic pollutants with dioxin-like activity in an in vivo animal model. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2523-2529. © 2016 SETAC.

A new species of Stenochironomus Kieffer, 1919 from the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil (Diptera: Chironomidae)

ABSTRACTStenochironomus falcifer sp. n. is described and figured based on the characters of a male adult. The species was collected in Malaise traps in the Serra Furada State Park (PAESF), in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil. It can be separated from all other species of Stenochironomus Kieffer, 1919 by its unique thorax pigmentation, with two dark patches on the lateral vittae, brownish postnotum and dark stripes on the scutum, and also by the combination of a narrow, parallel-sided anal point, inferior volsella with a stout apical seta, rounded posterior margin of the tergite IX and green metallic eyes.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3646E02D-7E3F-487A-BED1-A7937AFF8040

Gold: A Unique Pigmentation Defective Laboratory Strain of the Lady Beetle

A laboratory colony of Coleomegilla maculata (De Geer) was selected for a novel phenotypic color trait. The phenotype was paler in color than the wild type, although not as pale as a previously described mutant strain, yellow (ye), and retained dark pigmentation in the eyes. This selected strain was named gold. Mendelian breeding experiments indicate a recessive biallelic inheritance. The strain has decreased fitness characteristics based on measurements of egg production and pupa size.