Transcriptomes of aging brain, heart, muscle, and spleen from female and male African turquoise killifish.

The African turquoise killifish is an emerging vertebrate model organism with great potential for aging research due to its naturally short lifespan. Thus far, turquoise killifish aging 'omic' studies have examined a single organ, single sex and/or evaluated samples from non-reference strains. Here, we describe a resource dataset of ribosomal RNA-depleted RNA-seq libraries generated from the brain, heart, muscle, and spleen from both sexes, as well as young and old animals, in the reference GRZ turquoise killifish strain.

Rare morph Lake Malawi mbuna cichlids benefit from reduced aggression from con- and hetero-specifics.

Balancing selection is important for the maintenance of polymorphism as it can prevent either fixation of one morph through directional selection or genetic drift, or speciation by disruptive selection. Polychromatism, the presence of multiple genetically determined colour phenotypes, can be maintained if the fitness of alternative morphs depends on the relative frequency in a population. In aggressive species, negative frequency-dependent antagonism can prevent an increase in the frequency of rare morphs as they would only benefit from increased fitness while they are rare.

Ancestral transoceanic colonization and recent population reduction in a nonannual killifish from the Seychelles archipelago.

Whether freshwater fish colonize remote islands following tectonic or transoceanic dispersal remains an evolutionary puzzle. Integrating dating of known tectonic events with phylogenomics and current species distribution, we find that killifish species distribution is not explained by species dispersal by tectonic drift only. Investigating the colonization of a nonannual killifish (golden panchax, Pachypanchax playfairii) on the Seychelle islands, we found genetic support for transoceanic dispersal and experimentally discovered an adaptation to complete tolerance to seawater.

Whole-genome sequences of Malawi cichlids reveal multiple radiations interconnected by gene flow.

The hundreds of cichlid fish species in Lake Malawi constitute the most extensive recent vertebrate adaptive radiation. Here we characterize its genomic diversity by sequencing 134 individuals covering 73 species across all major lineages. The average sequence divergence between species pairs is only 0.

Genomic islands of speciation separate cichlid ecomorphs in an East African crater lake.

The genomic causes and effects of divergent ecological selection during speciation are still poorly understood. Here we report the discovery and detailed characterization of early-stage adaptive divergence of two cichlid fish ecomorphs in a small (700 meters in diameter) isolated crater lake in Tanzania. The ecomorphs differ in depth preference, male breeding color, body shape, diet, and trophic morphology.

Spontaneous regression of a conjunctival malignant melanoma.

Introduction: Conjunctival malignant melanoma (MM) is a rare malignancy and accounts for 2% of all ocular malignancies. We describe what we believe to be the first reported case of complete spontaneous regression of a conjunctival malignant melanoma.

Methods: A 75-year-old female presented with a large, pigmented lesion in her left lower fornix.

[Blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) (corrected)].

The blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES, also known as Waardenburg syndrome) was probably first reported by Ammon in 1841 and discribed more fully by Vignes in 1889. Its primary effects on the soft tissue of the midface are blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus and telecanthus. It starts with the epicanthic folds at about the age of 3-4 years, followed by the correction of the ptosis about 9-12 months later.

An unusual infection in an injecting drug user.

Injecting drug users are prone to atypical infections. We present a case of septic thrombophlebitis secondary to Fusobacterium gonidiaformans infection in a heroin user, which demonstrates the frequently unusual nature of pathogens and presentations in this group of patients.

The incidence of ptosis following extracapsular and phacoemulsification surgery: comparison of two prospective studies and review of the literature.

We prospectively compared 120 patients who underwent either phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract (ECCE) surgery to establish the incidence of postoperative ptosis between the two techniques. Of the 120 patients, 60 underwent ECCE (unpublished data 1989) and 60 had phacoemulsification. Data was collected prospectively on upper and lower margin reflex distance, upper lid skin crease and levator function, preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively.

Nitrous oxide cryotherapy for primary periocular basal cell carcinoma: outcome at 5 years follow-up.

Aim: To report the outcome at 5-year follow-up of a defined series of patients with primary periocular basal cell carcinoma treated by cryotherapy using a nitrous oxide probe.

Methods: A prospective, non-comparative, interventional case series. One hundred primary periocular basal cell carcinomas were treated with a double freeze-thaw cycle nitrous oxide contact cryotherapy probe.

Silicone sling allows adjustable ptosis correction in children and in adults at risk of corneal exposure.

Background/aim: Brow suspension is the procedure of choice for ptosis correction in patients with poor levator function. A subgroup of these patients, namely the ocular myopathies, is at risk of progressive muscle weakness and subsequent corneal exposure. We aim to demonstrate that silicone rods can be easily adjusted and therefore allows greater control of lid height in these patients.

Results of levator excision followed by fascia lata brow suspension in patients with congenital and jaw-winking ptosis.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine the results of frontalis brow suspension after levator excision in patients with ptosis, and to determine whether satisfactory cosmetic results can be achieved with this procedure.

Methods: A retrospective case notes review of 13 patients (21 lids) undergoing levator weakening and frontalis brow suspension using autogenous fascia lata was performed. Seven patients (14 lids) were affected by the Marcus Gunn jaw-winking phenomenon.

Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome: objective analysis of surgical outcome in patients from a single unit.

Background: The aim was to objectively assess surgical outcome in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES).

Method: Retrospective review of 14 consecutive patients with BPES. Mustardé double z plasty (at about age 4) and autogenous fascia lata Crawford brow suspension (9-12 months later) were used in all.

Brow lift via the direct and trans-blepharoplasty approaches.

Brow ptosis occurs as part of the aging process, and as a complication of facial nerve paresis. The article addresses the options available for correction of brow ptosis. The direct brow lift is effective for medial and central brow ptosis, and additional lift laterally may occasionally be needed.

Orbital exenteration for invasive skin tumours.

Orbital exenteration aims at local control of disease invading the orbit that is potentially fatal or relentlessly progressive. Of all exenterations presenting to ophthalmologists, 40-50% are required for tumours in the eyelid or periocular skin. 99% of these are basal cell carcinomas and 4-6% each are squamous cell carcinomas or sebaceous gland carcinomas.

Towards an understanding of congenital ptosis.

This paper examines the developmental substrate for congenital ptosis with particular emphasis on the transcription factors that are thought to be involved. We summarize my research findings and present a review of the relevant literature.

Comparison of standard eyelid margin closure using silk with a modified repair using 7/0 vicryl and a buried knot.

Aims: To assess the efficacy and complications of eyelid margin closure with 7/0 Vicryl or Vicryl Rapide suture with a buried knot at the grey line and to compare this with standard closure using silk with an external knot.

Methods: Analysis of a prospective, non-comparative, interventional case series using 7/0 Vicryl or Vicryl Rapide with a buried grey-line knot (modified lid margin closure). Detailed assessment during the healing period was directed to (1) the lid margin profile, (2) the grey line suture and (3) the tissue reaction.

The direct brow lift: efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction.

Background/aims: The direct brow lift operation can be used to treat brow ptosis arising from either involutional changes or facial nerve palsy. The authors reviewed their experience with this operation to establish its efficacy and complication rate in the light of concerns over poor scar cosmesis and forehead paraesthesiae in the postoperative period.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing direct brow lifting from 1989 to 2002 was conducted, and information gained on patient satisfaction by questionnaire.