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Ksp-cadherin (cadherin-16) is an atypical member of the cadherin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules that is ubiquitously expressed on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells lining the nephron and the collecting system of the mammalian kidney. The principal aim of the present study was to determine if Ksp-cadherin played a critical role in the development and maintenance of the adult mammalian kidney by generating and evaluating a mouse line deficient in Ksp-cadherin. Ksp-null mutant animals were viable and fertile, and kidneys from both neonates and adults showed no evidence of structural abnormalities. Immunolocalization and Western blot analyses of Na+ -K+ -ATPase and E-cadherin indicated that Ksp-cadherin is not essential for either the genesis or maintenance of the polarized tubular epithelial phenotype. Moreover, E-cadherin expression was not altered to compensate for Ksp-cadherin loss. Plasma electrolytes, total CO2, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were also unaffected by Ksp-cadherin deficiency. However, a subtle but significant developmental delay in the ability to maximally concentrate urine was detected in Ksp-null mice. Expression analysis of the principal proteins involved in the generation of the corticomedullary osmotic gradient and the resultant movement of water identified misexpression of aquaporin-2 in the inner medullary collecting duct as the possible cause for the inability of young adult Ksp-cadherin-deficient animals to maximally concentrate their urine. In conclusion, Ksp-cadherin is not required for normal kidney development, but its absence leads to a developmental delay in maximal urinary concentrating ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuck, G. N., Phillips, R. A., Small, C., Thomson, R. B., Klaer, N. L., Taylor, F., Wanless, R. M., and Arrizabalaga, H. 2011. An assessment of seabird–fishery interactions in the Atlantic Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1628–1637.Currently, 17 of 22 albatross species are listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Incidental mortality in fisheries is by far the most widespread cause of the population declines observed for these and other closely related species. In 2006, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) requested an assessment of the threat from their fisheries to all seabirds that breed or forage within their jurisdiction. Methods were developed to assess the potential consequences of fishing for more than 60 populations of seabird. The assessment framework involved the identification of at-risk populations, overlap analyses, estimation of total bycatch, and an evaluation of the impact of the bycatch on key selected populations for which there were sufficient data on bird distribution and demography. These were the wandering and black-browed albatrosses of South Georgia and the Atlantic yellow-nosed and Tristan albatrosses of Gough Island. Summary results from the seabird assessment are presented, revealing that ICCAT longline fisheries catch substantial numbers of seabirds, with potentially significant conservation implications. If this mortality is not reduced, the numbers of breeding birds in some populations will continue to decline, threatening their long-term viability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We have previously reported pilot data regarding the safety of saving partially used syringes of a glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen for use in subsequent treatment sessions with the same individual. That single institution study involved 56 partially used syringes cultured for aerobic bacteria. Only one weakly positive culture was detected among these 56 samples, which prompted us to carry out this expanded study involving multiple centers and different injection techniques. Samples were collected from four centers. Following periurethral injection in an office setting, 166 partially used syringes of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen were refrigerated for between 1 and 104 weeks (average 58). Material from all 166 syringes was then cultured qualitatively and quantitatively for both aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Collagen from one syringe grew >100 000 colonies of Escherichia coli. All other cultures were negative. In the pilot study, one culture of 56 syringes was weakly positive for coagulase-negative staphylococcus. When the results from both studies were considered together, only two of 222 partially used syringes (0.9%) were contaminated. The background risk of local infection associated with periurethral collagen injection is approximately 0.29%. Using the statistical equation ‘number needed to harm’, we found that a clinician would have to reuse 111 syringes at a saving of $34,965 before he or she would cause a single local injection by so doing. Therefore, we feel that it may be cose-effective and safe to reinject material from a partially used syringe of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen during a subsequent treatment session on an individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to develop a model of the consequences of Antarctic krill harvesting on Antarctic fur seals. A krill-predator modeling procedure which assess the impact of krill harvesting on krill predator populations and the stochastic calculations taking account of the interannual fluctuations in the abundance of the krill are offered. Results which indicate that the modeling approach would lead to a depletion of the Antarctic fur seal population is explained.

One hundred enuretic children were treated in closely supervised trial conditions with nine commonly used enuresis alarm systems available commercially in the United Kingdom. Although there was little difference between the systems in terms of their effectiveness in stopping bed wetting, parents preferred the Eastleigh and Urilarm De-Luxe models which had distinct advantages in respect of false alarms, breakdowns, and durability of pads. Enuresis alarms that perform poorly in these respects may lead to loss of enthusiasm and non-compliance. The systems vary widely in price, but a private buyer may find a cheaper alarm just as effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urinary excretion of the renal proximal tubular enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), has been studied in 41 patients receiving tobramycin, gentamicin or streptomycin for a variety of infections. All patients receiving tobramycin or gentamicin have shown increased excretion of gamma-GT in the urine. Only 46% of those receiving streptomycin have shown an increase in gamma-GT excretion and this is of a lesser degree. A change in creatinine clearance which could only be explained by antibiotic administration was detected in three patients (2 on gentamicin, 1 on streptomycin). The degree of elevation of urinary gamma-GT activity was greater when the initial creatinine clearance was lower, and it is therefore suggested that those patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction should be monitored particularly carefully for signs of nephrotoxicity from these antibiotics. Urinary gamma-GT is a useful enzyme in the investigation of renal drug effects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Acute vitamin D intoxication from an unknown source occurred in a family consisting of a grandmother, mother, father and four children aged 14, 11, 8 and 1 1/2 years old. The clinical presentation and response to treatment (which included a diphosphonate preparation and cholestyramine) are described. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The cellular mechanisms responsible for rectal acidification in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, were investigated in isolated recta mounted as flat sheets in modified Ussing chambers. Previous studies conducted in the nominal absence of exogenous CO2 and HCO3- suggested that the acidification was due to a proton-secretory rather than bicarbonate-reabsorptive mechanism (Thomson, R.B., Speight, J.D., Phillips, J.E. 1988. J. Insect Physiol. 34:829-837). This conclusion was confirmed in the present study by demonstrating that metabolic CO2 could not contribute sufficient HCO3- to the lumen to account for the rates of rectal acidification observed under the nominally CO2/HCO3(-)-free conditions used in these investigations. Rates of luminal acidification (JH+) were completely unaffected by changes in contraluminal pH, but could be progressively reduced (and eventually abolished) by imposition of either transepithelial pH gradients (lumen acid) or transepithelial electrical gradients (lumen positive). Under short-circuit current conditions, the bulk of JH+ was not dependent on Na+, K+, Cl-, Mg2+, or Ca2+ and was due to a primary electrogenic proton translocating mechanism located on the apical membrane. A small component (10-16%) of JH+ measured under these conditions could be attributed to an apical amiloride-inhibitable Na+/H+ exchange mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earplugs of several baleen whale stocks exhibit seasonal growth layers which have been shown for some species to indicate the total age of the animals. A transition from early, irregular layers, to later, more regular layers can be seen in these earplugs, and this is thought to indicate the age at maturity of the whale. The earplugs of Southern Hemisphere minke whales are relatively difficult to read, particularly for the age at transition, and it has been suggested that these readings reflect no more than random allocations by the reader, rather than any real effect. Plots of average transition phase againstyear of birth (cohort) show a decline in the average age at transition. However, certain factors can result in a downward bias in this trend, particularly when only a short time-series is available for analysis, as was the case when this trend was first estimated some 15 yr ago. Data collected over 25 yr are now available and are reanalyzed here. A plot of mean age at transition against year of sampling for animals of similar age shows a decline, as does the conventional plot against cohort, suggesting that the decline is real. A model that simulates random allocation of the transition phase by earplug readers yields predictions that show systematic deviations from the data. In contrast, a second model that allows for a real trend in the average age at transition and that takes account of two potentially biasing effects (termed truncation and the fringe effect) fits the data well. A tendency is evident for readers to recognize a transition phase in a greater proportion of the earplugs that they read as they gain experience over time. This is taken into account in the model. This model shows a decline in the average age at transition from roughly 11 for the cohorts of the 1950s to roughly 7 for those of the1970s. These results suggest that minke whale transition-phase readings are related to a real signal in the data and are not simply an artefact, and furthe [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]