The mechanisms of color production in black skin versus red skin on the heads of New World vultures

A determination of how the color of animal integument is produced is a starting point for investigations into the function and evolution of coloration.The mechanisms that give rise to the color of bare skin of New World vultures are largely unexplored.Here,we investigate the source of color production in the bare skin of Turkey Vultures(Cathartes aura)and Black Vultures(Coragyps atratus).Using UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy,we found evidence that hemoglobin is the primary pigment responsible for the red coloration of the bare skin on the heads of Turkey Vultures,and that eumelanin is responsible for the black coloration of the bare skin on the heads of Black Vultures.Light microscopy of incisional skin samples further supported these mechanisms of color production by revealing the presence of numerous blood vessels near the surface of the Turkey Vulture skin,and a high concentration of melanosomes in the skin of Black Vultures.Using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),we detected carotenoids within the skin of both species with significantly higher total concentrations of carotenoids in the skin of Turkey Vultures compared to the skin of Black Vultures.The carotenoids detected were dietary carotenoids that typically produce yellow coloration when accumulated in integument and were present in low concentrations.We hypothesize that the dietary carotenoids present do not contribute to the color of the skin,but rather help to compensate for the lack of melanosomes found in Turkey Vulture skin.The presence of additional carotenoids may act as an antioxidant to minimize UV damage when the bare Turkey Vulture head skin is exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time when soaring and scavenging for food.

Adjuncts to colonic cleansing before colonoscopy

Pre-procedural cleansing of the bowel can maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of colonoscopy.Yet,efficacy of the current gold standard colonic preparation method-high-volume oral administration of purgative agents 12-24 h prior to the procedure-is limited by several factors,such as patient compliance(due to poor palatability and inconvenience of the dosing regimen)and risks of complications(due to drug interactions or intolerance).Attempts to resolve these limitations have included providing adjunctive agents and methods to promote the colonic cleansing ability of the principal purgative agent,with the aim of lessening unpleasant side effects(such as bloating)and reducing the large ingested volume requirement.Several promising adjunctive agents are bisacodyl,magnesium citrate,senna,simethicone,metoclopramide,and prokinetics,and each are being investigated for their potential.This review provides an up to date summary of the reported investigations into the potencies and weaknesses of the key adjuncts currently being applied in clinic as supplements to the traditional bowel preparation agents.While the comparative analysis ofthese adjuncts showed that no single agent or method has yet achieved the goal of completely overcoming the limitations of the current gold standard preparation method,they at least provide endoscopists with an array of alternatives to help improve the suboptimal efficacy of the main cleansing solutions when used alone.To aid in this clinical endeavor,a subjective grade was assigned to each adjunct to indicate its practical value.In addition,the systematic review of the currently available agents and methods provides insight into the features of each that may be overcome or exploited to create novel drugs and strategies that may become adopted as effective bowel cleansing adjuncts or alternatives.

Animal models of cathartic colon

The incidence of cathartic colon has been increasing,but satisfactory treatments are still lacking.In order to study the pathological mechanisms of the disorder and identify effective treatment methods,researchers have established different animal models of cathartic colon.This minireview briefly summarizes several common cathartic colon animal models,induced with anthraquinone laxatives such as rhubarb,total anthraquinone,rhein,and emodin,or induced with diphenylmethane laxatives such as phenolphthalein.The advantages and limitations of these models are evaluated and analyzed.We hope that this review will facilitate the selection of suitable models and improve relevant modeling methods.We anticipate the development of more convenient and stable models that can reflect the characteristics of cathartic colon in humans,and serve as useful tools for further studies.

Effects of Single Administered Bofutsushosan-Composed Crude Drugs on Diabetic Serum Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

The 18 crude drugs in Bofutsushosan (BOF: Pulvis ledebouriellae compositae: 防風通聖散) are separated into 6 groups such as diaphoretic, cathartic, antidote, antipyretic, neutralizer and diuretic groups. The effects of single administered BOF and composed crude drugs in 6 groups were investigated on the levels of diabetic parameters (serum glucose, insulin, triglyceride and cholesterol) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The anti-hyperglycemic action of BOF was depended on Ephedrae Herba, Saposhnikoviae Radix and Schizonepetae Spica in diaphoretic group, Forsythiae Fructus, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Schizonepetae Spica and Cnidii Rhizoma in antidote group, Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructus and Gypsum Fibrosum in antipyretic group and Paeoniae Radix in neutralizer group. In these crude drugs, Ephedrae Herba, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Schizonepetae Spica, Forsythiae Fructus, Scutellariae Radix, Gypsum Fibrosum and Paeoniae Radix increased serum insulin level, but Cnidii Rhizoma and Gardeniae Fructus did not affect serum insulin level. From these results, it suggested that anti-hyperglycemic action of BOF was through insulin-dependent and insulin independent manners. The lowering effect of BOF on serum triglyceride level was dependent on actions of Platycodi Radix in antidote and diuretic groups and Gardeniae Fructus in antipyretic group. The lowering effect of Gardeniae Fructus was parallel with its anti-hyperglycemic action. The lowering effect of BOF on high serum triglyceride level also included both direct action and indirect action. The reducing effect of BOF on serum cholesterol level was observed together with the actions of Ephedrae Herba and Zingiberis Rhizoma in diaphoretic group, Schizonepetae Spica in diaphoretic and antidote groups and Paeoniae Radix in neutralizer group. The lowering effects of Ephedrae Herba, Schizonepetae Spica and Paeoniae Radix on serum cholesterol level were parallel with their anti-hyperglycemic actions. Zingiberis Rhizoma in diaphoretic group might be direct reducing effect on serum cholesterol level but no serum glucose level. The Ephedrae Herba in diaphoretic group, Schizonepetae Spica in diaphoretic and antidote groups and Paeoniae Radix in neutralizer group might have reduced serum cholesterol level by reducing blood glucose level. From these results, composed crude drugs in 6 groups show various mechanisms in the action of BOF.