Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Does red eye fluorescence in marine fish stand out? In situ and in vivo measurements at two depths

Abstract: Since the discovery of red fluorescence in fish, much effort has been made to elucidate its potential contribution to vision. However, whatever that function might be, it always implies that the combination of red fluorescence and reflectance of the red iris is sufficient to generate a visual contrast. Here, we present in vivo iris radiance measurements of T. delaisi under natural light fields at 5 and 20 m depth. We also took substrate radiance measurements of shaded and exposed foraging sites at those depths. To assess the visual contrast that can be generated by the red iris, we then calculated iris brightness in the 600-650 nm red waveband relative to substrate radiance. At 20 m depth, T. delaisi iris radiance substantially exceeded substrate radiance in the red waveband, regardless of exposure, and despite substrate fluorescence. Given that downwelling light in the 600-650 nm range is negligible at this depth, we can attribute this effect to iris fluorescence. As expected, contrasts were much weaker in 5 m, despite the added contribution of iris reflectance, but we identified specific substrates and conditions under which the pooled radiance caused by red reflectance and fluorescence still exceeded substrate radiance in the same waveband. Due to the negative effect of anesthesia on iris fluorescence these estimates are conservative. We conclude that the requirements to create visual brightness contrasts are fulfilled for a wide range of conditions in the natural environment of T. delaisi.

Belly Dancer's Dyskinesia: A Rare Condition.

Abstract: Belly dancer's dyskinesia or diaphragmatic flutter (DF) is a rare condition characterized by repetitive involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. Also known as diaphragmatic myoclonus (DM), this disorder can manifest with involuntary movement of the abdominal wall and contraction of accessory respiratory muscles or respiratory myoclonus. Because of its variable presentation, diagnosis can often be difficult and delayed. This phenomenon is thought to be secondary to abnormal excitation of the phrenic nerve, via the central nervous system or along the nerve.Another possible mechanism is the irritation of the diaphragm itself. Diagnosis can be made with ultrasound, thoracic videofluoroscopy, or electromyography (EMG). Different pharmacologic and surgical therapies have been used in the past, but overall, there are no specific guidelines regarding treatment. In this report, we present a case of DF in a young female patient.

Mitral valve prolapse: an update.

Abstract: MITRAL valve prolapse (MVP), defined as echocardiographic, angiographic, and pathological protrusion of the mitral leaflets into the left atrium during systole, may affect about 5% of the population and was first widely recognized in the mid-1960s.1-3It is frequently associated with a click and/or murmur. A syndrome consisting of nonspecific symptoms, electrocardiographic abnormalities, and arrhythmias has been recognized by many investigators.1-3Although doubt has recently been expressed about the existence of this syndrome,4-6the complications of MVP,2,7-10albeit rare, earn for it an important place in modern cardiology and may represent its "raison d'etre." Pathology and Etiology Because of the generally benign course of MVP, its underlying pathology has been well documented only in advanced forms that are associated with severe mitral insufficiency and have been termed the "floppy mitral valve."7,8Of great interest has been the demonstration of similar pathological changes in 26 patients