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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

MOTION-SENSITIVE CELLS: PUTATIVE LARVAL NEURONES INCORPORATED INTO THE OPTIC LOBE OF THE ADULT SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

Intracellular recordings were made from neurones with large somata situated at the anteromedial edge of the medulla of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus; the neurones were then filled with Lucifer Yellow. These cells are putative larval visual interneurones incorporated into the adult optic lobe of the butterfly. There are four classes of motion-sensitive neurones. Two have a dendritic arborization in the dorsal half of the medulla and project an axon to the medial protocerebrum or the contralateral medulla. They respond to vertical downward motion with a strong burst of action potentials and their background activities are inhibited by motion in the opposite direction. Variations in position of the dendritic fields suggest that each group of neurones forms a coherent set of cells detecting vertical motion in the dorsal half of the visual field of the eye. The third class of neurones connects the lobula plate to the midbrain and is preferentially sensitive to vertical upward motion. The fourth class of neurones has a dendritic arborization in the lobula. These neurones are tonically excited by a moving grating irrespective of the stimulus orientation and movement direction. The presence of motion-sensitive medulla neurones suggests that the detection of local motion is completed in the distal medulla.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

One-year results of butterfly laser epithelial keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risks, complications, and refractive results at 1 year after modified laser epithelial keratomileusis (Butterfly LASEK). METHODS: In a non-randomized prospective study of 773 eyes (452 patients; mean age 34.3 +/- 16.5 years, mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction -5.30 +/- 3.70 D; mean sphere -4.80 +/- 3.60 D; mean cylinder -1.00 +/- 1.40 D; range -22.50 to +5.50 D), we used a modified LASEK technique and evaluated complications and refractive results at 1 year. The technique is based on the formation of the epithelial flap utilizing alcohol (20% diluted solution applied on the epithelium for 5 to 30 seconds), paracentral abrasion, blunt dissection of the epithelium from the underlying plane; the epithelium is then separated by means of a specially designed retractor. Ablation was performed with a Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser, followed by smoothing and repositioning of the epithelial flap. RESULTS: After 1 year, we analyzed the results of 542 (70.1%) treated eyes with the following outcome: mean postoperative spherical equivalent refraction -0.20 +/- 1.40 D; mean sphere -0.10 +/- 1.30 D; mean cylinder -0.10 +/- 0.60 D; range -2.50 to +0.75 D. In 83.0% of treated eyes, achieved refraction was within +/-0.50 D of planned correction, with uncorrected visual acuity greater than or equal to 1.2 in 19.0% of treated eyes, greater than or equal to 1.0 in 56.0%, and greater than or equal to 0.8 in 19%. Concerning visual acuity, 0.3% of eyes lost 1 line, 49.8% of eyes had no change; 41.8% gained 1 line, 9.8% gained 2 lines, and 1.6% gained more than 2 lines. CONCLUSION: One-year results of this preliminary study showed that Butterfly LASEK was easy to perform, safe, and led to excellent long-term refractive results.

Adult↗
PubMed2025

The Complete Genome of Three At-Risk Florida Butterflies: Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri, Eumaeus atala and Heraclides ponceana.

We present short-read genome assemblies of three butterfly species native to the state of Florida: the Atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala), the Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri), and the Schaus' swallowtail (Heraclides ponceana). All species are of conservation concern with the latter two listed as federally endangered. Genome assemblies recovered 77-92% of single-copy orthologous insect genes, providing a valuable resource for advancing lepidopteran genomic research.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1982

Management of uterine adhesions with 'Massouras Duck's Foot' and 'Butterfly' IUDs.

The Massouras Duck's Foot (MDF) IUD and the Butterfly IUD have been clinically evaluated. The MDF, which is Y-shaped, has 2 or 3 horizontal arms on a vertical stem and 2 triangular wings, in between the 'V'. When inserted after curettage, it prevents intrauterine or intracervical adhesions. The fan-shaped Butterfly IUD has 2 overlapping wings, thereby facilitating adjustment of the IUD to variable uterine cavities. Its wing span occupies the entire uterine cavity when inserted according to the instructions. Both IUDs are made of polyethylene plastic with barium sulfate. Several substitutions for barium sulfate are suggested, e.g., copper, silver, hormones, biodegradable polymers. The high antifertility action of these IUDs is due primarily to their occupancy of the entire uterine cavity.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

[Classification and repairment of "butterfly ear" deformity].

OBJECTIVE: To classify and repair "Butterfly Ear" deformity which presents characters of dysplasia of inferior auricle of ear and congenital bat ear. METHOD: The repairment procedures include: type I: auricular cartilage flap inversion folding technique. type II: local ear skin flap. type III: soft tissue expander autogenous, rib cartilage framework. RESULTS: The method was used in 19 cases from October 2001 to March 2005. Postoperative follow-up showed satisfactory results in all cases. CONCLUSION: According to "Butterfly Ear" deformity classification, different technique could be applied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The early origin of vertebral anomalies, as illustrated by a 'butterfly vertebra'.

An anomalous (butterfly) eleventh thoracic vertebra in a fetus of 63 mm greatest length is described and graphic reconstructions (together with normal controls) are provided. The cartilaginous hemicentra are separated by disc-like material. Cartilaginous bars to adjacent vertebrae are present. The neural arch is complete. The notochord is not duplicated. Only one comparable case in the embryonic period has been described previously. After a discussion of cleft vertebrae in the human and in experimental animals, a developmental timetable of the appearance of several vertebral anomalies is provided. The sensitive period for butterfly vertebrae, depending on the mode of origin, seems to be 3-6 postovulatory weeks. More severe anomalies, such as the split notochord syndrome, appear earlier. It is concluded that most of the vertebral anomalies discussed arise during the embryonic period proper, although the timing of a few, such as spina bifida occulta, extends into the early fetal period.

Arteries↗
PubMed1980

[Macroreticular and butterfly shaped dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium (author's transl)].

We report the observation of a familiy with 4 cases of macroreticular dystrophy (Mesker) and 1 case of butterfly shaped dystrophy (Deutman) in its ranks. Diagnosis of these conditions is based on ophtalmoscopic and angiographic appearence. Visual loss may be somewhat important in the macroreticular type and it may increase as time passes on. Transmission is autosomal dominant with variable penetrance. The fact that there are anomalies of the retinal pigment epithelium in periphery and around the disk in three of our cases leads us to think that this is a diffuse disease of the retinal pigment epithelium. Macroreticular and butterfly shaped dystrophies are probably similar diseases, they form altogether with the reticular dystrophies (Sjögren) the group of the patterned dystrophies of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The painful shoulder during the butterfly stroke. An electromyographic and cinematographic analysis of twelve muscles.

This paper compares the muscle firing patterns of 12 shoulder girdle muscles in competitive butterfly swimmers with painful and normal shoulders. Seven of the 12 muscles revealed statistically significant differences between the two populations. The posterior deltoid demonstrated more activity in the painful shoulders during hand entry while the upper trapezius and serratus anterior exhibited less activity. This alteration in muscle firing patterns allowed for the humerus to be positioned for a wider hand entry, which decreased the pain of impingement of the supraspinatus on the coracoacromial arch. Correspondingly, there was significantly less activity in the supraspinatus. The teres minor and serratus anterior revealed significantly less muscle action throughout pulling as they respectively failed to balance the humeral rotation and did not reverse their origins and insertions to pull the body over the arm. Also, the subscapularis and infraspinatus displayed increased activity in the painful shoulders as they depressed the humeral head to avoid impingement. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rhomboids, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, or the anterior and middle deltoids. From this information, accurate preventative and rehabilitative exercise programs for the competitive butterfly swimmer can be developed.

Adult↗
PubMed2026

Combining Annotation Software to Identify Orthologous Genes (CASIO) Provides a New Dataset of Orthologous Genes for Swallowtail Butterflies.

With the massive increase in genomic resources, it is becoming increasingly popular to analyse thousands of loci across many species. However, many of the available genomes are not annotated, which hinders an efficient search for orthologous protein-coding genes. Here, we aim to develop a semi-automated pipeline and compare four genomic annotation methods (BRAKER2, BUSCO, Miniprot and Scipio). Our results highlight the importance of integrating multiple annotation tools to optimise ortholog detection and improve genomic studies. Each annotation method showed different strengths. BRAKER2 annotated a substantial number of genes. BUSCO, despite limitations inherent to its reference database, identified a higher number of orthologs. Miniprot exhibited notable flexibility in accommodating diverse protein datasets, whereas Scipio successfully recovered a considerable set of genes that were not detected by the other tools. The combination of these tools allowed for more comprehensive ortholog detection. Taking advantage of this pipeline, we developed a comprehensive dataset of orthologous genes for swallowtail butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), called Papilionidae_odb, which will facilitate future studies, especially for a non-model group with abundant genomic data and few transcriptomic resources. We tested Papilionidae_odb by inferring a robust phylogenetic framework for Leptocircini using 142 complete genomes, which improved branch support for some phylogenetic relationships, although challenges remained in resolving relationships within certain species groups, likely due to rapid radiations. Our results highlight the complementary nature of the annotation methods and suggest that combining these tools can yield more accurate results in genomic research. This approach was implemented in a Snakemake workflow called CASIO (Combining Annotation Software to Identify Orthologous genes) and can easily be applied to other non-model groups to improve genomic datasets in diverse taxa where transcriptomic resources are still limited.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Synaptic organization in the lamina of the superposition eye of a skipper butterfly, Parnara guttata.

The first optic neuropil of the compound eye, the lamina, of the skipper butterfly Parnara guttata, was examined by light microscopy after Golgi-impregnation and by electron microscopy (EM) to clarify the cellular and synaptic organization. In the lamina, five different types of lamina neurons (L neurons) were characterized by using Golgi-impregnation. By EM, each cartridge was found to contain all nine receptor axons from an ommatidium, five L neurons, and a few putative centrifugal elements. Axons from photoreceptors (retinula cells) R2, R3, R4, R6, R7, and R8 terminate as short visual fibers (svfs) in the lamina cartridge. Those from R1, R5, and R9 penetrate the lamina and terminate in the medulla as long visual fibers (lvfs). In the cartridges, the synaptic contacts were formed from svfs onto L neurons, from the lvfs of R1 and/or R5 to the lvf of R9 and L neurons, and from the lvf of R9 to L neurons. The putative centrifugal fibers also make synapses to svfs and L neurons. At the most distal level of the cartridge, one of the centrifugal fibers containing dense-core vesicles makes presynaptic contacts to the putative long collaterals of the L neuron. A novel characteristic feature of this lamina is that svfs of R3 and R7 and the lvfs of R1 or R5 have long collaterals extending into neighboring cartridges. Presynaptic contacts were confirmed in such long collaterals from the svf. These results imply that receptor axons provide direct intercartridge connections as well as providing indirect connections to neighboring cartridges by way of their input upon L neurons.

Adaptation, Ocular↗
PubMed2006

Comparative analysis of two biliproteins, BP1 and BP2, from haemolymph of cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae.

Two blue-pigment binding proteins, BP1 and BP2, are present in larval and pupal haemolymph of cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, and fluctuate in expression during development. Both BP1 and BP2 are found in pupal haemolymph in varying proportions as well as in adult haemolymph, while only small amounts of BP2 are found in larval haemolymph. BPs are separated by 75% ammonium sulfate, and then purified effectively by ion exchange column chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis. It was shown that BP1 and BP2 have molecular masses of 20,244 and 19,878 Da, and isoelectric points of 7.0 and 6.8, respectively. Considering their amino acid compositions and N-terminal amino acid sequences, the two proteins are almost identical except the first N-terminal amino acid. The first amino acid of BP1 is asparagine, whereas the initial residue of BP2 is aspartic acid. Anti-BP1 cross-reacts with BP2, indicating that they have immunological homogeneity. Western blotting analyses revealed that only BP1 was present in the larval tissues such as fat body, integument, muscle, and hindgut. However, BP1 was not found in midgut, Malphigian tubules, and silk gland. BP1 was also present in the protein bodies, and both cuticle and hemocoel sides of larval epidermis cells by the transmission electron microscopic observation. The information in this report will facilitate studies on the molecular biology and biological significance of insect BPs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Glycine conjugates in a lepidopteran insect herbivore--the metabolism of benzylglucosinolate in the cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae.

Herbivores have developed a wide array of countermeasures to overcome plants' chemical defences. Larvae of the cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, feed exclusively on plants of the Brassicales order, which are defended by the glucosinolate-myrosinase system. The defensive function of this system comes from toxic isothiocyanates that are formed when glucosinolates are hydrolysed by myrosinases upon tissue damage. Here we show that P. rapae larvae convert benzylglucosinolate to phenylacetylglycine, which is released in their faeces. Feeding experiments with isotopic tracers suggest that phenylacetonitrile and phenylacetic acid are intermediates in this conversion. We also identified additional glycine and isoserine (2-hydroxy-3-aminopropanoic acid) conjugates with benzoate and indole-3-carboxylate from P. rapae faeces extracts. This is the first description of such conjugates from lepidopteran insects.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Photoreceptor projection reveals heterogeneity of lamina cartridges in the visual system of the Japanese yellow swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus.

The compound eye of the butterfly Papilio xuthus is composed of three types of spectrally heterogeneous ommatidia. The ommatidia, which contain nine photoreceptor cells, R1-9, bear four (type I), three (type II), or two (type III) classes of spectral receptors in fixed combinations. The photoreceptors send their axons to the lamina, the first optic ganglion, where the R1-9 axons originating from a single ommatidium, together with some second-order neurons, form a neuronal bundle, called a lamina cartridge. We investigated the axonal structure of photoreceptors in the lamina to determine whether the cartridge structure is different between the three ommatidial types. We first characterized a photoreceptor by measuring its spectral sensitivity and then injected Lucifer Yellow. We subsequently identified the type of ommatidium of the injected photoreceptor via histological sections. We further observed the axonal structure of the photoreceptor in the lamina by laser confocal microscopy. We found that the number and length of axon collaterals markedly differ between the spectral receptors. Those having the most extensive axon collaterals, which extend into six or more surrounding cartridges, are violet receptors (R1 and R2 of type II ommatidia). UV receptors (R1 or R2 of type I ommatidia) also send collaterals into two to four neighboring cartridges. Blue receptors (R1 or R2 of type I ommatidia, R1 and R2 of type III ommatidia) have short collaterals restricted to their own cartridges. We thus conclude that the neuronal circuit of the lamina cartridge differs between the three types of ommatidia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ommatidial type-specific interphotoreceptor connections in the lamina of the swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus.

The eye of the butterfly Papilio xuthus contains a random array of three types of ommatidia (types I-III), each bearing nine photoreceptors, R1-R9. Of the six spectral classes of photoreceptors identified, types I, II, and III ommatidia contain four, three, and two classes, respectively: the ommatidia are thus spectrally heterogeneous. The photoreceptors send their axons to the lamina where, together with some large monopolar cells (LMCs), the nine from a single ommatidium contribute to a module called a lamina cartridge. We recently reported that among different photoreceptor axon terminals visualized by confocal microscopy, the number and length of axon collaterals differ for different spectral receptors, suggesting that lamina circuits are specific for each ommatidial type. Here we studied the distribution of synapse-like structures in the cartridges, first characterizing a photoreceptor by measuring its spectral sensitivity and then injecting Lucifer yellow (LY). We subsequently histologically identified the type of ommatidium to which the injected photoreceptor belonged, cut serial ultrathin sections of the entire lamina, labeled these with anti-LY immunocytochemistry, and then localized synapse-like structures. We found numerous interphotoreceptor contacts both within and between cartridges, the combination of which was again specific for the ommatidial type. R3 and R4, which are green-sensitive photoreceptors in all ommatidia, have thick axons lacking collaterals. We found that these cells exclusively make contacts with LMCs and not with photoreceptors. We therefore presume that R3 and R4 construct a system for motion vision, whereas other randomly distributed spectral types provide inputs for color vision.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Morphogenesis of the photoreceptive site and development of the electrical responses in the butterfly genital photoreceptors during the pupal period.

This paper describes the process of morphogenesis of the photoreceptive site of the butterfly genital photoreceptors. Associated development of the electrical responses is also described. The photoreceptor is a sensory neuron whose cell body is located in the genitalia and has a photoreceptive site of the phaosome-type. This consists of the distal processes and the tubular membranes, which protrude from the tip of distal processes. Phaosome morphogenesis was studied using electron microscopy. The results indicate that morphogenesis occurs in the latter half of the pupal period and that the process is divided into five phases. First, the tubular membranes appear as small membrane protrusions (phase I). The short tubular membranes emerge from several portions of the cell body forming several membrane clusters (phase II). The clusters then collect to form a small phaosome. Short distal processes become evident (phase III). The phaosome volume increases, mainly due to the extensive elongation and bifurcation of both tubular membranes and distal processes (phase IV). Phase V achieves final adult morphology. The photoreceptors of phase II are already able to produce spikes in response to light stimulation, although the sensitivity was about one tenth of the adult. The sensitivity increase occurred in parallel with the increase in the phaosome volume.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Investigation of hormone activity in butterfly imaginal wing discs by protein expression pattern changes.

In a proteomic approach using 2-DE, the changes in protein expression patterns in wing imaginal discs induced by hormone treatment have been studied. Here we show the response of butterfly imaginal wing disc tissue taken from late fifth instar larvae of the African-Mocker swallowtail Papilio dardanus (Lepidoptera) to the insect hormones 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) and juvenile hormone (JH). The tissues were cultured in the presence of one hormone or a combination of both and their protein expression was compared to the pattern obtained from untreated wing discs. All the treatments resulted in changes in the expression pattern distinct from the uninduced control, indicating a distinct protein regulation induced by the hormones. The treatment with both of the hormones, which are known to have antagonistic physiological effects, did show a unique pattern, presumably the result, in part, of synergistic effects on protein expression mediated by the combined effects of both the hormones. The extent of the interaction between JH and 20-HE indicates a complex molecular regulation, far beyond a simple antagonistic effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Structure of butterfly scales: patterning in an insect cuticle.

All butterfly and moth scales and bristles are made of non-living insect cuticle. Each is the product of a single epithelial cell, and all share the same basic architecture. However, some are highly specialized, and their cuticle is further elaborated into stacks of thin-films, lattices, or other minute structures, many of which first came to our attention because they interact with light to produce structural colors. The scale cell forms the scale by extruding a projection of itself and secreting around it the outer epicuticle, a thin cuticular envelope which will form the outer-most layer of the scale. The inner layers of cuticle, collectively called the procuticle, are secreted thereafter and go on to form the lattices, pillars, or other internal structures of the scale. We believe that the pattern-forming mechanisms used by the cell to shape the cuticle into its finished form include elastic buckling of the outer epicuticle to produce external folds, and "masking" of certain areas of the original epicuticular envelope to produce thin spots which will break through to become windows. Varied though they be, all insect cuticular patterns have common basic elements, which suggests that our findings may be generalized to other highly patterned insect cuticles, particularly those formed by single cells.

Animals↗