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Classification of crow's feet patterns among Caucasian women: the key to individualizing treatment.

One of the most common complaints of aging patients is the appearance of crow's feet lines in the lateral canthal region. Many different treatment methods, including chemical peels, surgical procedures, filler material injections, botulinum toxin injections, and laser resurfacing, have been used for effacement of these lines among aging patients and patients with sun damage. Despite the fact that many scientific articles have been written regarding the treatment of crow's feet lines, the actual patterns of these lines have not been adequately studied or classified. Several different patterns of animation in this area have been observed. These different patterns and their frequencies are described. All crow's feet patterns are not the same, and it follows that treatment of different patterns of crow's feet lines should be adapted to the particular patterns.

Adult↗

Cardiomyopathy in a case of Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Crow-Fukase syndrome or POEMS syndrome is a variant of plasma cell dyscrasia that is characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, the presence of M-protein in serum, and dermatological changes. A 60-year-old man presented with features of Crow-Fukase syndrome, such as the presence of M-protein in serum, dermatological changes, and osteosclerotic changes, but did not have polyneuropathy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Crow-Fukase syndrome in which the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been confirmed by a left endomyocardial biopsy. The findings suggest that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be a manifestation of organomegaly in patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗

Diplotriaena tricuspis (Fedtschenko, 1874) (Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea) in crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm) wintering in Ontario.

Two hundred and eleven of 4404 (4.8%) crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) collected in the winters of 1976-77 and 1977-78 in Essex County, southwestern Ontario, were infected with Diplotriaena tricuspis (Fedtschenko, 1874) Henry and Ozoux, 1909. Prevalence of potentially patent infections was only 2.6%, however, as crows often had nematodes of a single sex only. Intensity was 4.0 (1-74) and was similar in both male and female crows of all age groups. Intensity tended to be higher in young-of-the-year crows than yearlings and adults.

Animals↗

Avian cholera in common crows, Corvus brachyrhynchos, from the central Texas panhandle.

An epornitic of avian cholera involving approximately 150 birds is described from a flock of common crows, Corvus brachyrhynchos, on a single playa lake utilized as a roost in Castro County, Texas, during early spring of 1980. There was a concomitant epornitic of avian cholera involving several hundred ducks and geese of several species on adjacent lakes in he same area. Crows scavenged extensively on waterfowl carcasses. Gross and histopathologic lesions in waterfowl were typical of acute avian cholera. Crows had a more chronic form of the disease, especially neurological involvement with the most common lesion consisting of a hemorrhagic meningitis. Other endemic species from which Pasteurella multocida was isolated included the short-eared owl, Asio flammeus, and cottontail rabbit, Silvilagus sp. The role of crows in the dissemination and maintenance of avian cholera is discussed.

Animals↗

[Increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is causative in Crow-Fukase syndrome].

Crow-Fukase syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, skin changes and M-protein. We have examined levels of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF) in serum with Crow-Fukase patients. Serum VEGF levels in Crow-Fukase syndrome were about 15 to 30 times higher than control and other neurological disorders. Most of the characteristic manifestations may be well explainable by the biological function of VEGF except polyneuropathy. We examined the direct effects of VEGF on blood nerve barrier function using blood brain barrier model of rat and intraneural injection of recombinant VEGF. As the result, VEGF affected blood nerve barrier and increased microvascular permeability, thereby inducing endoneurial edema. After increasing the permeability of the blood nerve barrier by VEGF, serum components toxic to nerves such as complements and thrombins may induce nerve damage. Our results suggest that overproduction of VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Animals↗

Phylogenetic relationships of three species of crows (Corvidae, Aves) based on the restriction site variation of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene.

Southern blot analysis of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was carried out to examine phylogenetic relationships between three species of crows: Corvus cornix, C. corone and C. macrorhynchos. In this purpose DNA samples of birds were digested by 12 restriction enzymes (EcoRI, HindIII, PstI, BamHI, DraI, PvuII, KpnI, XbaI, BglII, BclI, SacI and AatI) and hybridized with the clones of mouse rDNA probes (18S, 28S and INT). Based on the data obtained and Gallus gallus restriction map as a standard the restriction site maps of the main rDNA repeating unit types (repetypes) were constructed. The length of crow rDNA genes was estimated to be 22.5 kb for Jungle and 22.0 kb for Hooded and Carrion crows. C. corone and C. cornix shared a common repetype which differed, by presence of two restriction sites (XbaI and PvuII) in the spacer region, from that of C. macrorhynchos with the estimated sequence divergence of 0.26%. Restriction-size variation was revealed between individuals of C. corone and C. cornix, although the substantial meanings of this variation remain unclear yet. These data suggest that the crow species evolve with slower rate of molecular evolution, as generally observed in other avian species, compared with the higher extent in external morphology, ecological features and behavior.

Animals↗

[Prototype symbolization in hooded crows].

The ability in prototype symbolization was studied in four crows trained in matching concept. The experimental approach was characterized by the absence of direct training providing an association between the pictured arrays and Arabic numerals. Experimental sessions were divided into demonstrative and test phases. In the demonstrative phases, the sample and the reinforced stimulus belonged to the same category: if the sample was a pictured array, the reinforced stimulus was also the pictured array, if the sample was a numeral, the reinforced stimulus was likewise a numeral. Matching-to-sample competence was sufficient to perform this task successfully. In case of a correct choice a crow received some mealworms, their number was equal to the number of items in the pictured array or the Arabic numeral. In the test phases, the sample and the comparison stimuli were of different categories. If the sample was a pictured array, the comparison stimuli were numerals; if the sample was a numeral, the comparisons were the pictured arrays. Such tests required the birds to choose a numeric symbol corresponding to the pictured array or to choose the array of pictured items numerically equal to the Arabic symbol. All four crows performed this task successfully. Birds were able to set up a correspondence between the Arabic numeral from 1 to 4 and the number of elements in pictured arrays by way of mental juxtaposition of the earlier received information. Similar experiments showed that crows are likely to be able to perform mental operations with numerals analogous to simple arithmetic addition.

Animal Communication↗

[Analysis of the effect of a training regime for the correct choice of matched learning in gray crows].

It was shown that a large set of training stimuli promotes abstract concept learning. These experiments were designed to assess whether an application of a large set of training stimuli would facilitate matching learning in crows. Four hooded crows were trained with a set of 72 unique combinations of stimuli in two-alternative simultaneous matching tasks with stimuli of three different categories: achromatic color (white, light-grey, dark-grey, and black), shape (Arabic numerals from 1 to 4 used as visual shapes only), and number of elements (heterogeneous graphic arrays from 1 to 4 items). Although the performance of all crows was significantly above chance (p < 0.01) in some 72-trial blocks, birds were unable to establish matching and to reach the criterion of learning 80% correct or better over 72 consecutive trials) in 5184 trials. Thus, the modified training procedure was less efficient than the training technique previously used (successive cyclic repetition of three small sets of training stimuli), which allowed four of six crows to acquire the matching rule after 1780, 2360, 3830, and 5260 trials [4,9].

Animals↗

[The role of interleukin-6 in Crow-Fukase syndrome].

We measured serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in 14 patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome. Five out of 14 patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome showed high serum IL-6 levels above 10 pg/ml, which was statistically significant in comparison with control subjects with other neurological diseases. Serial studies of serum IL-6 levels in two patients revealed the increase before the exacerbation of clinical symptoms of edema, and pleural or cardiac effusion, and the fall after the treatment by high dose pulsed methylprednisolone. We suggest that serum IL-6 level appears to be a useful marker to predict its exacerbation. Also we performed immunohistochemical study on cutaneous angioma from three Crow-Fukase syndrome patients using anti-IL-6 antibody. The cytoplasm of endothelial cells of cutaneous angioma from two patients was positively stained, which might imply the abnormality of endothelial cells in Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Endothelium, Vascular↗

[Relative numerousness judgements in crows and pigeons in the urgent comparison of stimuli earlier linked to different amounts of reinforcement].

The ability of pigeons (Colomba livia, L.) and crows (Corvus corone cornix, L.) was studied to realize urgent numerousness judgement of reinforcement consisting of discrete elements (wheat grains and meal worm larvae, respectively). In the process of preliminary training the birds mastered the information about the conformity of the feeder colour with the definite number (1-9 for pigeons and 5-12 for crows) of reinforcement units at isolated presentation of feeders. In test at presentation of pairs formed from these feeders, pigeons and crows chose the stimulus connected with a greater quantity of reinforcement. In the range of 1-8 units the precision of choice in pigeons depended on absolute and relative differences between comparing values. In crows in the range of 6-12 this dependence was not revealed. The ability to solve the given test is considered as one of manifestations of elementary reasoning.

Animals↗

Isospora corvi Ray, Shivnani, Oommen and Bhaskaran, 1952 from the common house crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot) of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia.

Faecal samples of 56 common house crows (Corvus splendens Vieillot) were collected from the Petaling Jaya and Kelang districts of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia, and examined for coccidia. Intestinal tracts of 8 of the above crows wee histologically examined under light microscopy to determine the site of coccidial infection and the endogenous stages present. Fifty three (94.6%) crows had coccidial oocysts morphologically conforming to only one species of Isospora in their faeces at the time they were examined. The sporulated oocysts were found to be Isospora corviae (Ray et al. 1952) which has been emended to I. corvi. These oocysts are redescribed in greater detail. Corvus splendens is a new host record for I. corvi. Coccidial infection was observed in all the intestinal tracts and generally confined to the anterior two thirds of the intestine. The parasites occurred within intestinal epithelial cells, located usually above the host cell nucleus. Developmental stages of both the asexual and sexual phases were found in the epithelium, and are deemed to be the endogenous stages of I. corvi on the basis of the oocysts recovered from the same crows used for histological study. These stages are described here for the first time. The prevalence of I. corvi, its relationship with the host C. splendens, and its probable transmission from C. macrorhynchus are discussed.

Animals↗

[Crow-Fukase syndrome].

In Japan, Crow-Fukase syndrome is a target of active research because of many cases reported. Therefore, the following three topics regarding this syndrome were discussed. 1) Etiology of Crow-Fukase syndrome. Even in reported cases of Crow-Fukase syndrome with monoclonal protein or polyclonal immunoglobulins and no apparent multiple myeloma, there were plasmacytomas in the lymph node or other tissues, and symptoms became improved after removal of these tumors. Therefore, plasma cells seem to be involved. According to recent studies, impairment of the pituitary function may play some role. 2) New pathological findings in the lymph node histology. In the lymph node of patients with this syndrome, we found in its germinal center a peculiar abnormality called angiosclerosis, in which branching tortuous capillaries with thickened wall including many cells were prominent, which may be different from those of Castleman's disease. 3) Nerve conduction studies using a new collision technique. Crow-Fukase syndrome is associated with marked slowing of even the maximal motor and sensory conduction velocities. Therefore, in order to understand its pathophysiology better, submaximal conduction velocities should be measured using the new collision technique because this technique is different from Hopf's method that is affected by the refractory period of nerve fibers.

Adult↗

Genetic properties of conjugative R plasmids in Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from feral and domestic pigeons, crows and kites.

A total of 62 conjugative R plasmids detected in 48 Escherichia coli and 19 conjugative R plasmids in 16 Salmonella strains from domestic (carrier and emerald) and feral pigeons, crows (Japanese jungle crows and carrion crows) and black kite, were examined for genetic properties. Out of the 62 E. coli R plasmids examined for fertility inhibition (Fi), 29 (46.8%) were Fi+, and the remainder were Fi-. Among the 62 R plasmids, 16 (25.8%) were classified into incompatibility (Inc) group FII, 15 (24.2%) into I alpha, 7 (11.3%) into H1 and 2 (3.2%) into N. The remaining 23 R plasmids could not be classified in this study. Among the 19 Salmonella R plasmids, 4 showed thermosensitive (ts) transfer. Out of the 18 plasmids tested, 13 (72.2%) including 4 ts-R plasmids were Fi-, and the remaining 5 (27.8%) were Fi+. Five R plasmids containing 4 Fi- were IncI alpha, while 4 ts-R plasmids belonged to IncH1 (1 R plasmid) and H2 (3 R plasmids). The remainings were not tested. In E. coli strains, IncFII and I alpha were widely (4 of 6 lots of birds, respectively) distributed, followed by N (2 lots) and H1 (1 lot). IncN R plasmid was detected from domestic pigeons and crows, but not from feral pigeons. In Salmonella strains from 5 lots of birds, IncFII and N plasmids which were detected from E. coli were not found, but IncH2 was detected from domestic pigeons (1 lot) and kite (1 lot). IncI alpha was detected from feral pigeons (1 lot) and kite (1 lot). The potential transfer of R plasmids between Salmonella and E. coli, and of dissemination of the plasmids among the free-flying birds, animals and humans is discussed.

Animals↗

[Crow-Fukase syndrome].

The association of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes forms a characteristic multisystem syndrome, Crow-Fukase syndrome, or acronym POEMS syndrome. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is still unknown. An M component found in more than three quarters of the patients appears not be the direct cause, because no evidence of deposition or interaction was observed in skin, peripheral nerve or endocrine organs with few exceptions. Solitary or multiple bone lesions, or plasmacytoma, are found in more than half of patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome. The nature of abnormal plasma cells of Crow-Fukase syndrome seems to be distinct from that of multiple myeloma. Substances elaborated by plasmacytoma cells are recently postulated as a pathogenesis of the disorder because of the finding that the Crow-Fukase syndrome may regress after resection or irradiation of solitary plasmacytoma, although a definite conclusion awaits further investigations.

Female↗

Lateralization of tool use in New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides).

We studied laterality of tool use in 10 captive New Caledonian (NC) crows (Corvus moneduloides). All subjects showed near-exclusive individual laterality, but there was no overall bias in either direction (five were left-lateralized and five were right-lateralized). This is consistent with results in non-human primates, which show strong individual lateralization for tool use (but not for other activities), and also with observations of four wild NC crows by Rutledge & Hunt. Jointly, these results contrast with observations that the crows have a population-level bias for manufacturing tools from the left edges of Pandanus sp. leaves, and suggest that the manufacture and use of tools in this species may have different neural underpinnings.

Animals↗

Number, distribution and size of retinal ganglion cells in the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos).

A retinal ganglion cell density map was generated using Nissl-stained retinal whole mounts from the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). The total number, distribution and size of these cells were determined in the area centralis, as well as in temporal, nasal, dorsal and ventral retinal regions. The mean total number of ganglion cells was estimated to be 3.6 x 10(6). The highest densities were found in the area centralis (25 600 /mm2) and the dorso-temporal part of the retina, suggesting the highest quality of vision. This density diminished nearly concentrically from the central area towards the retinal periphery. The number of ganglion cells was highest in the temporal retina followed, in order, by the nasal, dorsal and ventral retinal regions. Based on ganglion cell size, the retina seemed to consist of the following five regions: central, temporal, nasal, dorsal and ventral. Ganglion cell size ranged from 16 to 288 microm2, with smaller cells predominating in central regions above the optic disc and larger cells comprising more of the peripheral regions. The present study showed two highly populated areas of ganglion cells in the crow retina and it is expected that the crow retina provides well-developed monocular and binocular vision.

Animals↗

Hearing sensitivity and critical ratios of hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix).

The hearing threshold and critical ratios were estimated psycho-acoustically for captive wild-caught hooded crows by a yes/no procedure and the method of constant stimuli. Human subjects were tested in the same setup for direct comparison and to check for experimental artifacts. The hooded crows were found to have excellent low-frequency hearing capabilities compared to other passerine birds. Their hearing sensitivity is very close to that of humans at and below 5.6 kHz. The distribution of the critical ratios differed from that of the average bird and humans in being rather constant with frequency and not increasing monotonically. It furthermore showed a middle region of 5-6 dB lower critical ratio values between 500 Hz and 2 kHz. It is suggested that this improved range for hearing in noise is an adaptation to long distance communication. Human critical ratios gave the expected values and were between 3 and 6 dB lower than those of the crows.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor is causative in Crow-Fukase (POEMS) syndrome.

Crow-Fukase or POEMS syndrome of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes is a rare multisystem disorder of obscure pathogenesis that is associated with microangiopathy, neovascularization, and accelerated vasopermeability. We examined the levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 10 patients with this syndrome. Serum VEGF levels were about 15-30 times those in control subjects or patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and other neurological disorders. The CSF VEGF levels, however, were similar to those found in GBS and CIDP. Elevated VEGF levels in the serum decreased in 7 patients with Crow-Fukase syndrome after conventional therapy. The principal isoform of VEGF in Crow-Fukase syndrome was VEGF165. Elevated VEGF was independent of M-protein. Our results suggest that the overproduction of VEGF is important in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Adult↗