Lunulae

Pyrocystis lunula (clone T37) can be grown under light-dark cycles as well as under continuous illumination at 20 2°C, in f/2 medium (Guillard and Ryther, 1962) with 0.5% soil extract instead of silicate (Guillard, 1974). The growth is somewhat slower and harvesting may be carried out about 40 days after inoculation, at a cell density of 15,000-20,000 cells/ml. 

Molecular characteristics of luciferase. A molecule of the luciferase of G. polyedra comprises three homologous domains (Li et al., 1997 Li and Hastings, 1998). The full-length luciferase (135 kDa) and each of the individual domains are most active at pH 6.3, and they show very little activity at pH 8.0. Morishita et al. (2002) prepared a recombinant Pyrocystis lunula luciferase consisting of mainly the third domain. This recombinant enzyme catalyzed the light emission of luciferin (luminescence A.max 474 nm) and the enzyme was active at pH 8.0. The recombinant enzyme of the third domain of G. polyedra luciferase was crystallized and its X-ray structure was determined (Schultz et al., 2005). A -barrel pocket putatively for substrate binding and catalysis was identified in the structure, and... 

The luciferins of all species of dinoflagellate are believed to be identical or very similar to each other (Hastings and Bode, 1961 Hamman and Seliger, 1972). However, the light yield of bioluminescence per cell differs significantly by the species, and certain species, such as Pyrocystis lunula, contain much more luciferin than other species, such as G. polyedra (Seliger et al., 1969 Swift and Meunier, 1976 Schmitter et al., 1976). Based on the luciferin content, P. lunula was chosen as the source of luciferin. 

Morishita, H., et al. (2002). Cloning and characterization of an active fragment of luciferase from a luminescent marine alga, Pyrocystis lunula. Photochem. Photobiol. 75 311-315. 

Seliger, H. H., Biggley, W. H., and Swift, E. (1969). Absolute values of photon emission from the marine dinoflagellates Pyrodinium bahamense, Gonyaulax polyedra and Pyrocystis lunula. Photochem. Photobiol. 10 227-232. 

Swift, E., and Meunier, V. (1976). Effects of light intensity on division rate, stimulable bioluminescence and cell size of the oceanic dinoflagellates Dissodinium lunula, Pyrocystis fusiformis and P. noctiluca. ]. Pbycol. 12 14-22. 

Management Because of the characteristic physical features of the nail, pharmacokinetics play a major role in therapy [28]. Topical therapy (ciclopirox and amorolfin lacquer), more successful with thin nails and if the lunula is... 

These are white lines running across the nail plate parallel to the lunula. They were first observed by C.R. Muehrke (1956). Instead of being contained in the actual nail, the lines are set in the nail bed. This is thought to be caused by severe (< 2.2 g/dl) prolonged hypalbumin-aemia, especially in cases of cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome. This finding is, however, relatively rare. (24)... 

Wilson s disease is occasionally accompanied by an argyric-like discoloration of the skin (greyish brown to bluish grey). The fingernails often display skyblue-coloured lunulae (A.G. Bearn et al., 1958). (46)... 

Skin and muscles Acute rhabdomyolysis (362) as well as dermatomyositis are considered to be rare manifestations of Wilson s disease. Occasionally, there is evidence of hyperpigmentation as well as acanthosis nigricans. Bluish, lunular discolorations of the nails, so-called azure lunulae, are rare. (322) (s. p. 84)... 

Bearn, A.G., McKusick, VA. Azure lunulae. An unusual change in the fingernails in two patients with hepatoienticular degeneration (Wilson s disease). J. Amer. Med. Ass. 1958 166 904—906... 

Monosymptomatic nail changes, with longitudinal ridging, transverse or longitudinal defects of the nail plate, absence of lunulae, and a tendency toward onychoschizia, can also occur as adverse effects of penicillamine (326). 

Daniel CR+, j Am Acad Dermatol 10, 250 (1984) Sigal M+, Ann Dermatol Venereol (French) III, 895 Blue lunulae... 

Figure 3. Alignments in the region of the conserved histidines of the three domains of the seven luciferases. PI, Pyrocystis lunula Pn, P. noctiluca Pf, P. fusiformis At, Alexandrium tamarense Aa. A. affine Pr Protoceratium reticulatum.

Descemefs membrane in the cornea, producing a Kayser-Fleischer ring and also as azure lunulae in the finger nails. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare consequence of Wilson s disease (Loudianos et al. 2000). 

E) Red mucous membranes and nail bed lunulae are present in over 90% of cases... 

The composition, properties, and dimensions of the aortic valve change with age and in the presence of certain diseases. The valve leaflets become thicker, the lunula become fenestrated, or mesh-like, and in later stages of disease the central portion of the valve may become calcified [Davies, 1980]. This thickening of the valve typically occurs on the ventricular side of the valve, in the region where the tips of the leaflets come together. Another site of calcification and fibrosis is the point of maximum cusp flexion and is thought to be a response to fatigue in the normal valve tissue. 

Hendricks AA. Yellow lunulae with fluorescence after tetracycline therapy. Arch Dermatol 1980 116(4) 438 0. 

The impairment of the normal functional anatomy of the tip and perionychium will depend on the various levels at which fingertip injuries are sustained, e.g., distal to the bony phalanx distal to the lunula proximal to the distal end of the lunula. The plane of injury will determine the most suitable approach to the reconstruction of the pedicle. The level of nail-bed injury is the critical factor in deciding the requirement for nail bed management. Nail stability requires at least 5 mm of healthy nail bed distal to the lunula for nail adherence (Rosenthal 1983) (Tables 2-9). 

When the route of systemic absorption is oral, the discoloration is more likely to correspond to the shape of the lunula. Transverse leukonychia might occur, for example, in arsenic or thallium poisoning. 

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