Regressive progression,progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei,Paracanthopterygii)

Dillman, C.B., Bergstrom, D.E., Noltie, D.B., Holtsford, T.P. & Mayden, R.L. (2010). Regressive progression, progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 45–60. Cave animals have fascinated scientists for centuries, and clades consisting primarily of cave‐adapted species are even more intriguing. The percopsiforms are an enigmatic group of fishes comprised of nine species in seven genera, with four species in three genera exhibiting characteristic troglomorphic features, such as a lack of pigmentation and eyes. Nucleotide characters presented here provide the first test of monophyly for both the Percopsiformes and Amblyopsidae with this character type and taxonomic completeness. Characters of ND2 support a monophyletic Percopsiformes and Amblyopsidae and further document phylogeographic subdivision in two stygobitic genera, Amblyopsis and Typhlichthys, in Amblyopsidae. Age estimates from time‐calibrated branch lengths utilizing two independent intra‐lineage fossils indicate that the ancestor to amblyopsids is Eocene in age, and that phylogeographic subdivision in both Amblyopsis and Typhlichthys occurred primarily in the Miocene. Interestingly, ancestral character state reconstruction for the amblyopsids strongly supports the re‐evolution of eyes and body pigment. While certainly unconventional, but supported with this character set, the hypothesis provides continued challenge to Dollo’s Law.     

Mathematical modeling for antibody therapy in the setting of antigenic modulation

The in vivo efficacy of passive monoclonal antibody therapy is limited in certain systems by the process of antigenic modulation. We describe a compartmental model which addresses the kinetics of in vivo cell binding of murine monoclonal antibody T101, modulation of the T65 target antigen, serum levels of T101, and elimination of target cells. Observed data compare favorably to that predicted by the model. The model suggests that there is no rationale for administering T101 as a prolonged, continuous infusion for passive antibody therapy.     

Toxicities associated with monoclonal antibody infusions in cancer patients

The toxicity during and following 291 infusions of 19 murine and three human monoclonal antibodies (MoAB) in 177 cancer patients with 10 different malignancies was assessed. Doses ranged from 0.5 to 500 mg administered over 0.25 to 24 hours. Various reactions in varying degrees were observed in 45 (28%) patients during their first MoAb infusion. Nine additional patients experienced toxicity following a subsequent antibody infusion. Antibodies that reacted with circulating cells were associated with toxicity in 20 of 28 (71%) of the first infusions, compared to 24 of 127 (19%) for patients receiving antibodies that did not react with circulating cells. Fevers, rigors, chills, and diaphoresis were observed in 10% to 12% of the patients and were associated with binding to circulating cells. Presumed hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria, pruritus, bronchospasm, and anaphylaxis occurred in 20 patients (11%). There were five episodes of bronchospasm and a single episode of anaphylaxis. Liver transaminases were elevated in 14%. There was no correlation between dose or infusion rate and toxicity. Murine monoclonal antibodies that are not conjugated to cytotoxic agents can be given with an acceptable frequency of side effects and serious allergic reactions. There is a small risk of anaphylaxis, and one should avoid rapid infusion of high antibody doses in the presence of circulating target cells and/or circulating free antigen.     

Rationales for combining chemotherapy and biotherapy in the treatment of cancer

Chemotherapy and biotherapy are the two systemic modalities available for cancer treatment. In vitro assays and animal studies suggest various rationales for combining these two modalities. The first approach is to take advantage of apparent additive or synergistic cytotoxic and/or cytostatic effects of both modalities. A second approach is the use of chemotherapy to maximally cytoreduce tumor, followed by biotherapy to restore the immune system and/or to enhance immunologic elimination of microscopic tumor. The third approach uses biotherapy to diminish chemotherapy toxicities so that higher and more intense doses of chemotherapy can be used. The fourth approach involves the use of biologics to modify the tumor environment in order to enhance the delivery of chemotherapy molecules. A fifth approach is the use of chemotherapy as a biologic response modifier to enhance antitumor effects of biotherapy. The sixth strategy is to use biologics to reduce or overcome cell resistance to chemotherapy. Clinical trials are in progress exploring these various strategies. The end point of all of these approaches must be an improved risk to benefit or toxicity to efficacy ratio in the context of cancer treatment.     

Anatomy and early development of the pectoral girdle,fin, and fin spine of sturgeons (Actinopterygii: Acipenseridae)

Acipenseriformes hold an important place in the evolutionary history of bony fishes. Given their phylogenetic position as extant basal Actinopterygii, it is generally held that a thorough understanding of their morphology will greatly contribute to the knowledge of the evolutionary history and the origin of diversity for the major osteichthyan clades. To this end, we examined comparative developmental series from the pectoral girdle in Acipenser fulvescens, A. medirostris, A. transmontanus, and Scaphirhynchus albus to document, describe, and compare ontogenetic and allometric differences in the pectoral girdle. We find, not surprisingly, broad congruence between taxa in the basic pattern of development of the dermal and chondral elements of the pectoral girdle. However, we also find clear differences in the details of structure and development among the species examined in the dermal elements, including the clavicle, cleithrum, supracleithrum, posttemporal, and pectoral‐fin spine. We also find differences in the internal fin elements such as the distal radials as well as in the number of fin rays and their association with the propterygium. Further, there are clear ontogenetic differences during development of the dermal and chondral elements in these species and allometric variation in the pectoral‐fin spine. The characters highlighted provide a suite of elements for further examination in studies of the phylogeny of sturgeons. Determining the distribution of these characters in other sturgeons may aid in further resolution of phylogenetic relationships, and these data highlight the role that ontogenetic and comparative developmental studies provide in systematics. J. Morphol. 276:241–260, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.