Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is harmful to all life, and the ongoing depletion of the ozone layer is likely to affect interactions among both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Some organisms have evolved adaptations to reduce radiation damage, such as the various types of protective pigmentation of freshwater zooplankton. However, strong pigmentation also increases vulnerability to visually hunt...

Human skin pigmentation shows a strong positive correlation with ultraviolet radiation intensity, suggesting that variation in skin color is, at least partially, due to adaptation via natural selection. We investigated the evolution of pigmentation variation by testing for the presence of positive directional selection in 6 pigmentation genes using an empirical F(ST) approach, through an examin...

Smile is an expression of happiness, self-confidence, kindness and beauty. Along with teeth and lips, gingiva is also a vital component of smile. Melanin induced gingival hyper pigmentation may appear un-aesthetic especially when it is associated with high smile line, upper anterior labial segment and is uneven in appearance. It affects individuals from all races. Generally, it is believed that...

Introduction:Aesthetics, the science of beauty, is an inseparable part of today’s dental treatment. Excessive gingival pigmentation is a major esthetic concern for many people, especially in patients with a gummy smile. Gingival pigmentation results from melanin granules, which are produced by melanoblasts. The degree of pigmentation depends on melanoblastic activity. Though it is not a patholo...

More than 127 loci are actually known to affect pigmentation in mouse when they are mutated. From embryogenesis to transfer of melanin to the keratinocytes or melanocytes survival, any defect is able to alter the pigmentation process. Many gene mutations are now described, but the function of their product protein and their implication in melanogenesis are only partially understood. Each geneti...

An unusual grayish brown discoloration of the synovium was found during a knee arthroscopy of a 72-year-old man. He also had similar pigmentation affecting the skin on the legs, arms, hands, and face. It was found he had been taking 400 mg of amiodarone hydrochloride daily for last 7 years. Amiodarone is known to cause a slate grey pigmentation of skin and cornea, but we believe this is the fir...

A 10-year-old Japanese girl presented with multiple, small, flat, dark brown clusters of retinal pigment epithelium in both eyes. She had no other symptoms. The appearance was consistent with congenital grouped pigmentation of the retina or bear track spots. A unique co-existing feature was the presence of small, albinotic spots within the entire retina. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated a p...

Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a given genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to distinct environmental conditions. Phenotypic plasticity can be adaptive. Furthermore, it is thought to facilitate evolution. Although phenotypic plasticity is a widespread phenomenon, its molecular mechanisms are only beginning to be unravelled. Environmental conditions can affect gene expre...

Aim: To compare incidence of iridial pigmentation prospectively induced by long term treatment with latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone (hereafter, unoprostone) in Japanese patients with glaucoma. Methods: Patients with glaucoma treated with prostaglandin (PG) related ophthalmic solutions were sequentially enrolled. Patients treated for more than 30 months with PG related ophthalmic solutions...

AIM To compare incidence of iridial pigmentation prospectively induced by long term treatment with latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone (hereafter, unoprostone) in Japanese patients with glaucoma. METHODS Patients with glaucoma treated with prostaglandin (PG) related ophthalmic solutions were sequentially enrolled. Patients treated for more than 30 months with PG related ophthalmic solutions...