Zebrafish (Danio rerio) represents an excellent genetic model for vertebrate visual system studies. Because the opsin proteins are ideal markers of specific photoreceptor cell types, we cloned six different zebrafish opsin cDNAs. Based on pairwise alignments and phylogenetic comparisons between the predicted zebrafish opsin amino acid sequences and other vertebrate opsins, the cDNAs encode rhodopsin, two different green opsins (zfgr1 and zfgr2), a red, a blue, and an ultraviolet opsin. Phylogenetic analysis indicates the zfgr1 protein occupies a well-resolved dendrogram branch separate from the other green opsins examined, while zebrafish ultraviolet opsin is closely related to the human blue- and chicken violet-sensitive proteins. Polyclonal antisera were generated against individual bacterial fusion proteins containing either the red, blue, or ultraviolet amino termini or the rod or green opsin carboxyl termini. Immunolocalization on adult zebrafish frozen sections demonstrates the green and red opsins are each expressed in different members of the double cone cell pair, the blue opsin is detected in long single cones, and the ultraviolet opsin protein is expressed in the short single cones. In 120-h postfertilization wholemounts, green, red, blue, and ultraviolet opsin-positive cells are detected in an orderly arrangement throughout the entire retina. The antibodies' photoreceptor-type specificity indicates they will be useful for characterizing both wild-type and mutant zebrafish retinas.

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The CMN construct was biomechanically superior to either the locking plate or 95° blade plate constructs. The locking plate construct was biomechanically equivalent to the blade plate construct.

We were not able to confirm 2.5 cm of symphysis pubis diastasis as a valid differentiation point between anteroposterior compression I and II injuries because significant morphologic variation seems to exist. Our data support that anterior sacroiliac ligament disruption is likely for displacement greater than 4.5 cm and unlikely for values less than 1.8 cm. Our study suggests that sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments might not rupture at the same time as the anterior sacroiliac ligament.

Diagnostic study, level II.