Distribution and inheritance of dorsal skin color markings among two populations of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) suggest that two genes influence dorsal skin color. The grey-morph and partial-grey-morph phenotypes (previously known as partial albino and grey-blaze, respectively) appear to be controlled by an X-linked gene, whereas the white blaze appears controlled by an autosomal gene (recessive phenotype). Calving intervals, calf size, and length of sighting history data suggest that partial-grey-morph, white-blaze, and black cows experience similar levels of reproductive success. Grey-morph cows (XgXg) are rare or absent in the two populations, but this was not unexpected given observed population frequencies of grey-morph males (XgY) and partial-grey-morph females (XGXg). The proportion of partial-grey-morph calves produced by black cows (XGXG) suggests that the reproductive success of grey-morph males was equal to that of black males, however, larger sample sizes are required to determine whether grey-morph males tend to have shorter sighting histories. The reproductive success of white-blaze males appeared similar to that of black males among whales off Argentina. There were significantly fewer white-blaze calves than expected off South Africa, which could be due to white-blaze males experiencing reduced reproductive success or to sighting blases that result in white-marked calves being misidentified as black calves. The relative frequencies of both types of dorsal color markings varied between the South African and Argentinian right whale populations, suggesting limited nuclear gene flow between these populations; analyses using other nuclear markers are under way to confirm the extent of gene flow.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A retreat for families of children recently diagnosed with cancer.

PURPOSE: The authors describe a clinical intervention program designed for children recently diagnosed with cancer and their families. The rationale for a family weekend retreat, the planning process, and its implementation are outlined. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: Staff members (nurses, social workers, child life specialists, and physicians) at the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of the Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, conducted a comprehensive needs assessment of the families of children recently diagnosed with cancer. Subsequently, staff members planned and implemented the Family Weekend Retreat for these patients and their families. The program was designed to provide education to patients and parents, to reduce isolation within the family and among family systems, and to reduce individual and family stress. RESULTS: Using a 19-item evaluative questionnaire, the participating families indicated that the Family Weekend Retreat met their needs for education, recreation, and mutual support. The families expressed an interest in, and subsequently held, a retreat reunion. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This program may be useful to other clinicians and/or cancer treatment facilities that wish to provide a network of support among families of recently diagnosed children who are struggling through the cancer experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Promoting effective communication in neonatal intensive care units by audiotaping doctor-parent conversations.

Parents of newborn babies receiving intensive care may find it difficult to understand, remember and accept information. We evaluated how practical and useful it is to give parents a tape recording of their initial conversation with the neonatologist. They seem to benefit from being able to listen repeatedly to such recordings. Parents and nurses have similar scores of usefulness of the method but their score is significantly higher than that of the neonatologists. This method could be useful in other clinical situations.

Communication↗