Passive acoustic monitoring, development of disturbance calls and differentiation of disturbance and advertisement calls in the Argentine croaker Umbrina canosai (Sciaenidae).

Disturbance and advertisement calls of the Argentine croaker Umbrina canosai were recorded from coastal Uruguayan waters. Dissections indicate typical sciaenid extrinsic swimbladder muscles present exclusively in males. Disturbance calls were produced when captive U. canosai were startled, chased with a net or grabbed by the tail. Calls were unusual for sciaenids because each pulse consisted of multiple cycles. The number of cycles per pulse and dominant frequency did not change with U. canosai size, but pulse duration and interpulse interval increased. Advertisement calls were recorded from unseen choruses in the field and confirmed with captive individuals in a large tank. Advertisement calls were recorded throughout the known range of the species in Uruguay indicating a continuous belt of spawning populations. Tank recordings of the same individuals permitted explicit comparisons between the two calls. Advertisement call pulses averaged 2·4 more cycles (11·0-8·6) although pulses of both calls were basically similar as were durations and dominant frequencies. Pulse number, however, differed markedly, averaging 13·6 and 3·4 pulses for disturbance and advertisement calls respectively. Furthermore, disturbance calls were produced as a rapid series with an interpulse interval of 26-31 ms whereas advertisement call patterns were less stereotyped and ranged from <100 to 450 ms. Multicycle pulses distinguished U. canosai from other sympatric sciaenids.

The pancreatitis-associated protein VMP1, a key regulator of inducible autophagy, promotes Kras(G12D)-mediated pancreatic cancer initiation.

Both clinical and experimental evidence have firmly established that chronic pancreatitis, in particular in the context of Kras oncogenic mutations, predisposes to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the repertoire of molecular mediators of pancreatitis involved in Kras-mediated initiation of pancreatic carcinogenesis remains to be fully defined. In this study we demonstrate a novel role for vacuole membrane protein 1 (VMP1), a pancreatitis-associated protein critical for inducible autophagy, in the regulation of Kras-induced PDAC initiation. Using a newly developed genetically engineered model, we demonstrate that VMP1 increases the ability of Kras to give rise to preneoplastic lesions, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs). This promoting effect of VMP1 on PanIN formation is due, at least in part, by an increase in cell proliferation combined with a decrease in apoptosis. Using chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagy, we show that this drug antagonizes the effect of VMP1 on PanIN formation. Thus, we conclude that VMP1-mediated autophagy cooperate with Kras to promote PDAC initiation. These findings are of significant medical relevance, molecules targeting autophagy are currently being tested along chemotherapeutic agents to treat PDAC and other tumors in human trials.

Evaluation of cellular and serological diagnostic tests for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis-infected goats.

We have evaluated the comparative intradermal skin (CID) test, the interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) assay, two ELISAs with bovine PPD antigen, the standard and the anamnestic using sera obtained, respectively, at the time of the tuberculin injection and 15 days later, for the diagnosis of caprine tuberculosis (TB). The sensitivity and specificity results were high for the CID test (83.7%, 100%), the IFN-gamma assay (83.7%, 96%) and the anamnestic ELISA (88.6%, 95.8%). In contrast, they were comparatively low for the standard ELISA (54.9%, 88%). However, test results with the standard ELISA were positive in a group of goats with cavitating TB (100%). A combination of the CID test and the IFN-gamma assay offered the highest sensitivity, 95.8%, and also high specificity, 96%. In spite of this, the evidence that the serological tests were most sensitive for the detection of goats with severe lesions (100% positivity) suggested that a combination of CID test and anamnestic ELISA may be most useful as part of an eradication campaign against caprine TB.

Does jaundice increase the frequency of gastroduodenal ulcerations?

We have studied the frequency of gastric and duodenal ulcerations in 200 jaundiced patients (106 males, 94 females, mean age: 69.1) compared with 100 patients without jaundice (65 males, 35 females, mean age: 47.8). The study was designed to determine the effect of sex, age, duration and etiology of jaundice on the frequency of ulcerations. Each patient underwent ERCP, with careful examination of the stomach and duodenum. Ulcerations were seen in 35 patients with jaundice (17.5%) and in 2 patients without jaundice (2%). The difference was significant for duodenal ulcerations (p less than 0.01), but not for gastric ulcerations. There was no significant difference in the influence on the frequency of ulcerations of sex and duration of the jaundice. Ulcerations were more frequent in the case of neoplastic obstruction of the main bile duct (p less than 0.001) than in other etiologies.

Relation between serologic response and pathologic findings in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between lesions and serologic response in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis and to evaluate the efficacy of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and ELISA as diagnostic tests. ANIMALS: 134 adult sheep, culled by the owner from flocks with history of severe chronic weight loss. PROCEDURE: Before euthanasia, blood samples were collected and serum was obtained. AGID and ELISA were performed, using a protoplasmic antigen of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Sensitivity and specificity of these techniques were evaluated, using histopathologic findings as a reference. Histologic studies were carried out focusing on specimens containing intestinal organized lymphoid tissue. RESULTS: Of the sheep examined, 46.3% had lesions that were classified in 5 categories, according to their location, extension, cellular types, and presence of acid-fast bacilli. Regarding serologic test results, 37.1% of sheep with lesions had a positive AGID result, and all sheep without lesions had negative results. However, ELISA positivity was slightly greater--48.4% of sheep with lesions; however, by use of ELISA, 11.1% of sheep without lesions had positive results. CONCLUSION: A close relation between pathologic findings and serologic response was determined, especially between presence of acid-fast bacilli (potentially heavily shedding sheep) in the intestinal lesions and positivity to serologic tests, especially AGID. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of these results, together with its high specificity, reliability, and the difficulty of fecal specimen culture in sheep, AGID is proposed as a useful tool for seeking evidence of paratuberculosis in live sheep, and therefore, is suggested as the basis for control programs in areas in which the disease is a serious threat to sheep production.

Relation between pathologic findings and cellular immune responses in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between lesions and cellular immune response-based tests in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis and to evaluate efficacy of an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay and the intradermal skin test. ANIMALS: 110 and 88 adult sheep were used to evaluate the IFN-gamma assay and skin test, respectively. PROCEDURE: Before euthanasia, heparinized blood was collected and incubated with avian purified protein derivative (PPD). Interferon-y production was assessed, using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Skin testing in the caudal fold also was performed, using avian PPD. Sensitivity and specificity of these techniques were evaluated, using histopathologic findings as reference. RESULTS: Of the sheep examined, 61 (55.4%) had lesions that were classified in 5 categories, according to location, extension, cellular types, and presence of acid-fast bacilli. Regarding cellular immunity test results, 55.4% of sheep with and 6.1 % without pathologic changes had positive results of the IFN-gamma assay. Skin test sensitivity (55.6%) and specificity (100%) were slightly greater. CONCLUSION: Close association between pathologic findings and cellular immune response was apparent. Most sheep with focal (tuberculoid) and some with diffuse lesions (borderline tuberculoid), all with scant or no acid-fast bacilli in the intestine, had positive results of the IFN-gamma assay and skin test. Most sheep with diffuse lesions and high numbers of bacilli (borderline lepromatous) were test negative. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cellular immune response-based and serologic tests are useful tools for seeking evidence of paratuberculosis. Each technique detects different types of immune-reacting sheep, and their simultaneous use may detect most infected animals.

[Mediastinal tuberculosis as a cause of fever of unknown origin]. / Tuberculosis mediastínica como causa de fiebre de origen desconocido.

Tuberculosis is the most frequent cause of fever from unknown etiology. On the other hand, mediastinal tuberculous adenopathy (TBM), without associated pulmonary affection is a rare form of presentation among adults, generally evolving with sustained fever until a thoracic radiology is performed showing mediastinal enlargement. We present a case which started as fever from unknown etiology (FUE), given that, according to the thoracic radiology performed one month after the onset of fever, no mediastinal affection was observed.

Monitoreo de DDI en la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut (2004) / Monitoring of DDI in the Andean zone of the province of Chubut (2004)

Un total de 444 alumnos de escolaridad primaria, de ambos sexos, fue estudiado en este monitoreo de bocio endémico en dos localidades de la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut: Esquel (292 niños) y Cushamen (152 niños). La edad de los escolares osciló entre 5 y 13 años. La palpación tiroidea fue hecha por el conjunto de los médicos participantes. Sin embargo, con la finalidad de aunar criterios con lo realizado previamente (1-20), se tomó como única referencia la palpación de H.N., que se llevó a cabo en la totalidad de los niños estudiados. La definición del grado de bocio fue similar a la utilizada en los otros relevamientos (1). Se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina emitidas por los niños una vez que fueron palpados (139 de Esquel y 133 de Cushamen). Se recolectaron 213 muestras de sal de consumo hogareño de Esquel y 144 de Cushamen, para medir su contenido en yodo. El examen palpatorio de los niños reveló la existencia de bocio grado 1 solamente. La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 2,1% en Esquel y de 3,3% en Cushamen. Los niveles de yoduria alcanzaron, en Esquel, una media de 238±119(DS)μg/L y una mediana de 214μg/L, al tiempo que en Cushamen la media fue de 270±187μg/L y la mediana de 238μg/L. El contenido de yodo de las sales que aportaron los alumnos tuvieron un nivel adecuado de yodo, sobre todo en aquellas de consumo masivo. De esta manera, observamos que en la ciudad de Esquel el promedio de yodo en la sal, tomada en conjunto, fue de 30,6 ± 8,1 mg/Kg, mientras que para Cushamen fue de 31,1 ± 10,5 mg/Kg. Al analizar las concentraciones de yodo <15mg/Kg, observamos que fue del 3,0% en Esquel y del 7,4% en Cushamen. Teniendo en cuenta la línea de corte del 10% que fija el ICCIDD (21) como valor óptimo, podemos observar que la situación de ambas poblaciones es muy satisfactoria. Concluimos que en estas dos poblaciones de la zona andina de la provincia de Chubut ya no existe bocio endémico.