Biochemical and hematological evaluations of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in highly degraded landscapes in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Loss and fragmentation of Neotropical primates' habitat can alter the health and individual adaptation. Physiological parameters reflect health status and individuals responses to the habitat conditions. METHODS: We captured six wild adult females and six adult males of Alouatta pigra to evaluate their physical condition (body mass, respiratory and heart rate, and rectal temperature), hematology and blood chemistry on fragmentation habitat condition at southeastern Mexico. RESULTS: The males weighed more than females, but the female' temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate were higher. Low values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells suggest some degree of anemia in these howler monkeys. Low levels of the total protein, albumin, albumin/globulin Ratio, and low levels of blood urea nitrogen suggest that howler monkeys could have protein and carbohydrate deficiencies. CONCLUSIONS: Howler monkeys living under the highly degraded conditions at Balancán, Tabasco, could be showing adaptability by modifying their physiology, hematology, and blood chemistry in response to the conditions of their fragmented landscape.

Contrasting time-based and weight-based estimates of protein and energy intake of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra).

Two methods are commonly used to describe the feeding behavior of wild primates, one based on the proportion of time animals spent feeding on specific plant parts ("time-based" estimates) and one based on estimates of the actual amounts of different plant materials ingested ('"weight-based" estimates). However, studies based on feeding time may not be accurate for making quantitative assessments of animals' nutrient and energy intake. We analyzed the diet of two groups of Alouatta pigra living in forest fragments using two different methods (time- and dry weight-based estimates), to explore how these alternative approaches impact estimates of (a) the contribution of each food type to the diet and (b) the macronutrient composition of the diet, including available protein (AP), non-protein energy (NPE), and total energy (TE) intake. We conducted behavioral observations (N = 658 hr and N = 46 full day focal follows), from August 2012 to March 2013. For each feeding bout, we estimated both time spent feeding and actual fresh- and dry-weight consumption by counting the number of food items ingested during the bout. Using time-based estimates, A. pigra showed a predominantly leaf-based diet. In contrast, weight-based estimates described combined a fruit and leaf-based diet. There were no differences between methods when estimating AP intake; however, we found significant differences while estimating NPE and TE intake. Time-based estimates provide us with important information such as the foraging effort spent on food items, trees, or patches, while weight-based estimates may provide more accurate information concerning nutrient and energy intake. We suggest that quantitative estimates of nutrient intake in a primate's diet be based on observations of wet and/or dry weight actually ingested rather than extrapolated from time spent feeding.

Organochlorine Pesticides in the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) in Chiapas, Mexico.

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides were quantified in samples of feathers (n = 17) and blood (n = 15) of the ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum). The individuals were captured near the Protected Natural Area Cerro Sonsonate, Chiapas, Mexico, between February and June 2014. In both tissues, pesticides belonging to seven organochlorine chemical families were detected. However, the organochlorine pesticide concentrations differed between feathers and blood. The highest concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes were found in feathers (0.63 ± 0.89 µg/g), whereas the highest concentrations of ΣDrines were found in blood (0.31 ± 0.47 µg/mL). By using the summed concentrations for each of the seven families of pesticides found in feathers, we did not find any significant correlation between the pesticides and pectoral muscle or body weight (p > 0.15). The ΣDDT group was the only pesticide family that showed a positive correlation with owl body weight (r = 0.60, p = 0.05); the concentrations of these pesticides were also high in feather and blood tissues (r = 0.87, p = 0.02). Our results confirm that ferruginous pygmy owls in the study area are exposed to these pesticides.

The stress-regulated protein p8 mediates cannabinoid-induced apoptosis of tumor cells.

One of the most exciting areas of current research in the cannabinoid field is the study of the potential application of these compounds as antitumoral drugs. Here, we describe the signaling pathway that mediates cannabinoid-induced apoptosis of tumor cells. By using a wide array of experimental approaches, we identify the stress-regulated protein p8 (also designated as candidate of metastasis 1) as an essential mediator of cannabinoid antitumoral action and show that p8 upregulation is dependent on de novo-synthesized ceramide. We also observe that p8 mediates its apoptotic effect via upregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes ATF-4, CHOP, and TRB3. Activation of this pathway may constitute a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibiting tumor growth.

ERAS® Program in a Portuguese Hospital: Results from Elective Colorectal Surgery after One Year of Implementation.

INTRODUCTION: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® program comprises the implementation of various perioperative measures that reduce surgical stress and ultimately improve patient recovery and outcome. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the first-year compliance and clinical outcomes after implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® program in elective colorectal surgery in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis was performed on the 210 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery from May 2016 to December 2017. The group of patients that underwent surgery after the protocol implementation (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® group) was compared to a conventional care control group (pre- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® group). Differences between the two groups were adjusted using Propensity Score matching. The main outcomes were length of stay, return of bowel function, complications and mortality. The evolution of compliance with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® principles was also analyzed. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 112 patients were included in the present study: 56 patients formed the pre-Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® group and 56 the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® group. The overall adherence to the protocol increased from 35.7% to 80.8%. There was a decrease in length of stay, time to return of bowel function and medical complications. DISCUSSION: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® program is safe and seems to shorten length of stay and improve patient recovery and clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the implementation of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® program was possible in Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, with a positive impact in the immediate postoperative recovery of colorectal patients.

Introdução: O programa de Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® consiste na implementação de várias medidas perioperatórias que reduzem o stress cirúrgico e, consequentemente melhoram a recuperação dos doentes. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a compliance com o programa Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® bem como os resultados obtidos no final do primeiro ano da sua implementação para a cirurgia colorretal eletiva no nosso hospital. Material e Métodos: Foi feita uma análise dos 210 doentes submetidos a cirurgia colorretal no período entre maio de 2016 e dezembro de 2017. O grupo de doentes intervencionados após a implementação do protocolo (grupo Enhanced Recovery After Surgery®) foi comparado com um grupo que recebeu cuidados convencionais (grupo pré- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery®). Diferenças entre os dois grupos foram ajustadas usando o emparelhamento com base na propensão. Os objetivos primários foram o tempo de internamento, o tempo até retorno do trânsito intestinal, a incidência de complicações e a mortalidade. Analisámos também a evolução da compliance com as recomendações Enhanced Recovery After Surgery®. Resultados: Após emparelhamento com base na propensão para pertencer ao grupo pré- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® e Enhanced Recovery After Surgery®, foram incluídos 112 doentes neste estudo, 56 em cada grupo. A adesão global ao protocolo Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® registou um aumento de 35,7% para 80,8%. Houve uma redução no tempo de internamento, tempo até retorno do trânsito intestinal e complicações médicas. Discussão: O programa Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® é seguro e parece reduzir a estadia hospital e melhorar a recuperação dos doentes. Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou que a implementação do programa Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® foi possível no Hospital Beatriz Ângelo e teve um impacto positivo no pós-operatório imediato dos doentes com patologia colorretal.

Noninvasive collection of fresh hairs from free-ranging howler monkeys for DNA extraction.

The use of noninvasive collected samples as source of DNA in studies of wild primate populations has increased in recent years. Fresh-plucked hairs represent an important source of DNA, with relatively high quality and concentration. In this study, we describe a low-cost noninvasive technique for collecting fresh-plucked hairs used to obtain DNA samples from free-ranging black howler monkey populations (Alouatta pigra). We designed and manufactured darts made of wooden dowels, with the anterior part smeared with glue, which were projected with blowpipes to trap howler monkey hairs. All of the materials to make the darts are inexpensive and are available locally. We collected 89 samples from 76 individuals residing in 15 troops, and the total number of hairs obtained was 754. We found no differences in the number of hairs collected among sex-age classes or among localities but the percentage of darts recovered with sample varied among localities. Preliminary results indicate that over 96% of samples yielded DNA suitable for polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite marker analysis. The technique proved successful for collecting fresh-plucked hairs of free-ranging black howler monkeys without any trauma to the animals and can be easily adapted to obtain samples from other wild primate and mammal species.

Down-regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in gliomas: a new marker of cannabinoid antitumoral activity?

Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L. and their derivatives, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. It has also been reported that cannabinoids inhibit tumor cell invasiveness, but the molecular targets of this cannabinoid action remain elusive. Here we evaluated the effects of cannabinoids on the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), which play critical roles in the acquisition of migrating and invasive capacities by tumor cells. Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated TIMP-1 expression in mice bearing subcutaneous gliomas, as determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. This cannabinoid-induced inhibition of TIMP-1 expression in gliomas (i) was mimicked by JWH-133, a selective CB(2) cannabinoid receptor agonist that is devoid of psychoactive side effects, (ii) was abrogated by fumonisin B1, a selective inhibitor of ceramide synthesis de novo, and (iii) was also evident in two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma). THC also depressed TIMP-1 expression in cultures of various human glioma cell lines as well as in primary tumor cells obtained from a glioblastoma multiforme patient. This action was prevented by pharmacological blockade of ceramide biosynthesis and by knocking-down the expression of the stress protein p8. As TIMP-1 up-regulation is associated with high malignancy and negative prognosis of numerous cancers, TIMP-1 down-regulation may be a hallmark of cannabinoid-induced inhibition of glioma progression.

[Giant Peritoneal Loose Body: Case Report and Review of Literature]. / Corpo Peritoneal Livre Gigante: Caso Clínico e Revisão da Literatura.

Peritoneal loose bodies are usually diagnosed incidentally. Only a few cases are documented in the literature. The pathophysiology of this condition is not fully known and its origin may possibly be related to the twisting and separation of epiploic appendages. The authors describe the case of a patient with a spherical solid lesion 6 cm in diameter, identified incidentally in the pelvic cavity of a 64 year old man. The patient underwent laparotomy and a free ovoid shaped white body was identified. Histological examination described a calcified and encapsulated mass with a steato-necrosis core. A review of all cases of giant peritoneal loose bodies described in the literature is included. Surgical excision is recommended when the giant peritoneal loose body diagnosis is uncertain or when they are symptomatic. Doctors should be aware of its existence in order to establish a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Os corpos peritoneais livres são habitualmente diagnosticados de forma incidental. Apenas alguns casos estão documentados na literatura. A sua fisiopatologia não é totalmente conhecida, estando eventualmente relacionada com a torção e separação dos apêndices epiplóicos. É descrito o caso de um homem com 64 anos de idade, com uma lesão sólida esférica de 6 cm de diâmetro na cavidade pélvica, identificada incidentalmente por tomografia computorizada. Foi realizada laparotomia exploradora, identificando-se uma lesão livre, de morfologia ovoide e esbranquiçada. O exame histológico mostrou uma massa de esteatonecrose calcificada e capsulada. Foi feita uma revisão dos casos de corpos peritoneais livres gigantes descritos na literatura. A excisão cirúrgica é recomendada quando o diagnóstico é duvidoso ou quando as lesões são sintomáticas. Os médicos devem ter conhecimento desta entidade, para poderem estabelecer um diagnóstico e plano de tratamento corretos.

Combining morphological and molecular data to reconstruct the phylogeny of avian Haemosporida.

The traditional classification of avian Haemosporida is based mainly on morphology and life history traits. Recently, molecular hypotheses have challenged the traditional classification, leading to contradictory opinions on whether morphology is phylogenetically informative. However, the morphology has never been used to reconstruct the relationships within the group. We inferred the phylogeny of avian Haemosporida from 133 morphological characters present in blood stages. We included all species with at least one mitochondrial gene characterized (n = 93). The morphological hypothesis was compared with the one retrieved from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nucleotide sequences and a hypothesis that used a combination of morphological and molecular data (i.e., total evidence). In order to recover the evolutionary history and identify phylogenetically and taxonomically informative characters, they were mapped on the total evidence phylogeny. The morphological hypothesis presented more polytomies than the other two, especially within Haemoproteus. In the molecular hypothesis, the two Haemoproteus subgenera are paraphyletic, and some relationships within Parahaemoproteus were resolved. By combining the morphological and molecular data, we were able to resolve the majority of polytomies and posterior probabilities increased. We identified a unique combination of morphological traits, clearly differentiating avian Haemosporida genera, sub-genera of Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus, and some Plasmodium sub-genera. Plasmodium had the highest number of synapomorphies. Furthermore, 86% of the species presented a unique combination of taxonomically informative characters. A limiting factor was the mismatch of traits characterized in species descriptions, leading to a morphological matrix with a considerable amount of missing data, particularly for the stages of early young and young gametocytes (67% of all missing data). Characters lacking information for the majority of species included the colour of pigment granules, the cytoplasm appearance, and the presence and dimensions of vacuoles. According to our results, the combination of morphology and mtDNA proved to be a robust alternative to reconstruct the relationships among avian Haemosporida, obtaining a resolution and support similar to that obtained using full mitochondrial genome sequences for over 100 lineages.

Cannabinoids inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in gliomas.

Cannabinoids inhibit tumor angiogenesis in mice, but the mechanism of their antiangiogenic action is still unknown. Because the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway plays a critical role in tumor angiogenesis, here we studied whether cannabinoids affect it. As a first approach, cDNA array analysis showed that cannabinoid administration to mice bearing s.c. gliomas lowered the expression of various VEGF pathway-related genes. The use of other methods (ELISA, Western blotting, and confocal microscopy) provided additional evidence that cannabinoids depressed the VEGF pathway by decreasing the production of VEGF and the activation of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2, the most prominent VEGF receptor, in cultured glioma cells and in mouse gliomas. Cannabinoid-induced inhibition of VEGF production and VEGFR-2 activation was abrogated both in vitro and in vivo by pharmacological blockade of ceramide biosynthesis. These changes in the VEGF pathway were paralleled by changes in tumor size. Moreover, intratumoral administration of the cannabinoid Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol to two patients with glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma) decreased VEGF levels and VEGFR-2 activation in the tumors. Because blockade of the VEGF pathway constitutes one of the most promising antitumoral approaches currently available, the present findings provide a novel pharmacological target for cannabinoid-based therapies.

Cascading impacts of anthropogenically driven habitat loss: deforestation, flooding, and possible lead poisoning in howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra).

To construct informed conservation plans, researchers must go beyond understanding readily apparent threats such as habitat loss and bush-meat hunting. They must predict subtle and cascading effects of anthropogenic environmental modifications. This study considered a potential cascading effect of deforestation on the howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) of Balancán, Mexico. Deforestation intensifies flooding. Thus, we predicted that increased flooding of the Usumacinta River, which creates large bodies of water that slowly evaporate, would produce increased lead content in the soils and plants, resulting in lead exposure in the howler monkeys. The average lead levels were 18.18 ± 6.76 ppm in the soils and 5.85 ± 4.37 ppm in the plants. However, the average lead content of the hair of 13 captured howler monkeys was 24.12 ± 5.84 ppm. The lead levels in the animals were correlated with 2 of 15 blood traits (lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin) previously documented to be associated with exposure to lead. Our research illustrates the urgent need to set reference values indicating when adverse impacts of high environmental lead levels occur, whether anthropogenic or natural, and the need to evaluate possible cascading effects of deforestation on primates.

Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells.

Autophagy can promote cell survival or cell death, but the molecular basis underlying its dual role in cancer remains obscure. Here we demonstrate that delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component of marijuana, induces human glioma cell death through stimulation of autophagy. Our data indicate that THC induced ceramide accumulation and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) phosphorylation and thereby activated an ER stress response that promoted autophagy via tribbles homolog 3-dependent (TRB3-dependent) inhibition of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) axis. We also showed that autophagy is upstream of apoptosis in cannabinoid-induced human and mouse cancer cell death and that activation of this pathway was necessary for the antitumor action of cannabinoids in vivo. These findings describe a mechanism by which THC can promote the autophagic death of human and mouse cancer cells and provide evidence that cannabinoid administration may be an effective therapeutic strategy for targeting human cancers.

Cannabinoids inhibit glioma cell invasion by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression.

Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L. and their derivatives, inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and impairing tumor angiogenesis. It has also been reported that these compounds inhibit tumor cell spreading, but the molecular targets of this cannabinoid action remain elusive. Here, we evaluated the effect of cannabinoids on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and its effect on tumor cell invasion. Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated MMP-2 expression in gliomas generated in mice, as determined by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative PCR analyses. This cannabinoid-induced inhibition of MMP-2 expression in gliomas (a) was MMP-2-selective, as levels of other MMP family members were unaffected; (b) was mimicked by JWH-133, a CB(2) cannabinoid receptor-selective agonist that is devoid of psychoactive side effects; (c) was abrogated by fumonisin B1, a selective inhibitor of ceramide biosynthesis; and (d) was also evident in two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. THC inhibited MMP-2 expression and cell invasion in cultured glioma cells. Manipulation of MMP-2 expression by RNA interference and cDNA overexpression experiments proved that down-regulation of this MMP plays a critical role in THC-mediated inhibition of cell invasion. Cannabinoid-induced inhibition of MMP-2 expression and cell invasion was prevented by blocking ceramide biosynthesis and by knocking-down the expression of the stress protein p8. As MMP-2 up-regulation is associated with high progression and poor prognosis of gliomas and many other tumors, MMP-2 down-regulation constitutes a new hallmark of cannabinoid antitumoral activity.

Comportamiento de la cirugía videotoracoscópica en pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Lucía Iñiguez Landín / Videotoracoscopic Surgery Behavior in Patients Attended at Lucia Íñiguez Landín Surgical Teaching Hospital

Se presentó la experiencia de cinco años en la cirugía videotoracoscópica realizada en el Hospital Universitario Lucía Iñiguez Landín, de Holguín; mediante un estudio prospectivo en 103 pacientes. Se determinaron variables como edad, sexo, las causas de realización del procedimiento (diagnóstico o terapéutico); complicaciones y estadía hospitalaria. Predominó el grupo de edad de 31 a 40 años...(AU)

A prospective study in 103 patients, to present an experience of five years on videotoracoscopic surgery done at Lucía Íñiguez Landín University Hospital was carried out. Some variables were studied such as: age, sex, causes for using this procedure: diagnostic or therapeutic...(AU)