Morphological description of the alimentary canal and adnexal glands in Amazilia tzacatl, Amazilia saucerottei, Amazilia amabilis and Anthrachotorax nigricollis species.

The hummingbird family (Trochilidae) includes the smallest and most metabolically active vertebrates. They have a high energy demand because of their extraordinarily high metabolic rates during hovering while looking for food. The morphology of the digestive apparatus is related to the feeding habits of the species. The anatomy and histology of the digestive apparatus in these birds have not been thoroughly described except for their tongue. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the gross anatomy and histology of the alimentary canal and adnexal glands in four species from the hummingbird family: Amazilia tzacatl (n = 2), Amazilia saucerottei (n = 1), Amazilia amabilis (n = 1) and Anthracothorax nigricollis (n = 1). The alimentary canal was found to be very short. The epithelium of the oesophagus and crop showed variable degrees of keratinization and parakeratotic areas as normal conditions. A dorsal crop was observed as a differential characteristic of these birds. Like other birds, the ventricular mucosa in hummingbirds was covered and protected by the cuticle and showed a tunica muscularis constituted by three muscle layers. There was no isthmus between the proventriculus and ventriculus. The intestine presents a well-differentiated duodenum and jejunum. However, no ileum nor caeca were identified. The intestinal villi length, base width, crypt depth and area showed differences among the specimens studied among the small and large intestines. In addition, variations in thickness were observed in the smooth muscle tunica along the intestine. In all the studied species, the liver was composed of two lobes (right and left), and no gall bladder was observed during gross inspection or in histological sections. Finally, the pancreas was observed as a diffused organ forming islets related to all the small intestines. Some anatomical differences were observed among the studied species, mainly concerning Anthracothorax nigricollis. Hummingbirds showed very interesting and distinctive morphological characteristics. Hummingbirds possess unique and intriguing morphological characteristics. Future comparative studies related to the anatomy, histology and function of the digestive apparatus of hummingbirds are required. Expanding our understanding of the digestive morphophysiology in these bird species is crucial. However, it is necessary to conduct more comprehensive studies encompassing a wider range of hummingbird species and including a larger number of individuals to obtain more conclusive findings.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in beta-thalassemia.

Children with beta-thalassemia (BT) present with an increase in carotid intima-medial thickness, an early sign suggestive of premature atherosclerosis. However, it is unknown if there is a direct relationship between BT and atherosclerotic disease. To evaluate this, wild-type (WT, littermates) and BT (Hbbth3/+) mice, both male and female, were placed on a 3-mo high-fat diet with low-density lipoprotein receptor suppression via overexpression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gain-of-function mutation (D377Y). Mechanistically, we hypothesize that heme-mediated oxidative stress creates a proatherogenic environment in BT because BT is a hemolytic anemia that has increased free heme and exhausted hemopexin, heme's endogenous scavenger, in the vasculature. We evaluated the effect of hemopexin (HPX) therapy, mediated via an adeno-associated virus, to the progression of atherosclerosis in BT and a phenylhydrazine-induced model of intravascular hemolysis. In addition, we evaluated the effect of deferiprone (DFP)-mediated iron chelation in the progression of atherosclerosis in BT mice. Aortic en face and aortic root lesion area analysis revealed elevated plaque accumulation in both male and female BT mice compared with WT mice. Hemopexin therapy was able to decrease plaque accumulation in both BT mice and mice on our phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced model of hemolysis. DFP decreased atherosclerosis in BT mice but did not provide an additive benefit to HPX therapy. Our data demonstrate for the first time that the underlying pathophysiology of BT leads to accelerated atherosclerosis and shows that heme contributes to atherosclerotic plaque development in BT.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work definitively shows for the first time that beta-thalassemia leads to accelerated atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that intravascular hemolysis is a prominent feature in beta-thalassemia and the resulting increases in free heme are mechanistically relevant. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-hemopexin therapy led to decreased free heme and atherosclerotic plaque area in both beta-thalassemia and phenylhydrazine-treated mice. Deferiprone-mediated iron chelation led to deceased plaque accumulation in beta-thalassemia mice but provided no additive benefit to hemopexin therapy.

Desenlaces adversos perioperatorios en ancianos con fractura de cadera, antes y después de la implementación de un protocolo de ortogeriatría / Adverse perioperative outcomes in elderly patients with hip fracture before and after the implementation of an orthogeriatric protocol

Introducción: la fractura de cadera en adultos mayores constituye un problema de salud importante, ya que está asociada a mayor morbilidad y mortalidad. Por esta razón, se han creado protocolos de ortogeriatría para su abordaje, los cuales reportan resultados favorables.Objetivo: evaluar los desenlaces adversos perioperatorios en adultos mayores con fractura de cadera antes y después de la implementación de un protocolo de evaluación geriátrica integral (EGI).Metodología: estudio de casos y controles realizado en 136 pacientes (casos: 43; controles: 93) >65 años con fractura de cadera que fueron atendidos en un hospital de referencia entre 2020 y 2021 (casos), y 2015 y 2017 (controles). Se determinaron diferencias entre grupos mediante un análisis bivariado usando las pruebas de chi cuadrado o exacta de Fisher en variables categóricas, y las pruebas t de student o de Wilcoxon de los rangos con signo en variables continuas según la distribución de los datos.Resultados: los desenlaces adversos perioperatorios ocurrieron en el 62,7% de los casos y el 84,0% de los controles (p=0,007; OR:0,32; IC95%:0,13-0,73). La mediana de duración de la estancia hospitalaria fue 10 y 17 días en los casos y controles, respectivamente (RIQ: 8-14; RIQ 11-26), mientras que el tiempo entre el ingreso a urgencias y la cirugía fue 7 días (RIQ:5-11) y 11 días (RIQ:8-17), respectivamente (p=0.002). Conclusiones: la implementación de la EGI redujo los desenlaces adversos por fractura de cadera, principal-mente la duración de la estancia hospitalaria y el tiempo entre el ingreso y la cirugía, donde se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos grupos

Introduction: Hip fracture in elderly patients is a major health concern, as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. For this reason, orthogeriatric protocols have been created to approach it, reporting favorable outcomes.Objective: To evaluate adverse perioperative outcomes in elderly patients with hip fractures before and after the implementation of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) protocol.Methodology: Case-control study performed on 136 patients (cases: 43; controls: 93) >65 years old with a hip fracture, who were treated at a referral hospital between 2020 and 2021 (cases) and 2015 and 2017 (controls). Differences between groups were determined through bivariate analysis using Fisher's chi-square or exact tests on categorical variables, and Student's t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test on continuous variables depending on the distribution of the data.Results: Adverse perioperative outcomes occurred in 62.7% of cases and 84.0% of controls (p=0.007; OR:0.32; 95%CI:0.13-0.73). The median length of hospital stay was 10 and 17 days in cases and controls, respectively (IQR: 8-14; IQR 11-26), while the time between ED admission and surgery was 7 days (IQR:5-11) and 11 days (IQR:8-17), respectively (p=0.002).Conclusions: The implementation of the CGA protocol reduced adverse outcomes associated with hip fracture, mainly the length of hospital stay and the time between admission and surgery, in which statistically significant differences were observed between both groups

Increasing nitric oxide bioavailability fails to improve collateral vessel formation in humanized sickle cell mice.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with repeated bouts of vascular insufficiency leading to organ dysfunction. Deficits in revascularization following vascular injury are evident in SCD patients and animal models. We aimed to elucidate whether enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability in SCD mice improves outcomes in a model of vascular insufficiency. Townes AA (wild type) and SS (sickle cell) mice were treated with either L-Arginine (5% in drinking water), L-NAME (N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; 1 g/L in drinking water) or NO-generating hydrogel (PA-YK-NO), then subjected to hindlimb ischemia via femoral artery ligation and excision. Perfusion recovery was monitored over 28 days via LASER Doppler perfusion imaging. Consistent with previous findings, perfusion was impaired in SS mice (63 ± 4% of non-ischemic limb perfusion in AA vs 33 ± 3% in SS; day 28; P < 0.001; n = 5-7) and associated with increased necrosis. L-Arginine treatment had no significant effect on perfusion recovery or necrosis (n = 5-7). PA-YK-NO treatment led to worsened perfusion recovery (19 ± 3 vs. 32 ± 3 in vehicle-treated mice; day 7; P < 0.05; n = 4-5), increased necrosis score (P < 0.05, n = 4-5) and a 46% increase in hindlimb peroxynitrite (P = 0.055, n = 4-5). Interestingly, L-NAME worsened outcomes in SS mice with decreased in vivo lectin staining following ischemia (7 ± 2% area in untreated vs 4 ± 2% in treated mice, P < 0.05, n = 5). Our findings demonstrate that L-arginine and direct NO delivery both fail to improve postischemic neovascularization in SCD. Addition of NO to the inflammatory, oxidative environment in SCD may result in further oxidative stress and limit recovery.

Factores asociados a malnutrición en niños entre 2 y 5 Años Oicatá, Colombia / Factors associated with malnutrition in children between 2 and 5 years Oicatá, Colombia / Fatores associados à desnutrição em crianças entre 2 e 5 anos Oicatá, Colômbia

Introducción. La malnutrición se define como una serie de desequilibrios que incluyen desde la des-nutrición, déficit proteico o calórico, sobrepeso y obesidad. Objetivo. Determinar los factores clínicos y sociodemográficos asociados a la prevalencia de malnu-trición en niños entre 2 y 5 años, en el periodo 2016-2017, en la Empresa Social del Estado (E.S.E) de primer nivel, Oicatá, Boyacá.Método. Estudio de prevalencia analítica, con un muestro aleatorio de 194 niños y niñas, entre los 2 y 5 años, suministrado por la base de datos de controles de crecimiento y desarrollo entre los años 2016 y 2017. Resultados. De los 194 niños incluidos en la investigación, el género de mayor predominio fue el femenino en un 50,5%, con una media de edad 4 años y un Índice de Masa Corporal de 15.35 (kg/cm2). Se halló una prevalencia para desnutrición aguda y crónica de 1,2% y 1,8% respectivamente, asociada a factores como antecedentes patológicos, nacimiento por cesárea, bajo peso al nacer, parto pre término y una lactancia materna menor a 2 meses. Se encontraron más cifras de malnutrición por déficit que por exceso.Conclusiones. La prevalencia de malnutrición en el municipio de Oicatá evidenció mayores cifras hacia la desnutrición crónica y su existencia con la asociación a múltiples factores clínicos y sociode-mográficos, para padecer tal condición en los menores de 5 años.

Introduction. Malnutrition is defined as a series of imbalances ranging from malnutrition, protein or calorie deficit, overweight and obesity. Objective: Determine the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with the prevalence of malnutrition in children between 2 and 5 years of age during 2016-2017 in first level State Social Enterprise, Oicatá, Boyacá. Methods. Analytical prevalence study, of a random sample of 194 children between the ages of 2 and 5 years provided by growth and development controls database between the years 2016 and 2017. Results. Of the 194 children included in the research, the gender of predominance was the female in 50.5%, with an average age of 4 years and a Body Mass Index of 15.35 (kg/cm2). A prevalence for acute and chronic malnutrition of 1.2% and 1.8% respectively, was found, these may be associated with factors such as pathological antecedents, cesarean birth, low birth weight, preterm childbirth and breastfeeding for less than 2 months after birth. Higher statistics of malnutrition were by deficit than by excess. Conclusions. The prevalence of malnutrition in Oicatá municipality, showed higher rates towards chronic malnutrition and its association to multiple clinical and sociodemographic factors to develop that condition in children under 5 years

Introdução. A desnutrição é definida como uma série de desequilíbrios que incluem desnutrição, déficit proteico ou calórico, sobrepeso e obesidade.Objetivo. Determinar os fatores clínicos e sociodemográficos associados à prevalência de desnutrição em crianças entre 2 e 5 anos, no período de 2016 a 2017, na Empresa Social Estadual (E.S.E) de pri-meiro nível, Oicatá, Boyacá. Método. Estudo de prevalência analítica, com amostra aleatória de 194 crianças, entre 2 e 5 anos, fornecido pelo banco de dados de controles de crescimento e desenvolvi-mento entre 2016 e 2017.Resultados. Das 194 crianças incluídas na pesquisa, o sexo mais prevalente foi o feminino com 50,5%, a idade média foi de 4 anos e índice de massa corporal de 15,35 (kg / cm2). Foi encontrada uma pre-valência de desnutrição aguda e crônica de 1,2% e 1,8%, respectivamente, associada a fatores como história patológica, nascimento por cesariana, baixo peso ao nascer, parto prematuro e aleitamento materno por menos de 2 meses. Mais números de desnutrição foram encontrados por déficit do que por excesso.Conclusões. A prevalência de desnutrição no município de Oicatá evidenciou maiores números de desnutrição crônica e sua existência com a associação a múltiplos fatores clínicos e sociodemográficos para sofrer essa condição em crianças menores de 5 anos