Cholecystectomy and digestive cancer in Chile: Complementary results from interrupted time series and aggregated data analyses.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) mortality in Chile is among the highest worldwide. In 2006, the Chilean government launched a programme guaranteeing access to gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) for patients aged 35-49 years. We evaluated the impact of this programme on digestive cancer mortality. After conducting an interrupted time series analysis of hospitalisation and mortality data from 2002 to 2018 publicly available from the Chilean Department of Health Statistics and Information, we calculated the change in the proportion of individuals without gallbladder since 10 years. We then estimated age, gender, region, and calendar-year standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) as a function of the change in the proportion of individuals without gallbladder. The cholecystectomy rate increased by 45 operations per 100,000 persons per year (95%CI 19-72) after the introduction of the health programme. Each 1% increase in the proportion of individuals without gallbladder since 10 years was associated with a 0.73% decrease in GBC mortality (95% CI -1.05% to -0.38%), but the negative correlation was limited to women, southern Chile and age over 60. We also found decreasing mortality rates for extrahepatic bile duct, liver, oesophageal and stomach cancer with increasing proportions of individuals without gallbladder. To conclude, 12 years after its inception, the Chilean cholecystectomy programme has markedly and heterogeneously changed cholecystectomy rates. Results based on aggregate data indicate a negative correlation between the proportion of individuals without gallbladder and mortality due to gallbladder and other digestive cancers, which requires validation using individual-level longitudinal data to reduce the potential impact of ecological bias.

Differential modulation of digestive enzymes and energy reserves at different times after feeding in juveniles of the marine estuarine-dependent flatfish Paralichthys orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1839).

Integrative studies are lacking on the responses of digestive enzymes and energy reserves in conjunction with morphological traits at distinct postprandial times in marine estuarine-dependent flatfishes of ecological and economic importance, such as Paralichthys orbignyanus. We determined total weight (TW), hepato-somatic index (IH), activities of digestive enzymes in the intestine, and the concentration of energy reserves in the liver and the muscle at 0, 24, 72, and 360 h after feeding in juveniles of P. orbignyanus. Amylase activity decreased at 72 h (about 30%). Maltase, sucrose, and lipase activities reached peak at 24 h (67%, 600%, and 35%, respectively). Trypsin and aminopeptidase-N activities at 24 and 72 h, respectively, were lower than those at t = 0 (53% and 30%). A peak increase in the concentration of glycogen and triglycerides in the liver (24 h) (86% and 89%, respectively) occurred. In muscle, glycogen and triglyceride concentrations were unchanged at 24 h and higher at 72 and 360 h (100% and 60%). No changes were found in TW, IH, free glucose in the liver and muscle, and protein in the liver. The protein concentration in the muscle sharply increased at 24 and 360 h after feeding (60%). The results indicate a distinct and specific response of central components of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism that could be adjustments at the biochemical level upon periods of irregular feeding and even of long-term food deprivation inside coastal lagoons or estuaries. The distinct responses of digestive enzymes in the intestine and energy reserves in the liver and muscle suggest the differential modulation of tissue-specific anabolic and catabolic pathways that would allow the maintenance of physical conditions.

Pathological findings and their association with diseases of captive psittacine birds native to Mexico.

The captivity and use of native psittacine birds is prohibited in Mexico. However, as these birds are among the groups most affected by illegal trafficking, they are commonly found as companion animals. Nevertheless, it is difficult to obtain information on their health. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted of the clinical histories and necropsy reports of native psittacines that had been submitted to the Bird Disease Diagnostic and Research Laboratory of the Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, from 2006 to 2017. The lesions were classified according to type and anatomical location and the diseases were classified as infectious or non-infectious. During this period, 252 psittacines were submitted, the most frequent of which were the red-lored parrot (Amazona autumnalis), orange-fronted parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis) and scarlet macaw (Ara macao). The lesions were primarily located in the digestive and respiratory systems. By integrating the clinical histories and post-mortem findings, we concluded that nutritional disorders were the most frequent non-infectious diseases, systemic bacterial infections were the most frequent infectious conditions, the primary parasite was Sarcocystis spp and the most frequent neoplasm was multicentric lymphoma.

Ultrastructural Changes in the Midgut of Brazilian Native Stingless Bee Melipona scutellaris Exposed to Fungicide Pyraclostrobin.

Melipona scutellaris is a Brazilian stingless bee that is important for pollinating wild flora and agriculture crops. Fungicides have been widely used in agriculture, and floral residues can affect forager bees. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of pyraclostrobin on the midgut ultrastructure of M. scutellaris forager workers. The bees were collected from three non-parental colonies and kept under laboratory conditions. The bees were orally exposed continuously for five days to pyraclostrobin in syrup at concentrations of 0.125 ng a.i./µL (FG1) and 0.005 ng a.i./µL (FG2). The control bees (CTL) were fed a no-fungicide sucrose solution, and the acetone solvent control bees (CAC) received a sucrose solution containing acetone. At the end of the exposure, the midguts were sampled, fixed in Karnovsky solution, and routinely processed for transmission electron microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that both the fungicide concentrations altered the midgut, such as cytoplasmic vacuolization (more intense in FG1), the presence of an atypical nuclear morphology, and slightly dilated mitochondrial cristae in the bees from the FG1 and FG2 groups (both more intense in FG1). Additionally, there was an alteration in the ultrastructure of the spherocrystals (FG1), which could be the result of cellular metabolism impairment and the excretion of toxic metabolites in the digestive cells as a response to fungicide exposure. The results indicate that ingested pyraclostrobin induced cytotoxic effects in the midgut of native stingless bees. These cellular ultrastructural responses of the midgut are a prelude to a reduced survival rate, as observed in previous studies.

Trophic morphology and diet of the endangered fish Tlaloc hildebrandi (Cyprinodontiformes: Profundulidae) / Morfología trófica y dieta de Tlaloc hildebrandi (Cyprinodontiformes: Profundulidae), especie amenazada de extinción

Abstract Introduction: Tlaloc hildebrandi is a freshwater killifish, endemic to Southern Mexico and under threat of extinction; the knowledge of the trophic morphology and diet is needed by conservation managers. Objective: To analyse and describe the anatomy of the visceral skeleton, visceral musculature, digestive tract and its adjoining glands of T. hildebrandi; as well as its diet. Methods: We performed the trophic anatomy on 20 adult specimens of both sexes, through manual dissection; as well as gut content analysis in 60 individuals to describe the diet. Results: As notable characters of the visceral skeleton of T. hildebrandi we found the posterior notch of the premaxillary, the presence of the "coronoid cartilage", the tricuspid shape of the gill rakers of the first branchial arch, and the presence of the coronomeckelian bone; some outstanding characters of the visceral musculature are the origin of the retractor dorsalis muscle from the first four vertebral centra, and the division of the pharyngoclavicularis externus muscle into two sections. The notable characters of the digestive tube are the absence of stomach and pyloric caeca, and the presence of the "intestinal valve". Insects (IVI = 66.6 %) and ostracods (13 % IVI) were the dominant prey items of the Tlaloc hildebrandi diet; larvae and adults of the family Chironomidae were the most dominant insects in the diet (53 % IVI). Conclusions: The organization of the digestive system of T. hildebrandi corresponds to the general morphologic pattern of the Cyprinodontiformes; however, we register as new information for these fish, the presence of the "coronoid cartilage" and the "intestinal valve". The structures of the trophic morphology and the components of the diet, confirms us that T. hildebrandi is a carnivorous-insectivorous fish.

Resumen Introducción: Tlaloc hildebrandi es un killi de agua dulce, endémico del sur de México y bajo amenaza de extinción; el conocimiento de la morfología trófica y la dieta son necesarios para los administradores de la conservación. Objetivo: Analizar y describir la anatomía del esqueleto visceral, la musculatura visceral, el tracto digestivo y las glándulas adyacentes de T. hildebrandi; así como los componentes de su dieta. Métodos: Mediante la técnica del descarnado manual, realizamos la descripción de la anatomía trófica en 20 especímenes adultos de ambos sexos, y el análisis del contenido estomacal en 60 individuos para describir la dieta. Resultados: Como caracteres sobresalientes del esqueleto visceral de T. hildebrandi está la escotadura posterior del premaxilar, la presencia del "cartílago coronoides", la forma tricúspide de las branquiespinas del primer arco branquial y la presencia del hueso coronomeckeliano; como caracteres de la musculatura visceral sobresalen el origen del músculo retractor dorsalis de los cuatro primeros centros vertebrales, y la división del músculo pharyngoclavicularis externus en dos secciones. Los caracteres notables del tubo digestivo son la ausencia de estómago y de ciegos pilóricos y la presencia de la "válvula intestinal". Los insectos (IVI = 66.6 %) y ostrácodos (13 % IVI) fueron los componentes dominantes de la dieta de T. hildebrandi; particularmente las larvas y adultos de la familia Chironomidae fueron los insectos más abundantes en la dieta (53 % IVI). Conclusiones: La organización del sistema digestivo de T. hildebrandi corresponde al patrón morfológico general de los Cyprinodontiformes, sin embargo, se registra como nueva información para estos peces, la presencia del cartílago coronoides y la válvula intestinal. Las estructuras de la morfología trófica y los componentes de la dieta nos confirman que T. hildebrandi es un pez carnívoro-insectívoro.

Effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on the post-embryonic development of the honey bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture has been linked to declines in bee populations worldwide. Imidacloprid is a widely used systemic insecticide that can be found in the pollen and nectar of plants and has the potential to negatively impact the development of bee larvae. We investigated the effects of oral exposure to a realistic field concentration (20.5 ng g-1) of imidacloprid on the midgut and fat body of Apis mellifera worker larvae. Our results showed that larvae exposed to imidacloprid exhibited changes in the midgut epithelium, including disorganization of the brush border, nuclear chromatin condensation, cytoplasm vacuolization, and release of cell fragments indication cell death. Additionally, histochemical analysis revealed that the midgut brush border glycocalyx was disorganized in exposed larvae. The fat body cells of imidacloprid-exposed larvae had a decrease in the size of lipid droplets from 50 to 8 µm and increase of 100 % of protein content, suggesting possible responses to the stress caused by the insecticide. However, the expression of de cdc20 gene, which plays a role in cell proliferation, was not affected in the midgut and fat body of treated larvae. These results suggest that imidacloprid negatively affects non-target organs during the larval development of A. mellifera potentially impacting this important pollinator species.

The larval midgut of Anopheles, Aedes, and Toxorhynchites mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae): a comparative approach in morphophysiology and evolution.

The mosquito larval midgut is responsible for acquiring and storing most of the nutrients that will sustain the events of metamorphosis and the insect's adult life. Despite its importance, the basic biology of this larval organ is poorly understood. To help fill this gap, we carried out a comparative morphophysiological investigation of three larval midgut regions (gastric caeca, anterior midgut, and posterior midgut) of phylogenetically distant mosquitoes: Anopheles gambiae (Anopheles albimanus was occasionally used as an alternate), Aedes aegypti, and Toxorhynchites theobaldi. Larvae of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes are predacious, in contrast to the other two species, that are detritivorous. In this work, we show that the larval gut of the three species shares basic histological characteristics, but differ in other aspects. The lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of the An. gambiae larval midgut is different compared with that of Ae. aegypti and Tx. theobaldi. The gastric caecum is the most variable region, with differences probably related to the chemical composition of the diet. The peritrophic matrix is morphologically similar in the three species, and processes involved in the post-embryonic development of the organ, such as cell differentiation and proliferation, were also similar. FMRF-positive enteroendocrine cells are grouped in the posterior midgut of Tx. theobaldi, but individualized in An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti. We hypothesize that Tx. theobaldi larval predation is an ancestral condition in mosquito evolution.

The fungicide azoxystrobin causes histopathological and cytotoxic changes in the midgut of the honey bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Apis mellifera is an important bee pollinating native and crop plants but its recent population decline has been linked to the use of pesticides, including fungicides that have been commonly classified as safe for bees. However, many pesticides, in addition to direct mortality cause sublethal effects, including damage to target selective honey bee organs. The midgut is the organ responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients and the detoxification of ingested substances, such as pesticides. This study evaluated the histopathological and cytotoxic changes in the midgut of A. mellifera workers caused by the pesticide azoxystrobin. The limit-test was performed, and a 100 µg a.i./bee dose was administered orally and midgut analyzed with light and transmission electron microscopies after 24 h and 48 h of pesticide exposure. The midgut of the control bees has a single layer of digestive cells, with spherical nuclei, nests of regenerative cells, and the lumen coated with the peritrophic matrix. The bees fed on azoxystrobin showed morphological changes, including intense cytoplasm vacuolization and cell fragments released into the gut lumen. The protein detection test showed greater staining intensity in the nests of regenerative cells after 24 h of exposure to azoxystrobin. The occurrence of damage to the midgut in A. mellifera exposed to azoxystrobin indicates that although this fungicide has been classified as low toxicity for bees, it has sublethal effects in the midgut, and effects in other organs should be investigated.

Gastroesophageal foreign bodies in dogs - endoscopy and surgical removal

Background: Gastroesophageal foreign bodies (GFD) are commonly diagnosed in dogs and are considered an endoscopic emergency that, although not resulting in serious clinical sequelae or mortality, can compromise the health and well-being of the patient. The use of the digestive endoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of GFD can be a valuable and viable alternative. There are cases of GFD in dogs for which the indicated treatment is surgery, which can be performed using minimally invasive or conventional techniques, associated or not with flexible endoscopy. The objective of this work is to describe 16 cases of GFD removal in dogs demonstrating the efficiency of upper digestive endoscopy. Cases: Of the 16 GFD cases, 63% (10/16) were male and 37% (6/16) female. Most aged under 1 year (63%), puppies (5/16) and juveniles (5/16). The patient with the lowest body weight was a miniature pinscher weighing 0.8 kg (Case 14) and the heaviest was an American Pit Bull Terrier weighing 28 kg (Case 11), the mean body weight of patients diagnosed with GFD was 10.2 ± 6.7 kg. Small and medium breeds were more affected, 44.7% (7/16) and 44.7% (7/16), respectively, and large breeds (Golden Retrievier and Bull Terrier), from cases 1 and 4, the least affected, 12.6% (2/16) of the cases. The 16 patients underwent a 12 h food fast and a 4 h water fast, as gastrointestinal emptying in these cases of GFD can be influenced by these foreign bodies. All underwent general inhalation anesthesia with monitoring of physiological parameters (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure) before, during and after EGD, being positioned in left lateral decubitus. The 16 canine patients with suspected GFD underwent EGD for diagnostic confirmation and removal of foreign bodies. Five esophageal FB were diagnosed, 31% (5/16), and 11 gastric FB, 69% (11/16). The most frequently diagnosed foreign bodies were bone and tissue, 37.5% (6/16) and 31% (5/16). Other foreign bodies were materials such as plastics, metals, rubber, foam and stone. Of the 16 cases of GFD, EGD efficiently treated 88% (14/16) without the need for hospitalization, with only supportive treatment for the remission of complications caused by the presence of foreign bodies in the gastroesophageal tract. The main complications related to the presence of GFD were esophagitis in 25% (4/16) of cases, gastritis in 38% (6/16) and both alterations in 13% (2/16). Discussion: In this work, we can observe that more than a third of the clinical cases of treated dogs were diagnosed with GFD, demonstrating that these cases are common in the veterinary clinic. Most of these animals were males less than 1 year old. The improvement of learning in this category can lead these animals to exacerbated oral exploration of new objects. Most FBs were found in the stomach because they were of adequate size, consistency and shape for their passage through the esophagus, whereas esophageal FBs were all bone fragments of rigid consistency with diameters and sizes larger than the esophageal lumen. The interval between the ingestion of the object and the veterinary care can be decisive for the removal of the FB in the esophagus or stomach. Most gastric FBs removed were fabrics and plastics, flexible objects that can pass through the esophageal lumen more easily. Removal of GFD by endoscopy was performed with a high success rate, with only 2 cases being resolved by esophagostomy and gastrotomy. Flexible endoscopy proved to be an efficient technique for removing treated GFD, which can help remove FB during esophagotomy and be associated with rigid endoscopy. Patients recovered quickly and without complications, but it is important to emphasize that inadequate maneuvers and conducts can determine other outcomes. The use of endoscopy for GFD removal needs to be more popularized, as it can ensure better results for dogs treated with GFD.

Características de carcaças e vísceras de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas com enzima beta mananase e soja integral desativada / Characteristics of carcass and viscera of broiler chickens fed with diets containing beta mananase enzyme and deactivated soybean

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características de carcaça e a biometria gastrointestinal de frangos de corte alimentados com ração contendo soja desativada suplementada com níveis de enzima Beta mananase. Para tal, foram utilizados 1152 frangos de corte de lotes diferentes da linhagem COOB 500. Estes foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4x2, com quatro níveis de enzima Beta mananase (0, 80, 160, 240g/ton) e inclusão ou não de soja desativada, com oito repetições, sendo 18 aves em cada unidade experimental. No 42° dia, foram avaliados o rendimento de carcaça, cortes e vísceras, em peso e em porcentagem, e a biometria gastrointestinal dos frangos de corte. O peso pós-jejum, a carcaça cheia, a carcaça vazia, o peito, a coxa e a sobrecoxa tiveram maior peso (p<0,05) para o tratamento com a inclusão de soja desativada. No entanto, não houve diferença (p>0,05) para o rendimento de vísceras comestíveis. Além disso, houve um aumento (p<0,05) do trato gastrointestinal das aves, conforme a adição da enzima Beta mananase. Desta forma, indica-se, a utilização de soja desativada aliada à suplementação de 240 mg de enzima de Beta mananase em dietas de frangos de corte de um a 42 dias de idade, pois favorece o rendimento de carcaça e a morfologia do trato gastrointestinal das aves.

This study aimed to evaluate the carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal biometry of broiler chickens fed with ration containing deactivated soybean supplemented with levels of beta mannanase enzyme. For this purpose, 1152 broilers from different lots of COOB 500 lineage were used. They were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four levels of beta mannanase enzyme (0, 80, 160, 240g/ton) and inclusion or not of deactivated soybean, with eight replicates with 18 birds in each experimental unit. On the 42nd day, carcass, cuts, and viscera yield, in weight and percentage, and the gastrointestinal biometry of broiler chickens were evaluated. The post-fast weight, full carcass, empty carcass, breast, thigh, and drumstick had higher weight (p<0.05) for the treatment with the inclusion of deactivated soy. However, there was no difference (p>0.05) in the yield of edible viscera. In addition, there was an increase (p<0.05) in the gastrointestinal tract of birds as the enzyme beta mannanase was added. Thus, the use of deactivated soybean combined with the supplementation of 240 mg of beta mannanase enzyme in broiler chicken diets from 1 to 42 days of age is indicated, as it favors carcass yield and the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract of the birds.

Ultrastructural study of the esophagus and stomach of Arapaima gigas (Schinz 1822), juvenile paiche, created excavated tank

Paiche (Arapaima gigas) belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Actinopterygii, Order Osteoglossiformes, Family Arapaimidae, Genus Arapaima, and its origin may date to the Jurassic period. The species has natural habitat in the Amazonian rivers, found mainly in marginal lakes, being considered an important fishing resource, with high market value and high demand for meat and leather in both Brazilian and international trade. This study aims to report the morphology of the esophagus and stomach by light microscopy and scanning electronics microscopy. The esophagus was presented as muscular, short, tubular and fan-shaped in the cranial portion, also presenting deep longitudinal folds, and the entire mucosa is covered by mucus secretory cells with distinct morphological characteristics. Pirarurcu's stomach has a J-shape divided into three regions: cardiac with a lighter aspect, fundus portion with few folds in the mucosa, and pyloric with deeper folds, also presenting gastroliths in fundus and pyloric portions. Both microscopy studies highlighted three glandular regions, composed by mucoid columnar epithelial cells, gastric crypts with different shapes and sizes depending on each portion, in which the different shapes of the mucosal folds in each region of the stomach were evident, and digitiform microsaliences were found in the cardiac region, and micro-orifices and desmosome in the fundus region. Also, fundus and pyloric portions produce more mucus than the cardiac. Then morphology found was consistent with the eating habits and management of distinct characteristics of the digestive tract.(AU)

Histological and Histochemical Description of the Pancreas in the Adult Lesser Capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius) / Descripción histológica e histoquímica del páncreas en cacós (Hydrochoerus isthmius) adultos

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe histologically and histochemically the pancreas of three adult Hydrochoerus isthmius, attacked by feral dog in Buenavista, Córdoba, Colombia. A complete necropsy was performed and pancreatic fragments were collected and stored in 10% buffered formalin and Bouin liquid. Then, they were dehydrated, diaphanized and embedded in paraffin, stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, P.A.S., Gomori trichrome, Grimelius and Masson Fontana modified. The H. isthmius pancreas presented a duodenal mesenteric pattern. The exocrine portion was described as a composite tubuloacinar gland. The endocrine portion of the pancreas was constituted by pancreatic islets of Langerhans and a diffuse neuroendocrine system. The histological and histochemical techniques used allowed us to identify the exocrine and endocrine portion of the organ. It is suggested to complement this study with some special techniques for the identification of specific endocrine cells, such as Beta, Alpha, Delta, Epsilon, PP or Gamma.

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir histológica e histoquímicamente el páncreas de tres individuos adultos de Hydrochoerus isthmius atacados por perros ferales en Buenavista, Córdoba, Colombia. Se realizó una necropsia completa y se recolectaron fragmentos pancreáticos, los cuales se almacenaron en formol tamponado al 10 % y líquido Bouin. Luego, fueron deshidratados, diafanizados y embebidos en parafina; teñidos con hematoxilina y eosina, P.A.S., tricrómico Gomori, Grimelius y Masson Fontana modificado. El páncreas de H. isthmius presentó un patrón mesentérico duodenal. La porción exocrina fue descrita como una glándula tubuloacinar compuesta. La porción endocrina del páncreas estaba constituida por islotes pancreáticos o Langerhans, y un sistema neuroendocrino difuso. En ese contexto, las técnicas histológicas e histoquímicas utilizadas permitieron identificar la porción exocrina y endocrina del órgano. Se sugiere complementar este estudio con algunas técnicas especiales para la identificación de células endocrinas específicas, como Beta, Alpha, Delta, Epsilon, PP o Gamma.

Morphology of the digestive system in carnivorous freshwater dourado Salminus brasiliensis.

The digestive system of teleost shows remarkable functional and morphological diversity. In this study, the digestive tract and accessory organs of dourado Salminus brasiliensis are characterized using anatomical, histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. The existence of taste buds bordered by microridges in the oesophagus of dourado was recorded for the first time, thus showing that the species drives food intake by either swallowing or rejecting the food item. The Y-shaped stomach of dourado consisted of cardiac, cecal and pyloric regions with tubular gastric glands registered solely in the cardiac and cecal segments. The intestine is a short N-shaped tube with two loops, an intestinal coefficient of 0.73. The structure of pyloric caeca is similar to that of the intestine wall, comprising tunica mucosa, tela submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa layers. Histochemical analyses revealed an increased incidence of goblet cells from the midgut to the hindgut segment. A well-developed enteric plexus of scattered nerve cell and fibres are found along the digestive tract, and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive neurons and fibres were identified in the myenteric plexus from the oesophagus to the hindgut. The exocrine pancreas appears diffuse in the mesentery around the stomach, intestine and also reaches the liver, and the endocrine pancreas is organized as a few islets of Langerhans. The liver comprises three distinct, asymmetric lobes, and the portal triad arrangement was registered in this tissue.

Additive Prognostic Impact of Gastrointestinal Involvement in Severe Multisystem Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic impact of gastrointestinal involvement on the survival of children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (GI-LCH) registered with the international clinical trials of the Histiocyte Society. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of 2414 pediatric patients registered onto the consecutive trials DAL-HX 83, DAL-HX 90, LCH-I, LCH-II, and LCH-III. RESULTS: Among the 1289 patients with single-system LCH, there was no single case confined to the GI tract; 114 of 1125 (10%) patients with multisystem LCH (MS-LCH) had GI-LCH at initial presentation. GI-LCH was significantly more common in children aged <2 years at diagnosis (13% vs 6% in those aged >2 years; P < .001) and in those with risk organ involvement (15% vs 6% in those without risk organ involvement; P < .001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients without risk organ involvement was excellent irrespective of GI disease (98% vs 97% in patients with GI-LCH; P = .789). In patients with risk organ involvement, the 5-year OS was 51% in 70 patients with GI-LCH vs 72% in 394 patients without GI-LCH (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: GI-LCH has an additive unfavorable prognostic impact in children with MS-LCH and risk organ involvement. The emerding need for more intensive or alternative treatments mandates prospective evaluation.

Proteome of the Triatomine Digestive Tract: From Catalytic to Immune Pathways; Focusing on Annexin Expression.

Rhodnius prolixus, Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma infestans, and Dipetalogaster maxima are all triatomines and potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi responsible for human Chagas' disease. Considering that the T. cruzi's cycle occurs inside the triatomine digestive tract (TDT), the analysis of the TDT protein profile is an essential step to understand TDT physiology during T. cruzi infection. To characterize the protein profile of TDT of D. maxima, P. megistus, R. prolixus, and T. infestans, a shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) approach was applied in this report. Most proteins were found to be closely related to metabolic pathways such as gluconeogenesis/glycolysis, citrate cycle, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, but also to the immune system. We annotated this new proteome contribution gathering it with those previously published in accordance with Gene Ontology and KEGG. Enzymes were classified in terms of class, acceptor, and function, while the proteins from the immune system were annotated by reference to the pathways of humoral response, cell cycle regulation, Toll, IMD, JNK, Jak-STAT, and MAPK, as available from the Insect Innate Immunity Database (IIID). These pathways were further subclassified in recognition, signaling, response, coagulation, melanization and none. Finally, phylogenetic affinities and gene expression of annexins were investigated for understanding their role in the protection and homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cells against the inflammation.

Anatomy of the visceral cavity of Eugerresmexicanus (Teleostei: Gerreidae) / Anatomía de la cavidad visceral de la mojarra mexicana Eugerres mexicanus (Teleostei: Gerreidae)

Introduction. The visceral cavity of teleostean fishes contains the kidneys, digestive tube and annexed glands, gas bladder, gonads, and spleen. Objective: To analyze and describe the anatomic relationships of the organs of the visceral cavity of the Mexican mojarra, Eugerres mexicanus. Methods: By means of dissections, we analyzed, described and illustrated the splanchnology of the visceral cavity of 10 adult specimens from the State of Chiapas, Mexico. Results: The visceral cavity is delimited by the precaudal vertebrae, the scapular and pelvic girdles, the pleural ribs, the first anal pterygiophore and several myotomes. Both kidneys, with extraperitoneal character are partially fused to each other, and contact the neurocranium, the precaudal vertebrae, and the gas bladder. The digestive tube does not present a stomach nor pyloric caeca, and it is 1.3 the standard length of the fish. The liver has two short right lobes. Both ovaries and testes are wide and reach the liver. The spleen is ovoid and is located on the left side of the duodenum. The gas bladder has two anterior lobes, its posterior end is in direct contact with the floor of the visceral cavity, and contain the urinary bladder. Discussion: The organization of the organs in the visceral cavity is in the anatomical pattern of the teleostean fishes, however, the organ that shows the highest number of special characters is the gas bladder, which as in other species of Eugerres is large and shows two notable anterior lobes, reinforced by epipleural ribs. Compared with other species of Eugerres, the Mexican mojarra shows, as exclusive characters: a) the union of the posterior end of the gas bladder with the floor of the visceral cavity, and, b) the location of the urinary bladder within the gas bladder.

Introducción: La cavidad visceral de los peces teleósteos contiene a los riñones, el tubo digestivo con sus glándulas anexas, la vejiga gaseosa, las gónadas y el bazo. Objetivo: Analizar y describir las relaciones topográficas de los órganos de la cavidad visceral de la "mojarra mexicana" Eugerres mexicanus. Metodología: Mediante disecciones se analizó y describió la esplacnología de la cavidad visceral de 10 ejemplares adultos recolectados en el estado de Chiapas, México. Resultados: La cavidad visceral, está delimitada por las vértebras precaudales, las cinturas, las costillas pleurales, el primer pterigióforo anal y varios miotomos. Los riñones, los cuales son extraperitoneales, están parcialmente fusionados entre sí. El sistema digestivo carece de estómago y ciegos pilóricos y su longitud corresponde a 1.3 de la longitud patrón. El hígado tiene dos lóbulos derechos. Las gónadas maduras son amplias. La vejiga gaseosa desarrolla dos lóbulos anteriores y su extremo posterior se une al piso de la cavidad visceral, e incluye a la vejiga urinaria. Discusión: La organización de la cavidad visceral y sus órganos corresponde al patrón morfológico de los peces teleósteos, siendo la vejiga gaseosa el órgano que muestra el mayor número de caracteres especiales, como los lóbulos anteriores, la unión de su extremo inferior al piso de la cavidad visceral y la ubicación de la vejiga urinaria en su interior. Estos dos últimos caracteres la distinguen de otras especies del género Eugerres.

First record of plastic ingestion by an important commercial native fish (Prochilodus lineatus) in the middle Tietê River basin, Southeast Brazil / Primeiro registro de ingestão de plástico por um importante peixe comercial nativo (Prochilodus lineatus) na bacia do médio rio Tietê, sudeste do Brasil

Abstract This is the first study to report the plastic ingestion by Prochilodus lineatus in Brazilian fluvial ecosystems. We examined 32 individuals collected in two contrasting lotic environments: the highly polluted Tietê River and its much less degraded tributary, Peixe River. Most individuals, 71.88%, contained plastic in their digestive tract, with averages of 3.26 and 9.37 particles per individual in the tributary and main river, respectively. The blue color was predominant among the observed plastic particles and size ranged from 0.18 to 12.35 mm. Plastic ingestion must be accidental, predominantly, since the species has an iliophagous eating habit. As this species is regionally the most important fishery resource, potential adverse effects of this type of contamination may be transferred to human consuming populations. Mitigation measures against pollution are urgent in the Tietê River basin.

Resumo Este é o primeiro estudo a relatar a ingestão de plástico por Prochilodus lineatus em ecossistemas fluviais brasileiros. Nós examinamos 32 indivíduos coletados em dois ambientes lóticos contrastantes: o rio Tietê, altamente poluído, e seu tributário muito menos degradado, o rio do Peixe. A maioria dos indivíduos, 71,88%, continha plástico em seus tratos digestivos, com médias de 3,26 e 9,37 partículas por indivíduo no tributário e no rio principal, respectivamente. A cor azul foi predominante entre as partículas plásticas observadas e o tamanho variou de 0,18 a 12,35 mm. A ingestão de plástico deve ser predominantemente acidental, uma vez que a espécie possui um hábito alimentar iliófago. Como esta espécie constitui o recurso pesqueiro mais importante regionalmente, potenciais efeitos adversos desse tipo de contaminação podem ser transferidos para populações humanas consumidoras. Medidas de mitigação contra a poluição são urgentes na bacia do rio Tietê.

Massive plastic pollution in a mega-river of a developing country: Sediment deposition and ingestion by fish (Prochilodus lineatus).

The aim of this study was to determine the amount, composition and origin of plastic debris in one of the world largest river, the Paraná River in Argentina (South America), focusing on the impact of urban rivers, relationships among macro, meso and microplastic, socio-political issues and microplastic ingestion by fish. We recorded a huge concentration of macroplastic debris of domestic origin (up to 5.05 macroplastic items per m2) dominated largely by bags (mainly high- and low-density polyethylene), foodwrapper (polypropylene and polystyrene), foam plastics (expanded polystyrene) and beverage bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), particularly downstream from the confluence with an urban stream. This suggests inadequate waste collection, processing and final disposal in the region, which is regrettably recurrent in many cities of the Global South and Argentina in particular. We found an average of 4654 microplastic fragments m-2 in shoreline sediments of the river, ranging from 131 to 12687 microplastics m-2. In contrast to other studies from industrialized countries from Europe and North America, secondary microplastics (resulting from comminution of larger particles) were more abundant than primary ones (microbeads to cosmetics or pellets to the industry). This could be explained by differences in consumer habits and industrialization level between societies and economies. Microplastic particles (mostly fibres) were recorded in the digestive tract of 100% of the studied Prochilodus lineatus (commercial species). Contrary to recently published statements by other researchers, our results suggest neither macroplastic nor mesoplastics would serve as surrogate for microplastic items in pollution surveys, suggesting the need to consider all three size categories. The massive plastic pollution found in the Paraná River is caused by an inadequate waste management. New actions are required to properly manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.

Enteroendocrine cells in the Echinodermata.

Enteroendocrine cells are endocrine-like cells found in the luminal epithelia of the digestive tract. These cells have been described in most animal phyla. In echinoderms, the cells have been described mainly in organisms of the class Asteroidea (sea stars) and Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers). Here, we describe what is known about the enteroendocrine cells of the Echinodermata, including the cell types, their distribution in the digestive tract, their neuropeptide content and their regeneration and compare them to what has been found in other animal species, mainly in vertebrates. We also discuss the newly described view of enteroendocrine cells as chemical sensors of the intestinal lumen and provide some histological evidence that similar functions might be found within the echinoderms. Finally, we describe the temporal regeneration of the enteroendocrine cells in the holothurian intestine.