On-board study of gas embolism in marine turtles caught in bottom trawl fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean.

Decompression sickness (DCS) was first diagnosed in marine turtles in 2014. After capture in net fisheries, animals typically start showing clinical evidence of DCS hours after being hauled on-board, often dying if untreated. These turtles are normally immediately released without any understanding of subsequent clinical problems or outcome. The objectives of this study were to describe early occurrence and severity of gaseous embolism (GE) and DCS in marine turtles after incidental capture in trawl gear, and to provide estimates of on-board and post-release mortality. Twenty-eight marine turtles were examined on-board fishing vessels. All 20 turtles assessed by ultrasound and/or post-mortem examination developed GE, independent of season, depth and duration of trawl and ascent speed. Gas emboli were obvious by ultrasound within 15 minutes after surfacing and worsened over the course of 2 hours. Blood data were consistent with extreme lactic acidosis, reduced glomerular filtration, and stress. Twelve of 28 (43%) animals died on-board, and 3 of 15 (20%) active turtles released with satellite tags died within 6 days. This is the first empirically-based estimate of on-board and post-release mortality of bycaught marine turtles that has until now been unaccounted for in trawl fisheries not equipped with turtle excluder devices.

Ingesta passage and gastric emptying times in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

Ingesta passage times of soft flat foam dishes and gastric emptying time of barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS) were measured in 22 and 8 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), respectively. Transit time (T(1)) was considered as the time between ingestion and first elimination, and retention time (T(50)) and total transit time (T(85)) the expulsion time of 50% and 85% of the markers, respectively. The experiments were carried out at different times of the year and water temperature was recorded. A set of dorso-ventral radiographs was taken to locate the BIPS, and the gastrointestinal anatomy of 5 dead turtles was studied to help with interpretation of the radiographs. No significant correlation was observed between T(1), T(50), T(85) and minimum straight carapace length (SCLmin) or body mass and no statistical difference was found in ingesta passage transit times between juvenile (n = 6) and sub-adult turtles (n = 16). Mean passage times of the dishes (in days) were: T(1) = 9.05, T(50) = 12.00 and T(85) = 13.19. Gastric emptying time using BIPS was 24-48 h. The transit time (T(1)) for the BIPS was longer (13.25 +/- 4.86 days) than the foam markers (8.5 +/- 2.73 days) in 8 turtles studied simultaneously. Although the total transit time tended to be faster in turtles submitted to water temperatures between 20 degrees C and 23.6 degrees C no significant correlation was observed between T(1), T(50) and T(85) and the temperature.

Ultrasonographic imaging of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

Twenty live and five dead juvenile and subadult loggerhead sea turtles were examined ultrasonographically. Ten soft tissue areas of the integument were used as acoustic windows: cervical-dorsal and cervical-ventral, left and right cervicobrachial, left and right axillary, left and right prefemoral and left and right postfemoral windows. Anatomical cross-sections were performed on the dead turtles to provide reference data. The fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, the spinal cord, and the venous sinuses of the external jugular vein were clearly visible through the cervical-dorsal acoustic window, and the oesophagus and the heart were imaged through the cervical-ventral acoustic window. The stomach was more frequently visible through the left axillary acoustic window. The liver could be imaged through both sides, but the right axillary acoustic window was better for visualising the gall bladder. The large and small intestines and the kidneys were visible through the right and left prefemoral acoustic windows; the kidneys were easily identified by their intense vasculature.

Computed tomography of the vertebral column and coelomic structures in the normal loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).

The aim of this study was to determine the normal computed tomography (CT) appearance of the vertebral column and coelomic structures of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and to use three-dimensional (3D) and multiplanar reconstructions to indicate the position of each organ in relation to the vertebrae and carapace. Transverse sections of 1mm thickness were performed in seven clinically healthy and in five dead loggerhead sea turtles using multi-detector CT equipment. A computer workstation was used for multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. Dead turtles were frozen and sectioned in the transverse, dorsal and sagittal planes to compare the anatomical structures' appearance with CT images. Clinically relevant organs including the oesophagus, stomach, trachea, bronchi, lungs, liver, gallbladder, heart, spleen, kidneys and vertebral canal were identified in CT images. Computed tomography provides detailed information on the respiratory system and skeleton; the location of the coelomic structures with respect to the carapace and the vertebrae that is provided in this work will facilitate the use of other ancillary diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound, radiography and biopsy, thereby improving safety of access in surgical procedures.

[Esophageal mucosal lesions and scleroderma: prevalence, symptoms and risk factors]. / Lesiones mucosas esofágicas y esclerodermia. Prevalencia, síntomas y factores de riesgo.

Scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is a connective tissue disease which frequently involves the esophagus. Motility disorders, such as a low pressure level in the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), and disturbed esophageal peristalsis cause a higher acid exposition and mucosal damage. We study twenty Ssc patients using computerized esophageal manometry, endoscopy and clinical interview looking for prevalence of symptoms, esophageal dysmotility and erosive esophagitis, and trying to find risk factors involved in esophageal damage. Esophagitis was found in 40% of patients. Clinical presentation (diffuse or limited), age and time since diagnosis wer'nt accurate predictors of esophageal involvement. Symptoms such as dysphagia and heartburn had not any significant difference in those with and without esophagitis, so 25% of patients with mucosal damage had no symptoms and 60% of healthy ones complained about them. LES values were not significantly different between the two groups, with a great degree of overlap with normal values. Disturbed motility pattern of aperistalsis was the only factor that identified high and low risk groups for esophagitis, with a high statistical significance (p > 0.02). Mucosal sensitivity in severe esophagitis and pharyngeal and upper esophageal functions were normal in all patients. Impaired peristalsis, with a delayed clearance of acid is the most important factor for mucosal damage in scleroderma. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are not a reliable predictor of erosive esophagitis. Endoscopy should be the usual method of diagnosis, in order to make a proper use of therapeutic weapons.