Serum vitamin D in sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in range countries: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health, calcium homeostasis and general health. The major and more stable form of vitamin D in circulation is 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D); this is the most valuable indicator of vitamin D status. There are studies on laboratory and zoo-housed chimpanzees; however, serum vitamin D status has not been documented in chimpanzees in range countries. OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the range of circulating 25-OH-D concentrations in chimpanzees in range countries. (2) Assess the influence of age, sex, and sun exposure on 25-OH-D serum concentrations. METHODS: Opportunistic blood samples were obtained from 127 clinically healthy chimpanzees. Serum 25-OH-D concentration was measured with a commercially available competitive ELISA. RESULTS: The median overall 25-OH-D concentration for chimpanzees in range countries was 46.24 nmol/L (range: 17.10-109.23 nmol/L). Males had a significantly lower concentration (40.15 nmol/L) than females (49.61 nmol/L), and infants (37.99 nmol/L) had a significantly lower concentration than adults (46.04 nmol/L). Concentrations of 25-OH-D in chimpanzees in sunnier habitats were significantly higher compared to thick tropical forest habitat. CONCLUSION: The present constitutes a large dataset of serum 25-OH-D concentrations in range country sanctuary chimpanzees and contributes to document normal ranges. Age, sex, and sun exposure influenced serum concentrations of 25-OH-D in sanctuary chimpanzees.

Odontogeriatría y función cognitiva I: Generalidades y conducta clínica en demencias

Introducción: Este trabajo hace una revisión de los estudios más recientes sobre la demencia, enfocándose en cómo se están abordando las necesidades de cuidado oral que presentan los pacientes afectados en las diferentes etapas de este trastorno. Se destaca la necesidad de dar a la odontología un mayor rol en las decisiones clínicas sobre pacientes con demencia. Revisión: La demencia es un deterioro progresivo de diversas facultades mentales; posee características degenerativas, no tiene tratamiento conocido y sus síntomas empeoran con el tiempo. Cada etapa del deterioro cognitivo requiere cuidados odontológicos con abordajes terapéuticos específicos, según el compromiso clínico del propio paciente. Discusión: Las personas con demencia desarrollan necesidades diferentes de cuidado oral, incluso en etapas tempranas. Los estudios han demostrado que la masticación puede considerarse como una medida que desacelera el deterioro cognitivo, siendo importante realizar acciones de prevención oral mediante tratamientos tempranos. Conclusión: Los pacientes con demencia se benefician de medidas preventivas en su cuidado oral, especialmente en las primeras etapas de este trastorno degenerativo.

Introduction: This work provides an overview of the latest progress in the study of dementia, with a focus on how dental care is being approached in patients during the various stages of this disorder. This work highlights the need for dentistry to play a greater role in clinical decisions over affected patients. Review: Dementia is a progressive deterioration of various mental faculties; it has degenerative characteristics, no known treatment and its symptoms worsen over time. Each stage of cognitive dysfunction requires specific dental care and therapeutic approaches, depending on the willingness of the patient. Discussion: People with dementia develop different needs for oral care, even during early stages. Studies have shown that preserving a patient's masticatory function is key to slowing down cognitive dysfunction, underlining the need for a proactive approach and early treatment. Conclusion: Patients with dementia benefit from preventative measures when it comes to their oral care, especially during the first stages of this degenerative disorder.

Presence and genetic diversity of enteric protists in captive and semi-captive non-human primates in côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Peru.

Little information is currently available on the occurrence and genetic diversity of pathogenic and commensal protist species in captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHP) resident in zoological gardens or sanctuaries in low- and medium-income countries. In this molecular-based study, we prospectively collected individual faecal samples from apparently healthy NHP at the Abidjan Zoological Garden (AZG) in Côte d'Ivoire, the Tacugama Sanctuary (TS) in Sierra Leone, and the Quistococha Zoological Garden (QZG) in Peru between November 2018 and February 2020. We evaluated for the presence of pathogenic (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Balantioides coli) and commensal (Entamoeba dispar, Troglodytella abrassarti) protist species using PCR methods and Sanger sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent species found (25.9%, 30/116), followed by Blastocystis sp. (22.4%, 26/116), and E. dispar (18.1%, 21/116). We detected E. bieneusi (4.2%, 1/24) and T. abrassarti (12.5%, 3/24) only on NHP from AZG. Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, and B. coli were undetected at the three sampling sites investigated here. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of zoonotic sub-assemblages BIII (n = 1) in AZG and BIV (n = 1) in TS within G. duodenalis. We identified Blastocystis subtype ST3 (100%, 6/6) in AZG, ST1 (80.0%, 12/15), ST2 (6.7%, 1/15), and ST3 (13.3%, 2/15) in TS, and ST2 (80.0%, 4/5) and ST3 (20.0%, 1/5) in QZG. The only E. bieneusi isolate detected here was identified as zoonotic genotype CAF4. Our PCR-based data indicate that potentially pathogenic protist species including G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi, and B. coli are present at variable rates in the three NHP populations investigated here. The identification of zoonotic genotypes within these species indicates that human-NHP transmission is possible, although the extent and directionality of these events need to be elucidated in future molecular surveys.

A Sarcina bacterium linked to lethal disease in sanctuary chimpanzees in Sierra Leone.

Human and animal infections with bacteria of the genus Sarcina (family Clostridiaceae) are associated with gastric dilation and emphysematous gastritis. However, the potential roles of sarcinae as commensals or pathogens remain unclear. Here, we investigate a lethal disease of unknown etiology that affects sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone. The disease, which we have named "epizootic neurologic and gastroenteric syndrome" (ENGS), is characterized by neurologic and gastrointestinal signs and results in death of the animals, even after medical treatment. Using a case-control study design, we show that ENGS is strongly associated with Sarcina infection. The microorganism is distinct from Sarcina ventriculi and other known members of its genus, based on bacterial morphology and growth characteristics. Whole-genome sequencing confirms this distinction and reveals the presence of genetic features that may account for the unusual virulence of the bacterium. Therefore, we propose that this organism be considered the representative of a new species, named "Candidatus Sarcina troglodytae". Our results suggest that a heretofore unrecognized complex of related sarcinae likely exists, some of which may be highly virulent. However, the potential role of "Ca. S. troglodytae" in the etiology of ENGS, alone or in combination with other factors, remains a topic for future research.

Locking plate femur fracture repair in a juvenile Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in Sierra Leone.

This case reports the successful management of a traumatic diaphyseal femoral fracture in an infant Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) from a rescue centre in Sierra Leone using a 2.4-mm intramedullary pin and two 2.7-mm String of Pearls™ locking plates. Locking plate use has not been previously described in chimpanzees.

A craniometry-based predictive model to determine occlusal vertical dimension.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Craniometry is a method of determining the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD); the current prediction models do not consider factors such as facial type and sex or normalizing the OVD by using 1 main variable. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to determine whether sex, facial type, and age can influence the creation of a predictive model by using the right or left eye-to-ear distance to determine the OVD in dentate and edentate individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy individuals (N=385) (238 women, 147 men) aged between 18 and 50 years were classified according to sex, age, and facial type. A single operator recorded all distances in millimeters between the anatomic landmarks proposed by Knebleman (nose-to-chin and right and left eye-to-ear distances) by using a computer numerical control (CNC) machined aluminum anatomic gauge. Measurements were converted into z-scores to determine abnormal values (±3 standard deviations criteria). The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for each facial type and for the entire sample between nose-to-chin and the right and left eye-to-ear distances. Multiple regression analysis was performed to establish the dependence of the measured variables on the OVD and the development of a further predictive model (α=.05). RESULTS: According to the z-scores of the measured distances, 4 participants were discarded, leaving a final sample of 381 participants (237 women, 144 men; 115 leptoprosopic, 164 mesoprosopic, 102 euryprosopic). The left eye-to-ear distance showed a better correlation with the nose-to-chin distance (leptoprosopic r=0.54, mesoprosopic r=0.60, euryprosopic r=0.55, total sample=0.56) than the right eye-to-ear distance (leptoprosopic r=0.48, mesoprosopic r=0.56, euryprosopic r=0.54, total sample=0.51). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age was not a predictive variable (P=.57), that OVD depended on sex (P<.001) and facial type (P<.01), and that women had shorter OVD than men, as well as more euryprosopic faces than leptoprosopic faces. Using these relationships, the following equation to determine OVD was constructed as a model: OVD=42.17+(0.46×left eye-to-ear distance)+sex (women=-3.38, men=0)+facial type (leptoprosopic=0, mesoprosopic=-1.19, euryprosopic=-2.19). CONCLUSIONS: OVD depends on facial type and sex, both of which are craniometric variables. This study proposed a baseline method of determining OVD by using the left eye-to-ear distance as an initial reference that involves a straightforward mathematical calculation.

Laparoscopic repair of an umbilical hernia in a Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) rescued in Sierra Leone.

Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair was performed in an adult female Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in a rescue centre in Sierra Leone. Biological mesh and laparoscopic spiral tacks via three 5 mm laparoscopy ports were used to close a 4 cm hernia. The chimpanzee recovered quickly and the hernia did not recur.

[Study and management of thyroid nodes by non specialist physicians: SOCHED consensus]. / Estudio y manejo de nódulos tiroideos por médicos no especialistas. Consenso SOCHED.

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

Estudio y manejo de nódulos tiroideos por médicos no especialistas. Consenso SOCHED / Study and management of thyroid nodes by non specialist physicians: SOCHED consensus

The thyroid nodule is a frequent cause of primary care consultation. The prevalence of a palpable thyroid nodule is approximately 4-7%, increasing up to 67% by the incidental detection of nodules on ultrasound. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, staying stable over time. The clinical importance of studying a thyroid nodule is to exclude thyroid cancer, which occurs in 5 to 10% of the nodules. The Board of SOCHED (Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes) asked the Thyroid Study Group to develop a consensus regarding the diagnostic management of the thyroid nodule in Chile, aimed at non-specialist physicians and adapted to the national reality. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of 31 experts was established among university academics, active researchers with publications on the subject and prominent members of scientific societies of endocrinology, head and neck surgery, pathology and radiology. A total of 14 questions were developed with key aspects for the diagnosis and subsequent referral of patients with thyroid nodules, which were addressed by the participants. In those areas where the evidence was insufficient or the national reality had to be considered, the consensus opinion of the experts was used through the Delphi methodology. The consensus was approved by the SOCHED board for publication.

Impacto de las prótesis removibles en la posición lingual, patrón de deglución y calibre sagital de la vía aérea orofaríngea / The impact of removable prosthesis on the position of the tongue during resting and swallowing states, and on the sagittal size of the oropharyngeal airway

Introducción: las prótesis dentales removibles y su influencia en las praxis linguales, no han sido analizadas clínica y radiográficamente. El objetivo fue determinar si las prótesis removibles causan modificaciones clínicas en la posición lingual y en el patrón de deglución; y cambios radiográficos en el calibre sagital de la vía aérea orofaríngea en pacientes con pérdida de mesa molar. Métodos: mediante un diseño preexperimental preprueba posprueba en un solo grupo, se evaluaron 15 pacientes en tres tiempos distintos: pretratamiento (T1), inmediatamente al insertar las prótesis (T2) y a los 6 meses posteriores (T3). La posición lingual se evaluó según Kotsiomiti. El patrón de deglución se evaluó según Bossart. Se hizo el análisis cefalométrico basado en Delaire y Argandoña para medir la vía área orofaríngea. Los datos clínicos fueron analizados estadísticamente con la prueba de Friedman, para la cefalometría se usó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y la prueba de Duncan. (p > 0,05) Resultados: se encontraron diferencias altamente significativas en la posición lingual, variando desde la posición anormal superior a la normal inferior. En el patrón de deglución se encontraron diferencias significativas, variando del linguo-mandibular al linguo-dentario. El calibre sagital de la vía aérea orofaríngea disminuyó significativamente entre T1 y T2. Conclusiones: línicamente ocurren cambios positivos en la posición lingual en reposo y en el patrón de deglución. Los cambios negativos que ocurren en la vía aérea orofaríngea al insertar las prótesis tienden a revertirse a los 6 meses de uso, producto de la acomodación estructural y funcional del macizo lingual.

Introduction: removable dentures and their influence on lingual position have not been clinically and radiographically tested. The objective of this study was to determine whether dentures cause clinical changes in tongue position and swallowing patterns, as well as radiographic changes in the sagittal caliber of the oropharyngeal airway in patients with molar table loss. Methods: by means of a pretest-posttest preexperimental design in a single group, 15 patients were evaluated at three different times: pretreatment (T1), immediately after inserting the prosthesis (T2) and 6 months afterwards (T3). Lingual position was evaluated according to Kotsiomiti. Swallowing patterns were assessed according to Bossart. The cephalometric analysis by Delaire and Argandoña was conducted in order to measure the oropharyngeal airway. The clinical data were statistically analyzed by using the Friedman test, and for cephalometry both the variance analysis test (ANOVA) and Duncan test were used (p > 0.05). Results: highly significant differences were found in tongue position, ranging from upper abnormal position to lower normal position. In terms of swallowing pattern, significant differences were found, ranging from lingual-mandibular to lingual-dental. The sagittal caliber of oropharyngeal airway significantly decreased between T1 and T2. Conclusions: clinically, positive changes occur in tongue position at rest and in swallowing pattern. Negative changes in the oropharyngeal airway after inserting dentures tend to revert within 6 months of use as a consequence of the structural and functional accommodation of the tongue mass.