A multilevel posterior tension band-sparing laminectomy for intraspinal lesions: patient series.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) represents a major development in spinal tumor surgery. However, considering that many intradural lesions compromise multiple spinal segments, MISS has certain limitations. Thus, some intraspinal lesions still require traditional approaches. Because laminectomy has been shown to predispose patients to kyphosis, laminoplasty and hemilaminectomy are the most widely used approaches to preserve the posterior tension band (PTB). However, these techniques are not devoid of complications. To overcome these issues, the authors modified a previously described technique to preserve the PTB while removing various types of intradural lesions. This procedure was originally designed to treat lumbar stenosis and was modified to avoid muscle ischemia during long procedures. OBSERVATIONS: Between 2014 and 2021, the authors found 17 cases of spinal lesions with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up after surgical treatment using their approach. No significant postoperative changes in the paraspinal Goutallier grade or spinal angles were observed. The cross-sectional area of the measured paraspinal muscles decreased 6% postoperatively. By performing certain technical modifications in this PTB-sparing (PBS) laminectomy, the authors avoided ipsilateral muscle ischemia. LESSONS: In this initial series, PBS laminectomy proved to be a safe, versatile, inexpensive, and reliable technique to remove intraspinal lesions.

Awake craniotomy removal of a corticospinal tract developmental venous anomaly hemorrhage: A case report.

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are composed of mature venous vessels that lack malformed or neoplastic elements. Although the hemorrhage risk is considered negligible, some patients may have neurological symptoms attributable to acute infarction or intracranial hemorrhage secondary to thrombosis, in the absence of a coexisting cavernous malformation. We report the case of a 42-year-old patient who presented with acute left-hand paresis secondary to a subcortical hemorrhage. This bleeding originated from a DVA in the corticospinal tract area and was surgically drained through an awake craniotomy. To accomplish this, we used a trans-precentral sulcus approach. After the complete removal of the coagulum, small venous channels appeared, which were coagulated. No associated cavernoma was found. Although the main DVA trunk was left patent, no signs of ischemia or venous infarction were observed after coagulating the small venous channels found inside the hematoma cavity. Two weeks after the procedure, the patient's hand function improved, and he was able to resume desktop work. DVA-associated hemorrhage within the cortico-spinal tract could be safely removed with modern awake mapping techniques. This technique allowed the patient to rapidly improve his hand function.

[Transnasal endoscopic skull base surgery: analysis of complications in the first 120 procedures]. / Cirugía endoscópica transnasal de base de cráneo: Análisis de las complicaciones en los primeros 120 procedimientos.

Background: The endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) has potential advantages over traditional open approaches. However, complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) leak, visual disturbances, and postoperative meningitis have been described. The aim was to present the experience accumulated in 120 cases of skull base EEA performed by the same surgical team and describe and analyze the main postoperative complications according to the complexity of the cases. Methods: Retrospective study on our database of patients undergoing skull base EEA for various pathologies between July 2011 and March 2022. Results: 120 skull base EEA surgeries were analyzed. 57.14% were performed on women. The median age was 44 years. 26.66% were reinterventions. The most frequent pathology was pituitary adenoma (49.17%) followed by CSF leak (8.33%). The most used EEA was the transelar 65.83%. 26 complications were recorded, with no differences according to complexity. There were 13 cases of diabetes insipidus (DI) and 8 of CSF leak. This was more frequent in patients with intraoperative CSF leak. The median hospital stay was 5.5 days. Conclusion: Skull base EEA has become increasingly common for the surgical management of skull base pathology, with a low frequency of immediate postoperative complications and low mortality. The improvement of the technique and the improvement in postoperative care are associated with a shorter hospital stay.

Impact of Water Sources and Shared Fence Lines on Bovine Respiratory Disease Incidence in the First 45 Days on Feed.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a frequent disease in feedlot cattle, but little is known on the role of pen housing conditions. The objective of this research is to use a retrospective analysis with data from 10 U.S. feedlots to determine potential associations between BRD risk during the first 45 days after arrival with pen-level management factors including the number of water sources, shared water sources, and shared fence lines. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations between management factors, cattle demographics, and BRD incidence. The effect of shared water sources on BRD risk was modified by arrival weight and cohort size (p < 0.05). Cattle with two water sources had lower BRD morbidity (5.55% ± 0.98) compared to cattle with one water source (8.80% ± 1.50) when arrival weight was 227 kg to 272 kg, while there were few differences in heavier weight cattle. Cattle with two water sources had lower BRD morbidity (3.11% ± 0.56) compared to one water (5.50% ± 0.10) when cohort size was 100−175 head, but there were no BRD morbidity differences when bigger or smaller cohorts were evaluated. Shared fence lines and water sources were associated with BRD risk; however, no biologically meaningful results were identified. The number of water sources was associated with BRD risk, and effects were modified by cohort size and arrival weight.

Predicting Bovine Respiratory Disease Risk in Feedlot Cattle in the First 45 Days Post Arrival.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity in feedlot cattle. The ability to accurately identify the expected BRD risk of cattle would allow managers to detect high-risk animals more frequently. Five classification models were built and evaluated towards predicting the expected BRD risk (high/low) of feedlot cattle within the first 45 days on feed (DOF) and incorporate an economic analysis to determine the potential health cost advantage when using a predictive model compared with standard methods. Retrospective data from 10 U.S. feedlots containing 1733 cohorts representing 188,188 cattle with known health outcomes were classified into high- (≥15% BRD morbidity) or low- (<15%) BRD risk in the first 45 DOF. Area under the curve was calculated from the test dataset for each model and ranged from 0.682 to 0.789. The economic performance for each model was dependent on the true proportion of high-risk cohorts in the population. The decision tree model displayed a greater potential economic advantage compared with standard procedures when the proportion of high-risk cohorts was ≤45%. Results illustrate that predictive models may be useful at delineating cattle as high or low risk for disease and may provide economic value relative to standard methods.

Plump endothelial cells integrated into pre-existing venules contribute to the formation of 'mother' and 'daughter' vessels in pyogenic granuloma: possible role of galectin-1, -3 and -8.

INTRODUCTION: Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a reactive inflammatory vascular lesion of the skin and mucous membranes, characterised by the presence of enlarged venules and seamed and seamless capillaries with plump endothelial cells (EC), and numerous macrophages. EC activation upregulates the synthesis of galectins and induces their translocation to the EC surface promoting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, particularly galectin-1 (Gal-1), Gal-3 and Gal-8. However, the presence and distribution of Gal-1, -3 and -8, as well as their implications in the pathogenesis of PG, has not been considered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight biopsies from patients diagnosed with PG were selected. The presence of PECAM-1/CD31, IL-1ß, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, integrin ß1, CD44, fibronectin and Gal-1, -3 and -8 was assessed by immunofluorescence staining using confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Immunostaining revealed that these molecules were present in the enlarged venules with plump ECs, in some macrophages and other immune cells. We propose that macrophages release VEGF-A and VEGF-C inducing VEGFR-2/VEGFR-3 expression and activation, leading macrophages to transdifferentiate into plump ECs that might integrate into pre-existing venules, contributing to the formation of enlarged venules with transluminal bridges and capillaries. EC activation, induced by certain cytokines, has been shown to stimulate galectin expression and changes in the cellular localisation through association and activation of specific EC surface glycoproteins. Therefore, it is plausible that Gal-1, -3 and -8, acting in a concerted manner, could be mediating the transdifferentiation of macrophages into plump ECs and facilitating their migration and incorporation into the new vessels. LAY SUMMARY: In this study, immunostaining of pyogenic granuloma (PG) tissue sections showed immunoreactivity for PECAM-1/CD31, IL-1ß, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3, and galectin-1, -3 and -8 in enlarged venules with plump endothelial cells (EC), as well as in some macrophages and other immune cells. Interestingly, enlarged and thin-walled transient vessels lined by PECAM-1/CD31 and VEGFR-2 immunopositive ECs that form from pre-existing normal venules in response to VEGF-A (called 'mother' vessels [MV]) and that undergo intraluminal bridging evolving into various types of capillaries (called 'daughter' vessels [DV]) have been observed in benign and malignant tumours, in physiological and pathological angiogenesis as well as in vascular malformations, suggesting an important role for VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 in such a process. However, it is not only the mechanisms by which the MVs evolve in different types of DVs that remains to be elucidated, but also whether the cells that form intraluminal bridges proceed from locally activated ECs or whether they are derived from bone marrow precursors or from resident macrophages.Given that the formation of homodimers by Gal-1 and Gal-8 and pentamers by Gal-3 to generate gal-glycan lattices at the cell surface and in the extracellular space has been shown, it is possible that in PG tissue Gal-1, -3 and -8, through their binding partners, form a supramolecular structure at the surface of ECs and plump ECs, macrophages and in the extracellular space that might be mediating the transdifferentiation of macrophages into plump ECs and facilitating the migration and incorporation of these cells into the pre-existing venules, thus contributing to the formation of MVs and DVs.

Rotura del seno de Valsalva: Reporte de caso / Valsalva sine rupture: A case report

Resumen El aneurisma del seno de Valsalva es una entidad poco frecuente, con una incidencia de 0,09 a 0,15%, en algunos casos los pacientes se presentan asintomáticos siempre que el aneurisma se encuentre íntegro. Si se perfora, se manifiesta como un cuadro de insuficiencia cardiaca rápidamente progresiva. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente de 27 años sin comorbilidades, con rotura del aneurisma del seno de Valsalva y se realiza una revisión bibliográfica del tema.

Summary Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare entity, with an incidence of 0.09-0.15%. In some cases, patients with aneurysm show up asymptomatic whenever the aneurysm is intact. If it is perforated, it manifests itself as a rapidly progressive heart failure chart. We report the case of a 27-year-old patient without comorbidities with rupture of the aneurysm of the Valsalva sinus and carry out a bibliographic review.

A novel temporary cranial fixation device for awake cranial surgery: Technical report of 14 cases.

BACKGROUND: Awake craniotomy has become the gold standard in various cranial procedures. As part of the awake technique, three-point pin fixation of the patient's head is important. One of the issues we encountered is the problem of matching the scalp infiltration site with the final pin position. To overcome this problem, we developed a flat plunger type fixator that adapts to the Mayfield holder. METHODS: Our fixator has a 2.5 cm metallic shaft that articulates in a ball and socket joint to allow its concave surfaces to adapt to the patient's scalp. After placing the patient in the desired position, the head is fixed with the three plungers, circles are drawn around each plunger, and they are then removed for the circles to be infiltrated with bupivacaine. Standard fixation pins are then placed in the Mayfield holder and aimed at the center of the circles. RESULTS: So far, we have operated on 14 patients with this technique. No patient experienced pain during temporary fixation, and the drawn circles ensured that there were no mismatches between the local anesthetic and pin locations. The technique was particularly useful on hairy scalps, where infiltration sites were hidden. We also used only 22.5 mg bupivacaine at the pin sites, freeing a dose for the field block around the scalp incision. CONCLUSION: The temporary plunger type fixator provided a simple method to economize on local anesthetic use, check the patient's head position before final fixation, and ensure that the Mayfield pins matched with the anesthetized area.

Awake C1-2 laminectomy, instrumentation, and fusion: case report.

Surgery of the cervical spine under conscious sedation has been rarely reported in the literature. The main indications are the lack of neurophysiological monitoring and surgery in patients with high cardiovascular risk. To date, no reports of awake C1-2 instrumentation have been published in the English-language literature. The authors present the case of a 76-year-old patient with multiple myeloma and severe cardiomyopathy associated with primary amyloidosis who experienced severe myelopathy from a C2 pseudotumor associated with an odontoid fracture. Due to his high cardiovascular risk, the patient underwent C1 decompression and C1-2 instrumentation and fusion via an awake technique. To accomplish this task, the authors performed multilayered muscular infiltration of local anesthetics and avoided manipulating the C2 root by anchoring C1 with a rod-claw system. The procedure did not last longer than that of general anesthetic approaches, and no complaints were reported by the patient during surgery, which he described as an overall "good experience." The patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day and resumed his previous work 3 months later. Performing surgery under local anesthesia and conscious sedation reduces the risk of perioperative cardiovascular and respiratory complications in these high-risk patients by avoiding the use of drugs with cardiodepressant effects and endotracheal intubation.

Fibrin γ/γ' influences the secretion of fibrinolytic components and clot structure.

BACKGROUND: In healthy subjects fibrinogen γ/γ' circulates at 8-15% of the total plasma fibrinogen concentration. Elevated levels of this variant have been associated with arterial thrombosis, and its diminution with venous thrombosis. The aims of the present work were to analyze the structure of the fibrin network formed on the top of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) at different fibrinogen γ/γ' concentrations, as well as its influence on the secretion of fibrinolytic components. The kinetics of fibrin polymerization on top of HMEC-1 cells with 3, 10, and 30% fibrinogen γ/γ' was followed at 350 nm. The secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI 1) by HMEC-1 were measured in the supernatant and cell lysates, after incubation with 1 nM thrombin, fibrin with 3, and 30% fibrinogen γ/γ', using commercial kits. The influence of fibrinogen γ/γ' on fibrin structure on the surface of the HMEC-1 was followed with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). RESULTS: The kinetics of fibrin formation on HMEC-1 with 3 and 10% fibrinogen γ/γ' were similar. However, with 30% fibrinogen γ/γ' both the slope and final turbity were approximately 50% less. The LSCM images showed the dramatic effects of increasing fibrinogen γ/γ' from 3 to 30%. The uPA and PAI 1 concentrations in culture supernatants HMEC-1 cells treated with thrombin or 30% γ/γ' fibrin were two-fold increased as compared to basal culture supernatants and 3% γ/γ' fibrin-treated HMEC-1. In all stimulatory conditions the intracellular concentration of uPA was higher than in supernatants. In contrast, the intracellular PAI 1 concentration was decreased as compared to that measured in the supernatant, including the basal condition. CONCLUSION: A concentration of 30% fibrin γ/γ' alter drastically fibrin structure on the cell surface and affects the secretion of uPA and PAI 1 through its capacity to bind thrombin.

Resección microquirúrgica de schwannoma vestibular grado IVa con preservación de la función facial / Microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannoma grade IVa with preservation of facial function

Introducción: La cirugía de los schwannoma vestibulares constituye un desafío para los neurocirujanos. Debido a que se trata de un tumor benigno la resección completa de la lesión implica la curación del paciente. Sin embargo, este objetivo no siempre es fácil de lograr preservando la función de los nervios facial y acústico, especialmente en tumores de gran tamaño. Objetivos: Presentar detalles técnicos de la cirugía de resección de un schwannoma vestibular de gran tamaño (IVa) en el que se pudo preservar la función facial. Materiales y métodos: Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 36 años que consultó por hipoacusia izquierda. En la RM preoperatoria se evidenciaba una lesión ocupante de espacio del ángulo pontocerebeloso izquierdo compatible con schwannoma vestibular con compresión del tronco encefálico y sin efecto de masa sobre el IV ventrículo (grado IVa). Mediante un abordaje suboccipital retromastoideo en posición de decúbito lateral se realizó la resección de la lesión en forma completa asistida por monitoreo del nervio facial. En todo momento se pudo preservar el plano aracnoideo que separaba el tumor de los nervios adyacentes. Resultados: Se logró una resección macroscópicamente completa con preservación de la función del nervio facial. La paciente permaneció internada por 96 hs en el postoperatorio sin complicaciones derivadas del procedimiento. Conclusión: La preservación del plano aracnoideo es un detalle técnico de mucha importancia para disminuir las posibilidades de lesión de los nervios facial y auditivo en la cirugía de resección de los schwannoma vestibulares.

Introduction: The surgery of vestibular schwannomas is a challenge for neurosurgeons.Because it is a benign tumor, complete resection of the lesion involves healing the patient. However, this objective is not always easy to achieve, preserving the function of both the facial and acoustic nerves, especially when dealing with large tumors. Objective: The objective of the video is to present some technical details of a large vestibular schwannoma (IVa) surgery in which the facial function could be preserved. Materials and methods: We present the case of a 36-year-old female patient who consulted for left hearing loss. The preoperative MRI showed a space- occupying lesion of the left pontocerebellar angle, which was compatible with vestibular schwannoma, with compression of the brainstem but with no mass effect on the IV ventricle (grade IVa). By means of a retromastoid suboccipital approach in the lateral prone position, the lesion was completely resected assisted by neurophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve. At all times, the arachnoid plane separating the tumor from the adjacent nerves was preserved. Results: A macroscopically complete resection was achieved preserving the facial nerve function. The patient stayed hospitalized for 96 hours during the postoperative period without any complication from the procedure. Conclusion: Preserving the arachnoid plane is a very important technical detail to reduce the possibilities of injury of the facial and auditory nerves in the vestibular schwannoma resection surgery.

Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 and Their Potential Binding Partners in the Dermal Thickening of Keloid Tissues.

Keloids are defined histopathologically as an inflammatory disorder characterized by exhibiting numerous fibroblasts, abnormal vascularization, increased number of proinflammatory immune cells as well as uncontrolled cell proliferation, and exacerbated and disorganized deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Importantly, many of these ECM molecules display N- and O-linked glycan residues and are considered as potential targets for galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3). Nevertheless, the presence and localization of Gal-1 and Gal-3 as well as the interactions with some of their binding partners in keloid tissues have not been considered. Here, we show that in the dermal thickening of keloids, versican, syndecan-1, fibronectin, thrombospondin-1, tenascin C, CD44, integrin ß1, and N-cadherin were immunolocalized in the elongated fibroblasts that were close to the immune cell infiltrate, attached to collagen bundles, and around the microvasculature and in some immune cells. We also show that Gal-1 and Gal-3 were present in the cytoplasm and along the cell membrane of some fibroblasts and immune and endothelial cells of the dermal thickening. We suggest that Gal-1 and Gal-3, in concert with some of the ECM molecules produced by fibroblasts and by immune cells, counteract the inflammatory response in keloids. We also proposed that Gal-1 and Gal-3 through their binding partners may form a supramolecular structure at the cell surface of fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells, and in the extracellular space that might influence the fibroblast morphology, adhesion, proliferation, migration, and survival as well as the inflammatory responses.

Extracellular Application of CRMP2 Increases Cytoplasmic Calcium through NMDA Receptors.

Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2 (CRMP2) is an intracellular protein involved in axon and dendrite growth and specification. In this study, CRMP2 was identified in a conditioned media derived from degenerated sciatic nerves (CM). On cultured rat hippocampal neurons, acute extracellular application of CM or partially purified recombinant CRMP2 produced an increase in cytoplasmic calcium. The increase in cytoplasmic calcium was mostly mediated through NMDA receptors, with a minor contribution of N-type VDCC, and it was maintained as long as CM was present. By using live-labeling of CRMP2, Ca2+ channel binding domain 3 (CBD3) peptide derived from CRMP2, and recombinant CRMP2, we demonstrated that that this effect was mediated by an action on the extracellular side of the NMDA receptor. This is the first report of an extracellular action of CRMP2. Prolonged exposure to extracellular CRMP2, may contribute to neuronal calcium dysregulation and neuronal damage.

[Adult Grisel Syndrome and Cervical Skull instability. Transnasal endoscopic odontoidectomy and occipito-cervical fusion. Case report and literature review]. / Síndrome de Grisel en el adulto e inestabilidad cráneo cervical. Odontoidectomía endoscópica transnasal y fijación occípito-cervical. Reporte de caso y revisión de literatura.

BACKGROUND: Craniocervical junction pathology is infrequent in daily neurosurgical practice. In general, most of these lesions are of traumatic or rheumatic origin. Atlantoaxial instability of inflammatory origin (Grisel syndrome) is a rare entity of which only 16 adult cases have been reported in the literature. This pathology is characterized by the development of an osteolytic lesion at the level of the atlantoaxial joint after an infectious event, usually of the upper airways. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 76-year-old patient who attended our office for clinical symptoms of spinal instability secondary to an osteolytic lesion, with involvement of C1 and C2. The symptomatology began after an infectious respiratory process. A posterior cervical occiput fixation and an endoscopic transnasal odontoidectomy with anterior decompression were performed. The patient evolved with complete resolution of symptoms. The cultures were negative, and the pathological anatomy study concluded nonspecific inflammatory changes. CONCLUSION: Until a few years ago, the only option to address this pathology was the transoral pathway with microsurgical technique. Nowadays, endoscopy offers many technical advantages. This is an option to be considered when planning approaches to craniocervical junction.

Reproducción de los róbalos Centropomus undecimalis y C. Ensiferus (Perciformes: Centropomidae) en una laguna costera tropical / Reproduction of Centropomus undecimalis and C. ensiferus (Perciformes: Centropomidae) in a tropical coastal lagoon

ResumenLos róbalos (C. undecimalis y C. ensiferus) son recursos pesqueros de importancia en toda su área de distribución. En Venezuela son capturados por pesquerías artesanales a lo largo de toda la costa, sin embargo, los estudios sobre su biología que permitan orientar regulaciones de su pesca son escasos. Para analizar aspectos de la reproducción de ambas especies se analizaron 1 325 individuos de C. undecimalis y 2 025 de C. ensiferus, provenientes de la pesca artesanal en la Laguna de Tacarigua, en el norte de Venezuela, desde julio 2009 a septiembre 2010. Se midió la longitud total, peso total, sexo y madurez sexual de cada individuo. La proporción sexual varió a lo largo del año, se observó una diferencia significativa en favor de los machos para C. undecimalis (1:1.5) y de las hembras para C. ensiferus (1:3.3). Se evidenciaron diferencias en la proporción sexual de la talla para ambas especies: los machos dominan las tallas inferiores, mientras que las hembras dominan las superiores. Lo cual señala un patrón típico de hermafroditismo secuencial (protándrico) en ambas. Se estimaron las tallas de madurez sexual (Lm50) para C. undecimalis (♀= 73.6 y ♂= 59.3 cm) y C. ensiferus (♀= 26 y ♂= 21.5 cm). C. ensiferus se reproduce durante todo el año con dos periodos de mayor intensidad (agosto a septiembre y febrero a abril), mientras para C. undecimalis fueron escasos los individuos maduros, mostrando febrero el pico de reproducción más importante. Se encontró diferencia en el crecimiento entre machos y hembras de C. undecimalis: alométrico positivo para hembras (P= 0.0022*L3.353) y negativo para machos (P= 0.0108*L2.945), mientras no se encontraron diferencias para C. ensiferus, que presentó alometría positiva (P= 0.0049*L3.235) para ambos sexos. La falta de regulación y controles de pesca, la evidencia de importantes volúmenes de individuos inmaduros en las capturas, así como el carácter particular de la biología reproductiva de estas especies, sugiere la necesidad de establecer regulaciones para garantizar su aprovechamiento responsable, como un periodo de veda durante el primer trimestre de año y tallas mínimas de captura para ambas especies.

Abstract:Snooks C. undecimalis and C. ensiferus are important fishery resources in their distribution area. In Venezuela they are caught by artisanal fisheries along the entire coast. However, studies on their biology that would help establish fishing regulations are scarce. To study reproduction aspects of these species, we analyzed 1 325 individuals of C. undecimalis and 2 025 of C. ensiferus caught by artisanal fishing in the Laguna de Tacarigua in Northern Venezuela, from July 2009 to September 2010. Total length, total weight, sex and stage of gonadal development were recorded. The sex ratio varied throughout the year: there was a significant difference in favor of C. undecimalis males (1.5:1), and C. ensiferus females (1:3.3). Differences were also evident in the sexual proportion at each size group. For both species, males dominated in the lower size ranges while females dominated in the larger size ranges. These results suggested sequential hermaphroditism (protrandry) in both species. Size at sexual maturity (Lm50) for C. undecimalis was ♀= 73.6 and ♂= 59.3 cm, and ♀= 26 and ♂= 21.5 cm for C. ensiferus. C. ensiferus reproduced throughout the year with two periods of higher intensity (August to September and February to April). Although we found very few mature individuals for C. undecimalis, February showed an important reproduction peak. Growth differences were found between males and females of C. undecimalis: positive allometry for females (P= 0.0022*L3.353) and negative allometry for males (P= 0.0108*L2.945). Both males and females of C. ensiferus showed a positive allometric relationship (P= 0.0049*L3.235). Lack of fishing regulations and controls, evidenced in this study by significant volumes of immature individuals in the catches, and the particular reproductive biology of these species, strongly indicates the need to establish regulations to ensure their responsible use. We recommend establishing a closed season during the first quarter of the year and minimum catch sizes for both species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 181-194. Epub 2017 March 01.

Multiple cag genotypes of Helicobacter pylori isolates colonize the oesophagus in individual hosts in a Venezuelan population.

PURPOSE: Multiple Helicobacter pylori strains colonize and coexist in the stomach of one single patient, carrying heterogeneous distributions of cag genotypes. The oesophagus provides a niche for H. pylori colonization; however, little is known about its adaptive role. METHODOLOGY: Using PCR for cagA, cagE and virB11 genes from cag-pathogenicity island (PAI) and Etest for antimicrobial susceptibility test, we determined cag-PAI genotypes associated with H. pylori virulence, when positive cultures were matching in both the stomach and the oesophagus (96 isolates; 8 out of 80 dyspeptic patients). RESULTS: The stomach showed complete cag-PAI islands in 77 % of the isolates, whereas the oesophagus showed complete cag-PAI islands only in 44 % of the isolates. Expression of CagA and interleukin 8 correlated with inflammatory processes and histopathological changes in the stomach, but not in the oesophagus. Different cag-PAI profiles were found in both mucosae of an individual host, and at least one oesophagus profile corresponded to one profile identified in stomach. The antibiotic resistance profiles showed variability in the colonization by single or mixed H. pylori isolates in the gastric and oesophageal mucosa both intra- and inter-individuals. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate colonization with multiple H. pylori isolates in the oesophageal mucosa, like those found in the stomach of individual hosts. H. pylori was characterized by a dominant partial island, low interleukin 8 induction with lower histopathological damage and lower antibiotic resistance, suggesting that the microenvironmental changes in individual hosts select less virulent isolates in the oesophagus than in the stomach. New approaches to ensure effective eradication therapy in multi-resistant H. pylori strains must be developed.

[Reproduction of Centropomus undecimalis and C. ensiferus (Perciformes: Centropomidae) in a tropical coastal lagoon]. / Reproducción de los róbalos Centropomus undecimalis y C. ensiferus (Perciformes: Centropomidae) en una laguna costera tropical.

Snooks C. undecimalis and C. ensiferus are important fishery resources in their distribution area. In Venezuela they are caught by artisanal fisheries along the entire coast. However, studies on their biology that would help establish fishing regulations are scarce. To study reproduction aspects of these species, we analyzed 1 325 individuals of C. undecimalis and 2 025 of C. ensiferus caught by artisanal fishing in the Laguna de Tacarigua in Northern Venezuela, from July 2009 to September 2010. Total length, total weight, sex and stage of gonadal development were recorded. The sex ratio varied throughout the year: there was a significant difference in favor of C. undecimalis males (1.5:1), and C. ensiferus females (1:3.3). Differences were also evident in the sexual proportion at each size group. For both species, males dominated in the lower size ranges while females dominated in the larger size ranges. These results suggested sequential hermaphroditism (protrandry) in both species. Size at sexual maturity (Lm50) for C. undecimalis was ♀= 73.6 and ♂= 59.3 cm, and ♀= 26 and ♂= 21.5 cm for C. ensiferus. C. ensiferus reproduced throughout the year with two periods of higher intensity (August to September and February to April). Although we found very few mature individuals for C. undecimalis, February showed an important reproduction peak. Growth differences were found between males and females of C. undecimalis: positive allometry for females (P= 0.0022*L3.353) and negative allometry for males (P= 0.0108*L2.945). Both males and females of C. ensiferus showed a positive allometric relationship (P= 0.0049*L3.235). Lack of fishing regulations and controls, evidenced in this study by significant volumes of immature individuals in the catches, and the particular reproductive biology of these species, strongly indicates the need to establish regulations to ensure their responsible use. We recommend establishing a closed season during the first quarter of the year and minimum catch sizes for both species.

BIOFILM FORMATION OF Vibrio cholerae ON STAINLESS STEEL USED IN FOOD PROCESSING.

Vibrio cholerae represents a significant threat to human health in developing countries. This pathogen forms biofilms which favors its attachment to surfaces and its survival and transmission by water or food. This work evaluated the in vitro biofilm formation of V. cholerae isolated from clinical and environmental sources on stainless steel of the type used in food processing by using the environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Results showed no cell adhesion at 4 h and scarce surface colonization at 24 h. Biofilms from the environmental strain were observed at 48 h with high cellular aggregations embedded in Vibrio exopolysaccharide (VPS), while less confluence and VPS production with microcolonies of elongated cells were observed in biofilms produced by the clinical strain. At 96 h the biofilms of the environmental strain were released from the surface leaving coccoid cells and residual structures, whereas biofilms of the clinical strain formed highly organized structures such as channels, mushroom-like and pillars. This is the first study that has shown the in vitro ability of V. cholerae to colonize and form biofilms on stainless steel used in food processing.

Sphingosine inhibits the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) activity.

The increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) is the key variable for many different processes, ranging from regulation of cell proliferation to apoptosis. In this work we demonstrated that the sphingolipid sphingosine (Sph) increases the [Ca(2+)]i by inhibiting the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA), in a similar manner to thapsigargin (Tg), a specific inhibitor of this Ca(2+) pump. The results showed that addition of sphingosine produced a release of Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum followed by a Ca(2+) entrance from the outside mileu. The results presented in this work support that this sphingolipid could control the activity of the SERCA, and hence sphingosine may participate in the regulation of [Ca(2+)]I in mammalian cells.

Mucin1 expression in focal epidermal dysplasia of actinic keratosis.

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are generally considered as premalignant skin lesions that can progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ and invasive SCC. However, its progression to SCC is still matter of debate. A transmembrane glycoprotein that contributes to the progression of certain premalignant and malignant lesions is mucin1 (MUC1). Nevertheless, their functions in the skin lesions are not yet fully clear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain whether MUC1 is present in the focal epidermal dysplasia of AK. METHODS: Fourteen skin biopsies from patients diagnosed with AK were selected. They were classified according to the degree of dysplasia in keratinocyte intraepidermal neoplasia (KIN) I, KIN II, and KIN III. In five biopsies the three degrees were present, in two biopsies both KIN I and KIN II, in four biopsies only KIN I, and in three biopsies only KIN III. The presence of MUC1 was assessed by immunofluorescence staining using confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Immunostaining revealed that MUC1 was present over the entire cell surface of only a few atypical basal keratinocytes confined to the lower third of the epidermis (KIN I). While in KIN II where atypical keratinocytes occupy the lower two thirds, MUC1 was localized at the apical surface of some atypical keratinocytes and over the entire cell surface of some of them. Interestingly, in KIN III where the atypical keratinocytes extend throughout the full thickness, MUC1 was localized at the apical surface and over the entire cell surface of many of these cells. Conversely, MUC1 expression was not detected in the epidermis of normal skin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the expression of MUC1 in AK would be induced by alteration of keratinocyte stratification and differentiation and associated to the degree of dysplasia rather than the thickness of the epidermis.