Relação entre peso do fígado, tamanho corporal e atividade reprodutiva em Atlantoraja cyclophora (Elasmobranchii: Rajidae: Arhynchobatinae) em águas oceânicas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Samples of Atlantoraja cyclophora were obtained by bottom-trawling surveys on the outer continental shelf and upper slope of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, at depths between 100 and 300 m. For a sample of 459 individuals, the total length, eviscerated weight and liver weight were recorded. Liver weight of the males varied between 2.4 and 36 g, and 2.4 and 65 for the females. Females had significantly heavier livers in all total length classes. For the males, the hepatosomatic index varied between 1.5 and 3.5 and for the females between 0.53 and 4.95. Mean hepatosomatic index was significantly higher in the females. Liver weight and total length according to the equations LW=0.00065*TL2.648 for males and LW=0.00309*TL2.171 for females. Key words: egg capsules, sexual dimorphism, yolk, reproductive stages.Amostras de Atlantoraja cyclophora foram obtidas através de cruzeiros de pesquisa com arrasto de fundo na plataforma continental externa e talude superior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, em profundidades entre 100 e 300 m. Para 459 indivíduos foram registrados o comprimento total, o peso eviscerado e o peso do fígado. Este último variou nos machos de entre 2.4 a 36 g e nas fêmeas de entre 2.4 a 65 g. As fêmeas tiveram fígados significativamente mais pesados que o dos machos em todas as classes de comprimento total. Nos machos, o índice hepatossomático variou de entre 1.5 e 3.5 e nas fêmeas de entre 0.53 e 4.95. O peso do fígado aumentou com relação ao o peso total segundo a relação LW=0.00065*TL2.648 nos machos e LW=0.00309*TL2.171 nas fêmeas. Palavras-chave: cápsulas ovígeras, dimorfismo sexual, vitelo, estágios reprodutivos

Relação entre peso do fígado, tamanho corporal e atividade reprodutiva em Atlantoraja cyclophora (Elasmobranchii: Rajidae: Arhynchobatinae) em águas oceânicas do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Samples of Atlantoraja cyclophora were obtained by bottom-trawling surveys on the outer continental shelf and upper slope of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, at depths between 100 and 300 m. For a sample of 459 individuals, the total length, eviscerated weight and liver weight were recorded. Liver weight of the males varied between 2.4 and 36 g, and 2.4 and 65 for the females. Females had significantly heavier livers in all total length classes. For the males, the hepatosomatic index varied between 1.5 and 3.5 and for the females between 0.53 and 4.95. Mean hepatosomatic index was significantly higher in the females. Liver weight and total length according to the equations LW=0.00065*TL2.648 for males and LW=0.00309*TL2.171 for females. Key words: egg capsules, sexual dimorphism, yolk, reproductive stages.Amostras de Atlantoraja cyclophora foram obtidas através de cruzeiros de pesquisa com arrasto de fundo na plataforma continental externa e talude superior do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, em profundidades entre 100 e 300 m. Para 459 indivíduos foram registrados o comprimento total, o peso eviscerado e o peso do fígado. Este último variou nos machos de entre 2.4 a 36 g e nas fêmeas de entre 2.4 a 65 g. As fêmeas tiveram fígados significativamente mais pesados que o dos machos em todas as classes de comprimento total. Nos machos, o índice hepatossomático variou de entre 1.5 e 3.5 e nas fêmeas de entre 0.53 e 4.95. O peso do fígado aumentou com relação ao o peso total segundo a relação LW=0.00065*TL2.648 nos machos e LW=0.00309*TL2.171 nas fêmeas. Palavras-chave: cápsulas ovígeras, dimorfismo sexual, vitelo, estágios reprodutivos

Diversity of the egg tertiary membranes in some elasmobranch species and comments on the actual yolk-sac viviparous reproductive mode: Diversidad de las membranas terciarias en algunas especies de elasmobranquios y comentarios sobre el modo reproductivo vivíparo saco-vitelino actual

After fertilization, elasmobranch eggs (mostly megalecithal) are encapsulated in a tertiary membrane of different complexity, in the oviducal gland. The gross morphological characteristics of this membrane in elasmobranchs are highly variable, attaining it most sophisticates’ forms within the oviparous species. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the elasmobranch tertiary membranes, in both viviparous and oviparous species, and to discuss the relation with their role in protecting the embryos their development. In addition, the limitations of yolk-sac viviparity as a single reproductive mode category are commented, suggesting a new arrangement of taxa within that reproductive mode and new terminology. Data on tertiary membranes in elasmobranchs come from a large number of sources ranging from 1977 to date. Specimens were captured on board of commercial and scientific research cruises, from the following some major geographic regions: South Western Atlantic, South Western Pacific, and different areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In all, our records of tertiary membranes belong to ten species of sharks of five orders; Hexanchiformes, Squatiniformes, Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes, Carcharhiniformes, and eight species of rays and skates, of four orders: Rajiformes, Rhinopristiformes, Torpediniformes and Myliobatiformes. The reproductive modes reported for all this species were both lecithotrophic (yolk-sac viviparity, short single oviparity) and matrotrophic (ovotrophy, placentotrophy, limited and lipidic histotrophy). Six morphological and structural major patterns were detected within the yolk-sac viviparous species (type I to VI); a thin, diaphanous, shapeless membrane; candle capsules; oviparous-like tough egg capsule, and cases where no tertiary membrane was present

Health impact of the emissions from a refinery: case-control study on the adult population living in two municipalities in Lomellina, Italy

Background: In the municipalities of Sannazzaro de’ Burgondi and Ferrer Erbognone (District of Lomellina, Pavia, Lombardy, Italy), an oil refinery is operating since 1963. In 2008, the company running the plant (eni S.p.A.) asked the competent bodies the permission for building a new facility (“EST”). The present work is aimed at evaluating the ante-operam health impacts of the existing facility refinery. Methods: A case-control study design was implemented. Cases were subjects admitted to hospital in 2002-2014 due to acute respiratory, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal conditions. Controls were selected among those who had not been hospitalised in that timespan. Cases and controls had to be alive at enrolment, aged 20-64 years, and were frequency-matched by age, gender and municipality. Data were extracted from the health insurance registry and from Hospital Discharge Records (ATS Pavia). Enrolled subjects were asked to complete a mailed survey. Environmental exposure was the fallout of refinery emissions (PM10) at participants’ homes, as predicted by an AERMOD model. Results: 541 respondents (125 cases, 416 controls) were included in the analyses. Response bias was excluded. Individual PM10 exposure was not significantly different between cases and controls, while it was significantly associated with municipality (being higher in Sannazzaro). The crude effect estimate of PM10 over case/control status indicated a not-significant excess of hospitalisation with the increase in PM10 exposure. Multivariate analyses confirmed those results. Conclusion: Findings indicate a possible excess of hospitalisation risk in most exposed people, but the effect is not statistically significant and may be affected by bias

A cohort study to evaluate persistence of hepatitis B immunogenicity after administration of hexavalent vaccines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2001, two hexavalent vaccines were licensed in Italy (Hexavac^®, Infanrix Hexa^®), and since 2002 were extensively used for primary immunization in the first year of life (at 3, 5, 11/12 months of age). In 2005, the market authorization of Hexavac^®was precautionary suspended by EMEA, because of doubts on long-term protection against hepatitis B virus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the persistence of antibodies to anti-HBs, in children in the third year of life, and to investigate the response to a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participant children were enrolled concomitantly with the offering of anti-polio booster dose, in the third year of life. Anti-HBs titers were determined on capillary blood samples. A booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered to children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml, with the monovalent precursor product of the previously received hexavalent vaccine. HBsAb titers were tested again one month after the booster.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sera from 113 children previously vaccinated with Hexavac^®, and from 124 vaccinated with Infanrix Hexa^®were tested for anti-HBs. Titers were ≥ 10 mIU/ml in 69% and 96% (p < 0,0001) respectively. The proportion of children with titers ≥ 100 mIU/ml did also significantly differ among groups (27% and 78%; p < 0,0001).</p> <p>Post-booster, 93% of children achieved titers ≥ 10 mIU/ml, with no significant difference by vaccine group.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Fifteen months after third dose administration, a significant difference in anti-HBs titers was noted in the two vaccine groups considered. Monovalent hepatitis B vaccine administration in 3-year old children induced a proper booster response, confirming that immunologic memory persists in children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml. However, long-term persistence of HBV protection after hexavalent vaccines administration should be further evaluated over time.</p

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p &lt; .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p &lt; .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead