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Studies focusing on the specific identification of the taxonomic cast within the genus Opisthonema are scarce and contradictory, in spite of this species commercial importance and of the potential ecological impact that fisheries may have on the pelagic ecosystem. In this study, the specific composition of thread herrings Opisthonema ( O. bulleri, O. medirastre, and O. libertate) in the southeastern region of the Gulf of California was identified using meristic characters, morphometric data, and mt DNA sequences. In this paper we supported the hypothesis that the commercial catch comprises three evolutionary entities with meristic and morphometric differences. The results were based on the number of ceratobranchial gill rakers, the presence of spicules on the gill rakers, the form of insertion of the gill rakers base onto the ceratobranchial segment, the geometric morphometrics of body shape, and the genetic distances from a fragment of Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I gene ( COI) of mt DNA. Specimens of Pacific thread herring were obtained from landings of the small pelagic fleet at Mazatlan, Sinaloa during 2011-2012. Taxonomic categories were assigned to 1060 individuals according to the measurement of meristic characters. A total of 228 thread herrings O. bulleri, (n = 76), O. medirastre (n = 76), and O. libertate (n = 76) were used in the morphometric analysis, and 25 specimens ( O. bulleri n = 8, O. medirastre n = 7, and O. libertate n = 10) were used for genetic comparisons. The morphometric results showed differences among the three groups that had been previously identified using meristic characters, giving support to the existence of three discrete morphotypes. The percentage of sequence divergence of the COI gene supports the existence of three clades. Genetic distances were considerably lower within each clade than between clades. The results of this study provide sufficient evidence for the existence of three Pacific thread herring species in the southern Gulf of California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Age, growth, and the length-weight relationship were estimated for the Pacific golden-eye tilefish Caulolatilus affinis captured by the artisanal fishery in the central region of the Gulf of California. The size and weight structure differed between sexes, males being larger and heavier than females; however, differences in the length-weight relationship were not detected and the slope value (b = 2.66) showed that it was a negative allometric relationship. The youngest and oldest organisms were 3 and 21 years old, respectively. The age structure showed differences between sexes, males being more abundant at older ages and females at younger ones. The dominant age group for females was 11 years old and for males, 16 years old. The von Bertalanffy growth model fitted adequately the mean size and age data; the model parameters were L∞ = 432.32 mm total length, k = 0.232 mm yr-1, and t0 = 0.164 yr for males, and L∞ = 422.99 mm total length, k = 0.245 mm yr-1, and t0 = -0.095 yr for females. Differences in individual growth and growth rate between males and females were not detected. According to the age structure and growth pattern, C. affinis is a slow-growing, medium-lived species. Our results suggest that C. affinis is underexploited in the central Gulf of California because it is a non-target species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Null purse seine sets (those in which the catch is zero) are common in every tuna fishery in the world. Current evidence suggests that different environmental factors can influence the occurrence of null sets. In this study, we used a long-term (2003-2015) database from the tuna purse seine fishery in the eastern Pacific Ocean to analyze the temporal and spatial variability of the occurrence of 1° × 1° quadrants where the retained tuna catch was zero ("null cells"). We fitted a logistic generalized additive model to predict the occurrence of null cells as a function of environmental and operational covariates. Results of the modeling process suggested that high probabilities of null cell occurrence exist mainly in 2 environmentally different zones: the entrance to the Gulf of California, Mexico, and off the coast of Central America. The final statistical model suggested that operational variables (number of sets, type of fishing indicator) are more important to null cell occurrence than environmental factors (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, sea level anomaly, and El Niño events). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A completely randomized experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effect of the coadministration of Lactiplantibacillus fabifermentans (Lpb. fabifermentans) and inulin/agave fructans mixtures on gut microbiota of healthy Wistar rats. Inulin, Agave salmiana fructans or fructan mixtures (1:1) at 12.5 % w/w, and Lpb. fabifermentans at 10 9  CFU/mL/day were used in the rats' diet for 35 days. Biochemical parameters, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), structural changes and the bacterial abundance in rats' cecum were evaluated. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels with fructan mixtures combined with Lpb. Fabifermentans was observed. The weight of the small and large intestines, and cecum was higher than the control; no changes were observed in the heart, liver, spleen and kidneys. SCFA concentration mainly, propionate and butyrate was improved (p < 0.05) throughout the gastrointestinal tract in all treatments. Finally, the administration of Lpb. fabifermentans alone or combined with the fructan mixtures promoted an increase in the abundance of cecum intestinal microbiota: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Butyricimonas, Coprococcus, Akkermansia, Methanobrevibacter, Adlercreutzia, Collinsella, Odoribacter, and Roseburia. The inclusion of fructan mixtures in combination with Lpb. fabifermentans could be a good alternative for the development of functional foods that enhance consumer health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Pulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is rare in children and contributes to morbimortality. This study aimed to describe the pulmonary function and clinical, radiologic, and tomographic findings in JSSc., Methods: Patients with JSSc between 5-14 years of age were included. Clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics were assessed. Patients were excluded if they showed lung disease not associated with JSSc: mixed connective tissue disease, overlap syndrome, or acute cardiopulmonary failure at the time of the study. All patients underwent physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, echocardiography, lung function tests, and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis., Results: We studied 15 patients with the following characteristics: median age, 11 years; median since symptoms onset, 6 years; median since JSSc diagnosis and the finding of pulmonary involvement, 2 years. Lung disease was detected in 73%, interstitial lung disease (ILD) the most common affection (67%); pulmonary hypertension was found in 6.6%. 6-MWT was positive in 26.6%, forced vital capacity (FVC) was abnormal in 26.6%. No pulmonary involvement was found in four patients., Conclusions: The most frequent pulmonary affection in JSSc was ILD. Thus, early JSSc detection and periodic lung monitoring are mandatory to avoid further complications once JSSc is diagnosed., (Copyright: © 2021 Permanyer.) more...

Background and Aims: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is associated with occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos. The incidence is expected to increase as the use of asbestos is not prohibited in many countries, such as in Mexico. We undertook this study to determine sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios of computed tomography (CT) in a sample from Mexican population with suspected MPM and other pleuropulmonary diseases., Methods: CT films of 38 patients suspected of having MPM were analyzed. A single observer was blinded to MPM diagnoses. The frequencies of ten CT findings were identified. A cut-off point of ≥5 CT findings was established to determine high MPM probability. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratio of the CT against biopsy using immunohistochemical testing (IHC) for MPM were calculated., Results: Of the 38 patients, 31 had MPM and seven had lung adenocarcinoma. The five key findings were mediastinal pleural thickening 96.7% (n = 30), nodular pleural thickening 93.3% (n = 29), pleural mass 83.9% (n = 26), diminished lung 70.9% (n = 22) and contracted hemithorax 70.9% (n = 22). Sensitivity 96.8% (83.2-99.4), specificity 85.7% (42.2-97.6), positive likelihood ratio 6.7 (1.1-41.6), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.04 (0.01-0.2) were reported., Conclusions: Sensitivity and specificity in this study was greater than previously reported, 96.8% and 85.7 vs. 93.2 and 65.6%, respectively. CT is an easily accessible and useful tool that should be incorporated into the medical education of general physicians to improve MPM diagnosis of suspected cases., (Copyright © 2015 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Cockroaches are arthropod transmitters of disease, acting both as mechanical vectors and as reservoirs of pathogenic agents. It has been shown that cockroaches harbor and transmit, both in nature and under experimental conditions, about 40 species of bacteria, including at least 25 from the Enterobacteriaceae group that cause gastroenteritis in man. In addition, it has been established that these insects are intermediate hosts of pathogenic helminths, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It is possible that cockroaches contribute to the transmission of Chagas' disease by feeding on triatomine vectors of that disease. There also are signs that substances produced by cockroaches are involved in certain allergic processes. The foregoing facts are sufficient to justify the immediate control and eradication of these insects whenever and wherever they constitute a threat to public health. more...