Additional records of metazoan parasites from Caribbean marine mammals, including genetically identified anisakid nematodes

Studies of marine mammal parasites in the Caribbean are scarce. An assessment for marine mammal endo- and ectoparasites from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but extending to other areas of the Caribbean, was conducted between 1989 and 1994. The present study complements the latter and enhances identification of anisakid nematodes using molecular markers. Parasites were collected from 59 carcasses of stranded cetaceans and manatees from 1994 to 2006, including Globicephala macrorhynchus, Kogia breviceps, Kogia sima, Lagenodelphis hosei, Mesoplodon densirostris, Peponocephala electra, Stenella longirostris, Steno bredanensis, Trichechus manatus. Tursiops truncatus, and Ziphius cavirostris. Sixteen species of endoparasitic helminthes were morphologically identified, including two species of acanthocephalans (Bolbosoma capitatum, Bolbosoma vasculosum), nine species of nematodes (Anisakis sp., Anisakis brevispiculata, Anisakis paggiae, Anisakis simplex, Anisakis typica, Anisakis ziphidarium, Crassicauda anthonyi, Heterocheilus tunicatus, Pseudoterranova ceticola), two species of cestodes (Monorygma grimaldi, Phyllobothrium delphini), and three species of trematodes (Chiorchis groschafti, Pulmonicola cochleotrema, Monoligerum blairi). The nematodes belonging to the genus Anisakis recovered in some stranded animals were genetically identified to species level based on their sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (629 bp of mtDNA cox 2). A total of five new host records and six new geographic records are presented.L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.springerlink.com

CSR, co-optation and resistance: the emergence of new agnostic relations between business and civil society

This article examines the theoretical implications of the changing relationships between NGOs and businesses that have emerged as a response to the evolving agenda around CSR and sustainable development. In particular, it focuses upon examining whether greater engagement from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in this area reflects a process of appropriation and co-optation of protest by the business community. To examine this process, the article considers two forms of appropriation—appropriation of language and appropriation via participation—as a basis for discussion. While co-optation pressures are identified within both areas, the article argues that co-optation is identified almost as an inevitable outcome of engagement without significant consideration of the ability of movements to identify and respond to these processes. In identifying an alternative approach, the article utilises Mouffe’s framework of agonistic pluralism. Mouffe’s framework, it is argued, provides an understanding of the way in which agonistic relationships are emerging between NGOs and businesses while highlighting the continuance of conflict between parties struggling to influence the contested interpretations of responsible business

Comparative maturation of cynomolgus monkey oocytes in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND: In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes followed by fertilization in vitro (IVF) and embryo transfer offers an alternative to conventional IVF treatment that minimises drug administration and avoids ovarian hyperstimulation. However, the technique is less efficient than maturation in vivo. In the present study, a non-human primate model was used to address the hypothesis that the number of oocytes is increased and their nuclear and cytoplasmic maturity after IVM are improved when maturation is initiated in vivo by priming with hCG. METHODS: Young, adult cynomolgus monkeys were given recombinant human (rh) gonadotropins to stimulate the development of multiple follicles, and oocytes were aspirated 0, 12, 24, or 36 h after injection of an ovulatory dose of rhCG. The nuclear status of oocytes was determined at the time of recovery and after culture for a total elapsed time of 40–44 hours after hCG. RESULTS: Priming with hCG significantly increased the number of oocytes harvested, especially after delaying aspiration for 24 h or longer. Nuclear maturation after the full period in culture was also enhanced by priming: 71.5, 83.6, and 94.6% of oocytes collected at 0, 12, and 24 h hCG had progressed to MII by the end of the culture period, compared to 87.8% of oocytes that were retrieved at 36 h. A large proportion of oocytes reaching the MII stage had either or both abnormal spindles (>40%) and misaligned chromosomes (>60%), judging by immunofluorescence microscopy, but these abnormalities were independent of culture time. The mitochondria were evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm at all stages of maturation. Importantly, there was no microscopic evidence that the duration of culture had any injurious effects on the cells. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the evidence supports this non-human primate as a model for human IVM and the practice of priming with hCG to promote developmental potential

Plastias de estenoses de intestino delgado na doença de Crohn: resultados imediatos e tardios Crohn’s disease small bowel strictureplasties: early and late results

RACIONAL: As enteroplastias constituem alternativa cirúrgica no tratamento da estenose da doença de Crohn. OBJETIVO: Analisar, retrospectivamente, a evolução precoce e tardia do tratamento cirúrgico das estenoses do intestino delgado, segmento ileocecal ou anastomose ileocólica secundária à doença de Crohn, com emprego de plastias intestinais. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 28 doentes, operados entre setembro de 1991 e maio de 2004, com seguimento médio pós-operatório de 58,1 meses. Dezesseis (57,1%) eram do sexo masculino, com média etária de 33,3 anos, e 13 doentes (46,4%) apresentavam ressecções intestinais prévias. Foram realizadas 116 plastias, sendo 94 (81%) à Heineke-Mikulicz, 15 (13%) do tipo Finney e 7 (6%) ileocoloplastias látero-laterais. Em 18 doentes (64,3%) realizaram-se ressecções intestinais concomitantes. RESULTADOS: Verificaram-se 14 complicações em 7 doentes (25%) e um óbito (3,6%), secundário a complicações pulmonares após reoperações por sangramento intestinal da anastomose êntero-entérica. Ocorreram duas complicações gerais (14,3%), em dois doentes (7,1%) e oito complicações locais precoces (57,1%), em sete doentes (25%), sendo a mais freqüente deiscência de plastia, em três casos (10,7%). Complicações locais tardias ocorreram em dois doentes (7,1%), ambos com hérnia incisional e fístula êntero-cutânea. Recidiva sintomática da estenose ocorreu em 17 doentes (63%) e 2 deles (7,4%), apresentaram fístulas êntero-cutâneas, sendo o índice de reoperação de 40,7%. Observaram-se quatro recidivas (3,5%), em três doentes (11,1%) em local de plastia prévia, sendo mais comum no tipo Finney (20%). CONCLUSÃO: As plastias apresentaram baixos índices de complicações e propiciam alívio dos sintomas. Uma vez que muitos doentes com doença de Crohn necessitarão de várias cirurgias ao longo da vida, as plastias intestinais constituem alternativas eficazes, com resolução dos sintomas obstrutivos, evitando-se ressecções intestinais extensas e suas conseqüências.<br>BACKGROUND: Strictureplasty is an alternative surgical procedure for Crohn’s disease, particulary in patients with previous resections or many intestinal stenosis. AIM: To analyze surgical complications and clinical follow-up in patients submitted to strictureplasty secondary to Crohn’s disease. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (57.1% male, mean age 33.3 years, range 16-54 years) with Crohn’s disease and intestinal stenosis (small bowel, ileocecal region and ileocolic anastomosis) were submitted to strictureplasty, at one institution, between September 1991 and May 2004. Thirteen patients had previous intestinal resections. The mean follow-up was 58.1 months. A total of 116 strictureplasties were done (94 Heineke-Mikulicz - 81%, 15 Finney - 13%, seven side-to-side ileocolic strictureplasty - 6%). Three patients were submitted to strictureplasty at two different surgical procedures and two in three procedures. RESULTS: Regarding to strictureplasty, postoperative complication rate was 25% and mortality was 3.6%. Early local complication rate was 57.1%, with three suture leaks (10.7%) and late complication was present in two patients, both with incisional hernial and enterocutaneous fistulas (28.6%). Patients remained hospitalized during a medium time of 12.4 days. Clinical and surgical recurrence rates were 63% and 41%, respectively. Among the patients submitted to another surgery, two patients had two more operations and one had three. Recurrence rate at strictureplasty site was observed in 3.5%, being Finney technique the commonest one. Presently, 19 patients had been asymptomatic with the majority of them under medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Strictureplasties have low complication rates, in spite of having been done at compromised site, with long term pain relief. Considering the clinical course of Crohn’s disease, with many patients being submitted to intestinal resections, strictureplasties should be considered as an effective surgical treatment to spare long intestinal resections