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The Puma concolor is one of the largest carnivores present in Chile, although its size varies according to the geographical area in which it is found. It is increasingly common to find them outside their habitat and more in our environment. Its ecological, reproductive and nutritional aspects are known, but very little is known about its anatomy, which creates a challenge in the veterinary morphological area that needs strengthening. The present study consisted of an anatomical description of the appendicular skeleton of three adult specimens of Puma concolor (3 males) in the veterinary anatomy laboratory of the Universidad San Sebastián, headquarters of Patagonia Puerto Montt, which allowed a detailed study of the conformation of the skeleton of each structure present in the thoracic appendicular skeleton of these specimens. This allowed us to achieve results of morphological interest and delve into the anatomy of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematics and anatomy studies have revealed that characteristics of the batoids skeleton show significant variability and provide relevant information on the phylogenetic relationships of this group. Within this framework, our objective is describing the neurocranium morphology in eight species of batoids. Large variations were found, mainly in the rostrum, number of fontanelles, orientation of nasal capsules, and the condition and development of the pre- and post-orbital processes. These variations allowed us to group these craniums in three morphotypes. The first, including Narcine bancroftii, has unique characteristics, such as a squared rostrum and branched anterorbital cartilages; there are no pre-or postorbital processes, supraorbital crest or rostral appendix. The second morphotype includes Rostroraja texana and Pseudobatus lentiginosus, which have a well-developed rostrum with a rostral appendix in the anterior region, two fontanelles, jugal arches in the occipital region, and pre- and post-orbital processes poorly developed. The third morphotype includes myliobatoids species, which have small or absent rostrum, rostral appendix separated from the cranium, one fontanelle, and developed pre- and post-orbital processes. Most species have morphological variations throughout their development; therefore, when conducting phylogenetic studies, using characters from adult specimens is fundamental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by impaired communication and social interaction skills, and by repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Multiple studies report that there are synaptic dysfunctions in ASD, in which important substrates such as morphology and neuronal function are involved in this pathogenesis. In this review we discuss the data available at the levelof neuronal abnormalities in ASD, and emphasize the morphological aspects of dendrites, dendritic spines, and actin cyto skeleton. Actinrich dendrites and dendritic spines shape the postsynaptic part of the most excitatory synapses. In ASD, the data points to a dysregulation in dendritic growth and development, as well as an alteration in the density of dendritic spines. This is accompanied by alterations in there modeling and composition of the neuronal cytoskeleton. In orderto better understand the pathophysiology of ASD, further informationis needed on how the elements of synaptic morphofunctional changes impact circuits and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skeleton is made up of 206 constant bones (200 bones and the 6 ossicles of the ear). However, apart from these there are other bones that can be inconstant, which are called accessories and sesamoids. Based on the above, the objective was to identify to the Os peroneum, which is one of the sesamoid bones that could be present in the human foot, relating its presence with sex, age groups and dominance, also recording measurements of each bone found. A descriptive study was carried out, in which radiographs of 200 patients of both sexes were used, Chilean, from the IX region of La Araucanía, 50 male and 150 female, aged between 15 and 90 years. Of the 200 patients studied, 28 (14%) were found with the presence of peroneal bone, 23 of the female sex and 5 of the male sex. In 16 (57.1%) individuals it was determined that the bones were bilateral. The biometric records of the bone under study are shown in tables. The data obtained will complement the morphological and medical knowledge about this bone in the Chilean population, since the pain in the lateral zone of the foot can be caused by a spectrum of etiologies, and with the data obtained, characterize our population, providing another possible cause to lateral standing pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pudú (Pudu puda), one of the smallest deer in the world and indigenous to Chile, is considered vulnerable (VU) throughout the national territory, there is little specific information on the organic systems that compose it, and it is becoming more common find them in urban areas. These problems awaken the need to strengthen research and study of this species. Consequently, in the present study an anatomical description of the cranial skeleton of two specimens of Pudú puda was made, where their main bony characteristics were highlighted by comparing them with domestic species already studied (sheep and goats). Thus, it was possible to determine differences between the species studied and the need to deepen the analysis through measurements of the bone pieces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species Isurus oxyrinchus, also known as Mako Shark of commonly as Shortfin Mako, belongs to the Lamnidae family, of the Condrictis class. The main anatomical feature of this class is a skeleton fully composed of cartilage. Considered to be a vulnerable species according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), as a result of its extensive use in food industry and hunting sports due to its high speed. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, being found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. In Chile, a variety of this species has a distribution from the North to the Central-South regions of the country (according to industrial fishing data). Specimens are large in size, reaching 3.5 m and around 570 kg of weigh. The aim of this work was to perform a gross anatomy study of a juvenile Mako Shark, obtained by incidental fishing off the coast of Maule, Chile. The description of the skeleton was carried out in a systematic way by segments: skull, spine and fin. A photographic record of the specimen was obtained. According to the results, there is great similarity with what was described for the prickly shark and white shark, except for some shape variations in the skeleton. These differences could be explained by its ability to swim at high speed. The present description allows expanding knowledge of the anatomy of the Mako Shark, generating more information on this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deficit and excess of vitamin A causes birth defects affecting different organ systems. The objectives of this study are to determine the effect caused by the administration of different doses of retinoic acid on bone morphogenesis of the axial skeleton in embryonic mouse Mus musculus. By simple randomization newly pregnant females were distributed into 4 categories: A, B, C and D. On day 8 post fertilization, 40 mg/kg was administered by weight of retinoic acid to the group A, 20 mg/kg body weight of the group B solution 1 ml/kg body weight of dimethyl sulfoxide and group C. Group D is the control group. On day 17 of gestation the females and their fetuses were anesthetized and euthanized with an overdose of intraperitoneal sodium pentothal. Fetuses from each litter were processed using diaphanization and Alcian blue staining to hyaline cartilage and alizarin to observe bone tissue. The results are expressed as percentages of malformations in the following three segments: 1) cranio-cervical spine, 2) thoracic and abdominal segment and 3) pelvic segment, considering 100% when all the bony elements were compromised. Fisher's exact test for comparison of frequencies of malformations was used and considered statistically significant when p<0.05. In group A, major malformations and defects were evident in the indemnity of the cranial vault, exencephaly, defects in the number of vertebrae, and fusion of ribs. In group B minor malformations as numerical alterations and rib fusions were observed. Significant differences were found between both groups. In groups C and D no malformations were recorded. Retinoic acid administered intraperitoneally at doses of 40 and 20 mg/kg acts as a teratogen in mouse embryos. There are significant differences between the defects induced by concentrations of 40 mg/k and 20 mg/k of retinoic acid. Both concentrations affect the bones of the three segments studied (cranio cervical, thoraco-abdominal and pelvic) in a cephalo caudal gradient, independent of the embryonic origin of the structures. Changes in retinoic acid concentration alter the behavior of cranial neural crest and changing the order of the HOX gene expression in the axial skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]