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Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) and Bactrocera neohumeralis (Hardy) are sibling fruit fly species that are sympatric over much of their ranges. Premating isolation of these close relatives is thought to be maintained in part by allochrony—mating activity in B. tryoni peaks at dusk, whereas in B. neohumeralis , it peaks earlier in the day. To ascertain whether differences in pheromone composition may also contribute to premating isolation between them, this study used solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize the rectal gland volatiles of a recently collected and a more domesticated strain of each species. These glands are typical production sites and reservoirs of pheromones in bactrocerans. A total of 120 peaks were detected and 50 were identified. Differences were found in the composition of the rectal gland emissions between the sexes, species, and recently collected versus domesticated strains of each species. The compositional variation included several presence/absence and many quantitative differences. Species and strain differences in males included several relatively small alcohols, esters, and aliphatic amides. Species and strain differences in females also included some of the amides but additionally involved many fatty acid esters and 3 spiroacetals. While the strain differences indicate there is also heritable variation in rectal gland emissions within each species, the species differences imply that compositional differences in pheromones emitted from rectal glands could contribute to the premating isolation between B. tryoni and B. neohumeralis. The changes during domestication could also have significant implications for the efficacy of Sterile Insect Technique control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse methods have been used to sample insect semiochemicals. Sampling methods can differ in efficiency and affinity and this can introduce significant biases when interpreting biological patterns. We compare common methods used to sample tephritid fruit fly rectal gland volatiles ('pheromones'), focusing on Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni. Solvents of different polarity, n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol, were compared using intact and crushed glands. Polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene and polyacrylate were compared as adsorbents for solid phase microextraction. Tenax-GR and Porapak Q were compared as adsorbents for dynamic headspace sampling. Along with compounds previously reported for B. tryoni, we detected five previously unreported compounds in males, and three in females. Dichloromethane extracted more amides while there was no significant difference between the three solvents in extraction of spiroacetals except for (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane for which n-hexane extracted higher amount than both dichloromethane and ethanol. Ethanol failed to contain many of the more volatile compounds. Crushed rectal gland samples provided higher concentrations of extracted compounds than intact rectal gland samples, but no compounds were missed in intact samples. Of solid phase microextraction fibers, polyacrylate had low affinity for spiroacetals, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl-2-methylbutanoate. Polydimethylsiloxane was more efficient for spiroacetals while type of fiber did not affect the amounts of amides and esters. In dynamic headspace sampling, Porapak was more efficient for ethyl isobutyrate and spiroacetals, while Tenax was more efficient for other esters and amides, and sampling time was a critical factor. Biases that can be introduced by sampling methods are important considerations when collecting and interpreting insect semiochemical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rectal gland of the spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias secretes a salt solution isosmotic with plasma that maintains the salt homeostasis of the fish. It secretes salt against an electrochemical gradient that requires the expenditure of energy. Isolated rectal glands perfused without glucose secrete salt, albeit at a rate about 30% of glands perfused with 5 mM glucose. Gradually reducing the glucose concentration is associated with a progressive decrease in the secretion of chloride. The apparent Km for the exogenous glucose-dependent chloride secretion is around 2 mM. Phloretin and cytochalasin B, agents that inhibit facilitated glucose carriers of the solute carrier 2 (Slc2) family such as glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), do not inhibit the secretion of chloride by the perfused rectal glands. Phloridzin, which inhibits Slc5 family of glucose symporters, or -methyl-D-glucoside, which competitively inhibits the uptake of glucose through Slc5 symporters, inhibit the secretion of chloride. Thus the movement of glucose into the rectal gland cells appears to be mediated by a sodium-glucose symporter. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), the first member of the Slc5 family of sodium-linked glucose symporters, was cloned from the rectal gland. No evidence of GLUT2 was found. The persistence of secretion of chloride in the absence of glucose in the perfusate suggests that there is an additional source of energy within the cells. The use of 2-mercapto-acetate did not result in any change in the secretion of chloride, suggesting that the oxidation of fatty acids is not the source of energy for the secretion of chloride. Perfusion of isolated glands with KCN in the absence of glucose further reduces the secretion of chloride but does not abolish it, again suggesting that there is another source of energy within the cells. Glucose was measured in the rectal gland cells and found to be at concentrations in the range of that in the perfusate. Glycogen measurements indicated that there are significant stores of glucose in the rectal gland. Moreover, glycogen synthase was partially cloned from rectal gland cells. The open reading frame of glycogen phosphorylase was also cloned from rectal gland cells. Measurements of glycogen phosphorylase showed that the enzyme is mostly in its active form in the cells. The cells of the rectal gland of the spiny dogfish require exogenous glucose to fully support the active secretion of salt. They have the means to transport glucose into the cells in the form of SGLT1. The cells also have an endogenous supply of glucose as glycogen and have the necessary elements to synthesize, store, and hydrolyze it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovery of an unusual rectal gland in the Atlantic sixgill shark Hexanchus vitulus led us to examine the rectal glands of 31 species of sharks to study diversity in rectal‐gland morphology. Twenty‐four of 31 species of sharks had digitiform glands (mean width–length ratio ± SD = 0.17 ± 0.04) previously assumed to be characteristic of all elasmobranchs regardless of habitat depth or phylogenetic age. Rectal glands from the family Somniosidae were kidney bean‐shaped (mean width: length ± SD = 0.46 ± 0.05); whereas those from families Echinorhinidae and Hexanchidae were lobulate (mean width: length ± SD = 0.55 ± 0.06). Rectal gland width: length were different among species with digitiform morphology and lobulate morphology (ANOVA; R2 = 0.9; df = 15, 386; 401, F = 219.24; P < 0.001). Histological and morphological characteristics of the digitiform morphology from deep‐sea sharks were similar to those from shallow‐water sharks. Histology of lobulate rectal glands from hexanchids were characterised by tubule bundles separated by smooth muscle around a central lumen. Additionally, we examined plasma chemistry of four species of sharks with digitiform rectal glands and two species with lobulate rectal‐gland morphology to see if there were differences between morphologies. Plasma chemistry analysis showed that urea and trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) followed the piezolyte hypothesis, with TMAO being highest and urea being lowest in deep‐sea sharks. Among electrolytes, Na+ was highest in species with lobulate rectal glands. Hexanchids and echinorhinids both have lobulate rectal glands similar to those of holocephalans, despite the more than 400 million years separating these two groups. The morphological similarities between the lobulate rectal‐gland anatomy of primitive sharks and the secretory morphology of holocephalans may represent an intermediate state between Holocephali and derived shark species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Males of the Carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (Diptera: Tephritidae) are strongly attracted to, and feed on methyl eugenol (ME) that exists as a plant secondary compound in over 480 plant species worldwide. Upon feeding on this highly potent attractant, the males convert ME into a phenylpropanoid, (E)-coniferyl alcohol (ECF), that is stored in the rectal gland prior to its release as a sex pheromone component during calling and courtship. Here, using a series of chemical and behavioural assays, we provide evidence for the presence of ECF in the hemolymph and suggest the latter's involvement in transport of ECF to the male rectal gland following consumption of ME. The greatest concentration of ECF was detected in the hemolymph at 3 h after feeding on ME and subsequently decreased, whereas accumulation of ECF in the rectal gland reached a maximum at 2 days post-feeding. Using male flies as biodetectors, fractions of 1.5-9.2 kDa from fractionated hemolymph of ME-fed males were found to be attractive and contained ECF as sex pheromone. In addition, the significant increase in the total concentration of protein in hemolymph from ME-fed males compared with that of ME-deprived males suggests a direct protein carrier involvement in hemolymph transport of the sex pheromone in B. carambolae. All these results are further discussed in comparison with previous results obtained from its sibling species, the Oriental fruit fly—B. dorsalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranch diets consist of high quantities of protein and lipids, but very low levels of carbohydrates including glucose. Reflecting this diet, most tissues use lipids and ketone bodies as their main metabolic fuel. However, the rectal gland has been shown to be dependent on glucose as a fuel, so we hypothesized that glucose transporters (GLUTs) would be present and upregulated in the gland during times of activation (e.g. following a meal). In this study, we searched for and identified putative class I GLUTs in three elasmobranchs and a holocephalan using transcriptomes, and used these to reconstruct a Bayesian phylogeny. We determined that each of the four species possessed three of the four class I GLUT sequences, but the identities of the isoforms present in each species differed between the elasmobranchs (GLUT1, 3 and 4) and the holocephalan (GLUT1, 2 and 3). We then used qPCR to measure mRNA levels of these GLUTs in the rectal gland, liver, intestine, and muscle of fed and starved spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi). The rectal gland data showed higher mRNA levels of GLUT4 in the starved relative to the fed fish. In the muscle, both GLUT1 and 4 were significantly elevated at 24 h post-feeding, as was the case for GLUT4 in the liver. In the intestine on the other hand, GLUT4 was significantly elevated by 6 h post-feeding, remaining elevated through 48 h. We suggest that GLUT4 has taken on the role of GLUT2 in elasmobranchs as the expression patterns observed in the liver and intestine are representative of GLUT2 in other vertebrates.

Rectal gland is an important organ for osmoregulation in the sharks, and has species-specific features which are dependent on fish size. In this investigation, 36 individual of Brown banded Bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium punctatum) were caught from Dervish's Creek located at the northern of Persian Gulf in both autumn and spring seasons. After weighting, biometry, sex determination and the numbering of sharks, the rectal gland were removed and weight were measured and then immediately fixed in Bouinâs solution. Histological sections of 5 micrometers were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin and then studied by using light microscope.The morphological results showed that about the size of the rectal gland, there was no significant difference between males and females (p>0.05) but the smaller sharks have larger rectal glands in proportion to their body size comperated to larger sharks (p

OBJECTIVE To evaluate colonoscopic and histologic features of rectal masses in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 82 client-owned dogs with rectal masses that underwent colonoscopy. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs with rectal masses that underwent colonoscopy were reviewed. History, signalment, clinical signs, results of physical examination, diagnostic imaging findings, and results of colonoscopy (including complications) were recorded. When available, tissue samples obtained during colonoscopy and by means of surgical biopsy were reviewed by a single board-certified pathologist. Histologic features and tumor grade (when applicable) of tissue samples obtained during colonoscopy versus surgical biopsy were compared. RESULTS Multiple rectal masses were observed during colonoscopy in 6 of the 82 dogs, but no lesions were visualized orad to the colorectal junction. Results of histologic evaluation of surgical biopsy specimens were consistent with a diagnosis of epithelial neoplasia in 58 of 64 dogs, of which 71% were classified as benign adenoma or polyp and 29% were classified as adenocarcino-ma in situ or adenocarcinoma. Complications of colonoscopy occurred in 3 of 82 dogs but were considered minor. A discrepancy in diagnosis occurred in 5 of 16 dogs for which both colonoscopic and surgical biopsy samples were available for histologic review. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that multiple rectal masses are uncommon in dogs, and secondary lesions orad to the colorectal junction were not found in this study. Colonoscopy was associated with few complications, but the need for colonoscopic assessment of the entire colon in this patient population may merit reevaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the shark rectal gland (SRG), apical chloride secretion through CFTR channels is electrically coupled to a basolateral K+ conductance whose type and molecular identity are unknown. We performed studies in the perfused SRG with 17 K+ channel inhibitors to begin this search. Maximal chloride secretion was markedly inhibited by low-perfusate pH, bupivicaine, anandamide, zinc, quinidine, and quinine, consistent with the properties of an acid-sensitive, four-transmembrane, two-pore-domain K+ channel (4TM-K2P). Using PCR with degenerate primers to this family, we identified a TASK-1 fragment in shark rectal gland, brain, gill, and kidney. Using 5= and 3= rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR and genomic walking, we cloned the full-length shark gene (1,282 bp), whose open reading frame encodes a protein of 375 amino acids that was 80% identical to the human TASK-1 protein. We expressed shark and human TASK-1 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes and characterized these channels using two-electrode voltage clamping. Both channels had identical currentvoltage relationships (outward rectifying) and a reversal potential of -90 mV. Both were inhibited by quinine, bupivicaine, and acidic pH. The pKa for current inhibition was 7.75 for shark TASK-1 vs. 7.37 for human TASK-1, values similar to the arterial pH for each species. We identified this protein in SRG by Western blot and confocal immunofluorescent microscopy and detected the protein in SRG and human airway cells. Shark TASK-1 is the major K+ channel coupled to chloride secretion in the SRG, is the oldest 4TM 2P family member identified, and is the first TASK-1 channel identified to play a role in setting the driving force for chloride secretion in epithelia. The detection of this potassium channel in mammalian lung tissue has implications for human biology and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rectal pads of a species of the controversial polyneopteran order Zoraptera were examined using histological sections and TEM micrographs. Six pads are present along the thin rectal epithelium. Each pad consists of a few large principal cells surrounded by flattened junctional cells, which extend also beneath the principal cells. The cells are lined by a thin apical cuticle. No basal cells and no cavity have been observed beneath the pad. Principal cells have a regular layer of apical microvilli and are joined by intercellular septate junctions, which are interrupted by short dilatations of the intercellular space. At these levels the two adjacent plasma membranes are joined by short zonulae adhaerentes. In the cytoplasm, a rich system of strict associations between lateral plasma membranes and mitochondria forms scalariform junctions. Rectal pads share ultrastructural features with similar excretory organs of several neopteran groups, in particular with Blattodea (roaches and termites) and Thysanoptera, and are involved in fluid reabsorption and ion regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to compare rectal, pharyngeal and oesophageal temperature measurements in anaesthetized pigs. Data were compared using the Bland–Altman method, and correlation coefficients and error measures were calculated. Sixty-six sets of data were collected from 16 pigs weighing 16.2 ± 4.2 kg. The bias (and 95% limit of agreement) for rectal and pharyngeal compared with oesophageal temperature were 0.69 (–1.18 to 2.57) ℃ and 0.22 (−0.84 to 1.28) ℃, respectively. The correlation coefficients for rectal and pharyngeal compared with oesophageal temperature were 0.47 and 0.87, respectively. The absolute error for rectal and pharyngeal compared with oesophageal temperature was 0.7 ± 0.9℃ and 0.2 ± 0.5℃, respectively. Pharyngeal temperature measurement may be more suitable than rectal temperature measurement for estimation of oesophageal temperature during general anaesthesia of pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Pacific spiny dogfish ( Squalus suckleyi ) is a partially euryhaline species of elasmobranch that often enter estuaries where they experience relatively large fluctuations in environmental salinity that can affect plasma osmolality. Previous studies have investigated the effects of altered salinity on elasmobranchs over the long term, but fewer studies have conducted time courses to investigate how rapidly they can adapt to such changes. In this study, we exposed unfed (no exogenous source of nitrogen or TMAO) spiny dogfish to hyper- and hypo-osmotic conditions and measured plasma and tissue osmolytes, nitrogen excretion, and changes in enzyme activity and mRNA levels in the rectal gland over 24 h. It was shown that plasma osmolality changes to approximately match the ambient seawater within 18–24 h. In the hypersaline environment, significant increases in urea, sodium, and chloride were observed, whereas in the hyposaline environment, only significant decreases in TMAO and sodium were observed. Both urea and ammonia excretion increased at low salinities suggesting a reduction in urea retention and possibly urea production. qPCR and enzyme activity data for Na + /K + -ATPase did not support the idea of rectal gland activation following exposure to increased salinities. Therefore, we suggest that the rectal gland may not be a quantitatively important aspect of the dogfish osmoregulatory strategy during changes in environmental salinity, or it may be active only in the very early stages (i.e., less than 6 h) of responses to altered salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dogfish shark salt gland was predicted by Smith and discovered by Burger at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove, Maine. It is an epithelial organ in the intestine composed of tubules that serve a single function: the secretion of hypertonic NaCl. Many G protein receptors are present on the basolateral surface of these tubules, including stimulatory receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide, adenosine A2, growth hormone releasing hormone, and inhibitory receptors for somatostatin and adenosine A1. An entirely different class of stimulatory receptors is present as C-type natriuretic peptide receptors. Each stimulatory receptor evokes powerful NaCl secretion. G protein receptors bind to Gαs to activate the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase to form cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A that phosphorylates the regulatory domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, opening the channel. The C-type natriuretic peptide receptor stimulates by activating guanylate cyclase and endogenous cyclic guanosine monophosphate which inhibits type 3 phosphodiesterase, the enzyme that breaks down cAMP, thereby elevating cAMP and activating the protein kinase A pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose In external beam radiation (EBRT) of the prostate, the rectum is the dose-limiting organ at risk, and sparing of the anterior rectal wall is a prerequisite for safe delivery of doses beyond 70 Gy. Spatial sparing of the rectum can be achieved by introducing a spacer material into the retroprostatic space, thus separating the anterior rectal wall from the PTV. Materials and methods Two spacer technologies, Spacer OAR, a polyethylene glycol gel and ProSpace, a saline inflated balloon, were compared in terms of spacer volume, stability, and dose reduction to the anterior rectum wall in 78 patients. Results Both spacer systems significantly reduced the rectum surface encompassed by the 95% isodose (gel: −35%, p < 0.01; balloon −63.4%, p < 0.001) compared to a control group. The balloon spacer was superior in reducing rectum dose (−27.7%, p = 0.034), but exhibited an average volume loss of >50% during the full course of treatment of 37–40 fractions, while the volume of gel spacers remained fairly constant. Conclusions In choosing between the two spacer technologies, the advantageous dose reduction of the balloon needs to be weighed up against the better volume consistency of the gel spacer with respect to the duration of hypofractionated vs normofractionated regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a considerable body of work describing osmoregulation by elasmobranchs in brackish and saltwater, far fewer studies have investigated osmoregulation in hypersaline waters. We examined osmo- and ionoregulatory function and plasticity in juvenile brown-banded bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium punctatum , exposed to three experimental salinities (25, 34 and 40‰) for two weeks. C. punctatum inhabits sheltered coastal areas and bays which can naturally become hypersaline as a consequence of evaporation of water but can also become hyposaline during flood events. We hypothesised that C. punctatum would demonstrate a phenotypically plastic osmoregulatory physiology. Plasma osmolality, urea, Na + and Cl − levels increased significantly with increasing environmental salinity. Rectal gland and branchial sodium–potassium ATPase (NKA) activities were unaffected by salinity. Using immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting we found evidence for the presence of the key ion-regulatory proteins vacuolar H + -ATPase (VHA), pendrin (Cl − /HCO 3 − co-transporter) and the Na + –H + exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) in discrete cells within the branchial epithelia. These results indicate that C. punctatum is a partially euryhaline elasmobranch able to maintain osmo- and ionoregulatory function between environmental salinities of 25‰ and 40‰. As suggested for other elasmobranchs, the gills of C. punctatum likely play a limited role in maintaining Na + homeostasis over the salinity range studied, but may play an important role in acid–base balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The salt-secreting rectal gland plays a major role in elasmobranch osmoregulation, facilitating ion balance in hyperosmotic environments in a manner analogous to the teleost gill. Several studies have examined the central role of the sodium pump Na+/K+-ATPase in osmoregulatory tissues of euryhaline elasmobranch species, including regulation of Na+/K+-ATPase activity and abundance in response to salinity acclimation. However, while the transcrip-tional regulation of Na+/K+-ATPase in the teleost gill has been well documented the potential for mRNA regulation to facilitate rectal gland plasticity during salinity acclimation in elasmobranchs has not been examined.Therefore, in this study we acclimated Atlantic stingrays, Dasyatissabina (Lesueur) from 11 to 34 ppt salinity over 3 days, and examined changes in plasma components as well as gill and rectal gland Na+/K+-ATPase ai (atplal) mRNA expression. Results: Acclimation to increased salinity did not affect hematocrit but resulted in significant increases in plasma osmolality, chloride and urea. Rectal gland atplal mRNA expression was higher in 34 ppt-acclimated D.sabinavs. controls. There was no significant change in gill atplal mRNA expression, however mRNA expression of this gene in the gill and rectal gland were negatively correlated. Conclusions: This study demonstrates regulation of atplal in the elasmobranch salt-secreting gland in response to salinity acclimation and a negative relationship between rectal gland and gill atplal expression.These results support the hypothesis that the gill and rectal gland play opposing roles in ion balance with the gill potentially facilitating ion uptake in hypoosmotic environments. Future studies should further examine this possibility as well as potential differences in the regulation of Na+/K+-ATPase gene expression between euryhaline and stenohaline elasmobranch species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Himantura signifer is a freshwater stingray which inhabits rivers in Southeast Asia. It can survive in brackish water but not seawater. In brackish water, it becomes partially ureosmotic, but how it maintains its plasma hypoionic to the external medium is enigmatic because of the lack of a rectal gland. Here, we report for the first time the expression of Na+:K+:2Cl− cotransporter 1 (nkcc1) in the gills of freshwater H. signifer, and its moderate up-regulation (~2-fold) in response to brackish water (salinity 20) acclimation. The absence of the Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase and oxidation stress response kinase 1 interaction site from the N-terminus of H. signifer Nkcc1 suggested that it might not be effectively activated by stress kinases in response to salinity changes as in more euryhaline teleosts. The increased activity of Nkcc1 during salt excretion in brackish water would lead to an influx of Na+ into ionocytes, and the maintenance of intracellular Na+ homeostasis would need the cooperation of Na+/K+-ATPase (Nka). We demonstrated for the first time the expression of nkaα1, nkaα2 and nkaα3 in the gills of H. signifer, and the up-regulation of the mRNA expression of nkaα3 and the overall protein abundance of Nkaα in response to acclimation to brackish water. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of a sub-type of ionocyte, co-expressing Nkcc1 and Nkaα, near the base of the secondary lamellae in the gills of H. signifer acclimated to brackish water, but this type of ionocyte was absent from the gills of fish kept in fresh water. Hence, there could be a change in the function of the gills of H. signifer from salt absorption to salt excretion during brackish water acclimation in the absence of a functioning rectal gland.

Traumatic lesions of the rectum, perineum and anus are rare but difficult to treat, requiring experience in terms of trauma and colorectal surgery. Case report and electronic search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Knowledge, to identify original articles and reviews about the subject. Case 1 -Male patient, 31 years old, victim of a car accident, transferred to our hospital from a lower level trauma center, with cranial, abdominal and extremity trauma (ISS = 29). On FAST there was free peritoneal fluid. The patient was transported to the operating room. Abdominal exploration revealed a grade IV laceration of the sigmoid colon and upper rectum, with diffuse fecaloid peritonitis and middle hemoperitoneum. Hartmann type colorectal resection was performed. Postoperative whole body Computed Tomography detailed the complex type C pelvic fracture, immobilized with an external fixator during initial surgical approach. The clinical evolution was favourable, the patient being referred to a lower level local center for rehabilitation. Case 2 -Male patient, 27 years old, bicyclist victim of a car accident, admitted to our hospital in emergency setting for right inguinal open wound with extension to anorectal region and pelvis-subperitoneal space, complex pelvic trauma and lower limb fractures (ISS = 29). The patient was transported to the operating room. Perineal packing was performed with external pelvic fixation and lower limb fractures reduction along with external fixation. The clinical evolution was favourable, the patient being referred to a lower level local center for continuation of the therapy. Significant injuries to the pelvic ring, most commonly the result of high energy trauma, carry with them high rates of both morbidity and mortality, and only prompt diagnosis and treatment are the key to success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the main points of preventing anastomotic fistula formation after low-position Dixon operation. Methods: From September 2004 to October 2007, our department continuously conducted 146 cases of low-position Dixon operations. The operation mode involved transabdominal radical resection based on total mesorectal excision for all cases. Except for tumor infiltration, one side of the pelvic vegetative nerve was maintained and ligations were conducted at the superior rectal artery root. Mesorectum at the anastomosis site was removed up to the tunica muscularis recti. The anastomotic stoma blood supply was good and had no tension. An anal tube was inserted when the anastomotic stoma was within 3 cm away from the anal margin. For all cases, a presacral drainage tube was placed via the perineal position. Results: For all 146 cases, no anastomotic leakage occurred and the post-operative complications included two cases of anastomotic bleeding, three cases of anastomotic stenoses, 48 cases of increased defecation (4-6 times of defecation daily), 34 cases of anal irritation symptoms, and 6 cases of poor loose stool control capacities. Conclusion: Ensuring enough blood supply for the anastomotic bowel on the two sides, eliminating tension and accurate anastomosis at the anastomosis site could be effective measures to prevent anastomotic fistula in the low position anus preserving surgery of colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the ability of current equine influenza vaccines to provide cross-protection against emerging strains is important. Horses not vaccinated previously and seronegative for equine influenza based on haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay were assigned at random to vaccinated (n=7) or non-vaccinated (control, n=5) groups. Vaccination was performed twice four weeks apart with a 1 ml influenza subunit (A/eq/Prague/1/56, A/eq/ Newmarket/1/93, A/eq/Newmarket/2/93), tetanus toxoid vaccine with Matrix-C adjuvant (EquilisPrequenza Te). All the horses were challenged individually by aerosol with A/eq/ Richmond/1/07 three weeks after the second vaccination. Rectal temperature, clinical signs, serology and virus excretion were monitored for 14 days after challenge. There was no pain at the injection site or increases in rectal temperature following vaccination. Increases in rectal temperature and characteristic clinical signs were recorded in the control horses. Clinical signs were minimal in vaccinated horses. Clinical (P=0.0345) and total clinical scores (P=0.0180) were significantly lower in the vaccinated than in the control horses. Vaccination had a significant effect on indicators of viraemia - the extent (P=0.0006) and duration (P=<0.0001) of virus excretion and the total amount of virus excreted (AUC, P=0.0006). Vaccination also had a significant effect (P=0.0017) on whether a horse was positive or negative for virus excretion during the study. Further research is needed to fully understand the specific properties of this vaccine that may contribute to its cross-protective capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the discovery of the rectal gland of the dogfish shark 50 years ago, experiments with this tissue have greatly aided our understanding of secondary active chloride secretion and the secretagogues responsible for this function. In contrast, very little is known about the rectal gland of skates. In the present experiments, we performed the first studies in the perfused rectal gland of the little skate (Leucoraja erinacea), an organ weighing less than one-tenth of the shark rectal gland. Our results indicate that the skate gland can be studied by modified perfusion techniques and in primary culture monolayers, and that secretion is blocked by the inhibitors of membrane proteins required for secondary active chloride secretion. Our major finding is that three G protein-coupled receptor agonists, the incretin gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, as well as glucagon and serotonin, are unexpected potent chloride secretagogues in the skate but not the shark. Glucagon stimulated chloride secretion to a mean value of 1,661 ± 587 μeq·h-1·g-1 and serotonin stimulated to 2,893 ± 699 μeq·h-1· g-1. GIP stimulated chloride secretion to 3,733 679 eq·h1·g1 and significantly increased tissue cAMP content compared with basal conditions. This is the first report of GIP functioning as a chloride secretagogue in any species or tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro perfused rectal gland of the dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) and filter-grown monolayers of primary cultures of shark rectal gland (SRG) epithelial cells were used to analyze the signal transduction pathway by which C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) stimulates chloride secretion. CNP binds to natriuretic receptors in the basolateral membrane, elevates cellular cGMP, and opens cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channels in the apical membrane. CNP-provoked chloride secretion was completely inhibitable by the nonspecific protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine and the PKA inhibitor H89 but insensitive to H8, an inhibitor of type I and II isoforms of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGKI and cGKII). CNP-induced secretion could not be mimicked by nonhydrolyzable cGMP analogs added alone or in combination with the protein kinase C activator phorbolester, arguing against a role for cGK or for cGMP-induced PKC signaling. We failed to detect a dogfish ortholog of cGKII by molecular cloning and affinity chromatography. However, inhibitors of the cGMP-inhibitable isoform of phosphodiesterase (PDE3) including milrinone, amrinone, and cilostamide but not inhibitors of other PDE isoenzymes mimicked the effect of CNP on chloride secretion in perfused glands and monolayers. CNP raised cGMP and cAMP levels in the SRG epithelial cells. This rise in cAMP as well as the CNP and amrinone-provoked chloride secretion, but not the rise in cGMP, was almost completely blocked by the Gi-coupled adenylyl cyclase inhibitor somatostatin, arguing against a role for cGMP cross-activation of PKA in CNP action. These data provide molecular, functional, and pharmacological evidence for a CNP/cGMP/PDE3/cAMP/PKA signaling cascade coupled to CFTR in the SRG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dogfish orthologue of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) was amplified from cDNA using degenerate PCR followed by cloning and sequencing. The complete coding region was then obtained using 5’ and 3’ RACE techniques. Alignment of the sequence with AQP4 amino acid sequences from other species showed that dogfish AQP4 has high levels (up to 65.3%) of homology with higher vertebrate sequences but lower levels of homology to agnathan (38.2%) or teleost (57.5%) fish sequences. Northern blotting indicated that the dogfish mRNA was approximately 3.2 kb and was highly expressed in the rectal gland (a shark fluid secretory organ). Semi-quantitative PCR further indicates that AQP4 is ubiquitous, being expressed in all tissues measured but at low levels in certain tissues, where the level in liver>gill> intestine. Manipulation of the external environmental salinity of groups of dogfish showed that when fish were acclimated in stages to 120% seawater (SW) or 75% SW, there was no change in AQP4 mRNA expression in either rectal gland, kidney or esophagus/cardiac stomach. Whereas quantitative PCR experiments using the RNA samples from the same experiment, showed a significant 63.1% lower abundance of gill AQP4 mRNA expression in 120% SW-acclimated dogfish. The function of dogfish AQP4 was also determined by measuring the effect of the AQP4 expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Dogfish AQP4 expressingoocytes, exhibited significantly increased osmotic water permeability (Pf) compared to controls, and this was invariant with pH. Permeability was not significantly reduced by treatment of oocytes with mercury chloride, as is also the case with AQP4 in other species. Similarly AQP4 expressing oocytes did not exhibit enhanced urea or glycerol permeability, which is also consistent with the water-selective property of AQP4 in other species.

Abstract: Prior studies of the elasmobranch rectal gland have demonstrated that feeding induces profound and rapid up regulation of the gland's ability to secrete concentrated NaCl solutions and the metabolic capacity to support this highly ATP consuming process. We undertook the current study to attempt to determine the degree to which up regulation of mRNA transcription was involved in the gland's activation. cDNA libraries were created from mRNA isolated from rectal glands of fasted (7days post-feeding) and fed (6h and 22h post-feeding) spiny dogfish sharks (Squalus acanthias), and the libraries were subjected to suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) analysis. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) was also used to ascertain the mRNA expression of several genes revealed by the SSH analysis. In total the treatments changed the abundance of 170 transcripts, with 103 up regulated by feeding, and 67 up regulated by fasting. While many of the changes took place in ‘expected’ Gene Ontology (GO) categories (e.g., metabolism, transport, structural proteins, DNA and RNA turnover, etc.), KEGG analysis revealed a number of categories which identify oxidative stress as a topic of interest for the gland. GO analysis also revealed that branched chain essential amino acids (e.g., valine, leucine, isoleucine) are potential metabolic fuels for the rectal gland. In addition, up regulation of transcripts for many genes in the anticipated GO categories did not agree (i.e., fasting down regulated in feeding treatments) with previously observed increases in their respective proteins/enzyme activities. These results suggest an ‘anticipatory’ storage of selected mRNAs which presumably supports the rapid translation of proteins upon feeding activation of the gland. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: The impact of body mass index (BMI) on rectal dose in brachytherapy for cervical cancer is unknown. We assessed the association of BMI on rectal dose and lower gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Methods and Materials: Between 2007 and 2010, 51 patients with 97 brachytherapy planning images were reviewed. Volumetric measurements of the maximum percentage, mean percentage, dose to 2cc (D2cc), and dose to 1cc (D1cc) of the rectum, and the Internal Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement (ICRU) rectal point were recorded. Linear mixed effect models, analysis of variance, and regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between multiple observations or to detect a difference in the mean. The GI acute and late toxicity were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Results: The average BMI (kg/m2) was 27.7 with a range of 17.4–46.6. Among the patients, 8% were morbidly obese, 25% obese, 25% overweight, 40% normal weight, and 2% underweight. The mean D1cc, D2cc, mean rectal dose (%), maximum rectal dose (%), and ICRU rectum was 3.03 Gy, 2.78 Gy, 20%, 60%, and 2.99 Gy, respectively. On multivariate analysis, there was a significant decrease in the D1cc and D2cc rectal dose (p =0.016), ICRU rectal point dose (p =0.022), and mean rectal dose percentage (p =0.021) with an increase in BMI. There was, however, no statistically significant relationship between BMI and GI toxicity. Conclusions: Obesity decreases the rectal dose given in high-dose-rate brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer because of an increase in fatty tissue in the recto-uterine space. There is no significant correlation between BMI and acute or late GI toxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents abstracts related to pediatrics and developmental pathology which includes evidence of intrapulmonary anastomotic vessels, calretinin-immunoreactive mucosal nerves in suction rectal biopsies, and increased lung endostatin expression impairing perinatal lung development.

Abstract: Elasmobranchs are essentially marine, but ~15% of the species occur in brackish or freshwater. The Brazilian marine coastal skate Zapteryx brevirostris, non-reported in nearby estuaries, was submitted to 35, 25, 15, and 5 psu, for 6 or 12h (n=6). Plasma was assayed for osmolality, urea, and ions (Na+, Cl−, K+, Mg2+). Muscle water content was determined, and the rectal gland, kidney and gills were removed for carbonic anhydrase (CA) and Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA) activities. The skate survived to all treatments. Plasma osmolality and urea levels decreased respectively by 27% and 38% after 12h in 5 psu (with respect to levels when in seawater), but plasma Na+, Cl−, and Mg2+ were well regulated. Plasma K+ showed some conformation after 12h. Muscle hydration was maintained. Branchial CA and NKA did not respond to salinity. Rectal gland NKA decreased upon seawater dilution, while renal NKA increased. This skate was shown to be partially euryhaline. The analysis of plasma urea of elasmobranchs in brackish and freshwater versus salinity and time—allied to the widespread occurrence of some euryhalinity in the group—led us to revisit the hypothesis of a brackish water habitat for elasmobranch ancestors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The association of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and anorectal malformation (ARM) is rare. The exact incidence of this association is not known but HD coexisting with ARM has been reported in 2.3 to 3.4 % of ARM cases. Most of the reported cases in the literature have been single case reports. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the incidence of HD associated with ARM and its relationship to other syndromes. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed for the keywords 'association of Hirschsprung's disease and anorectal malformation', 'aganglionosis and anorectal malformation' as well as 'congenital megacolon and anorectal malformation'. Resulting publications were reviewed for epidemiology, operative treatment and morbidity. Reference lists were screened for additional cases. Results: A total of 38 articles reported 90 cases of HD coexisting with ARM from 1952 to 2013. Twenty eight articles reported 40 single case reports of this association. Ten articles reported 50 cases of HD in case series of 2,465 ARM patients, resulting in an incidence of 2 % of this association. Gender was reported in 63 cases, with 30 males (48 %) and 33 females (52 %). Associated syndromes were reported in 23 patients: Currarino syndrome in 11, Down syndrome in 8, Cat eye syndrome in 3 and Pallister-Hall syndrome in one case. Extent of aganglionosis was reported in 49 cases and included classical rectosigmoid disease in 36, long segment aganglionosis in 5, total colonic aganglionosis in 7 and total intestinal aganglionosis in one patient. In 35 % of the patients stoma was created in the aganglionotic region and failed to work. There was a median delay of 8 months for the diagnosis of HD from initial diagnosis of ARM. Various surgical techniques were employed for the pull-through operation for HD. Conclusion: The review confirms that the recognition of HD is often delayed because of the initial diagnosis of ARM and the fact that the dysfunctional colostomy is usually proximal to the affected aganglionotic bowel. There is a high incidence of associated syndromes when HD coexists with ARM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to study the prevalence and radiologic anatomy of the middle rectal artery (MRA) using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The retrospective study (October 2010-February 2012) focused in 167 male patients with prostate enlargement (mean age 64.7 years, range 47-81 years) who underwent selective pelvic arterial embolization for the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms. All patients underwent CTA previously to DSA to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the pelvis and to plan the treatment. MRAs were identified and classified according to their origin, trajectory, termination and relationship with surrounding arteries. We found MRAs in 60 (35.9 %) patients (23.9 % of pelvic sides, n = 80) and of those, 20 (12 %) had bilateral MRAs; 24 MRAs (30 %) were independent of neighbouring arteries and 56 MRAs (70 %) had common origins with prostatic arteries (prostato-rectal trunk). The most frequent MRA origin was the internal pudendal artery (60 %, n = 48), followed by the inferior gluteal artery (21.3 %, n = 17) and common gluteal-pudendal trunk (16.2 %, n = 13). In 2 patients the MRA originated from the obturator artery (2.5 %). Anastomoses to the superior rectal and inferior mesenteric arteries were found in 87.5 % of cases ( n = 70). We concluded that MRAs are anatomical variants present in less than half of male patients; have variable origins and frequently share common origins with prostatic arteries. Their correct identification is likely to contribute to improve interventional radiology procedures and prostatic or rectal surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]