Biodiversity Conservation Requires Management of Feral Domestic Animals.

The proliferation of feral domestic animals (FDAs) has been favored by human-induced landscape changes, a world population becoming increasingly urban, and by inappropriate management of domestic animals. Here, we describe the impact of FDAs and the opposing views in societies that affect the decision-making process and management actions. We provide general recommendations for the participatory management of this emerging threat to biodiversity and rural ecosystems.

Is a leaky gut involved in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?

Increased gastrointestinal permeability has been demonstrated in several liver diseases. It may facilitate the absorption of gut-derived endotoxin-stimulating Kupffer cells to release proinflammatory cytokines or other potentially hepatotoxic compounds. We examined gastrointestinal permeability, plasma levels of anti-lipopolysacharides (anti-LPS), and four proinflammatory cytokines in 20 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) compared with 22 normal pregnant and 29 non-pregnant women.

Ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of cholestasis of pregnancy: a randomized, double-blind study controlled with placebo.

Background/aims: Intense pruritus and the risk of stillbirths and premature deliveries justify the search for an effective pharmacologic treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. This study was designed to test the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid in maternal pruritus, the biochemical abnormalities and the outcome of pregnancy, in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy of early onset.

Methods: Pregnant patients hospitalized in a secondary case-referral center with intense pruritus and abnormal serum levels of bile salts and aminotransferases, detected before week 33 of pregnancy, were randomly assigned to receive ursodeoxycholic acid, 1 g per day orally, or an identical placebo, until delivery, in a double-blind study.

[Acute fulminating hepatitis non-A non-B in pregnancy: a clinical case of probable sporadic hepatitis caused by E virus].

The extreme severity of hepatitis E in the pregnant patient results a high maternal and fetal mortality in fulminating acute hepatitis. We present a clinical case of a 19 years old primigesta, 29 weeks pregnant, diagnosted as suffering from Acute Fulminating Hepatitis non A non B, probably E. The fetus died and liver transplant was contemplated for the patient due to the severity of disease.