Electrochemical Biosensor for the Assessment of Cell Viability Using Methylene Blue. Application to the Detection of Ciguatoxins in Fish from the Canary Islands.

Cell-based biosensors (CBBs) for the detection of marine neurotoxins such as ciguatoxins (CTXs) are of high interest due to the composite toxicological response they can provide and the low limits of quantification (LOQs) they can achieve with the use of sensitive neural cells. However, the development and validation of CBBs are challenging due to the use of living material and the need for appropriate signal transduction strategies. In this work, Neuro-2a cells have been immobilized on thin-film gold electrodes, and their viability after exposure to CTX1B has been evaluated with light optical microscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using methylene blue (MB) as a redox indicator.

Clinicopathologic findings and causes of mortality in 100 pet rabbits from the Canary Islands, Spain, 2011-2022.

The European domestic rabbit () is commonly kept as a pet, with increasing popularity among pet owners. Despite the increasing body of information on lagomorph medicine and pathology, comprehensive published compilations of causes of mortality in pet rabbits are limited. We analyzed health disorders, pathology findings, and most probable causes of death in 100 pet rabbits submitted to the Anatomopathological Diagnostic Service of the Veterinary School of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, from 2011 to 2022.

Long-Term Treatment with Alcaligenes faecalis A12C Improves Host Resistance to Pathogens in Septic Rats: Possible Contribution of Curdlan-Like Immune Trainer.

Curdlan, a β-1,3/1,6-glucan found in Alcaligenes faecalis (A. faecalis) wall, activates innate and humoral immunity. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether pretreated rats with A.

Case Report: Ambergris coprolite and septicemia in a male sperm whale stranded in La Palma (Canary Islands).

On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale () of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.

Potential Fungal Zoonotic Pathogens in Cetaceans: An Emerging Concern.

Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, often originating from wild animals. This long-standing ecological phenomenon has accelerated due to human-induced environmental changes. Recent data show a significant increase in fungal infections, with 6.

Nature or Nurture: Is the Digestive System of the Influenced or Determined by Its Diet?

The Franciscana (also known as the La Plata River Dolphin) is a small dolphin that lives in the coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This species is considered the most endangered marine mammal in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Anatomic dissection of the digestive system of 19 animals of different ages, including 2 neonates, 12 juveniles, and 5 adults, was performed.

The Hypothalamus of the Beaked Whales: The Paraventricular, Supraoptic, and Suprachiasmatic Nuclei.

The hypothalamus is the body's control coordinating center. It is responsible for maintaining the body's homeostasis by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system or managing hormones. Beaked whales are the longest divers among cetaceans and their brains are rarely available for study.

Viral skin diseases in odontocete cetaceans: gross, histopathological, and molecular characterization of selected pathogens.

Fifty-five skin lesions from 31 stranded cetaceans along the Canary coasts (2011-2021) were submitted to macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses to confirm infection by cetacean poxvirus, herpesvirus and cetacean morbillivirus. They were macroscopically categorized into eight categories with respective subcategories according to their color, shape, size, and consistency. Cetacean poxvirus was detected in 54.

Organ xenotransplantation acceptance in veterinary students: A multicentric opinion study in Spain.

Background: The shortage of available transplant organs has made it necessary to search for alternatives, one of which is xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could face rejection from society and the personnel involved in its implementation.

Objectives: (a) to analyze the attitudes of Veterinary Degree students in six Spanish Universities towards xenotransplantation; and (b) to determine the factors that affect its acceptance.

Cetacean Intracytoplasmic Eosinophilic Globules: A Cytomorphological, Histological, Histochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Proteomic Characterization.

The nature, etiopathogenesis, and clinicopathologic relevance of the prevalent intracytoplasmic eosinophilic globules (IEGs) within hepatocytes of cetaceans are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the presence and characterize the IEGs in the hepatocytes of cetaceans using histochemical and immunohistochemical electron microscopy, Western blot, lectin histochemistry, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques. A total of 95/115 (83%) animals (16 species) exhibited histologically evident intracytoplasmic round to oval, single to multiple, hyaline eosinophilic globules within the hepatocytes.

Biomarkers related to gas embolism: Gas score, pathology, and gene expression in a gas bubble disease model.

Fish exposed to water supersaturated with dissolved gas experience gas embolism similar to decompression sickness (DCS), known as gas bubble disease (GBD) in fish. GBD has been postulated as an alternative to traditional mammals' models on DCS. Gas embolism can cause mechanical and biochemical damage, generating pathophysiological responses.

Haematological and biochemical blood reference values for Canary Island camels (), an endangered dromedary species.

The purpose of this research was to develop reference values for haematological and biochemical variables in the Canary camel breed (). 114 clinically healthy dromedary camels were assessed. Age, sex, and pregnancy status was also recorded.

Infection due to Buteo buteo herpesvirus in a common buzzard ().

This study aimed to document the pathological findings observed in a common buzzard () from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean), naturally infected with Buteo buteo herpesvirus (HV). Local authorities found the common buzzard alive, but it died after 10 days of specialized veterinary care. Postmortem investigation, including complete gross and histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, microbiology, and PCR, was performed.

Ciguatoxin-like toxicity distribution in flesh of amberjack (Seriola spp.) and dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus).

Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are marine neurotoxins that cause ciguatera poisoning (CP), mainly through the consumption of fish. The distribution of CTXs in fish is known to be unequal. Studies have shown that viscera accumulate more toxins than muscle, but little has been conducted on toxicity distribution in the flesh, which is the main edible part of fish, and the caudal muscle is also most commonly targeted for the monitoring of CTXs in the Canary Islands.

Metabolic Hepatic Disorders Caused by Ciguatoxins in Goldfish ().

Ciguatera poisoning (CP) is a foodborne disease known for centuries; however, little research has been conducted on the effects of ciguatoxins (CTXs) on fish metabolism. The main objective of this study was to assess different hepatic compounds observed in goldfish () fed C-CTX1 using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. Thirteen goldfish were treated with C-CTX1-enriched flesh and sampled on days 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, and 43.

Bacteremia and Aortic Valvular Endocarditis in a Eurasian Stone-Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus) due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae.

Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus is an endemic subspecies of Eurasian Stone-curlew present in the Canary Islands. Their populations are rapidly declining, mainly because of anthropogenic impacts. This report describes valvular endocarditis and septicemia in a Eurasian Stone-Curlew with left foot loss and severe contralateral bumblefoot.

Establishment of a fish model to study gas-bubble lesions.

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a clinical syndrome caused by the formation of systemic intravascular and extravascular gas bubbles. The presence of these bubbles in blood vessels is known as gas embolism. DCS has been described in humans and animals such as sea turtles and cetaceans.