DSpace Repository :: Browsing by Author "Castro, Mario"

Browsing by Author "Castro, Mario"

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Análisis paleoparasitológico de la musculatura esquelética de la Momia del Cerro El Plomo. Chile: Trichinella SP.
(2011) Rodríguez, Héctor; Noemí, Isabel; Cerva, José Luis; Espinoza Navarro, Omar; Castro, María Eugenia; Castro, Mario
The Cerro El Plomo mummy is an Inca (1,500 AD) child of about 8,09 years old. The boy was found near the top of Cerro El Plomo, Santiago, in the year 1954 and is now under the care of the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Chile. In September 2003, as part of a larger study, we examined muscle tissue samples of this mummy. Samples were fixed in formal (pH 7.2) and processed by routine histological techniques, obtaining 5 mu m thick-sections that were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and processed for immunohistochemical analysis.. The histological examination revealed the presence of cystic structures with capsules. Through indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) with human hyperimmune serum to Trichinella sp. the presence of trichinosis was demonstrated. This conclusion was later confirmed by parasitologists with extensive experience in pediatric parasitology. Finally, although it is difficult to explain the presence of this parasite in our continent in pre-Columbian times, this finding is a real milestone in world paleoparasitology.
Descripción Histológica de los Diferentes Segmentos del Aparato Respiratorio de Avestruz (Struthio camelus var. Domesticus)
(Sociedad Chilena de Anatomia, 2014) Illanes, Julio; Leitchle, Jorge; Leyton, Victor; Tapia, Luis; Fertilio, Bárbara; Castro, Mario
Due to the growing interest of the ostrich industry (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) and the scarce bibliographic material related to morphology of the respiratory system of the ostrich, we carried out a comparative analysis of the laryngotracheal pulmonary segment of this bird. The research was conducted in six clinically healthy ostriches from which representative samples of the laryngotracheal pulmonary segment were obtained. Samples were processed using standard histological technique and a comparative morphological analysis between ostriches and chicken (Gallus gallus) was performed. In the ostrich, the arytenoid cartilage is double and placed in a dorsal and cranial position in relation to the larynx while the cricoid cartilage is single and situated in a ventral and caudal position. Like the chicken, the procricoid cartilage is also present. The trachea exhibits a greater number of rings compared to the chicken. At the syrinx level, the pessulus is made up of a dorso-ventral double-fold of mucous membrane with a lamina propria of dense connective tissue over a thick adipose layer. Unlike the chicken the ostrich pessulus does not contain any ossified or cartilaginous tissues. The mucosa between the larynx and secondary bronchi has a pseudostratified prismatic ciliated epithelium with mucous goblet cells with crypts and simple tubuloalveolar mucosal glands for mucous secretion. In the extrapulmonary primary bronchi this histological feature is observed only in the medial aspect where the ends of the cartilaginous rings are found. The remaining mucosa of these bronchi has a pseudostratified prismatic ciliated epithelium with mucous goblet cells. Aerial sacs show this histological feature in some sectors.
Descripción Histológica del Aparato Reproductor de Avestruz Hembra (Strutio camelus var. domesticus)
(2018) Illanes, Julio; Matus, Francisco; Leyton, Víctor; Venegas, Felipe; Fertilio, Bárbara; Castro, Mario
El auge de la producción intensiva del avestruz, comenzó en la década de los noventa impulsada por la calidad de su carne y potencialidad de sus subproductos. La raza empleada para producción por la calidad nutricional y sabor de su carne es el híbrido llamado African black (Struthio camelus var. domesticus). En cuanto a la reproducción, el avestruz hembra alcanza su madurez sexual a partir de los 2,5 años. Es importante considerar el aparato genital en aves de producción, ya que una alteración en él, puede generar deficiencias en la fertilidad que se traducen en un menor número de crías. El estudio histológico del aparato reproductor de la hembra será una herramienta más que permitirá resolver problemas reproductivos. Para este análisis se obtuvo muestras de los diferentes segmentos del aparato reproductor de 6 avestruces hembras en edad reproductiva y se procesaron de acuerdo a las técnicas histológicas de rutina. Los cortes fueron observados, fotografiados y analizados bajo microscopio de luz. Obtenidas las fotografías, se analizó comparativamente su morfología con la descrita en la gallina (Gallus gallus). El aparato reproductor de la hembra tiene la particularidad de tener desarrollado solo el ovario y oviducto izquierdo. El ovario es de gran tamaño y en forma de racimo, el cual varía según la estacionalidad. Presenta folículos primordiales, previtelogénicos, vitelogénicos y atrésicos. Los folículos vitelogénicos presentan células de la granulosa y de la teca interna y externa. El oviducto presenta de cefálico a caudal los siguientes segmentos: infundíbulo, magnum, istmo, útero y vagina, que desemboca en la cloaca a nivel del urodeo. En ellos hay pliegues de variada longitud, grosor y número que comprometen la mucosa y submucosa, con glándulas de secreción mucosa y serosa a excepción de la vagina. El análisis histológico comparativo, permitió establecer que la morfología del aparato reproductor de la hembra es semejante a la observada en la gallina con ciertas diferencias microscópicas (Gallus gallus).
External ear canal exostosis and otitis media in temporal bones of prehistoric and historic Chilean populations. A paleopathological and paleoepidemiological study.
(Taylor & Francis Online, 2017) Castro, Mario; Goycoolea, Marcos; Silva-Pinto, Veronica
CONCLUSIONS: External ear canal exostosis is more prevalent in northern coastal groups than in the highlands, suggesting that ocean activities facilitate the appearance of exostosis. However, southern coastal groups exposed to colder ocean water have a lesser incidence of exostosis, possibly due to less duration of exposure. There was a high incidence of otitis media in all groups of native population in Chile. One coastal group had a higher incidence, presumably due to racial factors. BACKGROUND: This is a paleopathological and paleoepidemiological study in temporal bones which assesses external ear canal exostosis and otitis media in prehistoric and historic native populations in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 460 temporal bones were evaluated for exostosis (ex) and 542 temporal bones were evaluated for otitis media (om). The study involved four groups: (1) Prehistoric Coastal (400-1000 AD) populations in Northern Chile (Pisagua-Tiwanaku) (22 temporal bones ex; 28 om); (2) Prehistoric Highland (400-1000 AD) populations in Northern Chile (292 temporal bones ex; 334 om); (3) Pisagua-Regional Developments (coastal) in Northern Chile (1000-1450 AD) (66 temporal bones ex; 82 om); and (4) Historic (1500-1800 AD) coastal populations in Southern Chile (80 temporal bones ex: 18 Chonos, 62 Fuegians. 98 om: 22 Chonos, 76 Fuegians). Skulls were evaluated visually and with an operating microscope. In addition, the otitis media group was evaluated with Temporal bone radiology - -lateral XRays-Schuller view - to assess pneumatization as evidence of previous middle ear disease. RESULTS: Prehistoric northern coastal groups had an incidence of exostosis of 15.91%, the northern highlands group 1.37%, and the southern coastal group 1.25%. There were changes suggestive of otitis media in: Pisagua/Tiwanaku 53.57%; Pisagua/Regional Developments 70.73%; Northern Highlands population 47.90%; Chonos 63.64%; and Fuegian tribes 64.47%.
Mastoid osteoma in a prehispanic cranium (1390 A.D.) from northern Chile
(2019) Castro, Mario; Goycoolea, Marcos; Gálvez, Marcelo; Silva-Pinto, Verónica; Montoya, Carlos; Fuentes, Jorge
Objective: Osteomas are slow-growing benign tumors that can affect the skull, most frequently the parietal and frontal. Temporal bone osteomas are more common in the external acoustic meatus and exceptional in the mastoid region. The rarity of mastoid osteomas is confirmed by the fact that very few cases have been reported in the clinical and paleopathological literature. The aim of this paper is to report a new paleopathological case of mastoid tumor in a Pre-Hispanic adult cranium. Materials: The skull derives from the Chunchuri (today Dupont-1 site) Pre-Hispanic site in Northern Chile (1390 A.D). Methods: Macroscopical examination and high-resolution tomography were used to assess the cranium. Results: The CT scan revealed a well demarcated lesion suggestive of a mastoid osteoma. Conclusions: This case adds new evidence regarding the antiquity of primary neoplasms in ancient populations and reinforces the importance of high resolution imaging in paleopathological research. Significance: Due to the antiquity of the remains this is probably the oldest reported case of mastoid osteoma. Limitations: The patrimonial nature of the remains did not allow histopathological studies. Suggestions for Further Research: Further intensive review of archeological skeletal collections is needed to better understand the epidemiology of neoplastic lesions in past populations.
Paleodermatology: Dermatoscopic findings of "Niño del Plomo" an Incan mummy in Chile
(2023) Catalán, Verónica; Castro, Mario; Cabrera, Raúl; Silva, Verónica; Castro, Alex; Lecaros, Cristóbal
Paleodermatology is a collaborative science that provides insights into the physiology and pathology of ancient populations as well as informs physicochemical properties currently relevant to dermatologic research. Mummification is a taphonomic process antagonistic to putrefaction characterized by dehydration and desiccation of soft tissues. Spontaneous natural mummification requires arid conditions, such as extreme temperatures, dryness, and hypoxia, to prevent cell autolysis, insects from laying eggs, and bacteria growing on the cadaver. Once skin is mummified, it is extremely resistant to decomposition and can remain unchanged for thousands of years. Very well-preserved micro- and ultrastructures have been observed in mummified skin.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm in a pre-columbian (210 BC) inhabitant of northern Chile: implications for the origins of syphilis
(Elsevier, 2016) Castro, Mario; Benavente, Maria; Ortega, Jose; Acuña, Renato; Montero, Carolina; Thomas, Carlos; Castro, Nicolas
The aim of this work is to report a probable first case of a thoracic aortic aneurysm in the remains of a pre-Columbian individual from South America and to explore the relationship of this case to the only other paleopathological case previously described. We also consider the implications of both cases for the origins of syphilis. This study is based on the macroscopical analysis of human remains recovered during excavation of the Chiu Chiu 273 prehistoric cemetery, in the Antofagasta Region of Northern Chile. Ceramic sherds from the grave have a thermoluminescence date of 2160 ± 100 A.P. or 210 B.C. The skeletal remains of an adult individual display resorptive lesions in both the sternum and the first two thoracic vertebrae, which are suggestive of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The lesions observed in the case described are clearly compatible with the development of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta (ascending portion and arch). We suggest that this aneurysm has a syphilitic etiology, considering the vascular segments compromised, the type of lesions observed, and the prevalent etiology of this kind of cardiovascular pathology in pre-penicillin times. Since the only two cases of thoracic aortic aneurysms reported to date have been found in the Americas and are clearly pre-Columbian, it can be suggested that venereal syphilis was present in the Americas in times before European contact.
Treponematosis in a pre-Columbian hunter-gatherer male from Antofagasta (1830 ± 20 BP, Northern Coast of Chile)
(2020) Castro, Mario; Pacheco, Aryel; Kuzmanic, Ivo; Clarot, Alejandro; Díaz, Pablo
Objective: This paper reports a new case of treponemal disease in a pre-Columbian hunter-gatherer inhabiting the desert coast of South America. Materials: A well-preserved adult male skeleton from the “Vertedero Municipal” archaeological cemetery, located near the city of Antofagasta (Northern Chile). Methods: The skeleton was radiocarbon dated, and isotopic analyses were performed to assess diet and mobility. Lytic and proliferative lesions identified were evaluated macroscopically and radiologically. Results: A radiocarbon date of 1830 ± 20 BP and isotopic values indicating a marine diet and coastal residence were obtained. The cranium shows reactive changes as focal superficial cavitation, radial scarring and nodular cavitation, while the ribs, sternum, clavicles, and scapulae exhibit multiple lytic and proliferative lesions. The right femur has a node while both tibiae show mild anterior cortical thickening with a narrowed medullary cavity. Conclusions: Cranial lesions are pathognomonic for treponemal disease while postcranial changes are typical, and highly consistent with this pathology. Significance: The type, morphology, and pattern of lesions make this case a good candidate for venereal syphilis. The case is relevant to the origin of venereal syphilis due to the lifestyle, temporal and ecological context of the individual. Limitations: Diagnosis of venereal syphilis is based on skeletal lesions; thus, it must be confirmed by molecular analysis. Suggestions for Further Research: A comprehensive review of cases of pre-Columbian treponemal disease in South America as well as molecular studies are needed to confirm the presence of venereal syphilis in the New World before European contact.

Browsing by Author "Castro, Mario"

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