Characterization and Biological Activities of the Ulvan Polysaccharide-Rich Fraction Obtained from Ulva rigida and Ulva pseudorotundata and Their Potential for Pharmaceutical Application.

Seaweed from the genus Ulva (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) has a worldwide distribution and represents a potential biomass source for biotechnological applications. In the present study, we investigated the ulvan polysaccharide-rich fraction (UPRF) isolated from two Ulva species (U. rigida and U. pseudorotundata), naturally occurring on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Chemical characterization of UPRFs was performed in order to explore the polysaccharides' composition. Biological assessments of UPRFs were compared by antioxidant activity and in vitro toxicity tests in the human cell lines: HCT-116 (colon cancer), G-361 (malignant melanoma), U-937 (leukemia), and HaCaT cells (immortalized keratinocytes). Chemical analysis revealed that both UPRFs presented rhamnose as the major relative sugar constituent, followed by glucose in U. rigida and xylose in U. pseudorotundata. Both also presented glucuronic acid, galactose, ribose, and mannose as the remaining monosaccharides. Similar antioxidant activity was obtained, where we observed increased activity in response to increased polysaccharide concentrations. Both UPRFs presented moderate toxicity against HCT-116 cell lines and a selectivity index ≥ 3, suggesting a good potential for use in pharmaceutical products.

Relationships between Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Clinical Measures in Naïve Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients Treated with Intravitreal Ranibizumab.

Our objective was to evaluate changes in patient-reported outcome measures using the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire during a treat and extend regimen in naive neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients, and its correlation with anatomical and functional data. We conducted a prospective observational study. Patients underwent a treat and extend regimen with intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Initial response was evaluated at 4th month, and subsequently in every follow-up visit. If a clinical response was achieved, the injection interval was extended in two-week increments, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. Quality of life was assessed using the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire at baseline, 4th months, and 12th months. Patients were categorized as good or poor responders based on Best corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, intraretinal fluid, or subretinal fluid. Treatment with ranibizumab led to a significant improvement in quality of life, with a mean increase in NEI-VFQ 25 score of 4.27 points in the 12th month. No significant differences in improvement were observed between good and poor responders. Quality of life scores in neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients improved with intravitreal treatment regardless of the clinical response. The early response following the loading phase could indicate better quality of life after one year of treatment, with Best corrected visual acuity being the clinical parameter with the greatest influence on quality of life.

The Effect of Systemic Parameters and Baseline Characteristics in Short-Term Response Analysis with Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Treatment-Naive Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs keep being the main therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Possible predictive parameters (demographic, biochemical and/or inflammatory) could anticipate short-term treatment response with ranibizumab. 46 treatment-naive patients were included in a prospective observational study. They underwent three monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular AMD and the clinical examination was made at baseline and one month after the third injection. Demographic characteristics, co-morbidities and concomitant treatments were recorded at the baseline visit. Biochemical parameters, complete blood count and inflammation biomarkers were also measured at these times. Uric Acid was found to be statistically significant with a one-point difference between good and poor responders in both basal and treated patients, but only in basal parameters was statistical significance reached (p = 0.007 vs. p = 0.071 in treated patients). Cholesterol and inflammatory parameters such as white blood cell count and neutrophils were significantly reduced over time when treated with intravitreal ranibizumab. On the other hand, women seemed to have a worse prognosis for short-term response to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Uric acid may help identify possible non-responders before initial treatment with ranibizumab, and cholesterol and white blood cells could be good candidates to monitor short-term response to ranibizumab treatment.

Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms on the Short-Term Response to Ranibizumab in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To determine whether genetic risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) influence short-term response to intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Methods: Forty-four treatment-naive AMD patients were included in a prospective observational study. They underwent three monthly injections of intravitreal ranibizumab for neovascular AMD. After an initial clinical examination (baseline measurement), a follow-up visit was performed to determine treatment response one month after the third injection (treatment evaluation). Patients were evaluated based on ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography. Peripheral venous blood was collected for DNA analysis at baseline visit. Patients were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms within AMD-relevant genes and classified on good or poor responders based on visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intraretinal fluid, and subretinal fluid. Results: One hundred ten AMD-associated SNPs have been analyzed. Six were found to be relevant when associated to ranibizumab treatment response. The genetic variants rs890293 (CYP2J2), rs11200638 (HTRA1), rs405509 (APOE), rs9513070 (FLT1), and rs8135665 (SLC16A8) predisposed patients to a good response, whereas rs3093077 (CRP) was associated with a poor response. FTL1, SLC16A8, and APOE were the SNPs that showed significance (P < 0.05) but did not pass Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: This is the first study that links novel polymorphisms in genes such as CRP, SCL16A8, or CYP2J2 to treatment response to ranibizumab therapy. On the other hand, HTRA1, FLT1, and APOE are linked to a good ranibizumab response. These SNPs may be good candidates for short-term treatment response biomarkers in AMD patients. However, further studies will be necessary to confirm our findings.

The influence of upwelling on key bivalves from the Humboldt and Iberian current systems.

Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS) deliver cold, nutrient-rich waters, influencing coastal biota from the molecular to the ecosystem level. Although local upwelling (U) and downwelling (DU) conditions are often known, their influence on body attributes of relevant species has not been systematically compared within and between EBUS (i.e., below and above regional scales). Hence, we compared the physical-chemical characteristics of U and DU sites in the Humboldt Current system (Chile) and the Iberian Current system (Portugal). We then assessed the influence of U and DU upon eight body attributes in purple mussels (Perumytilus purpuratus) and Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), from the Humboldt and Iberian systems, respectively. We hypothesized that bivalves from U sites display better fitness, as measured by body attributes, regardless of their origin (EBUS). As expected, waters from U sites in both systems showed lower temperatures and pH, and higher nitrite concentrations. We also found that mussels from U sites showed better fitness than those in DU sites in 12 out of 16 direct U vs DU comparisons. Shell length, shell volume, organic content of soft-tissues, and mechanical properties of the shell averaged consistently higher in mussels from U sites in both Current systems. In addition, total weight, soft-tissue weight, shell weight and shell thickness were all higher in the U site at the Humboldt system but had less consistent differences at the Iberian system. Altogether, most results supported our working hypothesis and indicate that U conditions support better fitted mussels. The few attributes that did not exhibit the expected U vs DU differences in the Iberian system suggest that local and species-specific differences also play a role on the attributes of these species. These results may also serve as a reference point for further studies addressing the influence of upwelling in these productive, critically important systems.

Characterization of the active response of a guinea pig carotid artery.

This work presents a characterization of the active response of the carotid artery of guinea pig fetuses through a methodology that encompasses experiments, modeling and numerical simulation. To this end, the isometric contraction test is carried out in ring samples subjected to different levels of KCl concentrations and pre-stretching. Then, a coupled mechanochemical model, aimed at describing the smooth cell behavior and its influence on the passive and active mechanical response of the vascular tissue, is calibrated from the experimental measurements. Due to the complex stress and strain fields developed in the artery, a finite element numerical simulation of the test is performed to fit the model parameters, where those related to the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation activity along with the load-bearing capacity of the myosin cross-bridges are found to be the most predominant when sensitizing the active response. The main strengths of the model are associated with the prediction of the stationary state of the active mechanical response of the tissue through a realistic description of the mechanochemical process carried out at its cellular level.

Longitudinal relationship of liver injury with inflammation biomarkers in COVID-19 hospitalized patients using a joint modeling approach.

The mechanisms underlying liver disease in patients with COVID-19 are not entirely known. The aim is to investigate, by means of novel statistical techniques, the changes over time in the relationship between inflammation markers and liver damage markers in relation to survival in COVID-19. The study included 221 consecutive patients admitted to the hospital during the first COVID-19 wave in Spain. Generalized additive mixed models were used to investigate the influence of time and inflammation markers on liver damage markers in relation to survival. Joint modeling regression was used to evaluate the temporal correlations between inflammation markers (serum C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6, plasma D-dimer, and blood lymphocyte count) and liver damage markers, after adjusting for age, sex, and therapy. The patients who died showed a significant elevation in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase levels over time. Conversely, a decrease in serum AST levels was observed in the survivors, who showed a negative correlation between inflammation markers and liver damage markers (CRP with serum AST, alanine transaminase [ALT], and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]; and D-dimer with AST and ALT) after a week of hospitalization. Conversely, most correlations were positive in the patients who died, except lymphocyte count, which was negatively correlated with AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase. These correlations were attenuated with age. The patients who died during COVID-19 infection displayed a significant elevation of liver damage markers, which is correlated with inflammation markers over time. These results are consistent with the role of systemic inflammation in liver damage during COVID-19.

Effect of high versus low dose of dexamethasone on clinical worsening in patients hospitalised with moderate or severe COVID-19 pneumonia: an open-label, randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-dose dexamethasone demonstrated clinical improvement in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) needing oxygen therapy; however, evidence on the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone is limited. METHODS: We performed a randomised, open-label, controlled trial involving hospitalised patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia needing oxygen therapy. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive low-dose dexamethasone (6 mg once daily for 10 days) or high-dose dexamethasone (20 mg once daily for 5 days, followed by 10 mg once daily for an additional 5 days). The primary outcome was clinical worsening within 11 days since randomisation. Secondary outcomes included 28-day mortality, time to recovery and clinical status at day 5, 11, 14 and 28 on an ordinal scale ranging from 1 (discharged) to 7 (death). RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (mean±sd age 64±14 years; 62% male) were enrolled. 32 (31.4%) out of 102 patients enrolled in the low-dose group and 16 (16.3%) out of 98 in the high-dose group showed clinical worsening within 11 days since randomisation (rate ratio 0.427, 95% CI 0.216-0.842; p=0.014). The 28-day mortality was 5.9% in the low-dose group and 6.1% in the high-dose group (p=0.844). There was no significant difference in time to recovery, and in the seven-point ordinal scale at days 5, 11, 14 and 28. CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalised COVID-19 patients needing oxygen therapy, high dose of dexamethasone reduced clinical worsening within 11 days after randomisation, compared with low dose.

Photobiological Effects on Biochemical Composition in Porphyridium cruentum (Rhodophyta) with a Biotechnological Application.

This study describes the relation of photosynthetic capacity, growth and biochemical compounds in the microalgae Porphyridium cruentum under saturated irradiance (200 µmol m-2  s-1 ) by white light (WL) and low-pressure sodium vapor lamps (SOX lamps-control) and supplemented by fluorescent lamps (FLs) with different light qualities (blue: λmax = 440 nm; green: λmax = 560 nm; and red: λmax = 660 nm). The maximum photosynthetic efficiency (Fv / Fm ) showed a positive correlation with the light quality by saturating light SOX in mixture with stimulating blue light than the white light (WL) at the harvest day (10 days). The production, that is maximal electron transport rate (ETRmax ), and energy dissipation, that is maximal nonphotochemical quenching (NPQmax ), had the same pattern throughout the time (3-6 days) being the values higher under white light (WL) compared with SOX and SOX plus supplemented different light qualities. Total protein levels increased significantly in the presence of SOX light, while phycoerythrin (B-PE) showed significant differences under SOX+ blue light. Arachidonic acid (ARA) was higher under SOX and SOX plus supplemented different light qualities than that under WL, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was the reverse. The high photomorphogenic potential by SOX light shows promising application for microalgal biotechnology.

A new species of emCosmoclopius/em Stål, 1866 from Argentina (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

A new species of Cosmoclopius Stål, 1866, C. joceliae sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in northern Argentina. This new species is recognized by the vertical and truncate median process of pygophore, and the short-recurved spine on the apex of the dorsal phallothecal sclerite; and other features such as the dorsally black head, pronotum, and femora, and the thoracic sterna black with median pale markings; some females show lighter posterior pronotal lobe and femora with more conspicuous dark and pale bands. Digital images of the adult male and female and male genitalia are provided, as well as a comparison with the species of the genus are given.

Antiplatelet Therapy And Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Dual antiplatelet therapy is one of the cornerstones of modern percutaneous coronary interventions. The development of new therapeutic agents has significantly reduced ischemic events at the risk of increased bleeding complications. Therefore, efforts are currently focused on optimizing therapeutic algorithms to obtain the greatest anti-thrombotic benefit associated with the lowest risk of bleeding, that is, the greater net clinical benefit. A significant number of trials evaluating different drug combinations or adjustments in treatment duration have been completed. However, clinical translation of these results is often difficult due to the heterogeneity of the therapeutic approaches. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an updated review of the literature regarding the use of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty and stenting.

Cambios en el perfil de las urgencias atendidas por un dentista de guardia 24 horas durante las etapas iniciales de la primera ola de COVID-19 / Changes in urgent dental care provided by a 24-hour on-call dentist during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic

OBJETIVO: Comparar la asistencia urgente prestada por un dentista de guardia 24 horas a dos grupos de pacientes en dos periodos de la primera ola de Covid-19 en Madrid: durante el confinamiento de la población y cierre de la mayoría de las clínicas dentales y una vez levantado el confinamiento y reabiertas las clínicas. MÉTODO: En ambos grupos se compararon edad y sexo, tiempo transcurrido desde el comienzo de los síntomas, frecuencia de citas nocturnas, frecuencia y duración de tratamientos médicos previos, patologías objeto de consulta y tratamientos realizados. RESULTADOS: En el primer periodo (45 días) se vieron 187 pacientes y en el segundo (19 días), 94 (4.15 y 4.8 pacientes/día, respectivamente). El tiempo transcurrido desde el comienzo de los síntomas en ambos periodos fue 10+/1 y 3+/-1 días. Habían recibido tratamiento antibiótico/antiinflamatorio previo el 80% y el 30% de los pacientes, respectivamente. El diagnóstico más frecuente en el primer periodo fue inflamación pulpar (p = 0.001) y en el segundo, pulpitis irreversible (p < 0.05). En el primer periodo se realizaron más extracciones (58.7% vs 41.5%, p < 0.05) y en el segundo más endodoncias (8.5% vs 2.1%, p < 0.05) y tratamientos farmacológicos (19.1% vs 9.6%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONES: Durante el segundo periodo de la primera ola de COVID-19, cuando el confinamiento se levantó y se reabrieron las clínicas, la atención dental urgente cambió con respecto a las primeras 6 semanas de confinamiento estricto, tanto en el perfil de la patología, como en los tratamientos realizados que fueron más conservadores

AIM: To compare urgent dental care provided by a general dentist 24-hours on-call at two early stages of the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Madrid (Spain): during the lockdown of the population and closure of most dental clinics, and once the lockdown was relaxed and dental offices partially reopened. METHOD: In both groups we compared demographic data, time elapsed from onset of symptoms, rate of late-night appointments, proportion of patients receiving pharmacologic treatment and frequencies of the pathologies causing the consultation and treatments performed. RESULTS: In the first and second stages -45 and 19 days respectively- 187 and 94 patients, (4.15 and 4.8 patients/day, respectively) were seen. The time elapsed from onset of symptoms was 10+/1 days in the first group and 3+/-1 days in the second, while 80% and 30% of patients were receiving some medical treatment respectively. Pulpal inflammation predominated in the first stage (p = 0.001) and irreversible pulpitis in the second (p < 0.05). Extractions were more frequent in the first stage (58.7% vs 41.5%, p < 0.05), and root canal therapy (8.5% vs 2.1%, p < 0.05) and pharmacological treatment (19.1% vs 9.6%, p < 0.05) in the second. CONCLUSION: During the second stage of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic, once lockdown was partially relaxed, significant differences were observed in urgent dental care compared with the first six weeks of the pandemic, both in the profile of the pathology and the treatments provided, which were more conservative

Planning and implementation of a countrywide campaign to deliver over 16 million long-lasting insecticidal nets in Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: In 2016/2017, Mozambique conducted a countrywide long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) universal coverage campaign (UCC). This paper aims to describe the planning and implementation process of the campaign in Mozambique. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive design was used for reporting the planning and implementation process of the UCC. The UCC used a collaborative approach, involving institutional and non-institutional actors, namely: National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), provincial and district health authorities, community members and civil society partners. A new household registration strategy based on coupons, stickers, and one LLIN per two persons as allocation criterion was implemented. The campaign was implemented in phases, allowing for continuous improvement of implementation quality by applying lessons learnt from each phase. RESULTS: A total of 7,049,894 households were registered corresponding to a total of 31,972,626 registered persons. A total of 16,557,818 LLINs were distributed between November 2016 and December 2017, corresponding to 97% of LLINs needs based on household registration, and covering 95% of the registered households (6,708,585 households), resulting in an estimated 85% of the total Mozambican population with LLIN access. CONCLUSIONS: The collaborative planning process and strong coordination of campaign actors allowed Mozambique's NMCP and partners to successfully carry out the first countrywide LLINs UCC in the country. The increased access to LLINs in households will likely result in increased LLIN use and a reduction of the malaria burden in the country, therefore contributing to the achievement of the 2016-2030 Global Technical Strategy for Malaria goals.

Effectiveness of a new long-lasting insecticidal nets delivery model in two rural districts of Mozambique: a before-after study.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, Mozambique piloted a new model of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) delivery in a campaign. The new delivery model was used in two rural districts were, and two others were considered as control, maintaining the old delivery model. The aim of this study is to compare the coverage of ownership and use of LLINs in intervention and control districts in Mozambique. METHODS: A before-after design with control group was carried out 6 months after LLINs distribution. Using systematic probabilistic sampling, 1547 households were surveyed by means of a questionnaire. To find associations between the district categories (intervention and control) and the main outcomes of the study (LLIN ownership, use, and universal coverage achievement), odds ratio (OR) and respective confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 760 households surveyed in the intervention districts, 98.8% had at least one LLIN; of the 787 households surveyed in the control districts, 89.6% had at least one LLIN [OR: 9.7, 95% (CI 4.84-19.46)]. Around 95 and 87% of households owning at least one LLIN reported having slept under the LLIN the previous night in the intervention and control districts, respectively [OR: 3.2; 95% (CI 2.12-4.69)]. Seventy-one percent of the households surveyed achieved universal coverage in the intervention districts against 59.6% in the control districts [OR: 1.6; 95% (CI 1.33-2.03)]. CONCLUSIONS: The universal coverage campaign piloted with the new delivery model has increased LLINs ownership, use, and progression for reaching universal coverage targets in the community.

Selection of promising sweet potato clones using projective mapping.

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand for sweet potato in regions with temperate climates has triggered interest in the development of new cultivars. Breeding of this crop should consider sensory characteristics in order to meet consumers' expectations. This requires the application of simple and cost-effective methodologies that allow quality evaluation from a sensory perspective. RESULTS: With the objective of identifying the key sensory characteristics of different sweet potato genotypes, two commercial cultivars and seven clones were evaluated during three consecutive years using projective mapping by an untrained consumer panel. This methodology allowed the discrimination of the genotypes, identifying similarities and differences among groups based on sensory terms selected by the assessors. Genotypes were differentiated in terms of texture and flavor characteristics (firmness, moisture, smoothness, creaminess, flavor intensity, sweetness and bitterness). Materials for future crossings were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the sensory characteristics of sweet potato clones and cultivars using projective mapping is a quick, cost-effective and reliable tool for the selection of new advanced sweet potato clones with superior sensory characteristics compared to the reference cultivars INIA Arapey and Cuarí. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efectos de la expansión maxilar sobre la mordida abierta dentoesquelética / Maxilar expansion effects on dentoesqueletal open-bite

Objetivo: valorar si la respuesta favorable en el grado de sobremordida observada tras la expansión maxilar en una muestra de pacientes con compresión palatina y mordida abierta anterior es independiente del patrón de crecimiento. Material y métodos: se comparó restrospectivamente la distribución de los patrones de crecimiento de dos muestras de 20 pacientes, una experimental, con compresión palatina y mordida abierta anterior y otra control con compresión pero sobremordida normal. Ambos grupos habían sido tratados con un Quad hélix y tras la expansión la mordida abierta del grupo experimental se había cerrado. Resultados y conclusión: La distribución de patrones de crecimiento en ambos grupos fue la misma, lo que apoya la hipótesis de que la mejoría posicional de la lengua trasladada a la bóveda palatina una vez ensanchada ésta, podrías ser un contribuyente clave de la respuesta vertical favorable que se observa en todos los patrones esqueléticos faciales (AU)

Aim: To evaluate if favourable change of the overbite observed after maxillary expansion in a simple of patients who presented anterior openbite and narrow maxilla associated with anterior openbite was related to the growth pattern. Method: Growth-pattern distribution was retrospectively compared in two groups of 20 patients with narrow maxilla, one an experimental group that had been treated by means of a Quad helix appliance and the other composed of controls. Before treatment, the experimental sample presented open bite that had closed after expansion. The control sample exhibited normal overbite. Results and conclusions: These findings provide evidence that maxillary expansion favours a more appropriate physiological position of the tongue in the palate. This new functional environment could be responsible for the improvement of the open bite that is observed in each growth pattern (AU)

Prevalencia de los patrones de anomalías dentarias (PAD) / Prevalence of dental anomaly patterns (DAP)

Introducción: Los patrones de anomalías dentarias (PAD) son alteraciones de los dientes que se manifiestan asociadas con mayor frecuencia de lo que cabría esperar por azar. Incluyen diversas alteraciones morfológicas, numéricas y trastornos eruptivos que probablemente comparten una etiopatogenia genética común. Conocemos la prevalencia de la mayoría de las anomalías integrantes de los PAD consideradas aisladamente, pero no la correspondiente a la entidad compleja. Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de los PAD en los últimos 100 pacientes estudiados consecutivamente en la unidad de Ortodoncia del hospital universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz (uO-FJD). Método: Se examinaron retrospectivamente las radiografías panorámicas y fotografías intraorales de los últimos 100 pacientes de ambos sexos, etnia caucásica y edades comprendidas entre 8 y 15 años diagnosticados consecutivamente en la uO-FJD. Se registraron las siguientes anomalías: hipodoncia, microformas aisladas, tamaño dentario reducido, retraso eruptivo, infraoclusión de molares temporales, desplazamiento palatino de los caninos, transposición (CPmSup o C-IlatInf), distoangulación del segundo premolar inferior no erupcionado y taurodontismo. La asociación de dos o más anomalías se denominó PAD 'sensu stricto' y la presencia confirmada de una sóla anomalía, 'posible PAD'. Resultados: La prevalencia de los PAD 'sensu stricto' fué 18% y 'posible PAD' 16%. La de ambos tipos conjuntamente, 34%. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de los PADs es muy alta. Todo clínico debe estar familiarizado con este concepto, ya que el diagnóstico de una anomalía debe hacer sospechar la posible existencia -o posterior desarrollo- de otras, en el paciente o sus familiares (AU)

Introduction: Dental Anomaly Patterns (PAD) are dental abnormalities that are observed together more frequently than can be explained by chance alone. They include morphologic and numeric abnormalities together with eruption disorders that likely have shared genetic origins. The prevalence of some of these isolated anomalies, as hypodontia, is well known but the literature does not record the frequencies of PAD considered as groups of interrelated concomitant abnormalities. Aim: To analyze the frequency of DAP in a sample of 100 orthodontic patients consecutively diagnosed at the unit of Orthodontics of hospital universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz (uO-FJD). Method: Panoramic radiographs and intraoral photographs of 100 orthodontic consecutively evaluated patients were retrospectively examined in order to analyze the following abnormalities: hypodontia, microforms and tooth-size reduction, delayed tooth formation, infraocclusion of deciduous molars, palatal displacement of canine, dental transposition (Mx.C-P1 or Mn.I2-C), distal angulation of unerupted mandibular second premolar and taurodontism. Ages ranged from 8 to 15 years. The association of two or more abnormalities was named PAD 'sensu stricto'; the presence of one confirmed abnormality was named 'possible PAD'. The frequency of both PADs was determined. Results: The prevalence of PAD 'sensu stricto' was 18% and 'possible PAD' 16%. Considered together both groups, the frequency of PAD reached 34%. Conclusions: The prevalence of PADs is very high. All clinicians possibly involved must recognize that diagnosis because one anomaly may be a marker of other undiagnosed or later appearing abnormalities in the same patient or their siblings (AU)

Degradation of imazalil, orthophenylphenol and pyrimethanil in Clementine mandarins under conventional postharvest industrial conditions at 4°C.

The degradation of the postharvest fungicides imazalil, orthophenylphenol, and pyrimethanil was studied on Clementine mandarins during packinghouse storage for a 28day period at 4°C. Fruits to which orthophenylphenol was applied, were treated with imazalil and pyrimethanil at doses of 1000 and 2000mgL(-1), using cascade application for the later and cascade and wax for the former. The decay of the three fungicides was evaluated using an in-house validated analytical procedure that includes the extraction and dispersive clean up of the samples followed by the GC-MS determination of the pesticide residues. The impact of fruit storage time on pesticide residues concentration was assessed. The residues found for the different application technologies were always below the established Maximum Residue Limits by the Codex Alimentarius and the European Union (5mgkg(-1) for imazalil, 7 and 8mgkg(-1) for pyrimethanil, and 10mgkg(-1) and 5mgkg(-1) for orthophenylphenol). The fungicides dissipated differentially. Pyrimethanil showed little degradation, if any, at both tested concentrations, but the half-life of imazalil on the fruit was 15-18days, independent of the application technology. Orthophenylphenol dissipated with a half-life of 15days. The initial imazalil residue found after cascade treatment was not significantly different between the doses studied (p<0.5), whereas when the fungicide was included in wax as an emulsifiable concentrate the initial and final imazalil residues were significantly different. Final residue levels after 28days of storage were 0.12-0.24mgkg(-1) for imazalil, 0.68mgkg(-1) for 2-phenylphenol and 0.56mgkg(-1) for pyrimethanil for all the evaluated treatments.

Extracciones en ortodoncia: puesta al día / Extractions in orthodontics: update

El objetivo de este artículo es revisar los principales criterios actuales sobre las extracciones dentarias en la profilaxis y el tratamiento de las maloclusiones y las deformidades dentofaciales. Las extracciones dentarias constituyen un arma terapéutica imprescindible para el manejo de ciertas maloclusiones. Sus indicaciones responden entre otras razones a la obtención de espacio en la arcada, la mejoría de la estética facial y la consecución de una oclusión equilibrada. Los patrones 'convencionales' de extracciones terapéuticas se corresponden con distintas combinaciones de extracción simétrica de premolares, pero cada vez son más frecuentes las extracciones atípicas, que no siguen un patrón definido. Éstas son más comunes en los pacientes adultos y se realizan por causas vinculadas a patología del propio diente que se extrae, o por exigencias del tratamiento no convencional de la maloclusión. Entre las extracciones atípicas hay que destacar la extracción de un incisivo inferior con indicaciones, contraindicaciones y efectos indeseables bien definidos. Las extracciones de dientes temporales pueden realizarse en el marco de un programa de guía de la erupción, que debe adaptarse a la situación de cada paciente y nunca considerarse como un esquema rígido de aplicación general (AU)

The aim of this paper is to update the most widely accepted criteria on dental extractions in the prevention and treatment of malocclusions and dentofacial deformities. Dental extractions constitute an undeniable tool for the management of some malocclusions. Their purpose is to obtain space in the dental arches, to improve face esthetics and to achieve an adequate occlusion. The traditional patterns of therapeutic extractions consist of different combinations of symmetric extraction of premolars, although atypical extractions without an established pattern are becoming increasingly more common. These are more frequent among adult patients, and are performed because of intrinsic pathology of the tooth to be extracted or due to the unconventional nature of the malocclusion treatment. The atypical extractions include the extraction of a lower incisor, whose indications, contraindications and side effects are well known. The extraction of temporary teeth can be performed as a part of a guide of eruption program. These programs must not be designed to be prescriptive, but rather adapted to the specific patient (AU)