Fluoride-Induced Microhardness Changes in Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements: A Comparative Study

Background: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) is widely used in clinical dental procedures as a restorative material due to its chemical composition. It is known for its strong adhesion to dental structures and its fluoride content. However, fluoride in RM-GIC is insufficient for preventing the formation of carious lesions, making the use of fluoride gel and varnish necessary as preventive strategies. Nevertheless, there may be adverse interactions between RM-GIC and fluoride, which could compromise the properties of these restorative materials. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the physicochemical and biological properties of the products used in dental treatments. This experimental study aimed to evaluate the effect of the following fluorides: 2% neutral sodium fluoride (NaF), 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF), and 0.1% fluoride varnish (7700 ppm F) in the mi-crohardness of the RM-GIC. Using GC Fuji II LC-A2, 80 RM-GIC discs measuring 6cm x 4cm were made and immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days. Then, the discs were washed, dried, and randomly divided into 4 groups, and the initial surface microhardness was measured. After that, the discs were immersed in the 3 fluorides to measure the microhardness for a second time. The average value of the surface microhardness of the RM-GIC in the final phase (exposure to fluorides) of the three experimental study groups is lower than the initial phase (non-exposure to fluorides). There was a significant decrease in the microhardness of the ionomer with the application of the three fluorides (p= 3.6x10-12). Particularly, the treatment with 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride demonstrated higher variation than 2% neutral sodium fluoride (p=0.0063) or 0.1% fluoride varnish (p=2.2x10-5). In conclusion, 2% neutral sodium fluoride, 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride, and 0.1% fluoride varnish (7700 ppm F) applied to RM-GIC decreases surface microhardness.Revisión por paresODS 3: Salud y bienestarODS 9: Industria, innovación e infraestructuraODS 17: Alianzas para lograr los objetivo

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), through their complex cargo, can reflect the state of their cell of origin and change the functions and phenotypes of other cells. These features indicate strong biomarker and therapeutic potential and have generated broad interest, as evidenced by the steady year-on-year increase in the numbers of scientific publications about EVs. Important advances have been made in EV metrology and in understanding and applying EV biology. However, hurdles remain to realising the potential of EVs in domains ranging from basic biology to clinical applications due to challenges in EV nomenclature, separation from non-vesicular extracellular particles, characterisation and functional studies. To address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) updates its 'Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles', which was first published in 2014 and then in 2018 as MISEV2014 and MISEV2018, respectively. The goal of the current document, MISEV2023, is to provide researchers with an updated snapshot of available approaches and their advantages and limitations for production, separation and characterisation of EVs from multiple sources, including cell culture, body fluids and solid tissues. In addition to presenting the latest state of the art in basic principles of EV research, this document also covers advanced techniques and approaches that are currently expanding the boundaries of the field. MISEV2023 also includes new sections on EV release and uptake and a brief discussion of in vivo approaches to study EVs. Compiling feedback from ISEV expert task forces and more than 1000 researchers, this document conveys the current state of EV research to facilitate robust scientific discoveries and move the field forward even more rapidly

The PLATO mission

PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is ESA’s M3 mission designed to detect and characterise extrasolar planets and perform asteroseismic monitoring of a large number of stars. PLATO will detect small planets (down to <2REarth) around bright stars (<11 mag), including terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. With the complement of radial velocity observations from the ground, planets will be characterised for their radius, mass, and age with high accuracy (5%, 10%, 10% for an Earth-Sun combination respectively). PLATO will provide us with a large-scale catalogue of well-characterised small planets up to intermediate orbital periods, relevant for a meaningful comparison to planet formation theories and to better understand planet evolution. It will make possible comparative exoplanetology to place our Solar System planets in a broader context. In parallel, PLATO will study (host) stars using asteroseismology, allowing us to determine the stellar properties with high accuracy, substantially enhancing our knowledge of stellar structure and evolution. The payload instrument consists of 26 cameras with 12cm aperture each. For at least four years, the mission will perform high-precision photometric measurements. Here we review the science objectives, present PLATO‘s target samples and fields, provide an overview of expected core science performance as well as a description of the instrument and the mission profile towards the end of the serial production of the flight cameras. PLATO is scheduled for a launch date end 2026. This overview therefore provides a summary of the mission to the community in preparation of the upcoming operational phases

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Development of a Health Research Portfolio Based on Priority Topics for Peruvian Social Health Insurance (ESSALUD) in 2023&ndash;2025: A Collaborative Approach to Addressing Institutional and Public Health Challenges

Background/Objectives: Addressing health research priorities in public institutions is crucial for efficient resource allocation and policy impact. This study aims to describe the development of Peru&rsquo;s Social Health Insurance (ESSALUD) 2023&ndash;2025 research portfolio, which aligns with institutional priorities and focuses on improving decision-making for population health. Methods: The Health Research Directorate (DIS) of ESSALUD led a structured three-phase process, engaging multidisciplinary teams and utilizing a group model-building approach to generate research ideas. Twelve working groups were established, corresponding to ESSALUD&rsquo;s prioritized health topics, to identify key institutional challenges and propose research ideas. Results: A total of 338 research ideas were generated from 217 identified problems. These ideas were classified using the UK Health Research Classification System (HRCS) and scored based on nine dimensions to prioritize execution. Research ideas primarily focused on health services (57.7%) and disease management (16.9%). High-priority topics included cancer, mental health, malnutrition, and antimicrobial resistance. As a result of this implementation, ESSALUD resources were positively concentrated in the HRCS research activities &lsquo;Health and social care services research&rsquo; (51.85%) and &lsquo;Etiology&rsquo; (44.44%) for the period 2023&ndash;2025. Conclusions: The development of ESSALUD&rsquo;s research portfolio identified key areas such as health services, health economics, and prevention, essential for evidence-based decisions and sustainability. Multidisciplinary participation ensured solutions aligned with real needs, promoting equity and continuous improvement in Peru&rsquo;s health system

Epidemiological dynamics of dengue in Peru: Temporal and spatial drivers between 2000 and 2022.

Dengue, a vector-borne disease driven by climate change, urbanization, and the adaptation of its vector, Aedes aegypti, poses a significant public health challenge. This study analyzed 23 years (2000-2022) of epidemiological data from Peru to examine the temporal and spatial drivers influencing dengue reported cases. Using secondary data from the Peruvian Ministry of Health, 501,027 cases were stratified by clinical severity, gender, geographic distribution, and temporal trends. The Amazonian and coastal regions, particularly Loreto, Ucayali, and Piura, bore the highest burden, collectively accounting for more than 60% of cases during epidemic years. Seasonal spikes in transmission consistently aligned with the rainy season, underscoring the dependence of Aedes aegypti proliferation on climatic conditions. The analysis revealed progressive geographic expansion of dengue into previously low-risk areas, including Andean highlands and peri-urban zones, driven by climatic shifts and unregulated urbanization. Gender-based comparisons indicated a higher overall case burden among females, though severe forms of dengue were unequally observed in males, particularly in rural areas. Clinical classifications highlighted that 78% of cases presented without warning signs, 18% with warning signs, and 4% as severe dengue. Socioeconomic factors, such as inadequate sanitation, urban slums, and water storage practices, contributed significantly to vector breeding in high-burden areas. Moreover, the role of extreme climatic events, including El Niño, exacerbated outbreak intensity and duration. The findings emphasize the urgent need for innovative approaches and provides actionable insights into regional dynamics and highlights critical areas for research, including predictive climate-disease modeling and the integration of molecular surveillance. These strategies are essential to mitigating the growing dengue burden and strengthening public health systems in Peru and similar endemic regions

Genome De Novo (WGS) Sequence Resource of the Lasiodiplodia theobromae Bot-2018-LT45 Isolate Causing Dieback in Apple

Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a pathogenic fungus associated with tropical perennial fruit plants worldwide. In apple trees, L. theobromae causes dieback and canker, a disease that affects the architecture of the wood producing the progressive death of branches and stems, from the tips to the base, invading the vascular tissue, manifesting necrotic lesions in the bark, impeding the flow of nutrients and water. The present work reports the whole genome de novo sequencing (WGS) of L. theobromae strain Bot-2018-LT45 isolated from apple trees with dieback symptoms. Genomic DNA of L. theobromae was sequenced using Illumina paired-end short-read technology (NovaSeq6000) and PacBio SMRTbellTM (Single Molecule, Real-Time) long-read technology. The genome size was 44.17 Mb. Then, assembly and annotation revealed a total of 12,948 genes of which 11,634 encoded proteins. The genome was assembled into 34 contigs with an N50 (Mb) value of 3.23. This study is the first report of the L. theobromae genome de novo obtained from apple trees with dieback and canker symptoms in the Maule Region, Chile. This genetic information may set the basis for future study of the mechanisms of L. theobromae and establish the possibility of specific molecular improvements for the control of dieback and canker

Surgeons’ practice and preferences for the anal fissure treatment: results from an international survey

The best nonoperative or operative anal fissure (AF) treatment is not yet established, and several options have been proposed. Aim is to report the surgeons' practice for the AF treatment. Thirty-four multiple-choice questions were developed. Seven questions were about to participants' demographics and, 27 questions about their clinical practice. Based on the specialty (general surgeon and colorectal surgeon), obtained data were divided and compared between two groups. Five-hundred surgeons were included (321 general and 179 colorectal surgeons). For both groups, duration of symptoms for at least 6 weeks is the most important factor for AF diagnosis (30.6%). Type of AF (acute vs chronic) is the most important factor which guide the therapeutic plan (44.4%). The first treatment of choice for acute AF is ointment application for both groups (59.6%). For the treatment of chronic AF, this data is confirmed by colorectal surgeons (57%), but not by the general surgeons who prefer the lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) (31.8%) (p = 0.0001). Botulin toxin injection is most performed by colorectal surgeons (58.7%) in comparison to general surgeons (20.9%) (p = 0.0001). Anal flap is mostly performed by colorectal surgeons (37.4%) in comparison to general surgeons (28.3%) (p = 0.0001). Fissurectomy alone is statistically significantly most performed by general surgeons in comparison to colorectal surgeons (57.9% and 43.6%, respectively) (p = 0.0020). This analysis provides useful information about the clinical practice for the management of a debated topic such as AF treatment. Shared guidelines and consensus especially focused on operative management are required to standardize the treatment and to improve postoperative results

The PLATO Mission

International audiencePLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is ESA's M3 mission designed to detect and characterise extrasolar planets and perform asteroseismic monitoring of a large number of stars. PLATO will detect small planets (down to &lt;2 R_(Earth)) around bright stars (&lt;11 mag), including terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-like stars. With the complement of radial velocity observations from the ground, planets will be characterised for their radius, mass, and age with high accuracy (5 %, 10 %, 10 % for an Earth-Sun combination respectively). PLATO will provide us with a large-scale catalogue of well-characterised small planets up to intermediate orbital periods, relevant for a meaningful comparison to planet formation theories and to better understand planet evolution. It will make possible comparative exoplanetology to place our Solar System planets in a broader context. In parallel, PLATO will study (host) stars using asteroseismology, allowing us to determine the stellar properties with high accuracy, substantially enhancing our knowledge of stellar structure and evolution. The payload instrument consists of 26 cameras with 12cm aperture each. For at least four years, the mission will perform high-precision photometric measurements. Here we review the science objectives, present PLATO's target samples and fields, provide an overview of expected core science performance as well as a description of the instrument and the mission profile at the beginning of the serial production of the flight cameras. PLATO is scheduled for a launch date end 2026. This overview therefore provides a summary of the mission to the community in preparation of the upcoming operational phases