Early wound healing score (EHS): an intra- and inter-examiner reliability study

The early wound healing score (EHS) was introduced to assess early wound healing of periodontal soft tissues after surgical incision. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the EHS. Six examiners with different levels of training and clinical focus were enrolled. Each examiner was trained on the use of the EHS before starting the study. Thereafter, 63 photographs of three different types of surgical incisions taken at day 1, 3 or 7 post-operatively were independently evaluated according to the proposed assessment method. A two-way random intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to analyze the intra- and inter-examiner reliability for the EHS. The inter-examiner reliability for the EHS was 0.828 (95% CI: 0.767-0.881). The intra-examiner reliability ranged between 0.826 (95% CI: 0.728-0.891) and 0.915 (95% CI: 0.856-0.950). The results therefore show an "almost perfect agreement" for intra- and inter-examiner reliability. The EHS provides a system for reproducible repeated ratings for the early healing assessment of incisions of periodontal soft tissues. Even when used by examiners with different clinical experience and specialty, it shows a high correlation coefficient

Drought influence over radial growth of Mexican conifers inhabiting mesic and xeric sites

Drought is a major constraint of forest productivity and tree growth across diverse habitat types. In this study, we investigated the drought responses of four conifer species growing within two locations of differing elevation and climatic conditions in northern Mexico. Two species were selected at a mesic site (Cupressus lusitanica Mill., Abies durangensis Martínez) and the other two species were sampled at a xeric site (Pinus engelmannii Carr., Pinus cembroides Zucc.). Using a dendrochronological approach, we correlated the radial-growth series of each species and the climatic variables. All study species positively responded to wet-cool conditions during winter and spring. Despite the close proximity of species at a mesic site, A. durangensis had high responsiveness to hydroclimatic variability, but C. lusitanica was not responsive. At the xeric site, P. engelmannii and P. cembroides were very responsive to drought severity, differentiated only by the longer time scale of the response to accumulated drought of P. engelmannii. The responsiveness to hydroclimate and drought of these tree species seems to be modulated by site conditions, or by the functional features of each species that are still little explored. These findings indicate that differentiating between mesic and xeric habitats is a too coarse approach in diverse forests with a high topographic heterogeneity.Fil: Pompa García, Marín. Universidad Juárez; MéxicoFil: González Cásares, Marcos. Universidad Juárez; MéxicoFil: Acosta Hernández, Andrea C.. Universidad Juárez; MéxicoFil: Camarero, Jesús Julio. Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología; EspañaFil: Rodriguez Catón, Milagros Rocío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentin

Gingival reactive lesions in orally rehabilitated patients by free revascularized flap

The aim is to discuss four cases of gingival reactive hyperplastic lesions in patients with a history of excision of oral neoplastic lesions and rehabilitation by a free revascularized flap of the iliac crest. One female and 3 male patients were referred due to the presence of exophytic lesions at the rehabilitated sites. The clinical examination revealed that the poor oral hygiene was the common trigger factor in all the cases, in addition to trauma from the upper left second molar in the first case, pericoronitis related to a partially erupted lower right third molar in the third case, and poor stability of an upper removable partial denture in the fourth case. All the cases were subjected to elimination of these suspected triggering factors, exclusion of dysplasia, excisional biopsy by CO2 laser, and five follow-up visits. The histological examination of all the cases confirmed the diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma. These presented cases suggest that the limitations in oral functions and maintaining the oral hygiene measures following the free revascularized flap reconstruction surgery probably played a role in the development of gingival reactive hyperplastic lesions with presence of trigger factors such as local trauma, chronic infection, or inadequate prosthesis

Memory effects in stock price dynamics: evidences of technical trading

Technical trading represents a class of investment strategies for Financial Markets based on the analysis of trends and recurrent patterns in price time series. According standard economical theories these strategies should not be used because they cannot be profitable. On the contrary, it is well-known that technical traders exist and operate on different time scales. In this paper we investigate if technical trading produces detectable signals in price time series and if some kind of memory effects are introduced in the price dynamics. In particular, we focus on a specific figure called supports and resistances. We first develop a criterion to detect the potential values of supports and resistances. Then we show that memory effects in the price dynamics are associated to these selected values. In fact we show that prices more likely re-bounce than cross these values. Such an effect is a quantitative evidence of the so-called self-fulfilling prophecy, that is the self-reinforcement of agents' belief and sentiment about future stock prices' behavior

Knowledge and attitude towards retrograde peri-implantitis among Italian implantologists: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background: Retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI) is a pathological entity with an unclear etiology (e.g., overheating during implant insertion, residual infection of the tooth replaced by the implant or the endodontic lesion of neighboring teeth) and an extremely low prevalence and has been scarcely investigated. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional survey was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Italian implantologists regarding RPI. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was sent via email to implantologists randomly selected, including a section about demographic information and questions related to RPI origin, radiographic representation, symptoms and treatment options. All questions were multiple answer and close-ended. Binomial logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationship between correct answers and the following independent variables: age, years of experience and number of dental implants placed per year. Results: In total, 475 implantologists completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 46.3%. Based on the results of the study, incorrect answers were associated with less experienced participants (<80 implants/year) for all questions evaluated, with the exception of treatment strategies. Furthermore, 26.7% of the survey takers did not recognize radiographic representation of RPI and 35.5% picked "implant removal" when asked about treatment modality. Conclusions: The majority of participants were able to recognize symptoms and indicated the probable causes of RPI; however, around 30% of them showed very limited knowledge of available management strategies

Analysis of gluten proteins composition during grain filling in two durum wheat cultivars submitted to two water regimes

Durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. subsp . durum) is one of the major crops in the Mediterranean basin, where water stress often occurs during grain filling which represents a critical stage for the synthesis and accumulation of storage proteins (gliadins and glutenins). The aim of the study is to evaluate, by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE SDS-PAGE), the storage proteins composition of two durum wheat cultivars (Ciccio and Svevo) cultivated in a growth chamber under two different water regimes (control and water deficit). At milk stage and physiological maturity, gluten proteins have been extracted and separated by 2DE SDS-PAGE. The analysis of the gels was performed by the software ImageMaster 2D Platinum (Amersham). The results showed differences in protein expression within the different gel regions between water regimes and cultivars; under water deficit the rate of protein accumulation was faster for all the protein regions, either at milk and physiological stage. Protein accumulation within high molecular weight (H) region resulted faster in Ciccio than in Svevo mainly in the control treatment. In the low molecular weight region between 48 and 35 kDa (L 48-35), the cultivar Ciccio showed a higher protein expression than Svevo. Furthermore under water deficit a marked increase in H region volume and a decrease in the L 48-35 region was observed only for Svevo; instead in Ciccio no change was observed showing this cultivar a greater stability on changing water regime. Further studies by the use of mass spectrometry are necessary to identify specific peptides relative to drought stress during grain filling as well as to investigate the relationships with technological quality

Unconventional Pathways of Protein Secretion: Mammals vs. Plants

none6noIn eukaryotes, many proteins contain an N-terminal signal peptide that allows their translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum followed by secretion outside the cell according to the classical secretory system. However, an increasing number of secreted proteins lacking the signal peptide sequence are emerging. These proteins, secreted in several alternative ways collectively known as unconventional protein secretion (UPS) pathways, exert extracellular functions including cell signaling, immune modulation, as well as moonlighting activities different from their well-described intracellular functions. Pathways for UPS include direct transfer across the plasma membrane, secretion from endosomal/multivesicular body-related components, release within plasma membrane-derived microvesicles, or use of elements of autophagy. In this review we describe the mammals and plants UPS pathways identified so far highlighting commonalities and differencesopenElisa Maricchiolo, Eleonora Panfili, Andrea Pompa, Francesca De Marchis, Michele Bellucci, Maria Teresa PallottaMaricchiolo, Elisa; Panfili, Eleonora; Pompa, Andrea; De Marchis, Francesca; Bellucci, Michele; Teresa Pallotta, Mari

La gestión del financiamiento para el Desarrollo Local en el municipio de Bayamo (Original)

The main goal of this research is to evaluate the use of the financial mechanisms for carry out the local development projects in Bayamo municipality. The departure point of the survey is the diagnose of taking advantages of the sources established and implementation of projects directed to the defined strategic lines in its integral development program. This enroll the making up of a referential theoretical framework based on revision, consul and analysis of a wide quantity of literary sources produced by local, nationals and foreign authors dealing with financing management for the increasing and carrying out of local development projects making emphasis on the importance of the theme and its presence in the guiding documents stated in the public policies defined in Cuba. The research has as methodological point of reference the dialectic-materialistic method and each of the particular methods combining the use of empirical and theoretical methods that together with the interview made possible the finding and gathering of necessary data for the survey. The methodological basement is present in the proposal of a methodological logic for the analysis and diagnose for the financing management for projects and propose a plan of strategic actions for the implementation of projects which help the development of the municipality and open ways for a better use of all the sources existing and produce more goods and services, employed possibilities and access to technologies for increasing the good living and life quality of population in Bayamo municipality. This is the first survey about this important field in Bayamo. The contribution of this work may serve as reference to generalize this experience in other municipalities.  Esta investigación propone evaluar la utilización de los mecanismos de financiamiento para la ejecución de proyectos de Desarrollo Local en el Municipio de Bayamo, a partir del diagnóstico del aprovechamiento de las fuentes existentes y la ejecución de proyectos orientados a las líneas estratégicas definidas en su Programa de Desarrollo Integral. Comprende la elaboración de un marco teórico referencial sustentado en la revisión, consulta y análisis de una amplia literatura de autores internacionales, nacionales y locales, sobre la gestión de financiamiento para el fomento y ejecución de proyectos de desarrollo local, enfatizando la importancia del tema y su presencia en los documentos rectores de las políticas públicas definidas en Cuba. Tiene como referente metodológico el método Dialéctico- Materialista y sus métodos particulares combinando el uso de métodos empíricos y teóricos, junto a técnicas como la encuesta, que posibilitaron la recogida de información y recopilación de datos necesarios para la investigación. Su basamento metodológico está en la propuesta de una lógica metodológica para el análisis y diagnóstico sobre la gestión de financiamiento para proyectos y propone un plan de acciones estratégicas para el fomento de proyectos que incentiven el desarrollo del municipio, propicie un mejor aprovechamiento de todas las fuentes existentes y generen más bienes y servicios, fuentes de empleo y acceso a tecnologías para incrementar el bienestar y la calidad de vida de los bayameses.    Este es el primer estudio sobre este importante tema en Bayamo. Sus aportes pueden servir como referente para generalizar esta experiencia en otros municipios

Editorial: Plastid Proteostasis: Relevance of Translation, and Post-Translational Modifications

Due to their bacterial endosymbiotic origin plastids are organelles with both nuclear-encoded and plastid-encoded proteins. Therefore, a highly integrated modulation of gene expression between the nucleus and the plastome is needed in plant cell development. Plastids have retained for the most part a prokaryotic gene expression machinery but, differently from prokaryotes and eukaryotes, they have largely abandoned transcriptional control and switched to predominantly translational control of their gene expression. Some transcriptional regulation is known to occur, but the coordinate expression between the nucleus and the plastome takes place mainly through translational regulation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of plastid gene expression (PGE) are mediated by intricate plastid-nuclear interactions and are still far from being fully understood. Although, for example, translational autoregulation mechanisms in algae have been described for subunits of heteromeric protein complexes and termed control by epistasy of synthesis (CES), only few autoregulatory proteins have been identified in plant plastids. It should be noted of course that PGE in C. reinhardtii is different from that in plants in many aspects. Another example of investigation in this research area is to understand the interactions that occur during RNA binding between nucleus-encoded RNA-binding proteins and the respective RNA sequences, and how this influences the translation initiation process. In addition to this, the plastid retains a whole series of mechanisms for the preservation of its protein balance (proteostasis), including specific proteases, as well as molecular chaperones and enzymes useful in protein folding. After synthesis, plastid proteins must rapidly fold into stable three dimensional structures and often undergo co- and posttranslational modifications to perform their biological mission, avoiding aberrant folding, aggregation and targeting with the help of molecular chaperones and proteases. We believe that this topic is highly interesting for many research areas because the regulation of PGE is not only of wide interest for plant biologists but has also biotechnological implications. Indeed, plastid transformation turns out to be a very promising tool for the production of recombinant proteins in plants, yet some limitations must still be overcome and we believe that this is mainly due to our limited knowledge of the mechanisms in plastids influencing the maintenance of proteostasis

Earlywood and Latewood Widths of Picea chihuahuana Show Contrasting Sensitivity to Seasonal Climate

The existence of endangered tree species in Mexico necessitates an understanding of their vulnerability to the predicted climate changes (warming and drying trends). In this study, the sensitivity to climate of earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) widths of the threatened Picea chihuahuana was determined. The response of EW and LW to climate variables (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, evaporation, and a drought index) was analyzed by means of correlation analysis using dendrochronology over the period of 1950–2015. EW and LW production were enhanced by cool and wet conditions during winter prior to the start of growing season. During the growing season, EW and LW production increased in response to cool spring and summer conditions, respectively; temperatures and year-round evaporation, excluding summer and the previous drought in the period prior to the growing season. EW was sensitive to seasonal drought, which is a concern considering the predicted aridification trends for the study area. These results provide further knowledge on the dendroecological potential of Picea chihuahuana.Funding was provided by CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) through the CB-2013/222522 project. Many thanks to the community-based site known as “Ejido el Brillante”, and we also thank the forester responsible for the area (Javier Bretado) for supporting the data gathering. We thank the Dirección General de Vida Silvestre, SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales), Mexico, for providing technical facilities. Gabriel Sagüesa contributed with sample processing. The authors are grateful to the editors and anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and suggestions.We acknowledge support by the CSIC Open Access Publication Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI)