Regeneration of keratinized tissue around teeth and implants following coronal repositioning of alveolar mucosa with and without a connective tissue graft: an experimental study in dogs

Aim: To compare clinical and histological keratinized tissue formation around teeth and implants following coronal repositioning of alveolar mucosa with or without a connective tissue graft (CTG).Materials and Methods: In nine beagle dogs, the third and fourth premolars (P3 and P4) were extracted from one side of the maxilla. Three months after the tooth extraction, a full-thickness buccal flap was raised and two implants were placed in those healed areas. On the contra-lateral side, a buccal flap was also raised at the P3 and P4 areas. Before suturing, the dogs were randomly assigned to three study groups (control, non-keratinized tissue [NKT], and non-keratinized tissue CTG [NKT-CTG]). In the control group, the buccal flaps were re-positioned around the teeth (P3 and P4) on one side, and implants on the other side, presenting an adequate band of keratinized tissue (KT). For the NKT and NKT-CTG groups, this buccal KT was then excised. In the NKT group, the buccal flap without KT (alveolar mucosa) was re-positioned around the teeth and implants. In the NKT-CTG group, a CTG taken from the excised KT was sutured to the buccal alveolar mucosa and then both were re-positioned around the teeth and implants. The clinical height of the KT was measured at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months of healing. The animals were sacrificed at 3 months, at which point the KT height was measured histologically. Results: The control group presented normal healing with a band of KT surrounding the teeth and implants. In the NKT and NKT-CTG groups, a new KT band approximately 2 mm in height (measured clinically and histologically) spontaneously formed around all teeth, regardless of whether a CTG had been placed. In the NKT implant group, no new KT was observed (clinically or histologically). Around the implants in the NKT-CTG group, a small amount of KT was formed in just two of the six implants.Conclusions: After surgical excision of KT, spontaneous KT is formed around teeth but not around implants, regardless of the placement of a CTGS

Diagnóstico y Caracterización de los Brezales Húmedos (Nat-2000 4020*) de las Sierras Septentrionales de Galicia a partir de Criterios Científicos: Importancia para su Conservación

En el trabajo se realiza una caracterización de las variaciones estacionales de la humedad del sustrato de los brezales húmedos de la Serra do Xistral (Lugo, Galicia), y se compara con la humedad de los diferentes ecosistemas que forman la catena vegetacional en la que se enmarcan, así como con la de otros tipos de humedales estacionales. La representatividad de este territorio ha conllevado su inclusión en la Red Natura 2000, mediante la designación del Lugar de Importancia Comunitaria (LIC) Serra do Xistral (ES1120015). Los datos presentados ponen de manifiesto un funcionamiento ecológico homogéneo de los brezales húmedos en relación al resto del complejo húmedo, así como su funcionamiento inequívoco como ecosistemas húmedos. Por tanto, se confirma el diagnóstico de los brezales húmedos de las Sierras Septentrionales gallegas, vinculados al tipo prioritario Nat-2000 4020*, incluido en el Anexo I de la Directiva Comunitaria 92/43/CEE. El diagnóstico y caracterización de los tipos de hábitat debe considerar la estructura, composición y funcionalidad ecológica, mediante el empleo de conocimientos científicos y técnicos. Esto resulta de vital importancia, sobre todo para la conservación de los tipos prioritarios, evitando la puesta en marcha de planes y proyectos sin una adecuada evaluación de sus repercusionesIn this paper we have performed a characterization of the soil moisture in several wet heaths from Serra do Xistral (Lugo, Galicia), to be compared with that in the different ecosystems existing at the same vegetation catena, as well as other seasonal wetlands in the region. The representativeness of this territory has led to its inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, by designating the Site of Community Importance (SCI) Serra do Xistral (ES1120015). The data presented show a homogeneous ecological functioning of wet heaths in relation to the rest of the wet complex, and sustain their unambiguous operation as wet ecosystems. Therefore, it confirms the diagnosis of wet heaths in the northern mountains of Galicia, linked to priority type Nat-2000 4020*, included in Annex I of the EU Directive 92/43/EEC. The diagnosis and characterization of habitat types should consider the structure, composition and ecological functionality through the use of scientific and technical knowledge. This is of vital importance, particularly for the conservation of priority types, avoiding the implementation of plans and projects without a proper impact assessmentS

Effect of phosphorus on the attenuation of lead and chromium

This study analyses the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(III) in soils. These metals are commonly found together in nature in urban wastes or industrial spillages, and the theoretical approach of the work was to evaluate the response of the soil to continuous Cr and Pb spillages to soil in terms of several physicochemical parameters. The influence of an anthropogenic input of phosphorus was evaluated. Continuous flow experiments were run in duplicates in acrylic columns (25 cm × 3.2 cm). The influent Cr(III) and Pb(II) solutions of 10 mg l−1 and 25 mg l−1 at pH 5 were pumped upward through the bottom of the columns to ensure saturation flow conditions. Also, successive experiments were run with the above concentrations of Cr(III) and Pb(II) and NaH2PO4, keeping metal to phosphorus ratio of 1:0, 1:0.1 and 1:1. Modelling parameters included Freundlich and Langmuir equations, together with the Two-site adsorption model using CXTFIT code. Results obtained allowed concluding that Pb(II) adsorption presents a certain degree of irreversibility and the continued spillages over soil increment the fraction which is not easily desorbed. Cr(III) desorption was almost complete, evidencing its high mobility in nature. The presence of an anthropogenic input of phosphorus leads to a marked increase of both Pb(II) and Cr(III) adsorption in soils. Z-potential measurements allow to discard the electrostatic attraction of Cr(III) and Pb(II) with the surface charged soil as the dominant process of metal sorption. Instead, CheaqsPro simulation allows to identify PbH2PO4 +, PbHPO4 (aq) and CrHPO4 + as the dominant species which regulate Cr(III) and Pb(II) transport in soils.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Agriculture in NW Iberia during the Bronze Age: a review of archaeobotanical data

The wide and diverse array of palaeoenvironmental studies that were carried out in Northwestern Iberia indicate that the Bronze Age corresponds to a phase of great landscape changes. Strong deforestation and erosion episodes are key-features and they are usually assumed to be anthropogenic. The archaeological and archaeobotanical records demonstrate that these trends are coincident with modi!cations on settlement pattern and agricultural systems. This work consists on a thorough revision of carpological data from 19 Bronze Age sites in order to understand agricultural practices in the region in this time period. Results reveal the increasing relevance of Panicum miliaceum and decreasing presence of naked barley which contrast with the previous periods. Carpological remains are not available in Early Bronze Age sites.Middle Bronze Age crops include naked and hulled forms of barley (Hordeum spp.) and wheat (Triticum spp.). Only one site provided occasional grains of Panicum miliaceum. Non-cereal crops are rare and comprise Linum, Papaver, Pisum sativum and Vicia faba. Still, there are few Middle Bronze Age sites with crop macroremains. Late Bronze Age sites with carpological remains of crops are more abundant but no newcrop is added. This is the phase when Panicummiliaceum became a conspicuous crop in regional agricultural strategies. Overall, a small diversity of pulses is recorded throughout the Bronze Age, contrasting with other Iberian regions. Acorns (Quercus) are the onlywild fruits consistently present in the archaeological sites and they probably had some relevance within the regional subsistence. It was possible to detect changes on settlement and agricultural levels and suggest how these are related to environmental and social changes. It is argued that agricultural productivity increased and pits were the main storage facilities used by Bronze Age communities. Although these structures are abundant in several sites, caution is neededwhile interpreting themand their !lls. Only in one site – Freixo – remains of cropswere found in primary deposition in a storage pit. Increasing agricultural productivity, including functionally diverse winter and spring crops seems to have been connected to settlement diversi!cation. This trend may have led to a more complementary and profuse use of local resources, enhancing the anthropogenic changes in the landscape mentioned above. This was a further step in the territorialisation process thatwould eventually lead to the complex scenario recorded in the Iron Age.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Diagnóstico y Caracterización de los Brezales Húmedos (Nat-2000 4020*) de las Sierras Septentrionales de Galicia a partir de Criterios Científicos: Importancia para su Conservación

En el trabajo se realiza una caracterización de las variaciones estacionales de la humedad del sustrato de los brezales húmedos de la Serra do Xistral (Lugo, Galicia), y se compara con la humedad de los diferentes ecosistemas que forman la catena vegetacional en la que se enmarcan, así como con la de otros tipos de humedales estacionales. La representatividad de este territorio ha conllevado su inclusión en la Red Natura 2000, mediante la designación del Lugar de Importancia Comunitaria (LIC) Serra do Xistral (ES1120015). Los datos presentados ponen de manifiesto un funcionamiento ecológico homogéneo de los brezales húmedos en relación al resto del complejo húmedo, así como su funcionamiento inequívoco como ecosistemas húmedos. Por tanto, se confirma el diagnóstico de losbrezales húmedos de las Sierras Septentrionales gallegas, vinculados al tipo prioritario Nat-2000 4020*, incluido en el Anexo I de la Directiva Comunitaria 92/43/CEE. El diagnóstico y caracterización de los tipos de hábitat debe considerar la estructura, composición y funcionalidad ecológica, mediante el empleo de conocimientos científicos y técnicos. Esto resulta de vital importancia, sobre todo parala conservación de los tipos prioritarios, evitando la puesta en marcha de planes y proyectos sin una adecuada evaluación de sus repercusiones.In this paper we have performed a characterization of the soil moisture in several wet heaths from Serra do Xistral (Lugo, Galicia), to be compared with that in the different ecosystems existing at the same vegetation catena, as well as other seasonal wetlands in the region. The representativeness of this territory has led to its inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, by designating the Site ofCommunity Importance (SCI) Serra do Xistral (ES1120015). The data presented show a homogeneous ecological functioning of wet heaths in relation to the rest of the wet complex, and sustain their unambiguous operation as wet ecosystems. Therefore, it confirms the diagnosis of wet heaths in the northern mountains of Galicia, linked to priority type Nat-2000 4020*, included in Annex I of the EU Directive 92/43/EEC. The diagnosis and characterization of habitat types should consider the structure, composition and ecological functionality through the use of scientific and technical knowledge. This is of vital importance, particularly for the conservation of priority types, avoiding the implementation of plans and projects without a proper impact assessment

Leaching of copper and nickel in soil-water systems contaminated by bauxite residue (red mud) from Ajka, Hungary: the importance of soil organic matter

Red mud is a highly alkaline (pH >12) waste product from bauxite ore processing. The red mud spill at Ajka, Hungary, in 2010 released 1 million m3 of caustic red mud into the surrounding area with devastating results. Aerobic and anaerobic batch experiments and solid phase extraction techniques were used to assess the impact of red mud addition on the mobility of Cu and Ni in soils from near the Ajka spill site. Red mud addition increases aqueous dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations due to soil alkalisation, and this led to increased mobility of Cu and Ni complexed to organic matter. With Ajka soils, more Cu was mobilised by contact with red mud than Ni, despite a higher overall Ni concentration in the solid phase. This is most probably because Cu has a higher affinity to form complexes with organic matter than Ni. In aerobic experiments, contact with the atmosphere reduced soil pH via carbonation reactions, and this reduced organic matter dissolution and thereby lowered Cu/Ni mobility. These data show that the mixing of red mud into organic rich soils is an area of concern, as there is a potential to mobilise Cu and Ni as organically bound complexes, via soil alkalisation. This could be especially problematic in locations where anaerobic conditions can prevail, such as wetland areas contaminated by the spill