Association between root/coronal caries and individual factors in institutionalised elderly using ICDAS severity and activity

Background: Caries in the elderly has been associated with dependence, oral-health status and -care practices. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between root/coronal caries and individual factors among institutionalised elderly people in Bogota, Colombia, using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System severity and activity criteria (ICDAS). Methods: A total of 226 institutionalised elderly were clinically examined for root and coronal caries in 40 institutions. Caries risk was assessed with Cariogram, and demographics, oral health knowledge and practices, oral health-related quality of life and denture-use habits using a questionnaire. Results: Participants (mean age: 80.1 } 9.3 years; 63.7% female) presented a mean number of 10.8 } 7.3 teeth and 19.4 } 18.8 exposed root surfaces. Prevalence of Coronal-ICDAS caries experience (C-ICDAS DF) was of 100% and of 54.4% for C-ICDAS D; mean number of C-ICDAS DFS was 16.76 } 27.36, with 50.9% of subjects having ≥ one active C-ICDAS DS. Prevalence of Root Caries Index was of 49.1% and of R-ICDAS DF of 46%; mean number of R-ICDAS DFS was 2.03 } 2.78, with 40.3% of subjects having ≥ one active R-ICDAS DS. Most individuals had a systemic condition (94.2%) and required oral-hygiene assistance (58%). Logistic regression analyses showed significant associations (p eight exposed root surfaces were 4.04 more likely to have root caries and 2.4 times more likely to have active root caries. Conclusion: In the institutionalised elderly population in Bogota significant associations were found, both for the presence as for the activity status of root and coronal caries, with individual clinical factors including coronal caries, exposed root surfaces and number of teeth

Reconociendo el virus del chikunguña

The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an Alphavirus that belongs to the Old World group. These arthritogenic viruses cause a febrile illness characterized by arthralgias and myalgias. Although fatal cases during CHIKV infection are rare, the disease may be disabling and generate a broad spectrum of atypical manifestations, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, eye, kidney, and skin complications, among others. When joint pain persists for three or more months, it results in the chronic form of the disease called post-chikungunya chronic inflammatory rheumatism, which constitutes the main disease sequel. CHIKV is not considered a neurotropic virus; however, it can affect the central nervous system, especially in children and the elderly, causing severe and permanent sequelae.CHIKV outbreaks had been previously reported in Africa, Asia, and Europe, but the virus introduction to the American continent was documented until the end of 2013. Since then, the irus has spread to 45 countries and territories causing near two million cases in just two years.This review describes the molecular biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and significant post-infection complications of CHIKV. Additionally, it collects published information about the outbreak in Colombia and the American continent between 2014 and 2020.El virus de chikunguña (CHIKV) es un Alfavirus perteneciente al grupo denominado del Viejo Mundo; estos son virus artritogénicos que causan una enfermedad febril caracterizada por artralgias y mialgias. Aunque la muerte por CHIKV es poco frecuente, la enfermedad puede llegar a ser incapacitante y generar un amplio espectro de manifestaciones atípicas, como complicaciones cardiovasculares, respiratorias, oculares, renales y dérmicas, entre otras. Cuando el dolor articular persiste por tres o más meses, da lugar a la forma crónica de la enfermedad denominada reumatismo inflamatorio crónico poschikunguña, el cual es la principal secuela de la enfermedad. Se considera que este virus no es neurotrópico, sin embargo, puede afectar el sistema nervioso central y generar secuelas graves y permanentes, principalmente, en niños y ancianos.En África, Asia y Europa se habían reportado anteriormente brotes epidémicos por CHIKV, pero solo hasta finales del 2013 se documentó la introducción del virus a las Américas; desde entonces, el virus se ha propagado a 45 países o territorios del continente y el número de casos acumulados ascendió a cerca de dos millones en dos años.Esta revisión describe de manera general la biología molecular del virus, sus manifestaciones clínicas, su patogénesis y las principales complicaciones posteriores a la infección. Además, reúne la información de la epidemia en Colombia y el continente americano publicada entre el 2014 y el 2020

Climatic diversity and ecological descriptors of wild tomato species (Solanum sect. lycopersicon) and close related species (solanum sect. juglandifolia y sect. lycopersicoides) in Latin America

Conservation and sustainable use of species diversity require a description of the environment where they develop. The objectives were to determine ecological descriptors and climatic diversity of areas along the distribution range of 12 species of wild tomatoes (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon) and four wild species of phylogenetically related groups (Solanum sect. Juglandifolia and sect. Lycopersicoides), as well as their ecological similarity in Latin America. With 4228 selected tomato accessions and an environmental information system (EIS) composed of 21 climatic variables, diversity patterns of the distribution areas were identified for each species, as well as ecological descriptors through the use of geographic information systems (GIS). The contribution of climatic variables to the species geographical distribution was identified by principal component analysis (PCA), and similarity in species distribution as a function of the variables identified with cluster analysis (CA). Climatic characteristics and the environmental amplitude of wild tomatoes and related species along their distributional range were satisfactorily determined by ecological descriptors. Eleven climate types were identified, predominantly BSk (arid, steppe, cold), BWh (arid, desert, hot), and Cfb (temperate, no dry season, warm summer). PCA determined 10 most important variables were the most important for the geographical distribution. Six groups of species were identified according to CA and climatic distribution similarity. This approach has shown promissory applications for biodiversity conservation of valuable genetic resources for tomato crop breeding.Fil: Ramírez Ojeda, Gabriela. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo; MéxicoFil: Peralta, Iris Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Guzmán, Eduardo. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Chávez Servia, José Luis. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Sahagún Castellanos, Jaime. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo; MéxicoFil: Rodríguez Pérez, Juan Enrique. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo; Méxic

Distribución de los genotipos de fimA en cepas de Porphyromonas gingivalis aisladas de placas subgingivales y de sangre durante bacteriemias

Introduction. Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered as a major etiological agent in the onset and progression of chronic destructive periodontitis. Porphyromonus gingivalis fimA type has been correlated to the virulence potential of the strain; therefore this gene could be involved in the ability of P. gingivalis to reach blood stream.Objective. The classifications of P. gingivalis fimA types will be compared in subgingival plaque and blood samples collected after scaling and root root planing of periodontitis patients.Materials and methods. Fifteen periodontitis patients requiring scaling and root planing were enrolled. P. gingivalis isolates were classed to genotype with fimA type-specific PCR assay. fimA gene was sequenced if the isolate was listed as unclassifiable after PCR technique.Results. Six patients showed positive P. gingivalis bacteremia. The most frequent fimA was fimA type II, followed by Ib, III and IV. In blood strains, type II was followed by IV, Ib and III.Conclusion. Type II was the most frequent genotype in blood samples and in subgingival plaque samples. However, no correlation was found between the frequency of any fimA type with SRP induced bacteremia. P. gingivalis fimA type appears to be conserved within individual patients throughout the times of sample collection. fimA gene sequence results were not in agreement with results of fimA genotyping by PCR.Introducción. Porphyromonas gingivalis es el principal agente etiológico de la periodontitis. El gen fimA ha sido relacionado con la virulencia del microorganismo, lo cual sugiere la participación de dicho gen en la capacidad del microorganismo para alcanzar el torrente sanguíneo.Objetivo. Estudiar la distribución de los tipos de fimA de P. gingivalis en muestras de placa subgingival y de sangre obtenidas durante bacteriemias después de raspaje y alisado radicular.Materiales y métodos. Se practicó un alisado radicular a 15 pacientes con periodontitis. Se obtuvieron aislamientos clínicos de P. gingivalis de la placa subgingival y durante la bacteriemia inducida por el procedimiento. Para la genotipificación se utilizó la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) específica para fimA. En los aislamientos no clasificables por PCR se realizó secuenciación del gen fimA.Resultados. Seis pacientes fueron positivos para bacteriemia por P. gingivalis. La distribución de fimA evaluada en 30 aislamientos de placa subgingival y de sangre mostró una mayor frecuencia del fimA tipo II de P. gingivalis. En los aislamientos de placa subgingival, la detección de fimA tipo II fue seguida por Ib, III y IV; sin embargo, en los aislamientos de sangre el tipo II fue seguido por los tipos IV, Ib y III.Conclusión. En los aislamientos de sangre y de placa subgingival de pacientes con periodontitis el fimA más frecuente fue el tipo II; no fue posible correlacionar el tipo de fimA con la bacteriemia inducida por el alisado radicular. Los resultados de la secuenciación del gen fimA no concuerdan con los obtenidos por PCR

Prevalence of erosive tooth wear and associated risk factors in Colombian adolescents

Abstract Accurate determination of the prevalence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) and associated risk factors in adolescents can inform clinical management guidelines. The aim of this analytical cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of ETW in adolescents aged 12–15 years in the municipality of Usaquén in Bogotá, Colombia. Two calibrated examiners clinically assessed ETW using Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) Index (range: 0–3). All tooth surfaces (excluding proximal) were scored to allow estimation of the Highest (0–3) and Total BEWE (sum of Highest BEWE score per sextant: 0–18) scores per patient. Sociodemographic characteristics, ETW risk factors, and caries severity (ICDAS-epi-merged) were evaluated, and their association with the presence of ETW (indicated by a Highest BEWE score of 2–3) was examined using preliminary analyses and logistic regression models. The study sample included 454 adolescents (mean age: 13.5±1.1 years; female: 61.7%), and the prevalence of ETW was 71.6%. The majority of participants exhibited a Highest BEWE score of 3 (58.0%) and a Total BEWE score ≤8 (84.3%). The preliminary analysis showed an association between the presence of ETW and age, caries, and brushing teeth before eating (p-value 14 years (PRa 1.17, p-value = 0.009). Although ETW was highly prevalent, most Colombian adolescents exhibited low Total BEWE scores. ETW was associated with frequent fruit intake, age, toothbrushing habits, caries lesions, and sex

Edaphoclimatic descriptors of wild tomato species (Solanum Sect. Lycopersicon) and closely related species (Solanum Sect. Juglandifolia and Sect. Lycopersicoides) in South America

Wild species related to cultivated tomato are essential genetic resources in breeding programs focused on food security to face future challenges. The ecogeographic analysis allows identifying the species adaptive ranges and most relevant environmental variables explaining their patterns of actual distribution. The objective of this research was to identify the diversity, ecological descriptors, and statistical relationship of 35 edaphoclimatic variables (20 climatic, 1 geographic and 14 edaphic variables) from 4,649 accessions of 12 wild tomato species and 4 closely related species classified in Solanum sect. Lycopersicon and clustered into four phylogenetic groups, namely “Lycopersicon group” (S. pimpinellifolium, S. cheesmaniae, and S. galapagense), “Arcanum group” (S. arcanum, S. chmielewskii, and S. neorickii), “Eriopersicon group” (S. habrochaites, S. huaylasense, S. corneliomulleri, S. peruvianum, and S. chilense), “Neolycopersicon group” (S. pennellii); and two phylogenetically related groups in Solanum sect. Juglandifolia (S. juglandifolium and S. ochranthum), and section Lycopersicoides (S. lycopersicoides and S. sitiens). The relationship between the climate and edaphic variables were determined by the canonical correlation analysis, reaching 89.2% of variation with the first three canonical correlations. The most significant climatic variables were related to humidity (annual evapotranspiration, annual precipitation, and precipitation of driest month) and physicochemical soil characteristics (bulk density, pH, and base saturation percentage). In all groups, ecological descriptors and diversity patterns were consistent with previous reports. Regarding edaphoclimatic diversity, 12 climate types and 17 soil units were identified among all species. This approach has promissory applications for biodiversity conservation and uses valuable genetic resources related to a leading crop.Fil: Ramírez Ojeda, Gabriela. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo; MéxicoFil: Peralta, Iris Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Guzmán, Eduardo. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Sahagún Castellanos, Jaime. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo; MéxicoFil: Chávez Servia, José Luis. Instituto Nacional Politécnico; MéxicoFil: Medina Hinostroza, Tulio Cecilio. Gobierno del Perú. Ministerio del Ambiente; PerúFil: Rijalba Vela, Jorge Rodrigo. Universidad Pedro Ruiz Gallo; PerúFil: Vásquez Núñez, Leopoldo Pompeyo. Univeridad Pedro Ruiz Gallo; PerúFil: Rodríguez Pérez, Juan Enrique. Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo; Méxic

Novas Estratégias para um Plano de Uso Eficiente da Energia Elétrica

Ante los reales problemas causados por el consumo cada vez mayor de energía eléctrica, el estado inadecuado de los segmentos que conforman la red eléctrica y el impacto ambiental negativo de las tradicionales fuentes de generación de electricidad, en este artículo se  propone un conjunto de estrategias para un nuevo plan de uso racional y eficiente de la energía eléctrica, aplicable a cualquier país y basado en la coexistencia de nuevas formas de generación de energía (generación alternativa, cogeneración, generación distribuida) con las formas de generación tradicional, así como en la incorporación de técnicas y metodologías de punta, tales como Smart Grid, DR (Dynamic Response), etc. Asimismo, el plan propuesto define una solución holística integral para abordar el uso racional de energía eléctrica promoviendo un cambio en el comportamiento del usuario del servicio. El plan establece objetivos concretos, estrategias y líneas de acción en catorce áreas de oportunidadDiante dos problemas reais produzidos pelo consumo cada vez maior de energia elétrica, o estado inadequado dos segmentos que compõem a rede elétrica e o impacto ambiental negativo das tradicionais fontes de geração de eletricidade, neste artigo se propõe um conjunto de estratégias para um novo plano de uso racional e eficiente da energia elétrica, aplicável a qualquer país e baseado na coexistência de novas formas de geração de energia (geração alternativa, cogeração, geração distribuída) com as formas de geração tradicional, assim como na incorporação de técnicas e metodologias de ponta, tais como redes inteligentes (Smart Grid), DR (Dynamic Response), etc. Além disso, o plano proposto define uma solução holística integral para a abordagem do uso racional de energia elétrica promovendo uma mudança no comportamento do usuário do serviço. O plano estabelece objetivos concretos, estratégias e linhas de ação em quatorze áreas de oportunidade.     

High prevalence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses in blood donors during a dengue outbreak and an endemic period in Colombia

ObjectiveArboviruses pose a challenge in ensuring the supply of pathogen-free blood components because they are not routinely screened in blood banks, and blood components from infected asymptomatic donors could be transfused. This study aimed to detect and characterize arboviral infections in Colombian blood donors.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and co-infections of blood donors were compared between an epidemic period (November 2019–February 2020, n = 462) and an endemic period (November 2021–August 2022, n = 1,119). Viral RNA from each donor serum was purified, and the viruses were detected using a previously standardized multiplex hemi-nested RT-PCR protocol. Subsequently, donors who tested positive were surveyed 15 days after the detection of the virus to identify clinical characteristics related to the arboviral infection. The prevalences of each virus were presented as percentages and compared between epidemic and endemic periods.ResultsSignificantly higher prevalences were found in the epidemic period compared with the endemic period for DENV (14.5 vs. 1.9%), ZIKV (7.8 vs. 0.3%), CHIKV (8 vs. 3.3%), and co-infections (4.3 vs. 0.2%). The survey response rate of positive donors in the two periods was 83/175 (47%). In total, 57% of the donors surveyed were asymptomatic. Symptomatic donors most frequently reported headache (31%), malaise (13%), arthralgia (10%), and fever/chills (8%).ConclusionThe prevalence observed in epidemic and endemic periods was higher than that reported in other studies in the Americas. The high proportion of asymptomatic cases found, in addition to the mild and nonspecific manifestations among the symptomatic, may limit the effectiveness of the donor selection criteria used to mitigate the risk of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses

Una alabarda argárica en la motilla del Retamar (Argamasilla de Alba, Ciudad Real): contexto, datación, procedencia e interpretación.

En 2019 se recuperó en la motilla de El Retamar la única alabarda argárica de la Meseta; es el primer arma especializada en la Cultura de las Motillas. El hallazgo se produjo en un contexto no funerario -el Corte A-, asociado a recipientes cerámicos, un horno y semillas (trigo harinero y duro, cebada vestida, escanda melliza y lino. El arma, de 118 g y 15,7 cm, cuenta con dos remaches y es de hoja asimétrica. Puede clasificarse dentro del tipo San Antón (tipo 2 de Lull), con paralelos formales similares en la alabarda de la tumba 999 de El Argar o en otra de la colección Gómez-Moreno. La pieza no contiene estaño; es de cobre arsenicado (3,4% As), con porcentajes significativos de plomo y plata (2-3% Pb; 0,47% Ag). El análisis de sus isótopos de plomo revela la probable procedencia del área minera de Linares (Jaén). La datación de la madera del enmangue (Beta-591414, 3590±30, 2010-1895 cal BC) fecha la alabarda en el primer siglo del segundo milenio cal BC. Este hallazgo confirma que las poblaciones argáricas y del Bronce de La Mancha establecieron intensas redes de intercambio, por las que circularon objetos de alto valor social, como el marfil, la copa argárica de La Encantada o la alabarda de la motilla de El Retamar

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years