A Simple and Inexpensive Method to Gain Diatom Absolute Abundances from Permanent Mounts in Hydrobiological and Paleoecological Research

Here, we describe and discuss a method based on microscopical field of view (FOV) area to estimate diatom absolute abundances (densities or concentrations), and we statistically verify its reliability, also comparing it to another commonly used method (microspheres). To test the new method, we purposely performed replicate counts, both with the FOV and with the microsphere method, on both subfossil and recent material (samples) from mires. Intraclass correlation (ICC) revealed a high degree of agreement between the measurements obtained for the replicates with each of the two methods, suggesting that both are reliable for measuring diatom valve concentrations. However, the FOV consistently overestimated diatom absolute abundances, as compared to the microsphere method, and the ICC value used to assess the reliability of the two methods combined suggested that the two methods cannot be used interchangeably. The FOV method is relatively simple, has a lower cost, wider applicability, higher resolution, and warrants compatibility with existing datasets. However, there may also be drawbacks, such as the potential for sample distortion during the concentration process. Therefore, it is important to carefully evaluate the strengths and limitations of the different methods before adopting one for specific research or applied questions

Single Miller Class III recession treatment in the anterior maxilla

Introduction: Miller’s Class III gingival recession represents a challenging condition with a low predictability in order to obtain successful outcomes. The purpose of this case report is to document the management of an isolated Class III gingival recession (Rec) with Coronally Advanced Flap in combination with Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft. Presentation of the case: A 45 years-old female with a 2 mm Rec associated with interproximal attachment loss at the upper left canine requested a dental cosmetic treatment for this area. A bilaminar technique was performed in order to solve the aesthetic impairment. Results at short (1 year) and long term (10 years) are reported. Discussion: At 1-year follow up a complete root coverage with no interproximal attachment loss was observed, with an increased amount of keratinized tissue width and thickness. Optimal aesthetic outcome was accomplished with complete patient satisfaction. However, at 10-year follow-up 1mm Rec on mesio-buccal and buccal sites associated to a non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL) were noticed, associated with a bruxism pattern in combination with a relapse of traumatic brushing technique and vigorous use of interdental brushes. At this time, reinstruction to the appropriate domiciliary oral hygiene procedures and a composite restoration were performed in order to solve the clinical condition. Conclusion: At 1-year follow-up Rec associated to attachment loss and NCCL can be successfully managed by means of bilaminar technique and conservative restorations. However, a careful assessment of prognostic factors must be considered in order to achieve successful treatment outcomes in the long-term

Complications and treatment errors in periodontal therapy in medically compromised patients

Patients who are medically compromised may be at an increased risk of complications and treatment errors following periodontal therapy. A review of the evidence on the topic is presented, in relation to the type of complication reported, of periodontal treatment, and of patients' medical status. Further, a framework for risk assessment and appropriate treatment modifications is introduced, with the aim of facilitating the management of patients with existing comorbidities and reducing the incidence of treatment complications

Periodontitis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between periodontitis (PD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A systematic search was conducted through the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, CINAHL and SIGLE (System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe) for relevant publications up to September 2020 with no language restriction. The association between PD and SLE was assessed by the prevalence of PD in SLE patients (both sex and females only) as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included differences in common gingival parameters including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores of SLE patients with or without PD. A total of 1183 citations and 22 full text articles were screened. Eighteen articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 13 in the quantitative analysis. SLE diagnosis was associated with greater odds of PD (OR = 1.33, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.20–1.48), but these were non-significant when examined in females (OR = 3.20, 95%CI: 0.85–12.02). Patients with SLE exhibited no differences in PPD (SMD: −0.09 mm, 95%CI: −0.45–0.27) and CAL (SMD: 0.05 mm, 95%CI: −0.30–0.40) when compared with systemically healthy controls. PD diagnosis was, however, associated with higher SLEDAI scores in patients suffering from SLE (SMD: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.03–1.32). PD and SLE are both inflammatory diseases and their association could be bi-directional. This review suggested that the patients with SLE have greater odds of suffering with PD. Further investigations are required to assess the association between PD and SLE

Heterologous Systemic Prime–Intranasal Boosting Using a Spore SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Confers Mucosal Immunity and Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Mice as well as Protection in Hamsters

Background: Current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are administered systemically and typically result in poor immunogenicity at the mucosa. As a result, vaccination is unable to reduce viral shedding and transmission, ultimately failing to prevent infection. One possible solution is that of boosting a systemic vaccine via the nasal route resulting in mucosal immunity. Here, we have evaluated the potential of bacterial spores as an intranasal boost. Method: Spores engineered to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens were administered as an intranasal boost following a prime with either recombinant Spike protein or the Oxford AZD1222 vaccine. Results: In mice, intranasal boosting following a prime of either Spike or vaccine produced antigen-specific sIgA at the mucosa together with the increased production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. In a hamster model of infection, the clinical and virological outcomes resulting from a SARS-CoV-2 challenge were ameliorated. Wuhan-specific sIgA were shown to cross-react with Omicron antigens, suggesting that this strategy might offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Conclusions: Despite being a genetically modified organism, the spore vaccine platform is attractive since it offers biological containment, the rapid and cost-efficient production of vaccines together with heat stability. As such, employed in a heterologous systemic prime–mucosal boost regimen, spore vaccines might have utility for current and future emerging diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Heterologous Systemic Prime-Intranasal Boosting Using a Spore SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Confers Mucosal Immunity and Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Mice as well as Protection in Hamsters

Altres ajuts: Medical Research Council MR/R026262/1Background : Current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are administered systemically and typically result in poor immunogenicity at the mucosa. As a result, vaccination is unable to reduce viral shedding and transmission, ultimately failing to prevent infection. One possible solution is that of boosting a systemic vaccine via the nasal route resulting in mucosal immunity. Here, we have evaluated the potential of bacterial spores as an intranasal boost. Method : Spores engineered to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens were administered as an intranasal boost following a prime with either recombinant Spike protein or the Oxford AZD1222 vaccine. Results : In mice, intranasal boosting following a prime of either Spike or vaccine produced antigen-specific sIgA at the mucosa together with the increased production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. In a hamster model of infection, the clinical and virological outcomes resulting from a SARS-CoV-2 challenge were ameliorated. Wuhan-specific sIgA were shown to cross-react with Omicron antigens, suggesting that this strategy might offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Conclusions : Despite being a genetically modified organism, the spore vaccine platform is attractive since it offers biological containment, the rapid and cost-efficient production of vaccines together with heat stability. As such, employed in a heterologous systemic prime-mucosal boost regimen, spore vaccines might have utility for current and future emerging diseases

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects against endothelial dysfunction in a human model of systemic inflammation: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: Inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction are known to contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects from endothelial dysfunction and the damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion. Using intensive periodontal treatment (IPT), an established human model of acute systemic inflammation, we investigated whether RIPC prevents endothelial dysfunction and modulates systemic levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. Approach and Results: Forty-nine participants with periodontitis were randomly allocated to receive either 3 cycles of ischemia-reperfusion on the upper limb (N=24, RIPC) or a sham procedure (N=25, control) before IPT. Endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, inflammatory cytokines, markers of vascular injury, and oxidative stress were evaluated at baseline, day 1, and day 7 after IPT. Twenty-four hours post-IPT, the RIPC group had lower levels of IL-10 (interleukin-10) and IL-12 (interleukin-12) compared with the control group (P<0.05). RIPC attenuated the IPT-induced increase in IL-1β (interleukin-1β), E-selectin, sICAM-3 (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 3), and sTM (soluble thrombomodulin) levels between the baseline and day 1 (P for interaction <0.1). Conversely, oxidative stress was differentially increased at day1 in the RIPC group compared with the control group (P for interaction <0.1). This was accompanied by a better flow-mediated dilatation (mean difference 1.75% [95% CI, 0.428–3.07], P=0.011). After 7 days from IPT, most of the inflammatory markers, endothelial-dependent and -independent vasodilation, were similar between groups. Conclusions: RIPC prevented acute endothelial dysfunction by modulation of inflammation and oxidation processes in patients with periodontitis following exposure to an acute inflammatory stimulus

Formation and evolution of back-barrier perched lakes in rocky coasts: an example of a Holocene system in NW Spain

Coastal back-barrier perched lakes are freshwater bodies that are elevated over sea-level and are not directly subjected to the inflow of sea-water. This study provides a detailed reconstruction of the Doniños back-barrier perched lake that developed at the end of a small river valley in the rocky coast of the northwest Iberian Peninsula during the Holocene transgression. Its sequence stratigraphy was reconstructed based on a core transect across the system, the analyses of its lithofacies and microfossil assemblages, and a high-resolution radiocarbon-based chronology. The Doniños perched lake was formed ca. 4.5 ka BP. The setting of the perched lake was favoured by Late Holocene sea-level stabilization and the formation of a barrier and back-barrier basin, which was contemporaneous with the high systems tract period. This basin developed over marine and lagoonal sediments deposited between 10.2 and 8.0 ka BP, during rapidly rising sea-level characteristic of the transgressive systems track period. At 1.1 ka BP, the barrier was breached and the perched lake was partially emptied, causing the erosion of the back-barrier basin sediments and a significant sedimentary hiatus. Both enhanced storminess and human intervention were likely responsible for this event. After 1 ka BP, the barrier reclosed and the present-day lake was reformed, with the water level reaching as high as 5 m amsl. The depositional evolution of the Doniños system serves as a model of coastal back-barrier perched lakes in coastal clastic systems that have developed over gently seaward-dipping rugged substrates at small distances from the shoreline and under conditions of rising sea-level and high sediment supply. A review of estuaries, back-barrier lagoons, pocket beaches and back-barrier perched lakes in the rocky coast of the northwest Spain shows that the elevation of the bedrock is the main factor controlling the origin and evolution of these systems

Periodontitis and Systemic Markers of Neurodegeneration. A case-control study

Aim: To investigate whether periodontitis is associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and whether systemic inflammation could act as a potential mediator of this link. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was designed including 75 patients with periodontitis (cases) and 75 age‐balanced and gender‐matched participants without periodontitis (controls). Full‐mouth periodontal evaluation was performed in all participants. Demographic, clinical and behaviour data were also recorded. Fasting blood samples were collected, and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL‐6), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), Aβ1‐40 and Aβ1‐42 were determined. Results: Cases showed higher levels of IL‐6 (8.7 ± 3.2 vs. 4.8 ± 0.5 pg/ml), hs‐CRP (3.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.7 mg/L), Aβ1‐40 (37.3 ± 6.0 vs. 30.3 ± 1.8 pg/ml) and Aβ1‐42 (54.5 ± 10.6 vs. 36.5 ± 10.0 pg/ml) when compared to controls (all p < .001). Diagnosis of periodontitis was statistically significantly associated with circulating Aβ1‐40 (urn:x-wiley:03036979:media:jcpe13267:jcpe13267-math-0001 = 6.9, 95% CI: 5.4–8.3; p < .001) and Aβ1‐42 (urn:x-wiley:03036979:media:jcpe13267:jcpe13267-math-0002 = 17.8, 95% CI: 14.4–21.3; p < .001). Mediation analysis confirmed hs‐CRP and IL‐6 as mediators of this association. Conclusions: Periodontitis is associated with increased peripheral levels of Aβ. This finding could be explained by enhanced systemic inflammation that can be seen in patients with periodontitis