Prevalence of gingivitis and calculus in 12-year-old Puerto Ricans: a cross-sectional study

Background: Gingivitis is a common oral health problem. Untreated gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a common cause of tooth loss. The prevalence of gingivitis and calculus among Puerto Rican children is unknown. Understanding this prevalence can support early public health preventative strategies. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis and calculus among 12-year-old Puerto Ricans by health region and to explore differences in distribution by school type (proxy for socio-economic status) and gender. Methods: A probability-based sample of 113 schools was selected proportional to enrollment size and stratified by health region, school type, and gender. Two trained examiners evaluated the presence of gingivitis and both supragingival and subgingival dental calculus. Gingivitis was defined as the presence of gingival bleeding upon gentle probing (BOP) in at least one site, and the extent of the problem was classified according to the percentage of teeth whose gingiva presented BOP (limited: 25–49% of the teeth tested; extensive: >50% of teeth tested). Logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for health regions, were used to compare gingivitis and calculus prevalence and extent between genders and school types. Results: Gingivitis was found in 80.41% of the 1586 children evaluated. Urban-public schoolchildren had a slightly higher prevalence (83.24%) compared to private (79.15%, p = 0.16); those in rural-public (77.59%) and private schools had similar prevalence (p = 0.15). Extensive gingivitis was present in 60.81% of all children. The mean percentage of sites presenting BOP (BOP%) was 17.79%. Rural and urban public schoolchildren presented significantly higher BOP% compared to children from private schools (p = 0.0005, p = 0.002, respectively). Dental calculus was detected in 61.59% of the sample, boys presenting significantly higher (p = 0.005) total and supragingival calculus. Rural-public schoolchildren had a significantly higher prevalence of subgingival calculus compared to private schoolchildren (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Gingivitis prevalence is higher among 12-year-old Puerto Ricans compared to data reported for U.S. adolescents. Public schoolchildren presented significantly higher BOP% sites compared to private schoolchildren. Boys presented a significantly higher total and supragingival calculus prevalence than girls. Oral health disparities related to gender and school type were identified by this study. Studies exploring the reasons for these disparities are recommended.National Institutes of Health/[S21MD001830]//Puerto RicoColgate-Palmolive (Caribe) Inc.///Puerto RicoUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Odontologí

Circulating microRNAs in sera correlate with soluble biomarkers of immune activation but do not predict mortality in ART treated individuals with HIV-1 infection: A case control study

Introduction: The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced HIV-1 associated morbidity and mortality. However, HIV-1 infected individuals have increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to the non-HIV-1 infected population and this appears to be related to end-organ diseases collectively referred to as Serious Non-AIDS Events (SNAEs). Circulating miRNAs are reported as promising biomarkers for a number of human disease conditions including those that constitute SNAEs. Our study sought to investigate the potential of selected miRNAs in predicting mortality in HIV-1 infected ART treated individuals. Materials and Methods: A set of miRNAs was chosen based on published associations with human disease conditions that constitute SNAEs. This case: control study compared 126 cases (individuals who died whilst on therapy), and 247 matched controls (individuals who remained alive). Cases and controls were ART treated participants of two pivotal HIV-1 trials. The relative abundance of each miRNA in serum was measured, by RTqPCR. Associations with mortality (all-cause, cardiovascular and malignancy) were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Correlations between miRNAs and CD4+ T cell count, hs-CRP, IL-6 and D-dimer were also assessed. Results: None of the selected miRNAs was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular or malignancy mortality. The levels of three miRNAs (miRs -21, -122 and -200a) correlated with IL-6 while miR-21 also correlated with D-dimer. Additionally, the abundance of miRs -31, -150 and -223, correlated with baseline CD4+ T cell count while the same three miRNAs plus miR- 145 correlated with nadir CD4+ T cell count. Discussion: No associations with mortality were found with any circulating miRNA studied. These results cast doubt onto the effectiveness of circulating miRNA as early predictors of mortality or the major underlying diseases that contribute to mortality in participants treated for HIV-1 infection

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

The estrogen receptor α Σ3 mRNA splicing variant is differentially regulated by estrogen and progesterone in the rat uterus

The gene for estrogen receptor a (ERa) has been shown to be under complex hormonal control and its activity can be regulated by mRNA alternative splicing. Here we examined the regulation of ERa transcription and translation in the rat uterus by ovarian steroid hormones. We examined whether expression of ERa mRNA splic isoforms is hormonally regulated in ovariectomized (OVX) and cycling rats. Adult OVX female rats were treated daily with 17-estradiol (E2) (0·05 μg/rat or 5 μg/rat), progesterone (P4) (1 mg/rat) or a combination of both hormones for 4 days. Animals were killed 24 h after the last injection and uterine horns were removed. In order to determine whether ERa mRNA isoforms are differentially expressed under various physiological conditions, animals were evaluated at proestrus, estrus and diestrus. The ERa protein and mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and comparative RT-PCR analysis respectively. The presence of ERa mRNA isoforms was evaluated using a nested RT-PCR assay. In OVX control rats, ERa mRNA and protein levels were high, demonstrating a constitutive expression of the ERa gene in the uterus. When animals received P4 or the high dose of E2,a significant decrease in both ERa mRNA and protein was observed in the uterus. However, when rats were treated with the low dose of E2, only the ERa protein was down-regulated; no changes were observed in ERa mRNA expression. In addition to the full-length ERa mRNA, OVX control rat uteri expressed three shorter transcripts: a3, a4 and a3,4 (lacking exon 3, exon 4, or both 3 and 4 respectively). Surprisingly, when OVX animals were treated with P4, the low dose of E2 or a combination of both steroids, expression of the a3 isoform was completely abolished. During the estrous cycle, all ERa mRNA splicing variants were detected at proestrus and estrus. However, in diestrus, significant low levels of the a3 isoform were observed. In summary, our results suggest a dose-dependent relationship between E2 concentrations and the level of control in the ERa transcription–translation cascade. Moreover, the alternative splicing of the ERa imary transcript is influenced by the hormonal milieu, suggesting that these events could affect the estrogen responsiveness of the rat uterus during the estrous cycle.Fil: Varayoud Jorgelina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Ramos J Guillermo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Monje, Lucas Daniel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Bosquiazzo, Veronica Lis. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz de Toro, Monica Milagros. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Luque, Enrique Hugo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; Argentin

Organochlorine levels in adipose tissue of women from a littoral region of Argentina

Organochlorine compounds (OCCs), such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are persistent lipophilic chemicals identified as endocrine disruptors, mainly with estrogen-like effects. Northeastern Argentina, near the Paraná River, is characterized by intensive farming and agricultural activities and industrial development, and is therefore prone to high incidences of environmental and dietary exposure to OCCs. Hence, we conducted a study to (1) estimate the organochlorine residues present in mammary fat tissue in a population of women from this littoral region and (2) identify potential sources of exposure to OCCs. Our subjects were 76 women (residing in and around Santa Fe city and not occupationally exposed to organochlorines) who underwent excision biopsy of a breast lesion or had plastic surgery. Both frequency of occurrence and levels of organochlorine residues were high in breast adipose tissue of all the participants. The organochlorine residues most frequently found were p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) in all the subjects analyzed, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 86.8%, and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) in 75.0%. The incidence of PCB congeners was very low. p,p′-DDE and β-HCH residues reached the highest levels, 4794 and 1780 ppb, respectively. The diet was a relevant source of exposure, consumption of animal fat and freshwater fish playing a significant role. Bioaccumulation was evidenced by the significant positive association between organochlorine levels and body mass index (p = 0.0 0 0 3) and the age of the patient (p = 0.0 0 0 2). The frequency and levels of OCCs found in our study population raise concerns regarding Argentinean exposure to these endocrine disruptors.Fil: Muñoz de Toro, Monica Milagros. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Beldomenico, Horacio Ramon. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: García, Silvia R.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Stoker, Cora. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: De Jesús, Juan J.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Beldomenico, Pablo Martín. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Jorge Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; ArgentinaFil: Luque, Enrique Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Fisiología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Tumores Hormonodependientes; Argentin

The MIntAct project - IntAct as a common curation platform for 11 molecular interaction databases

IntAct (freely available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/intact) is an open-source, open data molecular interaction database populated by data either curated from the literature or from direct data depositions. IntAct has developed a sophisticated web-based curation tool, capable of supporting both IMEx- and MIMIx-level curation. This tool is now utilized by multiple additional curation teams, all of whom annotate data directly into the IntAct database. Members of the IntAct team supply appropriate levels of training, perform quality control on entries and take responsibility for long-term data maintenance. Recently, the MINT and IntAct databases decided to merge their separate efforts to make optimal use of limited developer resources and maximize the curation output. All data manually curated by the MINT curators have been moved into the IntAct database at EMBL-EBI and are merged with the existing IntAct dataset. Both IntAct and MINT are active contributors to the IMEx consortium (http://www.imexconsortium.org)