Langerhans cell histiocytosis: literature review and descriptive analysis of oral manifestations

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease, of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by intense and abnormal proliferation of bone marrow-derived histiocytes (Langerhans cells). It can present both local and systemic manifestations involving bone, skin and mucosal tissue, and internal organs. Three basic clinical forms develop: Letterer-Siwe disease (subacute or acute disseminated form), Hand-Schüller-Christian disease (disseminated chronic form) and eosinophilic granuloma (localized chronic form).LCH may manifest orally with single or multiple lesions of the alveolar or basal bone, ulcerated mucosal lesions accompanied by adenopathies and/or periodontal lesions, presenting gingival inflammation, bleeding, recession, necrosis, odontalgia, dental hypermobility and premature loss of teeth. The principal differential diagnoses include advanced periodontal disease or a periapical process of dental or periodontal origin.The odontologist plays a vital role in the diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of such patients, by performing routine examinations for periodic follow-up of the disease and its possible oral manifestations, bearing in mind that these may be the first or only signs of LCH

Detección precoz de mortalidad en producciones avícolas empleando termografía de alta resolución.

Las modernas instalaciones para la producción avícola de puesta agrupan un muy elevado número de individuos en baterías de jaulas. Esta disposición supone un reto de cara al control de temperaturas dentro de las naves, para garantizar que éstas se encuentren dentro del intervalo de confort térmico de los animales (12-24°C en el caso de ponedoras). Asimismo, la detección temprana de posibles individuos con problemas o muertos resulta una tarea imprescindible para asegurar el bienestar de los animales restantes. La supervisión continúa y multidistribuida de la temperatura en los gallineros puede contribuir al primer aspecto mencionado, mientras que la detección temprana de animales muertos o afectados por alteraciones que conllevan cambios en su temperatura, podría acometerse mediante imagen térmica. La imagen térmica es una técnica basada en la conversión del espectro de radiación infrarroja de un objeto a imágenes visibles para su posterior análisis. La posibilidad de determinar temperaturas a distancia y con una resolución espacial suficiente hace esta técnica especialmente adecuada para la monitorización de la temperatura de los animales en las actuales instalaciones comerciales. Así pues, el objetivo principal del presente trabajo es mejorar el bienestar animal de ponedoras en instalaciones evaluando: a) la viabilidad de la imagen térmica para la identificación temprana de ejemplares muertos y b) la viabilidad de implementación de dispositivos autónomos registradores de Tª tipo RFID TurboTag para la supervisión ambiental. El presente trabajo analiza los resultados obtenidos a partir de la toma de imágenes térmicas de gallinas eutanasiadas durante dos sesiones de necropsias dentro de un estudio de evaluación de dos programas de vacunación frente a Salmonella llevado a cabo por el Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET-UCM) de marzo a abril de 2012. Los resultados obtenidos muestran cómo el enfriamiento de las zonas más expuestas (cara, cresta y patas) puede ajustarse mediante una regresión logística con un elevado coeficiente de determinación (r2 superior a 0.97). La implementación de un sistema automatizado para la detección temprana de individuos muertos en instalaciones comerciales requiere del empleo de técnicas de análisis de imagen, apuntadas en este trabajo, y de la realización de estudios adicionales bajo condiciones climáticas más amplias. Además, las tarjetas TurboTag suponen una herramienta eficaz (detectándose diferencias de Tª de hasta 40ºC entre distintas ubicaciones y a lo largo del periodo de medidas) y de bajo coste para la caracterización ambiental de los gallineros

Comprehensive molecular analysis of immortalization hallmarks in thyroid cancer reveals new prognostic markers

TERT promoter mutation; Subtelomeric gene expression; Telomere shorteningMutació del promotor TERT; Expressió gènica subtelomèrica; Escurçament dels telòmersMutación del promotor TERT; Expresión génica subtelomérica; Acortamiento de los telómerosBackground Comprehensive molecular studies on tumours are needed to delineate immortalization process steps and identify sensitive prognostic biomarkers in thyroid cancer. Methods and Results In this study, we extensively characterize telomere-related alterations in a series of 106 thyroid tumours with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. Using a custom-designed RNA-seq panel, we identified five telomerase holoenzyme-complex genes upregulated in clinically aggressive tumours compared to tumours from long-term disease-free patients, being TERT and TERC denoted as independent prognostic markers by multivariate regression model analysis. Characterization of alterations related to TERT re-expression revealed that promoter mutations, methylation and/or copy gains exclusively co-occurred in clinically aggressive tumours. Quantitative-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis of telomere lengths showed a significant shortening in these carcinomas, which matched with a high proliferative rate measured by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. RNA-seq data analysis indicated that short-telomere tumours exhibit an increased transcriptional activity in the 5-Mb-subtelomeric regions, site of several telomerase-complex genes. Gene upregulation enrichment was significant for specific chromosome-ends such as the 5p, where TERT is located. Co-FISH analysis of 5p-end and TERT loci showed a more relaxed chromatin configuration in short telomere-length tumours compared to normal telomere-length tumours. Conclusions Overall, our findings support that telomere shortening leads to a 5p subtelomeric region reorganization, facilitating the transcription and accumulation of alterations at TERT-locus.This work was supported by Projects PI17/01796 and PI20/01169 [Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Acción Estratégica en Salud, cofinanciado a través del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)] and Comunidad de Madrid (S2017/BMD-3724; TIRONET2-CM) to MR. CM-C was partially supported by a grant from the Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AIO15152858 MONT). LJL-G was supported both by the Banco Santander Foundation – CNIO Fellowship and by ‘la Caixa’ Foundation (ID 100010434), under agreement LCF/BQ/PI20/11760011. AMM-M was supported by CAM (S2017/BMD-3724; TIRONET2-CM). MM was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain; ‘Formación del Profesorado Universitario – FPU’ fellowship (FPU18/00064)). We thank CNIO Biobank for their support with the frozen specimens processing. We thank the Spanish National Tumor Bank Network (RD09/0076/00047) for the support in obtaining tumour samples, and all patients, physicians and tumour biobanks involved in the study

Analysis of polarized 16 O ( → e , e ′ → p ) observables within the relativistic distorted wave impulse approximation

Recoil nucleon transferred polarization observables in coincidence quasielastic electron scattering are studied within the relativistic distorted wave impulse approximation. Results for response functions and polarization asymmetries are discussed for proton knockout from p 1 ∕ 2 , p 3 ∕ 2 , and s 1 ∕ 2 shells in 16 O . The impact of spinor distortion is examined by comparing the fully relativistic calculation with results obtained by projecting out the negative-energy components. In particular, a careful analysis of effects linked to the description of the bound and scattered relativistic nucleon wave functions is presented. The high sensitivity of some polarization observables to the dynamical enhancement of the lower components, already shown within the relativistic plane wave impulse approximation, is proven to be maintained in the relativistic distorted wave approach. Semi-relativistic approaches based on the effective momentum approximation are also studied. Finally, comparison with experimental data and a brief analysis of effects linked to medium modified form factors is presented.Dirección Genera de Investigación de España (DGI) y Fondos FEDER. BFM2002-03315, BFM2002-03562, FPA2002-04181-C04- 04, y BFM2000-0600Junta de Andalucía, España y Department of Energy de los EE.UU. DE-FC02-94ER4081

Bioavailability and biotransformation of linolenic acid from basil seed oil as a novel source of omega-3 fatty acids tested on a rat experimental model

Basil is an aromatic herb with a high concentration of bioactive compounds. The oil extracted from its seeds is a good source of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and also provides substantial amounts of linoleic acid (LA). This study aimed to test the bioavailability of the oil derived from basil seeds and its effects on different physiological parameters using 7–15% dietary inclusion levels. Furthermore, the assimilation of LA and ALA and their transformation in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) have been studied. Digestive utilization of total fat from basil seed oil (BSO) was high and similar to that of olive oil used as a control. Consumption of BSO resulted in increased LA and ALA levels of the plasma, liver, and erythrocyte membrane. In addition, the transformation of LA to arachidonic acid (ARA) was decreased by the high dietary intake of ALA which redirected the pathway of the Δ-6 desaturase enzyme towards the transformation of ALA into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). No alterations of hematological and plasma biochemical parameters were found for the 7 and 10% dietary inclusion levels of BSO, whereas a decrease in the platelet count and an increase in total- and HDL-cholesterol as well as plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were found for a 15% BSO dose. In conclusion, BSO is a good source of ALA to be transformed into EPA and decrease the precursor of the pro-inflammatory molecule ARA. This effect on the levels of EPA in different tissues offers potential for its use as a dietary supplement, novel functional food, or a constituent of nutraceutical formulations to treat different pathologies.Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PTQ-17-09172 RTC-2017-6540-1 RTI2018-100934-B-I00 RTC2019-006870-1Andalusian Government AGR145 CTS164 CTS-10

Anemonia sulcata and Its Symbiont Symbiodinium as a Source of Anti-Tumor and Anti-Oxoxidant Compounds for Colon Cancer Therapy: A Preliminary in Vitro Study

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer in the population. Recently, invertebrate marine animals have been investigated for the presence of natural products which can damage tumor cells, prevent their spread to other tissues or avoid cancer develop. We analyzed the anemone Anemonia sulcata with and without the presence of its microalgal symbiont (Symbiodinium) as a source of bioactive molecules for the colorectal cancer therapy and prevention. Colon cancer tumor cells were exposed to Anemone extracts observing a remarkable cell death and a great antioxidant capacity. These preliminary results support that Anemonia sulcata could be a source of bioactive compounds against colorectal cancer and that the absence of its symbiont may enhance these properties. Further studies will be necessary to define the bioactive compounds of Anemonia sulcata and their mechanisms of action. Abstract: Recently, invertebrate marine species have been investigated for the presence of natural products with antitumor activity. We analyzed the invertebrate Anemonia sulcata with (W) and without (W/O) the presence of its microalgal symbiont Symbiodinium as a source of bioactive compounds that may be applied in the therapy and/or prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). Animals were mechanically homogenized and subjected to ethanolic extraction. The proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined. In addition, an in vitro digestion was performed to study the potentially dialyzable fraction. The antioxidant and antitumor activity of the samples and the digestion products were analyzed in CRC cells in vitro. Our results show a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the anemone and a great antioxidant capacity, which demonstrated the ability to prevent cell death and a high antitumor activity of the crude homogenates against CRC cells and multicellular tumor spheroids, especially W/O symbiont. These preliminary results support that Anemonia sulcata could be a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antitumor potential against CRC and that the absence of its symbiont may enhance these properties. Further studies will be necessary to define the bioactive compounds of Anemonia sulcata and their mechanisms of action.International Excellence Campus of the Sea (CEI.MAR) CEIJ-007 CEIJ-001

Bacterial behavior on coated porous titanium substrates for biomedical applications

In this work, bacterial behavior on dense and porous titanium substrates is discussed. Porous titanium was fabricated by a space holder technique (using 50 vol%, NH4HCO3 with particle sizes between 250 and 355 μm). These substrates were coated by sulfonated PEEK (termed SPEEK). Characterization of the porous substrate was carried out using the Archimedes Method, Image Analysis, and three-dimensional X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography (including total and interconnected porosity, equivalent diameter, and pore shape factor), as well as mechanical characterization (specifically stiffness and yield strength). A detailed study was performed here to investigate the influence of substrate porosity on the adhesion and proliferation of E. coli, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa (common causes of orthopedic device-associated infections). Bacterial colonization was examined in terms of the initial bacterial concentration, as well as bacterial adherence to and growth on the surface and inside the pores. Results suggest that fully dense titanium supported the least bacterial colonization, while the porous titanium promoted bacterial growth in the medium and inside the cavities. Furthermore, the SPEEK coating deposited onto the samples inhibited bacteria growth inside the porous materials. In this manner, this study showed for the first time that SPEEK could have potential antibacterial properties to offset the increase in bacteria growth commonly observed in porous materials.Junta de Andalucía-FEDER (Spain) Ref. P12-TEP-1401Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain, MAT2015-71284-

HABITS OF HYGIENE AND MAINTENANCE OF TOOTHBRUSH BEFORE AND AFTER THE APPLICATION OF AN EDUCATIVE MATERIAL

Objective: To evaluate the aspects related to storage and maintenance of the toothbrush, before and after applying an educational material.Methods: A controlled clinical trial in 100 randomized patients was done. The following variables were analyzed: demographic characteristics, knowledge, usage and storage of the toothbrush before and after applying an educative material. Means, modes, medians and standard deviation were determined for all data. Bivariate analyses were performed by Student's t test and Fisher Exact test. For all tests, p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The frequency of daily use of toothbrush of the total population was 2.9 times per day, the toothbrush was replaced every 5.4 months. After applying the educational material, 70,2% (experimental group) kept individually the toothbrush (p=0.001) compared with 30% in the control group. At the end of the study, 50% of the toothbrush had no dental plaque; out of these 50% mentioned before, 66% were in the experimental group (p=0.001).Conclusion: The educational material produced changes in the maintenance of toothbrushes in the study population.Objetivo: Evaluar los aspectos relacionados con el almacenamiento y el mantenimiento del cepillo dental, antes y después aplicar un material educativo.Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico controlado en 100 pacientes asignados al azar, se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, de conocimiento, de uso, higiene y almacenamiento del cepillo dental antes y después de aplicar un material educativo. Para el análisis estadístico se aplicaron medidas de resumen, chi2, test exacto de Fisher según la distribución de los datos. Se consideró un nivel de significancia de a: 0.05.Resultados: Se observó que la frecuencia de uso diario de cepillo dental del total de la población fue de 2.9 veces al día, realizaban recambio de cepillo cada 5.4 meses. Después de realizada la aplicación del material educativo, se encontró que de los pacientes que guardaban el cepillo en forma individual, el 70.2% correspondió al grupo intervenido (p =0.001) frente al 30% del grupo no intervenido. Respecto al uso de desinfección, del 1% paso al 26% después de la intervención (p <0.001). Al finalizar el estudio, se observó que el 50% de los cepillos no tenían placa y de éstos, el 66% correspondió al grupo intervenido (p=0.001).Conclusión: El material educativo generó cambios en el mantenimiento de los cepillos dentales en la población estudiada.[Arias LT, Hernández VM, Aránzazu GC, Martínez CE. Hábitos de higiene y mantenimiento del cepillo dental antes y después de la aplicación de un material educativo. Ustasalud 2009; 8: 37 - 43

PREVALENCIA DE PATOLOGÍAS ORALES EN ADULTOS

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de patologías orales en adultos y sus condiciones asociadas.Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de prevalencia en una muestra de 100 adultos. En el análisis univariado se determinaron las medidas de resumen y dispersión para todos los datos. El análisis bivariado incluyó la t de Student y la prueba Chi2. Se consideró un valor de p ≤ 0,05.Resultados: del total de los adultos examinados, el 67% (67) presentaba lesiones blancas, los Gránulos de Fordyce fueron los más frecuentes con 76,1% (76) seguido de hiperqueratosis friccional con un 7%. Las lesiones rojas estuvieron presentes en el 79% (79) de los examinados y las más frecuentes fueron las várices linguales (58.2%) (46), la mucositis protésica (48%) (38) y las petequias (10,1%) (8). El 32% (32) de las personas presentaron lesiones pigmentadas, la más frecuente fue la pigmentación fisiológica (71,8%) (23).Conclusiones: las lesiones orales más frecuentes son variaciones de la normalidad como Gránulos de Fordyce, várices y pigmentaciones fisiológicas propias del proceso de envejecimiento. Entre las verdaderas patologías, la más frecuente fue la mucositis subprotésica. Sólo se encontró asociación entre los factores estudiados como necesidad de cambio de prótesis y úlceras.[Aránzazu GC, Fernández AM, Martínez SJ, Sanín LM. Prevalencia de patologías orales en adultos. Ustasalud 2011; 10: 98 - 102]Objective: to establish the most prevalent oral diseases and associated conditions in adults.Methods: a descriptive observational study was done in a sample of 100 adults. Means, modes, medians and standard deviations were determined for all data. Bivariate analyses were performed by Student›s t test and Chi2 test. For all tests, p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: of the total adults surveyed, 67% (67) showed white lesions, Fordyce Granules were the most frequent lesion and it was presented in 76,1% (76) of the adults, followed by frictional hyperkeratosis with 7%. The red lesions presented were seen in 79% (79) of those who were tested and lingual varices were the most frequent ones 58,2% (46), denture mucositis 48% (38) and petechiae 10,1% (8). Pigmented lesions were present in 32% (32) of the people, physiological pigmentation was the most frequent one with 71,8% (23).Conclusions: the most common oral lesions are variations of the normal oral condition as Fordyce Granules, varicose veins and physiological pigmentation characteristic of aging. Among true pathologies, the most frequent was subprosthetic mucositis. An association was found between the need to change the prosthesis and presence of ulcers

Más allá del aula: la implicación de estudiantes y alumni en procesos de investigación científico-divulgativa, expresión artístico-conceptual e intervención micro social

Este proyecto continúa el que, con el mismo título y objetivos, se concedió el año pasado, y que ha tenido un elevado éxito de participación entre estudiantes y egresados de la UCM y de otras universidades españolas. Mi experiencia en los 13 años de docencia en cuatro universidades, tanto de titularidad pública como privada, me han mostrado que los estudiantes suelen responder de forma positiva a las sugerencias de profundización reflexiva y crítica, y a la apertura al cuestionamiento de las ideas y creencias heredadas; rasgos básicos de la búsqueda del conocimiento y de la actividad universitaria. Sin embargo, hay tres condiciones para que eso ocurra: (a) primero, hace falta que el profesorado motive, incentive y acompañe a los estudiantes con esas inquietudes durante el curso para que puedan ejercerlas allí donde ellos no podrían por sí solos; (b) segundo, suele ocurrir que esos estudiantes (igual que los demás) cuando se gradúan, pierden el contacto con la universidad y, al ingresar en el mundo laboral, pierden esas inquietudes más intelectuales que les motivaban durante sus años de estudiantes, debido a la lejanía de profesor y lugares donde poder continuarlas; (c) tercero, hay que saber comprender que cada estudiante manifiesta esas inquietudes reflexivas y críticas de formas distintas: especialmente yo he detectado tres dimensiones: (c.1) la más clásica académica, a través de la escritura, el gusto por los debates, seminarios, interés en publicar, etc. (c.2.) otra más de intervención social, pero en el caso de los universitarios, es una intervención social guiada a la vez por motivos prácticos e intelectuales; suelen ser estudiantes que no expresan sus reflexiones intelectuales a través de los medios académicos tradicionales, sino con acciones más prácticas; (c.3) hay finalmente otros alumnos para los que lo intelectual-reflexivo y el mundo de las ideas cobra vida expresiva a través del arte: sea la narrativa, la pintura, escritura, montajes, cortos, etc.; igual que en el caso anterior, estos alumnos conciben lo intelectual como algo que se manifiesta en lo práctico, pero en vez de en la transformación social, en el arte