Histopathological alterations in the gonads of wild white clams Dosinia ponderosa inhabiting a former copper mine locality in the Gulf of California.

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged exposure to heavy metals, such as Pb, Hg, or Cu, has multiple adverse effects on marine organisms at the cellular, physiological, and population levels. Bivalves' histopathology provides a sensitive biomarker of pollutant-induced stress and environmental health. Gonad tissue deterioration is of particular concern, as it affects the reproductive success of a species. This study aimed to examine the histopathological alterations caused by metal exposure in the gonad of the white clam Dosinia ponderosa. METHODS: Organisms were sampled from three locations in the Gulf of California: Santa Rosalia (SR), a former Cu mining town; San Lucas beach (SL), a nearby site influenced by pollution; and Escondida beach (EB), which served as a control site. Histological and histochemical stains were used, and the prevalence and intensity level of each alteration were calculated. RESULT: The prevalence of alterations was higher in the ovaries of SR clams (92% compared to 60% in SL clams and 32.7% in EB clams), during spawning (91.4% compared to 20% in SL clams and 4.7% in EB clams), and in winter (93.5% compared to 30% in SL clams and 17.4% in EB clams). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a significant deterioration in the gonads of white clams from SR, probably linked to the chronic exposure to high concentrations of Cu and possibly other heavy metals; hence, the reproductive health of the clams is likely compromised.

Multiple DICER1-related tumors in a child with a large interstitial 14q32 deletion.

Germ-line interstitial deletions involving the 14q32 chromosomal region, resulting in 14q32 deletion syndrome, are rare. DICER1 is a recently described cancer-predisposition gene located at 14q32.13. We report the case of a male child with a ∼5.8 Mbp 14q32.13q32.2 germ-line deletion, which included the full DICER1 locus. We reviewed available clinical and pathological material, and conducted genetic analyses. In addition to having congenital dysmorphic features, the child developed multiple DICER1 syndrome-related tumors before age 5 y: a pediatric cystic nephroma (pCN), a ciliary body medulloepithelioma (CBME), and a small lung cyst (consistent with occult pleuropulmonary blastoma Type I/Ir cysts seen in DICER1 mutation carriers). He also developed a cerebral spindle-cell sarcoma with myogenous differentiation. Our investigations revealed that the deletion encompassed 31 protein-coding genes. In addition to the germ-line DICER1 deletion, somatic DICER1 RNase IIIb mutations were found in the CBME (c.5437G > A, p.E1813K), pCN (c.5425G > A, p.G1809R), and sarcoma (c.5125G > A, p.D1709N). The sarcoma also harbored a somatic TP53 mutation: c.844C > T, p.R282W. Additional copy number alterations were identified in the CBME and sarcoma using an OncoScan array. Among the 8 cases with molecularly-defined 14q32 deletions involving DICER1 and for whom phenotypic information is available, our patient and one other developed DICER1-related tumors. Biallelic DICER1 mutations have not previously been reported to cause cerebral sarcoma, which now may be considered a rare manifestation of the DICER1 syndrome. Our study shows that DICER1-related tumors can occur in children with 14q32 deletions and suggests surveillance for such tumors may be warranted.

Peering into a Chilean black box: parental storytelling in pediatric genetic counseling.

While genetic counseling has expanded to multiple international settings, research about providing culturally sensitive services to non-U.S. patients is limited. To gain insights, we utilized a process study to explore parental communication in pediatric genetics clinics in Chile. We utilized a phenomenological hermeneutic approach to assess storytelling in six pediatric sessions that were conducted in Spanish, and translated into English. The majority of the sessions focused on information gathering (35 %), and providing medical (20 %) and genetics education (18 %). The 14 instances of storytelling we identified usually emerged during information gathering, genetics education, and the closing of the session. Stories illustrated parental efforts to create a cognitive and emotional context for their child's genetic diagnosis. Parents emerged as competent caregivers who discussed the role of the child as a social being in the family and the larger community. Our analysis found that genetic counseling sessions in the U.S. and Chile are structured similarly and although communication is not a balanced process, parents use storytelling to participate as active agents in the session. Via storytelling, we learned that parents are working to understand and gain control over their child's genetic diagnosis by relying on mechanisms that extend beyond the genetics appointment.

Drugs Prescribed for Asthma and Their Adverse Effects on Dental Health.

Asthma is a chronic, heterogeneous respiratory pathology characterized by reversible airway inflammation. Therapeutics focus on symptom reduction and control, aimed at preserving normal pulmonary function and inducing bronchodilatation. The objective of this review is to describe the adverse effects produced by anti-asthmatic drugs on dental health, according to the reported scientific evidence. A bibliographic review was carried out on databases, such as Web of science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Most anti-asthmatic medications are administered using inhalers or nebulizers, making it impossible to avoid contact of the drug with hard dental tissues and oral mucosa, and thus promoting a greater risk of oral alterations, mainly due to decreases in the salivary flow and pH. Such changes can cause diseases, such as dental caries, dental erosion, tooth loss, periodontal disease, bone resorption, as well as fungal infections, such as oral candidiasis.

Serotipos prevalentes de Streptococcus mutans en América Latina / Prevalent serotypes of Streptococcus mutans in Latin America

La microbiota oral está conformada por diversas especies bacterianas que en condiciones normales desempeñan una función protectora del huésped; sin embargo, cuando existe un desequilibrio en el ecosistema, estos microorganismos son capaces de producir diversas manifestaciones como lo es el caso de la caries dental, enfermedad infecciosa producida principalmente por Streptococcus mutans, patógeno capaz de desmineralizar los tejidos duros del diente mediante la fermentación de hidratos de carbono obtenidos de la dieta. Se ha identificado en la pared celular de este microorganismo ocho serotipos que intervienen en la adhesión, agregación y coagregación bacteriana. En los seres humanos S. mutans presenta los serotipos c, e y f, siendo el serotipo c el más prevalente a nivel mundial, el cual se conoce que está asociado a pacientes sanos, a diferencia del e y f que son capaces de invadir las células endoteliales de las arterias coronarias. No obstante, en los últimos años se ha logrado identificar el serotipo k que de igual manera presenta alta capacidad de invadir el endotelio humano, actuando en la patogénesis de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. El objetivo de la presente revisión bibliográfica es lograr cuantificar los serotipos prevalentes de S. mutans en América Latina (AU)

The oral microbiota is made up of various bacterial species that under normal conditions perform a protective function of the host, however, when there is an imbalance in the ecosystem, these microorganisms are capable of producing various manifestations such as caries, an infectious disease. produced mainly by Streptococcus mutans, a pathogen capable of demineralizing the hard tissues of the tooth through the fermentation of carbohydrates obtained from the diet. Eight serotypes involved in bacterial adhesion, aggregation and coaggregation have been identified in the cell wall of this microorganism. In humans, S. mutans presents serotypes c, e, and f, serotype c being the most prevalent worldwide, which is known to be associated with healthy patients, unlike e and f, which are capable of invading the endothelial cells of the coronary arteries. However, in recent years it has been possible to identify serotype k, which also has a high capacity to invade the human endothelium, acting in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this literature review is to quantify the prevalent serotypes of S. mutans in Latin America (AU)

Eficacia ex vivo de sustancias irrigadoras frente a Enterococcus faecalis en conductos radiculares primarios / Ex vivo efficacy of irrigation substances against Enterococcus faecalis in primary root canals

En la práctica de odontología pediátrica el tratamiento endodóntico es un reto permanente en el profesional, considerando que la clave de un procedimiento exitoso es un adecuado protocolo de irrigación; por ello el objetivo de esta investigación pretende comprobar la eficacia clínica ex vivo frente a Enterococcus faecalis del NaOCl, la clorhexidina, y la solución salina. Se realizó un estudio ex vivo con enfoque cuantitativo, diseño experimental, nivel de investigación descriptiva en ámbito de laboratorio y temporalidad actual. Se analizó doce órganos dentarios deciduos sin distinción específica con indicación previa de extracción en pacientes pediátricos que acudieron a la consulta de Odontopediatría en la Carrera de Odontología de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca durante el periodo 2019 ­ 2020. Se evaluó mediante técnica de observación directa, obteniendo como resultado que el NaOCl y la Clorhexidina mostraron altos índices de inhibición frente al Enterococcus faecalis. Sugiriendo así el NaOCl al 5,25% o gluconato de clorhexidina al 2% como una alternativa en la terapia pulpar, según las condiciones individuales y del caso clínico correspondiente, respaldado también por la Asociación Estadounidense de Odontología Pediátrica (AAPD)(AU)

In the practice of pediatric dentistry, endodontic treatment is a permanent challenge for the professional, considering that the key to a successful procedure is an adequate irrigation protocol; therefore, the objective of this research is to verify the ex vivo clinical efficacy of NaOCl, chlorhexidine and saline solution against Enterococcus faecalis. An ex vivo study was carried out with a quantitative approach, experimental design, descriptive research level in a laboratory setting and current time frame. Twelve deciduous dental organs were analyzed without specific distinction with previous indication of indicated extraction of pediatric patients who attended the Pediatric Dentistry consultation at the Dentistry Department of the Catholic University of Cuenca during the period 2019 - 2020. It was evaluated by means of direct observation technique. As a result, NaOCl 5,25% and Chlorhexidine 2% showed high inhibition indexes against Enterococcus faecalis. Thus suggesting NaOCl or chlorhexidine gluconate as an alternative in pulp therapy according to the individual conditions of the patient and the clinician also supported by the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)(AU)