ABSTRACT
- The sediment transport plays a major role in every aquatic ecosystem. However, the lack of instruments to monitor this process has been an obstacle to understanding its effects. We present the design of a single sensor built to measure water velocity, suspended sediment concentration and depth in situ, and how to associate the three variables to estimate and analyse sediment transport. During the laboratory calibrations, the developed instrument presented a resolution from 0.001 g/L to 0.1 g/L in the 0-12 g/L range for the measurement of suspended sediment concentration and 0.05 m/s resolution for 0-0.5 m/s range and 0.001 m/s resolution for 0.5-1 m/s range for the measurement of water velocity. The device was deployed for 6 days in an estuarine area with high sediment dynamics to evaluate its performance. During the field experiment, the sensor successfully measured the tidal cycles and consequent change of flow directions, and the suspended sediment concentration in the area. These measurements allowed to estimate water discharge and sediment transport rates during the different phases of tides, and the daily total volume of water and total amount of sediment passing through the estuary.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments , Geologic Sediments/analysis , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Water Movements , Estuaries , EcosystemABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The objective of this double-blind, split-mouth, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the color match of a single-shade composite resin Admira Fusion X-tra in comparison with a multi-shade composite resin Admira Fusion in non-carious cervical lesion restorations (NCCLs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty restorations were performed on NCCLs with two restorative materials (n=60). After prophylaxis, the teeth were isolated with a rubber dam, and one universal adhesive was applied in the selective enamel etching strategy. For both groups, the restorations were inserted incrementally and light-cured. The values of the coordinates L*, a*, and b* in the cervical third before vs after the restorations and cervical vs middle third after the restorations were evaluated using a digital spectrophotometer after the coordinate values were used to calculate the CIEDE (ΔE00). The restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 7 days of clinical performance according to the FDI criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test for all parameters. Color change was analyzed by Student t-test for paired samples (α=0.05). RESULTS: All restorations were evaluated after 7 days. Regarding the color measurement, no significant difference was observed when Admira Fusion was compared to Admira Fusion X-tra for any of the comparisons performed (p>0.05). However, the values of ΔE00 in the cervical third before vs after the restorations were higher when compared with ΔE00 observed when the cervical vs middle third after restorations were compared. All restorations received the score "clinically very good" after 7 days for all outcomes, including the subjective color match, when evaluated for FDI criterion. CONCLUSIONS: The single-shade composite resin used achieves the same color match when compared to a multi-shade composite resin after 7 days in NCCLs.
Subject(s)
Composite Resins , Dental Restoration, Permanent , Composite Resins/therapeutic use , Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods , Follow-Up Studies , Dental Materials , Resin Cements , Color , Dental Marginal AdaptationABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas, most being macroadenomas, is one to two cases per million inhabitants. Their differential diagnosis may be challenging, especially for microadenomas. Case description: We present the case of a 50-year-old male with progressive neck enlargement, hot sudorific hands, anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss over the preceding three months. Laboratory evaluation revealed high thyroid hormones, predominantly high free triiodothyronine of 7.74 pg/mL (reference range 2.3-4.2), with a non-suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of 1.73 µIU/mL (reference range 0.55-4.78). A high level of suspicion directed additional evaluation that revealed a high total alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones (αGS) and αGS/TSH ratio. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a six mm pituitary lesion. A microthyrotropinoma was diagnosed, and long-acting octreotide was initiated before surgery for symptomatic control. Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal tumor resection was performed months later. The patient was in remission one year after surgery with no pituitary deficits. Conclusions: Reaching an accurate diagnosis on time is crucial for deciding the optimal therapeutic approach and preventing and decreasing the frequency of endocrine and neurological complications. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (4):157-160.
ABSTRACT
The sedimentary processes play a major role in every aquatic ecosystem, however, there are few automated options for in-situ monitoring of sediment displacement in the streambed of waterways. We present an automated optical instrument for in-situ continuous monitoring of sediment deposition and erosion of the streambed that requires no calibration. With a production cost of 32, power consumption of 300 µA in sleep mode, and capacity to monitor the bedform of a waterway, the sensor was developed to evaluate the sediment dynamics of coastal areas with a wide spatial and temporal resolution. The novel device is intended to be buried in the sand and uses 32 infrared channels to monitor the streambed sediment height. For testing purposes, a maximum measuring length of 160 mm and 5 mm resolution was chosen, but these values are scalable. Sensors can be built with different ranges and precision according to the needs of the fieldwork. A laboratory experiment was conducted to demonstrate the working principle of the instrument and its behaviour regarding the turbidity originated by suspended sediment and the settling and deposition of the suspended particles. The device was deployed for 119 days in an estuarine area and was able to detect patterns in the sediment deposition and resuspension during the tidal cycles. Also, abnormal events occurred during the experiment as floods and algae blooms. During these events, the sensor was able to record exceptional erosion and sediment deposition rates. The reported automated instrument can be broadly used in sedimentary studies or management and planning of fluvial and maritime infrastructures to provide real-time information about the changes in the bedform of the watersheds.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments , Ecosystem , FloodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the 5-year clinical performance of two-step etch-and-rinse adhesives in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The sample comprised 35 adults with at least two similar-sized NCCL. Seventy restorations were placed, according to one of the following groups: Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) and Ambar (AM). The restorations were placed incrementally using a resin composite (Opallis). The restorations were evaluated at baseline and after 6 and 18 months and 5 years using some items of the FDI criteria. The differences in the ratings of the two materials after 6 months, 18 months, and 5 years were performed with Friedman repeated measures ANOVA by rank and McNemar test for significance in each pair (α=0.05). RESULTS: Five patients did not attend the 60-month recall. No significant differences were observed between the materials for any criteria evaluated. Twenty-one restorations failed (12 for SB and 9 for AM) after 60 months. Thus, the retention rate for SB at 60 months were 55.6% for SB and 71% for AM (p=0.32). After 60 months, 12 restorations (6 for SB and 6 AM) showed some loss of marginal adaptation (p=1.0). Slight marginal discoloration was observed in 10 restorations (6 for SB and 4 AM; p=0.91). Five restorations (2 for SB and 3 for AM) showed recurrences of caries (p=1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Both two-step etch-and-rinse adhesives-Adper Single Bond 2, a polyalkenoic acid-containing adhesive, and Ambar, a 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP)-containing adhesive-showed acceptable clinical performance after 60 months.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Dentin-Bonding Agents , Adhesives , Adult , Color , Composite Resins/chemistry , Composite Resins/therapeutic use , Dental Caries/pathology , Dental Marginal Adaptation , Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods , Dentin-Bonding Agents/chemistry , Dentin-Bonding Agents/therapeutic use , Humans , Resin Cements/chemistry , Resin Cements/therapeutic use , Tooth Cervix/pathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: A systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed to answer the following research question: Are there differences in the risk and the intensity of tooth sensitivity (TS) among eight light activation systems for in-office bleaching in adults? METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared at least two different in-office bleaching light activations were included. The risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated with the RoB tool version 1.0 from the Cochrane Collaboration tool. A random-effects Bayesian mixed treatment comparison (MTC) model was used independently for high- and low-concentration hydrogen peroxide. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) approach. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Bridge Base Online (BBO), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database (LILACS), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature without date and language restrictions on April 23, 2017 (updated on September 26, 2019). Dissertations and theses, unpublished and ongoing trials registries, and IADR (International Association for Dental Research) abstracts (2001-2019) were also searched. RESULTS: After title and abstract screening and the removal of duplicates, 32 studies remained. Six were considered to be at low RoB, three had high RoB, and the remaining had an unclear RoB. The MTC analysis showed no significant differences among the treatments in each network. In general, the certainty of the evidence was graded as low due to unclear RoB and imprecision. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that the risk and intensity of TS are affected by light activation during in-office bleaching.
Subject(s)
Dentin Sensitivity , Tooth Bleaching Agents , Tooth Bleaching , Humans , Hydrogen Peroxide/therapeutic use , Network Meta-Analysis , Tooth Bleaching Agents/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Asymptomatic Infections , COVID-19/congenital , Fetal Death/etiology , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Ascites/diagnostic imaging , Ascites/pathology , Autopsy , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnostic imaging , COVID-19/pathology , Cardiomegaly/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomegaly/pathology , Edema/pathology , Female , Humans , Infarction/pathology , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical , Lung/virology , Oligohydramnios/diagnostic imaging , Placenta Diseases/pathology , Pleural Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Pleural Effusion/pathology , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Pulsatile Flow , SARS-CoV-2 , Stillbirth , Ultrasonography, Prenatal , Umbilical Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Young AdultABSTRACT
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Non-carious cervical lesion restorations using a dual-cure universal adhesive in self-etch and etch-and-rinse mode showed satisfactory clinical performance after 18 months. SUMMARY: Objectives: The objective of this multicenter, double-blind, split-mouth randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical performance of a new dual-cure universal adhesive system (Futurabond U, Voco GmBH) when applied using different strategies over a period of 18 months.Methods and Materials: Fifty patients participated in this study. Two hundred non-carious cervical lesions were restored using the adhesive Futurabond U according to four adhesive strategies (n=50 per group): only self-etch (SEE), selective enamel etching + self-etch (SET), etch-and-rinse with dry dentin (ERDry), and etch-and-rinse with wet dentin (ERWet). After the adhesive application, cavities were restored using Admira Fusion composite resin. These restorations were evaluated according to FDI World Dental Federation criteria for the following characteristics: retention/fracture, marginal adaptation, marginal staining, postoperative sensitivity, and caries recurrence.Results: After 18 months, only four patients (12 months: one patient, n=4 restorations; and 18 months: three patients, n=12 restorations) were not evaluated. Fourteen restorations were lost after 18 months of clinical evaluation (four for SEE, three for SET, three for ERDry, and four for ERWet). The retention rates for 18 months (95% confidence interval) were 92% (81%-97%) for SEE, 94% (83%-97%) for SET, 94% (83%-97%) for ERDry, and 92% (81%-97%) for ERWet (p>0.05). Thirty-eight restorations were considered to have minor discrepancies in marginal adaptation at the 18-month recall (13 for SEE, 13 for SET, six for ERDry, and six for ERWet; p>0.05). Fourteen restorations were detected as a minor marginal discoloration at the 18-month recall (six for SEE, six for SET, one for ERDry, and one for ERWet; p>0.05). However, all were considered clinically acceptable. No restorations showed postoperative sensitivity or caries recurrence at the time.Conclusion: The clinical performance of the Futurabond U did not depend on the bonding strategy used, and it was considered reliable after 18 months of clinical evaluation, although more marginal discrepancy was observed in the self-etch group.
Subject(s)
Dental Bonding , Dental Caries , Composite Resins , Dental Caries/therapy , Dental Cements , Dental Marginal Adaptation , Dental Restoration, Permanent , Dentin-Bonding Agents , Humans , Resin Cements , Tooth CervixABSTRACT
A cost-effective optical instrument for continuous in-situ monitoring applications is presented. With a production cost in raw materials of 38 , a power consumption of 300 A in sleep mode and 100 mA in active mode (5 ms reading), and a capacity to monitor turbidity and sedimentary displacement at eight different depths in the water column, the sensor was developed for sediment monitoring in coastal areas. Due to the extent and dynamics of the processes involved in these areas, observations require a wide spatial and temporal resolution. Each of the eight monitoring nodes uses one infrared backscatter channel, to estimate turbidity and sediment concentration, and one ultraviolet with one infrared transmitted light channels to distinguish organic/inorganic composition of the suspended material load. An in-lab calibration was conducted, using formazine to correlate turbidity with the electronic outputs of the instrument. An analysis of the influence of external light sources and correction techniques were performed. Moreover, an in-lab experiment was conducted to study the behaviour of the sensor-to-sediment transport, wash load and sediment accumulation. The device was deployed, with a water level sensor, in an estuarine area with high sediment dynamics. The monitoring data were analysed, showing the potential of the device to continuously monitor turbidity, sediment processes, and distinguish between organic and inorganic matter, at the different depths in the water column.
Subject(s)
Hypopigmentation , Vitiligo , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Immunologic Memory , Phenotype , Vitiligo/drug therapyABSTRACT
A cost-effective optical sensor for continuous in-situ monitoring of turbidity and suspended particulate matter concentration (SPM), with a production cost in raw materials less than 20 , is presented for marine or fluvial applications. The sensor uses an infrared LED and three photodetectors with three different positions related to the light source-135º, 90º and 0º-resulting in three different types of light detection: backscattering, nephelometry and transmitted light, respectively. This design allows monitoring in any type of environment, offering a wide dynamic range and accuracy for low and high turbidity or SPM values. An ultraviolet emitter-receiver pair is also used to differentiate organic and inorganic matter through the differences in absorption at different wavelengths. The optical transducers are built in a watertight structure with a radial configuration where a printed circuit board with the electronic signal coupling is assembled. An in-lab calibration of the sensor was made to establish a relation between suspended particulate matter (SPM) or the turbidity (NTU) to the photodetectors' electrical output value in Volts. Two different sizes of seashore sand were used (180 µm and 350 µm) to evaluate the particle size susceptibility. The sensor was tested in a fluvial environment to evaluate SPM change during sediment transport caused by rain, and a real test of 22 days continuous in-situ monitoring was realized to evaluate its performance in a tidal area. The monitoring results were analysed, showing the SPM change during tidal cycles as well as the influence of the external light and biofouling problems.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of addition of copper nanoparticles (CN) at different concentrations into a two-step etch-and-rinse (2-ER) adhesive on antimicrobial activity (AMA), copper release (CR), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), degree of conversion (DC), water sorption (WS), solubility (SO), as well as the immediate (IM) and 1-year resin-dentin bond strength (µTBS) and nanoleakage (NL). METHODS: Seven adhesives were formulated according to the addition of CN (0, 0.0075, 0.015, 0.06, 0.1, 0.5 and 1wt%) in adhesive. The AMA was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans using agar diffusion assay. For CR, WS and SO, specimens were constructed and tested for 28 days. For UTS, specimens were tested after 24h and 28 days. For DC, specimens were constructed and tested after 24h by FTIR. After enamel removal, the ER was applied to dentin. After composite resin build-ups, specimens were sectioned to obtain resin-dentin sticks. For µTBS and NL, specimens were tested after 24h and 1-year periods. All data were submitted to statistical analysis (α=0.05). RESULTS: The addition of CN provided AMA to the adhesives at all concentrations. Higher CR was observed in adhesives with higher concentration of CN. UTS, DC, WS and SO were not influenced. For µTBS an increase was observed in 0.1 and 0.5% copper group. For NL, a significant decrease was observed in all groups in comparison with control group. After 1-year, no significant reductions of µTBS and no significant increases of NL were observed for copper containing adhesives compared to the control group. SIGNIFICANCE: The addition of CN in concentrations up to 1wt% in the 2-ER adhesive may be an alternative to provide AMA and preserve the bonding to dentin, without reducing adhesives' mechanical properties evaluated.
Subject(s)
Dental Cements , Drug Liberation , Metal Nanoparticles , Composite Resins , Copper , Dental Bonding , Dentin , Dentin-Bonding Agents , Humans , Materials Testing , Resin Cements , Stress, Mechanical , Surface Properties , Tensile StrengthABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional effect of tomato pomace, in combination with two distinct fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), on longissimus lumborum muscle, subcutaneous fat and liver of young pigs. Forty male pigs of 4 weeks old were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using two fibre sources (wheat bran or 5.0% tomato pomace) and two fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), in a 2 × 2 factorial design for a 5-week trial. Tomato pomace did not improve colour, fatty acid profile, cholesterol content or lipid oxidation, nor did it yield detectable levels in lycopene or ß-carotene in the meat (p > 0.05). However, a positive increase in α-tocopherol content of meat and liver was observed in pigs fed tomato pomace (p < 0.05). Compared with lard, soya bean oil increased MUFA and PUFA proportions and decreased the percentage of SFA (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that 5.0% of tomato pomace increases pork oxidative stability and that 5.0% of soya bean oil, compared with lard, improves its nutritional quality.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed/analysis , Diet/veterinary , Meat/analysis , Solanum lycopersicum , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Fatty Acids/chemistry , Lipid Peroxidation , Oxidation-Reduction , Swine/physiologyABSTRACT
The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (CAV-AEP) annually publishes the immunisation schedule which, in our opinion, estimates optimal for children resident in Spain, considering available evidence on current vaccines. We acknowledge the effort of the Ministry of Health during the last year in order to optimize the funded unified Spanish vaccination schedule, with the recent inclusion of pneumococcal and varicella vaccination in early infancy. Regarding the funded vaccines included in the official unified immunization schedule, taking into account available data, CAV-AEP recommends 2+1 strategy (2, 4 and 12 months) with hexavalent (DTPa-IPV-Hib-HB) vaccines and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Administration of Tdap and poliomyelitis booster dose at the age of 6 is recommended, as well as Tdap vaccine for adolescents and pregnant women, between 27-36 weeks gestation. The two-dose scheme should be used for MMR (12 months and 2-4 years) and varicella (15 months and 2-4 years). Coverage of human papillomavirus vaccination in girls aged 11-12 with a two dose scheme (0, 6 months) should be improved. Information for male adolescents about potential beneficial effects of this immunisation should be provided as well. Regarding recommended unfunded immunisations, CAV-AEP recommends the administration of meningococcal B vaccine, due to the current availability in Spanish communitary pharmacies, with a 3+1 scheme (3, 5, 7 and 13-15 months). CAV-AEP requests the incorporation of this vaccine in the funded unified schedule. Vaccination against rotavirus is recommended in all infants. Annual influenza immunisation and vaccination against hepatitis A are indicated in population groups considered at risk.
Subject(s)
Immunization Schedule , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Child , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Pediatrics , Spain , VaccinationABSTRACT
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become one of the most useful techniques in molecular biology laboratories around the world. The purification of the target DNA product is often challenging, however, and most users are restricted to employing available commercial kits. The recent developments in mixed-mode chromatography have shown higher selectivity for a variety of nucleic acid-containing samples. Capto Adhere is a mixed-mode chromatography resin that offers a high-selectivity ligand and is here applied for the purification of amplified DNAs from PCR mixtures in a 10-min single step, with yields above 95%, high linearity, and high precision for different concentrations.
Subject(s)
DNA/isolation & purification , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography, Ion Exchange , DNA/chemistry , DNA/metabolism , DNA, Plant/chemistry , DNA, Plant/isolation & purification , DNA, Plant/metabolism , DNA, Recombinant/chemistry , DNA, Recombinant/isolation & purification , DNA, Recombinant/metabolism , DNA, Single-Stranded/chemistry , DNA, Single-Stranded/isolation & purification , DNA, Single-Stranded/metabolism , DNA, Viral/chemistry , DNA, Viral/isolation & purification , DNA, Viral/metabolism , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Molecular Weight , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reproducibility of Results , Spectrophotometry, UltravioletABSTRACT
The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics updates the immunisation schedule every year, taking into account epidemiological data as well as evidence on the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of current vaccines, including levels of recommendation. In our opinion, this is the optimal vaccination calendar for all children resident in Spain. Regarding the vaccines included in the official unified immunization schedule, the Committee emphasizes the administration of the first dose of hepatitis B either at birth or at 2 months of life; the recommendation of the first dose of MMR and varicella vaccine at the age of 12 months, with the second dose at the age of 2-3 years; DTaP or Tdap vaccine at the age of 6 years, followed by another Tdap booster dose at 11-12 years old; Tdap strategies for pregnant women and household contacts of the newborn, and immunization against human papillomavirus in girls aged 11-12 years old with a 2 dose scheme (0, 6 months). The Committee reasserts its recommendation to include vaccination against pneumococcal disease in the routine immunisation schedule, the same as it is being conducted in Western European countries. The recently authorised meningococcal B vaccine, currently blocked in Spain, exhibits the profile of a universal vaccine. The Committe insists on the need of having the vaccine available in communitary pharmacies. It has also proposed the free availability of varicella vaccines. Their efectiveness and safety have been confirmed when they are administred from the second year of life. Vaccination against rotavirus is recommended in all infants. The Committee stresses the need to vaccinate population groups considered at risk against influenza and hepatitis A.
Subject(s)
Immunization Schedule , Vaccines/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Algorithms , Child , Child, Preschool , Decision Trees , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , SpainABSTRACT
Morcela de Arroz (MA), a popular Portuguese blood sausage, with high pH and water activity (aw), is traditionally commercialized without preservatives and unpacked. This study evaluated the best packaging solution to extend MA shelf life stored at 4±1°C for 44days: without packaging (WP), vacuum (VP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (80% CO2; 20% N2). Mesophilic (MTVC), psychrotrophic (PTVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), pseudomonads, molds and yeasts, Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, sensory properties, pH, moisture and aw were studied. Moisture and aw decreased (p<0.05) in WP. pH decreased in WP and MAP during storage. MTVC and PTVC counts increased to values around 7logCFU/g at 44days of storage. LAB and Enterobacteriaceae counts were higher (p<0.05) in VP. Pseudomonads were inhibited (p<0.05) by MAP after 8days of storage. Sensory parameters were affected (p<0.05) by packaging and storage time. Globally, MAP performed better.
Subject(s)
Atmosphere , Bacteria/growth & development , Cooking , Food Packaging/methods , Food Preservation/methods , Meat Products/analysis , Animals , Colony Count, Microbial , Consumer Product Safety , Food Microbiology , Food Storage/methods , Fungi/growth & development , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Meat Products/microbiology , Meat Products/standards , Odorants , Portugal , Swine , Taste , Vacuum , WaterABSTRACT
Meningococcal invasive disease, including the main clinical presentation forms (sepsis and meningitis), is a severe and potentially lethal infection caused by different serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal serogroup B is the most prevalent in Europe. Most cases occur in children, with a mortality rate of 10% and a risk of permanent sequelae of 20-30% among survivors. The highest incidence and case fatality rates are observed in healthy children under 2-3 years old, followed by adolescents, although it can occur at any age. With the arrival in Spain of the only available vaccine against meningococcus B, the Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics has analysed its preventive potential in detail, as well as its peculiar administrative situation in Spain. The purpose of this document is to publish the statement of the Committee as regards this vaccination and the access to it by the Spanish population, taking into account that it has been only authorized for people at risk. The vaccine is available free in the rest of Europe for those who want to acquire it, and in some countries and regions it has been introduced into the systematic immunisation schedules. The Committee considers that Bexsero® has a profile of a vaccine to be included in the official schedules of all the Spanish autonomous communities and insists on the need for it to be available in pharmacies for its administration in all children older than 2 months.
Subject(s)
Meningitis, Meningococcal/prevention & control , Meningococcal Vaccines , Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B , Child , Europe , HumansABSTRACT
Low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL) is an unusual type of HL in which frequencies at 2,000 Hz and below are predominantly affected. Most of the families with LFSNHL carry missense mutations in WFS1 gene, coding for wolframin. A Portuguese patient aged 49, reporting HL since her third decade of life, and also referring tinnitus, was shown to display bilateral moderate LFSNHL after audiological evaluation. Molecular analysis led to the identification of a novel mutation, c.511G>A (p.Asp171Asn), found in heterozygosity in the exon 5 of the WFS1 gene, and changing the aspartic acid at position 171 to an asparagine, in the extracellular N-terminus domain of the wolframin protein. This novel mutation wasn't present either in 200 control chromosomes analyzed or in the hearing proband's half-brother, and it had not been reported in 1000 Genomes, Exome Variant Server, HGMD or dbSNP databases. No mutations were found in GJB2 and GJB6 genes. Multi-alignment of 27 wolframin sequences from mammalian species, against the human wolframin sequence in ConSurf, indicated a conservation score corresponding to 7 in a 1-9 color scale where 9 is conserved and 1 is variable. In addition, the mutation p.Asp171Asn was predicted to be damaging and possibly damaging by SIFT and Polyphen-2, respectively. The auditory phenotype of this patient could thus be due to the novel mutation p.Asp171Asn. Further functional characterization might enable to elucidate in which way the change in the residue 171, as other changes introduced by LFSNHL-associated mutations previously described, leads to this type of HL.