Evaluation of extruded starch foam for glucose-supplying biomaterials.

The survival rate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a crucial factor in tissue engineering, is highly dependent on glucose supply. The purpose of this paper is to study the potential of starch foams as glucose suppliers. It is investigated through in vitro hydrolysis by amyloglucosidase in conditions that respect physiological constraints (37 °C and pH 7.4), including a duration of 21 days, and no stirring. Nine extruded starch foams with amylose contents ranging from 0 to 74 %, with various cell wall thicknesses (50 to 300 µm), and different crystallinities (0-30 %) were hydrolysed. These kinetics were fitted by a model which shows that the maximum rate of hydrolysis varies from 7 to 100 %, and which allows the rate of hydrolysis at 21 days to be calculated precisely. The results reveal the major role of amylose in glucose delivery kinetics, and the secondary roles of crystallinity and cell wall thickness of the foams. Additional hydrolysis of starch films revealed that thickness positively influences the amylose chain reorganisation during hydrolysis, which, in slows down and limits glucose delivery. A simple glucose delivery kinetics analysis procedure is proposed to select samples for testing as MSC glucose suppliers.

Detection of anti-HEV antibodies but no molecular positivity in dogs in the Campania region, southern Italy.

Paslahepevirus balayani genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV-3 and 4) have zoonotic potential and can be transmitted to humans and animals through the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meat. Although it has been demonstrated that dogs are susceptible to the infection and produce specific antibodies, the epidemiological role of this species is not yet well defined. This study aimed to evaluate the circulation of HEV at the serological and molecular level in the dog population of the Campania region, southern Italy. A total of 231 dogs were sampled, divided according to several variables (sex, age, origin, lifestyle, location, size, and breed), and tested for the presence of HEV antibodies using a commercial multi-species ELISA. A total of 197 blood samples and 170 stool samples were tested with two specific PCRs in order to detect viral RNA. A total of 19 out samples of 231 were seropositive, obtaining an exposure (8.2%) similar to that observed in other European countries. The univariate and multivariate analysis revealed a wide exposure to stray dogs and animals from the province of Salerno. All samples tested with molecular methods were negative. Defining the role of domestic carnivores continues to be a "one health" challenge, although it appears that they do not eliminate the virus and therefore do not pose a danger to humans. In the absence of other evidence, it is advisable to continue to carry out surveillance also for domestic animals, which, due to ethological characteristics or their position in the food chain, could be predisposed to being exposed to HEV.

Cell walls of extruded pea snacks: Morphological and mechanical characterisation and finite element modelling.

Pulses extruded foods can be envisaged asall solid foams with voids and walls, the latter being considered as a dense starch/protein composite. Pea flour (PF) and blends of pea starch and pea protein isolate (PPI) with different protein contents (0.5-88% dry basis) were extruded to obtain models of dense starch-protein composites. Their morphology was revealed by CLSM microscopy, and their mechanical properties were investigated using a three-point bending test complemented by Finite Element Method (FEM) modelling. Composite morphology revealed protein aggregates dispersed in the starch matrix. It was described by a starch-protein interface index Ii computed from the measured total area and perimeter of protein aggregates. The mechanical test showed that the extruded PF and PPI ruptured in the elastic domain, while the extruded starch-PPI (SP) blends ruptured in the plasticity domain. The mechanical properties of pea composites were weakened by increasing the particle volume fractions, including proteins and fibres, probably due to the poor adhesion between starch and the other constituents. The mechanical behaviour of pea composites did not accurately follow simple mixing laws because of their morphological heterogeneity. Modelling results show that the elastoplastic constitutive model using the Voce plasticity model satisfactorily described the hardening behaviour of SP blend composites. Reasonable agreement (2-10%) was found between the experimental and modelling approaches for most materials. The computed Young's modulus (1.3-2.5 GPa) and saturation flow stress (20-45 MPa) increased with increasing Ii (0.7-3.1), reflecting the increase of interfacial stiffening with the increase of contact area between starch and proteins. FEM modelling allowed to identify the mechanical effect of structural heterogeneities.

European guideline (EuroGuiDerm) on atopic eczema - part II: non-systemic treatments and treatment recommendations for special AE patient populations.

The evidence- and consensus-based guideline on atopic eczema was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. Four consensus conferences were held between December 2020 and July 2021. Twenty-nine experts (including clinicians and patient representatives) from 12 European countries participated. This second part of the guideline includes recommendations and detailed information on basic therapy with emollients and moisturizers, topical anti-inflammatory treatment, antimicrobial and antipruritic treatment and UV phototherapy. Furthermore, this part of the guideline covers techniques for avoiding provocation factors, as well as dietary interventions, immunotherapy, complementary medicine and educational interventions for patients with atopic eczema and deals with occupational and psychodermatological aspects of the disease. It also contains guidance on treatment for paediatric and adolescent patients and pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as considerations for patients who want to have a child. A chapter on the patient perspective is also provided. The first part of the guideline, published separately, contains recommendations and guidance on systemic treatment with conventional immunosuppressive drugs, biologics and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, as well as information on the scope and purpose of the guideline, and a section on guideline methodology.

European guideline (EuroGuiDerm) on atopic eczema: part I - systemic therapy.

The evidence- and consensus-based guideline on atopic eczema was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. Four consensus conferences were held between December 2020 and July 2021. Twenty-nine experts (including clinicians and patient representatives) from 12 European countries participated. This first part of the guideline includes general information on its scope and purpose, the health questions covered, target users and a methods section. It also provides guidance on which patients should be treated with systemic therapies, as well as recommendations and detailed information on each systemic drug. The systemic treatment options discussed in the guideline comprise conventional immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine, ciclosporin, glucocorticosteroids, methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil), biologics (dupilumab, lebrikizumab, nemolizumab, omalizumab and tralokinumab) and janus kinase inhibitors (abrocitinib, baricitinib and upadacitinib). Part two of the guideline will address avoidance of provocation factors, dietary interventions, immunotherapy, complementary medicine, educational interventions, occupational and psychodermatological aspects, patient perspective and considerations for paediatric, adolescent, pregnant and breastfeeding patients.

Variations of the viscous properties of a sponge cake artificial bolus with some physiological parameters.

Artificial boluses were prepared from sponge cake by grinding the food to a given particle size and hydrating with artificial saliva. The shear viscosity of the artificial food bolus was then measured by capillary rheometry, and its variations with shear rate were studied as a function of four main factors: bolus water content, particle size, temperature and saliva viscosity. The flow curves can be fitted according to the Herschel-Bulkley model, which allows for the derivation of two main properties: yield stress and consistency. Saliva plasticizing coefficients are defined by the variations of these properties as a function of the water content. Their value, close to 12, is in good agreement with values obtained for molten starch (10 < α < 20). Particle size has little influence, whereas the effect of temperature and saliva viscosity is not monotonous. They underline the complexity of the structure of the bolus and the interplay between the saliva, acting as a lubricant and a swelling agent. Finally, the extensional viscosity of the artificial bolus is also determined by capillary rheometry, and it is shown to be of importance when comparing the viscous properties of the artificial bolus with those of real ones from literature.

[Effect of treatment with benzodiazepines on the hospital prognosis of Coronavirus disease 2019]. / Efecto del tratamiento con benzodiacepinas en el pronóstico hospitalario de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019.

INTRODUCTION: The consequences of the use of of benzodiazepines in coronavirus disease 2019 have not yet been studied. We compared the hospital prognosis of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 in benzodiazepine users and non-users. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational study with a retrospective cohort design. All consecutive patients admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 were included. The patients under chronic treatment with benzodiazepines at the time of admission were studied and compared with non-users. The primary objective was to analyze the mortality of patients who used chronic benzodiazepines at the time of admission and compare them with those who did not use them. The secondary objective was to analyze the risk of severe disease due to coronavirus 2019, acute respiratory distress syndrome and admission to the Intensive Care Unit in both groups of patients. RESULTS: We included 576 patients, 138 (24.0%) used benzodiazepines. After adjusting for sex, age, baseline situation and all the different variables between both groups, benzodiazepine users did not show a higher odds of mortality (OR: 1,1, IC 95%: 0,7-1,9, p = 0,682) or higher risk of severe disease due to coronavirus 2019 (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.7-1.8, p = 0.523). They also did not have a higher risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR: 1.2, IC 95%: 0.8-1.9, p = 0.315) or more admission to the Intensive Care Unit (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.4-1.4, p = 0.433). CONCLUSION: In our sample, treatment with benzodiazepines at the time of admission was not associated with a worse hospital prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

TITLE: Efecto del tratamiento con benzodiacepinas en el pronóstico hospitalario de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019.Introducción. Las consecuencias del consumo de benzodiacepinas en el marco de la la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) no se habían estudiado hasta ahora. En el presente estudio se comparó el pronóstico hospitalario de pacientes ingresados por COVID-19 que tomaban benzodiacepinas con el de otros ingresados por idéntico motivo que no las tomaban. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional de cohortes retrospectivo. En el estudio se admitió a todos los pacientes consecutivos ingresados con un diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19. Se estudió a los pacientes que en el momento del ingreso estaban en tratamiento crónico con benzodiacepinas en comparación con otros que no las tomaban. El objetivo principal fue analizar la mortalidad de dichos pacientes con uso crónico de benzodiacepinas y compararla con la mortalidad de los que no tomaban. El objetivo secundario fue analizar en ambos grupos de pacientes el riesgo de padecer un cuadro grave por COVID-19, el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda o el ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Resultados. Se admitieron 576 pacientes, 138 (24,0%) de los cuales tomaban benzodiacepinas. Después del ajuste por sexo, edad, situación inicial y todas las variables diferentes entre ambos grupos, los pacientes que tomaban benzodiacepinas no mostraron una probabilidad mayor de muerte (odds ratio: 1,1; IC 95%: 0,7-1,9; p = 0,682) ni un riesgo más acusado de COVID-19 grave (odds ratio: 1,2; IC 95%: 0,7-1,8; p = 0,523). Tampoco presentaron un riesgo mayor de síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (odds ratio: 1,2; IC 95%: 0,8-1,9; p = 0,315) ni de ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (odds ratio: 0,8; IC 95%: 0,4-1,4; p = 0,433). Conclusión. En esta muestra de pacientes con COVID-2019, el tratamiento con benzodiacepinas en el momento del ingreso no apareció asociado con un empeoramiento del pronóstico hospitalario.

Intravaginal progesterone device (1. 9g) and estradiol benzoate for follicular control in the mare during spring and summer / [Implante intravaginal de progesterona (1, 9g) e benzoato de estradiol no controle folicular de éguas durante a primavera e o verão]

The objective of this study was to evaluate follicular growth and ovulatory rates in mares treated with an intravaginal progesterone device (P4) during the 10-day period, associated with the use of estradiol benzoate (EB). The results were compared during the transition period (ET) in the spring and the breeding season in the summer (ER). The variables were submitted to ANOVA (Tukey's test), considering P<0.05. No ovulation occurred during the permanence of the P4 implant in both experimental periods. The ovulatory rate in the ER was 100% (n = 8) and in the ET 62.5% (n = 5; P = 0.0547). Significant differences were observed (<0.001), in both periods, comparing follicular growth rates during the permanence of P4 device (ER: 1.33 ± 0.89mm/d; ET: 1.00 ± 0.81mm/d) to the period without P4 (ER: 3.63 ± 1.33 mm/d; ET: 3.31 ± 1.66 mm/d). The present study demonstrated applicability and efficiency of a hormonal protocol using P4 intravaginal device and EB for follicular control in mares, both during ET and ER.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a taxa de crescimento folicular e a taxa ovulatória em éguas tratadas com dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (P4) durante o período de 10 dias, associado à utilização de benzoato de estradiol (BE). Os resultados foram comparados durante o período de transição (ET) da primavera com a época de reprodução no verão (ER). As variáveis foram submetidas à ANOVA (teste de Tukey), considerando-se P<0,05. Nenhuma ovulação ocorreu durante a permanência do dispositivo de P4 em ambos os períodos experimentais. A taxa ovulatória na ER foi de 100% (n = 8) e na ET, de 62,5% (n=5; P=0,0547). Diferença significativas (<0,001) foram observadas, em ambos os períodos experimentais, comparando as taxas de crescimento folicular durante a permanência da P4 (ER: 1,33 ± 0,89mm/d; ET: 1,00 ± 0,81mm/d) com o período sem P4 (ER: 3,63 ± 1,33mm/d; ET: 3,31 ± 1,66mm/d). O presente estudo demonstrou aplicabilidade e eficiência do protocolo hormonal utilizando dispositivo intravaginal de P4 e BE para controle folicular de éguas, tanto na ET quanto na ER.

EuroGuiDerm Guideline on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris - Part 2: specific clinical and comorbid situations.

This evidence- and consensus-based guideline on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris was developed following the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. The second part of the guideline provides guidance for specific clinical and comorbid situations such as treating psoriasis vulgaris patient with concomitant psoriatic arthritis, concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, a history of malignancies or a history of depression or suicidal ideation. It further holds recommendations for concomitant diabetes, viral hepatitis, disease affecting the heart or the kidneys as well as concomitant neurological disease. Advice on how to screen for tuberculosis and recommendations on how to manage patients with a positive tuberculosis test result are given. It further covers treatment for pregnant women or patients with a wish for a child in the near future. Information on vaccination, immunogenicity and systemic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic is also provided.

Joint laxity in canine hip dysplasia assessed using the hip flexed not distracted ventrodorsal view.

OBJECTIVES: The ventrodorsal hip extended standard view is conventionally used for radiographic screening of canine hip dysplasia. However, because the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view minimises hip joint laxity, several alternative views have been proposed. Our aim was to evaluate a new ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted view to assess joint laxity, by comparing it with the ventrodorsal hip extended standard and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2013 and March 2017, all dogs referred to the University of Naples "Federico II" for the diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia were studied using the ventrodorsal hip extended standard, ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views. The Norberg angle and the laxity index were measured for each view. RESULTS: Overall, 102 dogs, 67 males and 35 females, mean age 15 months, were included. The mean (±standard deviation) Norberg angles were 99.77° (±10.42°), 89.29° (±14.32°) and 91.80° (±13.50°) for the ventrodorsal hip extended standard, ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted views, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) laxity indices were 0.19 (± 0.14), 0.39 (± 0.25) and 0.36 (± 0.21), respectively. The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted views had lower Norberg angle and higher laxity index values compared with the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view. The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip extended standard views are in strong agreement for the measurement of both Norberg angle and laxity index, as confirmed by Bland-Altman analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted and ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted views obtained with the hip in a neutral position reveal joint laxity better than the ventrodorsal hip extended standard view. Unlike the ventrodorsal hip flexed and distracted view, the ventrodorsal hip flexed and not distracted view does not require human operators or special devices for positioning the dog. The wide age range of the dogs enrolled might have influenced the laxity index measurements, since capsular fibrosis in older dogs reduces laxity.

EuroGuiDerm Guideline on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris - Part 1: treatment and monitoring recommendations.

This evidence- and consensus-based guideline on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris was developed following the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. The first part of the guideline includes general information on the scope and purpose, health questions covered, target users and strength/limitations of the guideline. Suggestions for disease severity grading and treatment goals are provided. It presents the general treatment recommendations as well as detailed management and monitoring recommendations for the individual drugs. The treatment options discussed in this guideline are as follows: acitretin, ciclosporin, fumarates, methotrexate, adalimumab, apremilast, brodalumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, guselkumab, infliximab, ixekizumab, risankizumab, secukinumab, tildrakizumab and ustekinumab.

Collection of semen in a dog with partial penectomy followed by successful artificial insemination: case report / [Coleta de sêmen em um cão parcialmente penectomizado seguida de inseminação artificial bem sucedida: relato de caso]

This study describes a case of a dog with a lacerated penile tear treated with partial penectomy followed by successful semen collections for artificial insemination. A 1.5-year-old Jack Russel Terrier with normal libido, genital organs and semen, had a penile laceration after copulation. The dog underwent a partial penectomy without orchiectomy, thus preserving the possibility of semen collection. Semen was successfully collected at 45 and 53 days after surgery, and it was used for artificial insemination of two bitches, one of which became pregnant. Therefore, this report demonstrated that semen may be collected from dogs with partial penectomy for artificial insemination, this technique has the potential to preserve fertility of dogs with penile lesions that require penectomy.(AU)

Este estudo descreve o caso de um cão que teve laceração peniana tratada por penectomia parcial seguida de coleta de sêmen para inseminação artificial bem sucedida. Um cão Jack Russel Terrier de 1,5 anos, com libido, órgãos genitais e sêmen normais, teve laceração peniana após cópula. O cão foi parcialmente penectomizado sem orquiectomia, preservando a possibilidade de coleta de sêmen. A coleta de sêmen foi bem sucedida 45 e 53 dias após a cirurgia, sendo utilizado para inseminação artificial de duas cadelas, uma delas se tornando gestante. Portanto, sêmen para inseminação artificial pode ser coletado em cães parcialmente penectomizados, esta técnica revelando ser uma potencial forma de preservação da fertilidade de cães com lesões penianas que necessitem penectomia.(AU)

Cortical plasticity after hand prostheses use: Is the hypothesis of deafferented cortex "invasion" always true?

OBJECTIVE: To study motor cortex plasticity after a period of training with a new prototype of bidirectional hand prosthesis in three left trans-radial amputees, correlating these changes with the modification of Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) in the same period. METHODS: Each subject underwent a brain motor mapping with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and PLP evaluation with questionnaires during a six-month training with a prototype of bidirectional hand prosthesis. RESULTS: The baseline motor maps showed in all three amputees a smaller area of muscles representation of the amputated side compared to the intact limb. After training, there was a partial reversal of the baseline asymmetry. The two subjects affected by PLP experienced a statistically significant reduction of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Two apparently opposite findings, the invasion of the "deafferented" cortex by neighbouring areas and the "persistence" of neural structures after amputation, could vary according to different target used for measurement. Our results do not support a correlation between PLP and motor cortical changes. SIGNIFICANCE: The selection of the target and of the task is essential for studies investigating motor brain plasticity. This study boosts against a direct and unique role of motor cortical changes on PLP genesis.

Oral processing and comfort perception of soft cereal foods fortified with pulse proteins in the elderly with different oral health status.

This study investigated the oral processing and bolus formation mechanisms of two soft cereal products fortified with pulse proteins, sponge-cake (FSC) and brioche (FB), in the elderly population, and their relationship with the perception of oral comfort. Twenty subjects aged 65 and over participated in the study. They were classified in two groups according to dental status (poor vs. satisfactory) and presented varying stimulated salivary flow rate (SSF). Bolus properties (hydration ratio, apparent viscosity and particle size) were characterized after three chewing stages. Results showed that subjects with a poor dental status (DS) had a longer chewing duration for FB, while individuals with a higher SSF had a shorter duration for FSC. Compared to FSC, more saliva was added to the FB boli, and the viscosity and particle size of FB bolus were also higher. Based on the bolus particle size evolution during chewing, FB was considered to be more difficult to fragment than FSC, this latter showing a dramatic particle size reduction from the beginning of chewing. From the viscosity data, a model was used to represent the variations of the bolus structure index during chewing and a coefficient of interaction of saliva with food was defined. For both products, the perception of comfort depended more on the DS than on SSF. Bolus apparent viscosity was related to the perception of oral comfort in FSC, while the chewing duration and the bolus particle size at the beginning of chewing contributed to explain oral comfort in FB. Finally, the comparison of these results with those obtained previoulsy with standard (i.e. non enriched) sponge cake and brioche suggested that the proposed protein fortification did not challenge the oral comfort perception by the elderly.

Characterization of multi-channel intraneural stimulation in transradial amputees.

Although peripheral nerve stimulation using intraneural electrodes has been shown to be an effective and reliable solution to restore sensory feedback after hand loss, there have been no reports on the characterization of multi-channel stimulation. A deeper understanding of how the simultaneous stimulation of multiple electrode channels affects the evoked sensations should help in improving the definition of encoding strategies for bidirectional prostheses. We characterized the sensations evoked by simultaneous stimulation of median and ulnar nerves (multi-channel configuration) in four transradial amputees who had been implanted with four TIMEs (Transverse Intrafascicular Multichannel Electrodes). The results were compared with the characterization of single-channel stimulation. The sensations were characterized in terms of location, extent, type, and intensity. Combining two or more single-channel configurations caused a linear combination of the sensation locations and types perceived with such single-channel stimulations. Interestingly, this was also true when two active sites from the same nerve were stimulated. When stimulating in multi-channel configuration, the charge needed from each electrode channel to evoke a sensation was significantly lower than the one needed in single-channel configuration (sensory facilitation). This result was also supported by electroencephalography (EEG) recordings during nerve stimulation. Somatosensory potentials evoked by multi-channel stimulation confirmed that sensations in the amputated hand were perceived by the subjects and that a perceptual sensory facilitation occurred. Our results should help the future development of more efficient bidirectional prostheses by providing guidelines for the development of more complex stimulation approaches to effectively restore multiple sensations at the same time.

Morphology and mechanical behaviour of pea-based starch-protein composites obtained by extrusion.

Starch-legume protein composites were obtained by extrusion of pea flour and pea starch-protein blend at various specific mechanical energies (100-2000 kJ/kg) and a temperature low enough to avoid expansion. The morphology of these composites displayed protein aggregates dispersed in a starch matrix, revealed by microscopy. Image analysis was used to determine the median width of protein aggregates (D50), their total perimeter and surface, from which a protein/starch interface index (Ii) was derived. The mechanical properties of composites were determined by a three-point bending test. The pea flour composites had a higher interface index Ii (1.8-3.1) with lower median particle width D50 (8-18 µm) and a more brittle behaviour than the blend composites that had a lower Ii (1-1.1) and higher D50 (22-31 µm). For both materials, rupture stress and strain were negatively correlated with Ii. This result suggested that there was a poor interfacial adhesion between the pea starch and proteins.

Optimal integration of intraneural somatosensory feedback with visual information: a single-case study.

Providing somatosensory feedback to amputees is a long-standing objective in prosthesis research. Recently, implantable neural interfaces have yielded promising results in this direction. There is now considerable evidence that the nervous system integrates redundant signals optimally, weighting each signal according to its reliability. One question of interest is whether artificial sensory feedback is combined with other sensory information in a natural manner. In this single-case study, we show that an amputee with a bidirectional prosthesis integrated artificial somatosensory feedback and blurred visual information in a statistically optimal fashion when estimating the size of a hand-held object. The patient controlled the opening and closing of the prosthetic hand through surface electromyography, and received intraneural stimulation proportional to the object's size in the ulnar nerve when closing the robotic hand on the object. The intraneural stimulation elicited a vibration sensation in the phantom hand that substituted the missing haptic feedback. This result indicates that sensory substitution based on intraneural feedback can be integrated with visual feedback and make way for a promising method to investigate multimodal integration processes.

Relationships of oral comfort perception and bolus properties in the elderly with salivary flow rate and oral health status for two soft cereal foods.

The aim of this study was to investigate food oral processing and bolus formation in the elderly population, and their relationship with the perception of oral comfort, for two soft cereal products of different composition: sponge-cake and brioche. Twenty subjects aged 65 and over participated in the study. They were classified in two groups according to dental status (poor vs. satisfactory) and presented various stimulated salivary flow rate (SSF) in each group. Food bolus properties (hydration ratio and apparent viscosity) were characterized after three chewing stages for both groups. Results showed that chewing duration did not depend on food product but rather on physiology: subjects with a poor dental status had a shorter chewing duration. For each chewing stage, sponge-cake boli showed a higher hydration ratio than brioche boli, which showed higher apparent viscosity. For sponge-cake, perception of oral comfort was primarily driven by SSF rate, irrespective of the dental status. In the case of brioche, oral comfort was also partially explained by SSF in the case of subjects with poor dental status. This result suggests that perception of oral comfort in brioche could be driven by product related attributes rather than oral health. For both foods, a phenomenological model of bolus viscosity as a function of stimulated salivary flow and chewing duration was proposed.

Ortodoncia con sistema de alineación con placas en pacientes con discapacidad / Orthodontics with plate aligning system in disabled patients

En personas con discapacidad se presentan las enfermedades prevalentes de la cavidad bucal con mayor frecuencia. Dentro de éstas, las alteraciones oclusales, como el apiñamiento dentario, son muy frecuentes y se considera responsable de exacerbar la patología gingival, periodontal y la estética, con impacto en la salud bucodental y la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. La técnica basada en el uso de placas alineadoras es sencilla, no invasiva y fundamentalmente preventiva de la enfermedad buco-dental (AU)