Outcomes After Vascular Surgery Procedures in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: A National Multicenter Cohort Study (COVID-VAS).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcome of vascular procedures performed in patients with COVID-19 infection during the 2020 pandemic. METHODS: This is a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study. We analyzed data from 75 patients with COVID-19 infection undergoing vascular surgery procedures in 17 hospitals across Spain and Andorra between March and May 2020. The primary end point was 30-day mortality. Clinical Trials registry number NCT04333693. RESULTS: The mean age was 70.9 (45-94) and 58 (77.0%) patients were male. Around 70.7% had postoperative complications, 36.0% of patients experienced respiratory failure, 22.7% acute renal failure, and 22.7% acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). All-cause 30-days mortality rate was 37.3%. Multivariate analysis identified age >65 years (P = 0.009), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification IV (P = 0.004), preoperative lymphocyte count <0.6 (×109/L) (P = 0.001) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >500 (UI/L) (P = 0.004), need for invasive ventilation (P = 0.043), postoperative acute renal failure (P = 0.001), ARDS (P = 0.003) and major amputation (P = 0.009) as independent variables associated with mortality. Preoperative coma (P = 0.001), quick Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score ≥2 (P = 0.043), lymphocytes <0.6 (×109/L) (P = 0.019) leucocytes >11.5 (×109/L) (P = 0.007) and serum ferritin >1800 mg/dL (P = 0.004), bilateral lung infiltrates on thorax computed tomography (P = 0.025), and postoperative acute renal failure (P = 0.009) increased the risk of postoperative ARDS. qSOFA score ≥2 was the only risk factor associated with postoperative sepsis (P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 infection undergoing vascular surgery procedures showed poor 30-days survival. Age >65 years, preoperative lymphocytes <0.6 (x109/L) and LDH >500 (UI/L), and postoperative acute renal failure, ARDS and need for major amputation were identified as prognostic factors of 30-days mortality.

Constitutional risk factors for focal neuropathies in patients referred for electromyography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is well established that patient-related constitutional features predispose to focal peripheral neuropathies. Some of these risk factors were investigated in common focal neuropathies encountered in patients referred for electromyography. METHODS: Gender, age, height and body mass index (BMI) were analysed retrospectively as risk factors for 11 focal neuropathies. In all, 9686 patients (age range 18-96 years; 58% women) were included from three different centres, with identical methods and equipment. RESULTS: High BMI was related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE), combined CTS and UNE, meralgia paraesthetica and lumbar radiculopathy. In women, CTS and Morton's metatarsalgia were more common, whilst long thoracic neuropathies, suprascapular neuropathies and UNE were more common in men. Older age increased the risk for CTS, UNE, Morton's metatarsalgia and radiculopathies. CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender and BMI are important risk factors for many common focal neuropathies.

[Correlation of a lameness scoring system and claw lesion]. / Korrelation eines Lahmheit-Scoring- Systems und Klauenläsionen.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lameness scoring and clinical findings. The lameness scoring and a gait assessment took place during drying off, the first week after calving and two months after calving in 29 lame and 27 free of lameness cows. In between the farmer scored the lamness. Most of the lameness occurred in the hind limbs and were most frequently caused by dermatitis digitalis, Mortellaro, Limax, and Rusterholz sole ulcer. The mean duration of lameness after treatment was 26 days (median 16 days) and was significantly longer in case of horn lesions than in skin lesions (including interdigital dermatitis). Lameness- free control animals were often affected by heel horn erosion and digital dermatitis. It was shown that the sensitivity of lameness (lameness is caused by a certain aetiology) for a certain cause of lameness (dermatitis interdigitalis, doble sole, purulent hollow wall, Limax, digital dermatitis, Rusterholz sole ulcer and sole contusion) increases along with the threshold (degree of lameness) but that the specificity (no lameness is not related to a certain aetiology) remained constant at the same time. The highest sensitivity was achieved in injuries, followed by interdigital hyperplasia. The receiver operating curve (ROC) showed that lameness was the best selecting symptom in white line lesions followed by claw injury. The positive predictive values varied between 38.8% in white line lesions and 0% in Rusterholz's sole ulcer. The negative predictive values varied between 99.1% in interdigital dermatitis and 82.3% in interdigital dermatitis. The ROC analysis shows which lameness is more related to a certain claw disease. The results demonstrate, that a lameness score cannot be linked to a certain claw disease.

INTRODUCTION: Le but de la présente étude était de voir dans quelle mesure il existe une relation entre un système de scoring des boiteries et les constatations cliniques. On a utilisé un scoring de boiterie simple et une estimation de la marche chez 29 animaux boiteux et 27 animaux sains au moment du tarissement, dans la première semaine après le vêlage ainsi que deux mois après celui-ci. Entre ces examens, les boiteries ont été enregistrées par les agriculteurs. La plupart des boiteries affectaient les postérieurs et étaient le plus souvent causées pas une dermatite digitée, une limace ou un ulcère de Rusterholz. La durée moyenne de la boiterie après traitement était de 26 jours (médiane 16 jours) et était nettement plus importante lors de lésions de la corne que lors de lésions de la peau. Les animaux non-boiteux étaient souvent atteints de pourriture de la corne en talons et de dermatite digitée. On a constaté que la sensitivité de la boiterie (la boiterie parle pour une cause donnée) augmentait avec l'augmentation de la valeur limite (intensité de la boiterie) pour une cause de boiterie donnée (dermatite interdigitée, double sole, fourmilière purulente, limace, dermatite digitée, ulcère de Rusterholz, contusion de sole) et que, simultanément, la spécificité (l'absence de boiterie parle contre une certaine cause) restait constante. La sensitivité la plus élevée était observée en cas de blessures, suivies par les limaces. La surface sous la courbe ROC (receiver operating curve) montrait que la discrimination était la meilleure en cas de fourmilière purulente, suivie par les blessures d'onglon. Les valeurs prédictives positives variaient entre 38.8% pour la fourmilière purulente et 0% pour l'ulcère de Rusterholz. Les valeurs prédictives négatives variaient entre 99.1% pour la dermatite interdigitée et 82.3% pour la dermatite digitée. L'analyse ROC montre quelles boiteries sont associées le plus souvent avec certaines affections des onglons. Les résultats montrent qu'on ne peut pas, sur la base de la boiterie, déduire l'affection des onglons.

[Effects of lameness at the time of drying off on the lactation and fertility performance of the following lactation]. / Auswirkungen von Lahmheiten zum Zeitpunkt des Trockenstellens auf die Milch- und Fruchtbarkeitsleistungen der folgenden Laktation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to clarify how lameness and its severity in dairy cows at the time of drying off will affect the milk performance and fertility in the following lactation when treated appropriately at the time of drying off. The lameness scoring and a gait assessment took place during drying off, in the 1st week after calving, as well as 2 months after calving. Each lame cow was compared with a non-lame control cow from the same farm. The milk and fertility data of the following lactation were compared with those of the previous lactation. Most of the lameness occurred in the hind limbs and was most frequently due to digital dermatitis (Mortellaro), limax, and Rusterholz sole ulcer. The mean lameness duration after treatment was 26 days (median 16 days) and was significantly longer in case of horn lesions than in skin lesions. Recurrences most often occured in the interdigital cleft region. Lameness- free control animals were often affected by heel horn erosion and digital dermatitis. In the present study, a lameness treated at the time of dry off did not have a negative effect on fertility, but on milk yield and milk fat. Treatment could not eliminate these negative effects. However, it can be hypothesized that the negative effects on these and other parameters would have been even greater than without adequate treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Le but de cette étude était de savoir dans quelle mesure les boiteries des vaches laitières au moment du tarissement influaient sur la production laitière et la fécondité lors de la lactation suivante si elles étaient traitées au moment du tarissement. Le scoring des boiteries et une estimation de la marche avaient lieu lors du tarissement, dans la première semaine après le vêlage ainsi que deux mois plus tard. On a mis en comparaison lors de l'examen initial une vache non boiteuse de l'exploitation par rapport à chaque vache boiteuse. Par contre, on a utilisé pour la comparaison des résultats de la production laitière et la fertilité les données de la lactation précédente. Les boiteries survenaient principalement aux membres postérieurs et étaient le plus souvent causées pas une dermatite digitée, une limace ou un ulcère de Rusterholz. La durée moyenne de la boiterie après traitement était de 26 jours (médiane 16 jour) et était significativement plus élevée lors de lésions de la corne que lors de lésions cutanées. On constatait principalement des récidives lors d'affection dans l'espace interdigité. Les animaux de contrôle non-boiteux étaient souvent atteints de pourriture de la corne en talons et de dermatite digitée. Pour la première fois, on a suivi le scoring de boiterie, les affections des onglons et leur traitement chez des vaches durant la période de tarissement sur une longue durée. Une boiterie présente au moment du tarissement avait un effet négatif sur la production laitière et sur le taux de matières grasses dans la lactation qui suivait. Un traitement ne permettait pas de supprimer ces effets négatifs mais on peut admettre que ceux-ci se serait encore aggravés sans traitement de même que d'autre paramètres tel que la période de service ou le délai de mise à la reproduction.

In vivo osseointegration of dental implants with an antimicrobial peptide coating.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo osseointegration of implants with hydrophobic antimicrobial GL13K-peptide coating in rabbit femoral condyles by micro-CT and histological analysis. Six male Japanese Rabbits (4 months old and weighing 2.5 kg each) were included in this study. Twelve implants (3.75 mm wide, 7 mm long) were randomly distributed in two groups, with six implants in the experimental group coated with GL13K peptide and six implants in the control group without surface coating. Each implant in the test and the control group was randomly implanted in the left or right side of femoral condyles. On one side randomly-selected of the femur, each rabbit received a drill that was left without implant as control for the natural healing of bone. After 3 weeks of healing radiographic evaluation of the implant sites was taken. After 6 weeks of healing, rabbits were sacrificed for evaluation of the short-term osseointegration of the dental implants using digital radiography, micro-CT and histology analysis. To perform evaluation of osseointegration, implant location and group was double blinded for surgeon and histology/radiology researcher. Two rabbits died of wound infection in sites with non-coated implants 2 weeks after surgery. Thus, at least four rabbits per group survived after 6 weeks of healing. The wounds healed without suppuration and inflammation. No implant was loose after 6 weeks of healing. Radiography observations showed good osseointegration after 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively, which proved that the tissues followed a natural healing process. Micro-CT reconstruction and analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in volume of bone around the implant between implants coated with GL13K peptide and implants without coating. Histomorphometric analysis also showed that the mineralized bone area was no statistically different (P > 0.05) between implants coated with GL13K peptide and implants without coating. This study demonstrates that titanium dental implants with an antimicrobial GL13K coating enables in vivo implant osseointegration at similar bone growth rates than gold-standard non-coated dental implants up to 6 weeks of implantation in rabbit femurs.

Assessment of coinfection of sexually transmitted pathogen microbes by use of the anyplex II STI-7 molecular kit.

Anyplex STI-7 is a new molecular kit that detects seven sexually transmitted pathogens. Among 202 subjects screened for genital infection, 143 (70.4%) were diagnosed with at least one pathogen, in concordance with reference methods. In addition, the Anyplex STI-7 demonstrated coinfections, such as that with Ureaplasma parvum and Chlamydia trachomatis, in young women.

Assessing the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of the Spanish version of the informant-based AD8 questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: The AD8 is a brief informant-based questionnaire that may also be self-administered, and which aids in identifying cognitive impairment (CI). Our goal is to assess the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of a Spanish version of that questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a clinical sample of patient/informant dyads including 330 subjects with suspected CI or dementia (DEM) and 71 controls. We evaluated internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and validity (partial correlations with GDS stage, Fototest results and functional index measure [FIM]). We assessed DA for CI vs no CI (GDS stage 3-4) using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), and the cut-off with the highest Youden index was determined to be optimal. RESULTS: In the sample, 105 subjects had no CI, 99 had CI without DEM and 203 had DEM. Internal consistency was high (α 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.89-0.92), as were correlations with the GDS score (r=0.72, P<.001), Fototest results (r=-0.61, P<.001) and FIM (r=0.59, P<.001). The AUC for AD8 was 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.86-0.93), which was not significantly different from that of the Fototest (AUC 0.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.89-0.96). The optimal cut-off point was 3/4 with a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.88-0.96) and a specificity of 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.88); 88.8% of the classifications were correct. Combined use of AD8 and the Fototest significantly improved the DA of both (AUC 0.96, 95% confidence interval: 0.93-0.98, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the AD8 questionnaire preserves the psychometric qualities and DA of the original. Using this test in combination with the Fototest significantly increases the DA of both tests.

A reproducible oral microcosm biofilm model for testing dental materials.

AIMS: Most studies of biofilm effects on dental materials use single-species biofilms, or consortia. Microcosm biofilms grown directly from saliva or plaque are much more diverse, but difficult to characterize. We used the Human Oral Microbial Identification Microarray (HOMIM) to validate a reproducible oral microcosm model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Saliva and dental plaque were collected from adults and children. Hydroxyapatite and dental composite discs were inoculated with either saliva or plaque, and microcosm biofilms were grown in a CDC biofilm reactor. In later experiments, the reactor was pulsed with sucrose. DNA from inoculums and microcosms was analysed by HOMIM for 272 species. Microcosms included about 60% of species from the original inoculum. Biofilms grown on hydroxyapatite and composites were extremely similar. Sucrose pulsing decreased diversity and pH, but increased the abundance of Streptococcus and Veillonella. Biofilms from the same donor, grown at different times, clustered together. CONCLUSIONS: This model produced reproducible microcosm biofilms that were representative of the oral microbiota. Sucrose induced changes associated with dental caries. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first use of HOMIM to validate an oral microcosm model that can be used to study the effects of complex biofilms on dental materials.

Quantifying dental biofilm growth using cross-polarization optical coherence tomography.

AIMS: Quantifying the ex vivo growth of complex multispecies dental biofilms using cross-polarization 1310-nm optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) system was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial microcosms, which were derived from plaque samples of paediatric subjects, were incubated in a biofilm reactor system containing discs of different dental materials for 72 h with daily sucrose pulsing (5×). CP-OCT analysis of biofilm mass was validated with crystal violet (CV) assays at various growth stages of these complex biofilms. CP-OCT was able to filter out the back-reflected signals of water layers in the hydrated biofilm and allowed for direct biofilm quantification. The overall depth-resolved scattering intensity of the biofilm showed very strong positive correlation with CV assay quantification (Spearman's ρ = 0.92) during the growth phase of the biofilm. CONCLUSION: CP-OCT was able to quantify the mass of the biofilm by measuring the overall depth-resolved scattering of the biofilm. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: CP-OCT has the ability to nondestructively monitor biofilm growth and elucidate the growth characteristics of these microcosms on different dental material compositions.

Deficiency or inhibition of Gas6 causes platelet dysfunction and protects mice against thrombosis.

The growth arrest-specific gene 6 product (Gas6) is a secreted protein related to the anticoagulant protein S but its role in hemostasis is unknown. Here we show that inactivation of the Gas6 gene prevented venous and arterial thrombosis in mice, and protected against fatal collagen/epinephrine-induced thrombo embolism. Gas6-/- mice did not, however, suffer spontaneous bleeding and had normal bleeding after tail clipping. In addition, we found that Gas6 antibodies inhibited platelet aggregation in vitro and protected mice against fatal thrombo embolism without causing bleeding in vivo. Gas6 amplified platelet aggregation and secretion in response to known agonists. Platelet dysfunction in Gas6-/- mice resembled that of patients with platelet signaling transduction defects. Thus, Gas6 is a platelet-response amplifier that plays a significant role in thrombosis. These findings warrant further evaluation of the possible therapeutic use of Gas6 inhibition for prevention of thrombosis.

Effect of blasting treatment and Fn coating on MG63 adhesion and differentiation on titanium: a gene expression study using real-time RT-PCR.

Biomaterial surface properties, via alterations in the adsorbed protein layer, and the presence of specific functional groups can influence integrin binding specificity, thereby modulating cell adhesion and differentiation processes. The adsorption of fibronectin, a protein directly involved in osteoblast adhesion to the extracellular matrix, has been related to different physical and chemical properties of biomaterial surfaces. This study used blasting particles of different sizes and chemical compositions to evaluate the response of MG63 osteoblast-like cells on smooth and blasted titanium surfaces, with and without fibronectin coatings, by means of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. This response included (a) expression of the α(5), α(v) and α(3) integrin subunits, which can bind to fibronectin through the RGD binding site, and (b) expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) as cell-differentiation markers. ALP activity and synthesis of OC were also tested. Cells on SiC-blasted Ti surfaces expressed higher amounts of the α(5) mRNA gene than cells on Al(2)O(3)-blasted Ti surfaces. This may be related to the fact that SiC-blasted surfaces adsorbed higher amounts of fibronectin due to their higher surface free energy and therefore provided a higher number of specific cell-binding sites. Fn-coated Ti surfaces decreased α(5) mRNA gene expression, by favoring the formation of other integrins involved in adhesion over α(5)ß(1). The changes in α(5) mRNA expression induced by the presence of fibronectin coatings may moreover influence the osteoblast differentiation pathway, as fibronectin coatings on Ti surfaces also decreased both ALP mRNA expression and ALP activity after 14 and 21 days of cell culture.

Lambs' live weight estimation using 3D images.

The sheep sector has not suffered the technification that other livestock sectors have. The lack of technological knowledge of the farmers and the economic limitations of the sector have made this technification difficult. One of the most widely used technologies is Precision Livestock Farming (PLF). PLF has already been used in other livestock sectors to improve farming efficiency. In the light of the problem that sheep farmers have in weighing lambs and their low precision, this paper proposes a system for estimating weight by means of 3D image capture. Thus, zenithal images of 272 lambs have been recorded. They have been processed using the capture of the upper area and the average depth of the pixels of the lamb. This estimates the weight of the animal with an error of less than 6%. This technology has a low economic cost and is easy to operate, helping farmers to be more willing to use it. This method manages to reduce the duration of the process, the stress of the animal and to improve the overall accuracy in weight estimation. Thus, it will help to have a greater control of the weight of the animal and to improve the economic profitability that the farmer obtains for the lambs.

On the rapid in situ oxidation of two-dimensional V2CTz MXene in culture cell media and their cytotoxicity.

The plethora of emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit wide potential application in novel technologies and advanced devices. However, their stability in environmental conditions could be an issue, affecting their application possibilities and posing health risks. Moreover, their decomposed leftovers can also induce a negative influence on human health. In particular, transition metal carbides commonly referred to as MXenes are susceptible to environmental oxidation being decomposed toward transition metal oxides and carbide-derived carbon. In this study we focused on the oxidation-state-related in vitro cytotoxicity of delaminated V2CTz onto immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) and malignant melanoma (A375) human cell lines. Due to the fact, that the V2CTx MXenes are least stable from all known obtained MXenes up to date, the vanadium ones were a practical choice to visualize the oxidation-cytotoxic correlation keeping the standards of 24-48 h of cell culturing. We found that the oxidation of V2CTz highly increases their cytotoxicity toward human cells, which is also time and dose dependent. The identified mode of action relates to the cell cycle as well as cellular membrane disintegration through direct physicochemical interactions.

[Impact of COVID-19s alarm states in the care of pediatric patients in Primary Care in a health area in northern Spain]. / Impacto de los estados de alarma por COVID-19 en la atención a pacientes pediátricos en Atención Primaria de un área sanitaria del norte de España.

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has meant a global change in the healthcare model, enhancing telematic assistance, specially at the Health Primary Care (PC). There are few studies that relate the attendance of children at the PC to the pandemic of COVID-19. The aim of our study is to describe the impact of the two Spanish states of alarm on the care of children at de PC level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study. The PC visits corresponding to pediatric patients (<14 years) from a health area in northern Spain during the first and second states of alarm were analyzed, and compared with their equivalent periods in 2019. RESULTS: During the first state of alarm, home lockdown and school closure were established, and a large decrease in pediatric visits to the health centres was observed (758 vs. 1381 in 2019) at the expense of health check-ups and infectious diseases. This decrease was not observed in the second state of alarm (1375 vs. 1233 in 2019). In both states of alarm, the percentage of telephone assistance increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of alarm states has meant a decrease on the demand of medical care, especially during the first state of alarm, may be owing to the fear of the families of going to the health center and the decrease in the transmissibility of viruses due to home lockdown. The increase of the telematic assistance has been on account of the need of reorganization of health care, wich has proven to be effective.

Modeling thermophysical properties of food under high pressure.

A set of well-known generic models to predict the thermophysical properties of food from its composition at atmospheric conditions was adapted to work at any pressure. The suitability of the models was assessed using data from the literature for four different food products, namely tomato paste, potato, pork, and cod. When the composition of the product considered was not known, an alternative was proposed if some thermal data at atmospheric conditions were available. Since knowledge on the initial freezing point and ice content of food are essential for the correct prediction of its thermal properties, models for obtaining these properties under pressure were also included. Our results showed that good predictions under pressure, accurate enough for most engineering calculations can be made, either from composition data or using known thermal data of the food considered at atmospheric conditions. All the equations and coefficients needed to construct the models are given throughout the text, thus readers can compose their own routines. However, these routines can also be downloaded free at http://www.if.csic.es/programas/ifiform.htm as executable programs running in Windows.

A novel regulatory mechanism of MAP kinases activation and nuclear translocation mediated by PKA and the PTP-SL tyrosine phosphatase.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-SL retains mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in the cytoplasm in an inactive form by association through a kinase interaction motif (KIM) and tyrosine dephosphorylation. The related tyrosine phosphatases PTP-SL and STEP were phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). The PKA phosphorylation site on PTP-SL was identified as the Ser(231) residue, located within the KIM. Upon phosphorylation of Ser(231), PTP-SL binding and tyrosine dephosphorylation of the MAP kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38alpha were impaired. Furthermore, treatment of COS-7 cells with PKA activators, or overexpression of the Calpha catalytic subunit of PKA, inhibited the cytoplasmic retention of ERK2 and p38alpha by wild-type PTP-SL, but not by a PTP-SL S231A mutant. These findings support the existence of a novel mechanism by which PKA may regulate the activation and translocation to the nucleus of MAP kinases.

Dentin Priming with Amphipathic Antimicrobial Peptides.

The evolution of bonded restorations has undergone great progress over several decades. Nonetheless, life spans of bonded restorations are limited mainly because of the eventual incidence of recurrent caries. Over time, water and waterborne agents (acids, enzymes) degrade the components of the dentin/restoration interface, allowing bacterial colonization and dentin reinfection at the margins of the restoration. We developed a 2-tier protective technology consisting of priming/coating dentin with amphipathic and antimicrobial peptides (AAMPs) to obtain hydrophobic/water-repellent and antibiofilm dentin-resisting recurrent caries around bonded restorations. We tested a series of AAMPs to assess their structure-function relationships as well as the effects of different dentin-conditioning methods on the structural features of AAMP-coated dentin. We found relation between the secondary structure of AAMPs (high portion of ß-sheet), the antimicrobial potency of AAMPs, and the AAMPs' ability to form hydrophobic coatings on dentin. We also determined that AAMPs had preferential adsorption on the mineral phase of dentin, which suggested that peptides arrange their cationic and hydrophilic motifs in direct contact with the negatively charged minerals in the hydrophilic dentin. These results led us to explore different dentin-conditioning methods that would increase the mineral/collagen ratio and their effect on AAMP immobilization. We innovatively imaged the spatial distribution of the AAMPs in relation to the dentinal tubules and collagen network using a minimally invasive multimodal imaging technique: multiphoton-second harmonic generation. Using multiphoton-second harmonic generation imaging, we determined that partial deproteinization of dentin increased the amount of immobilized AAMPs as compared with the total etched dentin at the dentin surface and extended deeply around dentinal tubules. Last, we analyzed the release rate of AAMPs from dentin coatings in artificial saliva to predict their stability in the clinical setting. In conclusion, priming dentin with AAMPs is a versatile new approach with potential to fortify the otherwise vulnerable adhesive-based interfaces.

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase downregulation contributes to tumorigenesis.

With the idea to discover novel genes involved in proliferation, we have performed a genome-wide loss-of-function genetic screen to identify additional putative tumor suppressor genes. We have previously identified five genes belonging to different biochemical families. In this report, we focused on the study of one of these genes designated S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), which has also been previously identified in an independent short hairpin RNA screening. SAHH inactivation confers resistance to both p53 and p16(INK4)-induced proliferation arrest. Interestingly, SAHH inactivation inhibits p53 transcriptional activity and impairs DNA damage-induced transcription of p21(Cip1). Given that SAHH downregulation modulates senescence in primary cells, we also studied SAHH expression in human tumors at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. SAHH mRNA was lost in 50% of tumor tissues from 206 patients with different kinds of tumors in comparison with normal tissue counterparts. Moreover, SAHH protein was also affected in some colon cancers. Such findings may be of relevance to cancer research, suggesting that SAHH might be a largely unexplored tumor suppressor.

Acceleration of apatite nucleation on microrough bioactive titanium for bone-replacing implants.

The viability of a new two-step method for obtaining bioactive microrough titanium surfaces for bone replacing implants has been evaluated. The method consists of (1) Grit blasting on titanium surface to roughen it; and (2) Thermo-chemical treating to obtain a bioactive surface with bone-bonding ability by means of nucleating and growing an apatite layer on the treated surface of the metal. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of surface roughness and chemical composition of the grit-blasting particles on the ability of the surfaces of nucleating and growing a homogeneous apatite layer. The determination and kinetics of the nucleation and growing of the apatite layer on the surfaces has mainly been studied with environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and grazing-incidence X-ray diffractometry. The results show that Al(2)O(3)-blasted and thermochemically-treated titanium surfaces accelerates nucleation of the apatite, whereas SiC-blasted and thermochemically-treated titanium surfaces inhibits apatite nucleation, compared with the well studied polished and thermochemically-treated titanium surfaces. The acceleration of the apatite nucleation on the Al(2)O(3)-blasted microrough titanium surfaces is because concave parts of the microroughness that are obtained during grit blasting provides to the rough and bioactive surfaces with a chemical- and electrostatic-favored situation for apatite nucleation. This consists of a high density of surface negative charges (also assisted by the nanoroughness of the surface obtained after the thermochemical treatment) and an increased concentration of the Ca(2+)-ions of the fluid, which have a limited mobility at the bottom of the concave parts.

[The Granada Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Direct screening of 8,244 patients. I]. / Estudio Granada sobre Retinopatía Diabética. Cribado de 8.244 pacientes diabéticos. I.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of regular screening for diabetic retinopathy in the geographic area assigned to the San Cecilio University Hospital of Granada. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective cohort study was carried out over a 2-year follow-up period. Retinal examinations were performed in 8244 diabetics in 14 health centres. 11,924 retinal examinations using an indirect ophthalmoscope, following pupil dilatation, were carried out. The classification of the lesions was as recommended by the simplified international scale of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. The intervals between fundus examinations followed those recommended by the ETDRS. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of diabetes in the health area concerned was 2.77%. The average screening compliance of the program was 84.1%, and in only 0.3% of the patients was the fundus ophthalmoscopy ungradable. 91.3% of the known diabetic population attended for at least one fundus examination, with only 3.4% of the patients being referred for hospital treatment. The annual cost of the program was set at 53,173 Euros, with the average cost of each examination (6000 per year) being 8.87 Euros. CONCLUSIONS: The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program (through dilated pupils) carried out with indirect ophthalmoscopy is cost-effective. It provides coverage to the whole known diabetic population with a high level of compliance. The percentage of patients whose fundus can be considered ungradable is minimal.