Pain site persistence and changes from childhood to adolescence: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a complex experience that interferes with the well-being of youth who experience it. We aimed to assess whether recurrent pain sites in childhood can predict later recurrent pain sites prospectively. METHODS: Pain was assessed using the Luebeck Pain Screening Questionnaire at ages 7, 10, and 13 from the Generation XXI cohort. We used multinomial regression to assess the association of recurrent pain sites at ages 7 and 10 with those at age 13. RESULTS: We included 3833 participants. Boys with recurrent abdominal/pelvic pain at age 7 were more likely to report headaches (OR 2.81; 95%CI 1.48-5.34), abdominal/pelvic (OR 2.92; 95%CI 1.46-5.84), and musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.55; 95%CI 1.02-2.34) at age 13. Girls with recurrent abdominal/pelvic pain at age 7 were more likely to report both musculoskeletal (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.10-2.40) and abdominal/pelvic pain (OR 1.74; 95%CI 1.15-2.65). At age 10, all pain sites were associated with pain in the same site at age 13. CONCLUSION: Recurrent abdominal/pelvic pain at age 7 may be related to the development of various pains in adolescence. Pain at a given site at age 10 can be associated with pain at that same site at age 13. IMPACT: Recurrent abdominal or pelvic pain during childhood was distinctively associated with an increased risk of recurrent pain in other sites during adolescence. Recurrent pain during childhood was associated with pain in the same sites at age 13, and this persistence seemed to emerge between the ages of 7 and 10 for both boys and girls. Studying early pain sites may add to the understanding of the etiology of chronic pain.

Decoding Single and Paired Phonemes Using 7T Functional MRI.

Several studies have shown that mouth movements related to the pronunciation of individual phonemes are represented in the sensorimotor cortex. This would theoretically allow for brain computer interfaces that are capable of decoding continuous speech by training classifiers based on the activity in the sensorimotor cortex related to the production of individual phonemes. To address this, we investigated the decodability of trials with individual and paired phonemes (pronounced consecutively with one second interval) using activity in the sensorimotor cortex. Fifteen participants pronounced 3 different phonemes and 3 combinations of two of the same phonemes in a 7T functional MRI experiment. We confirmed that support vector machine (SVM) classification of single and paired phonemes was possible. Importantly, by combining classifiers trained on single phonemes, we were able to classify paired phonemes with an accuracy of 53% (33% chance level), demonstrating that activity of isolated phonemes is present and distinguishable in combined phonemes. A SVM searchlight analysis showed that the phoneme representations are widely distributed in the ventral sensorimotor cortex. These findings provide insights about the neural representations of single and paired phonemes. Furthermore, it supports the notion that speech BCI may be feasible based on machine learning algorithms trained on individual phonemes using intracranial electrode grids.

Multimethod analysis of large- and low-tapered single file reciprocating instruments: Design, metallurgy, mechanical performance, and irrigation flow.

AIM: To compare eight large- and low-tapered heat-treated reciprocating instruments regarding their design, metallurgy, mechanical properties, and irrigation flow through an in silico model. METHODOLOGY: A total of 472 new 25-mm E-Flex Rex (25/.04 and 25/.06), Excalibur (25/.05), Procodile (25/.06), Reciproc Blue R25 (25/.08v), WaveOne Gold Primary (25/.07v), and Univy Sense (25/.04 and 25/.06) instruments were evaluated regarding their design (stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and 3D surface scanning), metallurgy (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry), and mechanical performance (cyclic fatigue, torsional resistance, cutting ability, bending and buckling resistance). Computational fluid dynamics assessment was also conducted to determine the irrigation flow pattern, apical pressure, and wall shear stress in simulated canal preparations. Kruskal-Wallis and one-way anova post hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical comparisons (α = 5%). RESULTS: Instruments presented variations in blade numbers, helical angles, and tip designs, with all featuring non-active tips, symmetrical blades, and equiatomic nickel-titanium ratios. Cross-sectional designs exhibited an S-shaped geometry, except for WaveOne Gold. Univy 25/.04 and Reciproc Blue displayed the smallest and largest core diameters at D3. Univy 25/.04 and E-Flex Rec 25/.04 demonstrated the longest time to fracture (p < .05). Reciproc Blue and Univy 25/.04 exhibited the highest and lowest torque to fracture, respectively (p < .05). Univy 25/.04 and Reciproc Blue had the highest rotation angles, whilst E-Flex Rec 25/.06 showed the lowest angle (p < .05). The better cutting ability was observed with E-Flex Rec 25/.06, Procodile, Excalibur, and Reciproc Blue (p > .05). Reciproc R25 and E-Flex Rec showed the highest buckling resistance values (p < .05), with WaveOne Gold being the least flexible instrument. The impact of instruments' size and taper on wall shear stress and apical pressure did not follow a distinct pattern, although Univy 25/.04 and E-Flex Rec 25/.06 yielded the highest and lowest values for both parameters, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low-tapered reciprocating instruments exhibit increased flexibility, higher time to fracture, and greater angles of rotation, coupled with reduced maximum bending loads and buckling strength compared to large-tapered instruments. Nevertheless, low-tapered systems also exhibit lower maximum torque to fracture and inferior cutting ability, contributing to a narrower apical canal enlargement that may compromise the penetration of irrigants in that region.

Interrelationships among skeletal age, growth status and motor performances in female athletes 10-15 years.

BACKGROUND: Motor performances of youth are related to growth and maturity status, among other factors. AIM: To estimate the contribution of skeletal maturity status per se to the motor performances of female athletes aged 10-15 years and the mediation effects of growth status on the relationships. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Skeletal age (TW3 RUS SA), body size, proportions, estimated fat-free mass (FFM), motor performances, training history and participation motivation were assessed in 80 non-skeletally mature female participants in several sports. Hierarchical and regression-based statistical mediation analyses were used. RESULTS: SA per se explained a maximum of 1.8% and 5.8% of the variance in motor performances of athletes aged 10-12 and 13-15 years, respectively, over and above that explained by covariates. Body size, proportions, and hours per week of training and participation motivation explained, respectively, a maximum of 40.7%, 18.8%, and 22.6% of the variance in performances. Mediation analysis indicated specific indirect effects of SA through stature and body mass, alone or in conjunction with FFM on performances. CONCLUSION: SA per se accounted for small and non-significant amounts of variance in several motor performances of female youth athletes; rather, SA influenced performances indirectly through effects on stature, body mass and estimated FFM.

Mechanisms of speed encoding in the human middle temporal cortex measured by 7T fMRI.

Perception of dynamic scenes in our environment results from the evaluation of visual features such as the fundamental spatial and temporal frequency components of a moving object. The ratio between these two components represents the object's speed of motion. The human middle temporal cortex hMT+ has a crucial biological role in the direct encoding of object speed. However, the link between hMT+ speed encoding and the spatiotemporal frequency components of a moving object is still under explored. Here, we recorded high resolution 7T blood oxygen level-dependent BOLD responses to different visual motion stimuli as a function of their fundamental spatial and temporal frequency components. We fitted each hMT+ BOLD response with a 2D Gaussian model allowing for two different speed encoding mechanisms: (1) distinct and independent selectivity for the spatial and temporal frequencies of the visual motion stimuli; (2) pure tuning for the speed of motion. We show that both mechanisms occur but in different neuronal groups within hMT+, with the largest subregion of the complex showing separable tuning for the spatial and temporal frequency of the visual stimuli. Both mechanisms were highly reproducible within participants, reconciling single cell recordings from MT in animals that have showed both encoding mechanisms. Our findings confirm that a more complex process is involved in the perception of speed than initially thought and suggest that hMT+ plays a primary role in the evaluation of the spatial features of the moving visual input.

Comparative analysis of reciprocating and flat-side heat-treated rotary single-file systems: Design, metallurgical characteristics, and mechanical performance.

AIM: To compare two flat-side single-file rotary instruments with three single-file reciprocating systems through a multimethod assessment. METHODOLOGY: A total of 290 new NiTi single-file rotary (AF F One Blue 25/0.06 and Platinum V.EU 25/0.06) and reciprocating (One Files Blue R25, Reciproc Blue R25, Reciproc R25) instruments were selected, carefully examined for any major deformations, and evaluated regarding their macroscopic and microscopic design, nickel and titanium elements ratio, phase transformation temperatures, and mechanical performance (time/rotation to fracture, maximum torque, angle of rotation, microhardness, maximum bending, and buckling strengths). One-way anova post hoc Tukey, T-test, and nonparametric Mood's median tests were used for statistical comparisons (α = 5%). RESULTS: Tested instruments had identical blade counts and near-identical helical angles of approximately 24° (rotary instruments) and 151° (reciprocating instruments). The flat-side analysis revealed a few inconsistencies, such as discontinuity segments, different orientations, and gaps in the homogeneity of the bluish colour. Microscopically, flat-side instruments exhibited blade discontinuity and an incomplete S-shaped cross-section. The surface finish was smoother for One Files Blue and more irregular for both rotary instruments. There were distinct phase transformation temperatures amongst all instruments. All heat-treated instruments were in R-phase arrangement, and Reciproc was in R-phase plus austenite at test temperature (20°C). Compared with the reciprocating instruments, both flat-side instruments exhibited lower results in the cyclic fatigue tests using two different clockwise kinematics, maximum torque, angle of rotation, and maximum buckling strength (p < .05). The rotary systems also exhibited low flexibility (p < .05). AF F One Blue had the lowest microhardness, whilst Reciproc had the highest value. CONCLUSION: This multimethod investigation revealed that the flat-side rotary instruments underperformed the reciprocating instruments regarding cyclic fatigue (with two different clockwise kinematics), maximum torque, angle of rotation, maximum buckling strength, and flexibility. Manufacturing inconsistencies were also observed in some of the flat-side instruments, including discontinuity segments, different orientations, and in the homogeneity of their bluish colour given by the heat treatment.

Characterization of the file-specific heat-treated ProTaper Ultimate rotary system.

AIM: To compare design, metallurgy and mechanical performance of the ProTaper (PT) Ultimate system with instruments of similar dimensions from the ProGlider, PT Gold and PT Universal systems. METHODOLOGY: New PT Ultimate instruments (n = 248) were compared with instruments of similar dimensions from ProGlider (n = 31), PT Gold (n = 155) and PT Universal (n = 155) systems regarding their number of spirals, helical angle, blade symmetry, tip geometry, surface finishing, nickel/titanium ratio, phase transformation temperatures and mechanical performance. One-way anova and nonparametric Mood's median tests were used for statistical comparison (α = 5%). RESULTS: All instruments had symmetrical blades without radial lands or flat sides, similar surface finishing and an almost equiatomic nickel/titanium ratio, whilst the number of spirals, helical angles and the tip geometry were different. PT Ultimate instruments showed 3 distinct heat treatments that matched with the colour of their metal wire. Slider and ProGlider instruments had similar R-phase start (Rs) and R-phase finish (Rf) temperatures. SX, F1, F2, F3 and Shaper instruments showed equivalent heat treatments (Rs ~45.6°C and Rf ~28.3°C) that were similar to their PT Gold counterparts (Rs ~47.9°C and Rf ~28.2°C), but completely distinct to the PT Universal ones (Rs ~16.2°C and Rf ~-18.2°C). Amongst the PT Ultimate instruments, the lowest maximum torques were observed in the SX (0.44 N cm), Slider (0.45 N cm) and Shaper (0.60 N cm) instruments, whilst the highest was noted in the FXL (4.90 N cm). PT Ultimate Slider and ProGlider had similar torsional (~0.40 N cm) and bending loads (~145.0 gf) (p = 1.000), whilst the other PT Ultimate instruments showed statistically significantly lower maximum torque, higher angle of rotation and lower bending load (higher flexibility) than their counterparts of the PT Universal and PT Gold systems. CONCLUSIONS: The PT Ultimate system comprises instruments with 3 distinct heat treatments that showed similar phase transformation temperatures to their heat-treated analogues. PT Ultimate instruments presented lower torsional strength and superior flexibility than their counterparts, whilst maximum torque, angle of rotation and bending loads progressively increased with their sizes.

Characterization of four heat-treated reciprocating instruments: Design, metallurgy, mechanical performance, and irrigation flow patterns.

AIM: To compare the design, metallurgy, and mechanical properties of four heat-treated reciprocating instruments coupled with the evaluation of the irrigation flow using an in silico model. METHODOLOGY: New EdgeOne Fire Primary, Easy-File Flex Regular 25, WaveOne Gold Primary and Reciproc Blue R25 instruments (n = 124) were initially evaluated regarding their design through stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and 3D surface scanning. In addition, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was utilized to determine their elemental composition, and differential scanning calorimetry tests to evaluate their phase transformation temperatures. Their mechanical performance was further assessed through torsional and bending tests. Using scans obtained from a real tooth and the instruments, a computational fluid dynamics assessment was conducted to determine the irrigation flow pattern, apical pressure, and wall shear stress in simulated canal preparation. Mood's median and One-way anova post hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical comparisons (α = 5%). RESULTS: Reciproc Blue exhibited a superior number of blades (n = 8), whereas EdgeOne Fire had the highest overall volume (4.38 mm3 ) and surface area (32.32 mm2 ). At the 3-mm axial level, EdgeOne Fire displayed the lowest core diameter (0.13 mm), while Reciproc Blue had the highest (0.16 mm). All blades were symmetrical, and the tips of the instruments were non-active but differed from each other. The most irregular surfaces were observed in EdgeOne Fire and Easy-File Flex. All instruments were manufactured from nickel-titanium alloys and exhibited distinct phase transformation temperatures. WaveOne Gold and Reciproc Blue demonstrated the highest maximum torque values (1.87 and 1.62 N cm, respectively), while the lowest was observed on EdgeOne Fire (1.21 N cm) (p < .05). The most flexible (p < .05) were EdgeOne Fire (angle of rotation: 602.6°; maximum bending load: 251.4 g.f) and Reciproc Blue (533.2° and 235.6 g.f). There were no significant differences observed in the irrigation flow among the four domains generated by the tested instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Despite observing variations in the design, phase transformation temperatures, and in the torsional and bending test outcomes among the four heat-treated reciprocating instruments, no significant differences were found in the irrigation flow pattern among the different groups in the simulated root canal preparations.

To flat or not to flat? Exploring the impact of flat-side design on rotary instruments using a comprehensive multimethod investigation.

AIM: To assess the influence of a flat-side design on the geometry, metallurgy, mechanical performance and shaping ability of a novel nickel-titanium rotary instrument. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-five new 25-mm flat-side rotary instruments (size 25, taper 0.04) and their nonflat-side prototypes (n = 65) were assessed for major deformations and examined regarding macroscopic and microscopic design, determination of nickel and titanium elements ratio, measurement of phase transformation temperature and evaluation of mechanical performance parameters including time/cycles to fracture, maximum torque, angle of rotation, maximum bending and buckling strengths and cutting ability. Additionally, unprepared canal areas, volume of hard tissue debris and percentage reduction of dentine thickness were calculated for each tested instrument after preparing mesial canals of mandibular molars (n = 12), using micro-CT imaging. Statistical analyses were performed using the U-Mann-Whitney test and independent Student t-test (α = 5%). RESULTS: The number of spirals (n = 8) and blade direction (clockwise) were similar between both flat and nonflat instruments, whilst the helical angles were equivalent (⁓25°). Flat-instruments showed inconsistencies in the homogeneity of the gold colour on the flat-side surface, blade discontinuity, and incomplete and variable S-shaped cross-sections. The titanium-to-nickel ratios were equivalent, but significant differences in the R-phase finish and austenitic start phase transformation temperatures were observed between the flat and nonflat-side instruments. The flat-side instruments demonstrated superior cutting ability compared to the nonflat instruments, as well as, significantly lower values for time to fracture, rotation to fracture and maximum torque to fracture (p < .001). No statistical difference was observed between tested instruments regarding angle of rotation (p = .437), maximum bending (p = .152) and buckling load (p = .411). Preparation protocols using flat and nonflat instruments did not show any statistically significant differences (p > .05). All flat-side instruments exhibited deformation after shaping procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The flat-side instrument showcased enhanced cutting ability compared to its nonflat counterpart. However, it exhibited inferior performance in terms of time, rotation and maximum torque to fracture, along with distinct phase transformation temperatures. No differences were observed in the titanium-to-nickel ratios, angle of rotation, maximum bending, buckling load, preparation time, percentage of untouched canal walls, volume of hard tissue debris and percentage reduction of dentine thickness.

Multimethod analysis of three rotary instruments produced by electric discharge machining technology.

AIM: This study aimed to compare three rotary instruments produced by the EDM process with the heat-treated ProTaper Gold system regarding design, metallurgy, mechanical properties and shaping ability. METHODOLOGY: HyFlex EDM (25/~), Neoniti (25/.06), EDMax (25/.06) and ProTaper Gold (25/.08v) instruments (n = 58 per group) were compared regarding design, metallurgy and mechanical performance. Unprepared canal areas were calculated for each system after preparation of mesiobuccal, mesiolingual and distal canals of mandibular molars (15 canals per group) using micro-CT technology. Statistical analyses were performed using One-way anova post-hoc Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis post-hoc Dunn's tests (α = 5%). RESULTS: All instruments had asymmetrical blades, no radial lands, no major defects and almost equiatomic nickel/titanium ratios, but different cross-section designs, tip geometries and surface appearances. Although instruments had distinct transformation temperature curves, they showed crystallographic martensitic arrangement at 21°C and mixed austenite plus R-phase at body temperature. Neoniti and HyFlex EDM showed similar results in all mechanical tests (p > .05), while EDMax and ProTaper Gold had similar time to fracture (p = .841), maximum bending load (p = .729), and cutting ability (p = .985). ProTaper Gold showed the highest torque to failure (p < .001) and HyFlex EDM had the lowest buckling resistance (p < .001). Mean percentages of unprepared canal areas ranged from 20.4% to 25.7% in the mesial canals, and from 20.8% to 26.2% in the distal canal, with no statistical differences among systems (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Instruments' geometry and phase transformation temperatures influenced the results of the mechanical tests, but not their shaping ability.

Design, metallurgy, mechanical properties, and shaping ability of 3 heat-treated reciprocating systems: a multimethod investigation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare 3 reciprocating systems regarding design, metallurgy, mechanical properties, and shaping ability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Reciproc Blue R25, WaveOne Gold Primary, and REX 25 instruments (n=41 per group) were analyzed regarding design, metallurgy, and mechanical performance, while shaping ability (untouched canal walls, volume of removed dentin, and hard tissue debris) was tested in 36 anatomically matched root canals of mandibular molars. Results were compared using one-way ANOVA post hoc Tukey and Kruskal-Wallis tests with a significant level set at 5%. RESULTS: All instruments showed symmetrical cross sections with asymmetrical blades, no radial lands, no major defects, and an almost equiatomic nickel and titanium ratio. The highest R-phase start temperatures were observed with WaveOne Gold (46.1°C) and REX (44.8°C), while Reciproc Blue had the lowest R-phase start (34.5°C) and finish (20°C) temperatures. WaveOne Gold had the lowest time to fracture (169 s) and the highest maximum load (301.6 gf) (P <0.05). The maximum torque of Reciproc Blue (2.2 N.cm) and WaveOne Gold (2.1 N.cm) were similar (P >0.05), but lower than REX (2.6 N.cm) (P <0.05). No statistical differences were observed among instruments in the angle of rotation (P >0.05) and in the shaping ability in both mesial and distal canals (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the overall design, temperature transition phases and mechanical behavior parameters were different among tested instruments, they were similar in terms of shaping ability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All tested heat-treated NiTi reciprocating systems showed similar shaping ability, without clinically significant errors.

Slash and burn management and permanent or rotation agroforestry systems: A comparative study for C sequestration by century model simulation.

Understanding the effects of agroforestry systems (AFs) on soil organic carbon (SOC) requires long-term experiments, but scenarios simulations can anticipate the potential of these systems to sequester or lose carbon (C). This study aimed to simulate the SOC dynamics in slash and burn management (BURN) and AFs using the Century model. Data from a long-term experiment implemented in the Brazilian semiarid region were used to simulate SOC dynamics under BURN and AFs situations, and the natural vegetation (NV) "Caatinga" as a reference. BURN scenarios considered different fallow periods (0, 7, 15, 30, 50 and 100 years) among cultivation of the same area. The two types of AFs (agrosilvopastoral-AGP and silvopastoral-SILV) were simulated in two contrasting conditions: (i) each one of the AFs and also NV area were permanently conducted with no rotation among these areas; and (ii) the two AFs and NV rotated among them every 7 years. The correlation coefficients (r), coefficients of determination (CD) and coefficients of residual mass (CRM) showed adequate performance, meaning that the Century model is able to reproduce the SOC stocks in the slash and burn management and AFs situations. The equilibrium points of NV SOC stocks stabilized around 30.3 Mg ha-1, as similar to the measured average of 28.4 Mg ha-1 at field conditions. The adoption of BURN without a fallow period (0 years) resulted in a reduction of 50% of SOC, approximately 20 Mg ha-1, after the first 10 years. Permanent (p) and rotating (r) AFs management systems recovered (in 10 years) fast to the original SOC stocks, resulting in higher SOC stocks than NV SOC at equilibrium. The fallow period of 50 years is necessary to recovery SOC stocks in the Caatinga biome. The simulation shows that the AFs systems increase more SOC stocks than observed in natural vegetation in long-term.

Cancer risk-reducing surgery: Brazilian society of surgical oncology guideline part 1 (gynecology and breast).

BACKGROUND: Risk-reducing operations are an important part of the management of hereditary predisposition to cancer. In selected cases, they can considerably reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer in this population. OBJECTIVES: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) developed this guideline to establish national benchmarks for cancer risk-reducing operations. METHODS: The guideline was prepared from May to December 2021 by a multidisciplinary team of experts to discuss the surgical management of cancer predisposition syndromes. Fourteen questions were defined and assigned to expert groups that reviewed the literature and drafted preliminary recommendations. Following a review by the coordinators and a second review by all participants, the groups made final adjustments, classified the level of evidence, and voted on the recommendations. RESULTS: For all questions including risk-reduction bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, and mastectomy, major agreement was achieved by the participants, always using accessible alternatives. CONCLUSION: This and its accompanying article represent the first guideline in cancer risk reduction surgery developed by the BSSO, and it should serve as an important reference for the management of families with cancer predisposition.

Cancer risk-reducing surgery: Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology Guideline Part 2 (Gastrointestinal and thyroid).

BACKGROUND: Risk-reducing operations are an important part of the management of hereditary predisposition to cancer. In selected cases, they can considerably reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer in this population. OBJECTIVES: The Brazilian Society of Surgical Oncology (BSSO) developed this guideline to establish national benchmarks for cancer risk-reducing operations. METHODS: The guideline was prepared from May to December 2021 by a multidisciplinary team of experts to discuss the surgical management of cancer predisposition syndromes. Eleven questions were defined and assigned to expert groups that reviewed the literature and drafted preliminary recommendations. Following a review by the coordinators and a second review by all participants, the groups made final adjustments, classified the level of evidence, and voted on the recommendations. RESULTS: For all questions including risk-reducing colectomy, gastrectomy, and thyroidectomy, a major agreement was achieved by the participants, always using accessible alternatives. CONCLUSION: This and its accompanying article represent the first guideline in cancer risk reduction surgery developed by the BSSO and it should serve as an important reference for the management of families with cancer predisposition.

Comparison of five rotary systems regarding design, metallurgy, mechanical performance, and canal preparation-a multimethod research.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the design, metallurgy, mechanical performance, and canal preparation of 5 rotary systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 735 25-mm NiTi instruments (sizes 0.17[0.18]/.02v, 0.20/.04v, 0.20/.07v, 0.25/.08v, 0.30/.09v) from ProTaper Gold, ProTaper Universal, Premium Taper Gold, Go-Taper Flex, and U-File systems were compared regarding overall geometry and surface finishing (stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy), nickel and titanium ratio (energy-dispersive spectroscopy), phase transformation temperatures (differential scanning calorimetry), mechanical performance (torsional and bending tests), and unprepared canal surface (micro-CT). One-way ANOVA and Mood's median tests were used for statistical comparisons with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: Stereomicroscopic analysis showed more spirals and high helical angles in the Premium Taper Gold system. All sets of instruments had symmetrical spirals, no radial lands, no major defects, and an almost equiatomic ratio between nickel and titanium elements, while differences were observed in their tips' geometry and surface finishing. At room temperature (20 °C), DSC test revealed martensitic characteristics for ProTaper Gold and Go-Taper Flex, and mixed austenite plus R-phase for the Premium Taper Gold, while ProTaper Universal and U-Files had full austenitic characteristics. Overall, larger instruments had higher torque resistance and bending load values than smaller ones, while a lack of consistency and mixed values were observed in the angle of rotation. The 0.25/.08v and 0.30/.09v instruments of ProTaper Universal and U-File had the highest maximum torques, the lowest angles of rotation, and the highest bending loads than other tested systems (P < .05). No significant difference was noted regarding the untouched root canal walls after preparation with the tested systems (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although differences observed in the overall geometry and phase transformation temperatures have influenced the results of mechanical tests, unprepared canal surface areas were equivalent among systems. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Root canal preparation systems with similar geometries might present different mechanical behaviors but equivalent shaping ability.

Provision of Preexposure Prophylaxis at the Portuguese National Health Service and Uptake in the Lisbon Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men.

We aimed to study the uptake of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and after its implementation in the Portuguese National Health Service (PNHS) among men who have sex with men (MSM). We studied 6164 participants in the Lisbon Cohort of MSM who participated between March 2014 and July 2019. 198 participants (3.2%) reported having recently used PrEP. Approximately one-third started PrEP after its implementation. PrEP uptake increased from 0.15% in 2014 to 5.36% in 2019. In their first use, 86 participants (70.5%) used it daily. How PrEP was obtained varied according to the timing of the first use: prescribed by a physician in Portugal (11.1% before vs 68.8% after implementation) and online (40.7% before vs 14.1% after). We observed an increase in the uptake and in the prescription by a physician, particularly after its implementation in the PNHS representing a change to a more equitable and safer way of using PrEP.

RESUMEN: Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar el uso de profilaxis pre exposición (PrEP) en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), antes y después de su implementación en el Servicio Nacional de Salud de Portugal (PNHS). Estudiamos 6164 participantes de la Cohorte de HSH de Lisboa evaluados entre marzo de 2014 y julio de 2019. De los participantes, 198 (3,2%) indicaron haber utilizado PrEP recientemente. Aproximadamente un tercio comenzó con PrEP después de su implementación en el PNHS. El uso de PrEP aumentó del 0,15% en 2014 al 5,36% en 2019. En su primer uso, 86 participantes (70,5%) la usaron a diario. La forma en que se obtuvo la PrEP varió según el momento del primer uso: prescrito por un médico en Portugal (11,1% antes vs. 68,8% después de la implementación) y online (40,7% antes vs. 14,1% después). Observamos un aumento en el uso y en prescripción médica, particularmente después de su implementación en el PNHS, lo que representa un cambio hacia una forma más equitativa y segura de usar la PrEP.

Colonization versus encapsulation in cell-laden materials design: porosity and process biocompatibility determine cellularization pathways.

Seeding materials with living cells has been-and still is-one of the most promising approaches to reproduce the complexity and the functionality of living matter. The strategies to associate living cells with materials are limited to cell encapsulation and colonization, however, the requirements for these two approaches have been seldom discussed systematically. Here we propose a simple two-dimensional map based on materials' pore size and the cytocompatibility of their fabrication process to draw, for the first time, a guide to building cellularized materials. We believe this approach may serve as a straightforward guideline to design new, more relevant materials, able to seize the complexity and the function of biological materials. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 1)'.

Effect of concentrate supplement to ewes on nutritive value of ingested Caatinga native forage nutritive value as affected by season.

The objective of this study was to identify by microhistological technique the reference chemical components for use as indicators of the nutritive value of Caatinga plants forage grazed by sheep throughout the year. A flock of twenty mixed-race meat ewes, multiparous, in production, with an average 34.84 ± 1.75 kg live weight and 36 months of age was assigned to supplement treatment of 0, 200, 350, and 500 g concentrate/head/day for 3 years. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete design with repeated measures over time. Supplementation with concentrate did not influence chemical composition of selected forage. In contrast, season heavily influenced diet chemical composition. Canopy stratum, season, and plant botanical family of selected species affected forage chemical composition selected by ewes. The ewes selected forage with greater nutritive value during the rainy season. Based on principal component analysis of the nutritive value of the primary forage species selected, ewes preferentially grazed plants contained greater neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein (CP), C fraction of nitrogenous compounds, and carbohydrate fractions A + B1 and C compared to the average native Caatinga herbage. Rangeland botanical composition and ewe diet varied during the year, affecting forage nutrients on offer, with the best diet selected during the rainy season because of the presence of dicotyledonous herbaceous species rich in CP as well as soluble carbohydrates and nitrogenous compounds. Concentrate supplement strategies for ewes on rangelands, such as Caatinga, should be determined by herbaceous species nutritive value during the rainy season and deep-rooted perennial dicotyledons during the dry season. These include the need to monitor ewe selection of forage species and their nutritive value, which is effectively accomplished with fecal microhistological techniques.

Self-Assembled Collagen Microparticles by Aerosol as a Versatile Platform for Injectable Anisotropic Materials.

Extracellular matrices (ECM) rich in type I collagen exhibit characteristic anisotropic ultrastructures. Nevertheless, working in vitro with this biomacromolecule remains challenging. When processed, denaturation of the collagen molecule is easily induced in vitro avoiding proper fibril self-assembly and further hierarchical order. Here, an innovative approach enables the production of highly concentrated injectable collagen microparticles, based on collagen molecules self-assembly, thanks to the use of spray-drying process. The versatility of the process is shown by performing encapsulation of secretion products of gingival mesenchymal stem cells (gMSCs), which are chosen as a bioactive therapeutic product for their potential efficiency in stimulating the regeneration of a damaged ECM. The injection of collagen microparticles in a cell culture medium results in a locally organized fibrillar matrix. The efficiency of this approach for making easily handleable collagen microparticles for encapsulation and injection opens perspectives in active tissue regeneration and 3D bioprinted scaffolds.

Parallel evolution of arborescent carrots (Daucus) in Macaronesia.

PREMISE: Despite intensive research, the pathways and driving forces behind the evolution of derived woodiness on oceanic islands remain obscure. The genus Daucus comprises mostly herbs (therophytes, hemicryptophytes) with few rosette treelets (chamaephytes) endemic to various Macaronesian archipelagos, suggesting their independent evolution. To elucidate the evolutionary pathways to derived woodiness, we examined phylogenetic relationships and the habit and secondary xylem evolution in Daucus and related taxa. METHODS: Sixty taxa were surveyed for molecular markers, life history, and habit traits. Twenty-one species were considered for wood anatomical characters. A dated phylogeny was estimated using Bayesian methods. The evolution of selected traits was reconstructed using parsimony and maximum likelihood. RESULTS: Daucus dispersed independently to the Canary Islands (and subsequently to Madeira), Cape Verde, and the Azores in the late Miocene and Pleistocene. Life span, reproductive strategy, and life form were highly homoplastic; the ancestor of Daucus was probably a monocarpic, biennial hemicryptophyte. Rosette treelets evolved independently in the Canarian-Madeiran lineage and in Cape Verde, the latter within the last 0.13 Myr. Treelets and hemicryptophytes did not differ in wood anatomy. Pervasive axial parenchyma in wood occurred more often in polycarpic rather than monocarpic species. CONCLUSIONS: Life span and life form in Daucus are evolutionarily labile and may change independently of wood anatomy, which is related to plant reproductive strategy rather than to life form. Insular woodiness may evolve rapidly (as demonstrated in D. bischoffii), and in Daucus, it does not seem to be an adaptation to lower the risk of xylem embolism.