Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in lead translocation from Bidens pilosa L. plants to soil.

Bidens pilosa frequently forms a symbiotic association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This plant species can grow in Pb-polluted soils, accumulating Pb in its tissues. The aims of the study were to determine whether Pb accumulated in the tissues of B. pilosa can be transferred to the soil through AMF and to compare the role of AMF communities that have a history of exposure to the contaminant with those that have never been exposed. The experiment combined plants with and without Pb accumulated in their tissues, and inoculated with AMF collected from the rhizosphere of B. pilosa in soils contaminated and not contaminated with Pb. The results showed that AMF participate in the removal of Pb that had entered the plant and release it into the soil, as evidenced by the presence of Pb in the AMF spores and in the glomalin produced by AMF. We propose that Pb accumulation in AMF spores would be a protection mechanism that interrupts Pb uptake by the plant; however, that mechanism would not be fully exploited in detoxification, whereas the production of Pb-enriched glomalin could be an important detoxification mechanism to eliminate Pb already taken up by plants. AMF with a history of Pb exposure achieved only higher rates of root colonization, while AMF without previous exposure showed higher Pb concentration in the spores and higher glomalin production, and successfully removed Pb from both the roots and aboveground parts of the plant. The use of AMF communities not adapted to Pb may be a more effective option for microbe-mediated phytoremediation methods in which detoxification mechanisms are desirable.

Effect of metabolic control on recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in patients with premature coronary artery disease: Results of the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death around the world, and its rate of presentation is increasing at young ages. Despite the evidence that secondary prevention in CAD reduces the risk of recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), no studies have analyzed the composite control of blood pressure, lipids, and glucose control in premature CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a real-world prospective cohort study of patients with premature CAD. The composite control in blood pressure <140/80 mmHg, LDL-C <70 mg/dL, non-HDL-C <100 mg/dL, and Hemoglobin A1c <8% was considered as metabolic control. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of non-fatal and fatal MACE. The data included 1042 patients with premature CAD. The mean age of the patients was 54.1 ± 8.1 years, 18.5% were women, and had a median follow-up of 59.1 ± 11.8 months. Of them, 7% had non-fatal MACE, and 4% had a fatal MACE. Overall, 21.3% achieved metabolic control, and 3.0% did not achieve any target. Cox regression analysis showed that percutaneous coronary intervention (Hazzard ratio = 1.883 [95% CI, 1.131-3.136]), C-reactive protein (1.046 [1.020-1.073]), blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (2.686 [1.506-4.791]), fibrates (2.032 [1.160-3.562]), calcium channel blockers (2.082 [1.158-3.744]) had greater risk to present a recurrent non-fatal MACE; whereas familial history of premature CAD (2.419 [1.240-4.721]), heart failure (2.139 [1.032-4.433]), LDL-C >70 mg/dL (4.594 [1.401-15.069]), and diuretics (3.328 [1.677-6.605]) were associated with cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The composite goal achievement in lipids, blood pressure and glucose, reduced the risk for recurrent MACE in 80%.

Plasma levels of efavirenz and frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism in people living with HIV-1 in Mexico.

Efavirenz (EFV) is a widely used antiretroviral, due to its safety, efficacy, and low cost. However, plasma concentrations have been related with an increased risk of virological failure and the appearance of serious adverse reactions. EFV is metabolized by Cytochrome P450, the main isoenzyme involved is CYP2B6 and the most relevant genetic polymorphisms found in several populations has been the CYP2B6 516G> T. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism and its effect on the plasma concentration of efavirenz (EFV) in a group of people living with HIV (PLWH) and undergoing EFV treatment in Morelos, Mexico. Ninety-six PLWH undergoing EFV treatment, at a daily dose of 600 mg orally in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs), were included in this study. The CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was detected using PCR-RFLP. The plasma concentrations of EFV were evaluated by high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled to a mass-mass detector, using a protein precipitation method. The median plasma EFV concentration was 4.6 µg/mL (IQR = 4.64) and 64.6% of the subjects had concentrations above the therapeutic range. The CYP2B6 516G>T genotype findings were as follows: 46.9% of the population presented the wild-type genotype (GG), while 45.8 % and 7.3 % showed the heterozygote (GT) and the polymorphic homozygote (TT) genotype, respectively. The homozygote G had the lowest plasma concentrations of EFV (median = 4.1 µg/mL and IQR = 1.7 µg/mL), followed by those with the GT genotype (median = 5.1 µg/mL and IQR = 3.0 µg/mL). Participants with the homozygous T genotype had the highest EFV concentrations (median = 9.7 µg/mL and IQR = 5.8 µg/mL). In conclusion, the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was associated with plasma levels of EFV in PLWH undergoing ARV treatment. EFV plasma concentrations at 600mg doses were outside the therapeutic range in most subjects.

You took the words right out of my mouth: Dual-fMRI reveals intra- and inter-personal neural processes supporting verbal interaction.

Verbal communication relies heavily upon mutual understanding, or common ground. Inferring the intentional states of our interaction partners is crucial in achieving this, and social neuroscience has begun elucidating the intra- and inter-personal neural processes supporting such inferences. Typically, however, neuroscientific paradigms lack the reciprocal to-and-fro characteristic of social communication, offering little insight into the way these processes operate online during real-world interaction. In the present study, we overcame this by developing a "hyperscanning" paradigm in which pairs of interactants could communicate verbally with one another in a joint-action task whilst both undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging simultaneously. Successful performance on this task required both interlocutors to predict their partner's upcoming utterance in order to converge on the same word as each other over recursive exchanges, based only on one another's prior verbal expressions. By applying various levels of analysis to behavioural and neuroimaging data acquired from 20 dyads, three principal findings emerged: First, interlocutors converged frequently within the same semantic space, suggesting that mutual understanding had been established. Second, assessing the brain responses of each interlocutor as they planned their upcoming utterances on the basis of their co-player's previous word revealed the engagement of the temporo-parietal junctional (TPJ), precuneus and dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex. Moreover, responses in the precuneus were modulated positively by the degree of semantic convergence achieved on each round. Second, effective connectivity among these regions indicates the crucial role of the right TPJ in this process, consistent with the Nexus model. Third, neural signals within certain nodes of this network became aligned between interacting interlocutors. We suggest this reflects an interpersonal neural process through which interactants infer and align to one another's intentional states whilst they establish a common ground.

New prognosis score including absolute lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, red blood cell distribution width and beta-2 microglobulin in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP: Spanish Lymphoma Group Experience (GELTAMO).

The International Prognostic Index (IPI) is the most widely used score for non-Hodgkin lymphoma but lacks the ability to identify a high-risk population in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Low absolute lymphocyte count and high monocytes have proved to be unfavourable factors. Red-cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with inflammation and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) with tumour load. The retrospective study included 992 patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. In the multivariate analysis, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), stage, bulky mass, B2M, RDW, and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) were independently related to progression-free survival (PFS). A new prognosis score was generated with these variables including age categorized into three groups (0, 1, 2 points); ECOG ≥ 3-4 with two; stage III/IV, bulky mass, high B2M, LMR < 2·25 and RDW > 0·96 with one each; for a maximum of 9. This score could improve the discrimination of a very high-risk subgroup with five-year PFS and overall survival (OS) of 19% and 24% versus 45% and 59% of R (revised)-IPI respectively. This score also showed greater predictive ability than IPI. A new score is presented including complete blood cell count variables and B2M, which are readily available in real-life practice without additional tests. Compared to R-IPI, it shows a more precise high-risk assessment and risk discrimination for both PFS and OS.

You ≠ me: individual differences in the structure of social cognition.

This study investigated the structure of social cognition, and how it is influenced by personality; specifically, how various socio-cognitive capabilities, and the pattern of inter-relationships and co-dependencies among them differ between divergent personality styles. To measure social cognition, a large non-clinical sample (n = 290) undertook an extensive battery of self-report and performance-based measures of visual perspective taking, imitative tendencies, affective empathy, interoceptive accuracy, emotion regulation, and state affectivity. These same individuals then completed the Personality Styles and Disorders Inventory. Latent Profile Analysis revealed two dissociable personality profiles that exhibited contrasting cognitive and affective dispositions, and multivariate analyses indicated further that these profiles differed on measures of social cognition; individuals characterised by a flexible and adaptive personality profile expressed higher action orientation (emotion regulation) compared to those showing more inflexible tendencies, along with better visual perspective taking, superior interoceptive accuracy, less imitative tendencies, and lower personal distress and negativity. These characteristics point towards more efficient self-other distinction, and to higher cognitive control more generally. Moreover, low-level cognitive mechanisms served to mediate other higher level socio-emotional capabilities. Together, these findings elucidate the cognitive and affective underpinnings of individual differences in social behaviour, providing a data-driven model that should guide future research in this area.

Brentuximab vedotin and ESHAP is highly effective as second-line therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma patients (long-term results of a trial by the Spanish GELTAMO Group).

BACKGROUND: In this work, we assessed the efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin (BV) plus ESHAP (BRESHAP) as second-line therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (RRHL) to improve the results before autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, open-label, phase I-II trial of patients with RRHL after first-line chemotherapy. Treatment had three 21-day cycles of etoposide, solumedrol, high-dose AraC, and cisplatin. BV was administered at three dose levels (0.9, 1.2, and 1.8 mg/kg) intravenous on day ‒1 to 3 + 3 cohorts of patients. Final BV dose was 1.8 mg/kg. Responding patients proceeded to ASCT, followed by three BV courses (1.8 mg/kg, every 21 days). Main end points for evaluation were maximum tolerable dose and overall and complete response (CR) before ASCT. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were recruited (median age 36 years; range 18-66): 40 were primary refractory, 16 early relapse and 10 late relapse. There were 39 severe adverse events were reported in 22 patients, most frequently fever (n = 25, 35% neutropenic), including 3 deaths. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity presented in 28 cases: neutropenia (n = 21), thrombocytopenia (n = 14), and anemia (n = 7). Grade ≥3-4 extrahematological adverse events (≥5%) were non-neutropenic fever (n = 13) and hypomagnesaemia (n = 3). Sixty-four patients underwent stem-cell mobilization; all collected >2×10e6/kg CD34+ cells (median 5.75; range 2.12-33.4). Overall response before transplant was 91% (CI 84% to 98%), including 70% (CRs 95% CI 59% to 81%). 60 patients were transplanted with no failure engraftments. Post-transplant response was CR in 49 patients (82% CI 73% to 91%) and partial responses in six (10% CI 5% to 15%). After a mean follow-up of 27 months, the 30-month time to treatment to failure was 74% (95% CI 68% to 80%), progression-free survival 71% (95% CI 65% to 77%), and overall survival 91% (CI 84% to 98%). CONCLUSION: BRESHAP looks a safe and effective pre-transplant induction regimen, does not jeopardize transplant and allows long-term remissions and survival.

The BeWo cell line derived from a human placental choriocarcinoma is permissive for respiratory syncytial virus infection.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main pathogen associated with upper respiratory tract infections during early childhood. Vertical transmission of this virus has been suggested in humans, based on observations recorded during animal studies that revealed an association of RSV with persistent structural and functional changes in the developing lungs of the offspring. However, human placentas have not yet been evaluated for susceptibility to RSV infection. In this study, we examined the capacity of RSV to infect a human trophoblast model, the BeWo cell line. Our results suggest that BeWo cells are susceptible to RSV infection since they allow RNA viral replication, viral protein translation, leading to the production of infectious RSV particles. In this report, we demonstrate that a human placenta model system, consisting of BeWo cells, is permissive to RSV infection. Thus, the BeWo cell line may represent a useful model for studies that aim to characterize the events of a possible RSV infection at the human maternal-fetal interface.

Soil lead pollution modifies the structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities.

The impact of lead (Pb) pollution on native communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was assessed in soil samples from the surroundings of an abandoned Pb smelting factory. To consider the influence of host identity, bulk soil surrounding plant roots soil samples of predominant plant species (Sorghum halepense, Bidens pilosa, and Tagetes minuta) growing in Pb-polluted soils and in an uncontaminated site were selected. Molecular diversity was assessed by sequencing the 18S rDNA region with primers specific to AMF (AMV4.5NF/AMDGR) using Illumina MiSeq. A total of 115 virtual taxa (VT) of AMF were identified in this survey. Plant species did not affect AMF diversity patterns. However, soil Pb content was negatively correlated with VT richness per sample. Paraglomeraceae and Glomeraceae were the predominant families while Acaulosporaceae, Ambisporaceae, Archaeosporaceae, Claroideoglomeraceae, Diversisporaceae, and Gigasporaceae were less abundant. Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae were negatively affected by soil Pb, but Paraglomeraceae relative abundance increased under increasing soil Pb content. Overall, 26 indicator taxa were identified; four of them were previously reported in Pb-polluted soils (VT060; VT222; VT004; VT380); and five corresponded to cultured spores of Scutellospora castaneae (VT041), Diversispora spp. and Tricispora nevadensis (VT060), Diversispora epigaea (VT061), Glomus proliferum (VT099), and Gl. indicum (VT222). Even though AMF were present in Pb-polluted soils, community structure was strongly altered via the differential responses of taxonomic groups of AMF to Pb pollution. These taxon-specific differences in tolerance to soil Pb content should be considered for future phytoremediation strategies based on the selection and utilization of native Glomeromycota.

[Hospital mortality and long-term survival of 103 patients with infective endocarditis requiring surgery]. / Sobrevida a 10 años de pacientes egresados luego de cirugía por endocarditis infecciosa en un hospital público.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious disease with high mortality, especially among the most severe cases undergoing surgery. Aim To analyze the clinical features, perioperative mortality and long-term survival of patients with infective endocarditis requiring surgery. Material and Methods Review of medical records of patients who underwent heart valve surgery for active infective endocarditis in a public hospital between 1995 and 2008. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were described. Perioperative and 10 year survival were analyzed retrieving death certificates from the Chilean Identification Service. Results Data from 103 patients aged 46 ± 14 years (74% males) was analyzed. Thirty five percent of patients had an underlying predisposing heart condition such as congenital heart disease in 18.5% and prosthetic valves in 10%. The most common location was the aortic valve and the most common surgical procedure was heart valve replacement with a mechanical prosthetic valve in 87% of the cases. Pathogen identification in blood cultures was achieved in 48% of the cases. The most common causative microorganisms were S. aureus in 12%, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 11%, S. viridans in 10% and Enterococcus in 7%. Hospital mortality was 20.4% and ten-year survival was 65%. Conclusions Patients with severe IE requiring surgical treatment still have high perioperative and late mortality.

Review: Somatic mutations in neurodegeneration.

Somatic mutations are postzygotic mutations which may lead to mosaicism, the presence of cells with genetic differences in an organism. Their role in cancer is well established, but detailed investigation in health and other diseases has only been recently possible. This has been empowered by the improvements of sequencing techniques, including single-cell sequencing, which can still be error-prone but is rapidly improving. Mosaicism appears relatively common in the human body, including the normal brain, probably arising in early development, but also potentially during ageing. In this review, we first discuss theoretical considerations and current evidence relevant to somatic mutations in the brain. We present a framework to explain how they may be integrated with current views on neurodegeneration, focusing mainly on sporadic late-onset neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). We review the relevant studies so far, with the first evidence emerging in Alzheimer's in particular. We also discuss the role of mosaicism in inherited neurodegenerative disorders, particularly somatic instability of tandem repeats. We summarize existing views and data to present a model whereby the time of origin and spatial distribution of relevant somatic mutations, combined with any additional risk factors, may partly determine the development and onset age of sporadic neurodegenerative diseases.

Comorbidities, not age, are predictive of survival after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients older than 50 years.

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is the standard of care for young patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). However, there is limited experience of its efficacy and feasibility in older patients. The characteristics and outcomes of 121 patients aged ≥50 years (42 of them are ≥60 years old) with R/R HL who underwent AHCT were reviewed. After a median follow-up of 3.1 years, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 5 years were 64 and 55 %, respectively, with no differences between 50-59-year-old and ≥60-year-old patients. Hematological and extra-hematological toxicities after AHCT were comparable between the two groups of age. In univariate analysis, poorer OS and PFS were associated with disease status other than complete remission, hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) scores >1, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores >1. HCT-CI scores >1 were also associated with a higher risk of grade 3-4 extrahematologic toxicity. In multivariate analysis, HCT-CI and CCI remained significantly associated with OS and PFS after adjustment for disease status. Our data show that AHCT can be performed in selected patients with R/R HL ≥50 years with acceptable outcome and toxicity. Comorbidities appear to impact AHCT outcome more than age.

Comparison of two surrogate estimates of insulin resistance to predict cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Insulin resistance is associated with a cluster of abnormalities that increase cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several indices have been proposed to identify individuals who are insulin resistant, and thereby at increased CVD risk. The aim of this study was to compare the abilities of 3 indices to accomplish that goal: 1) plasma triglyceride × glucose index (TG × G); 2) plasma triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C); and 3) Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). METHODS AND RESULTS: In a population sample of 723 individuals (486 women and 237 men, 50 ± 16 and 51 ± 16 years old, respectively), baseline demographic and metabolic variables known to increase CVD risk and incident CVD were compared among individuals defined as high vs. low risk by: TG × G; TG/HDL-C; or MetS. CVD risk profiles appeared comparable in high risk subjects, irrespective of criteria. Crude incidence of CVD events was increased in high risk subjects: 12.2 vs. 5.3% subjects/10 years, p = 0.005 defined by TG/HDL-C; 13.4 vs. 5.3% subjects/10 years, p = 0.002 defined by TG × G; and 13.4% vs. 4.5% of subjects/10 years, p < 0.001 in subjects with the MetS. The area under the ROC curves to predict CVD were similar, 0.66 vs. 0.67 for TG/HDL-C and TG × G, respectively. However, when adjusted by age, sex and multiple covariates, hazard ratios for incident CVD were significantly increased in high risk patients classified by either TG/HDL-C ratio (2.18, p = 0.021) or MetS (1.93, p = 0.037), but not by TG × G index (1.72, p = 0.087). CONCLUSION: Although the 3 indices identify CVD risk comparably, the TG × G index seems somewhat less effective at predicting CVD.

[Assessment of a Chilean Spanish version of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care Questionnaire]. / Adaptación y validación de la versión chilena del cuestionario "Evaluación de la Atención de Enfermedades Crónicas para pacientes".

BACKGROUND: The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) questionnaire is a widely used instrument to assess chronic disease care from a patient's perspective. AIM: To adapt the PACIC questionnaire to Chilean Spanish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional design with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The PACIC questionnaire was applied, throughout an external client, to 200 users who received health care at the cardiovascular program in a Family Health Center in Concepción, Chile. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis did not show a good adjustment with the proposed structure in the original instrument. An exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors explaining 58% of total data variability. The distribution of the factor-items of the original questionnaire underwent some modifications, which are explained when analyzing the theoretical construct. A good reliability of the global scale was obtained (Cronbach's α 0.886). CONCLUSIONS: The PACIC questionnaire, Chilean version does not replicate the proposed structure of the original questionnaire. Therefore, further research about its validity, incorporating a higher number or diversity of participants is recommended.

Estimation of the base temperature and growth phase duration in terms of thermal time for four grapevine cultivars.

Thermal time models have been used to predict the development of many different species, including grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). These models normally assume that there is a linear relationship between temperature and plant development. The goal of this study was to estimate the base temperature and duration in terms of thermal time for predicting veraison for four grapevine cultivars. Historical phenological data for four cultivars that were collected in the Pacific Northwest were used to develop the thermal time model. Base temperatures (T b) of 0 and 10 °C and the best estimated T b using three different methods were evaluated for predicting veraison in grapevine. Thermal time requirements for each individual cultivar were evaluated through analysis of variance, and means were compared using the Fisher's test. The methods that were applied to estimate T b for the development of wine grapes included the least standard deviation in heat units, the regression coefficient, and the development rate method. The estimated T b varied among methods and cultivars. The development rate method provided the lowest T b values for all cultivars. For the three methods, Chardonnay had the lowest T b ranging from 8.7 to 10.7 °C, while the highest T b values were obtained for Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon with 11.8 and 12.8 °C, respectively. Thermal time also differed among cultivars, when either the fixed or estimated T b was used. Predictions of the beginning of ripening with the estimated temperature resulted in the lowest variation in real days when compared with predictions using T b = 0 or 10 °C, regardless of the method that was used to estimate the T b.

EspC promotes epithelial cell detachment by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli via sequential cleavages of a cytoskeletal protein and then focal adhesion proteins.

EspC is a non-locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded autotransporter produced by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) that is secreted to the extracellular milieu by a type V secretion system and then translocated into epithelial cells by the type III secretion system. Here, we show that this efficient EspC delivery into the cell leads to a cytopathic effect characterized by cell rounding and cell detachment. Thus, EspC is the main protein involved in epithelial cell cytotoxicity detected during EPEC adhesion and pedestal formation assays. The cell detachment phenotype is triggered by cytoskeletal and focal adhesion disruption. EspC-producing EPEC is able to cleave fodrin, paxillin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), but these effects are not observed when cells are infected with an espC isogenic mutant. Recovery of these phenotypes by complementing the mutant with the espC gene but not with the espC gene mutated in the serine protease motif highlights the role of the protease activity of EspC in the cell detachment phenotype. In vitro assays using purified proteins showed that EspC, but not EspC with an S256I substitution [EspCS256I], directly cleaves these cytoskeletal and focal adhesion proteins. Kinetics of protein degradation indicated that EspC-producing EPEC first cleaves fodrin (within the 11th and 9th repetitive units at the Q1219 and D938 residues, respectively), and this event sequentially triggers paxillin degradation, FAK dephosphorylation, and FAK degradation. Thus, cytoskeletal and focal adhesion protein cleavage leads to the cell rounding and cell detachment promoted by EspC-producing EPEC.

Biannual fluoride varnish applications and caries incidence in preschoolers: a 24-month follow-up randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Sound evidence on the effectiveness of fluoride varnishes (FV) to reduce caries incidence in preschool children is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the application of FV in preschool children at 6-month intervals decreases the incidence of caries and produces any adverse effects. METHODS: A randomized, examiner- and patient-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, clinical trial, comprising 1- to 4-year-old children, 100 in each group (FV or placebo varnish, PV), was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two trained pediatric dentists performed the clinical examinations (kappa = 0.85). Dental caries was recorded at the d2 (cavitated enamel) and d3 (dentine) levels using the International Caries Diagnosis and Assessment System. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 2.4 years (SD 0.9) and the mean d3mfs was 0.8 (SD 1.9). Most of the children brushed their teeth with fluoride toothpaste and consumed fluoridated tap water. After 24 months, 89 and 92 children of the test and the control groups were analyzed, respectively. A total of 32 (35.9%) children in the FV group and 43 (46.7%) in the PV group presented new dentine caries lesions (χ(2) test; p = 0.14), showing relative and absolute risk reductions of 23% (95% CI: -9.5 to 45.9) and 11% (95% CI: -3.5 to 25.0). The mean caries increment differences between the test and control groups were -0.8 (95% CI: -2.0 to 0.4) at the d2 level and -0.7 (95% CI: -1.9 to 0.4) at the d3 level. Only 2 minor complaints regarding the intervention were reported. CONCLUSION: Although safe and well accepted, twice-yearly professional FV application, during 2 years, did not result in a significant decrease in caries incidence.

The configuration of the screws in the osteosynthesis of fractures of the femoral neck does not influence the functional or mechanical outcomes. / La configuración de los tornillos en la osteosíntesis de las fracturas del cuello femoral no influye en los resultados funcionales ni mecánicos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Synthesis with cannulated screws is one of the accepted methods in femoral neck fractures, although its optimal configuration is a subject in continuous debate. The main objective was to compare the results of the patient with a femoral neck fracture fixed with three screws in triangle and inverted triangle configuration in the frontal plane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and comparative study of 53 patients with femoral neck fracture, operated between 2015 and 2022 with fixation with three cannulated screws, 22 with a triangle configuration (triangle group) and 31 in an inverted triangle (inverted triangle group). Functionality was evaluated using the modified Merlé d'Aubigné scale, walking ability using the Koval scale, as well as postoperative complications. RESULTS: On the Merlé d'Aubigné scale, the mean score was 16.7 in the triangle group and 16.1 in the inverted triangle group (P=.259). On the Koval scale, a significant decrease was observed, going from 1.6 preoperative mean to 2.2 after surgery (P=.000), finding no differences between groups. There were six postoperative complications in the triangle group and three in the inverted triangle group (P=.140). CONCLUSION: The configuration of the screws in the femoral neck, both in the form of a triangle and an inverted triangle, did not influence the functional or mechanical outcomes of the patients with a femoral neck fracture fixed with three cannulated screws.