Speaking and listening to inter-brain relationships.

Studies of inter-brain relationships thrive, and yet many reservations regarding their scope and interpretation of these phenomena have been raised by the scientific community. It is thus essential to establish common ground on methodological and conceptual definitions related to this topic and to open debate about any remaining points of uncertainty. We here offer insights to improve the conceptual clarity and empirical standards offered by social neuroscience studies of inter-personal interaction using hyperscanning with a particular focus on verbal communication.

Management of teeth with dens invaginatus and apical periodontitis: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Dens invaginatus is a dental anomaly that can predispose the tooth to pulp and periapical pathology. CASE DESCRIPTION: Different endodontists treated 6 maxillary incisors with dens invaginatus associated with apical periodontitis. Cone-beam computed tomography was used to help with diagnosis and treatment planning in most patients. Four patients received diagnoses of Oehlers type II dens invaginatus and the other 2 as type III. In some patients with type II, the invagination had to be perforated to permit access to the apical part of the true root canal. Both the true canal and the invagination (pseudocanal) were treated in all cases using an antimicrobial regimen based on chemomechanical preparation with sodium hypochlorite irrigation and supplementary disinfection approaches. Calcium hydroxide medication was used in all but 1 case. The root canal and invagination were often filled using thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques, sometimes using an apical plug with a bioceramic material in teeth with large apical openings. All treated patients had favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Regardless of the complex anatomic variations, common strategic therapeutic approaches were identified that might serve as recommendations for proper management of teeth with dens invaginatus and apical periodontitis. These approaches include cone-beam computed tomographic planning, aggressive disinfection using sodium hypochlorite ultrasonic or sonic activation and calcium hydroxide intracanal medication, and thermoplasticized gutta-percha obturation of both the root canal and invagination.

A role for nutritional intervention in addressing the aging neuromuscular junction.

The purpose of this review is to discuss the structural and physiological changes that underlie age-related neuromuscular dysfunction and to summarize current evidence on the potential role of nutritional interventions on neuromuscular dysfunction-associated pathways. Age-related neuromuscular deficits are known to coincide with distinct changes in the central and peripheral nervous system, in the neuromuscular system, and systemically. Although many features contribute to the age-related decline in neuromuscular function, a comprehensive understanding of their integration and temporal relationship is needed. Nonetheless, many nutrients and ingredients show promise in modulating neuromuscular output by counteracting the age-related changes that coincide with neuromuscular dysfunction. In particular, dietary supplements, such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate, creatine, and dietary phospholipids, demonstrate potential in ameliorating age-related neuromuscular dysfunction. However, current evidence seldom directly assesses neuromuscular outcomes and is not always in the context of aging. Additional clinical research studies are needed to confirm the benefits of dietary supplements on neuromuscular function, as well as to define the appropriate population, dosage, and duration for intervention.

The diet of the first Europeans from Atapuerca.

Hominin dietary specialization is crucial to understanding the evolutionary changes of craniofacial biomechanics and the interaction of food processing methods' effects on teeth. However, the diet-related dental wear processes of the earliest European hominins remain unknown because most of the academic attention has focused on Neandertals. Non-occlusal dental microwear provides direct evidence of the effect of chewed food particles on tooth enamel surfaces and reflects dietary signals over time. Here, we report for the first time the direct effect of dietary abrasiveness as evidenced by the buccal microwear patterns on the teeth of the Sima del Elefante-TE9 and Gran Dolina-TD6 Atapuerca hominins (1.2-0.8 million years ago - Myr) as compared with other Lower and Middle Pleistocene populations. A unique buccal microwear pattern that is found in Homo antecessor (0.96-0.8 Myr), a well-known cannibal species, indicates dietary practices that are consistent with the consumption of hard and brittle foods. Our findings confirm that the oldest European inhabitants ingested more mechanically-demanding diets than later populations because they were confronted with harsh, fluctuating environmental conditions. Furthermore, the influence of grit-laden food suggests that a high-quality meat diet from butchering processes could have fueled evolutionary changes in brain size.

Síndrome de boca ardiente y factores asociados: estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles / Burning mouth syndrome and associated factors: A case-control retrospective study

Antecedentes y objetivo: El síndrome de boca ardiente (SBA) puede definirse como ardor o disestesia en la lengua y/u otras áreas de la mucosa bucal, en ausencia de lesiones que puedan justificarlo. Su incidencia es mayor en pacientes de sexo femenino, de edades comprendidas entre 50 y 60 años. Estas molestias suelen recurrir diariamente, provocando un deterioro de la calidad de vida. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre diversos factores patogénicos y el SBA. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron de forma retrospectiva 736 historias clínicas de pacientes diagnosticados de SBA y 132 historias clínicas de pacientes control. El período de estudio se extendió desde enero de 1990 a diciembre de 2014. El protocolo incluyó: sexo, edad, tipo de molestia bucal y localización, entre otras variables. Resultados: El análisis de la asociación entre los factores patogénicos y el diagnóstico de SBA mostró significación estadística en solo 3 de ellos: factores desencadenantes (p = 0,003), hábitos parafuncionales (p = 0,006) e higiene oral (p = 0,012). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la incidencia del SBA por sexos (p = 0,408), ni asociación entre el SBA y los factores de abuso de sustancias (p = 0,915), patología sistémica (p = 0,685) y hábitos alimentarios (p = 0,904). Conclusiones: Los hábitos parafuncionales como el bruxismo y los movimientos anormales de la lengua y labios pueden explicar la sintomatología del SBA. Hay que tener siempre en cuenta los aspectos psicológicos y los factores sistémicos. Como alteración de carácter multifactorial que es, el tratamiento del SBA debe enfocarse de manera holística (AU)

Background and objective: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) can be defined as burning pain or dysesthesia on the tongue and/or other sites of the oral mucosa without a causative identifiable lesion. The discomfort is usually of daily recurrence, with a higher incidence among people aged 50 to 60 years, affecting mostly the female sex and diminishing their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between several pathogenic factors and burning mouth syndrome. Patients and methods: 736 medical records of patients diagnosed of burning mouth syndrome and 132 medical records for the control group were studied retrospectively. The study time span was from January 1990 to December 2014. The protocol included: sex, age, type of oral discomfort and location, among other factors. Results: Analysis of the association between pathogenic factors and BMS diagnosis revealed that only 3 factors showed a statistically significant association: triggers (P = .003), parafunctional habits (P = .006), and oral hygiene (P = .012). There were neither statistically significant differences in BMS incidence between sex groups (P= .408) nor association of BMS with the pathogenic factors of substance abuse (P = .915), systemic pathology (P = .685), and dietary habits (P = .904). Conclusions: Parafunctional habits like bruxism and abnormal movements of tongue and lips can explain the BMS main symptomatology. Psychological aspects and systemic factors should be always considered. As a multifactorial disorder, the treatment of BMS should be executed in a holistic way (AU)

Burning mouth syndrome and associated factors: A case-control retrospective study. / Síndrome de boca ardiente y factores asociados: estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) can be defined as burning pain or dysesthesia on the tongue and/or other sites of the oral mucosa without a causative identifiable lesion. The discomfort is usually of daily recurrence, with a higher incidence among people aged 50 to 60 years, affecting mostly the female sex and diminishing their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between several pathogenic factors and burning mouth syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 736 medical records of patients diagnosed of burning mouth syndrome and 132 medical records for the control group were studied retrospectively. The study time span was from January 1990 to December 2014. The protocol included: sex, age, type of oral discomfort and location, among other factors. RESULTS: Analysis of the association between pathogenic factors and BMS diagnosis revealed that only 3 factors showed a statistically significant association: triggers (P=.003), parafunctional habits (P=.006), and oral hygiene (P=.012). There were neither statistically significant differences in BMS incidence between sex groups (P=.408) nor association of BMS with the pathogenic factors of substance abuse (P=.915), systemic pathology (P=.685), and dietary habits (P=.904). CONCLUSIONS: Parafunctional habits like bruxism and abnormal movements of tongue and lips can explain the BMS main symptomatology. Psychological aspects and systemic factors should be always considered. As a multifactorial disorder, the treatment of BMS should be executed in a holistic way.

Ancient DNA analysis of 8000 B.C. near eastern farmers supports an early neolithic pioneer maritime colonization of Mainland Europe through Cyprus and the Aegean Islands.

The genetic impact associated to the Neolithic spread in Europe has been widely debated over the last 20 years. Within this context, ancient DNA studies have provided a more reliable picture by directly analyzing the protagonist populations at different regions in Europe. However, the lack of available data from the original Near Eastern farmers has limited the achieved conclusions, preventing the formulation of continental models of Neolithic expansion. Here we address this issue by presenting mitochondrial DNA data of the original Near-Eastern Neolithic communities with the aim of providing the adequate background for the interpretation of Neolithic genetic data from European samples. Sixty-three skeletons from the Pre Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) sites of Tell Halula, Tell Ramad and Dja'de El Mughara dating between 8,700-6,600 cal. B.C. were analyzed, and 15 validated mitochondrial DNA profiles were recovered. In order to estimate the demographic contribution of the first farmers to both Central European and Western Mediterranean Neolithic cultures, haplotype and haplogroup diversities in the PPNB sample were compared using phylogeographic and population genetic analyses to available ancient DNA data from human remains belonging to the Linearbandkeramik-Alföldi Vonaldiszes Kerámia and Cardial/Epicardial cultures. We also searched for possible signatures of the original Neolithic expansion over the modern Near Eastern and South European genetic pools, and tried to infer possible routes of expansion by comparing the obtained results to a database of 60 modern populations from both regions. Comparisons performed among the 3 ancient datasets allowed us to identify K and N-derived mitochondrial DNA haplogroups as potential markers of the Neolithic expansion, whose genetic signature would have reached both the Iberian coasts and the Central European plain. Moreover, the observed genetic affinities between the PPNB samples and the modern populations of Cyprus and Crete seem to suggest that the Neolithic was first introduced into Europe through pioneer seafaring colonization.

Synchronous electrical stimulation of laryngeal muscles: an alternative for enhancing recovery of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

BACKGROUND: Although electrical stimulation of the larynx has been widely studied for treating voice disorders, its effectiveness has not been assessed under safety and comfortable conditions. This article describes design, theoretical issues, and preliminary evaluation of an innovative system for transdermal electrical stimulation of the larynx. The proposed design includes synchronization of electrical stimuli with laryngeal neuromuscular activity. OBJECTIVE: To study whether synchronous electrical stimulation of the larynx could be helpful for improving voice quality in patients with dysphonia due to unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (URLNP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-year prospective study was carried out at the Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitacion in the Mexico City. Ten patients were subjected to transdermal current electrical stimulation synchronized with the fundamental frequency of the vibration of the vocal folds during phonation. The stimulation was triggered during the phase of maximum glottal occlusion. A complete acoustic voice analysis was performed before and after the period of electrical stimulation. RESULTS: Acoustic analysis revealed significant improvements in all parameters after the stimulation period. CONCLUSION: Transdermal synchronous electrical stimulation of vocal folds seems to be a safe and reliable procedure for enhancing voice quality in patients with (URLNP).

Antimicrobial activity of the dichloromethane extract from in vitro cultured roots of Morinda royoc and its main constituents.

The dichloromethane extract and seven anthraquinones isolated from in vitro cultured roots of Morinda royoc L. were tested for their antimicrobial activity against seven yeast and seven bacterial strains. The extract showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 15.6 microg/m against all species of Candida tested; except C. glabrata (MIC 1.95 microg/mL), and it inhibited the growth of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 31.2 microg/mL). Only morindone showed activity against all yeast strains (MIC 1.9 microg/mL), and against oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 15 microg/mL).

Treatment of lupus erythematosus with pulsed dye laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with dye and argon laser has been evaluated in a number of articles in recent years. The improvement of telangiectasias and chronic erythema of the cutaneous lesions was based on the selective photothermolysis ablation of the dilated capillaries and venules. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe the results of the treatment of cutaneous lesions of 14 patients; eight with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and six with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Three patients received a treatment with flashlamp pulsed dye laser (FPDL) (585 nm, 450 microseconds) with fluences in the range from 5 to 7.75 J/cm(2); the other 11 patients were treated with long pulsed dye laser (LPDL) (595 nm, 1.5-10 milliseconds) with fluences in the range from 6 to 13 J/cm(2) depending on the pulse duration. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10 months, we observed an average improvement in over 60% of the lesions. A few side effects were observed in all patients: four had transient hyperpigmentation and one patient had light scarring. Three patients had a relapse after more than 1 year; they were then offered conventional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that pulsed dye laser is a good alternative treatment for the erythema in active cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus (LE).

Tratamiento prehospitalario del Infarto Agudo del Miocardio / Prehospital treatment of acute myocardial infarction

Existe un grupo de medidas que pueden ser implementadas sin que requieran grandes esfuerzos materiales, encaminadas a disminuir la mortalidad por infarto agudo del miocardio. Es nuestro objetivo hacer meditar sobre el tema, por ello aportamos datos tomados de la literautra médica. Sugerimos algunas actuaciones que pueden resultar beneficiosas al paciente

Tratamiento prehospitalario del Infarto Agudo del Miocardio / Prehospital treatment of acute myocardial infarction

Existe un grupo de medidas que pueden ser implementadas sin que requieran grandes esfuerzos materiales, encaminadas a disminuir la mortalidad por infarto agudo del miocardio. Es nuestro objetivo hacer meditar sobre el tema, por ello aportamos datos tomados de la literautra médica. Sugerimos algunas actuaciones que pueden resultar beneficiosas al paciente(AU)