Experimental High-Resolution Observation of the Truncated Double-Icosahedron Structure: A Stable Twinned Shell in Alloyed Au-Ag Core@Shell Nanoparticles.

Given the binary nature of nanoalloy systems, their properties are dependent on their size, shape, structure, composition, and chemical ordering. When energy and entropic factors for shapes and structure variations are considered in nanoparticle growth, the spectra of shapes become so vast that even metastable arrangements have been reported under ambient conditions. Experimental and theoretical variations of multiply twinned particles have been observed, from the Ino and Marks decahedra to polyicosahedra and polydecahedra with comparable energetic stability among them. Herein, we report the experimental production of a stable doubly truncated double-icosahedron structure (TdIh) in Au-Ag nanoparticles, in which a twinned Ag-rich alloyed shell is reconstructed on a Au-Ag alloyed Ino-decahedral core. The structure, chemical composition, and growth pathway are proposed on the basis of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis and excess energy calculations, while its structural stability is estimated by large-scale atomic molecular dynamics simulations. This novel nanostructure differs from other structures previously reported.

RepeatsDB in 2021: improved data and extended classification for protein tandem repeat structures.

The RepeatsDB database (URL: https://repeatsdb.org/) provides annotations and classification for protein tandem repeat structures from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Protein tandem repeats are ubiquitous in all branches of the tree of life. The accumulation of solved repeat structures provides new possibilities for classification and detection, but also increasing the need for annotation. Here we present RepeatsDB 3.0, which addresses these challenges and presents an extended classification scheme. The major conceptual change compared to the previous version is the hierarchical classification combining top levels based solely on structural similarity (Class > Topology > Fold) with two new levels (Clan > Family) requiring sequence similarity and describing repeat motifs in collaboration with Pfam. Data growth has been addressed with improved mechanisms for browsing the classification hierarchy. A new UniProt-centric view unifies the increasingly frequent annotation of structures from identical or similar sequences. This update of RepeatsDB aligns with our commitment to develop a resource that extracts, organizes and distributes specialized information on tandem repeat protein structures.

Resting metabolic rate in relation to incident disability and mobility decline among older adults: the modifying role of frailty.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in resting metabolic rate (RMR), the largest component of daily total energy expenditure, with aging have been shown in various studies. However, little is known about the associations between RMR and health outcomes in later life. AIMS: To analyze whether RMR is associated with incident disability and mobility decline in a 10-year longitudinal study, as well as the moderating role of frailty in these associations. METHODS: Data from 298 older adults aged 70 and over from the Frailty and Dependence in Albacete (FRADEA) study in Spain were used, including a baseline measurement in 2007-2009 and a follow-up measurement 10 years later. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. Outcomes were incident disability in basic activities of daily living (BADL, Barthel Index), incident disability in instrumental ADL (IADL, Lawton index), and mobility decline (Functional Ambulation Categories scores). Fried's frailty phenotype was used as an indicator of frailty. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Fully adjusted and stratified analyses revealed that only in the pre-frail/frail group, a higher RMR was associated with a lower risk of incident BADL disability (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23-0.96, p = 0.037), incident IADL disability (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.84, p = 0.017), and mobility decline (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.14-0.64, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study looking at the associations between RMR and functional health using a longitudinal research design. The results suggest that RMR could be used as an early identifier of a specific resilient group within the pre-frail and frail older population, with a lower risk of further health decline.

From SLAM to Situational Awareness: Challenges and Survey.

The capability of a mobile robot to efficiently and safely perform complex missions is limited by its knowledge of the environment, namely the situation. Advanced reasoning, decision-making, and execution skills enable an intelligent agent to act autonomously in unknown environments. Situational Awareness (SA) is a fundamental capability of humans that has been deeply studied in various fields, such as psychology, military, aerospace, and education. Nevertheless, it has yet to be considered in robotics, which has focused on single compartmentalized concepts such as sensing, spatial perception, sensor fusion, state estimation, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). Hence, the present research aims to connect the broad multidisciplinary existing knowledge to pave the way for a complete SA system for mobile robotics that we deem paramount for autonomy. To this aim, we define the principal components to structure a robotic SA and their area of competence. Accordingly, this paper investigates each aspect of SA, surveying the state-of-the-art robotics algorithms that cover them, and discusses their current limitations. Remarkably, essential aspects of SA are still immature since the current algorithmic development restricts their performance to only specific environments. Nevertheless, Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Deep Learning (DL), has brought new methods to bridge the gap that maintains these fields apart from the deployment to real-world scenarios. Furthermore, an opportunity has been discovered to interconnect the vastly fragmented space of robotic comprehension algorithms through the mechanism of Situational Graph (S-Graph), a generalization of the well-known scene graph. Therefore, we finally shape our vision for the future of robotic situational awareness by discussing interesting recent research directions.

Changes in diversity and species composition in the assemblage of live and dead bats at wind farms in a highly diverse region.

Besides direct mortality, wind farms also affect aerial fauna by modifying their communities, reducing species diversity and richness through disturbance. During three consecutive years, we used mist nets and acoustic recorders, and conducted carcass searches, to characterize the assemblage of bat species and to estimate bat mortality at two nearby wind farms sited <5 km apart in a highly biodiverse region. We asked whether the diversity, richness and evenness of the assemblages varied yearly, predicting it would decrease through time. Richness and evenness did not change, but the diversity of species recorded acoustically, 96% being aerial insectivores, was significantly lower the third year. We estimate 4 - 15.7 fatalities/MW/year by wind farm, with 63% of species found as carcasses being aerial insectivores. We found >40% of dissimilarity in the species composition of bat assemblages between wind farms despite the short distance between them, with species turnover accounting for more than half of the dissimilarity every year. Similarly, species turnover accounted for >15% of the dissimilarity in the composition of the assemblage of live bats (captured and recorded acoustically) and the assemblage obtained through carcass searches. Our findings suggest that nearby wind farms impact bat communities differentially and aerial insectivores disproportionally. Long term, multi-method surveys are needed to characterize bat communities in highly diverse regions and to evaluate the post-construction effects that wind farms have on them.

RAUM-VO: Rotational Adjusted Unsupervised Monocular Visual Odometry.

Unsupervised learning for monocular camera motion and 3D scene understanding has gained popularity over traditional methods, which rely on epipolar geometry or non-linear optimization. Notably, deep learning can overcome many issues of monocular vision, such as perceptual aliasing, low-textured areas, scale drift, and degenerate motions. In addition, concerning supervised learning, we can fully leverage video stream data without the need for depth or motion labels. However, in this work, we note that rotational motion can limit the accuracy of the unsupervised pose networks more than the translational component. Therefore, we present RAUM-VO, an approach based on a model-free epipolar constraint for frame-to-frame motion estimation (F2F) to adjust the rotation during training and online inference. To this end, we match 2D keypoints between consecutive frames using pre-trained deep networks, Superpoint and Superglue, while training a network for depth and pose estimation using an unsupervised training protocol. Then, we adjust the predicted rotation with the motion estimated by F2F using the 2D matches and initializing the solver with the pose network prediction. Ultimately, RAUM-VO shows a considerable accuracy improvement compared to other unsupervised pose networks on the KITTI dataset, while reducing the complexity of other hybrid or traditional approaches and achieving comparable state-of-the-art results.

A Review of Radio Frequency Based Localisation for Aerial and Ground Robots with 5G Future Perspectives.

Efficient localisation plays a vital role in many modern applications of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which contributes to improved control, safety, power economy, etc. The ubiquitous 5G NR (New Radio) cellular network will provide new opportunities to enhance the localisation of UAVs and UGVs. In this paper, we review radio frequency (RF)-based approaches to localisation. We review the RF features that can be utilized for localisation and investigate the current methods suitable for Unmanned Vehicles under two general categories: range-based and fingerprinting. The existing state-of-the-art literature on RF-based localisation for both UAVs and UGVs is examined, and the envisioned 5G NR for localisation enhancement, and the future research direction are explored.

Visual SLAM: What Are the Current Trends and What to Expect?

In recent years, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) systems have shown significant performance, accuracy, and efficiency gain. In this regard, Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) methods refer to the SLAM approaches that employ cameras for pose estimation and map reconstruction and are preferred over Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR)-based methods due to their lighter weight, lower acquisition costs, and richer environment representation. Hence, several VSLAM approaches have evolved using different camera types (e.g., monocular or stereo), and have been tested on various datasets (e.g., Technische Universität München (TUM) RGB-D or European Robotics Challenge (EuRoC)) and in different conditions (i.e., indoors and outdoors), and employ multiple methodologies to have a better understanding of their surroundings. The mentioned variations have made this topic popular for researchers and have resulted in various methods. In this regard, the primary intent of this paper is to assimilate the wide range of works in VSLAM and present their recent advances, along with discussing the existing challenges and trends. This survey is worthwhile to give a big picture of the current focuses in robotics and VSLAM fields based on the concentrated resolutions and objectives of the state-of-the-art. This paper provides an in-depth literature survey of fifty impactful articles published in the VSLAMs domain. The mentioned manuscripts have been classified by different characteristics, including the novelty domain, objectives, employed algorithms, and semantic level. The paper also discusses the current trends and contemporary directions of VSLAM techniques that may help researchers investigate them.

Self-Assembled Monolayer of Monomercaptoundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate on a Polycrystalline Gold Surface.

In this work, we present an electrochemical study of the boron cage monomercaptoundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate [B12H11SH]2- in solution and in a self-assembled monolayer over a polycrystalline gold electrode. Cyclic voltammetry of the anion [B12H11SH]2- in solution showed a shift in the peak potentials related to the redox processes of gold hydroxides, which evidences the interaction between the boron cage and the gold surface. For an Au electrode modified with the anion [B12H11SH]2-, cyclic voltammetry response of the probe Fe(CN)63-/Fe(CN)64- showed a ΔEp value typical for a surface modification. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy presented Rtc and Cdl values related to the formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). A comparison of electrochemical responses of a modified electrode with thioglycolic acid (TGA) reveals that the boron cage [B12H11SH]2- diminishes the actives sites over the Au surface due to the steric effects. Differential capacitance measurements for bare gold electrode and those modified with [B12H11SH]2- and (TGA), indicate that bulky thiols enhance charge accumulation at the electrode-solution interface. In addition to electrochemical experiments, DFT calculations and surface plasmon resonance measurements (SPR) were carried out to obtain quantum chemical descriptors and to evaluate the molecular length and the dielectric constant of the Boron cage. From SPR experiments, the adsorption kinetics of [B12H11SH]2- were studied. The data fit for a Langmuir kinetic equation, typical for the formation of a monolayer.

Environmental Fe, Ti, Al, Cu, Hg, Bi, and Si Nanoparticles in the Atrioventricular Conduction Axis and the Associated Ultrastructural Damage in Young Urbanites: Cardiac Arrhythmias Caused by Anthropogenic, Industrial, E-Waste, and Indoor Nanoparticles.

Air pollution exposure is a risk factor for arrhythmia. The atrioventricular (AV) conduction axis is key for the passage of electrical signals to ventricles. We investigated whether environmental nanoparticles (NPs) reach the AV axis and whether they are associated with ultrastructural cell damage. Here, we demonstrate the detection of the shape, size, and composition of NPs by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) in 10 subjects from Metropolitan Mexico City (MMC) with a mean age of 25.3 ± 5.9 and a 71-year-old subject without cardiac pathology. We found that in every case, Fe, Ti, Al, Hg, Cu, Bi, and/or Si spherical or acicular NPs with a mean size of 36 ± 17 nm were present in the AV axis in situ, freely and as conglomerates, within the mitochondria, sarcomeres, lysosomes, lipofuscin, and/or intercalated disks and gap junctions of Purkinje and transitional cells, telocytes, macrophages, endothelium, and adjacent atrial and ventricular fibers. Erythrocytes were found to transfer NPs to the endothelium. Purkinje fibers with increased lysosomal activity and totally disordered myofilaments and fragmented Z-disks exhibited NP conglomerates in association with gap junctions and intercalated disks. AV conduction axis pathology caused by environmental NPs is a plausible and modifiable risk factor for understanding common arrhythmias and reentrant tachycardia. Anthropogenic, industrial, e-waste, and indoor NPs reach pacemaker regions, thereby increasing potential mechanisms that disrupt the electrical impulse pathways of the heart. The cardiotoxic, oxidative, and abnormal electric performance effects of NPs in pacemaker locations warrant extensive research. Cardiac arrhythmias associated with nanoparticle effects could be preventable.

Effect of Pluronic P103 Concentration on the Simple Synthesis of Ag and Au Nanoparticles and Their Application in Anatase-TiO2 Decoration for Its Use in Photocatalysis.

Silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized under environmentally-friendly reaction conditions by using a biodegradable copolymer and water as a solvent. The triblock copolymer Pluronic P103 was utilized as a stabilizing agent or soft template to produce Ag and Au nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes. Moreover, in the synthesis of Au NPs, the polymer acted as a reducing agent, decreasing the number of reagents used and consequently the residues produced, hence, rendering the procedure less complicated. It was observed that as the concentration of the polymer increased, the size of the metallic NPs augmented as well. However, AgNPs and AuNPs prepared with 1 and 10 wt% Pluronic P103, respectively, showed a significant decrease in particle size due to the presence of polymeric soft templates. The hybrid materials (metal/polymer) were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, and TEM. The pre-synthesized nanoparticles were employed to decorate anatase-TiO2, and the composites were characterized by DRS, XRD, BET surface area measurements, the TEM technique with the EDS spectrum, and XPS spectroscopy to demonstrate NPs superficial incorporation. Finally, methylene blue was used as a probe molecule to evidence the effect of NPs decoration in its photocatalytic degradation. The results showed that the presence of the NPs positively affected methylene blue degradation, achieving 96% and 97% removal by utilizing TAg0.1 and TAu10, respectively, in comparison to bare anatase-TiO2 (77%).

Improved personalized survival prediction of patients with diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma using gene expression profiling.

BACKGROUND: Thirty to forty percent of patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) have an adverse clinical evolution. The increased understanding of DLBCL biology has shed light on the clinical evolution of this pathology, leading to the discovery of prognostic factors based on gene expression data, genomic rearrangements and mutational subgroups. Nevertheless, additional efforts are needed in order to enable survival predictions at the patient level. In this study we investigated new machine learning-based models of survival using transcriptomic and clinical data. METHODS: Gene expression profiling (GEP) of in 2 different publicly available retrospective DLBCL cohorts were analyzed. Cox regression and unsupervised clustering were performed in order to identify probes associated with overall survival on the largest cohort. Random forests were created to model survival using combinations of GEP data, COO classification and clinical information. Cross-validation was used to compare model results in the training set, and Harrel's concordance index (c-index) was used to assess model's predictability. Results were validated in an independent test set. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-three and sixty-four patients were included in the training and test set, respectively. Initially we derived and validated a 4-gene expression clusterization that was independently associated with lower survival in 20% of patients. This pattern included the following genes: TNFRSF9, BIRC3, BCL2L1 and G3BP2. Thereafter, we applied machine-learning models to predict survival. A set of 102 genes was highly predictive of disease outcome, outperforming available clinical information and COO classification. The final best model integrated clinical information, COO classification, 4-gene-based clusterization and the expression levels of 50 individual genes (training set c-index, 0.8404, test set c-index, 0.7942). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that DLBCL survival models based on the application of machine learning algorithms to gene expression and clinical data can largely outperform other important prognostic variables such as disease stage and COO. Head-to-head comparisons with other risk stratification models are needed to compare its usefulness.

RELINF: prospective epidemiological registry of lymphoid neoplasms in Spain. A project from the GELTAMO group.

Lymphomas are a large, heterogeneous group of neoplasms with well-defined characteristics, and this heterogeneity highlights the importance of epidemiological data. Knowledge of local epidemiology is essential to optimise resources, design clinical trials, and identify minority entities. Given there are few published epidemiological data on lymphoma in Spain, the Spanish Lymphoma and Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant Group created the RELINF project. The aim of this project is to determine the frequencies and distribution of lymphoid neoplasms in Spain and to analyse survival. We developed an online platform for the prospective collection of data on newly diagnosed cases of lymphoma in Spain between January 2014 and July 2018; 11,400 patients were registered. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) were the most frequent lymphomas in our series. Marginal B cell lymphoma frequency was higher than that reported in other studies, representing more than 11% of mature B cell lymphomas. Peripheral T cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) was the most common subtype of T cell lymphoma, and NK/T cell lymphomas were more frequent than expected (5.4% of total). Hodgkin's lymphoma accounted for 12% of lymphoproliferative syndromes. Overall survival was greater than 90% at 2 years for indolent B cell lymphomas, and approximately 60% for DLBCL, somewhat lower than that previously reported. Survival was poor for PTCL-NOS and angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma, as expected; however, it was somewhat better than that in other studies for anaplastic large cell anaplastic lymphoma kinase lymphomas. This is the first prospective registry to report the frequencies, distribution, and survival of lymphomas in Spain. The frequencies and survival data we report here are globally consistent with that reported in other Western countries. These updated frequencies and survival statistics are necessary for developing appropriate management strategies for neoplasias in the Spanish population.

Novel system of communication in crickets originated at the same time as bat echolocation and includes male-male multimodal communication.

Understanding the evolutionary origins of communication signals requires careful study of multiple species within a known phylogenetic framework. Most cricket species produce low-frequency calls for mate attraction, whereas they startle to high-frequency sounds similar to bat echolocation. Male crickets in the tribe Lebinthini produce high-frequency calls, to which females reply with vibrational signals. This novel communication system likely evolved by male sensory exploitation of acoustic startle to high-frequency sounds in females. This behavior was previously described for the Lebinthini from Asia. Here we demonstrate that this novel communication system is found in a Neotropical species, Ponca hebardi, and is therefore likely shared by the whole tribe Lebinthini, dating the origin of this behavior to coincide with the origin of echolocation in bats. Furthermore, we document male duets involving both acoustic and vibratory signals not previously described in crickets, and we tentatively interpret it as competitive masking between males.

A new begomovirus isolated from a potyvirus-infected bean plant causes asymptomatic infections in bean and N. benthamiana.

In this work, a begomovirus isolated from a bean plant coinfected with the potyviruses bean common mosaic virus and bean common mosaic necrosis virus was characterized. The three viruses were detected by high-throughput sequencing and assembly of total small RNAs, but the begomovirus-related contigs did not allow precise identification. Molecular analysis based on standard DNA amplification techniques revealed the presence of a single bipartite virus, which is a novel begomovirus according to the current taxonomic criteria. Infectious clones were generated and agroinoculated into Phaseolus vulgaris and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. In all cases, viral DNA-A and DNA-B were detected in new growths, but no symptoms were observed, thus indicating that this virus produces asymptomatic infections in both host species.

Heterojunction of CuO nanoclusters with TiO2 for photo-oxidation of organic compounds and for hydrogen production.

Heterojunctions of small CuO nanoclusters (synthesized by radiolysis) with TiO2 (commercial P25) induced a photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation in a wide range of wavelengths due to the narrow bandgap of CuO nanoclusters of around 1.7 eV. The optical, chemical, and electrical properties of these composite nanomaterials were studied. The photocatalytic properties of bare and modified TiO2-P25 were studied for water purification (photooxidation of organic compounds such as phenol and 2-propanol) and for hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation. Time resolved microwave conductivity signals showed activation of TiO2 under visible light, proving the injection of electrons from CuO nanoclusters to the conduction band of TiO2-P25. The modified materials showed high photocatalytic activity under visible light. The important role of charge-carriers was demonstrated for both photoreduction and photooxidation reactions.

The association of germline variants with chronic lymphocytic leukemia outcome suggests the implication of novel genes and pathways in clinical evolution.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most frequent lymphoproliferative disorder in western countries and is characterized by a remarkable clinical heterogeneity. During the last decade, multiple genomic studies have identified a myriad of somatic events driving CLL proliferation and aggressivity. Nevertheless, and despite the mounting evidence of inherited risk for CLL development, the existence of germline variants associated with clinical outcomes has not been addressed in depth. METHODS: Exome sequencing data from control leukocytes of CLL patients involved in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) was used for genotyping. Cox regression was used to detect variants associated with clinical outcomes. Gene and pathways level associations were also calculated. RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in PPP4R2 and MAP3K4 were associated with earlier treatment need. A gene-level analysis evidenced a significant association of RIPK3 with both treatment need and survival. Furthermore, germline variability in pathways such as apoptosis, cell-cycle, pentose phosphate, GNα13 and Nitric oxide was associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: Our results support the existence of inherited conditionants of CLL evolution and points towards genes and pathways that may results useful as biomarkers of disease outcome. More research is needed to validate these findings.

The Decmon: a new nanoparticle shape along the truncation path from the icosahedron to the decahedron.

The idea that shape and structure determines functionality is one of the leiv-motifs that drives research and applications on fields such as catalysis and plasmonics. The growth and stability of metallic clusters is extensively discussed through faceting and energy minimization mechanisms, respectively. Facet truncations on the regular Mackay-icosahedron (m-Ih) give rise to two sub-families exhibiting five-fold symmetry and external decahedral shape. Such successive truncations made to the regular m-Ih, led to a decahedral motif called 'Decmon' (Montejano's decahedron). This structure expose facets (111) and (100), that after a total energy minimization through molecular dynamics simulations using the embedded atom model, proved to be thermally stable. This result has been confirmed by using nano-thermodynamics. The surface energy competition between the (111) and (100) facets explains its stability at some given cluster sizes, and this truncation path permits to glimpse the potential energy surface in the growth path of nanoparticles from the decahedral (s-Dh) to icosahedral (m-Ih) structures.

[Spotted fever in Argentina. Description of two clinical cases]. / Fiebre manchada en Argentina. Descripción de dos casos clínicos.

Rickettsioses are zoonotic tick-borne diseases. In Argentina, there are two epidemiological scenarios: jungle of Salta and Jujuy, involving vectors from the "Amblyomma cajennense Complex" (A. sculptum, and A. toneliae) and Rickettsia rickettsii as the main etiological agent; and the second scene to Delta del Rio Paraná and Samborombón Bay, where Amblyomma triste acts as a vector; and the provinces of Córdoba, La Rioja, San Luis and La Pampa where Amblyomma tigrinum is the vector. In this second scenario, Rickettsia parkeri is the causal agent. The spotted fever (SF) due to R. rickettsii is responsible for a severe cutaneous and systemic disease. Contrarily, R. parkeri produces benign and self-limited clinical manifestation. Here we describe a fatal SF case by R. rickettsii, in El Tunal, Salta and the first SF case due to R. parkeri in San Juan.

Double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial on analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics articaine and bupivacaine after impacted third molar extraction.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was to compare the effect of bupivacaine and articaine at habitual doses on pain intensity and the need for analgesics after lower third molar extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The final study sample comprised 50 Caucasian volunteers (26 males and 24 females; age range, 18-30 years) undergoing scheduled surgical extraction of impacted lower third molar. A computer-generated random sequence was used to allocate participants to the articaine (4%) or bupivacaine (0.5%) group. Surgeons and patients were blinded by labeling the articaine and bupivacaine carpules with numbers (1 and 2, respectively). Postoperative pain intensity (primary outcome) was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS), while the requirement for and timing of rescue medication and the quality of intraoperative anesthesia were also measured (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: VAS-measured pain intensity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the articaine group than in the bupivacaine group at all time points except for 8 h post-surgery (p = 0.052). Rescue medication was required by 13 (52%) patients in the articaine group and 8 (32%) patients in the bupivacaine group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.252). The groups did not significantly differ (p = 0.391) in the quality of the intraoperative anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Bupivacaine is a valid alternative to articaine in third molar surgery and may offer residual anesthesia as a means of reducing postoperative pain. However, further well-designed RCTs are required in larger study populations to verify the effectiveness of bupivacaine to achieve residual analgesia after oral surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that bupivacaine may be useful as a coadjuvant to control acute postoperative pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12617001138370.