Synergism Between Hypothalamic Astrocytes and Neurons in Metabolic Control.

Astrocytes are no longer considered as passive support cells. In the hypothalamus, these glial cells actively participate in the control of appetite, energy expenditure, and the processes leading to obesity and its secondary complications. Here we briefly review studies supporting this conclusion and the advances made in understanding the underlying mechanisms.

Comparing the development of cortex-wide gene expression patterns between two species in a common reference frame.

Advances in sequencing techniques have made comparative studies of gene expression a current focus for understanding evolutionary and developmental processes. However, insights into the spatial expression of genes have been limited by a lack of robust methodology. To overcome this obstacle, we developed methods and software tools for quantifying and comparing tissue-wide spatial patterns of gene expression within and between species. Here, we compare cortex-wide expression of RZRß and Id2 mRNA across early postnatal development in mice and voles. We show that patterns of RZRß expression in neocortical layer 4 are highly conserved between species but develop rapidly in voles and much more gradually in mice, who show a marked expansion in the relative size of the putative primary visual area across the first postnatal week. Patterns of Id2 expression, by contrast, emerge in a dynamic and layer-specific sequence that is consistent between the two species. We suggest that these differences in the development of neocortical patterning reflect the independent evolution of brains, bodies, and sensory systems in the 35 million years since their last common ancestor.

The differential effects of palmitic acid and oleic acid on the metabolic response of hypothalamic astrocytes from male and female mice.

Diets rich in saturated fats are more detrimental to health than those containing mono- or unsaturated fats. Fatty acids are an important source of energy, but they also relay information regarding nutritional status to hypothalamic metabolic circuits and when in excess can be detrimental to these circuits. Astrocytes are the main site of central fatty acid ß-oxidation, and hypothalamic astrocytes participate in energy homeostasis, in part by modulating hormonal and nutritional signals reaching metabolic neurons, as well as in the inflammatory response to high-fat diets. Thus, we hypothesized that how hypothalamic astrocytes process-specific fatty acids participates in determining the differential metabolic response and that this is sex dependent as males and females respond differently to high-fat diets. Male and female primary hypothalamic astrocyte cultures were treated with oleic acid (OA) or palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h, and an untargeted metabolomics study was performed. A clear predictive model for PA exposure was obtained, while the metabolome after OA exposure was not different from controls. The observed modifications in metabolites, as well as the expression levels of key metabolic enzymes, indicate a reduction in the activity of the Krebs and glutamate/glutamine cycles in response to PA. In addition, there were specific differences between the response of astrocytes from male and female mice, as well as between hypothalamic and cerebral cortical astrocytes. Thus, the response of hypothalamic astrocytes to specific fatty acids could result in differential impacts on surrounding metabolic neurons and resulting in varied systemic metabolic outcomes.

A multidisciplinary approach to analyze the antimicrobial resistance in natural ecosystems.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to both human health and environmental well-being. Our study delved into Costa Rican wildlife reserves, uncovering a substantial human impact on these ecosystems and underscoring the imperative to pinpoint AMR hotspots. Embracing a One Health perspective, we advocated for a comprehensive landscape analysis that intricately intertwined geographic, climatic, forest, and human factors. This study illuminated the link between laboratory results and observed patterns of antimicrobial use, thereby paving the way for sustainable solutions. Our innovative methodology involved deploying open-ended questions to explore antimicrobial usage across livestock activities, contributing to establishing a comprehensive methodology. Non-invasive sampling in wildlife emerged as a critical aspect, shedding light on areas contaminated by AMR. Feline species, positioned at the apex of the food chain, acted as sentinels for environmental health due to heightened exposure to improperly disposed waste. Regarding laboratory findings, each sample revealed the presence of at least one antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG). Notably, genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines dominated (94.9%), followed by beta-lactams (75.6%), sulfonamides (53.8%), aminoglycosides (51.3%), quinolones (44.9%), phenicols (25.6%), and macrolides (20.5%). Genes encoding polymyxins were not detected. Moreover, 66% of samples carried a multi-resistant microbiome, with 15% exhibiting resistance to three antimicrobial families and 51% to four. The absence of a correlation between forest coverage and ARG presence underscored the profound human impact on wildlife reserves, surpassing previous estimations. This environmental pressure could potentially modify microbiomes and resistomes in unknown ways. As not all antimicrobial families encoding ARGs were utilized by farmers, our next step involved evaluating other human activities to identify the primary sources of contamination. This comprehensive study contributed crucial insights into the intricate dynamics of AMR in natural ecosystems, paving the way for targeted interventions and sustainable coexistence.

Predictive factors for flea occurrence in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments.

The role of red fox as host for a wide range of parasites, particularly fleas and other arthropods causing vector-borne diseases, in combination with its capability to adapt to anthropized environments, makes this wild canid an epidemiologically remarkable species at the wildlife-domestic-human interface, especially in the present time of rise of emerging and re-emerging diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence and parasite intensity of fleas in 88 foxes from Murcia Region (Southeastern Spain) and determined the geographic distribution of areas with the highest potential risk of flea presence. Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Spilopsyllus cuniculi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus were identified. The overall prevalence was 76.13%. This is the first time that N. fasciatus has been reported in foxes from Murcia Region. The predictive model established a certain pattern to determine the areas with the highest risk of acquiring fleas. Positive correlation of daily potential evapotranspiration (ET0 ) in winter and the opposite effect occurring for ET0 in summer were obtained, as well as positive correlations for mean daily temperature (Tmean ) in summer and mean precipitation (Pmean ) in winter and summer. The model was also found positively correlated in the forest habitat ecotone areas and the anthropized areas.

Recent Advances in the Knowledge of the Mechanisms of Leptin Physiology and Actions in Neurological and Metabolic Pathologies.

Excess body weight is frequently associated with low-grade inflammation. Evidence indicates a relationship between obesity and cancer, as well as with other diseases, such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in which inflammation and the actions of various adipokines play a role in the pathological mechanisms involved in these disorders. Leptin is mainly produced by adipose tissue in proportion to fat stores, but it is also synthesized in other organs, where leptin receptors are expressed. This hormone performs numerous actions in the brain, mainly related to the control of energy homeostasis. It is also involved in neurogenesis and neuroprotection, and central leptin resistance is related to some neurological disorders, e.g., Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In peripheral tissues, leptin is implicated in the regulation of metabolism, as well as of bone density and muscle mass. All these actions can be affected by changes in leptin levels and the mechanisms associated with resistance to this hormone. This review will present recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of leptin action and their underlying roles in pathological situations, which may be of interest for revealing new approaches for the treatment of diseases where the actions of this adipokine might be compromised.

Frailty index and ten oral conditions in the Coyoacan cohort study: A cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the relationship between the Frailty Index and 10 oral conditions controlling for nutritional status among Mexican community-dwelling older people. BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that the association between frailty and oral conditions are mediated by nutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis includes 487 community-dwelling men and women aged ≥70 years old. Interview and clinical examinations were performed at participants' homes. Objective (number of natural teeth, root remnants, dental condition, utilisation and functionality of removable dental prostheses and periodontitis) and subjective (utilisation of dental services, self-rated oral health, chewing difficulties and xerostomia) oral variables were collected by trained personnel. The Frailty Index was calculated considering 35 deficits. Nutritional status measured with the Mini-Nutritional assessment (MNA), age, sex, education, and marital status were included as covariates. We fitted 11 multivariate generalised linear models (one for each oral condition), assuming gamma distribution for Frailty Index as the outcome. RESULTS: Participants average age was 78.1 years, 52.1% were women. We observed a higher Frailty Index among those rating their oral health as worse than others their age (5.1%), reporting chewing difficulties often (4.9%) and fairly and very often (7.0%), and xerostomia (4.8%). Age, gender and MNA were consistently associated with the Frailty Index. CONCLUSION: Subjective oral conditions are compatible with the Frailty Index after controlling for older people's nutritional status and covariates.

Current status of geriatric dentistry education in selected dental schools in Latin America and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: Latin American and Carribean (LAC) are currently experiencing a rapid aging of their population, coupled with a significant burden of oral diseases. Despites this, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the manner in wich geriatric dentistry is being taught in dental schools across LAC. So, the objective of this study is to investigate the current status of geriatric dentistry education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in selected LAC dental schools. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was developed and emailed to all 539 dental schools in 19 LAC countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels, contents and methodology of geriatric dentistry education as part of dental degree programmes. Reminders by email and telephone calls were used to encourage non-responders to complete the questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 317 schools from 17 countries responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 58.8%). Geriatric dentistry was taught in 54.6% of the schools at the undergraduate level and in 6.9% at the postgraduate level. Thirty two percent of the schools had a programme director trained in geriatric dentistry. Geriatric dentistry was taught as an independent course in 14.5% of the schools. Dry mouth, periodontal disease, denture-related conditions and prosthodontic management, oral mucosal disease and age-related changes of the orofacial complex were the most frequently covered topics. Clinical teaching of geriatric dentistry was reported by 26.5% of the schools, with 38.0% providing clinical training in outreach facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric dentistry education remains incipient in LAC, with only one in every four dental school offering it as a standalone course. There is an urgent need to further develop geriatric dentistry education in the continent, including further research to develop a minimum geriatric dentistry curriculum.

Activation of H-H, HO-H, C(sp2)-H, C(sp3)-H, and RO-H Bonds by Transition-Metal Frustrated Lewis Pairs Based on M/N (M = Rh, Ir) Couples.

Reaction of the dimers [(Cp*MCl)2(µ-Cl)2] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) with Ph2PCH2CH2NC(NH(p-Tolyl))2 (H2L) in the presence of NaSbF6 affords the chlorido complexes [Cp*MCl(κ2N,P-H2L)][SbF6] (M = Rh, 1; Ir, 2). Upon treatment with aqueous NaOH, solutions of 1 and 2 yield the corresponding complexes [Cp*M(κ3N,N',P-HL)][SbF6] (M = Rh, 3; Ir, 4) in which the ligand HL presents a fac κ3N,N',P coordination mode. Treatment of THF solutions of complexes 3 and 4 with hydrogen gas, at room temperature, results in the formation of the metal hydrido-complexes [Cp*MH(κ2N,P-H2L)][SbF6] (M = Rh, 5; Ir, 6) in which the N(p-Tolyl) group has been protonated. Complexes 3 and 4 react with deuterated water in a reversible fashion resulting in the gradual deuteration of the Cp* group. Heating at 383 K THF/H2O solutions of the complexes 3 and 4 affords the orthometalated complexes [Cp*M(κ3C,N,P-H2L-H)][SbF6] [M = Rh, 7; Ir, 8, H2L-H = Ph2PCH2CH2NC(NH(p-Tolyl))(NH(4-C6H3Me))], respectively. At 333 K, complexes 3 and 4 react in THF with methanol, primary alcohols, or 2-propanol giving the metal-hydrido complexes 5 and 6, respectively. The reaction involves the acceptorless dehydrogenation of the alcohols at a relatively low temperature, without the assistance of an external base. The new complexes have been characterized by the usual analytical and spectroscopic methods including the X-ray diffraction determination of the crystal structures of complexes 1-5, 7, and 8. Notably, the chlorido complexes 1 and 2 crystallize both as enantiopure conglomerates and as racemates. Reaction mechanisms are proposed based on stoichiometric reactions, nuclear magnetic resonance studies, and X-ray crystallography as well as density functional theory calculations.

Human disturbance and shifts in vertebrate community composition in a biodiversity hotspot.

Understanding how human modification of the landscape shapes vertebrate community composition is vital to understanding the current status and future trajectory of wildlife. Using a participatory approach, we deployed the largest camera-trap network in Mesoamerica to date to investigate how anthropogenic disturbance shapes the occupancy and co-occurrence of terrestrial vertebrate species in a tropical biodiversity hotspot: the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. We estimated species richness in different categories of land protection with rarefaction analysis and estimated the expected occupancy with a joint species distribution model that included covariates for anthropogenic disturbance, land protection, habitat quality, and habitat availability. Areas with the most stringent land-use protections (e.g., Corcovado National Park, 24 species [95% CI 23-25]) harbored significantly more species than unprotected areas (20 species [19.7-20.3]), mainly due to a reduced presence of large-bodied species of conservation concern in unprotected areas (e.g., jaguar Panthera onca and white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari). Small-bodied generalist species, such as opossums (Didelphidae) and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), in contrast, were more common at disturbed sites, resulting in a significant difference in vertebrate community composition between sites with low and high disturbance. Co-occurrence of species was also mainly associated with response to disturbance. Similar responses to disturbance create two groups of species, those whose site-level occupancy usually increased as anthropogenic disturbance increased and those whose estimated occupancy decreased. The absence of large-bodied species entails an important loss of ecological function in disturbed areas and can hinder forest development and maintenance. Efforts to protect and restore forested landscapes are likely having a positive effect on the abundance of some threatened species. These efforts, however, must be sustained and expanded to increase connectivity and ensure the long-term viability of the wildlife community.

Perturbaciones Humanas y Cambios en la Composición de la Comunidad de Vertebrados en un Punto Caliente de Biodiversidad Resumen El entendimiento de cómo las modificaciones humanas del paisaje conforman la composición de las comunidades de vertebrados es vital para entender el estado actual y la trayectoria futura de la fauna. Mediante una estrategia participativa, desplegamos la mayor red de cámaras trampa en Mesoamérica hasta la fecha para investigar cómo la perturbación antropogénica determina la ocupación y coocurrencia de las especies terrestres de vertebrados en un punto caliente de biodiversidad tropical: la Península de Osa, Costa Rica. Estimamos la riqueza de especies en diferentes categorías de protección de suelo con un análisis de rarefacción y estimamos la ocupación esperada con un modelo de distribución conjunta de especies que incluyó covariables para la perturbación antropogénica, la protección del suelo, la calidad del hábitat y la disponibilidad del hábitat. Las áreas con la protección más estricta de uso de suelo (p. ej.: Parque Nacional Corcovado, 24 especies [95% CI 23-25]) albergaron significativamente a más especies que las áreas desprotegidas (20 especies [19.7-20.3]), principalmente debido a la presencia reducida de especies de talla grande de interés para la conservación en las áreas desprotegidas (p. ej.: el jaguar Panthera onca, el pecarí de labios blancos, Tayassu pecari). Al contrario, las especies generalistas de talla pequeña, como las zarigüeyas (Didelphidae) y el armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) fueron más comunes en los sitios perturbados, lo que resulta en una diferencia significativa en la composición de las comunidades de vertebrados entre los sitios con una perturbación baja y alta. La coocurrencia de especies también estuvo asociada principalmente con la respuesta a la perturbación. Las respuestas similares a la perturbación crean dos grupos de especies: aquellas cuya ocupación a nivel de sitio generalmente incrementó conforme incrementó la perturbación antropogénica y aquellas cuya ocupación estimada disminuyó. La ausencia de especies de talla grande conlleva una pérdida importante de la función ecológica en las áreas perturbadas y puede dificultar el desarrollo y mantenimiento del bosque. Los esfuerzos para proteger y restaurar los paisajes forestales probablemente estén teniendo un efecto positivo sobre la abundancia de algunas especies amenazadas. Estos esfuerzos, sin embargo, deben ser sostenidos y expandidos para incrementar la conectividad y asegurar la viabilidad a largo plazo de la comunidad faunística.

Variability in case fatality rate risk due to Covid-19 according to health services provider in Mexico City hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To describe differences in Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for Covid-19 among healthcare subsystems in Mexico City between March and December 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective secondary data analysis from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System data of Covid-19 cases. Information about health provider institutions was retrieved from the Catalogue of Health Establishments (CLUES). Logistic regressions were fitted to determine the association between health subsystems and mortality associated to Covid-19. The analyses were divided between hospitalized and ambulatory patients. RESULTS: The probability of dying from Covid-19 was higher among those treated at Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) (Hospitalized:OR=5.11, Ambulatory:OR=36.57), Instituto de Se-guridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE) (Hospitalized:OR=2.10, Ambulatory:OR=9.19), Secretaría de Salud (SS) (Hospitalized:OR=1.94, Ambulatory:OR=5.29) or other public institutions (Hospitalized: OR=1.70, Ambulatory:OR=9.56) than in those treated in private in-stitutions. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in healthcare quality and access between health subsystems are profound. It is imperative to increase the capacity and quality of the different health subsystems to improve health outcomes.

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Agonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) inhibit human experimental cancers in vivo by down-regulating receptors for GHRH.

The effects of the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) agonist MR409 on various human cancer cells were investigated. In H446 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and HCC827 and H460 (non-SCLC) cells, MR409 promoted cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, and induced the production of cellular cAMP in vitro. Western blot analyses showed that treatment of cancer cells with MR409 up-regulated the expression of cyclins D1 and D2 and cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, down-regulated p27kip1, and significantly increased the expression of the pituitary-type GHRH receptor (pGHRH-R) and its splice-variant (SV1). Hence, in vitro MR409 exerts agonistic action on lung cancer cells in contrast to GHRH antagonists. However, in vivo, MR409 inhibited growth of lung cancers xenografted into nude mice. MR409 given s.c. at 5 µg/day for 4 to 8 weeks significantly suppressed growth of HCC827, H460, and H446 tumors by 48.2%, 48.7%, and 65.6%, respectively. This inhibition of tumor growth by MR409 was accompanied by the down-regulation of the expression of pGHRH-R and SV1 in the pituitary gland and tumors. Tumor inhibitory effects of MR409 in vivo were also observed in other human cancers, including gastric, pancreatic, urothelial, prostatic, mammary, and colorectal. This inhibition of tumor growth parallel to the down-regulation of GHRH-Rs is similar and comparable to the suppression of sex hormone-dependent cancers after the down-regulation of receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) by LHRH agonists. Further oncological investigations with GHRH agonists are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Dyslipidemia and severe periodontitis among patients with type 2 diabetes.

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Functional outcome after cord detethering in fecally incontinent patients with anorectal malformations.

PURPOSE: Tethered cord (TC) occurs in 36% of patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs), for whom the benefit of detethering surgery remains unclear regarding bowel and/or bladder function. This study aimed to examine whether cord detethering could improve fecal and urinary incontinence in these patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of TC patients (>3 years old) with fecal incontinence and ARMs, who underwent detethering surgery between 2016 and 2020 and were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 27 included patients, 55% had sacral ratios between 0.4 and 0.7, and in 37% it was < 0.4; the remaining 8% was over 0.7; 52% suffered from colonic hypermotility. After detethering surgery, partial fecal continence was achieved in five patients (18%); total fecal continence, in ten patients (37%); 12 (44%) remained fecally incontinent. Partial urinary continence was obtained in four cases (14%), and the number of patients with total urinary continence rose from 7 (25%) to 15 (55%). Lower extremity symptoms were also improved in 72% of the cases. Patients with colonic hypomotility were found to have a better functional outcome than those with colonic hypermotility (69% vs. 43%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that detethering surgery led to remarkably improved bowel and bladder control in ARM patients with fecal incontinence, which, surprisingly, was not associated with sacral ratio.

Primary and post-chemoradiotherapy MRI detection of extramural venous invasion in rectal cancer: the role of diffusion-weighted imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to high-resolution T2-weighted sequences (HRT2w) in MRI detection of extramural venous infiltration (EMVI), according to the previous experience of radiologists. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a retrospective database including 1.5 T MRI records from 100 patients with biopsy-proven rectal cancer (2011-2016; 75 male/25 female, average 63 y/o), which included primary staging (54) and post-chemoradiotherapy follow-up MRIs (46). The reference standard was histology of surgical specimens. All cases were individually blindly reviewed by ten radiologists: three specialists in abdominal radiology, three specialized in different areas and four residents. In each case, the presence of EMVI was assessed twice: first, using just HRT2w; second, with DWI added to HRT2w. The results were pooled by experience, analyzing sensitivity, specificity, accuracy (area under ROC curve), likelihood ratios, predictive values and overstaging/understaging. RESULTS: Addition of DWI improved diagnostic performance by specialists radiologists, particularly post-chemoradiotherapy (accuracy 0.74-0.84; positive likelihood ratio 3.9-9.1; overstaging 16-8%), less so at primary staging (specificity 76-87.2%; overstaging 21-11%). Non-specialist radiologists also improved, but only at primary staging (accuracy 0.59-0.63). Residents showed small changes, except for notably increased sensitivity in both primary staging (35.7-43%) and post-chemoradiotherapy (41.7-58.3%) staging, at the expense of increased overstaging. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of DWI improved the diagnostic performance of EMVI by experienced radiologists, downgrading overstaging, especially in post-chemoradiotherapy follow-up. It resulted in fewer changes for inexperienced radiologists (enhanced primary staging) and residents (increased sensitivity).

Refill Procedures of Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems With a Recessed Fill Port on the Pump Surface: A Prospective Comparison Study of Ultrasound-Guided vs. Blind Refill Technique.

OBJECTIVES: Structural differences of implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs) might have an impact on the efficiency of needle access to the reservoir fill port (RFP). The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of RFP needle access with an ultrasound (US)-guided vs. a blind refill technique in IDDSs with a Recessed RFP (Recessed-RFP-IDDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary outcome was the number of attempts needed to enter the RFP with a needle comparing the US-guided technique vs. the blind refill technique. The time to enter the RFP with the needle was a secondary outcome. We compared the amount of attempts between both techniques with the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Fourteen adult patients underwent a total of 75 refills of their Recessed-RFP-IDDS during a period of 24 months. The median number of attempts to enter the RFP did not differ significantly between the US-guided technique and the blind refill technique (2.0 (IQR: 1-5) vs. 1.5 (IQR: 1-5.0), p = 0.572). The median time to enter the RFP with the needle did not differ significantly between both techniques (35.0 sec (IQR: 26.0-58.0) vs. 41.0 sec (IQR: 25.5-46.8), p = 0.878). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there is no difference in the RFP needle access efficiency between the US-guided and the blind refill technique in superficially located Recessed-RFP-IDDSs, if performed by experienced practitioners. However, the study did not address efficiency of the RFP needle access in IDDSs with aberrancy in pump location or refills performed by inexperienced staff.

Orofacial pain and its potential oral causes in older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

BACKGROUND: The number of people with dementia and natural dentition is growing. As dementia progresses, the degree of self-care decreases and the risk of oral health problems and orofacial pain increases. OBJECTIVES: To examine and compare the presence of orofacial pain and its potential causes in older people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, the presence of orofacial pain and its potential causes was studied in 348 participants with MCI or dementia with all levels of cognitive impairment in two outpatient memory clinics and ten nursing homes. RESULTS: Orofacial pain was reported by 25.7% of the 179 participants who were considered to present a reliable pain self-report (Mini-Mental State Examination score ≥14 points), while it could not be determined in people with more severe cognitive impairment. The oral health examination of the 348 participants indicated that potential painful conditions, such as coronal caries, root caries, tooth root remnants or ulcers were present in 50.3%. There was a significant correlation between the level of cognitive impairment and the number of teeth, r = 0.185, P = 0.003, teeth with coronal caries, r = -0.238, P < 0.001, and the number of tooth root remnants, r = -0.229, P = 0.004, after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that orofacial pain and its potential causes were frequently present in participants with MCI or dementia. Therefore, a regular oral examination by (oral) healthcare providers in people with MCI or dementia remains imperative, even if no pain is reported.

Optical probe for the analysis of trace indole in shrimp.

Indole is a chemical from the decomposition of shrimp and is used extensively to indicate seafood freshness. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets its concentration of <25 µg/100 g shrimp as the threshold for Class I (fresh shrimp). A novel optical probe is reported to quantitatively analyze trace indole in shrimp, including the Class I threshold concentration. Based on an Ehrlich-type reaction, visible spectroscopic analysis of indole in petroleum ether gives a limit of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) of 0.05 and 0.16 µg mL-1, respectively. For 25 µg indole/100 g shrimp extracted into petroleum ether, the probe successfully detects it and the color change is visible to the naked eye. Analysis of the probe response by a visible spectrometer leads to quantification of ≤25 µg indole/100 g shrimp, when recovery is accounted for. When a handheld colorimeter, based on the CIELAB color space, and a smartphone with Bluetooth connectivity are used, the probe demonstrates similar sensitivity for indole in shrimp. The current probe is made of 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde (DMAB) and catalyst p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) in thin films. Indole in shrimp samples after extraction reacts with DMAB to give red ß-bis(indolyl)methane.

Pain in Patients with Different Dementia Subtypes, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Subjective Cognitive Impairment.

Objective: To assess the pain prevalence, pain intensity, and pain medication use in older patients with a diagnosed subtype of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Outpatient memory clinics. Subjects: In total, 759 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia, mixed AD and vascular pathology (MD), frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies, MCI, or SCI. Methods: Self-reported presence and intensity of pain, prescribed medication, and related descriptive variables were given for each group. To compare groups on prevalence of pain, logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and mood. Differences in pain intensity were tested using a Kruskall-Wallis test, and differences in analgesic use with chi-square analyses. Results: Pain prevalence ranged from 34% in MD to 50% in SCI. AD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.93) and MD (OR = 0.45, CI = 0.20-0.98) patients were less likely to report pain than SCI patients. The self-reported pain intensity did not differ between groups. In total, 62.5% of patients did not use any analgesic medication despite being in pain, which did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Outpatient memory clinic patients with mild to moderate AD and MD are less likely to report pain than patients with SCI. No difference in self-reported pain intensity was present. The high percentage of patients with and without dementia who do not use analgesics when in pain raises the question of whether pain treatment is adequate in older patients.