Brain structural change associated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in maltreated children.

BACKGROUND: Severely maltreatment child is a harmful social factor that can disrupt normal neurodevelopment. Two commonly reported effects of maltreatment are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and brain structural and functional alteration. While Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is effectively used to reduce PTSD symptoms in maltreated children, yet, its impact on brain structural alterations has not been fully explored. This study investigated whether TF-CBT can attenuate alterations in brain structures associated with PTSD in middle childhood. METHODS: The study evaluated the longitudinal effects of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and gray matter volume (GMV) in two groups of children under 12 years old: maltreated children (MC) and healthy non- maltreatmentd children (HC). Structural magnetic resonance images T1 were obtained before and after TF-CBT in the MC group, while the HC group was scanned twice within the same time interval. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to analyze GMV changes over time. RESULTS: After TF-CBT, maltreated children showed significantly reduced PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, a significant group-by-time interaction effect was observed in certain areas of the Left Temporal, Left Occipital, and bilateral Frontal Cortex, the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum. These interaction effects were driven by a GMV decrease in the MC group compared to the HC group. GMV changes can be predicted with clinical improvement in the left Middle Temporal gyrus, left Precuneus, and Cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TF-CBT intervention in very young maltreated children may have an effect on gray matter. This evidence demonstrates the importance of timely intervention when neuroplasticity mechanisms may be activated.

Can psychopathy be prevented? Clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic data: an exploratory study.

The aim of the study was to explore the relationship among brain functional activations elicited by an emotional paradigm, clinical scores (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), psychopathic traits, and genetic characteristics (5-HTTLPR) in a group of severely maltreated children compared to a healthy control group before and after the implementation of a Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The final sample consisted of an experimental group of 14 maltreated children (mean age = 8.77 years old, S.D. = 1.83) recruited from a non-governmental shelter in Mexico City for children who had experienced child abuse and a control group of 10 children from the general population (mean age = 9.57 years old, S.D. = 1.91). Both groups were matched according to age and gender and were assessed before and after the implementation of the aforementioned therapy by means of clinical scales and an emotional paradigm that elicited brain activations which were recorded through functional magnetic resonance imaging. Genotyping of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was made at first assessment. A region of interest analysis showed amygdala hyperactivation during exposure to fear and anger stimuli in the maltreated children before treatment. Following therapy, a decrease in brain activity as well as a decrease in clinical symptoms were also observed. 5-HTTLPR polymorphism did not show any effect on the severity of clinical symptoms in maltreated children. Trauma-Focused Behavioral Therapy may help reorganize the brain's processing of emotional stimuli. These observations reveal the importance of an early intervention when the mechanisms of neuroplasticity may be still recruited.

Asociación entre nivel de conocimiento sobre higiene postural, satisfacción laboral e incapacidad prolongada en pacientes con lumbalgia / Association between level of knowledge about postural hygiene, job satisfaction and prolonged disability in patients with low back pain

Objetivo: Determinar la satisfacción laboral y el nivel de conocimiento sobre higiene postural como factores asocia-dos a incapacidad prolongada en lumbalgia.Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico en pacientes con incapacidad temporal de trabajo por lumbalgia, se inte-graron dos grupos, pacientes con incapacidad prolongada y pacientes con incapacidad no prolongada. El tamaño de la muestra fue 120 por grupo. La satisfacción laboral se evaluó mediante el instrumento adaptado basado en el cuestionario s21/26 y S4/82, para la higiene postural se utilizó el cuestionario sobre higiene postural de Borrás. El análisis estadístico incluyó t student, mann whitney y Chi2. Resultados: No se encontró asociación entre incapacidad prolongada y satisfacción laboral, en el grupo con in-capacidad prolongada 42.5% refieren estar bastante satisfechos y en el grupo sin incapacidad prolongada la pre-valencia es 35.0% (p=0.154). En el grupo con incapacidad prolongada el nivel de conocimiento bajo sobre higiene postural es 87.5% y en el grupo sin incapacidad prolongada el porcentaje es 68.5% (p=0.000). Conclusión: La satisfacción laboral no es factor asociado con incapacidad prolongada por lumbalgia, el nivel de conocimiento sobre higiene postural es factor asociado a incapacidad prolongada por lumbalgia (AU)

Objective: To determine job satisfaction and the level of knowledge about postural hygiene as factors associated with prolonged disability in low back pain.Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in patients with temporary work disability due to low back pain, two groups were integrated, patients with prolonged disability and patients with non-prolonged disability. The sample size was 120 per group. Job satisfaction was evaluated using the adapted instrument based on the s21/26 and S4/82 questionnaire, for postural hygiene the Borrás postural hygiene questionnaire was used. Statistical analysis includ-ed t student, Mann Whitney and Chi2.Results: No significant association was found between prolonged disability and job satisfaction. In the group with prolonged disability, 42.5% reported being quite satisfied, and in the group without prolonged disability, the prev-alence was 35.0% (p=0.154).In the group with prolonged disability, the low level of knowledge about postural hygiene is 87.5% and in the group without prolonged disability, the percentage is 68.5%, a statistically significant difference (p=0.000).Conclusion: Job satisfaction is not a factor associated with prolonged disability due to low back pain, the level of knowledge about postural hygiene is a factor associated with prolonged disability due to low back pain (AU)

Mesoporous SiC-Based Photocatalytic Membranes and Coatings for Water Treatment.

Photocatalytically active silicon carbide (SiC)-based mesoporous layers (pore sizes between 5 and 30 nm) were synthesized from preceramic polymers (polymer-derived ceramic route) on the surface and inside the pores of conventional macroporous α-alumina supports. The hybrid membrane system obtained, coupling the separation and photocatalytical properties of SiC thin films, was characterized by different static and dynamic techniques, including gas and liquid permeation measurements. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by considering the degradation efficiency of a model organic pollutant (methylene blue, MB) under UV light irradiation in both diffusion and permeation modes using SiC-coated macroporous supports. Specific degradation rates of 1.58 × 10-8 mol s-1 m-2 and 7.5 × 10-9 mol s-1 m-2 were obtained in diffusion and permeation modes, respectively. The performance of the new SiC/α-Al2O3 materials compares favorably to conventional TiO2-based photocatalytic membranes, taking advantage of the attractive physicochemical properties of SiC. The developed synthesis strategy yielded original photocatalytic SiC/α-Al2O3 composites with the possibility to couple the ultrafiltration SiC membrane top-layer with the SiC-functionalized (photocatalytic) macroporous support. Such SiC-based materials and their rational associations on porous supports offer promising potential for the development of efficient photocatalytic membrane reactors and contactors for the continuous treatment of polluted waters.

SiC Foams for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue under Visible Light Irradiation.

SiC foams were synthesized by impregnating preceramic polymer into polyurethane foam templates, resulting in a photo-catalytically active material for the degradation of methylene blue. The crystalline structure, electronic properties, and photocatalytic performance of the SiC foams were characterized using a series of experimental techniques, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, N2 physisorption measurements, UV-visible spectroscopy, and methylene blue photodegradation tests. The original polyurethane template's microporous structure was maintained during the formation of the SiC foam, while additional mesopores were introduced by the porogen moieties added to the preceramic polymers. The prepared SiC-based photocatalyst showed attractive photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. This structured and reactive material offers good potential for application as a catalytic contactor or membrane reactor for the semi-continuous treatment of contaminated waste waters in ambient conditions.

Schizophrenia-Like Psychosis Presented in a Patient With a Temporal Lobe Tumor: A Case Report.

Psychiatric symptoms caused by brain lesions are not uncommon nowadays, caused by several different pathologies such as Alzheimer's, dementia, vascular and oncological diseases, etc. and they are known as neuropsychiatric or neurobehavioral symptoms, overlapping as mental health disorders. The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, and the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by them are depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia-like psychosis, anorexia nervosa, or cognitive dysfunction. We present a case of a 46-year-old male with no psychiatric familial history who started with a schizophrenia-like psychosis with hallucinations and, in consequence, killed his mother, symptoms which, after almost eight years, were known to be caused by a brain tumor.

Body Dissatisfaction, Distorted Body Image and Disordered Eating Behaviors in University Students: An Analysis from 2017-2022.

University students, as young adults, are at risk for Body Dissatisfaction (BD) and Distorted Body Image (DBI), which are related to Disordered Eating Behaviors (DEBs). This study aimed to assess changes in the prevalence of these three conditions over six years; and the associations between them. Data was collected through an annual online survey from 2017 to 2022 at a private university in Mexico City. Students between 18-30 years old were invited to participate. Body image-related variables were assessed by the Stunkard's Silhouettes and Body Mass Index, by self-reported height and weight. Disordered Eating Behaviors were measured by the Brief Disordered Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. A median of 250 students participated per year, with a median age of 21 years old. The prevalence was 63.5-71.7% for BD, 40.4-49.1% for DBI, and 25-38.3% for DEBs. DEBs and BD showed associations during the whole period (OR from 3.6 to 15.9, p ≤ 0.001); as well as DBI with DEBs (OR from 1.9 to 3.3, p < 0.05). Alterations in Body Image and eating behaviors are common conditions, mainly in women and in the young population. Therefore, it is important to promote screening for these conditions, as they usually remain undiagnosed, their prevalence is increasing worldwide, and their impact on physical and mental health has already been acknowledged.

Pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos air concentrations and pregnant women's urinary metabolites in the Infants' Environmental Health Study (ISA), Costa Rica.

BACKGROUND: Only few studies have compared environmental pesticide air concentrations with specific urinary metabolites to evaluate pathways of exposure. Therefore, we compared pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos concentrations in air with urinary 4-hydroxypyrimethanil (OHP, metabolite of pyrimethanil) and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy, metabolite of chlorpyrifos) among pregnant women from the Infant's Environmental Health Study (ISA) in Matina County, Costa Rica. METHODS: During pregnancy, we obtained repeat urinary samples from 448 women enrolled in the ISA study. We extrapolated pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos concentrations measured with passive air samplers (PAS) (n = 48, from 12 schools), across space and time using a Bayesian spatiotemporal model. We subsequently compared these concentrationswith urinary OHP and TCPy in 915 samples from 448 women, usingseparatemixed models andconsidering several covariables. RESULTS: A 10% increase in air pyrimethanil (ng/m3) was associated with a 5.7% (95% confidence interval (CI 4.6, 6.8) increase in OHP (µg/L). Women living further from banana plantations had lower OHP: -0.7% (95% CI -1.2, -0.3) for each 10% increase in distance (meters) as well as women who ate rice and beans ≥15 times a week -23% (95% CI -38, -4). In addition, each 1 ng/m3 increase in chlorpyrifos in air was associated with a 1.5% (95% CI 0.2, 2.8) increase in TCPy (µg/L), and women working in agriculture tended to have increased TCPy (21%, 95% CI -2, 49). CONCLUSION: The Bayesian spatiotemporal models were useful to estimate pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos air concentrations across space and time. Our results suggest inhalation of pyrimethanil and chlorpyrifos is a pathway of environmental exposure. PAS seems a useful technique to monitor environmental current-use pesticide exposures. For future studies, we recommend increasing the number of locations of environmental air measurements, obtaining all air and urine measurements during the same month, and, ideally, including dermal exposure estimates as well.

Can gray values be converted to Hounsfield units? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this systematic review was to answer the focus question: "Could the gray values (GVs) from CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) be converted to Hounsfield units (HUs) in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)?" METHODS: The included studies try to answer the research question according to the PICO strategy. Studies were gathered by searching several electronic databases and partial grey literature up to January 2021 without language or time restrictions. The methodological assessment of the studies was performed using The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) for in vitro studies and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) for in vivo studies. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE system) instrument was applied to assess the level of evidence across the studies. RESULTS: 2710 articles were obtained in Phase 1, and 623 citations remained after removing duplicates. Only three studies were included in this review using a two-phase selection process and after applying the eligibility criteria. All studies were methodologically acceptable, although in general terms with low risks of bias. There are some included studies with quite low and limited evidence estimations and recommendation forces; evidencing the need for clinical studies with diagnostic capacity to support its use. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review demonstrated that the GVs from CBCT cannot be converted to HUs due to the lack of clinical studies with diagnostic capacity to support its use. However, it is evidenced that three conversion steps (equipment calibration, prediction equation models, and a standard formula (converting GVs to HUs)) are needed to obtain pseudo Hounsfield values instead of only obtaining them from a regression or directly from the software.

Periodontal effects of maxillary expansion in adults using non-surgical expanders with skeletal anchorage vs. surgically assisted maxillary expansion: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Describe and compare harmful periodontal effects as a consequence of maxillary expansion in adult patients with different types of anchorage devices in non-surgical expanders with skeletal anchorage and surgically assisted maxillary expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exhaustive search was carried out on the electronic databases PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Cochrane and LILACS. Additionally, journal references and grey literature were searched without any restrictions. After the selection and extraction process; risk of bias was assessed by the ROB-1 Cochrane tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for randomized trials and cohort studies, respectively. RESULTS: Of 621 studies retrieved from the searches, six were finally included in this review. One of them presented a low risk bias, while five were excellent respective to selection, comparability and outcomes. Results showed that maxillary expansion in adults using non-surgical expanders (bone-borne or tooth-bone-borne with bicortical skeletal anchorage) produce less harmful periodontal effects, such as: alveolar bending with an average range from 0.92° to 2.32°, compared to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (tooth-borne) of 6.4°; dental inclination with an average range from 0.07° to 2.4°, compared to surgically assisted maxillary expansion (tooth-borne) with a range from 2.01° to 5.56°. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited, the current evidence seems to show that the bone-borne or tooth-bone-borne with bicortical skeletal anchorage produces fewer undesirable periodontal effects.

Human microRNAs in host-parasite interaction: a review.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small noncoding RNA molecules with significant capacity to regulate the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in a sequence-specific manner either through translation repression or mRNA degradation triggering a fine-tuning biological impact. They have been implicated in several processes, including cell growth and development, signal transduction, cell proliferation and differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, and immune response modulation. However, over the last few years, extensive studies have shown the relevance of miRNAs in human pathophysiology. Common human parasitic diseases, such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Amoebiasis, Chagas disease, Schistosomiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Clonorchiasis, and Echinococcosis are the leading cause of death worldwide. Thus, identifying and characterizing parasite-specific miRNAs and their host targets, as well as host-related miRNAs, are important for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of parasite-specific diseases at the molecular level. In this review, we have demonstrated the impact of human microRNAs during host-parasite interaction as well as their potential to be used for diagnosis and prognosis purposes.

Passive monitoring techniques to evaluate environmental pesticide exposure: Results from the Infant's Environmental Health study (ISA).

BACKGROUND: Pesticides used in agriculture may expose populations living nearby. Costa Rica is a major banana-exporting country, its production depends on extensive pesticide use. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate environmental pesticide exposure, we measured levels of current-use pesticides in air and dust from 12 schools in Matina County, Costa Rica, with passive sampling methods. METHODS: We selected ten proximal and two non-proximal schools and placed polyurethane foam passive air samplers outdoors at each school, during four consecutive periods. At three of these schools, we also placed an active air sampler during the first 24 h of each sampling period. We collected passive dust samples by placing a glass Petri Dish at the inside of each school. We subsequently performed a chemical analysis of 18 pesticides, using gas chromatography with mass detector. RESULTS: With passive air samplers we detected ten different pesticides: two insecticides, two nematicides, and six fungicides, of which nine reported to be used on banana plantations. More than half of the samples contained at least five pesticides. Chlorpyrifos was detected most-frequently, in 98% of samples, followed by the nematicides etoprophos and the fungicide pyrimethanil that were both detected in 81% of samples. Chlorpyrifos concentrations were five times higher in proximal as compared to non-proximal schools: mean = 18.2 ng/m3 (range = 6.1-36.1) and mean = 3.5 ng/m3 (range= <0.5-11.4) and varied more between schools than in time (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.80). In general, results from passive and active samplers showed similar exposure patterns; yet median concentrations tended to be higher in passive samplers. In dust samples, mostly fungicides were detected; chlorothalonil was detected most frequently, in 50% of samples. DISCUSSION: Passive air sampling is a promising technique to characterize environmental exposure to current-use pesticides; more studies are needed to characterize the sampling rates, reproducibility and optimum sampling times for passive samplers. School environments near banana plantations are contaminated with multiple pesticides that include insecticides, nematicides, and fungicides, which is of concern.

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty.

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) negatively impact the cardiovascular prognosis of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty due to coronary ischemic injury. The extent of coronary damage and the mechanisms of vascular repair are factors influencing the future development of MACEs. Intrinsic vascular features like the plaque characteristics and coronary artery complexity have demonstrated prognostic information for MACEs. However, the use of intracoronary circulating biomarkers has been postulated as a convenient method for the early identification and prognosis of MACEs, as they more closely reflect dynamic mechanisms involving coronary damage and repair. Determination of coronary circulating biomarkers during angioplasty, such as the number of subpopulations of mononuclear progenitor cells (MPCs) as well as the concentration of soluble molecules reflecting inflammation, cell adhesion, and repair, allows for assessment of future developments and the prognosis of MACEs 6 months post coronary angioplasty. This method is highlighted by its translational nature and better performance than peripheral blood circulating biomarkers regarding prediction of MACEs and its effect on the cardiovascular prognosis, which may be applied for risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease undergoing angioplasty.

Genetic Polymorphisms in APC, DVL2, and AXIN1 Are Associated with Susceptibility, Advanced TNM Stage or Tumor Location in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death worldwide. The named "destruction complex" has a critical function in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway regulating the level of ß-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Alterations in this complex lead to the cellular accumulation of ß-catenin, which participates in the development and progression of CRC. This study aims to determine the contribution of polymorphisms in the genes of the ß-catenin destruction complex to develop CRC, specifically adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) (rs11954856 G>T and rs459552 A>T), axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1) (rs9921222 C>T and rs1805105 C>T), AXIN2 (rs7224837 A>G), and dishevelled 2 (DVL2) (2074222 G>A and rs222836 C>T). Genomic DNA from 180 sporadic colorectal cancer patients and 150 healthy blood donors were analyzed. The identification of polymorphisms was made by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. Association was calculated by the odds ratio (OR) test. Increased susceptibility to CRC was associated with the polymorphic variants rs11954856 (APC), rs222836 (DVL2), and rs9921222 (AXIN1). Decreased susceptibility was associated with the polymorphisms rs459552 (APC) and 2074222 (DVL2). Association was also observed with advanced Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stages and tumor location. The haplotypes G-T in APC (rs11954856-rs459552) and A-C in DVL2 (rs2074222-rs222836) were associated with decreased risk of CRC, while the G-T haplotype in the DVL2 gene was associated with increased CRC risk. In conclusion, our results suggest that variants in the destruction complex genes may be involved in the promotion or prevention of colorectal cancer.

Coronary circulating mononuclear progenitor cells and soluble biomarkers in the cardiovascular prognosis after coronary angioplasty.

Currently, there are no confident prognostic markers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing angioplasty. The present study aimed to explore whether basal coronary circulating Mononuclear Progenitor Cells (MPCs) and vascular injury biomarkers were related to development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and may impact clinical prognosis. METHODS: The number of MPCs and soluble mediators such as IL-1ß, sICAM-1, MMP-9, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were determined in coronary and peripheral circulation. Prognostic ability for MACEs occurring at 6 months follow up was assessed by time-to-event and event free survival estimations. RESULTS: Lower coronary circulating MPCs subpopulations CD45+ CD34+ , CD45+ CD34+ CD133+ CD184+ , lower MMP-9 and higher sICAM-1 significantly associated with MACEs presentation and showed prognostic ability; while peripheral blood increase in malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase were observed in patients with MACEs. CONCLUSION: Coronary concentration of biomarkers related with vascular repair, such as MPCs subpopulations and adhesion molecules, may predict MACEs and impact prognosis in patients with CAD undergoing angioplasty; whereas peripheral pro-oxidative condition may be also associated.

Overview authors rarely defined systematic reviews that are included in their overviews.

OBJECTIVES: To report systematic review definitions that are published in overviews of reviews and to propose a new classification of systematic reviews. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In this review of overviews, we searched PubMed for systematic review definitions that were reported in overviews of reviews that were published in the medical literature between November 2017 and May 2018. Two independent authors extracted and descriptively reported the systematic review definitions from the overviews. The definitions were evaluated regarding whether the concepts of comprehensiveness and reproducibility were incorporated into them, as suggested by some published systematic review definitions. RESULTS: Initially, 138 documents were retrieved, and 111 overviews and protocols of overviews were included. Eight (8%) overviews explicitly reported a systematic review definition, whereas 25 (24%) overviews reported heterogeneous information about the criteria that were used to include systematic reviews in the overviews. Seventy-two (68%) overviews did not report any definition/criteria for including a systematic review. Two (2%) overviews reported a definition based on reproducibility, and none of the overviews reported the need to search for grey and unpublished literature for a review to be considered systematic. CONCLUSION: Overview authors rarely define systematic reviews that are included in their overviews and the few that do include a definition that provides heterogeneous criteria.

Risk of bias over time in updates of Cochrane oral health reviews.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the changes in the risk of bias (RoB) across different versions of the same Cochrane systematic review, and to identify characteristics of systematic reviews which may be associated with different RoB scores by means of regression analysis. METHODS: We examined changes in RoB ratings in domains of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials (CTs) included in original Cochrane systematic reviews and their updates published in oral health. First, we checked the number of domains assessed for RoB in the different versions of the systematic review. Then, we computed the percentage of different ratings of RoB (low, high and unclear) in these systematic review versions. All data selection, extraction and analysis were conducted independently and in duplicate by two assessors. Time trends were reported in the form of line graphs. We also assessed systematic review characteristics as predictors of RoB scores by means of regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 173 reviews consisting of the original reviews and their updates were examined. The proportion of different ratings of RoB was kept stable over the different versions. However, in more recent versions, the proportion of unclear RoB slightly increased, and the proportion of high RoB decreased. Cochrane risk of bias domains were a significant RoB score predictor (Likelihood ratio test p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Methodological improvements in RCTs and CTs included in Cochrane reviews are needed. This comprehensive information on the RoB trend may help oral health researchers improving the methodology related to specific domains. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Methodological improvements are necessary for primary studies included in Cochrane reviews in oral health. The increase of domains rated as unclear RoB is of concern and suggests that strategies should be developed to improve the level of communication between trialists and systematic reviewers.

Multifunctional nanocarriers for the treatment of periodontitis: Immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and regenerative strategies.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, in which the host immuno-inflammatory response against the dysbiotic subgingival biofilm leads to the breakdown of periodontal tissues. Most of the available treatments seem to be effective in the short-term; nevertheless, permanent periodical controls and patient compliance compromise long-term success. Different strategies have been proposed for the modulation of the host immune response as potential therapeutic tools to take a better care of most susceptible periodontitis patients, such as drug local delivery approaches. Though, maintaining an effective drug concentration for a prolonged period of time has not been achieved yet. In this context, advanced drug delivery strategies using biodegradable nanocarriers have been proposed to avoid toxicity and frequency-related problems of treatment. The versatility of distinct nanocarriers allows the improvement of their loading and release capabilities and could be potentially used for microbiological control, periodontal regeneration, and/or immunomodulation. In the present review, we revise and discuss the most frequent biodegradable nanocarrier strategies proposed for the treatment of periodontitis, including polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), chitosan, and silica-derived nanoparticles, and further suggest novel therapeutic strategies.

Biodepuration of domestic sewage, textile effluents and acid mine drainage using starch-based xerogel from recycled potato peels.

Water is a finite resource. Its safety and cleanliness are highly important to meet current and future human needs. Compared to other resources, water represents a main factor to achieve development in several areas and leads to economic progress of a nation. However, in recent years, the excessive demographic and industrial growth has exacerbated water contamination. In this study, the biodepuration process of domestic sewage (DS), textile effluents (TE) and acid mine drainage (AMD) is conducted using starch-based xerogel from potato (Solanum tuberosum) peels. Results showed that the treatment is effective to achieve the reduction of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand. The most important result was the achievement of heavy metals removal for the three components. Firstly, there was a reduction of barium, zinc, and cadmium (91, 60 and 46%, respectively) for raw AMD. Secondly, there was a reduction in the levels of zinc, aluminum, and barium (89, 86 and 64%, respectively) for TE biodepuration. Finally, results showed a reduction in zinc, iron and cadmium levels (81, 78 and 57%, respectively) for DS biodepuration.