Influence of particle size on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection using IgG-capped gold nanoparticles and dynamic light scattering.

Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, the development of rapid immunoassays to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its highly contagious variants is an important and challenging task. Here, we report the development of polyclonal antibody-functionalized spherical gold nanoparticle biosensors as well as the influence of the nanoparticle sizes on the immunoassay response to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by dynamic light scattering. By monitoring the increment in the hydrodynamic diameter (ΔDH) by dynamic light scattering measurements in the antigen-antibody interaction, SARS-CoV-2 S-protein can be detected in only 5 min. The larger the nanoparticles, the larger ΔDH in the presence of spike protein. From adsorption isotherm, the calculated binding constant (K D ) was 83 nM and the estimated limit of detection was 13 ng/mL (30 pM). The biosensor was stable up to 90 days at 4 °C. Therefore, the biosensor developed in this work could be potentially applied as a fast and sensible immunoassay to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in patient samples.

Magnetic double-J stent: Evaluation of tolerance and impact on quality of life compared to traditional double-J stent.

INTRODUCTION: The placement of a ureteral stent is one of the most widely performed procedures in urology. It can have a negative impact on the patients' quality of life, requiring a cystoscopy for its removal. The objective of this study is to evaluate the symptoms and impact on quality of life derived from the use of a magnetic double-J stent (Black Star®) and compare them to those presented in patients with a traditional double-J stent (OptiMed®). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a comparative, prospective, randomized study in 46 patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy with double-J stent placement between August 2019 and June 2020. Of all patients included, 23 had a traditional double-J stent placed (group A) and 23 had a magnetic double-J stent (group B) placed. We evaluated the results of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) in both groups, assessed the technical difficulty related to stent removal and the pain during the procedure using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We also reviewed the need for medical attention due to problems related to the stent or after its removal. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the answers in the USSQ and the complications related to the use of the stent. Group B showed less pain (1.52 vs. 4, VAS, p = 0.001) and less difficulty during removal (1.61 vs. 3, p < 0.001) associated with a shorter procedure duration (11.65 min vs. 22.17 min p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The tolerance shown by the use of magnetic double-J is comparable to the tolerance of traditional stent, since it does not cause an increase in urinary symptoms nor worsens the quality of life of patients during its use.

Treatment for rectourethral fistulas after radical prostatectomy with biological material interposition through a perineal access.

INTRODUCTION: Rectal injury is a rare complication after extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The development of rectourethral fistulas (URF) from rectal injuries is one of the most feared and of more complex resolution in urology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2013 and 2020 we have operated on a total of 5 patients with URF after extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy through a perineal access using the interposition of biological material. All fistulas had a diameter of less than 6 mm at endoscopy and were less than 6 cm apart from the anal margin. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64 years old. All patients had a previous bowel and urinary diversion for at least 3 months. Under general anesthesia and with the patient in a forced lithotomy position, fistulorraphy and interposition of biological material of porcine origin (lyophilized porcine dermis [Permacol®]) were performed through a perineal access. Mean operative time was 174 min (140-210). Most patients were discharged on the third postoperative day. The bladder catheter was left in place for a mean of 40 days (30-60). Prior to its removal, cystography and a Gastrografin® barium enema were performed, showing resolution of the fistula in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The interposition of biological material from porcine dermis through perineal approach is a safe alternative with good results in patients submitted to urethrorectal fistulorraphy after radical prostatectomy.

Catéter doble J magnético: evaluación de la tolerancia e impacto en la calidad de vida en comparación con el catéter doble J tradicional / Magnetic double-J stent: evaluation of tolerance and impact on quality of life compared to traditional double-J stent

Introducción: La colocación de un catéter doble J (DJ) es uno de los procedimientos más realizados en urología. Puede causar un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida, siendo necesaria una cistoscopia para su extracción. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la sintomatología e impacto en la calidad de vida derivados del uso del catéter DJ magnético (Black Star®) y compararla con la del DJ tradicional (OptiMed®).Material y métodosRealizamos un estudio comparativo, prospectivo y aleatorizado en 46 pacientes sometidos a ureterorrenoscopia (URS) en quienes se colocó un DJ entre agosto del 2019 y junio del 2020. De los pacientes incluidos, 23 llevaron un DJ tradicional (grupo A) y 23 un DJ magnético (grupo B). Valoramos en ambos grupos los resultados del cuestionario de síntomas de catéter ureteral (USSQ). Evaluamos el dolor de la extracción mediante la escala visual analógica (EVA) y la dificultad de la retirada. Revisamos la necesidad de atención médica por problemas relacionados con el catéter o surgidos tras la extracción.ResultadosNo observamos diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el cuestionario USSQ, ni en las complicaciones. El grupo B presentó: menor dolor de la extracción (EVA de 1,52 vs. 4, p = 0,001), menor dificultad en la retirada (1,61 vs. 3, p < 0,001) y menor tiempo de extracción (11,65 vs. 22,17 min p < 0,001).ConclusionesEl DJ magnético es un catéter ureteral que presenta una tolerancia equiparable a los tradicionales, ya que no genera un incremento de la sintomatología urinaria ni empeora la calidad de vida de los pacientes durante su uso. (AU)

Introduction: The placement of a ureteral stent is one of the most widely performed procedures in urology. It can have a negative impact on the patients’ quality of life, requiring a cystoscopy for its removal. The objective of this study is to evaluate the symptoms and impact on quality of life derived from the use of a magnetic double-J stent (Black Star ®) and compare them to those presented in patients with a traditional double-J stent (OptiMed®).Material and methodsWe conducted a comparative, prospective, randomized study in 46 patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy with double-J stent placement between August 2019 and June 2020. Of all patients included, 23 had a traditional double-J stent placed (group A) and 23 had a magnetic double-J stent (group B) placed. We evaluated the results of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) in both groups, assessed the technical difficulty related to stent removal and the pain during the procedure using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We also reviewed the need for medical attention due to problems related to the stent or after its removal.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding the answers in the USSQ and the complications related to the use of the stent. Group B showed less pain (1,52 vs. 4, VAS, p = 0.001) and less difficulty during removal (1,61 vs. 3, p < 0,001) associated with a shorter procedure duration (11,65 min vs. 22,17 min p < 0,001).ConclusionsThe tolerance shown by the use of magnetic double-J is comparable to the tolerance of traditional stent, since it does not cause an increase in urinary symptoms nor worsens the quality of life of patients during its use. (AU)

Tratamiento de las fístulas uretrorrectales tras prostatectomía radical mediante la interposición de material biológico vía perineal / Treatment for rectourethral fistulas after radical prostatectomy with biological material interposition through a perineal access

Introducción: La lesión rectal es una complicación infrecuente de la prostatectomía radical laparoscópica extraperitoneal. El desarrollo de fístulas uretrorrectales (FUR), a partir de lesiones rectales, resulta uno de los problemas más temidos y de más compleja resolución en urología.Material y métodosEntre 2013 y 2020 hemos intervenido a un total de cinco pacientes con FUR tras prostatectomía radical endoscópica extraperitoneal, mediante un abordaje perineal utilizando la interposición de material biológico. Todas las fístulas presentaron un diámetro menor de 6 mm en la endoscopia y se encontraban a menos de 6 cm del margen anal.ResultadosLa media de edad de los pacientes fue 64 años. Todos los pacientes llevaban al menos tres meses de derivación intestinal y urinaria previas. Bajo anestesia general, y con el paciente en posición de litotomía forzada mediante un acceso perineal, se realizó fistulorrafia e interposición de material biológico de origen porcino (dermis porcina liofilizada [Permacol®, Medtronic]). La duración media de la cirugía fue de 174 min (140-210). La mayoría de los pacientes fueron dados de alta al tercer día postoperatorio. La sonda vesical se mantuvo una media de 40 días (30-60). Previa a la retirada de la misma, se realizó cistografía y enema opaco con Gastrografin®, que mostró resolución de la fístula en todos los casos.ConclusionesLa interposición de material biológico procedente de dermis porcina mediante abordaje perineal es una alternativa segura y con buenos resultados en pacientes sometidos a fistulorrafia uretrorrectal tras prostatectomía radical. (AU)

Introduction: Rectal injury is a rare complication after extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The development of rectourethral fistulas (URF) from rectal injuries is one of the most feared and of more complex resolution in urology.Material and methodsBetween 2013 and 2020 we have operated on a total of 5 patients with URF after extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy through a perineal access using the interposition of biological material. All fistulas had a diameter of less than 6 mm at endoscopy and were less than 6 cm apart from the anal margin.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 64 years old. All patients had a previous bowel and urinary diversion for at least 3 months. Under general anesthesia and with the patient in a forced lithotomy position, fistulorraphy and interposition of biological material of porcine origin (lyophilized porcine dermis [Permacol®]) were performed through a perineal access. Mean operative time was 174 minutes (140-210). Most patients were discharged on the third postoperative day. The bladder catheter was left in place for a mean of 40 days (30-60). Prior to its removal, cystography and a Gastrografin® barium enema were performed, showing resolution of the fistula in all cases.ConclusionsThe interposition of biological material from porcine dermis through perineal approach is a safe alternative with good results in patients submitted to urethrorectal fistulorraphy after radical prostatectomy. (AU)

Resting energy expenditure in cancer patients: Agreement between predictive equations and indirect calorimetry.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Disorders of energy metabolism is a common phenomenon in cancer patients. Changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) combined with inadequate nutrition support appear to be causes of nutritional depletion in cancer patients. In clinical practice, REE is typically calculated using predictive equations. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between REE estimated by predictive equations and REE measured by IC in Portuguese cancer patients. Differences in measured REE between patients with different types of digestive cancers were also assessed. SUBJECTS/METHODS: REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) in 61 patients with cancer diagnosis (gastric cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer). Measured REE values were compared with those estimated by equations of Harris-Benedict, Schofield, Ireton-Jones, Mifflin-St.Jeor and Barcellos I and II. RESULTS: Mean Respiratory Quotient (RQ) was 0.77 ± 0.09, which indicates high lipids utilization as substrate. No statistically significant differences between REE or RQ from patients with different cancer types were observed. All equations underestimate REE: Harris-Benedict, mean difference -648 kcal (limits of agreement +627 to -1923 kcal); MifflinSt.Jeor, mean difference -694 kcal (limits of agreement +544 to -193 kcal); Schofield, mean difference -531 kcal (limits of agreement +662 to -1723 kcal); and Ireton-Jones, mean difference -556 kcal (limits of agreement +774 to -1887 kcal). Barcellos I and II showed lower mean difference when compared to measured REE, +59 and + 52 kcal, respectively, although presenting wide limits of agreement, +1542 to -1424 kcal and +1429 to -1326, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although Barcellos Equations underestimate less and enable more accurate average REE prediction in cancer patients, still present wide limits of agreement and therefore clinically important differences in REE estimation may be found at individual level. Our results support the appropriateness of measuring REE by IC to better adequate the nutrition support to cancer patients. Further research is needed to improve the current knowledge base of energy expenditure in cancer patients, and to improve the accuracy of existing predictive equations.

Calystegines are Potential Urine Biomarkers for Dietary Exposure to Potato Products.

SCOPE: Metabolites derived from specific foods present in urine samples can provide objective biomarkers of food intake (BFIs). This study investigated the possibility that calystegines (a class of iminosugars) may provide BIFs for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) product exposure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Calystegine content is examined in published data covering a wide range of potato cultivars. Rapid methods are developed for the quantification of calystegines in cooked potato products and human urine using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The potential of calystegines as BFIs for potato consumption is assessed in a controlled food intervention study in the United Kingdom and validated in an epidemiological study in Portugal. Calystegine concentrations are reproducibly above the quantification limit in first morning void urines the day after potato consumption, showing a good dose-response relationship, particularly for calystegine A3 . The design of the controlled intervention mimicks exposure to a typical UK diet and showed that neither differences in preparation/cooking method or influence of other foods in the diet has significant impact on biomarker performance. Calystegine biomarkers also perform well in the independent validation study. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that calystegines have many of the characteristics needed to be considered as specific BFIs for potato product intake.

Reduced bone resorption and inflammation in apical periodontitis evoked by dietary supplementation with probiotics in rats.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between systemic administration of probiotics and inflammation/resorption processes associated with apical periodontitis (AP) in a rat model. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used. AP was induced in the mandibular left/right first molars. The animals were arranged into three groups: Control, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. acidophilus. Probiotics were orally administered via gavage (109 colony-forming units (CFU) diluted in 5 mL of water) for 30 days during the development of AP. On the 30th day, blood was collected to analyse the calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in plasma. Then, the animals were euthanized and the jaws removed for micro-computed tomography and immune-histopathological analysis for receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). After the Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, the Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn's test was performed for nonparametric data, and analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test was performed for parametric data (P < 0.05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the calcium and phosphorus levels in plasma amongst the groups (P > 0.05). The level of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the groups that consumed probiotics (P < 0.05). A significantly lower volume of bone resorption was observed in groups that consumed probiotics (P < 0.05). The inflammatory infiltrates and the immunolabelling for RANKL and TRAP were significantly lower in probiotic groups when compared to the control (P < 0.05). Also, the OPG was significantly more immunolabelled in the L. acidophilus group than in the L. rhamnosus and control groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation through gavage (L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus) had a significant effect on the reduction of inflammation and bone resorption in apical periodontitis development in rats.

New equation to estimate resting energy expenditure in non-critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Correct measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) is essential to offer a proper nutritional management during hospital stay. Dietitians are not able to perform an effective dietary treatment if predicted REE values are obtained from invalid equations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a more valid method to estimate REE in non-critically ill Portuguese patients. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, REE was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) in 180 non-critically patients during hospital stay (50 participants were allocated to the validation group by simple randomization and the remaining 130 were allocated to the derivation group). The best accurate equations were derived by multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise) based on anthropometric variables. The equations were tested on the validation group and compared with published predictive equations. RESULTS: Data was collected from 130 patients, 68 women (52.3%) and 62 men (47.7%), mean age was 58.9 ± 16.8 years and REE-IC was 1918 ± 721 kcal/day. The new best-fit equation REE (kcal/day) = 14.4 (Height) + 52.7 (MUAC) + 453.4 (1 if male, 0 if female) - 371.2 (if Obese) - 2138.3 showed strength of evidence decisive (BF10 = 8008), when compared by Bayesian model, and r2 = 0.315. Only estimated REE values obtained using new equations did not present significant difference when compared with measured REE values (kcal/kg). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, new equations derived from a non-critically ill population showed higher validity in estimating REE than currently used equations. A better estimation of REE may lead to a better nutritional intervention and a decreased risk of undernutrition in hospitalized patients.

Relação espacial entre o estojo córneo e a falange distal em éguas Campolina adultas com e sem obesidade / Spatial relationship between the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx in adult Campolina mares with and without obesity

A laminite endocrinopática tem acometido um número crescente de equinos com sinais de obesidade. Em um estudo recente com fêmeas jovens (até cinco anos) da raça Campolina, demonstraram-se indícios de alterações no dígito, ainda discretas, aparentemente associadas ao aumento da adiposidade. Com a hipótese de que essa associação é mais evidente em animais em faixa etária superior, o objetivo do presente estudo foi estudar éguas adultas (acima de cinco anos) da raça Campolina com e sem obesidade, avaliando-se radiograficamente a relação espacial entre estojo córneo e falange distal. Foram utilizadas 27 éguas entre seis e 14 anos de idade, sendo analisadas variáveis de adiposidade e medidas radiográficas dos cascos dos membros torácicos de equinos com escore corporal de 5 a 7/9 (grupo controle) e de 8 a 9 (grupo obeso). Foram feitas comparações entre os grupos e correlacionaram-se as variáveis de adiposidade com variáveis casco. A distância de afundamento da falange distal foi cerca de 20% superior nas éguas obesas (12,3±2,5 contra 10,2±2,2mm no grupo controle). Esse parâmetro também correlacionou (P<0,01) com vários parâmetros de adiposidade, com destaque para o escore de condição corporal (r=0,47) e a circunferência de pescoço a 75% (r=0,42). Os resultados corroboram estudos prévios que demonstraram associação entre obesidade e indícios de separação entre falange distal e estojo córneo em equinos de raças nacionais, comprovando, assim, a utilidade da avaliação radiográfica nesses animais. Em conclusão, éguas da raça Campolina com obesidade possuem alterações evidentes na relação espacial entre estojo córneo e falange distal, que se intensificam com o aumento da idade e da adiposidade.(AU)

In a recent study with young females (up to 5 years old) of the Campolina breed, there were discrete indications of alterations in the digit, apparently associated to the increase in adiposity. With the hypothesis that this association is more evident in horses in the upper age group, the objective was to study Campolina adult mares (above 5 years) with and without obesity, evaluating radiographically the spatial relationship between the horn and distal phalanx. Eighteen mares between six and fourteen years and with a body score of 5 to 7/9 (Control Group) and 8 to 9 (Obeso Group) were used. Adiposity and radiographic measurements from the forelimbs were analyzed. Comparisons were made between groups and adiposity variables were correlated with hoof variables. The sinking distance of the distal phalanx was about 20% higher in obese mares (12.3±2.5 versus 10.2±2.2mm). This parameter also correlated (P< 0.01) with several adiposity parameters, with emphasis on body score condition (r= 0.47) and neck circumference at 75% (r= 0.42). In conclusion, Campolina mares with obesity have obvious alterations in the spatial relation between the corneal and the distal phalanx, which get intense according to increases in age and adiposity.(AU)

Introducing FDG PET/CT-guided chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC in low- and middle-income countries: preliminary results from the IAEA PERTAIN trial.

PURPOSE: Patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continue to have a poor prognosis. It is known that FDG PET/CT improves staging, treatment selection and target volume delineation (TVD), and although its use has grown rapidly, it is still not widely available in LMIC. CRT is often used as sequential treatment, but is known to be more effective when given concurrently. The aim of the PERTAIN study was to assess the impact of introducing FDG PET/CT-guided concurrent CRT, supported by training and quality control (QC), on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with stage III NSCLC. METHODS: The study included patients with stage III NSCLC from nine medical centres in seven countries. A retrospective cohort was managed according to local practices between January 2010 and July 2014, which involved only optional diagnostic FDG PET/CT for staging (not for TVD), followed by sequential or concurrent CRT. A prospective cohort between August 2015 and October 2018 was treated according to the study protocol including FDG PET/CT in treatment position for staging and multimodal TVD followed by concurrent CRT by specialists trained in protocol-specific TVD and with TVD QC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess OS and PFS in the retrospective and prospective cohorts. RESULTS: Guidelines for FDG PET/CT image acquisition and TVD were developed and published. All specialists involved in the PERTAIN study received training between June 2014 and May 2016. The PET/CT scanners used received EARL accreditation. In November 2018 a planned interim analysis was performed including 230 patients in the retrospective cohort with a median follow-up of 14 months and 128 patients in the prospective cohort, of whom 69 had a follow-up of at least 1 year. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, OS was significantly longer in the prospective cohort than in the retrospective cohort (23 vs. 14 months, p = 0.012). In addition, median PFS was significantly longer in the prospective cohort than in the retrospective cohort (17 vs. 11 months, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: In the PERTAIN study, the preliminary results indicate that introducing FDG PET/CT-guided concurrent CRT for patients with stage III NSCLC in LMIC resulted in a significant improvement in OS and PFS. The final study results based on complete data are expected in 2020.

Response to Comment on "U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neandertal origin of Iberian cave art".

Slimak et al challenge the reliability of our oldest (>65,000 years) U-Th dates on carbonates associated with cave paintings in Spain. They cite a supposed lack of parietal art for the 25,000 years following this date, along with potential methodological issues relating to open-system behavior and corrections to detrital or source water 230Th. We show that their criticisms are unfounded.

Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): a Newly Introduced Polyphagous Pest in Northeastern Brazil.

We report for the first time the detection of Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Brazil and describe the occurrence of the thrips on leaves of ungrafted dwarf-cashew Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus 1753 (Anacardiaceae), maintained into a greenhouse, in the northeastern state of Ceará. This exotic polyphagous species listed as absent quarantine pest in the country is originated in Asia, but since the beginning of this century, it has readily dispersed despite the strict quarantine regulations currently in several countries. Individuals of S. dorsalis identified in Brazil are similar to specimens found in South Africa rather than Asia by virtue of the absence of conspicuous reticulation on the posterior half of the metanotum and the presence of complete lines of microtrichia restricted to the posterior part of the abdominal sternites. Scirtothrips dorsalis is a particularly invasive pest and its introduction represents a potential threat to various crops in Brazil, especially mango.

Predictors of Organ Donation Among Patients With Brain Death in the Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the improved care of potential organ donors with probable brain death (BD) in the intensive care unit (ICU), few epidemiologic and clinical data are available in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ICU patients with suspected BD aiming to identify factors possibly related to success (organ donation) or failure (nondonation). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, from the patient records of an adult ICU of a Brazilian teaching hospital for 12 months. Data were tabulated, and descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 85 patients with acute neurologic diseases and suspected BD were admitted to the ICU and included for analysis. Of these, there were 9 organ donors (7 liver and 9 kidney donors); 77.7% were men, with a mean age of 39.6 years and admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II of 25.5. Two-thirds of the patients were victims of trauma. The mean time between acute neurologic event and organ withdrawal was 269 hours. The main prognostic factors related to the success of organ donation were the maximum serum lactate and creatinine levels during ICU admission. CONCLUSIONS: The main clinical factors correlated with nonevolution for organ donation among ICU patients with clinical suspicion of BD were related to patient severity and organic dysfunction: serum lactate and creatinine level. Clinical care and monitoring are emphasized to improve the efficiency of the donation process.

U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neandertal origin of Iberian cave art.

The extent and nature of symbolic behavior among Neandertals are obscure. Although evidence for Neandertal body ornamentation has been proposed, all cave painting has been attributed to modern humans. Here we present dating results for three sites in Spain that show that cave art emerged in Iberia substantially earlier than previously thought. Uranium-thorium (U-Th) dates on carbonate crusts overlying paintings provide minimum ages for a red linear motif in La Pasiega (Cantabria), a hand stencil in Maltravieso (Extremadura), and red-painted speleothems in Ardales (Andalucía). Collectively, these results show that cave art in Iberia is older than 64.8 thousand years (ka). This cave art is the earliest dated so far and predates, by at least 20 ka, the arrival of modern humans in Europe, which implies Neandertal authorship.

The combined and individual impact of diabetes and smoking on key subgingival periodontal pathogens in patients with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Comprehension of the similarities and differences in the composition of the subgingival microbiota of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), smokers or smokers with DM is an important step in developing therapies specific for these groups at risk for periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the combined and individual effects of DM and smoking on the levels and prevalence of key subgingival periodontal pathogens in patients with chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with generalized chronic periodontitis were allocated into one of the following groups: DM (n = 25, non-smokers with type 2 DM); S (n = 25, non-diabetic smokers); SDM (n = 25, smokers with type 2 DM); and control (n = 25, non-diabetic non-smokers). Two subgingival biofilm samples from healthy sites (probing depth and clinical attachment level ≤3 mm and no bleeding) and 2 from diseased sites (probing depth and clinical attachment level ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing) were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Eubacterium nodatum, Parvimonas micra, Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. and Prevotella intermedia. RESULTS: There were no differences among groups in the mean counts of the bacterial species studied, considering all sampled sites (healthy plus diseased sites). There were also no differences among groups regarding the prevalence of any bacteria species in healthy and diseased sites (P > .05). The mean P. micra count was significantly higher in the healthy sites of both smoking groups, than in those of the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The subgingival levels and prevalence of the bacterial species studied are not significantly different in subjects with chronic periodontitis presenting DM, smokers or smokers with DM. In addition, DM and smoking, jointly and individually, do not considerably affect the subgingival levels of target periodontal pathogens in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Diabetes may affect the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors more than smoking in chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: No previous study has directly compared the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) between smokers and individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) with periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in tissues with chronic periodontitis (ChP) of smokers and individuals with type 2 DM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gingival biopsies were harvested from: non-smokers and non-diabetic individuals with ChP (n = 18) (ChP group); non-diabetic smokers (≥ 10 cigarettes per day for at least the past 5 years) with ChP (n = 18) (SChP group); non-smoking individuals with type 2 diabetes (glycated hemoglobin levels ≥ 7.5%) and ChP (n = 18) (DMChP group). The tissue levels of mRNA of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The MMP-8 expression was the lowest in the ChP group (p < 0.05). The DMChP group presented increased mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9, when compared to the SChP group (p < 0.05). MMP-1 expression and the MMP-1/TIMP-1, MMP-2/TIMP-1, MMP-8/TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1, MMP-1/TIMP-2 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios were higher in the DMChP group than in the ChP and SChP groups (p < 0.05). The DMChP group presented lower mRNA levels of TIMP-1 than the ChP group (p < 0.05). The MMP-8/TIMP-2 ratio was the highest in the SChP group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled type 2 DM upregulates the ratio of MMP/TIMPs in sites with ChP more than smoking, which may contribute to a greater extracellular matrix degradation and periodontal breakdown in DM-related periodontitis.

A mechanism for the elimination of the female gamete centrosome in Drosophila melanogaster.

An important feature of fertilization is the asymmetric inheritance of centrioles. In most species it is the sperm that contributes the initial centriole, which builds the first centrosome that is essential for early development. However, given that centrioles are thought to be exceptionally stable structures, the mechanism behind centriole disappearance in the female germ line remains elusive and paradoxical. We elucidated a program for centriole maintenance in fruit flies, led by Polo kinase and the pericentriolar matrix (PCM): The PCM is down-regulated in the female germ line during oogenesis, which results in centriole loss. Perturbing this program prevents centriole loss, leading to abnormal meiotic and mitotic divisions, and thus to female sterility. This mechanism challenges the view that centrioles are intrinsically stable structures and reveals general functions for Polo kinase and the PCM in centriole maintenance. We propose that regulation of this maintenance program is essential for successful sexual reproduction and defines centriole life span in different tissues in homeostasis and disease, thereby shaping the cytoskeleton.

Amoxicillin Plus Metronidazole Therapy for Patients with Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes: A 2-year Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to assess the changes occurring in subgingival biofilm composition and in the periodontal clinical parameters of subjects with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) treated by means of scaling and root planing (SRP) only or combined with systemic metronidazole (MTZ) and amoxicillin (AMX). Fifty-eight subjects were randomly assigned to receive SRP only (n = 29) or with MTZ (400 mg/thrice a day [TID]) and AMX (500 mg/TID) (n = 29) for 14 d. Six subgingival plaque samples/subject were analyzed by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization for 40 bacterial species at baseline and 3 mo, 1 y, and 2 y posttherapy. At 2 y posttherapy, the antibiotic-treated group harbored lower mean proportions (5.5%) of red complex pathogens than the control group (12.1%) (P < 0.05). The proportions of the Actinomyces species remained stable in the antibiotic group but showed a statistically significant reduction in the control group from 1 to 2 y in subjects achieving a low risk clinical profile for future disease progression (i.e., ≤4 sites with probing depth [PD] ≥5 mm). The test group also had a lower mean number of sites with PD ≥5 mm (3.5 ± 3.4) and a higher percentage of subjects reaching the low risk clinical profile (76%) than the control group (14.7 ± 13.1 and 22%, respectively) (P < 0.05) at 2 y posttreatment. MTZ + AMX intake was the only significant predictor of subjects achieving the low risk at 2 y (odds ratio, 20.9; P = 0.0000). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the adjunctive use of MTZ + AMX improves the microbiological and clinical outcomes of SRP in the treatment of subjects with generalized chronic periodontitis and type 2 DM up to 2 y (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02135952).