Long-lasting memory of jasmonic acid-dependent immunity requires DNA demethylation and ARGONAUTE1.

Stress can have long-lasting impacts on plants. Here we report the long-term effects of the stress hormone jasmonic acid (JA) on the defence phenotype, transcriptome and DNA methylome of Arabidopsis. Three weeks after transient JA signalling, 5-week-old plants retained induced resistance (IR) against herbivory but showed increased susceptibility to pathogens. Transcriptome analysis revealed long-term priming and/or upregulation of JA-dependent defence genes but repression of ethylene- and salicylic acid-dependent genes. Long-term JA-IR was associated with shifts in glucosinolate composition and required MYC2/3/4 transcription factors, RNA-directed DNA methylation, the DNA demethylase ROS1 and the small RNA (sRNA)-binding protein AGO1. Although methylome analysis did not reveal consistent changes in DNA methylation near MYC2/3/4-controlled genes, JA-treated plants were specifically enriched with hypomethylated ATREP2 transposable elements (TEs). Epigenomic characterization of mutants and transgenic lines revealed that ATREP2 TEs are regulated by RdDM and ROS1 and produce 21 nt sRNAs that bind to nuclear AGO1. Since ATREP2 TEs are enriched with sequences from IR-related defence genes, our results suggest that AGO1-associated sRNAs from hypomethylated ATREP2 TEs trans-regulate long-lasting memory of JA-dependent immunity.

Satisfacción y utilidad del tratamiento rehabilitador a través de material educativo en pacientes con COVID-19 / Satisfaction and utility of rehabilitative treatment through educational material in patients with COVID-19

Objetivo: En Madrid, durante la pandemia por COVID-19, debido a la saturación hospitalaria se precisó la medicalización de hoteles para traslado de pacientes infectados por SARS-CoV-2 con evolución favorable. Su situación clínica tipo era de fatiga y desacondicionamiento físico, precisando y beneficiándose de un abordaje rehabilitador. El Servicio de Rehabilitación desarrolló material educativo en formato de papel sobre ejercicio terapéutico adaptado a las diferentes situaciones funcionales detectadas. El objetivo es describir el perfil de pacientes ingresados en un hotel medicalizado y analizar el grado de satisfacción y adherencia al ejercicio pautado durante el ingreso y en domicilio y los factores relacionados. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes ingresados en el Hotel Colón durante dos meses de 2020, con análisis de variables socio demográficas, y de cuestionarios con respecto al grado de adherencia y satisfacción del tratamiento rehabilitador durante ingreso y al alta. Resultado: Participaron 100 pacientes con una edad media de 52 años±14.5, donde el 61% (n=61) fueron mujeres. El 99% (n=99) refirió comprender los ejercicios, los realizaron durante el ingreso el 90% (n=90), mientras un 58% (n=58) los continuó al alta. El 92% (n=92) se mostró «muy satisfecho» con el material educativo, considerándolo fácil de realizar en el 100% (n=100) de los casos. Conclusión: Los pacientes se mostraron satisfechos con el material educativo, fueron ejercicios comprensibles y tuvieron adherencia durante el ingreso y en domicilio. El material educativo en formato papel podría considerarse una herramienta útil para el manejo de pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2.(AU)

Objective: In Madrid, during the pandemic, due to hospital saturation, medicalisation of hotels was required for the transfer of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 with favourable evolution. Their typical clinical situation was one of fatigue and physical deconditioning, requiring and benefiting from a rehabilitative approach. The Rehabilitation Department developed educational material in paper format on therapeutic exercise adapted to the different functional situations detected. To describe the profile of patients admitted to a medicalised hotel and to analyse the degree of satisfaction, utility and adherence to the exercise prescribed during hospitalisation and at home and the related factors. Material and method: We conducted a descriptive study of patients admitted to the Hotel Colon during April and May 2020. We analysed the socio-demographic and clinical variables, as well as the responses to the adherence and satisfaction questionnaires about rehabilitation management during admission and at discharge. Results: 100 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 52±14.5 years, where 61% (n=61) were women. 99% (n=99) reported they understood the material with a 90% (n=90) adherence to exercise during admission and 58% (n=58) at discharge. 92% (n=92) were “very satisfied” with the educational material and considered it easy to perform in 100% (n=100) of cases. Conclusion: The use of paper-based educational material of therapeutic exercise appears to be an effective resource in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during admission, thus minimising the exposure of healthcare staff.(AU)

[Satisfaction and utility of rehabilitative treatment through educational material in patients with COVID-19]. / Satisfacción y utilidad del tratamiento rehabilitador a través de material educativo en pacientes con COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: In Madrid, during the pandemic, due to hospital saturation, medicalisation of hotels was required for the transfer of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 with favourable evolution. Their typical clinical situation was one of fatigue and physical deconditioning, requiring and benefiting from a rehabilitative approach. The Rehabilitation Department developed educational material in paper format on therapeutic exercise adapted to the different functional situations detected. To describe the profile of patients admitted to a medicalised hotel and to analyse the degree of satisfaction, utility and adherence to the exercise prescribed during hospitalisation and at home and the related factors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We conducted a descriptive study of patients admitted to the Hotel Colon during April and May 2020. We analysed the socio-demographic and clinical variables, as well as the responses to the adherence and satisfaction questionnaires about rehabilitation management during admission and at discharge. RESULTS: 100 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 52±14.5 years, where 61% (n=61) were women. 99% (n=99) reported they understood the material with a 90% (n=90) adherence to exercise during admission and 58% (n=58) at discharge. 92% (n=92) were "very satisfied" with the educational material and considered it easy to perform in 100% (n=100) of cases. CONCLUSION: The use of paper-based educational material of therapeutic exercise appears to be an effective resource in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection during admission, thus minimising the exposure of healthcare staff.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma of tongue: Histological risk assessment. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of malignant tumors diagnosed in the oral cavity are Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC) whose preferred location is the tongue. Classically, this disease has affected men preferentially, although recent studies suggest that trends are changing and the proportion of women with OSCC is increasing. In addition, the prevalence of oral cancer is also determined by some risk factors as alcohol consumption and tobacco. Currently, the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification is employed to defined tumor stage and based on this guide specific treatments are established. However, 5-year-survival does not exceed 50% of cases. The objective of this study is to determine whether a histological risk pattern indicative of higher recurrence might be present in T1-T2 tumors located in the anterior two thirds of the tongue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples from 26 patients with OSCC were analyzed and histological risk pattern of recurrent and non-recurrent tumors were compared. We have analyzed histological variables described in Anneroth and Brandwein-Gensler classifications. Additionally, we have also examined both clinical variables such as age, sex or comorbidities, as well as habits such as tobacco or alcohol consumption. RESULTS: We found that sex (male) and keratinization degree (high or moderate) are directly related with OSCC recurrence. In fact, free illness time is lower in men and higher in those cases with minimal or no keratinization. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the variables analyzed, it has not been possible to establish a histological risk pattern that, complementary to the TNM classification, could have a predictive role in these early-stage tongue carcinomas.

Beneficial effects of synthetic KL4 surfactant in experimental lung transplantation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intratracheal administration of a new synthetic surfactant that includes the cationic, hydrophobic 21-residue peptide KLLLLKLLLLKLLLLKLLLLK (KL4), might be effective in reducing ischaemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Single left lung transplantation was performed in Landrace pigs 22 h post-harvest. KL4 surfactant at a dose of 25 mg total phospholipid·kg body weight⁻¹ (2.5 mL·kg body weight⁻¹) was instilled at 37°C to the donor left lung (n = 8) prior to explantation. Saline (2.5 mL·kg body weight⁻¹; 37°C) was instilled into the donor left lung of the untreated group (n = 6). Lung function in recipients was measured during 2 h of reperfusion. Recipient left lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) provided native cytometric, inflammatory marker and surfactant data. KL(4) surfactant treatment recovered oxygen levels in the recipient blood (mean ± sd arterial oxygen tension/inspiratory oxygen fraction 424 ± 60 versus 263 ± 101 mmHg in untreated group; p=0.01) and normalised alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference. Surfactant biophysical function was also recovered in KL4 surfactant-treated lungs. This was associated with decreased C-reactive protein levels in BAL, and recovery of surfactant protein A content, normalised protein/phospholipid ratios, and lower levels of both lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls in large surfactant aggregates. These findings suggest an important protective role for KL4 surfactant treatment in lung transplantation.

Complete ultrasonic transducer characterization and its use for models and measurements.

Transmitting and receiving properties of ultrasonic piezoelectric crystal transducers that directly affect the measured output voltage in an ultrasonic measurement system are described. These transducer properties are the transducer's electrical impedance and sensitivity, the transducer's radiation impedance, and the transducer's effective parameters (effective radius and focal length). It is shown that all these properties can be obtained with a series of calibration measurements, most of them purely electrical in nature. This series of measurements is described, including a newly developed method that makes the determination of the transducer sensitivity simpler than with previous methods. It is demonstrated that by combining these transducer properties with knowledge of the electrical properties of the pulser/receiver and cabling and the acoustic/elastic processes present in an ultrasonic measurement system, it is possible to accurately simulate the output voltage of the system.

Comparación de los resultados mediantetécnica segmentaria con barra única y barra de apoyo a única en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la escoliosis idiopática / Comparison of the results of single-rod and short supporting rod segmental techniques in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis

Se compara el resultado del tratamiento quirúrgico de la escoliosis idiopática en dos grupos homogéneos de pacientes, unos tratados mediante la técnica de artrodesis y fijación con barra única y otros en quienes fue asociada una barra corta apoyada en la barra única. Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 36 pacientes (18 de cada grupo) con un seguimiento mínimo de 24 meses. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la corrección obtenida, determinando y comparando los resultados finales de estas técnicas quirúrgicas. Las correcciones obtenidas tanto en el plano coronal como en el sagital fueron semejantes con ambas técnicas. La oblicuidad de la vértebra límite y la traslación de la vértebra apical fueron corregidas de forma adecuada con las dos configuraciones. La desrotación obtenida fue semejante en ambos grupos. La corrección del desequilibrio raquídeo fue mejor en el grupo de barra única (52,5 por ciento) que en el de apoyo a única (25,3 por ciento). Las complicaciones fueron más frecuentes en el grupo de barra única derivadas de fallos del implante (30 por ciento de luxaciones de uñas y 11 por ciento de roturas de barra), precisándose reintervención en tres enfermos. Con la barra de apoyo a única no se ha requerido ninguna reintervención. La asociación de un tornillo distal y gancho en pinza con técnica de apoyo a única puede ser la solución definitiva de estas complicaciones (AU)

A propósito del tratamiento de la halitosis / About a bad breath treatment

No disponible

Presence of lichen planus during a course of interferon alpha-2a therapy for a viral chronic C hepatitis.

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a diagnosis of chronic active viral C hepatitis, for whom a course of interferon alpha-2A was prescribed at a dose of 4.5 MU per day for a 2 month period, followed by the same dose on alternate days for 4 months. After completion of a month of therapy, the patient presented with painful oral lesions that made normal oral food intake impossible. These lesions persisted, in spite of withdrawal of interferon therapy. Intraoral examination revealed erosive intraoral lesions in both yugal mucosae, the upper vestibular gum, the floor of the mouth, the ventral region of the tongue, and the lower lip. A diagnosis of erosive lichen planus induced by interferon therapy was established. The prescribed treatment was 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks. Following the therapeutical course, the erosive lesions disappeared, and the symptoms stopped, although the reticular lesions remained visible.

Treatment of xerostomia. A review.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia is defined as a subjective sensation of oral dryness that usually implies a marked decrease in saliva secretion and may be due to a number of causes. Oral equilibrium is affected as a result, and buccal problems may develop. The present study reviews the different treatment modalities available for the management of xerostomia, destined to stimulate the production of saliva by chewing, administering gustatory substances, prescribing sialogogues such as pilocarpine, or using saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. The adoption of one treatment option or other in turn depends on the cause underlying xerostomia and on the functionality of the salivary glands. The review also evaluates preventive therapeutic measures and addresses the complications that may develop secondary to oral dryness.

Dolor dental

El dolor dental constituye una causa frecuente de consulta en atención primaria. Aunque en la mayoría de los casos la actuación por parte del médico general se limita a la aplicación de medidas terapéutico-paliativas del dolor y la inflamación, resulta interesante conocer las diferentes formas de presentación del dolor dental y las posibles causas que lo producen, con el fin de mejorar la comprensión del problema y la utilización de los fármacos, en ocasiones innecesarios, si se recurre al tratamiento por parte del odontólogo (AU)

Un síndrome de boca ardiente

El síndrome de boca ardiente es un cuadro relativamente frecuente en la consulta de atención primaria, caracterizado por la sensación de ardor o dolor en alguna zona de la mucosa oral sin ningún signo clínico evidente. Este trabajo revisa los posibles factores etiopatogénicos, su clínica, así como las diferentes actitudes diagnósticas y terapéuticas (AU)

Effect of patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy on CD4+ cell count, HIV-1 RNA, and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor and its soluble receptors.

A 1-year prospective analysis of patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy (zidovudine plus zalcitabine [55 patients] or zidovudine plus zalcitabine plus saquinavir [32 patients]) was performed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients attended at a tertiary care hospital. Adherence to therapy was measured jointly by pharmacy records, patients' self-recording, and an increase in mean corpuscular volume. Likewise, the effects of therapy on clinical parameters, HIV load, CD4+ cell count, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and its soluble receptors were analyzed. Twenty-seven patients of those on a double-agent regimen and 12 of those on a triple-agent regimen adhered to the treatment. Ten opportunistic events occurred in noncompliant patients versus none in compliant individuals. A significant increase in CD4+ cell count and a decrease in HIV viral load were observed only in patients who adhered to therapy. TNF and its soluble receptors remained elevated at the end of follow-up, even in patients in whom the HIV viral load decreased to < 400 copies/ml. In conclusion, adherence to therapy must be considered a major factor influencing the results of antiretroviral therapy. Although these treatments have been demonstrated to be efficacious, they are not able to normalize the immune activation markers. These data suggest a suboptimal effect of antiretroviral therapy on the eradication of HIV-1.

[Identification of cell types in periodontal pockets with scanning electron microscopy]. / Identificación de tipos celulares en la bolsa periodontal con microscopio electrónico de barrido.

Sixteen teeth from patients with advanced periodontal disease were processed with the direct fixative technique for observation with a Scanning Electron Microscope in order to test the adequacy of this technique and to observe the components of the tooth wall of the periodontal pocket. Different cell populations are described emphasizing the appearance of intact neutrophils. The results suggest that this fixative method may be an improvement on the conventional techniques for SEM.

[Clinical and clinico-histological markers in chronic destructive adult periodontitis]. / Estudio de marcadores clínicos y clínico-histológico en la periodontitis crónica destructiva del adulto.

This study was designed to evaluate the significance and interrelationship of clinical parameters and their association with histologic changes in advanced destructive periodontitis. 158 patients with PDI greater than 4 (Ramfjord) were selected, evaluating the size, contouring, bleeding, consistency, colour and gingival pain. Epithelial ulceration of soft periodontal pockets were also evaluated. The results showed a statistically significant association between purplish colour and gingival fibrosis and advanced stage of the disease. Gingival bleeding on probing was the most important clinical parameter in advanced phases of the disease, either alone or in association with other parameters such as the presence of epithelial ulcerations. The Periodontal Disease Index (Ramfjord) has proven effective in the evaluation of generalized patterns of disease.