Reproductive biology of the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), an endangered species in the Gulf of California.

The totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) is an emblematic species endemic to the Gulf of California, which has been protected since the mid-70 s by Mexican and international laws. For the present study, 153 totoaba individuals were collected from 2011 to 2014, on which gonad histology analyses were carried out. We identified six ovarian phases and eleven oocyte subphases in the gonad development of females; in males, four development phases were identified. The totoaba is an iteroparous species based on the number of breeding opportunities. According to the organization of the ovary and the presence of oocyte subphases, ovarian dynamics can be considered asynchronous, as demonstrated by the multimodal distribution of oocyte diameter. The totoaba is a batch spawner that releases oocytes over several months. The reproductive period spans from February to May, with a reproductive peak in March. Likewise, the gonadosomatic index showed that the reproductive activity of totoaba peaked in March and April. The female:male sex ratio, although variable throughout the sampling period, yielded an overall value of 0.89:1, with non-significant differences between the number of females and males (P > 0.05). The length at first sexual maturity (L50%) was 1 354 mm TL for females and 1 299 mm TL for males. The average fecundity was 2 662 626 (standard error, s.e., 1 021 124) oocytes, and the average relative fecundity was 99 (s.e. 22) oocytes g-1 (ovary-free). The mean and maximum oocyte diameter showed a positive and non-significant (P > 0.05) relationship with the mean sea surface temperature.

Salivary Streptococcus mutans colony-forming unit count in patients with and without orthodontic appliances / Recuento de unidades formadoras de colonias de Streptococcus mutans salivares en pacientes con y sin aparatología ortodóntica

ABSTRACT Orthodontic appliances promote the accumulation of biofilm in the oral cavity and increase counts of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). However, there are few comparative studies of the effects generated by the interaction of saliva and microorganisms in absence and presence of orthodontic appliances. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the S. mutans colony-forming unit count (CFU/mL) in participants with and without fixed orthodontic appliances. Materials and Method: It was an observational cross-sectional study on 21 participants, all over 18 years of age, non-smokers, without removable oral appliances, who had not been under antibiotic treatment within the previous three months. Sociodemographic variables, oral hygiene habits, S. mutans CFU/mL count, and salivary pH were assessed. Saliva samples were collected, and the data was analyzed using Fisher's exact and Kruskal Wallis tests. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Fourteen (66.7%) of the participants were female; average age was 20.4 ± 2.2 years. The group without fixed orthodontic appliances had the highest salivary S. mutans CFU/mL count (Me: 56.0×103, IQR: 9.2×103 - 75.5×103), but there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.7459). There was a statistically significant difference in salivary pH, with the metal orthodontic appliance group having the lowest pH (p=0.0478). No statistically significant difference in salivary S. mutans CFU/mL count was found between groups. Salivary pH was lower in the group with metal appliances than in the groups with non-metal appliances and without appliances.

RESUMEN Se ha reportado que la aparatología ortodóntica promueve la acumulación de biofilm en la cavidad bucal y aumenta los recuentos bacterianos de Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Sin embargo, los estudios comparativos sobre los efectos generados por la interacción de la saliva y los microorganismos en ausencia y presencia de aparatología ortodóntica son limitados. Determinar el recuento de Unidades Formadoras de Colonias (UFC/mL) de S. mutans en participantes con y sin aparatología ortodóntica fija. Materiales y Método: se realizó un estudio observacional de corte transversal con 21 participantes, todos mayores de 18 años, no fumadores, sin ningún tipo de aparatología oral removible y sin antecedentes de tratamiento antibiótico en los tres meses previos. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, hábitos de higiene oral, recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans y pH salival. Se recolectaron muestras salivales y los datos se analizaron mediante las pruebas Exacto de Fisher y Kruskal Wallis. Un valor de p ≤0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: participaron catorce (66,7%) mujeres; la edad promedio fue de 20.4 ± 2.2 años. El grupo sin ortodoncia fija presentó el mayor recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans salival (Me: 56,0×103, RIC: 9,2×103 - 75,5×103), pero no hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos (p=0,7459). Con relación al pH salival, se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, siendo el grupo de ortodoncia metálica el que presentó el pH más bajo (p=0,0478). Aunque no se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans salival entre los grupos, el pH salival del grupo de aparatología metálica fue más bajo en comparación con los grupos no metálicos y sin aparatología.

Factores asociados con el agotamiento psicológico en odontólogos especialistas colombianos / Factors Associated With Burnout Syndrome in Colombian Dental Specialists

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados con el agotamiento psicológico (AP) en odontólogos especialistas que laboraban en la ciudad de Bucaramanga y su área metropolitana. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal en el que se aplicó la versión validada del cuestionario Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) a 117 especialistas del área de odontología. Se analizaron los puntajes obtenidos en las 3 dimensiones del instrumento, las características sociodemográficas, los aspectos del entorno laboral y profesional y los hábitos. En el análisis bivariado, se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, la prueba de la U de Mann Whitney o Kruskal-Wallis y en el ánalisis multivariado, se realizó una regresión logística. Un valor de p<0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Cada participante aceptó su inclusión en el estudio tras el proceso de consentimiento informado. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue 44,0 ± 7,8 años y el 57,3% eran mujeres. El 3,4, el 4,3 y el 4,3% de los participantes tenían altos grados de agotamiento emocional, despersonaliza ción y falta de realización personal respectivamente. El consumo de cigarrillo presentó una asociación directa con las dimensiones despersonalización (p = 0,031) y falta de realización personal (p = 0,025). De otra parte, tener 10 años o más de egresado del posgrado evidenció una asociación inversa en estas 2 dimensiones (p = 0,049 y p = 0,045 respectivamente). Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que el AP no es un problema frecuente en los odontó logos especialistas que laboran en Bucaramanga y su área metropolitana; sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que se observó relación del AP con el hábito de fumar y los años de egresado de la especialidad.

ABSTRACT Objective: To establish the factors associated with burnout syndrome in dental specialists working in the city of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the validated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) questionnaire was applied to 117 dental specialists. The variables analysed were the scores obtained in the three dimensions of the instrument - sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, professional environment, and habits. Spearman's correlation coefficient and the Mann Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis U test were used in the bivariate analysis, and a logistic regression was perfor med in the multivariate analysis. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Each participant accepted their inclusion in the study after the Informed Consent process was done. Results: The average age was 44.0 ± 7.8 years, and 57.3% were women. It was observed that 3.4%, 4.3% and 4.3% of respondents scored highly in emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and lack of personal achievement, respectively. Cigarette smoking presented a direct association with the dimensions of depersonalisation (p = 0.031) and lack of personal achie vement (p = 0.025). On the other hand, having completed the postgraduate degree 10 years or more ago showed a negative association in these two dimensions (p = 0.049 and p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: The results suggest that burnout syndrome is not a frequent problem in dental specialists who work in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. However, it is important to keep in mind that a relationship was observed between the syndrome and smoking, and the years after graduating in the specialty.

Factors associated with burnout syndrome in Colombian dental specialists.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the factors associated with burnout syndrome in dental specialists working in the city of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the validated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) questionnaire was applied to 117 dental specialists. The variables analysed were the scores obtained in the three dimensions of the instrument - sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, professional environment, and habits. Spearman's correlation coefficient and the Mann Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis U test were used in the bivariate analysis, and a logistic regression was performed in the multivariate analysis. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Each participant accepted their inclusion in the study after the Informed Consent process was done. RESULTS: The average age was 44.0 ± 7.8 years, and 57.3% were women. It was observed that 3.4%, 4.3% and 4.3% of respondents scored highly in emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and lack of personal achievement, respectively. Cigarette smoking presented a direct association with the dimensions of depersonalisation (p = 0.031) and lack of personal achievement (p = 0.025). On the other hand, having completed the postgraduate degree 10 years or more ago showed a negative association in these two dimensions (p = 0.049 and p = 0.045, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that burnout syndrome is not a frequent problem in dental specialists who work in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. However, it is important to keep in mind that a relationship was observed between the syndrome and smoking, and the years after graduating in the specialty.

Salivary Streptococcus mutans colony-forming unit count in patients with and without orthodontic appliances.

Orthodontic appliances promote the accumulation of biofilm in the oral cavity and increase counts of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). However, there are few comparative studies of the effects generated by the interaction of saliva and microorganisms in absence and presence of orthodontic appliances. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the S. mutans colony-forming unit count (CFU/mL) in participants with and without fixed orthodontic appliances. MATERIALS AND METHOD: It was an observational cross-sectional study on 21 participants, all over 18 years of age, non-smokers, without removable oral appliances, who had not been under antibiotic treatment within the previous three months. Sociodemographic variables, oral hygiene habits, S. mutans CFU/mL count, and salivary pH were assessed. Saliva samples were collected, and the data was analyzed using Fisher's exact and Kruskal Wallis tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fourteen (66.7%) of the participants were female; average age was 20.4 ± 2.2 years. The group without fixed orthodontic appliances had the highest salivary S. mutans CFU/mL count (Me: 56.0×103, IQR: 9.2×103 - 75.5×103), but there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.7459). There was a statistically significant difference in salivary pH, with the metal orthodontic appliance group having the lowest pH (p=0.0478). No statistically significant difference in salivary S. mutans CFU/mL count was found between groups. Salivary pH was lower in the group with metal appliances than in the groups with non-metal appliances and without appliances.

Se ha reportado que la aparatología ortodóntica promueve la acumulación de biofilm en la cavidad bucal y aumenta los recuentos bacterianos de Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Sin embargo, los estudios comparativos sobre los efectos generados por la interacción de la saliva y los microorganismos en ausencia y presencia de aparatología ortodóntica son limitados. Determinar el recuento de Unidades Formadoras de Colonias (UFC/mL) de S. mutans en participantes con y sin aparatología ortodóntica fija. Materiales y Método: se realizó un estudio observacional de corte transversal con 21 participantes, todos mayores de 18 años, no fumadores, sin ningún tipo de aparatología oral removible y sin antecedentes de tratamiento antibiótico en los tres meses previos. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, hábitos de higiene oral, recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans y pH salival. Se recolectaron muestras salivales y los datos se analizaron mediante las pruebas Exacto de Fisher y Kruskal Wallis. Un valor de p ≤0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: participaron catorce (66,7%) mujeres; la edad promedio fue de 20.4 ± 2.2 años. El grupo sin ortodoncia fija presentó el mayor recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans salival (Me: 56,0×103, RIC: 9,2×103 - 75,5×103), pero no hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos (p=0,7459). Con relación al pH salival, se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa, siendo el grupo de ortodoncia metálica el que presentó el pH más bajo (p=0,0478). Aunque no se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el recuento de UFC/mL de S. mutans salival entre los grupos, el pH salival del grupo de aparatología metálica fue más bajo en comparación con los grupos no metálicos y sin aparatología.

Influence of sex and maturity state on trace elements content in liver and muscle of the Sciaenidae Totoaba macdonaldi.

BACKGROUND: The fish Totoaba macdonaldi is endemic to the Upper Gulf of California. Its migratory movements involve sites with high levels of trace elements in the environment that can accumulate in tissues. In this study, lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in male and female totoaba liver and muscle were quantified at various sexual maturity stages along the species' geographic distribution. METHODS: Generalized linear models were used to explore associations between trace element concentrations and season of the year, sex/maturity stage, and total fish length. RESULTS: No detectable Pb concentrations were recorded in liver or muscle; Cu, Cd, Zn and Fe contents in totoaba liver and muscle were typical of fish inhabiting areas with no contamination issues and are within international maximum permissible levels for human consumption. Variations in the content of Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe in liver of totoaba seem to be more related to the feeding and reproductive physiology of this species than as result of environmental exposure. Results suggest that consumption of totoaba muscle does not pose a public health risk. Furthermore, depending on the sex/maturity stage of totoaba, this fish's muscle may provide approximately 70% Cu, 60% Zn and 100% Fe of the recommended dietary reference intake.

Factors Associated With Burnout Syndrome in Colombian Dental Specialists. / Factores asociados con el agotamiento psicológico en odontólogos especialistas colombianos.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the factors associated with burnout syndrome in dental specialists working in the city of Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the validated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) questionnaire was applied to 117 dental specialists. The variables analysed were the scores obtained in the three dimensions of the instrument - sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, professional environment, and habits. Spearman's correlation coefficient and the Mann Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis U test were used in the bivariate analysis, and a logistic regression was performed in the multivariate analysis. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Each participant accepted their inclusion in the study after the Informed Consent process was done. RESULTS: The average age was 44.0±7.8 years, and 57.3% were women. It was observed that 3.4%, 4.3% and 4.3% of respondents scored highly in emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and lack of personal achievement, respectively. Cigarette smoking presented a direct association with the dimensions of depersonalisation (p=0.031) and lack of personal achievement (p=0.025). On the other hand, having completed the postgraduate degree 10 years or more ago showed a negative association in these two dimensions (p=0.049 and p=0.045, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that burnout syndrome is not a frequent problem in dental specialists who work in Bucaramanga and its metropolitan area. However, it is important to keep in mind that a relationship was observed between the syndrome and smoking, and the years after graduating in the specialty.

Oral health-related quality of life in Colombian children with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in schoolchildren from a public educational institution in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Eighty-eight 7- to 10-year-olds took part in the study; of whom half had MIH. The translated and adapted version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 8-10) was applied by means of an interview. The dependent variable was OHRQoL and explanatory variables were presence and severity of MIH, sex, age, socioeconomic status and social security. Frequencies and proportions were calculated for qualitative variables, and measures of central tendency, dispersion and position were calculated for quantitative variables. Chi-square, Fisher's Exact Test, Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, as appropriate. A p-value <0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Parents or caregivers of participating children signed informed consent, and children signed an assent. A statistically significant difference was found for age groups (p<0. 001), socioeconomic status (p=0. 015) and social security (p=0. 045) according to the presence of MIH. Likewise, statistically significant differences were found for each of the four domains of the questionnaire and for the overall CPQ 810 score (p<0. 0001) according to the presence of MIH. The presence of the Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization may have negative impact on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of the participating children.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el impacto de la Hipomineralización Inciso Molar sobre la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud Oral (CVRSO) en escolares vinculados con una institución educativa pública de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Ochenta y ocho menores de 7 a 10 años hicieron parte del estudio, la mitad presentaba HIM; a todos se les aplicó la versión traducida y adaptada del Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 8-10) mediante entrevista. La variable de salida fue la CVRSO y las variables explicatorias, la presencia y severidad de HIM, el género, la edad, el estrato socioeconómico y la seguridad social. Se calcularon frecuencias y proporciones para las variables cualitativas, y medidas de tendencia central, dispersión y posición para las cuantitativas. Se utilizaron las pruebas Chi2, Test Exacto de Fisher, U. de Mann Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis según fuera apropiado. Un valor de p<0,05 fue considerado estadísticamente significativo. Los padres o cuidadores de los menores participantes firmaron un consentimiento informado y los niños y niñas, un asentimiento. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en los grupos de edad (p<0,001), el estrato socioeconómico (p=0,015), y la seguridad social (p=0,045) según la presencia de HIM. Así mismo, se obtuvo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cada uno de los cuatro dominios del cuestionario y en el puntaje global del CPQ 8-10 (p<0,0001) de acuerdo con la presencia de HIM. Según las percepciones de los participantes al responder al CPQ 8-10, se podría sugerir la presencia de la Hipomineralización Inciso Molar influye de forma negativa sobre la Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud Oral en los niños participantes.

Relationship between dental age, chronological age and cervical vertebral maturation in children and adolescents from Bucaramanga, Colombia

Objective: to determine the relationship between chronological age and dental age using Demirjian's method and Baccetti's method of cervical vertebral maturation in radiographs of children and adolescents aged 5 to 16 years in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. methods: an analytical observational cross-sectional study was performed in 1385 cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of 775 females and 610 males. sex, dental age according to the Demirjian's method, chronological age and degree of maturation of the cervical vertebrae according to Baccetti's method were analyzed. the univariate analysis included the calculation of measures of central tendency for quantitative variables, and frequencies and proportions for qualitative variables. spearman correlation coefficients were calculated in the bivariate analysis. in the multivariate analysis a multiple linear regression was performed. a value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. results: the mean chronological age was 10.8±3.3 years [Median: 11; 95 percent CI:10.6-10.6]. there was no statistically significant difference according to sex (p=0.3409). the mean of the differences between dental age and chronological age was 0.60±1.44 years. there was a strong and positive correlation between dental age and chronological age with each stage of maturation. females reached skeletal maturity at an earlier age. conclusions: chronological age shows a direct and positive relationship with dental age and stages of skeletal maturation in a colombian population.