Chitosan for the treatment of inflammation of the oral mucosa: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chitosan is a cheap, accessible, nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable compound. Also, this polysaccharide possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, a wide range of chitosan applications in the dentistry field has been explored. This work aimed to conduct a systematic review to address the clinical efficacy of chitosan for the treatment of oral mucositis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The design of the included studies were observational studies, randomized clinical trials (RCT), and non-randomized clinical trials (non-RCT), whereas, a series of cases, in vivo, and in vitro studies were excluded. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and ClinicalTrials. Gray literature was searched at Google Scholar. Relevant data from all included studies were recorded. The risk of bias (using RoB 2) and the quality (using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation, GRADE) assessments were carried out. RESULTS: From the 8413 records screened, 5 clinical trials fully met the eligibility criteria, which comprised a total of 192 participants suffering oral lesions and pain related to oral mucositis. 100% of the included studies exhibited a high risk of bias. The quality of the studies was between low and very low. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the included studies suggest that chitosan can diminish pain and improve the healing of ulcers in oral mucositis. However, there is no conclusive evidence of chitosan as a superior treatment for oral mucositis compared with other current therapies.

Hallazgos bucales en pacientes COVID-19 / Oral Findings in Patients With COVID-19

El propósito de este trabajo fue caracterizar las alteraciones orales en un grupo de pacientes COVID-19. Para ello se evaluaron 55 pacientes hospitalizados, confirmados COVID-19 en distintos estadios de severidad. Previo consentimiento informado, se examinó la cavidad oral y se registraron los hallazgos clínicos. El grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 25 mujeres (45,5%) y 30 varones (54,5%), con edades comprendidas entre uno y 89 años. Un 40% de los pacientes mostraron alguna lesión bucal. Las lesiones más comunes fueron candidiasis y ulceraciones (7 pacientes cada uno) y en 2 pacientes se observó enantema. También se encontraron alteraciones de la normalidad como glositis migratoria y varicosidades linguales. Asimismo, se registraron alteraciones del gusto, xerostomía y dolor/ardor bucal en el 60, 27,3 y 36,4%, respectivamente. En los pacientes COVID-19 se observaron con frecuencia alteraciones y lesiones en la mucosa bucal. Finalmente, la disgeusia y el dolor y/o el ardor oral fueron los síntomas comunes en estos pacientes (AU)

The aim of this study was to describe oral lesions in a group of patients with COVID-19. We recruited 55 patients, 25 women (45.5%) and 30 men (54.5%), aged between 1 and 89 years with confirmed COVID-19 at different stages of severity. After obtaining informed consent, we examined their mouths and recorded clinical findings. Forty percent of the patients had at least 1 oral lesion. The most common lesions were candidiasis and ulcers (7 patients each); 2 patients had enanthems. Geographic tongue and caviar tongue were also observed. Altered taste, dry mouth, and painful/burning mouth were noted in 60%, 27.3%, and 36.4% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal alterations and lesions were prevalent in this series of COVID-19 patients. Altered taste and a painful/burning mouth were common symptoms (AU)

[Translated article] Oral Findings in Patients With COVID-19 / Hallazgos bucales en pacientes COVID-19

The aim of this study was to describe oral lesions in a group of patients with COVID-19. We recruited 55 patients, 25 women (45.5%) and 30 men (54.5%), aged between 1 and 89 years with confirmed COVID-19 at different stages of severity. After obtaining informed consent, we examined their mouths and recorded clinical findings. Forty percent of the patients had at least 1 oral lesion. The most common lesions were candidiasis and ulcers (7 patients each); 2 patients had enanthems. Geographic tongue and caviar tongue were also observed. Altered taste, dry mouth, and painful/burning mouth were noted in 60%, 27.3%, and 36.4% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal alterations and lesions were prevalent in this series of COVID-19 patients. Altered taste and a painful/burning mouth were common symptoms (AU)

El propósito de este trabajo fue caracterizar las alteraciones orales en un grupo de pacientes COVID-19. Para ello se evaluaron 55 pacientes hospitalizados, confirmados COVID-19 en distintos estadios de severidad. Previo consentimiento informado, se examinó la cavidad oral y se registraron los hallazgos clínicos. El grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 25 mujeres (45,5%) y 30 varones (54,5%), con edades comprendidas entre uno y 89 años. Un 40% de los pacientes mostraron alguna lesión bucal. Las lesiones más comunes fueron candidiasis y ulceraciones (7 pacientes cada uno) y en 2 pacientes se observó enantema. También se encontraron alteraciones de la normalidad como glositis migratoria y varicosidades linguales. Asimismo, se registraron alteraciones del gusto, xerostomía y dolor/ardor bucal en el 60, 27,3 y 36,4%, respectivamente. En los pacientes COVID-19 se observaron con frecuencia alteraciones y lesiones en la mucosa bucal. Finalmente, la disgeusia y el dolor y/o el ardor oral fueron los síntomas comunes en estos pacientes (AU)

[Oral Findings in Patients With COVID-19]. / Hallazgos bucales en pacientes COVID-19.

The aim of this study was to describe oral lesions in a group of patients with COVID-19. We recruited 55 patients, 25 women (45.5%) and 30 men (54.5%), aged between 1 and 89 years with confirmed COVID-19 at different stages of severity. After obtaining informed consent, we examined their mouths and recorded clinical findings. Forty percent of the patients had at least 1 oral lesion. The most common lesions were candidiasis and ulcers (7 patients each); 2 patients had enanthems. Geographic tongue and caviar tongue were also observed. Altered taste, dry mouth, and painful/burning mouth were noted in 60%, 27.3%, and 36.4% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal alterations and lesions were prevalent in this series of COVID-19 patients. Altered taste and a painful/burning mouth were common symptoms.

Oral Findings in Patients With COVID-19.

The aim of this study was to describe oral lesions in a group of patients with COVID-19. We recruited 55 patients, 25 women (45.5%) and 30 men (54.5%), aged between 1 and 89 years with confirmed COVID-19 at different stages of severity. After obtaining informed consent, we examined their mouths and recorded clinical findings. Forty percent of the patients had at least 1 oral lesion. The most common lesions were candidiasis and ulcers (7 patients each); 2 patients had enanthems. Geographic tongue and caviar tongue were also observed. Altered taste, dry mouth, and painful/burning mouth were noted in 60%, 27.3%, and 36.4% of patients, respectively. Oral mucosal alterations and lesions were prevalent in this series of COVID-19 patients. Altered taste and a painful/burning mouth were common symptoms.

El propósito de este trabajo fue caracterizar las alteraciones orales en un grupo de pacientes COVID-19. Para ello se evaluaron 55 pacientes hospitalizados, confirmados COVID-19 en distintos estadios de severidad. Previo consentimiento informado, se examinó la cavidad oral y se registraron los hallazgos clínicos. El grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 25 mujeres (45,5%) y 30 hombres (54,5%), con edades comprendidas entre 1 y 89 años. Un 40% de los pacientes mostraron alguna lesión bucal. Las lesiones más comunes fueron candidiasis y ulceraciones (7 pacientes cada uno) y en dos pacientes se observó enantema. También se encontraron alteraciones de la normalidad como glositis migratoria y varicosidades linguales. Asimismo, se registraron alteraciones del gusto, xerostomía y dolor/ardor bucal en el 60%, 27,3% y 36,4% respectivamente. En los pacientes COVID-19 se observaron con frecuencia alteraciones y lesiones en la mucosa bucal. Finalmente, la disgeusia y el dolor y/o el ardor oral fueron síntomas comunes en estos pacientes.

Electrochemical regeneration of spent activated carbon from drinking water treatment plant at different scale reactors.

The electrochemical regeneration of real spent activated carbons (AC) used in drinking water treatment plants was studied at different reactor scales. The electrochemical regeneration was carried out in a 6 g filter-press cell and a 3.5 kg batch reactor, allowing the scaling-up of the process between the two electrolytic reactors. The effect of the electrolyte, the divided/undivided compartment configuration and the current density were studied in the filter-press cell. The effect of compartment configuration and the influence of the regeneration time were studied in the scaled-up reactor. A current density of 0.025 A cm-2 was used and the electrodes were Pt/Ti as anode and Pt/Ti and stainless-steel as cathode. The ACs were characterized by N2 adsorption isotherms to analyse the recovery of porosity and TPD-MS to analyse the AC surface after the electrochemical treatment. In filter-press cell, a recovery of the surface area of 96% was achieved after 8 h of treatment, by introducing the AC in the cathodic compartment using 0.05 M H2SO4 solution as electrolyte. In the 3.5 kg electrochemical reactor, 95% of the pristine AC surface area was recovered. Thus, electrochemical methods can provide a green alternative to the regeneration of spent AC.

Enteric multiplex PCR panels: A new diagnostic tool for amoebic liver abscess?

Invasive amoebiasis is a life-threatening infection requiring immediate detection and treatment. However, diagnosis is challenging because conventional methods such as light microscopy and serology are unreliable. Molecular techniques are therefore considered the new diagnostic reference standard, but most of the developed assays are research tools and not widely available. Recently commercial multiplex PCR panels have been introduced which permit the simultaneous detection of multiple enteric pathogens including Entamoeba histolytica in stool samples. Our report demonstrates for the first time that these new assays might also serve as a rapid tool to diagnose amoebic liver abscess in patients with cystic focal liver lesions.

Experimental study showed that adding fortifier and extra-hydrolysed proteins to preterm infant mothers' milk increased osmolality.

AIM: Measuring milk osmolality after adjustable fortification is clinically relevant, as values exceeding recommended safety thresholds might result in gastrointestinal consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four fortification levels and storage time on the osmolality of human milk. METHODS: This was an experimental study using 71 spare samples of fresh breastmilk collected from 31 mothers of preterm infants. Osmolality was measured before and after adding commercial human milk fortifier containing dextrinomaltose and hydrolysed proteins at four different concentrations. Measurements were performed at various points during the 23 hours after fortification. RESULTS: The mean basal osmolality of the 71 human milk samples was 296 ± 14 milliosmoles (mOsm)/kg, and these remained stable over a period of 23 hours. Just after fortification, the four fortified formulas showed higher osmolalities than the nonfortified human milk, ranging between 384 ± 14 and 486 ± 15 mOsm/kg, respectively (p < 0.01). This osmolality increased significantly from 20 minutes to 23 hours after fortification (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adding fortifier and extra-hydrolysed proteins to human preterm milk increased osmolality, and these osmolality levels also increased with time. We recommend evaluating the risk of hyperosmolality when a higher fortification level is needed, to avoid gastrointestinal problems.

Light-emitting diode therapy reduces persistent inflammatory pain: Role of interleukin 10 and antioxidant enzymes.

BACKGROUND: During the last decades, the use of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) has increased significantly for the treatment of wound healing, analgesia and inflammatory processes. Nevertheless, scientific data on the mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effect of LEDT are still insufficient. Thus, this study investigated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of LEDT in the model of chronic inflammatory hyperalgesia. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: Mice injected with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) underwent behavioral, i.e. mechanical and hot hyperalgesia; determination of cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), IL-10), oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS)) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)). Additionally, mice were pretreated with either naloxone or fucoidin and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed. RESULTS: LEDT inhibited mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia induced by CFA injection. LEDT did not reduce paw edema, neither influenced the levels of TNF-α and IL1-ß; although it increased the levels of IL-10. LEDT significantly prevented TBARS increase in both acute and chronic phases post-CFA injection; whereas protein carbonyl levels were reduced only in the acute phase. LEDT induced an increase in both SOD and CAT activity, with effects observable in the acute but not in the chronic. And finally, pre-administration of naloxone or fucoidin prevented LEDT analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS: These data contribute to the understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effect of LEDT as well as provides additional support for its use in the treatment of painful conditions of inflammatory etiology.

Enhanced removal of 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid in an activated carbon cloth by electroadsorption in aqueous solution.

The effect of the electrochemical treatment (potentiostatic treatment in a filter-press electrochemical cell) on the adsorption capacity of an activated carbon cloth (ACC) was analyzed in relation with the removal of 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid pollutant from water. The adsorption capacity of an ACC is quantitatively improved in the presence of an electric field (electroadsorption process) reaching values of 96% in comparison to 55% in absence of applied potential. In addition, the cathodic treatment results in higher removal efficiencies than the anodic treatment. The enhanced adsorption capacity has been proved to be irreversible, since the removed compound remains adsorbed after switching the applied potential. The kinetics of the adsorption processes is also improved by the presence of an applied potential.

Specific Diversity of Metarhizium Isolates Infecting Aeneolamia spp. (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in Sugarcane Plantations.

Spittlebugs from the genus Aeneolamia are important pests of sugarcane. Although the use of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizum anisopliae s.l. for control of this pest is becoming more common in Mexico, fundamental information regarding M. anisopliae in sugarcane plantations is practically non-existent. Using phylogenetic analysis, we determined the specific diversity of Metarhizium spp. infecting adult spittlebugs in sugarcane plantations from four Mexican states. We obtained 29 isolates of M. anisopliae s.str. Haplotype network analysis revealed the existence of eight haplotypes. Eight selected isolates, representing the four Mexican states, were grown at different temperatures in vitro; isolates from Oaxaca achieved the greatest growth followed by isolates from Veracruz, San Luis Potosi and Tabasco. No relationship was found between in vitro growth and haplotype diversity. Our results represent a significant contribution to the better understanding of the ecology of Metarhizum spp. in the sugarcane agroecosystem.

Temporal Variation in Immune Components of the White Grub Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae).

Ecological immunology assumes that the host immune efficiency is correlated with its survival after pathogen challenge. To test this hypothesis, we challenged Phyllophaga polyphylla (Bates) larvae with the naturally occurring fungus Metarhizium pingshaense on two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). In each year, we injected the blastospores of M. pingshaense and then used levels of prophenoloxidase (proPO), phenoloxidase (PO) and total haemolymph serum protein as indicators of immune efficiency. Larvae were injected with (1) phosphate buffered saline (PBS) + Tween and viable blastospores of M. pingshaense, (2) PBS + Tween and non-viable blastospores of M. pingshaense, (3) PBS + Tween, or (4) non-manipulated. Overall, levels of PO, proPO and total haemolymph serum protein in larvae after 12 h were similar amongst treatments within each year of collection. However, larvae collected in 2011 showed higher PO and proPO activity but lower total haemolymph serum protein compared with larvae collected in 2012. A survival study injecting viable blastospores showed that larvae collected in both years died within 48 h; however, when non-viable blastospores were injected, which were still toxic to larvae, mortality was greater in larvae collected in 2011 compared with larvae collected in 2012. Altogether, these results indicate that PO, proPO and total haemolymph serum protein do not predict immune strength of P. polyphylla against blastospores of M. pingshaense, but higher values of PO and proPO were correlated with higher survival rates against non-infective but toxic agents. The possible role of some abiotic factors over the differences observed for immune components of P. polyphylla in different years of collection is discussed.

On the origin of the high capacitance of nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes in acidic and alkaline electrolytes.

The synthesis of nitrogenated carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) with up to 6.1 wt% N, via the use of pyridine as the nitrogen containing carbon precursor, can provide a facile route to significantly enhance the low intrinsic specific capacitance of carbon nanotubes. The nitrogen functionalities determine this, at least, five-fold increase of the specific capacitance.

Electrochemical performance of hierarchical porous carbon materials obtained from the infiltration of lignin into zeolite templates.

Hierarchical porous carbon materials prepared by the direct carbonization of lignin/zeolite mixtures and the subsequent basic etching of the inorganic template have been electrochemically characterized in acidic media. These lignin-based templated carbons have interesting surface chemistry features, such as a variety of surface oxygen groups and also pyridone and pyridinic groups, which results in a high capacitance enhancement compared to petroleum-pitch-based carbons obtained by the same procedure. Furthermore, they are easily electro-oxidized in a sulfuric acid electrolyte under positive polarization to produce a large amount of surface oxygen groups that boosts the pseudocapacitance. The lignin-based templated carbons showed a specific capacitance as high as 250 F g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1) , with a capacitance retention of 50 % and volumetric capacitance of 75 F cm(-3) at current densities higher than 20 A g(-1) thanks to their suitable porous texture. These results indicate the potential use of inexpensive biomass byproducts, such as lignin, as carbon precursors in the production of hierarchical carbon materials for electrodes in electrochemical capacitors.

A comparison of screening methods in two early phase oral leukoplakia clinical trials.

OBJECTIVES/INTRODUCTION: Clinical trial accrual for oral dysplasia is difficult in the United States and elsewhere. Patients with dysplastic oral leukoplakia progress to frank invasive carcinoma at a rate of 5-37% over 5 years. We compared two clinical trial screening efforts to hopefully devise better accrual strategies to these types of clinical trials. METHODS: For the first trial, we identified 244 patients with dysplastic oral leukoplakia in our university database and a media campaign. Patients were notified and screened by examination and biopsy. For the second clinical trial, we established a preneoplastic lesions clinic and teaching and communications network with regional oral healthcare professionals. RESULTS: Only one of 244 patients accrued to the first clinical trial through an organized screening effort based on database/medical records review. The second clinical trial accrued 16/30 screened patients through redirected efforts in teaching, communications, and a preneoplastic lesions clinic. CONCLUSION: We conclude that significant difficulties resulted from medical record/database review of leukoplakia patients as a screening method for leukoplakia clinical trial entry. We feel that persistent direct contact and education of healthcare professionals who are likely to examine leukoplakia patients improved accrual to the second clinical trial.

Order of inoculation affects the success of co-invading entomopathogenic fungi.

The effect of order of inoculation of Pandora blunckii and Zoophthora radicans co-infecting Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) was investigated. After co-inoculation, the proportion of larvae infected by either species was greatly reduced compared to when they were inoculated singly. The order of inoculation influenced the final outcome; the isolate inoculated last always killed more larvae than the isolate inoculated first.

Treatment and outcomes for epistaxis in children with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: :To understand Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and provide insight to the management of epistaxis in children with this disease. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: All children diagnosed with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and treated for epistaxis at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota were identified and a retrospective chart review was performed. Outpatient charts, hospitalization records, and operative reports were reviewed from 1999 up to 2009 and appropriate data were extracted. The episodes of epistaxis, therapy used, complications, and success rates for controlling hemorrhage were noted. RESULTS: Five children with a total of 63 clinical encounters for epistaxis were identified. Forty-seven encounters required hospitalization, close to half of which necessitated medical care in the intensive care unit. Nearly all encounters required infusion of hemostatic therapy with either single or multiple agents. Seventy-one procedures for life-threatening hemorrhage were performed. The most common (n = 24) intervention was administration of bovine collagen matrix, which was successful only half of the time (50%). Anterior and posterior nasal packing with or without hemostatic material completely resolved hemorrhage in 35% of the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: To date, no form of medical or surgical intervention in children with this condition has consistently demonstrated its ability resolve nasal hemorrhage. The role of the otolaryngologist is to control bleeding during major episodes of nasal hemorrhage that do not respond to medical management. These patients usually have remarkable improvement in the frequency and severity of epistaxis in adolescence and then require much less aggressive therapy.

Hipocondroplasia. Diagnóstico Clínico, radiológico y genético. A propósito de dos observaciones precoces / Hypochondroplasia. Clinical, radiological and genetic diagnosis. Base don two early observations

La hipocondroplasia es una forma de hipocrecimiento por osteocondordisplasi, de posible infradiagnóstico y transmisión autosómica dominante. Forma menor de la condroplasia, con mutación igualmente localizada en el gen FGFR3, su conocimiento y precocidad en la identificación conducen al asesoramiento genético, a disminuir con medidas de higiene física sus posibles complicaciones y a plantear el alargamiento óseo para mejorar la falla final, mientras no tengamos otras soluciones médicas para ella (AU)

Hipochondroplasia is an osteochondrodyplasia characterized by short stature. Clinical and molecularly similar to achondroplasia since the shortening of legs and bowing of the extremities occur in both syndromes The causative mutations of both entities are in the FGFR3 gene. Misdiagnosis is common since clinical manifestations are subtle in hypochondroplasia. The knowledge, identification and genetic assessment are necessary to avoid possible complications and to evaluate orthopedic therapy with leg lengthening combined with correction of bowlegs as an alternative until we have something else to offer to these patients (AU)

Environmental enrichment for captive stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).

BACKGROUND: The behavior of animals is modified by captivity. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a program designed to enhance the welfare of confined animals by providing them with a more stimulating background. This is carried out by the implementation of a series of activities that encourages them to present behaviors typical of their species, as well as keeps them active. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the influence of the EE in the behavioral variables in a colony of 24 stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides). Our hypothesis is that the application of this program will reduce aggression, stereotypes and coprophilia behaviors and, at the same time, will increase exploration and solitary play. METHODS: The behavioral frequency previous to EE was compared with that during EE implementation. RESULTS: Our results showed that aggression, coprophilia stereotypic behaviors and social play were significantly reduced during EE, whereas exploration was significantly enhanced. The response of the individuals according to gender was similar for both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental enrichment programs are indispensable for captive animals' wellbeing as they reduce aggression and stress while providing animals both physical and cognitive entertainment.

Sleep characterization of a one-month-old freely moving stumptail macaque (Macaca arctoides): a pilot study.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during both human and adult primates' sleep has been proven to be similar and consequently, it could be assessed under similar parameters. However, there is no information regarding this EEG activity in the early stages of development in non-human primates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe EEG sleep patterns in a 1-month-old Macaca arctoides with a non-invasive and free-movement method. Sleep stages were initially scored using the criteria of quiet sleep and active sleep. This procedure allowed us to observe graphoelements to distinguish sleep phases as described in adult macaques. Afterwards, the final score was recorded following the Slow Wave Sleep and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep criteria. The present results suggest that sleep features of this monkey are similar to those of a 2-month-old human neonate.