Antibiofilm effect of cleaning agents for ocular prostheses

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm effect of different agents (neutral soap, 4% chlorhexidine, Efferdent effervescent tablets, 1% triclosan, and citronella essential oil) used for ocular prosthesis cleaning.

Material and Methods

Biofilms of S. aureus and S. epidermidis were formed on 60 ocular prosthesis acrylic resin specimens. The specimens were cleaned with the studied agents with different techniques. Microorganism counting was performed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and HSD Tukey-Kramer (p<.01).

Results

When compared to the control group, all cleaning protocols promoted a reduction in growth of microorganisms. The 4% chlorhexidine, effervescent tablets, and 1% triclosan cleaning agents eliminated biofilm in all groups.

Conclusion

Therefore, immersion in 4% chlorhexidine, effervescent tablets, and 1% triclosan could be the best protocols indicated for ocular prosthesis cleaning due to their ability to eliminate biofilm.

Analysis of Biofilm Adhesion on CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicates Under Different Types of Intraoral Polishing

PURPOSE

To evaluate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on lithium disilicate ceramics, submitted to different intraoral polishing protocols, and the degree of surface smoothness obtained.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty lithium disilicate specimens were divided into 5 groups (n=10): G1-Glaze Group (positive control); G2-Glaze Group + Wear + Glaze; G3-Wear Group (negative control); G4-Ceramisté Wear Group; G5-Optrafine Wear Group. Surface roughness (Ra - μm) was evaluated and the surface characteristics were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM); to assess S. mutans biofilm, the number of cultured cells was evaluated by counting colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The data underwent one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P⟨.05).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the surface roughness of all groups compared with G3. There was no significant difference between the G4 and G5 groups that received polishing. G1 group had the lowest mean roughness values. There was a difference in Log values (CFU/mL) between the G3 group and the groups that received glaze (G1 and G2). The G3 group had the highest adhesion of S. mutans (4.53 Log).

CONCLUSION

The most effective polishing protocol after wear is glazing, presenting the lowest roughness and CFU/mL values.

Ichthyosis: case report in a Colombian man with genetic alterations in ABCA12 and HRNR genes

Background

Ichthyosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by genetic disorders related to skin formation. They are characterized by generalized dry skin, scaling, hyperkeratosis and frequently associated with erythroderma. Among its different types, harlequin ichthyosis (HI) stands out due to its severity. HI is caused by mutations in the ABCA12 gene, which encodes essential proteins in epidermal lipid transport, and it helps maintain the homeostasis of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. However, due to the wide spectrum of genetic alterations that can cause ichthyosis, holistic medical care, and genetic studies are required to improve the diagnosis and outcomes of these diseases.

Case presentation

Here, we presented the case of a 19 years old male patient who was a premature infant and exhibited clinical features consistent with HI, including bright yellow hyperkeratotic plates with erythematous fissures that covered his entire body like a collodion baby. Currently, he exhibited erythroderma, photosensitivity, ectropion, auricular pavilion alterations, and musculoskeletal disorders, such as equinovarus feet, fingers, hands, and hypoplastic feet with contractures in flexion and marked difficulty in fine motor skills. In addition, he presented dyschromatopsia, Achilles reflex hyporeflexia, slight speech, dental alteration and deficient cognitive performance. After the genetic sequencing, variants were found in ABCA12 and HRNR which are related to several skin diseases, including ichthyosis.

Conclusions

Although in clinical practice, ichthyosis is a common entity, a severe type of ichthyosis is presented, highlighting the importance of appropriate genetic diagnosis, given the broad spectrum of genetic alterations with similar phenotypic and clinical characteristics. These pathologies must be known to guarantee initial support measures to prevent complications and offer multidisciplinary management to those patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-021-00987-y.

Diffusion Mechanism Modeling of Metformin in Human Organic Cationic Amino Acid Transporter one and Functional Impact of S189L, R206C, and G401S Mutation

Metformin used as a first-line drug to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is transported via organic cation channels to soft tissues. Mutations in the SLC22A1 gene, such as Gly401Ser, Ser189Leu, and Arg206Cys, may affect the drug’s therapeutic effect on these patients. This study aims at proposing a potential structural model for drug interactions with the hOCT1 transporter, as well as the impact of these mutations at both topological and electronic structure levels on the channel’s surface, from a chemical point of view with, in addition to exploring the frequency distribution. To chemically understand metformin diffusion, we used an open model from the protein model database, with ID PM0080367, viewed through UCSF Chimera. The effect of the mutations was assessed using computational hybrid Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics, based on the Austin Model 1 semi-empirical method using Spartan 18’ software. The results demonstrate coupling energy for metformin with amino acids F, W, H and Y, because of the interaction between the metformin dication and the electron cloud of π orbitals. The mutations analyzed showed changes in the chemical polarity and topology of the structure. The proposed diffusion model is a possible approach to the interaction mechanism between metformin and its transporter, as well as the impacts of variants, suggesting structural changes in the action of the drug. Metformin efficacy considerably varies from one patient to another; this may be largely attributed to the presence of mutations on the SLC22A1 gene. This study aims at proposing a potential structural model for metformin-hOCT1 (SLC22A1) transporter interaction, as well as the identification of the effect of mutations G401S (rs34130495), S189L (rs34104736), and R206C (616C > T) of the SLC22A1 gene at the topological and electronic structure levels on the channel surfaces, from a chemical viewpoint. Our results demonstrated that the coupling energies for metformin with aromatic amino acids F, W, H and Y, because of the interaction between the metformin dication and the electron cloud of π orbitals. Changes in the chemical environment’s polarity and the structure’s topology were reported in the mutations assessed. The diffusion model proposed is a potential approach for the mechanism of interaction of metformin with its transporter and the effects of variants on the efficacy of the drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The assessment of the frequency of these mutations in a sample of Colombian type 2 diabetes patients suggests that different SLC22A1 gene variants might be involved in reduced OCT1 activity in the Colombian population since none of these mutations were detected.

Systemic administration of probiotics reduces the severity of apical periodontitis

AIM

To evaluate the effect of systemic administration of probiotics on the severity of apical periodontitis (AP).

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used. AP was induced in the maxillary left/right first molars. The animals were arranged into groups: Control, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Probiotics were administered orally for gavage (10⁹ colony-forming units diluted in 5 mL of water for 30 days) during the development of AP. After 30 days, cardiac puncture was performed to analyse the complete blood count. Moreover, microbiological analysis of the root canal contents and saliva was performed. Then, the animals were euthanized and the jaw removed for histopathological and IL-10, IL-1β and IL-6 immunolabeling analyses. 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

No significance difference was observed in the blood profiles and in the counts of microorganisms from the saliva samples among the groups (P > 0.05). Total microorganism counts in the root canal, the inflammatory infiltrate and the immunostaining for IL-1β and IL-6 in AP were significantly lower in the probiotic groups when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). IL-10 was significantly more immunolabled in the probiotic groups than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus) had a significant effect on the severity of apical periodontitis in rats, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effect of probiotics on the development of apical periodontitis.

Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri as an adjunct to the treatment of periodontitis in smokers: randomised clinical trial

The aim of this randomised clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri in chewable tablets as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis in smoking patients. 34 patient smokers were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The SRP group (n=17) received scaling and root planing (SRP) in one session and a placebo; the PRO group (n=17) received SRP in one session and 2 probiotic tablets 2× per day, for 21 days. Bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), and pockets with PD≥5 mm and bleeding were measured at baseline and 90 days. After 90 days of treatment, the PD and pockets with PD≥5 mm and bleeding were significantly lower in both groups compared to baseline (P<0.05). In the PRO group, the BOP had significantly reduced at 90 days when compared with the baseline (P<0.05). There was statistically significant reduction in PD between baseline and 90 days in the PRO group in deep pockets (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the reduction in PD (P=0.95) or gain in CAL (P=0.97) in moderate and deep pockets. The adjuvant use of L. reuteri in the treatment of chronic periodontitis was effective in controlling gingival inflammation because reduced bleeding on probing which means reduced gingival inflammation and was effective in reducing deep pocket in manner clinically relevant.

Palenque de San Basilio in Colombia: genetic data support an oral history of a paternal ancestry in Congo

The Palenque, a black community in rural Colombia, have an oral history of fugitive African slaves founding a free village near Cartagena in the seventeenth century. Recently, linguists have identified some 200 words in regular use that originate in a Kikongo language, with Yombe, mainly spoken in the Congo region, being the most likely source. The non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY) and mitochondrial DNA were analysed to establish whether there was greater similarity between present-day members of the Palenque and Yombe than between the Palenque and 42 other African groups (for all individuals,n= 2799) from which forced slaves might have been taken. NRY data are consistent with the linguistic evidence that Yombe is the most likely group from which the original male settlers of Palenque came. Mitochondrial DNA data suggested substantial maternal sub-Saharan African ancestry and a strong founder effect but did not associate Palenque with any particular African group. In addition, based on cultural data including inhabitants' claims of linguistic differences, it has been hypothesized that the two districts of the village (Abajo and Arriba) have different origins, with Arriba founded by men originating in Congo and Abajo by those born in Colombia. Although significant genetic structuring distinguished the two from each other, no supporting evidence for this hypothesis was found.

Effectiveness of Fluorescence-based Methods in Monitoring Progression of Noncavitated Caries-like Lesions on Smooth Surfaces

Although there has been a significant decrease in caries prevalence in developed countries, the slower progression of dental caries requires methods capable of detecting and quantifying lesions at an early stage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of fluorescence-based methods (DIAGNOdent 2095 laser fluorescence device [LF], DIAGNOdent 2190 pen [LFpen], and VistaProof fluorescence camera [FC]) in monitoring the progression of noncavitated caries-like lesions on smooth surfaces. Caries-like lesions were developed in 60 blocks of bovine enamel using a bacterial model of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Enamel blocks were evaluated by two independent examiners at baseline (phase I), after the first cariogenic challenge (eight days) (phase II), and after the second cariogenic challenge (a further eight days) (phase III) by two independent examiners using the LF, LFpen, and FC. Blocks were submitted to surface microhardness (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness analyses. The intraclass correlation coefficient for intra- and interexaminer reproducibility ranged from 0.49 (FC) to 0.94 (LF/LFpen). SMH values decreased and fluorescence values increased significantly among the three phases. Higher values for sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were observed for FC (phase II) and LFpen (phase III). A significant correlation was found between fluorescence values and SMH in all phases and integrated loss of surface hardness (ΔKHN) in phase III. In conclusion, fluorescence-based methods were effective in monitoring noncavitated caries-like lesions on smooth surfaces, with moderate correlation with SMH, allowing differentiation between sound and demineralized enamel.

Unexpected inverse correlation between Native American ancestry and Asian American variants of HPV16 in admixed Colombian cervical cancer cases

BACKGROUND

European (E) variants of HPV 16 are evenly distributed among world regions, meanwhile Non-European variants such as European-Asian (EAs), Asian American (AA) and African (Af) are mostly confined to Eastern Asia, The Americas and African regions respectively. Several studies have shown that genetic variation of HPV 16 is associated with the risk of cervical cancer, which also seems to be dependent on the population. This relationship between ethnicity and variants have led to the suggestion that there is co-evolution of variants with humankind. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the individual ancestry proportion and infection with HPV 16 variants in cervical cancer.

METHODS

We examined the association between ancestry and HPV 16 variants in samples of 82 cervical cancer cases from different regions of Colombia. Individual ancestry proportions (European, African and Native American) were estimated by genotyping 106 ancestry informative markers. Variants were identified by PCR amplification of the E6 gene, followed by reverse line blot hybridization (RLB) with variants specific probes.

RESULTS

Overall European (E) and Asian American (AA) variants frequency was 66.5% and 33.5% respectively. Similar distribution was observed in cases with higher proportions of European or African ancestry. A higher Native American ancestry was significantly associated with higher frequency of E variants (median ancestry>23.6%, Age and place of birth adjusted OR: 3.55, 95% CI: 1.26-10.03, p=0.01). Even further, an inverse geographic correlation between Native American ancestry and frequency of infections with AA variants was observed (ρ=-0.825, p=0.008). Regions with higher proportion of Native American ancestry had a lower frequency of AA variants of HPV 16.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests replacement of AA variants by E variants of human papillomavirus 16 in cervical cancer cases with high Native American ancestry.

Comparación de cuatro programas utilizados en la determinación de la composición genética ancestral de la población antioqueña

La población antioqueña posee una estructura genética compleja que refleja su historia de mezclas entre poblaciones europeas, africanas y amerindias. En este estudio se determinó la composición genética de 849 individuos de la población antioqueña, utilizando un panel de 75 marcadores informativos de ancestralidad y 4 programas que implementan métodos bayesianos para inferir la composición de la mezcla ancestral. La contribución europea (60%) fue dos veces mayor que la contribución amerindia (28%), ambas con una distribución amplia, y fue poca la contribución africana (12%). Se estimó el tiempo transcurrido desde el primer evento de mezcla, que fue de 11 generaciones por cada 100 cM, lo cual hace de esta población un recurso útil para implementar estudios de mapeo por mezcla. Se evaluó la utilidad del panel de marcadores, así como la robustez y utilidad de los diferentes programas utilizados.

Composición genética de una población del suroccidente de Colombia

La población actual del departamento del Cauca es el resultado de la mezcla de tres poblaciones parentales (europea, amerindia y africana). En este estudio se determinó la composición genética de 306 residentes del departamento mediante la utilización de 34 variantes autosómicas, 9 variantes en el cromosoma X, 6 en el ADNmt y 8 en el cromosoma Y. Los análisis de las variantes autosómicas y del cromosoma X revelaron que la población europea y la amerindia han contribuido en mayor proporción al actual acervo genético de la población estudiada. Los resultados de las variantes en el ADNmt y del cromosoma Y sugieren un fuerte sesgo sexual (flujo génico asimétrico) en el proceso de mezcla, en el que los cruces interétnicos fueron principalmente entre los colonizadores europeos y las mujeres nativas.

Coancestría de apellidos y linajes del cromosoma Y en el noroeste de Colombia: una herramienta útil para establecer migración entre poblaciones

Por medio del análisis de marcadores genéticos del cromosoma Y, se estudió la composición de los linajes y su distribución en los apellidos más comunes en una muestra de 471 hombres provenientes del municipio de Marinilla (Antioquia) y su zona de influencia y del municipio de Aranzazu (Caldas), y en un grupo de muestras de la población general de Medellín. Además de encontrar una tasa variable de coancestría entre apellidos y linajes del cromosoma Y, también se detectó una gran similitud en el patrón de distribución de haplogrupos/haplotipos/apellidos entre Marinilla y su zona de influencia y Aranzazu, hallazgo que refuerza la idea de la migración histórica entre estas dos regiones. Esta similitud indicaría además que en las dos poblaciones pueden circular variantes genéticas comunes vinculadas a enfermedades humanas.

Evaluation of two alternative methods for disinfection of toothbrushes and tongue scrapers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two alternatives methods for the disinfection of oral cleaning devices.

METHODS

One type of toothbrush and two types of tongue scrapers (steel and plastic) were tested in this study. Sixteen specimens of each group were cut with standardized dimensions, contaminated separately with Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus and incubated for 24 h. After this, oral cleaning devices were washed in saline solution to remove non-adhered cells and divided into two groups (n = 8), one irradiated in microwave and other immersed in 3.78% sodium perborate solution, and evaluated for microbial recovery. The values of cfu of each group of microorganism after disinfection were compared by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn non-parametric test, considering 95% of confidence.

RESULTS

The toothbrush harboured a significant larger number of viable organisms than the tongue scrapers. The steel tongue scraper was less susceptible to adhesion of the three oral microorganisms. The time required to inactivate all contaminating microorganisms using microwave oven was 1 min and, for the immersion in 3.78% sodium perborate solution, was 2 and 3 h, respectively, for C. albicans and S. mutans/S. aureus.

CONCLUSION

Microwave irradiation proved to be an effective alternative method to the disinfection of tongue cleaners and toothbrushes.

Genetic make up and structure of Colombian populations by means of uniparental and biparental DNA markers

Colombia is a country with great geographic heterogeneity and marked regional differences in pre-Columbian native population density and in the extent of past African and European immigration. As a result, Colombia has one of the most diverse populations in Latin America. Here we evaluated ancestry in over 1,700 individuals from 24 Colombian populations using biparental (autosomal and X-Chromosome), maternal (mtDNA), and paternal (Y-chromosome) markers. Autosomal ancestry varies markedly both within and between regions, confirming the great genetic diversity of the Colombian population. The X-chromosome, mtDNA, and Y-chromosome data indicate that there is a pattern across regions indicative of admixture involving predominantly Native American women and European and African men.

Genome-wide linkage scan of bipolar disorder in a Colombian population isolate replicates Loci on chromosomes 7p21-22, 1p31, 16p12 and 21q21-22 and identifies a novel locus on chromosome 12q

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Bipolar disorder (BP) is a severe psychiatric illness, characterised by alternating episodes of depression and mania, which ranks among the top ten causes of morbidity and life-long disability world-wide. We have previously performed a whole-genome linkage scan on 6 pedigrees segregating severe BP from the well-characterised population isolate of Antioquia, Colombia. We recently collected genotypes for the same set of 382 autosomal microsatellite markers in 9 additional Antioquian BP pedigrees. Here, we report the analysis of the combined pedigree set.

METHODS

Linkage analysis using both parametric and nonparametric approaches was conducted for 3 different diagnostic models: severe BP only (BPI); mood disorders (BPI, BPII and major depression); and psychosis (operationally defined by the occurrence of at least 1 episode of hallucinations and/or delusions).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

For BPI only, the most interesting result was obtained for chromosome 7p21.1-p22.2 under a recessive model of inheritance (heterogeneity LOD score = 2.80), a region that had previously been linked to BP in a study on Portuguese Island families. For both BPI and mood disorders, nonparametric analyses identified a locus on chromosome 12ct-q14 (nonparametric linkage = 2.55 and 2.35, respectively). This locus has not previously been reported as a candidate region for BP. Additional candidate regions were found on chromosomes 1p22-31 (mood disorders) and 21q21-22 (BPI), 2 loci that have repeatedly been implicated in BP susceptibility. Linkage analysis of psychosis as a phenotype identified candidate regions on chromosomes 2q24-31 and 16p12-q12. The finding on chromosome 16p is noteworthy because the same locus has been implicated by genome-wide association analyses of BP.

A narrow and highly significant linkage signal for severe bipolar disorder in the chromosome 5q33 region in Latin American pedigrees

We previously reported linkage of bipolar disorder to 5q33-q34 in families from two closely related population isolates, the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) and Antioquia, Colombia (CO). Here we present follow up results from fine-scale mapping in large CVCR and CO families segregating severe bipolar disorder, BP-I, and in 343 population trios/duos from CVCR and CO. Employing densely spaced SNPs to fine map the prior linkage peak region increases linkage evidence and clarifies the position of the putative BP-I locus. We performed two-point linkage analysis with 1134 SNPs in an approximately 9 Mb region between markers D5S410 and D5S422. Combining pedigrees from CVCR and CO yields a LOD score of 4.9 at SNP rs10035961. Two other SNPs (rs7721142 and rs1422795) within the same 94 kb region also displayed LOD scores greater than 4. This linkage peak coincides with our prior microsatellite results and suggests a narrowed BP-I susceptibility regions in these families. To investigate if the locus implicated in the familial form of BP-I also contributes to disease risk in the population, we followed up the family results with association analysis in duo and trio samples, obtaining signals within 2 Mb of the peak linkage signal in the pedigrees; rs12523547 and rs267015 (P = 0.00004 and 0.00016, respectively) in the CO sample and rs244960 in the CVCR sample and the combined sample, with P = 0.00032 and 0.00016, respectively. It remains unclear whether these association results reflect the same locus contributing to BP susceptibility within the extended pedigrees.

Strong association of socioeconomic status with genetic ancestry in Latinos: implications for admixture studies of type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in US American minority populations of African or Native American descent than it is in European Americans. However, the proportion of this epidemiological difference that can be ascribed to genetic or environmental factors is unknown. To determine whether genetic ancestry is correlated with diabetes risk in Latinos, we estimated the proportion of European ancestry in case-control samples from Mexico and Colombia in whom socioeconomic status had been carefully ascertained.

METHODS

We genotyped 67 ancestry-informative markers in 499 participants with type 2 diabetes and 197 controls from Medellín (Colombia), as well as in 163 participants with type 2 diabetes and 72 controls from central Mexico. Each participant was assigned a socioeconomic status scale via various measures.

RESULTS

Although European ancestry was associated with lower diabetes risk in Mexicans (OR [95% CI] 0.06 [0.02-0.21], p = 2.0 x 10(-5)) and Colombians (OR 0.26 [0.08-0.78], p = 0.02), adjustment for socioeconomic status eliminated the association in the Colombian sample (OR 0.64 [0.19-2.12], p = 0.46) and significantly attenuated it in the Mexican sample (OR 0.17 [0.04-0.71], p = 0.02). Adjustment for BMI did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The proportion of non-European ancestry is associated with both type 2 diabetes and lower socioeconomic status in admixed Latino populations from North and South America. We conclude that ancestry-directed search for genetic markers associated with type 2 diabetes in Latinos may benefit from information involving social factors, as these factors have a quantitatively important effect on type 2 diabetes risk relative to ancestry effects.

African ancestry is associated with risk of asthma and high total serum IgE in a population from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia

African descended populations exhibit an increased prevalence of asthma and allergies compared to Europeans. One approach to distinguish between environmental and genetic explanations for this difference is to study relationships of asthma risk to individual admixture. We aimed to determine the admixture proportions of a case-control sample from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia currently participating in genetic studies for asthma, and to test for population stratification and association between African ancestry and asthma and total serum IgE levels (tIgE). We genotyped 368 asthmatics and 365 non-asthmatics for 52 autosomal ancestry informative markers, six mtDNA haplogroups and nine haplogroups and five microsatellites in Y chromosome. Autosomal admixture proportions, population stratification, and associations between ancestry and the phenotypes were estimated by ADMIXMAP. The average admixture proportions among asthmatics were 42.8% European, 39.9% African and 17.2% Native American and among non-asthmatics they were 44.2% (P = 0.068), 37.6% (P = 0.007) and 18.1% (P = 0.050), respectively. In the total sample, the paternal contributions were 71% European, 25% African and 4.0% Native American and the maternal lineages were 56.8% Native American, and 20.2% African; 22.9% of the individuals carried other non-Native American mtDNA haplogroups. African ancestry was significantly associated with asthma (OR: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.08-8.08), high tIgE (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.17-3.12) and socioeconomic status (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.87). Significant population stratification was observed in this sample. Our findings indicate that genetic factors can explain the association between asthma and African ancestry and suggest that this sample is a useful resource for performing admixture mapping for asthma.

Effect of Restorative Technique and Thermal/Mechanical Treatment on Marginal Adaptation and Compressive Strength of Esthetic Restorations

This study demonstrated that esthetic restorations prepared with indirect or direct techniques had similar compressive strengths and marginal adaptation. Marginal deterioration over time was observed for both types of restorations; however, there was an increase in the prevalence of catastrophic fractures among direct restorations.

A genomewide admixture map for Latino populations

Admixture mapping is an economical and powerful approach for localizing disease genes in populations of recently mixed ancestry and has proven successful in African Americans. The method holds equal promise for Latinos, who typically inherit a mix of European, Native American, and African ancestry. However, admixture mapping in Latinos has not been practical because of the lack of a map of ancestry-informative markers validated in Native American and other populations. To address this, we screened multiple databases, containing millions of markers, to identify 4,186 markers that were putatively informative for determining the ancestry of chromosomal segments in Latino populations. We experimentally validated each of these markers in at least 232 new Latino, European, Native American, and African samples, and we selected a subset of 1,649 markers to form an admixture map. An advantage of our strategy is that we focused our map on markers distinguishing Native American from other ancestries and restricted it to markers with very similar frequencies in Europeans and Africans, which decreased the number of markers needed and minimized the possibility of false disease associations. We evaluated the effectiveness of our map for localizing disease genes in four Latino populations from both North and South America.

A genomewide admixture map for Latino populations

Admixture mapping is an economical and powerful approach for localizing disease genes in populations of recently mixed ancestry and has proven successful in African Americans. The method holds equal promise for Latinos, who typically inherit a mix of European, Native American, and African ancestry. However, admixture mapping in Latinos has not been practical because of the lack of a map of ancestry-informative markers validated in Native American and other populations. To address this, we screened multiple databases, containing millions of markers, to identify 4,186 markers that were putatively informative for determining the ancestry of chromosomal segments in Latino populations. We experimentally validated each of these markers in at least 232 new Latino, European, Native American, and African samples, and we selected a subset of 1,649 markers to form an admixture map. An advantage of our strategy is that we focused our map on markers distinguishing Native American from other ancestries and restricted it to markers with very similar frequencies in Europeans and Africans, which decreased the number of markers needed and minimized the possibility of false disease associations. We evaluated the effectiveness of our map for localizing disease genes in four Latino populations from both North and South America.

Reactionary dentinogenesis after applying restorative materials and bioactive dentin matrix molecules as liners in deep cavities prepared in nonhuman primate teeth

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the response of the pulp-dentin complex following application of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement, calcium hydroxide hard-setting cement and EDTA-soluble preparation of dentine matrix proteins (ESDP) in deep cavities prepared in non-human primate teeth.

METHODS

Eighteen deep Class V buccal cavities were prepared in premolars of four capuccin monkeys. In Groups 1 and 2, the cavity floor was lined with ESDP or a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (Vitrebond - 3M ESPE), respectively. In Group 3 (control), the cavity was lined with a hard setting calcium hydroxide cement (Dycal - Dentsply). The cavities were subsequently filled with amalgam. After 6 months, the animals were sacrificed and the teeth were prepared for microscopic assessment. Six-micron thick serial sections were stained with H/E, Masson's trichrome and Brown & Brenn techniques.

RESULTS

No inflammatory pulpal response was observed for all experimental and control Groups. However, the amount of reactionary dentin deposition differed between groups in the rank order ESDP (Group 1) > calcium hydroxide (Group 3) > resin-modified glass-ionomer (Group 2). These differences were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

All materials were biocompatible when applied in deep cavities. ESDP stimulated higher deposition of reactionary dentin matrix than Vitrebond and Dycal.

Convergent linkage evidence from two Latin-American population isolates supports the presence of a susceptibility locus for bipolar disorder in 5q31-34

We performed a whole genome microsatellite marker scan in six multiplex families with bipolar (BP) mood disorder ascertained in Antioquia, a historically isolated population from North West Colombia. These families were characterized clinically using the approach employed in independent ongoing studies of BP in the closely related population of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The most consistent linkage results from parametric and non-parametric analyses of the Colombian scan involved markers on 5q31-33, a region implicated by the previous studies of BP in Costa Rica. Because of these concordant results, a follow-up study with additional markers was undertaken in an expanded set of Colombian and Costa Rican families; this provided a genome-wide significant evidence of linkage of BPI to a candidate region of approximately 10 cM in 5q31-33 (maximum non-parametric linkage score=4.395, P<0.00004). Interestingly, this region has been implicated in several previous genetic studies of schizophrenia and psychosis, including disease association with variants of the enthoprotin and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor genes.

Transmission distortion of BDNF variants to bipolar disorder type I patients from a South American population isolate

Recent reports have implicated polymorphisms in the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene region in the etiology of several psychiatric phenotypes, including bipolar disorder. Significant disease association has been reported for the G allele at SNP rs6265, which encodes for Valine at position 66 of BDNF (Val66Met), an apparently functional variant of this key BDNF. Here we examined a sample of 224 bipolar type I patients and available parents (comprising a total of 212 nuclear families) ascertained in a South American population isolate (Antioquia, Colombia). We tested for transmission distortion to bipolar patients of alleles at the rs6265 polymorphism and at a microsatellite marker 1.3 kb away from this SNP. Significant excess transmission of the rs6265 G allele to cases was observed (chi(2) = 10.77, d.f. = 1, P = 0.001). Two-locus haplotype analysis showed a significant global transmission distortion (chi(2) = 16.059, d.f. = 7, P = 0.025) with an excess transmission of a haplotype comprising the rs6265 G allele and microsatellite allele 227. These results are consistent with previous studies pointing to a role for BDNF in susceptibility to mood disorders.

A revertant of the major founder Native American haplogroup C common in populations from northern South America

We examined the mtDNA RFLP diversity of 17 Native American populations from Colombia. Five of the populations studied were found to have variable frequencies of a mtDNA type lacking the characteristic changes of haplogroups A-D. Sequencing of mtDNA HVS-I and II showed that this "null" RFLP type carries all the substitutions characteristic of Native American founder lineage C. A back mutation has therefore recreated the +13,259 HincII/-13,262 AluI restriction sites that tipify RFLP haplogroup C. This revertant C lineage is further characterized by three changes in HVS-II sequence: C/T transitions at positions 115 and 152, and the deletion of an A residue at position 116. This lineage is observed at high frequency mostly in populations from Greenberg's Equatorial-Tucano linguistic family. Genetic structure analyses are consistent with the reversion mutation occurring at an early stage during the tribalization process.

Takayasu's arteritis: what should the dentist know?

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects large blood vessels, especially the aorta and/or its major branches. The condition presents with segmental lesions adjacent to normal, apparently unaffected, areas. The lesions include stenosis, occlusion, dilatations or aneurysm formations along the path of the affected artery. Because of the severity of the disease and the possibility of cardiovascular complications, patients with Takayasu's arteritis require medical treatment based on immunosuppressive and antihypertensive drugs, as well as regular follow up and surgical intervention in many instances. The aim of this paper was to describe the characteristics of Takayasu's arteritis, to report dental treatment carried out on an affected patient, and to discuss the main implications and care required during routine treatment for children in the dental office.

Análisis de ligamiento genético de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1, a marcadores de los cromosomas 2 y 11 en familias antioqueñas

La diabetes mellitus (DM) comprende un grupo heterogéneo de desordenes hiperglucémicos clasificados en subgrupos de acuerdo a su fisiopatología y etiología, entre los cuales se destacan la Diabetes Mellitus tipo1 (DM1) y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). La DM1 es de aparición temprana y una absoluta escasez de insulina hace que los pacientes sean insulino dependientes desde el inicio de los síntomas y la (DM2), de inicio en la edad adulta y no todos los pacientes que la sufren son insulino dependientes. La DM1 se clasifica como DM1A si es el efecto de una respuesta autoinmune por parte de las células ? del páncreas y DM1B si la causa es desconocida (idiopática). Los estudios sobre la etiología de DM1 han demostrado que ambos subtipos tienen un fuerte componente genético, pero el patrón de herencia es complejo, ya que su patogénesis puede ser el resultado de la interacción de variantes en múltiples genes con factores medioambientales. Los estudios genéticos sobre DM1 han permitido identificar loci de suceptibilidad que se denominan IDDM, así para DM1A se encontró el primer locus (IDDM1) en la región HLA-DR/DQ, situada en 6p21, que modula el efecto de otros genes implicados en la enfermedad, el segundo (IDDM2) se localiza en 11p15 donde se encuentra el gen de la Insulina. Es decir, DM1 presenta gran heterogeneidad genética, de tal manera, que se han identificado más de 18 loci implicados en susceptibilidad a ella, entre ellos 3 en el cromosoma 2 (IDDM 7,12 y 13) y uno en el cromosoma 14 (IDDM11), este último asociado a DM1B. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en la búsqueda de loci en los cromosomas 2 y 11 involucrados en la susceptibilidad a DM, en 3 familias antioqueñas, para lo cual se realizó análisis de ligamiento paramétrico a 23 marcadores microsatélites en el cromosoma 2 y a 18 en el cromosoma 11. A las familias, codificadas como DM1(11afectados), familia 1 (2 afectados) y familia10 (3 afectados), se les realizó simulación para determinar el poder para hacer análisis de ligamiento y los resultados mostraron que presentaban suficiente poder para realizarlo, puesto que en DM1 la razón de disparidad máxima (Lod score o Z máximo) fue de 3.57, sin recombinación (?=0), el cual es superior a 3, el valor aceptado para determinar ligamiento, y al tomar las tres familias en conjunto se obtuvo un Z máximo de 5.76. Con el análisis de ligamiento para el cromosoma 11, se halló que solo en la familia 10 se presentaba un valor positivo de Z; 1.18 al marcador D11S925 con ?=0, muy superior al de la simulación de esta familia (0.75), con respecto al cromosoma 2, se obtuvieron valores de Z positivos al marcador D2S319 en DM1 y familia 10, 2.08 y 0.88 respectivamente, con ?=0. Al tomar las tres familias como un todo y calcular Z para los marcadores D11S925 y D2S319, se obtuvo un valor de 2.5, con ?=0, lo cual está corroborando que en las familias analizadas están involucrados 2 loci, situados en las regiones de los cromosomas 11 y 2 señaladas por dichos marcadores. Si se tiene en cuenta que el marcador D11S925 está situado en la región 11q23-3 y el D2S319 en la 2qter, se puede decir, que con este trabajo se han identificado 2 loci nuevos de susceptibilidad a DM1 en la población antioqueña, ya que estas regiones no concuerdan con las reportadas hasta el presente; además, como se hizo análisis de ligamiento a IDDM1, con resultados negativos (datos no mostrados), la DM1 estudiada podría clasificarse como DM1B.

The immunophenotype of blood and cerebrospinal fluid mononuclear cells in dogs

Inflammatory neurologic diseases are common in dogs, but establishing a definitive diagnosis often is difficult. Nucleated cell number and type in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rarely are suggestive of an etiologic agent. We speculated that CSF leukocyte immunophenotyping would be a useful adjunct in the investigation of canine inflammatory neurologic diseases by yielding more specific etiologic information. The goals of this study were to establish the feasibility of flow cytometric evaluation of individual canine CSF samples and to identify the cell distribution in healthy dogs. The mononuclear cell populations of paired blood and CSF samples from 23 healthy dogs were characterized by labeling of cells with antibodies against CD4, CD8alpha, CD21, and CD14 molecules and by flow cytometric analysis of their expression. The mean proportion of CD4+ and CD21+ cells was significantly higher in blood than in the CSF (P < .002 and P < .001, respectively). In contrast, the mean proportion of CD14+ and CD8a+ cells was not significantly different between blood and CSF (P = .5 and p = .9, respectively). These findings demonstrate differences in the distribution and function of mononuclear cells in the circulating venous and subarachnoid compartments in the dog.

Exudation of low molecular weight compounds (thiobismethane, methyl isocyanide, and methyl isothiocyanate) as a possible chemical defense mechanism in the marine sponge Ircinia felix

The volatile constituents of the marine sponge Ircinia felix were obtained by dynamic headspace extraction and analyzed by HRGC, HRGC-MS and HRGC-Odor at sniffing port. Fifty-nine volatiles were identified for the first time in the odor of this sponge. Hydrocarbons (32.9%), alcohols (17.8%) and carbonyl compounds (16.0%) predominated in the sponge volatile profile, followed by esters (11.6%), halogen compounds (8.6%), ethers (7.7%), nitrogen and/or sulfur compounds (4.6%) and carboxylic acids (0.8%). Among the identified volatiles, thiobismethane (commonly known as dimethylsulfide), methyl isocyanide and methyl isothiocyanate were found to be responsible for the nauseating and toxic smell emitted by the sponge and for the antimicrobial activity detected in the volatile extract. Exudation experiments in aquarium and in situ conditions revealed that thiobismethane, methyl isocyanide and methyl isothiocyanate are continuously released by the sponge. Upon injury, the concentration of these volatiles increased strongly. Hence, these substances form a chemical protective barrier which may help these sponges avoid fouling, compete for space, prevent infection in the short term, and/or signal generalist predators regarding the existence of other toxic substances in the internal tissues.

Glycosidically bound flavor compounds of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.)

The bound volatile fraction of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit harvested in Colombia has been examined by HRGC and HRGC-MS after enzymatic hydrolysis using a nonselective pectinase (Rohapect D5L). Forty bound volatiles could be identified, with 21 of them being reported for the first time in cape gooseberry. After preparative isolation of the glycosidic precursors on XAD-2 resin, purification by multilayer coil countercurrent chromatography and HPLC of the peracetylated glycosides were carried out. Structure elucidation by NMR, ESI-MS/MS, and optical rotation enabled the identification of (1S,2S)-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and p-menth-4(8)-ene-1,2-diol 1-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2). Both glycosides have been identified for the first time in nature. They could be considered as immediate precursors of 1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol and p-menth-4(8)-ene-1,2-diol, typical volatiles found in the fruit of cape gooseberry.

Free and bound volatile composition and characterization of some glucoconjugates as aroma precursors in melón de olor fruit pulp (Sicana odorifera)

Free and glycosidically bound volatiles obtained from the fruit pulp of Sicana odorifera by liquid-liquid extraction and by chromatography, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with Rohapect D5L, respectively, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (HRGC), HRGC-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS), and HRGC-Olfatometry (HRGC-O) analyses. A total of 37 free volatiles was detected, with the major components being 3-methyl-2-butanol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, and (Z)-3-hexenol. Among the 22 detected glycosidically bound compounds, 4-hydroxybenzyl methyl ether, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and 2-phenylethanol were found to be the major constituents. Additionally, two glucoconjugates were isolated in pure form by multilayer coil countercurrent chromatography (MLCCC) of the glycosidic extrac and further purification. Their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses to be the novel [4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl] 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutanoate 2, and the known 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl alcohol 1. Compounds 1 and 2 are precursors of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, one of the major volatiles generated by enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosidic fraction.

Strong Amerind/white sex bias and a possible Sephardic contribution among the founders of a population in northwest Colombia

Historical and genetic evidences suggest that the recently founded population of Antioquia (Colombia) is potentially useful for the genetic mapping of complex traits. This population was established in the 16th-17th centuries through the admixture of Amerinds, Europeans, and Africans and grew in relative isolation until the late 19th century. To examine the origin of the founders of Antioquia, we typed 11 markers on the nonrecombining portion of the Y chromosome and four markers on mtDNA in a sample of individuals with confirmed Antioquian ancestry. The polymorphisms on the Y chromosome (five biallelic markers and six microsatellites) allow an approximation to the origin of founder men, and those on mtDNA identify the four major founder Native American lineages. These data indicate that approximately 94% of the Y chromosomes are European, 5% are African, and 1% are Amerind. Y-chromosome data are consistent with an origin of founders predominantly in southern Spain but also suggest that a fraction came from northern Iberia and that some possibly had a Sephardic origin. In stark contrast with the Y-chromosome, approximately 90% of the mtDNA gene pool of Antioquia is Amerind, with the frequency of the four Amerind founder lineages being closest to Native Americans currently living in the area. These results indicate a highly asymmetric pattern of mating in early Antioquia, involving mostly immigrant men and local native women. The discordance of our data with blood-group estimates of admixture suggests that the number of founder men was larger than that of women.

Autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-chromosome diversity in Amerinds: pre- and post-Columbian patterns of gene flow in South America

To evaluate sex-specific differences in gene flow between Native American populations from South America and between those populations and recent immigrants to the New World, we examined the genetic diversity at uni- and biparental genetic markers of five Native American populations from Colombia and in published surveys from native South Americans. The Colombian populations were typed for five polymorphisms in mtDNA, five restriction sites in the beta-globin gene cluster, the DQA1 gene, and nine autosomal microsatellites. Elsewhere, we published results for seven Y-chromosome microsatellites in the same populations. Autosomal polymorphisms showed a mean G(ST) of 6.8%, in agreement with extensive classical marker studies of South American populations. MtDNA and Y-chromosome markers resulted in G(ST) values of 0.18 and 0.165, respectively. When only Y chromosomes of confirmed Amerind origin were used in the calculations (as defined by the presence of allele T at locus DYS199), G(ST) increased to 0.22. G(ST) values calculated from published data for other South American natives were 0.3 and 0.29 for mtDNA and Amerind Y chromosomes, respectively. The concordance of these estimates does not support an important difference in migration rates between the sexes throughout the history of South Amerinds. Admixture analysis of the Colombian populations suggests an asymmetric pattern of mating involving mostly immigrant men and native women.