Assessing changes in oral health‐related quality of life and its factors in community‐dwelling older Brazilians

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00656.x Assessing changes in oral health‐related quality of life and its factors in community‐dwelling older Brazilians Objective: To describe changes in oral health‐related quality of life and to evaluate the associations of these changes in community‐dwelling older people. Materials and methods: In this longitudinal study a representative sample of 872 older people, living in Brazil, was evaluated during 2004. The follow‐up was carried out during 2008, with 587 older persons evaluated. A questionnaire assessing socio‐demographic information, health history, oral health‐impact profile and number of natural teeth was used. Changes in oral health‐related quality of life were categorized as improvement or deterioration. Data analysis was performed using a hierarchical approach based in a conceptual framework. A hierarchal approach was carried out using Poisson regressions. Results: Older persons living in rural areas, those who reported brushing once a day or less and older persons with fewer natural teeth had an increased chance of reporting deterioration in oral health‐related quality of life. Women and participants who received a minimum wage of less than US$219.50 were more likely to report improvement in oral health‐related quality of life. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that changes in the oral health‐related quality of life are influenced by many of the variables that were included in the conceptual framework.     

Update on the challenging role of biofilms in peritoneal dialysis

Biofilms are commonly associated with an increased risk of patient infection. In peritoneal dialysis (PD), catheter associated infection, especially peritonitis, remains a clinically relevant problem. Although the presence of a biofilm is recognized in relapsing, repeat, and catheter-related peritonitis, it remains poorly characterized. In this review, an update on the role of biofilms in PD infections is presented. The emerging concept that host cells and tissue associated biofilms, in addition to the biofilms on the catheters themselves, contribute to the recalcitrance of infections is discussed. Furthermore, the evidence of biofilms on PD catheters, their developmental stages, and the possible influence of the PD environment are reviewed. The focus is given to ex vivo and in vitro studies that contribute to the elucidation of the interplay between host, microbial, and dialysis factors. The key issues that are still to be answered and the challenges to clinical practice are discussed.     

Diversity and diversification of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in New Caledonia

Contemporary taxonomic work on New Caledonian Eumolpinae (Chrysomelidae) has revealed their high species richness in this Western Pacific biodiversity hotspot. To estimate total species richness in this community, we used rapid DNA‐based biodiversity assessment tools, exploring mtDNA diversity and phylogenetic structure in a sample of 840 specimens across the main island. Concordance of morphospecies delimitation with units delimited by phenetic and phylogenetic algorithms revealed some 98–110 species in our sample, twice as many as currently described. Sample‐based rarefaction curves and species estimators using these species counts doubled this figure (up to 210 species), a realistic estimate considering taxonomic coverage, local endemism, and characteristics of sampling design, amongst others. New Caledonia, compared with larger tropical islands, stands out as a hotspot for Eumolpinae biodiversity. Molecular dating using either chrysomelid specific rates or tree calibration using palaeogeographical data dated the root of the ingroup tree (not necessarily a monophyletic radiation) at 38.5 Mya, implying colonizations after the Cretaceous breakage of Gondwana. Our data are compatible with the slowdown in diversification rates through time and are also consistent with recent faunal origins, possibly reflecting niche occupancy after an initial rapid diversification. Environmental factors (e.g. soil characteristics) seemingly played a role in this diversification process. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Taxonomy of the ‘Synargis axenus complex’ belonging to the ‘Synargis regulus’ species group,with a phylogenetic reassessment of the genus Synargis Hübner, 1819 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Nymphidiini)

Three new species of Synargis Hübner, 1819, from Paraguay and southern and central Brazil are described: Synargis fandanga sp. nov. from Paraguay (Amambay and Paraguari) and southern Brazil (Paraná and Santa Catarina), Synargis rasqueada sp. nov. from central Brazil (Mato Grosso), and Synargis gorpa sp. nov. from southern Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul). Lectotypes are designated for Lemonias axenus Hewitson, 1876, Ematurgina axenus ochrophlegma Sitchel, 1911, Ematurgina acervata Seitz, 1932, and Ematurgina perrupta Seitz, 1932. Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. dissimilis Hayward, 1949, is a new synonym of Synargis bifasciata (Mengel, 1902), and Ematurgina ochrophlegma f. distincta Hayward, 1949, is a new synonym of Synargis axenus (Hewitson, 1876). The revalidation of E. perrupta Seitz, 1932, and the new status Synargis ochrophlegma (Stichel, 1911) are proposed. Ematurgina perrupta ab. roeberi Seitz, 1932, and Ematurgina bifasciata ochrophlegma ab. leucomelaina Breyer, 1930, are considered unavailable names. Based on a previous phylogenetic hypothesis, the phylogeny of the genus Synargis is reassessed, adding these new and revalidated taxa, and nine additional characters. The ‘Synargis regulus’ species group and the ‘Synargis axenus complex’ are recovered as monophyletic, with S. gorpa sp. nov. sister to the remaining species of the ‘S. axenus complex’. Additionally, an up‐to‐date geographical distribution map and a dichotomous key are provided, and the taxonomy of the taxa involved is discussed. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Chromosomal diversity in two synchronopatric species of Hoffmannseggella (Orchidaceae)

Hoffmannseggella viridiflora Verola & Semir (Laeliinae, Orchidaceae) is a recently discovered species in the campos rupestres vegetation of the Espinhaço Range, MG, Brazil, in synchronopatry with H. bradei (Pabst) V. P. Castro & Chiron. Both morphological and phenological studies indicate that these species are closely related. To substantiate the differentiation of these two species we examined their chromosome numbers and morphologies. The two species had different chromosome numbers, with H. bradei having 2n = 40 and H. viridiflora having 2n = 44 chromosomes, an aneuploid number not previously documented in the genus. Meiotic behavioral studies undertaken with H. bradei revealed many abnormalities related to bivalent numbers and chromosome migration, suggesting that meiotic abnormalities could generate aneuploid gametes and perhaps aneuploid zygotes. Karyotype formulas and chromosome morphologies are quite different between the species, so H. viridiflora was not directly derived from H. bradei through simple chromosome additions. Complementary analyses are necessary to understand the process and species involved in the origin of H. viridiflora.     

Influence of Aloe vera on water absorption and enzymatic in vitro degradation of alginate hydrogel films

This study investigates the influence of Aloe vera on water absorption and the in vitro degradation rate of Aloe vera-Ca-alginate hydrogel films, for wound healing and drug delivery applications. The influence of A. vera content (5%, 15% and 25%, v/v) on water absorption was evaluated by the incubation of the films into a 0.1 M HCl solution (pH 1.0), acetate buffer (pH 5.5) and simulated body fluid solution (pH 7.4) during 24 h. Results show that the water absorption is significantly higher for films containing high A. vera contents (15% and 25%), while no significant differences are observed between the alginate neat film and the film with 5% of A. vera. The in vitro enzymatic degradation tests indicate that an increase in the A. vera content significantly enhances the degradation rate of the films. Control films, incubated in a simulated body fluid solution without enzymes, are resistant to the hydrolytic degradation, exhibiting reduced weight loss and maintaining its structural integrity. Results also show that the water absorption and the in vitro degradation rate of the films can be tailored by changing the A. vera content.     

Laminin‐γ1 chain and stress inducible protein 1 synergistically mediate PrPC‐dependent axonal growth via Ca2+ mobilization in dorsal root ganglia neurons

Prion protein (PrP^C) is a cell surface glycoprotein that is abundantly expressed in nervous system. The elucidation of the PrP^C interactome network and its significance on neural physiology is crucial to understanding neurodegenerative events associated with prion and Alzheimer's diseases. PrP^C co‐opts stress inducible protein 1/alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (STI1/α7nAChR) or laminin/Type I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1/5) to modulate hippocampal neuronal survival and differentiation. However, potential cross‐talk between these protein complexes and their role in peripheral neurons has never been addressed. To explore this issue, we investigated PrP^C‐mediated axonogenesis in peripheral neurons in response to STI1 and laminin‐γ1 chain‐derived peptide (Ln‐γ1). STI1 and Ln‐γ1 promoted robust axonogenesis in wild‐type neurons, whereas no effect was observed in neurons from PrP^C‐null mice. PrP^C binding to Ln‐γ1 or STI1 led to an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels via distinct mechanisms: STI1 promoted extracellular Ca²⁺ influx, and Ln‐γ1 released calcium from intracellular stores. Both effects depend on phospholipase C activation, which is modulated by mGluR1/5 for Ln‐γ1, but depends on, C‐type transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels rather than α7nAChR for STI1. Treatment of neurons with suboptimal concentrations of both ligands led to synergistic actions on PrP^C‐mediated calcium response and axonogenesis. This effect was likely mediated by simultaneous binding of the two ligands to PrP^C. These results suggest a role for PrP^C as an organizer of diverse multiprotein complexes, triggering specific signaling pathways and promoting axonogenesis in the peripheral nervous system.     

Interactions between hawkmoths and flowering plants in East Africa: polyphagy and evolutionary specialization in an ecological context

Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) are considered important pollinators in tropical regions, but the frequency and degree of reciprocal specialization of interactions between hawkmoths and flowers remain poorly understood. Detailed observations at two sites in Kenya over a two‐year period indicate that adult hawkmoths are routinely polyphagous and opportunistic, regardless of their proboscis length. About 700 individuals of 13 hawkmoth species were observed visiting a wide range of plant species at the study sites, including 25 taxa that appear to be specifically adapted for pollination by hawkmoths. We estimate that 277 plant species in Kenya (c. 4.61% of the total angiosperm flora) are adapted for pollination by hawkmoths. Floral tube lengths of these plants have a bimodal distribution, reflecting the existence of two hawkmoth guilds differing in tongue length. Hawkmoths exhibited strongly crepuscular foraging patterns with activity confined to a 20‐min period at dusk and, in some cases, a similar period just before dawn. Corolla tube length appears to act as a mechanical filter as the longest‐tubed plants were visited by the fewest hawkmoth species and these were exclusively from the long‐tongued guild. Tube length showed a strong positive relationship with nectar volume, even after phylogenetic correction, which implies that plants with long corolla tubes are under selection to offer relatively large amounts of nectar to entice visits by polyphagous long‐tongued hawkmoths. Our study shows that diffusely co‐evolved pollination systems involving long‐tongued hawkmoths are clearly asymmetrical, with plants exhibiting a high degree of floral specialization, while hawkmoths exhibit polyphagous behaviour. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 199–213.