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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association among rheumatoid arthritis (RA), saliva production, and periodontal status. METHODS: An observational study was carried out on 103 subjects with RA and 103 without RA matched by sex and age. Rheumatologic evaluation included serological and clinical variables. A full mouth periodontal examination was performed according to the American Academy of Periodontology (1999). Resting and stimulated whole salivary flows were determined after spiting during 5 min. RESULTS: RA was associated with a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis (12% vs. 4%), with a marked reduction in resting and stimulated saliva production, and with a higher prevalence of resting (19% vs. 0%) and also stimulated hyposalivation (54% vs. 10%), compared with the control group. The differences in mean resting and stimulated salivary flows between RA and control groups persisted after the exclusion of people with hyposalivation. Saliva production was not associated with the presence or the severity of periodontal disease, or with the rheumatic clinical characteristics of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of people with RA have some degree of reduction in their salivary flows, an affection not associated with the periodontal status or rheumatic activity, which are the expression of the two related inflammatory diseases. The influence of autonomic dysfunction on hyposalivation can be considered. While periodontitis would be a disease-associated comorbidity of RA, poor saliva production should be included among the extra-articular manifestations. Key Points • Rheumatoid arthritis patients are more prone to suffer from periodontitis and/or hyposalivation. • Periodontal disease is more prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis and also an association was found between the severities of both pathologies. • More than 50% of people with RA would have some degree of reduction in their salivary flows, an affection not associated with the periodontal status or rheumatic activity. • Reduced saliva production in rheumatoid arthritis patients should be included among the extra-articular manifestations.

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was significantly associated with increased overall risk of periodontitis, both chronic, inflammatory pathologies leading to connective tissue breakdown and bone destruction. To identify clinical and/or serological variables routinely evaluated during follow-up of people with RA which are associated with the severity of their periodontal disease. An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out, which included RA patients according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria having chronic periodontal disease. RA clinical parameters (disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, disease activity (DAS28) and rheumatoid factor, presence of bone erosions and rheumatic nodules) and also corticosteroid therapy were considered. Periodontitis was evaluated according to the American Academy of Periodontology (1999) and chronic periodontitis was assessed by full mouth periapical radiographic examination, periodontal probing depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding index. A total of 110 subjects with RA and chronic periodontitis were included. The female/male relation was 5.1, and no significant differences between genres were found in rheumatic or oral variables. RA patients with longer disease duration, higher disease activity and with rheumatic nodules had significantly greater periodontitis severity. Multivariate analysis confirmed that severe periodontitis was associated with DAS283 4.1 (OR 51.4, CI 95% 9.4-281.5) and the presence of rheumatic nodules (OR 6.4, CI 95% 1.3-31.6). Disease activity and rheumatic nodules were strongly associated with severe periodontitis. Based on these findings it would be desirable to include interdisciplinary management at an early stage of RA to ensure comprehensive treatment of both pathologies.

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We reported previously that the rat submandibular gland is able to release nanovesicles capable to hydrolyse millimolar concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP in vitro. Here, we show that rat saliva also contains nanovesicles with the ability to hydrolyse ATP. Our aim was to identify and characterize vesicular nucleotidases by using kinetic, immunological and in silico approaches. Nucleotidase activity in the absence or presence of specific inhibitors allowed us to assume the participation of NTPDase1, -2 and -3, together with ecto-5'-nucleotidase, confirmed using specific antibodies. At neutral pH, initial ATPase activity would be mostly due to NTPDase2, which was thereafter inactivated, leaving NTPDase1 and NTPDase3 to hydrolyse ATP and ADP with an efficacy ATPase/ADPase around 2. Ecto-5'nucleotidase would be mainly responsible for AMP hydrolysis and adenosine accumulation. We proposed a kinetic model for NTPDase2 as a tool to isolate and analyse the turnover of this enzyme in the presence of different ATP concentrations, including those expected in extracellular media. Our study characterizes the ectonucleotidases carried by extracellular vesicles which contribute to modulate ATP and adenosine concentrations in the oral cavity, essential players in purinergic signalling.

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La sangre de cordón es una alternativa no invasiva que ha sido empleada para el tamizaje de sífilis congénita. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron evaluar la validez del uso de sangre de cordón como muestra para tamizaje de casos presuntivos de sífilis congénita, determinar la prevalencia de sífilis materna, estudiar la tasa de casos presuntivos de sífilis congénita y establecer el porcentaje de madres no estudiadas para sífilis en el periparto. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo y observacional entre junio de 2017 y mayo de 2018. Se relevaron datos de serología de sangre de cordón y sangre de la madre. Se utilizó Unheated Serum Reagin como prueba de tamizaje y FTA-Abs y/o quimioluminiscencia como confirmatorias. Se excluyeron los binomios madre-hijo sin estudio de sangre de cordón. Binomios madre-hijo estudiados: 2.487. Sensibilidad y especificidad: 82,29% IC 95% (73,17- 89,33) y 99,96% IC 95% (99,76-100,00), respectivamente. Prevalencia de sífilis materna: 4,04%. Tasa de caso presuntivo de sífilis congénita: 26/1.000 RNV. Madres sin registros de serología para sífilis en el periparto: 70 (2,86%). La sangre de cordón no sería una muestra válida para el tamizaje debido a la baja sensibilidad encontrada, aunque en muchos casos es la única oportunidad de evaluar el binomio madre-hijo.

Cord blood is a non-invasive alternative which has been used for screening of congenital syphilis. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the validity of the use of cord blood as a sample for the screening of a probable congenital syphilis case, to study the prevalence of maternal syphilis, to analyse the rate of probable congenital syphilis case and to determine the percentage of non-studied mothers for syphilis in the peripartum. A retrospective and observational analysis was conducted between June 2017 and May 2018. Cord blood and maternal blood serology results were taken from the Laboratory Information System. Unheated Serum Reagin was used as a screening test and FTA-Abs and/or quimioluminiscense as confirmatory studies. Infant-mother binomies without cord blood studies were excluded. Infant-mother binomies studied: 2487. Sensibility and specificity 82.29% [95% CI: 73.17 to 89.33] and 99.96% [95% CI: 99.76 to 100.00], respectively. MSP prevalence: 4.04%. Probable congenital syphilis case rate: 26/1000 NB. Non-studied mothers for syphilis in the peripartum: 70 (2.86%). Cord blood would not be a valid sample for screening due to the low sensibility found, although in many cases it is the only opportunity to evaluate the infant-mother binomies.

O sangue do cordão é uma alternativa não invasiva que tem sido usada para triagem da sífilis congênita. Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar a validade do uso do sangue do cordão como amostra para o rastreio de um caso presumível de sífilis congénita, determinar a prevalência da sífilis materna, estudar a taxa de caso presumível de sífilis congénita e estabelecer a percentagem de mães em que não se analisa a sífilis no periparto. Foi realizada entre junho de 2017 e maio de 2018 uma análise retrospectiva e observacional, onde foram colectados os dados do Sistema de Computação Laboratorial de sorologia sangue do cordão e sangue da mãe. Foi utilizado um Unheated Serum Reagin como teste de triagem e FTA-Abs e/ou quimiluminescência como confirmatórias. Os binomios mãe-filho foram excluídos sem o estudo do sangue do cordão. Binomios mãe-filho estudado: 2.487. Sensibilidade e especificidade: 82,29% IC 95% (73,17-89,33) y 99,96% IC 95% (99,76-100,00), respectivamente. Prevalência de SFM: 4,04%. Taxa CPSC: 26/1.000 RNV. Mães sem registros sorológicos para sífilis no periparto: 70 (2,86%). O sangue do cordão não seria uma amostra válida para triagem devido à baixa sensibilidade encontrada, no entanto em muitos casos é a única oportunidade do avaliar o binomios mãe-filho.

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Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage containing the serotonergic 5-HT(2A) agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and monoamine oxidase-inhibiting alkaloids (harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine) that render it orally active. Ayahuasca ingestion is a central feature in several Brazilian syncretic churches that have expanded their activities to urban Brazil, Europe and North America. Members of these groups typically ingest ayahuasca at least twice per month. Prior research has shown that acute ayahuasca increases blood flow in prefrontal and temporal brain regions and that it elicits intense modifications in thought processes, perception and emotion. However, regular ayahuasca use does not seem to induce the pattern of addiction-related problems that characterize drugs of abuse. To study the impact of repeated ayahuasca use on general psychological well-being, mental health and cognition, here we assessed personality, psychopathology, life attitudes and neuropsychological performance in regular ayahuasca users (n = 127) and controls (n = 115) at baseline and 1 year later. Controls were actively participating in non-ayahuasca religions. Users showed higher Reward Dependence and Self-Transcendence and lower Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness. They scored significantly lower on all psychopathology measures, showed better performance on the Stroop test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Letter-Number Sequencing task from the WAIS-III, and better scores on the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale. Analysis of life attitudes showed higher scores on the Spiritual Orientation Inventory, the Purpose in Life Test and the Psychosocial Well-Being test. Despite the lower number of participants available at follow-up, overall differences with controls were maintained one year later. In conclusion, we found no evidence of psychological maladjustment, mental health deterioration or cognitive impairment in the ayahuasca-using group.

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Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage used for magico-religious purposes in the Amazon. Recently, Brazilian syncretic churches have helped spread the ritual use of ayahuasca abroad. This trend has raised concerns that regular use of this N,N-dimethyltryptamine-containing tea may lead to the medical and psychosocial problems typically associated with drugs of abuse. Here we assess potential drug abuse-related problems in regular ayahuasca users. Addiction severity was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), and history of alcohol and illicit drug use was recorded. In Study 1, jungle-based ayahuasca users (n=56) were compared vs. rural controls (n=56). In Study 2, urban-based ayahuasca users (n=71) were compared vs. urban controls (n=59). Follow-up studies were conducted 1 year later. In both studies, ayahuasca users showed significantly lower scores than controls on the ASI Alcohol Use, and Psychiatric Status subscales. The jungle-based ayahuasca users showed a significantly higher frequency of previous illicit drug use but this had ceased at the time of examination, except for cannabis. At follow-up, abstinence from illicit drug use was maintained in both groups except for cannabis in Study 1. However, differences on ASI scores were still significant in the jungle-based group but not in the urban group. Despite continuing ayahuasca use, a time-dependent worsening was only observed in one subscale (Family/Social relationships) in Study 2. Overall, the ritual use of ayahuasca, as assessed with the ASI in currently active users, does not appear to be associated with the deleterious psychosocial effects typically caused by other drugs of abuse.

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Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase belongs to the P-type ATPases family and transports calcium at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. For years, a complex pattern of activity has been observed as a function of ATP and metal cofactor concentrations, leaving the stoichiometry of both metal and ATP in the active site as an open question. In agreement with recent structural studies we present here-using Mn as analogue of Mg-radioisotopic and fluorescence results showing that two metal ions bind to the Ca-ATPase favoring ATP binding. We further show that low ATP concentration favors the binding of these ions, whereas high ATP concentration is inhibitory. We propose a binding model for ATP and metal ions, which permits simulation of our data. Finally, we suggest that (i) the contribution of two metal ions as cofactors of ATP is essential to get maximal activity; (ii) the contribution of two ATP molecules can activate or inhibit the Ca-ATPase depending on metal concentration.

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