Wounds in the oral mucosa heal faster and more efficiently than those in the skin, although the mechanisms underlying these differences are not completely clear. In the last 10 years, a group of salivary peptides, the histatins, has gained attention on behalf of their ability to improve several phases of the wound-healing process. In addition to their roles as anti-microbial agents and in enamel maintenance, histatins elicit other biological effects, namely by promoting the migration of different cell types contained in the oral mucosa and in non-oral tissues. Histatins, and specifically histatin-1, promote cell adhesion and migration in oral keratinocytes, gingival and dermal fibroblasts, non-oral epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. This is particularly relevant, as histatin-1 promotes the re-epithelialization phase and the angiogenic responses by increasing epithelial and endothelial cell migration. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with histatin-dependent cell migration remain poorly understood, recent studies have pointed to the control of signaling endosomes and the balance of small GTPases. This review aimed to update the literature on the effects of histatins in cell migration, with a focus on wound healing. We will also discuss the consequences that this increasing field will have in disease and therapy design.

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Background: Zoledronic acid, the most frequent agent associated with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), has been reported as cytotoxic for bone and vascular cells. Hence, identification of novel approaches aiming to counteract its cytotoxic effects will be desirable to develop preventive therapies for BRONJ. The salivary peptide Histatin-1 was recently shown to promote oral wound healing, by acting in epithelial and endothelial cells; however, its effects on cells exposed to zoledronic acid have not been explored. This study aims to unveil the role of Histatin-1 in osteoblastic and vascular cell lineages challenged with zoledronic acid.

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The causes of disease can be grouped into three categories: genetic, environmental and the interaction between these two. The comparison of the past and present epidemiological profiles of a disease that is still prevalent in a population helps us to answer such questions as: ‘Is it the same disease or a new one?’ ‘Is it affecting the same biological population or a different one?’ ‘Are there any environmental factors associated with the pathogenic process that cause the disease or maintain it throughout time?’ Diseases such as inherited malformations and vector‐borne and multifactorial diseases have been present in past and modern Amerindian groups. This paper analyses the evolution of three diseases—oculoauriculovertebral syndrome, Chagas' disease and cholelithiasis—in Chilean aboriginal populations. Palaeoepidemiological and actual epidemiological information is examined in relation to the ethnic/genetic component. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Wheat flour fortification with iron (Fe) is mandatory in Argentina since 2002, although feeding habits are characterized by high bovine meat intake‐ (54.1 kg/per capita/y, FAO 2009). To estimate heme and nonheme Fe intake, 87 male blood donors (19‐65 y) attending the Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, (2012‐2013) were enrolled in the study. A 135‐item food‐frequency questionnaire including bovine meat, poultry, fish, pork, processed meat, cereal products and bakery products prepared with wheat flour fortified with Fe (30 mg Fe/Kg) was administered. Daily Fe intake was calculated according to ARGENFOODS and USDA National Nutrient Database on Standard Reference. Genotyping for the C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations in the HFE gene was performed (PCR‐RFLP) in samples (n=40) collected with EDTA. Dietary Fe intake (mg/d) was: Mean ± SD (range): Total Fe (T): 24.2±12.5 (8.9‐63); Heme Fe (H): 2.26±1.45 (0.00‐6.84); Nonheme Fe (NonH): 22± 11.8 (7.4 ‐59.8); Fe‐fortified wheat flour (Fe‐WF): 10.5 ±6.9 (2.6‐44). Fe intake was higher (111% ‐ 788%) than RDA (8 mg/d, FNB); Fe‐WF was 47.7% of NonH. Heterozygosity and homozygosity for H63D mutation was 15% and 2.5%, respectively; C282Y nor S65C occurred. These preliminary results alert about potential diet‐related effects of Fe accumulation in a population most probably unaware of any family history of Fe overload. Grant Funding Source: Supported by Universidad de Buenos Aires 20720120200004BA, Argentina

Scenery considered as space in which nature coexist itself as well as human intervention on both individual and collective perception of that space, constitutes one of the tools to be incorporated into local territorial zoning plans, depending upon visual fragility of landscape unit analyzed, activities can be established according to each of the zones that make up the territory. This research assess visual fragility scenery at rural parish of Riobamba city, province of Chimborazo. Landscape unit observed of 2,392 hectares out of a total of 2,927 hectares, which includes greenhouses also. A field data collection was carried out, in which landscape unit was delimited through geographical position data gathering using geographic information systems GIS tools and finally applying a model for assessment of landscape visual fragility including features such as: vegetation and land use, slope, orientation, accessibility, size, form, compactness and relative height of the observed landscape. Greenhouses for agricultural production are incidental elements of extrinsic fragility of landscape but it is not a determining one since this depends on interaction of several elements. The present study includes zoning of landscape units of entire territory at San Luis Parish with the purpose of helping parochial territorial ordering plan focused on determining potential land uses.