Erratum to: Musculoskeletal manifestations of primary hyperparathyroidism

Clinical Rheumatology -     

The nexus between periodontics and oral pathology

A wide variety of lesions may arise from the oral mucosa, fibrous connective tissue, bone and cementum of the periodontium. The commonest pathology occurs as a result of bacterial infection and is very well known to dentists and periodontists, but rarer conditions present as gingival pathology. The pathogenesis of these conditions ranges from genetic to traumatic to immunological to neoplastic, and includes benign, malignant and metastatic lesions. This paper outlines some of these conditions and describes how the periodontist and oral pathologist can work together using a framework, and how with careful consideration of the clinical features and the use of appropriate special tests, including obtaining an adequate tissue specimen, a timely and accurate diagnosis can be obtained.     

Extracellular matrices,artificial neural scaffolds and the promise of neural regeneration

Over last 20 years, extracellular matrices have been shown to be useful in promoting tissue regeneration. Recently, they have been used and have had success in achieving neurogenesis. Recent developments in extracellular matrix design have allowed their successful in vivo incorporation to engender an environment favorable for neural regeneration in animal models. Promising treatments under investigation include manipulation of the intrinsic extracellular matrix and incorporation of engineered naometer-sized scaffolds through which inhibition of molecules serving as barriers to neuroregeneration and delivery of neurotrophic factors and/or cells for successful tissue regeneration can be achieved. Further understanding of the changes incurred within the extracellular matrix following central nervous system injury will undoubtedly help design a clinically efficacious extracellular matrix scaffold that can mitigate or reverse neural degeneration in the clinical setting.     

Analysis of the 2012-2016 drought in the northeast Brazil and its impacts on the Sobradinho water reservoir

The northeast region of Brazil (NEB) suffers with the worst drought during 2012–2016 that has greatly affected water availability in general, in particular the hydropower reservoirs. We have analyzed a large dataset of satellite measurements and images to understand the variability of precipitation, land surface temperature (LST) and their association with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), indicator of water and vegetation stress. The drought conditions during 2012–2016 show association of poor rainfall in the year 2012, an increase of LST 7ºC above the average, reduction in NDVI upto 30% and a sharp decrease upto 28% in Relative Humidity (RH). The largest reservoir of the NEB, Sobradinho, shows decline in surface water upto about 50% which is clearly evident from the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) for the period 2015–2016 compared to the year 2011.