In metagenomics, the data come from heterogeneous microbial communities, sometimes containing more than 10,000 species, with the sequence Dinaciclib in vitro data being noisy and partial. From sampling, to assembly, to gene calling and function prediction, bioinformatics faces new demands in interpreting voluminous, noisy, and often partial sequence data. Although metagenomics is a relative newcomer to science, the past few years have seen an explosion in computational methods applied to metagenomic-based research. It is therefore not within the scope of this article to provide an exhaustive review. Rather, we provide here a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the current computational requirements presented

by metagenomics, and review the recent progress made. We also note whether there is software that implements any of the methods presented here, and briefly review its utility. Nevertheless, it would be useful if readers of this article would avail themselves of the comment section provided by this journal, and relate their own experiences. Finally, the last section of this article provides a few representative studies illustrating different

facets of recent scientific discoveries made using metagenomics.”
“Removal of lignin is a major hurdle for obtaining good quality pulp. Leucaena leucocephala (subabul) is extensively used in paper industry in India; therefore, as a first step to generate transgenic plants with low lignin content, cDNA and genomic clones of CCR gene were isolated and characterized. The cDNA encoding CCR (EC Ubiquitin inhibitor 1.2.1.44) was designated as LI-CCR; the sequence analysis revealed an Open Reading Frame (ORF) of 1005 bp. Phylogenetic GSK1210151A ic50 analysis showed that LI-CCR sequence is highly homologous to CCRs from other dicot plants. The 2992 bp genomic clone of Leucaena CCR consists of 5 exons

and 4 introns. The haploid genome of L leucocephala contains two copies as revealed by DNA blot hybridization. LI-CCR gene was over-expressed in Escherichia coil, which showed a molecular mass of approximately 38 kDa. Protein blot analysis revealed that LI-CCR protein is expressed at higher levels in root and in stem, but undetectable in leaf tissues. Expression of CCR gene in Leucaena increased up to 15 d in case of roots and stem as revealed by QRT-PcR studies in 0-15 d old seedlings. ELISA based studies of extractable CCR protein corroborated with QRT-PCR data. CCR protein was immuno-cytolocalized around xylem tissue. Lignin estimation and expression studies of 5,10 and 15 d old stem and root suggest that CCR expression correlates with quantity of lignin produced, which makes it a good target for antisense down regulation for producing designer species for paper industry. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: To determine whether internalizing and externalizing psychopathology were differentially associated with alcohol dependence in men and women.

Under short-term canopy shade, LHUS/BBX21 acts as positive regulator of SAS genes such as PAR1, HFR1, PIL1 and ATHB2. In contrast, global expression analysis of wild-type and lhus/bbx21 seedlings revealed that a large number of genes involved

in hormonal signalling pathways are negatively regulated by LHUS/BBX21 in response to long-term canopy shade, and this observation fits well Adriamycin mw with the phenotype of lhus/bbx21 seedlings grown under a low R:FR ratio. Moreover, the bbx21 bbx22 double mutation restored the SAS in the cop1 background. We propose that LHUS/BBX21 and other B-box-containing proteins, such as BBX22, act downstream of COP1, and play a central role in early and long-term adjustment of the SAS in natural environments.”
“Objective: The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the approach of traditional healers to epilepsy care, in order to develop a community-based epilepsy care program in Batibo Health District.

Methods:

With an 18-item questionnaire, interviews were carried out with 102 traditional healers randomly selected from two associations of traditional healers in the Batibo Health District.

Results: Most traditional healers had heard about epilepsy (98.0%), knew someone with epilepsy (97.8%), or had witnessed a seizure (92.2%). About 40% would object to their children associating with people with epilepsy (PWE), 46.1% would object to their children marrying PWE, and 51% linked the disease to insanity. Though 61.8% of the traditional healers could not offer any treatment for epilepsy, most of them thought AZD1208 it was treatable (74.5%) and would readily refer a patient to the hospital (95.1%). The independent predictors of attitudes Selleckchem Fludarabine were: middle age (30-49 years), P = 0.00003; female gender, P = 0.007: correct knowledge of the cause(s) of epilepsy, P = 0.001; and the misconceptions that epilepsy is contagious and that epilepsy is a form of insanity, P = 0.003 and 0.019, respectively.

Conclusion: Traditional healers constituted the focus group

studied so far in Cameroon that is most familiar with epilepsy. Although they still have some negative practices, the attitudes of traditional healers toward PWE in Batibo Health District are satisfactory, compared with those of the general public and students in the same community. These findings provide evidence for the first time in Cameroon suggesting that collaboration between the modern and traditional health systems with the view of bridging the epilepsy treatment gap is possible. There is a need to train traditional healers in epilepsy care in our context. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Polymer blends based on poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylonitrile, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by the solvent cast technique from the dispersion of the MWNTs in the concentration range 0-3.45 wt %.

(C) 2010 Phytochemical Society of Europe. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“We report on two cases of spontaneous

pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium, in one case associated with pneumorrhachis, occurring in two children suffering from the novel influenza H1N1 virus infection. At the admission both children presented with fever, violent dry cough, dyspnea and tachypnea. Radiological studies showed sizeable pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium in both patients. One of the patients also a pneumorrachis. Children were initially treated by intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, antipyretics and a cough sedative. Oral Oseltamivir (60 mg twice daily for 5 days) was administered after the diagnosis of influenza SBE-β-CD purchase A (H1N1) virus infection. Patients’ clinical condition quickly improved and children were discharged with a partial resolution of their radiological

findings. Although CA4P order these conditions are usually self-limiting and without respiratory or systemic consequences, their prompt recognition in children with H1N1 influenza virus infection is essential to establish fast and adequate therapy mainly related to the control of cough and the commencement of antiviral treatment.”
“We developed cationic liposomes containing DNA through a conventional process involving steps of (i) preformation of liposomes, (ii) extrusion, (iii) drying and rehydration and (iv) DNA complexation. Owing to its high prophylactic potentiality against tuberculosis, which had already been demonstrated in preclinical assays, we introduced

modifications into the conventional process towards getting a simpler and more economical process for further scale-up. Elimination of the extrusion step, increasing the lipid www.selleckchem.com/products/gw4869.html concentration (from 16 to 64 mM) of the preformed liposomes and using good manufacturing practice bulk lipids (96-98% purity) instead of analytical grade purity lipids (99.9-100%) were the modifications studied. The differences in the physico-chemical properties, such as average diameter, zeta potential, melting point and morphology of the liposomes prepared through the modified process, were not as significant for the biological properties, such as DNA loading on the cationic liposomes, and effective immune response in mice after immunisation as the control liposomes prepared through the conventional process. Beneficially, the modified process increased productivity by 22% and reduced the cost of raw material by 75%.”
“Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains a major public health problem.

In this study, seven commercial isolates have been selected (soy and whey proteins) and the influence of their primary properties (protein type, protein content, humidity, and ash content) and secondary properties (particle size, shape and tap density) on their compactibility and compressibility were studied. Whey proteins seemed to show a better tabletability than soy proteins. Isolate

density and humidity strongly affected proteins compactibility: powders with high density showed very low compactibility Alvocidib Cell Cycle inhibitor and a decrease of isolate water content strongly lowered powder compactibility. suggesting that liquid bridges may increase protein-protein interactions during compaction. Laser diffraction measurements/ microscopic observations showed that isolate particles would have the same size/shape, consequently, these properties did not show any influence on protein tabletability. At last, surprisingly, no clear relationship between compactibility and compressibility has been showed. (C)

2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Wool fabrics were pretreated with calcium and sodium oxalate in acidic and alkaline pH media. The pretreated and untreated fabric samples were then dyed in the same bath with acid dyes by the exhaustion technique. The pretreated fiber sample surfaces were observed using Tipifarnib solubility dmso a scanning electron microscope. The color strength and fastness properties of the fabrics were investigated. The results of the study showed that pretreatment with oxalate derivatives can be used as a means of improving the dyeability of wool fibers. As the dyed, pretreated wool fabrics had higher color strength and fastness results than the untreated wool fabrics, the mechanical properties were affected negatively. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122:

3440-3445, 2011″
“Metabolic syndrome (MS) is frequent clinical condition in patients with hypertension. Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common form see more of secondary hypertension. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of the MS and its components in the two major forms of PA, in unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral aldosterone overproduction because of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). The diagnosis of the particular form of PA was based on adrenal venous sampling and/or successful surgery confirmed by histopathological examination. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data from 100 patients with PA (50 patients with IHA and 50 patients with APA) and from 90 patients with essential hypertension (EH). Metabolic profiles of patients with bilateral form of PA (because of IHA) were similar to EH, but differed from those in patients with unilateral form of PA (APA).

Anchoring strength was varied by adding a homeotropic surfactant CP-868596 concentration (sodium dodecyl sulfate) to strongly planar de-ionized water. The transition can be controlled using sensor parameters such as well depth and aspect ratio. (C) 2009

American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3148861]“
“Aim: To look at the association of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin with markers of fat distribution, oxidative stress and inflammation in Asian Indians.

Methods: A total of 120 subjects were chosen randomly from Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiological Study. Fasting HMW adiponectin levels, TNF-alpha and oxidized LDL were measured using ELISA. High sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured by a high sensitive nephelometric assay. Lipid peroxidation was measured Selleck GW786034 by Tbars assay and protein carbonyl content was assessed by DNPH assay. Visceral and subcutaneous fat areas were assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan.

Results: When stratified based on the tertiles of visceral fat, the levels of total (p = 0.03) and HMW adiponectin(p = 0.007) were highest in the first tertile followed by tertiles 2 and 3 whereas in tertiles

of subcutaneous fat, there was no such trend. With increasing tertiles of Tbars, the levels of total (p = 0.03) and HMW adiponectin decreased (p = 0.002). The levels of HMW (p < 0.001) but not total adiponectin was also found to decrease with increasing tertiles of Protein carbonyl content. The levels of Total (p = 0.02) and HMW adiponectin (p = 0.004) were highest in the first tertile of oxidized LDL selleck chemical followed by tertile 2 and tertile 3. With increasing tertiles of TNF-alpha total (p = 0.01) and HMW adiponectin (p = 0.004) was found to decrease. With increasing tertiles of hs-CRP,

Total (p = 0.005) and HMW adiponectin (p = 0.007) was found to decrease.

Conclusion: Oxidative stress markers, visceral but not subcutaneous fat and inflammation are associated with total and HMW adiponectin levles in Asian Indians.”
“Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention became standard of care after the publication of the second Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial (MADIT-II) and Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT).

Objective: To determine the percentage of patients in a Veterans Affairs medical center appropriately referred for primary prophylaxis ICD and to further categorize the reasons patients are not being referred.

Methods: Echocardiograms obtained since the release of MADIT-II in 2002 were searched for a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <= 35% and <= 30%. We randomly selected 120 patients per year from 2002 to 2006, for a total of 600 patients in each group. Data were reviewed to determine the number of ICD recipients and the reasons patients were not referred.

75 to +3.00 diopters (D) of hyperopia and 0.75 D or less cylinder were initially treated with CK. The postoperative uncorrected and corrected Snellen visual acuities and refractions overtime were evaluated. The main outcome measures were differences in refraction and uncorrected visual acuity postoperatively.

RESULTS: Nine patients (116 eyes) of a subset of 14 consecutive patients (25 eyes) originally enrolled between 1999 and 2000 were available for long-term follow-up. Preoperatively, the mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) in the subset PP2 with long-term follow-up was +11.45 D. Postoperatively, the mean MRSE was

+ 0.295 D. at 23 months, regressing to + 1.00 D at 48 months and + 1.394 D at the final follow-up (mean 73 months), indicating significant regression of effect. No Selleck PD-1 inhibitor eye lost more than 1 line of corrected Snellen visual acuity as a result of CK. The rate of regression was linear and calculated at +0.0184 D per month after 6 months postoperatively. Keratometric regression appeared to

be similar to MRSE regression.

CONCLUSIONS: Conductive keratoplasty led to significant regression of refractive and keratometric effects over extended follow-up. Patients should be counseled that this refractive procedure is not permanent.”
“Polyimide foils were irradiated with energetic Kr (740 MeV) and Pb (890 MeV) ions at cryogenic temperature (12 K). Beam-induced degradation processes were monitored by residual gas analysis and online infrared spectroscopy. The outgassing components observed at low irradiation temperatures differ in quantity but are similar in mass distribution to those identified at room temperature exposure.

Besides CO as major volatile fragment, a significant contribution of short hydrocarbons like C(2)H(x) is released. In situ infrared spectroscopy indicates accumulation of CO and CO(2) molecules at 12 K in the foils. During heat-up cycles, most of these frozen gases become mobile and outgas BKM120 nmr at a temperature between 35 and 55 K. The study is motivated by the application of polyimide foils as insulating material in high radiation environment of the future accelerator facility for antiproton and ion research (FAIR). (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3457846]“
“Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim. is a short woody shrub widely found in semi-arid areas of China, and can survive severe environmental stresses. To understand its potential signaling transduction pathway in stress tolerance, we investigated the participation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as possible mediators of abiotic stresses. A novel MAP kinase cDNA (RsMPK2) that encodes a 374 amino acid protein was isolated from R. soongorica. RsMPK2 belongs to the C1 subgroup, which is still functionally uncharacterized compared to groups A and B; and contains all 11 of the conserved MAPK subdomains and the TEY phosphorylation motif.

Body surface area (BSA), creatinine clearance (CrCl), and change

in [K+] were calculated. The age range of neonates at ACEi initiation was 15.9-18.1 days. The inclusion criteria was met by 206 neonates: 168 term (82 %) and 38 preterm (18 %) newborns. Of these neonates, 42 % were female, and all the patients had a BSA smaller than 0.33 m(2) (a group known to have relative renal insufficiency). The mean dose of enalapril was 0.08 +/- A 0.007 mg/kg for the preterm neonates and 0.08 +/- A 0.003 mg/kg for the term neonates. The mean dose of captopril was 0.07 +/- A 0.009 mg/kg for the preterm neonates and 0.13 +/- A 0.019 mg/kg VX-770 mw for the term neonates. A significant decrease in CrCl occurred for both the preterm (p <

0.01) and term (p < 0.001) neonates while they were receiving ACEi. However, the two groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.183). Nearly 42 % of all the patients showed renal risk, with approximately 30 % demonstrating renal failure by modified pRIFLE (pediatric risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease) criteria. Despite the lack of significantly different CrCl, the premature neonates were more likely to experience ACEi-related renal failure by pRIFLE (55 %) than their term counterparts (23 %; p < 0.001). Despite its common use for term neonates with cardiac disease, ACEi should be used cautiously and only when indications are clear. These results also raise the question whether ACEi should be used at all for preterm neonates.”
“The AZD5582 solid-state characterization, dimorphic nature, solubility and solvent-mediated transformation www.selleckchem.com/products/sotrastaurin-aeb071.html of the anhydrous form and the monohydrate form of L-phenylalanine have been firstly conducted in detail. The results have shown that, the two forms are enantiotropically related, and the transformation rate can be prohibited by increasing temperature and reducing water content in the solvent mixtures. These results will contribute to a better understanding about the pseudopolymorphic systems for pharmaceutical industry.”
“Purpose of review: Epidermodysplasia verruciformis has been addressed in depth in the recent literature

despite its rarity. The disease is characterized by a persistence in human papillomavirus infections and development of cutaneous malignancies, usually happening more frequently and at a younger age than in the general population. Because of the role of immunodeficiency to viral antigens eventually leading to cancer, EV has become a model for understanding a viral role in cutaneous oncogenesis. Susceptibility loci for EV have been mapped and encoded protein functions are becoming better understood. Discoveries of novel mutations and further study of EV-associated HPV serotypes in lesional and nonlesional skin of affected patients and the general population may help generate a cohesive theory regarding the true role of a defective immune barrier in oncogenesis.

The best strategy to prevent lower GI complications has yet to be defined. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Solid-phase epitaxial

growth of manganese silicides on a Si(111)-7 x 7 surface at temperatures between room temperature and similar to 750 degrees C has been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. The as-deposited Mn film of similar to 0.6-1 ML shows an ordered honeycomb structure with each Mn cluster Selleckchem LXH254 occupying a half of the 7 x 7 unit cell. The Mn clusters begin to react with the Si substrate to form silicides at similar to 250 degrees C. Two types of silicides, the three-dimensional (3D) and tabular islands, which correspond to Mn-rich silicides and monosilicide MnSi, respectively, coexist on the Si(111) Omipalisib surface at annealing temperatures between 250 and 500 degrees C. At 500 degrees C annealing, all 3D islands convert into tabular islands and MnSi is the only Mn silicide phase. Above 600 degrees C, the tabular islands convert into large 3D islands that are likely to be Si-rich manganese silicides. With increasing annealing temperature and time, the number density of silicide islands decreases, while the average size (area) of the remaining islands increases. The growth of large islands is a result of the dissolution of small ones, which can be understood in the context of Ostwald ripening mechanism.

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3270411]“
“The study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed consent was provided by all participants prior to the examination. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of whole-body three- dimensional (3D) contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with

parallel imaging in the phase- and section-encoding directions (ie, integrated parallel acquisition technique [iPAT(2); Siemens, Erlangen, Germany]) for all anatomic PLX3397 clinical trial imaging stations in combination with a single injection of contrast material. Whole-body contrast-enhanced MR angiography was performed in 23 patients at 3.0 T. Images were evaluated by two independent observers for quality on a four-point scale (where a score of 1 indicated poor image quality and a score of 4, excellent image quality); signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for representative vessel regions in each station. Mean image quality scores were 3.13 +/- 1.15 (standard deviation) and 3.17 +/- 1.14 for observers 1 and 2, respectively (kappa = 0.81). Signal intensity measurements revealed mean SNR values between 36.2 +/- 8.0 and 56.2 +/- 17.7 and mean CNR values between 29.0 +/- 7.4 and 48.2 +/- 15.7. The data suggest that contrast-enhanced MR angiography with iPAT2 is feasible for whole-body applications and allows acquisition of 3D data sets with adequate spatial resolution within short measurement times, facilitating a single injection of contrast material.

Two novel missense mutations, c.3350A>G

and c.3305G>C, were identified in exon 49 of COL1A2 in the two families, respectively. The c.3305G>C mutation resulted in substitution of a glycine residue (G) by an alanine residue (A) at codon 1102 (p.G1102A), which was found to be mutated into serine (S), argine (R), Selleck CHIR98014 aspartic acid (D), or valine (V) in other families. The c.3350A>G variant may be a de novo mutation resulting in p.Y1117C. Both mutations co-segregated with OI in respective families, and were not found in 100 normal controls. The G1102 and Y1117 residues were evolutionarily highly conserved from zebrafish to humans. Mutational analysis did not identify any mutation in the COX-2 gene (a modifier gene of OI). This study identifies two novel mutations p.G1102A and p.Y1117C that cause OI, significantly expands the spectrum of COL1A2 Dibutyryl-cAMP molecular weight mutations causing OI, and has a significant implication in prenatal diagnosis of OI.”
“To achieve novel polymer/bioceramic composite scaffolds for use in materials for bone tissue engineering, we prepared organic/inorganic hybrid scaffolds composed of biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA), which has excellent biocompatibility with hard tissues and high osteoconductivity and bioactivity.

To improve the interactions between the scaffolds and osteoblasts, we focused on surface-engineered, porous HA/PCL scaffolds that had HA molecules on their surfaces and within them because of the biochemical affinity between the biotin and avidin molecules. The surface modification of HA nanocrystals was performed with two different

methods. Using Fourier transform infrared, GSK1120212 purchase X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements, we found that surface-modified HA nanocrystals prepared with an ethylene glycol mediated coupling method showed a higher degree of coupling (%) than those prepared via a direct coupling method. HA/PCL hybrid scaffolds with a well-controlled porous architecture were fabricated with a gas-blowing/particle-leaching process. All HA/PCL scaffold samples exhibited approximately 80-85% porosity. As the HA concentration within the HA/PCL scaffolds increased, the porosity of the HA/PCL scaffolds gradually decreased. The homogeneous immobilization of biotin-conjugated HA nanocrystals on a three-dimensional, porous scaffold was observed with confocal microscopy. According to an in vitro cytotoxicity study, all scaffold samples exhibited greater than 80% cell viability, regardless of the HA/PCL composition or preparation method. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121:1921-1929, 2011″
“Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exploits a diverse array of host cell functions in order to replicate. This is mediated through a network of virus-host interactions. A variety of recent studies have catalogued this information.

End-product analysis of debranched arabinan hydrolysis by thin-layer

chromatography indicated that rPcARA acted as endo-type. The synergistic action of rPcARA with recombinant xylanase resulted in 72 and 9.3% release of total soluble sugar of arabinoxylan and NaOH-pretreated barley straw, respectively.”
“Erythropoietin (EPO) improves functional recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we investigated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on EPO-induced therapeutic efficacy in rats after TBI. Young male Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral controlled cortical impact injury and then infused intracerebroventricularly with either a potent selective VEGFR2 inhibitor SU5416 or vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide. Animals from both groups received delayed https://www.selleckchem.com/products/VX-770.html EPO treatment (5,000 U/kg in saline) administered intraperitoneally daily at 1, 2, and 3 days post-injury. TBI rats treated with saline administered intraperitoneally

daily at 1, 2, and 3 days post-injury served as EPO treatment controls. 5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine was administered to label learn more dividing cells. Spatial learning and sensorimotor function were assessed using a modified Morris water maze test and modified neurological severity score, respectively. Animals were sacrificed at 4 days post-injury for measurement of VEGF and VEGFR2 or 35 days post-injury for evaluation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis. EPO treatment promoted sensorimotor and cognitive functional recovery after TBI. EPO

treatment increased brain VEGF expression EGFR inhibitor review and phosphorylation of VEGFR2. EPO significantly increased cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus after TBI. Compared to the vehicle, SU5416 infusion significantly inhibited phosphorylation of VEGFR2, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis as well as abolished functional recovery in EPO-treated TBI rats. These findings indicate the VEGF/VEGFR2 activation plays an important role in EPO-mediated neurobehavioral recovery and neurovascular remodeling after TBI.”
“Oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs) are linked to a heterogeneous group of pathologies involving the oral mucosa that cannot be distinguished from the oral lichen planus excepting the fact that direct causal factors such as silver amalgam restorations (SARs) can be allocated to them.

Purpose: To analyze the prevalence of mucosal lesions associated with SAR in a group of SAR carrying patients in the Basque Country.

Study Design: A clinical prospective study was carried out on 100 adult patients over 30 years of age at the UPV/EHU Clinical Odontology Service whose rear teeth had at least one SAR. Patients were identified and mucosal lesions and amalgam restorations were characterized. Patch tests were performed on patients with lesions and amalgams were replaced with composite material. A statistical and comparative analysis was performed with the resulting data.