Intravitreal injection analysis at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: evaluation of clinical indications for the treatment and incidence rates of endophthalmitis

To report the incidence of endophthalmitis, in addition to its clinical and microbiological aspects, after intravitreal injection of vascular-targeting agents. A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 10,142 intravitreal injections of vascular targeting agents (bevacizumab, ranibizumab, triamcinolone acetonide, and preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide) between June 1, 2007 and January 31, 2010, performed by a single service (TGM) at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. One case of clinically-suspected endophthalmitis was identified out of a total of 10,142 injections (0.009%), presenting within three days of injection of bevacizumab. The case was culture-positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis. Final visual acuity was 20/40 after pars plana vitrectomy surgery. In this series, the incidence of culture-positive endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of vascular agents in an outpatient setting was very low. We believe that following a standardized injection protocol, adherence to sterile techniques and proper patient follow-up are determining factors for low incidence rates

Structural and functional evidence for membrane docking and disruption sites on phospholipase A2-like proteins revealed by complexation with the inhibitor suramin

Local myonecrosis resulting from snakebite envenomation is not efficiently neutralized by regular antivenom administration. This limitation is considered to be a significant health problem by the World Health Organization. Phospholipase A2-like (PLA2-like) proteins are among the most important proteins related to the muscle damage resulting from several snake venoms. However, despite their conserved tertiary structure compared with PLA2s, their biological mechanism remains incompletely understood. Different oligomeric conformations and binding sites have been identified or proposed, leading to contradictory data in the literature. In the last few years, a comprehensive hypothesis has been proposed based on fatty-acid binding, allosteric changes and the presence of two different interaction sites. In the present study, a combination of techniques were used to fully understand the structural-functional characteristics of the interaction between suramin and MjTX-II (a PLA2-like toxin). In vitro neuromuscular studies were performed to characterize the biological effects of the protein-ligand interaction and demonstrated that suramin neutralizes the myotoxic activity of MjTX-II. The high-resolution structure of the complex identified the toxin-ligand interaction sites. Calorimetric assays showed two different binding events between the protein and the inhibitor. It is demonstrated for the first time that the inhibitor binds to the surface of the toxin, obstructing the sites involved in membrane docking and disruption according to the proposed myotoxic mechanism. Furthermore, higher-order oligomeric formation by interaction with interfacial suramins was observed, which may also aid the inhibitory process. These results further substantiate the current myotoxic mechanism and shed light on the search for efficient inhibitors of the local myonecrosis phenomenon.Peer Reviewe

Pesquisa participativa em melhoramento de mandioca: uma experiência no Semi-Árido do Nordeste do Brasil.

Este trabalho teve por objetivos provar conjuntamente com agricultores, extensionistas e pesquisadores uma metodologia complementar, denominada de pesquisa participativa em melhoramento de mandioca, que aplicada a clones em etapas avançadas de avaliação, incremente a possibilidade de serem adotados pelos produtores, bem como estabelecer uma retroalimentação entre estes segmentos que permita identificar os principais critérios de seleção utilizados pelos produtores do semi-árido para a adoção de novas cultivares de mandioca. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em quatro locais do semi-árido dos Estados da Bahia (Itaberaba), Pernambuco (Petrolina e Araripina) e Ceara (Quixadá), em parceria com a EBDA,IPA e EPACE. Iniciou-se com um diagnostico, seguido do planejamento e implantação das provas participativas, avaliação e retro informação. Foram estabelecidas dezessete provas participativas, nos anos de 1993/94, com nove clones selecionados para as condições semi-áridas. Como resultados principais traçou-se o perfil de uma variedade ideal para o semi-árido, baseado nos critérios de seleção estabelecidos pelos produtores dessa região, formou-se um glossário sobre a terminologia agrícola local do produtor de mandioca e adaptou-se um livro de campo gerado no CIAT, as características consideradas importantes pelos produtores de mandioca do semi-árido.bitstream/item/81301/1/Pesquisa-Participativa-Wania-Fukuda-Documentos-73-1997.pd

Emissão de N2O em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta e integração lavoura-pecuária

O N2O, dentre os gases de efeito estufa, é o que possui maior importância para o setor agropecuário devido às suas emissões estarem relacionadas com a dinâmica de nitrogênio (N) do solo. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as emissões de N2O de pastagens em Integração Lavoura-Pecuária (ILP) e integração Lavoura-Pecuária-Floresta (ILPF) entre renques de Eucalyptus grandis, além de Cerrado Nativo e pastagem degradada. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina-DF, em blocos casualizados e três repetições. A emissão de N2O foi avaliada utilizando-se câmaras estáticas fechadas. As maiores emissões foram observadas nas parcelas de ILP, com valores médios acima de 10 μg N m-2 h-1. O início do período chuvoso, em outubro de 2013, resultou em elevação das emissões de N2O e teores de nitrogênio na forma amoniacal (N-NH4). As aplicações de nitrogênio em cobertura também resultaram em elevação dos teores de N2O, alcançando picos superiores a 50 μg N m-2 h-1. Os menores fluxos de N2O foram medidos no solo sob Cerrado Nativo correspondendo aos maiores teores de nitrogênio na forma amoniacal e no solo sob pastagem degradada, com os menores teores de N mineral

Nucleon-nucleon interaction in the Skyrme model

We consider the interaction of two skyrmions in the framework of the sudden approximation. The widely used product ansatz is investigated. Its failure in reproducing an attractive central potential is associated with terms that violate G-parity. We discuss the construction of alternative ans\"atze and identify a plausible solution to the problem.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figure

Deformed algebras, position-dependent effective masses and curved spaces: An exactly solvable Coulomb problem

We show that there exist some intimate connections between three unconventional Schr\"odinger equations based on the use of deformed canonical commutation relations, of a position-dependent effective mass or of a curved space, respectively. This occurs whenever a specific relation between the deforming function, the position-dependent mass and the (diagonal) metric tensor holds true. We illustrate these three equivalent approaches by considering a new Coulomb problem and solving it by means of supersymmetric quantum mechanical and shape invariance techniques. We show that in contrast with the conventional Coulomb problem, the new one gives rise to only a finite number of bound states.Comment: 22 pages, no figure. Archive version is already official. Published by JPA at http://stacks.iop.org/0305-4470/37/426

Recent Borexino results and prospects for the near future

The Borexino experiment, located in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory, is an organic liquid scintillator detector conceived for the real time spectroscopy of low energy solar neutrinos. The data taking campaign phase I (2007 - 2010) has allowed the first independent measurements of 7Be, 8B and pep fluxes as well as the first measurement of anti-neutrinos from the earth. After a purification of the scintillator, Borexino is now in phase II since 2011. We review here the recent results achieved during 2013, concerning the seasonal modulation in the 7Be signal, the study of cosmogenic backgrounds and the updated measurement of geo-neutrinos. We also review the upcoming measurements from phase II data (pp, pep, CNO) and the project SOX devoted to the study of sterile neutrinos via the use of a 51Cr neutrino source and a 144Ce-144Pr antineutrino source placed in close proximity of the active material.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figures. To be published as proceedings of Rencontres de Moriond EW 201

Evaluation of bone texture imaging parameters on panoramic radiographs of patients with Sheehan’s syndrome: a STROBE-compliant case-control study

Summary Sheehan’s syndrome (SHS) is a rare condition related to the risk of osteoporosis and evaluation of bone texture imaging features on panoramic radiographs would be suitable for this condition, which was the aim of the present study. Fractal dimension, lacunarity, and trabecular morphologic aspects were significantly altered in these patients. Introduction SHS is an important public health problem particularly in developing countries. It is characterized as postpartum hypopituitarism secondary to obstetric complications-related ischemic pituitary necrosis that shows significant systemic metabolic repercussions. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate bone texture parameters in digital panoramic radiographs of patients with SHS. Methods A case-control study was conducted with 30 SHS patients from an Endocrinology and Diabetology Service of reference in Brazil, and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. A custom computer program measured fractal dimension, lacunarity, and some morphologic features in the following mandibular regions of interest (50 × 50 pixels): below the mental foramen (F1), between the first and second molars (M1), and at the center of the mandibular ramus (R1). Results The fractal analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the studied groups in all regions of interest. The fractal dimension in F1 (p = 0.016), M1 (p = 0.043), and R1 (p = 0.028) was significantly lower in SHS group, as well as lacunarity in R1 (p = 0.008). Additionally, several morphologic features were statistically significant in the SHS group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Therefore, individuals with SHS showed altered imaging texture parameters on panoramic radiographs, which reflect a smaller spatial organization of the bone trabeculae and, possibly, a state of reduced mineral bone density

Anthelmintic activity of nanoencapsulated carvacryl acetate against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and its toxicity in rodents.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of carvacryl acetate (CVA) and nanoencapsulated CVA (nCVA) on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The CVA was nanoencapsulated with chitosan/gum arabic and the efficacy of nanoencapsulation (EE), yield, zeta potential, nanoparticle morphology and release kinetics at pH 3 and 8 were analyzed. Acute and subchronic toxicity were evaluated in rodents and reduction of egg counts in the faeces (FECRT) of sheep. The sheep were divided into four groups (n = 10): G1, 250 mg/kg CVA; G2, 250 mg/kg nCVA; G3, polymer matrix and G4: 2.5 mg/kg monepantel. EE and nCVA yield were 65% and 57%, respectively. The morphology of the nanoparticles was spherical, size (810.6±286.7 nm), zeta potential in pH 3.2 (+18.3 mV) and the 50% release of CVA at pHs 3 and 8 occurred at 200 and 10 h, respectively. nCVA showed LD50 of 2,609 mg/kg. CVA, nCVA and monepantel reduced the number of eggs per gram of faeces (epg) by 57.7%, 51.1% and 97.7%, respectively. The epg of sheep treated with CVA and nCVA did not differ from the negative control (P>0.05). Nanoencapsulation reduced the toxicity of CVA; however, nCVA and CVA presented similar results in the FECRT. [Atividade anti-helmíntica do acetato de carvacrila nanoencapsulado sobre nematoides gastrintestinais de ovinos e toxicidade em roedores]. Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do acetato de carvacrila (ACV) e do ACV nanoencapsulado (nACV) sobre nematóides gastrintestinais de ovinos. O ACV foi nanoencapsulado com quitosana/goma arábica e foi analisada a eficácia de nanoencapsulamento (EE), o rendimento, potencial zeta, morfologia das nanopartículas e cinética de liberação em pH 3 e 8. Foram avaliadas as toxicidades aguda e subcrônica em roedores e a redução da contagem de ovos nas fezes (RCOF) de ovinos. Os ovinos foram divididos em quatro grupos (n = 10): G1, 250 mg/kg ACV; G2, 250 mg/kg de nACV; G3, matriz polimérica e G4: 2,5 mg/kg de monepantel. A EE e o rendimento de nACV foram de 65% e 57%, respectivamente. A morfologia das nanopartículas foi esférica, tamanho (810,6±286,7 nm), potencial zeta no pH 3,2 (+18,3 mV) e a liberação de 50% de CVA nos pHs 3 e 8 ocorreu às 200 e 10 h, respectivamente. nACV apresentou DL50 de 2.609 mg/kg. ACV, nACV e o monepantel reduziram a contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (opg) em 57,7%, 51,1% e 97,7%, respectivamente. A contagem de opg de ovelhas tratadas com ACV e nCVA não diferiu do controle negativo (P>0,05). O nanoencapsulamento reduziu a toxicidade do AVC; no entanto, nACV e ACV apresentaram resultados semelhantes na RCOF