Compliance to therapy with Dapoxetine in comparison to a conventional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Citalopram) in 118 patients with premature ejaculation.

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a sexual dysfunction that concern 20-30% of the male population. Dapoxetine is a new serotonine re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI)specific for PE treatment.Aim of the study is to assess compliance and effectiveness of the treatment with dapoxetine compared to the treatment with citalopram (a classic SSRI used to treat PE)

Brain magnetic resonance findings in 117 children with autism spectrum disorder under 5 years old.

We examined the potential benefits of neuroimaging measurements across the first 5 years of life in detecting early comorbid or etiological signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In particular, we analyzed the prevalence of neuroradiologic findings in routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of a group of 117 ASD children younger than 5 years old. These data were compared to those reported in typically developing (TD) children. MRI findings in children with ASD were analyzed in relation to their cognitive level, severity of autistic symptoms, and the presence of electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities. The MRI was rated abnormal in 55% of children with ASD with a significant prevalence in the high-functioning subgroup compared to TD children. We report significant incidental findings of mega cisterna magna, ventricular anomalies and abnormal white matter signal intensity in ASD without significant associations between these MRI findings and EEG features. Based on these results we discuss the role that brain MRI may play in the diagnostic procedure of ASD

Two-mirror telescope design with third-order coma insensitive to decenter misalignment

Misalignments always occur in real optical systems. These misalignments do not generate new aberration forms, but they change the aberration field dependence. Two-mirror telescopes have been used in several applications. We analyze a two-mirror telescope configuration that has negligible sensitivity to decenter misalignments. By applying the wave aberration theory for plane-symmetric optical systems it is shown that the asphericity in the secondary mirror, if properly chosen, can compensate for any decenter perturbation allowing third-order coma unchanged across the field of view. For any two-mirror system it is possible to find a configuration in which decenter misalignments do not generate fielduniform coma.CAPES (N. BEX 1098/11-0

Contribution of CACNA1H Variants in Autism Spectrum Disorder Susceptibility

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly heterogeneous neuropsychiatric disorder with a strong genetic component. The genetic architecture is complex, consisting of a combination of common low-risk and more penetrant rare variants. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs or Cav) genes have been implicated as high-confidence susceptibility genes for ASD, in accordance with the relevant role of calcium signaling in neuronal function. In order to further investigate the involvement of VGCCs rare variants in ASD susceptibility, we performed whole genome sequencing analysis in a cohort of 105 families, composed of 124 ASD individuals, 210 parents and 58 unaffected siblings. We identified 53 rare inherited damaging variants in Cav genes, including genes coding for the principal subunit and genes coding for the auxiliary subunits, in 40 ASD families. Interestingly, biallelic rare damaging missense variants were detected in the CACNA1H gene, coding for the T-type Cav3.2 channel, in ASD probands from two different families. Thus, to clarify the role of these CACNA1H variants on calcium channel activity we performed electrophysiological analysis using whole-cell patch clamp technology. Three out of four tested variants were shown to mildly affect Cav3.2 channel current density and activation properties, possibly leading to a dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ ions homeostasis, thus altering calcium-dependent neuronal processes and contributing to ASD etiology in these families. Our results provide further support for the role of CACNA1H in neurodevelopmental disorders and suggest that rare CACNA1H variants may be involved in ASD development, providing a high-risk genetic background

Association of the mtDNA m.4171C>A/MT-ND1 mutation with both optic neuropathy and bilateral brainstem lesions

Background: An increasing number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, mainly in complex I genes, have been associated with variably overlapping phenotypes of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and Leigh syndrome (LS). We here describe the first case in which the m.4171C>A/MT-ND1 mutation, previously reported only in association with LHON, leads also to a Leigh-like phenotype. Case presentation: A 16-year-old male suffered subacute visual loss and recurrent vomiting and vertigo associated with bilateral brainstem lesions affecting the vestibular nuclei. His mother and one sister also presented subacute visual loss compatible with LHON. Sequencing of the entire mtDNA revealed the homoplasmic m.4171C>A/MT-ND1 mutation, previously associated with pure LHON, on a haplogroup H background. Three additional non-synonymous homoplasmic transitions affecting ND2 (m.4705T>C/MT-ND2 and m.5263C>T/MT-ND2) and ND6 (m.14180T>C/MT-ND6) subunits, well recognized as polymorphisms in other mtDNA haplogroups but never found on the haplogroup H background, were also present. Conclusion: This case widens the phenotypic expression of the rare m.4171C>A/MT-ND1 LHON mutation, which may also lead to Leigh-like brainstem lesions, and indicates that the co-occurrence of other ND non-synonymous variants, found outside of their usual mtDNA backgrounds, may have increased the pathogenic potential of the primary LHON mutation

Development and performance evaluation of an optical system applied to orbital remote sensing

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar o sistema óptico desenvolvido para a câmera WFI (Wide Field Imaging Camera) que integrará os satélites CBERS 3 e 4 (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). O Brasil é responsável por duas das câmeras dos satélites CBERS 3 e 4, a WFI e a MUX (Multispectral Camera). Estas câmeras são destinadas a sensoriamento remoto orbital da Terra. É a primeira vez que câmeras destinadas a este tipo de aplicação são inteiramente desenvolvidas e construídas no país. Devido ao alto nível de vibração durante o vôo, à exposição a vácuo e a radiação espacial durante o período de vida útil em órbita, o desenvolvimento desta câmera exige um cuidadoso processo de análise e avaliação do desempenho óptico em terra de modo a garantir seu funcionamento a bordo. Em especial, serão apresentados as análises ópticas realizadas durante a fase de projeto preliminar e os testes ópticos realizados em terra dos requisitos: distância focal, campo de visada - FOV, função de transferência de modulação - MTF, distorção, sensibilidade à polarização, transmitância, sensibilidade à luz espalhada e degradação da transmitância com a radiação espacial. Os resultados obtidos comprovaram que o desempenho do sistema óptico atende os requisitos de projeto.The purpose of this work is to present the optical system developed for the WFI camera (Wide Field Imaging Camera), which will be integrated to the CBERS 3 and 4 satellites (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). Brazil is responsible for two cameras of CBERS 3 and 4 satellites, WFI and MUX (Multispectral Camera). These cameras are used for orbital remote sensing of the Earth. It is the first time that cameras for this type of application are being entirely developed and built in our country. Due to the high vibration level during flight, the vacuum and space radiation exposure during the lifetime in orbit, the development of this camera requires a meticulous analysis process and evaluation of optical performance on the ground in order to ensure the effective operation on board. In particular, the optical analyses performed during the preliminary design and optical test requirements performed on ground will be presented, such as: focal length, field of view - FOV, modulation transfer function - MTF, distortion, polarization sensitivity, transmittance, stray light sensitivity and transmittance degradation with space radiation. The results obtained exhibit that the optical system performance satisfies all project requirements

Development and performance evaluation of an optical system applied to orbital remote sensing

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar o sistema óptico desenvolvido para a câmera WFI (Wide Field Imaging Camera) que integrará os satélites CBERS 3 e 4 (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). O Brasil é responsável por duas das câmeras dos satélites CBERS 3 e 4, a WFI e a MUX (Multispectral Camera). Estas câmeras são destinadas a sensoriamento remoto orbital da Terra. É a primeira vez que câmeras destinadas a este tipo de aplicação são inteiramente desenvolvidas e construídas no país. Devido ao alto nível de vibração durante o vôo, à exposição a vácuo e a radiação espacial durante o período de vida útil em órbita, o desenvolvimento desta câmera exige um cuidadoso processo de análise e avaliação do desempenho óptico em terra de modo a garantir seu funcionamento a bordo. Em especial, serão apresentados as análises ópticas realizadas durante a fase de projeto preliminar e os testes ópticos realizados em terra dos requisitos: distância focal, campo de visada - FOV, função de transferência de modulação - MTF, distorção, sensibilidade à polarização, transmitância, sensibilidade à luz espalhada e degradação da transmitância com a radiação espacial. Os resultados obtidos comprovaram que o desempenho do sistema óptico atende os requisitos de projeto.The purpose of this work is to present the optical system developed for the WFI camera (Wide Field Imaging Camera), which will be integrated to the CBERS 3 and 4 satellites (China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). Brazil is responsible for two cameras of CBERS 3 and 4 satellites, WFI and MUX (Multispectral Camera). These cameras are used for orbital remote sensing of the Earth. It is the first time that cameras for this type of application are being entirely developed and built in our country. Due to the high vibration level during flight, the vacuum and space radiation exposure during the lifetime in orbit, the development of this camera requires a meticulous analysis process and evaluation of optical performance on the ground in order to ensure the effective operation on board. In particular, the optical analyses performed during the preliminary design and optical test requirements performed on ground will be presented, such as: focal length, field of view - FOV, modulation transfer function - MTF, distortion, polarization sensitivity, transmittance, stray light sensitivity and transmittance degradation with space radiation. The results obtained exhibit that the optical system performance satisfies all project requirements

Alignment sensitivity analysis and development of an optical systems alignment methodology based on the analysis of wave aberrations utilizing artificial neural networks

Erros de alinhamento em sistemas ópticos não criam novas aberrações, mas alteram a dependência com o campo das aberrações já conhecidas. Neste trabalho, a sensibilidade teórica ao alinhamento, de sistemas ópticos reflexivos compostos por dois elementos, foi avaliada em função das constantes cônicas dos espelhos. Dentre as diferentes configurações consideradas nesta análise, uma específica apresenta menor sensibilidade à descentralização do espelho secundário. A utilização da teoria de aberração de onda aplicável a sistemas plano-simétricos revelou que a escolha apropriada da constante cônica do espelho secundário faz com que coma uniforme de terceira ordem seja compensado quando esse elemento encontra-se descentralizado, fazendo com que esse sistema seja livre da aberração mais importante causada a ele por desalinhamentos, tornando-o menos sensível. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia de alinhamento baseada na análise da frente de onda transmitida por sistemas ópticos, que utiliza redes neurais artificiais para a estimativa dos erros de alinhamento. A frente de onda transmitida por um sistema óptico carrega informações das aberrações desse sistema, que podem ser descritas em termos dos polinômios de Zernike. Esses polinômios podem ser usados para a análise dos efeitos de erros de alinhamento nas aberrações do sistema. Redes neurais artificiais são empregadas na análise dos coeficientes dos polinômios de Zernike visando avaliar o tipo de desalinhamento e a sua magnitude. As estimativas teóricas dos desalinhamentos tanto em sistemas reflexivos como em sistemas refrativos são satisfatórias quando o sistema é considerado perfeito, ou seja, as superfícies ópticas de seus elementos não apresentam erros de forma e não há ruído nos dados avaliados. Na presença de defeitos de fabricação ocorre degradação no desempenho do estimador. Além de descentralização e inclinação, redes neurais artificiais são capazes de fornecer uma estimativa de erros de posicionamento axial dos elementos do sistema. Com base nos estudos realizados, acredita-se que redes neurais artificiais constituem uma alternativa promissora no alinhamento de sistemas ópticos complexos.Although misalignments in optical systems do not generate new aberration forms, they change the field-dependence of the known ones. In this research, the sensitivity of two-mirror optical systems due to misalignments is evaluated in function of the conic constants of the mirrors. Among the different configurations considered in this study, a specific one has shown low sensitivity due to decenter misalignments. The application of the wave aberration theory for plane-symmetric optical systems has revealed that the proper choice of the secondary mirror conic constant allows third-order uniform coma to be compensated, leading to a less sensitive system, free from the most important misalignment-induced aberration. This thesis also presents an alignment methodology based on the analysis of the transmitted wavefront utilizing artificial neural networks to estimate alignment errors in the components of the system. The transmitted wavefront carries information about the aberrations in the optical system, which can be described in terms of Zernike polynomials. Such polynomials are used for the analysis of the effects of misalignments on the aberrations of the system. Artificial neural networks are employed in the analysis of the coefficients of Zernike polynomials and used to evaluate both type and magnitude of the misalignments. Theoretical misalignments estimated in reflexive and refractive optical systems are satisfactory for perfect systems, i.e., systems with no surface errors, and noiseless data. When surface imperfections are considered, the performance of the estimator is reduced. Besides decenter and tilt misalignments, artificial neural networks can estimate axial positioning errors of the elements in the system, therefore they are believed to be a promising alternative for the alignment of complex optical systems