Papillitis as the prominent ocular sign in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A 29-year old homosexual presented with clinical symptoms and an immunological picture of AIDS syndrome. Ocular involvement started in August 1986 with reduction of visual acuity in the right eye rapidly progressing to amaurosis. The most prominent ophthalmoscopical sign was of papillitis which had, in the beginning, the characteristics of an ischaemic optic neuropathy. Besides this, cotton-wool spots, retinal haemorrhages and limited areas of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis were found. Choroid was also involved with secondary CMV retinitis. On the other hand, sheathing of retinal vessels and Roth’s spots were absent. Although papilloedema, haemorrhages, cotton-wool exudates and CMV retinitis completely disappeared by October 1986, the general condition aggravated and the patient finally succumbed.peer-reviewe

Ocular manifestations in lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy

Ocular manifestations of leprosy in 100 patients examined were reported on; -80% were suffering from the lepromatous type of the disease. The most frequent change was loss of eyebrows (40%) which was seen mainly in lepromatous patients. The sclera and cornea were rarely affected separately, but sclerokerato-iridocyclitis was found in 3%. On the other hand, the iris was involved rather more often -16% (atrophy of the iris -4, atrophy of the pupillary margin -3, miosis -1, posterior synechiae -6, keratic precipitates -1, and iris "pearls" -1). The iritis always had an insidious chronic evolution. The origin of the iritis is probably multifactorial: a) neuroparalytic due to involvement of the autonomic nerves supplying the iris muscles, primarily dilator; b) direct effect of Mycobacterium leprae on the iris tissue; and c) immune or auto-immune mechanisms. The posterior uvea was rarely affected (2%). No case of primary glaucoma was detected, but secondary glaucoma due to sclerokerato-iridocyclitis was found in 2 cases. Cataract seems to occur more frequently in leprosy patients (20%) than in the general population. The anterior segment was mostly affected (21%), and all these cases belonged to the lepromatous (16) or borderline lepromatous (5) type.peer-reviewe

PV Emulation by using DC Programmable Sources

The paper describes fast emulation of one selected photovoltaic system. This type of emulation reduces emulation time multiple times regarding standard emulation. By speeding up emulation time it is possible to predict electricity generation in advance on a daily basis. This facilitates the evaluation and comparison of electricity generation of photovoltaic systems of different power and/or different photovoltaic (PV) modules. The emulated electrical energy of the selected photovoltaic systems will make it possible to put forward recommendations concerning the choice of the optimal photovoltaic system with regard to the climate elements of the region

FAULT DETECTION USING FRA IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE AGING MODEL OF POWER TRANSFORMER

Power transformers are constantly exposed to mechanical, thermal and electrical stresses during operation. In this paper, the authors propose an improved aging model of power transformers by adding the impact of mechanical deteriorations. In the current practice, the mechanical deformation and dislocation of the windings and core are not sufficiently distinguished as components that influence the aging of the transformer. Hence, the current aging model was expanded with a functional block that contains several typical failures in order to emphasize their impact on the lifetime of transformers and their aging as well.  The authors used the Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) method for the fault detection and location of the mechanical deformations of its active parts. The correlation function is used to determine the level of the detected failure. All presented test results are obtained in real exploitation conditions

Contribution of molecular genetics to the selection of productive livestock : example of porcine production

Whereas quantitative genetics approaches have brought major genetic improvements over the past 30 years without knowing the genes responsible for livestock performance, molecular genetics are now providing a direct access to these genes. Therefore, once it has been detected in segregation in a population, a gene with a major effect, as well as the mutation responsible for the detected effect, can now be identified. The study of genetic markers on large families also uncovers first the existence of QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) genes with a medium effect on interesting traits, and then identifies the genes and mutations involved. Studies of gene expression on sample sets taken from animals with different performance levels has also helped characterise these differences and define predictors of product quality. Animal husbandry techniques are gradually integrating as best as possible the quantitative and molecular approaches to optimise the genome of parental lines in porcine production.À côté des approches de la génétique quantitative ayant permis de réaliser un progrès génétique très important ces 30 dernières années en ignorant les gènes réellement impliqués dans l'élaboration des performances des animaux, la génétique moléculaire permet d'accéder à ces gènes. Lorsqu'un gène à effet majeur est détecté en ségrégation dans une population, il est maintenant possible d'identifier le gène et la mutation responsable. L'analyse de marqueurs génétiques sur des grandes familles permet également de détecter l'existence de gènes ayant un effet moyen (appelés QTL) sur les caractères d'intérêt, puis d'identifier là aussi le gène et la mutation responsables. L'analyse de l'expression des gènes sur des lots d'échantillons associés à des performances différentes permet également de caractériser ces différences et à terme, d'identifier des « prédicteurs » de qualité des produits. Progressivement, les techniques de sélection intègrent au mieux les approches quantitatives et moléculaires, pour optimiser le génome des lignées parentales utilisées en production porcine

A further look at quantitative trait loci affecting growth and fatness in a cross between Meishan and Large White pig populations

A detailed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of growth and fatness data from a three generation experimental cross between Large White (LW) and Meishan (MS) pig breeds was carried out to search for sex × QTL interactions, imprinting effects and multiple linked QTLs. A total of 530 F2 males and 573 F2 females issued from 6 F1 boars and 23 F1 sows were typed for a total of 137 markers covering the entire porcine genome. Nine growth traits and three backfat thickness measurements were analysed. All analyses were performed using line cross regression procedures. A QTL with sex-specific expression was revealed in the proximal region of chromosome 8, although some confusion between herd and sex effects could not be discarded. This previously undetected QTL affected male growth during the fattening period, with a favourable additive effect of the LW allele. The analyses also revealed the presence of two linked QTLs segregating on chromosome 1, affecting growth traits during the post-weaning period. The first QTL, previously detected using a single QTL model, was located at the end of the q arm of chromosome 1 and had a favourable MS allele. The second QTL had a favourable LW allele and was located in the proximal extremity of the q arm of chromosome 1. Suggestive genomic imprinting was found in the distal region of chromosome 9 affecting growth during the fattening period

A review on SNP and other types of molecular markers and their use in animal genetics

During the last ten years, the use of molecular markers, revealing polymorphism at the DNA level, has been playing an increasing part in animal genetics studies. Amongst others, the microsatellite DNA marker has been the most widely used, due to its easy use by simple PCR, followed by a denaturing gel electrophoresis for allele size determination, and to the high degree of information provided by its large number of alleles per locus. Despite this, a new marker type, named SNP, for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, is now on the scene and has gained high popularity, even though it is only a bi-allelic type of marker. In this review, we will discuss the reasons for this apparent step backwards, and the pertinence of the use of SNPs in animal genetics, in comparison with other marker types

Kvalitet analgezije nakon hirurškog vađenja donjih umnjaka - randomizovana, duplo slepa studija efikasnosti levobupivakaina, bupivakaina i lidokaina sa adrenalinom

Background/Aim. Surgical extraction of lower third molars is followed by mild or severe postoperative pain which peaks at maximal intensity in the first 12 hours and has a significant impact on a patient's postoperative quality of life. The use of long-acting local anaesthetics is a promising strategy to improve postoperative analgesia. The aim of the present study was to investigate analgesic parameters and patient satisfaction after using 0.5% levobupivacaine (Lbup), 0.5% bupivacaine (Bup) and 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:80,000 (Lid + Epi) for an inferior alveolar nerve block following lower third molar surgery. Methods. A total of 102 patients (ASA I) were divided into three groups, each of which received either 3 mL of Lbup, Bup or Lid + Epi. The intensity of postoperative analgesia was measured using a verbal rating scale (VRS). The total amounts of rescue analgesics were recorded on the first and during seven postoperative days. Patients satisfaction was noted using a modified verbal scales. Results. A significantly higher level of postoperative pain was recorded in Lid + Epi group compared to Bup and Lbup groups. No significant differences were seen between Bup and Lbup, but a significant reduction in the need for rescue analgesics was seen postoperatively in both Lbup and Bup (50%) in comparison with Lid + Epi (80%) in the first 24 hours. The same significant trend in rescue analgesic consumption was recorded for seven postoperative days. Patients' overall satisfaction was significantly lower for Lid + Epi (10%) than for Lbup (56%) and Bup (52%). Conclusion. The use of a new and long-acting local anaesthetic 0.5% levobupivacaine is clinically relevant and effective for an inferior alveolar nerve block and postoperative pain control after third molar surgery. In our study Lbup and Bup controlled postoperative pain more efficiently after lower third molar surgery compared to Lid + Epi.Uvod/Cilj. Hirurško vađenje donjih impaktiranih umnjaka praćeno je bolom umerenog do jakog intenziteta, sa maksimalnim intenzitetom tokom prvih 12 sati, koji ima značajan uticaj na kvalitet života pacijenata u postoperativnom periodu. Upotreba dugodelujućih lokalnih anestetika predstavlja obećavajuću strategiju za poboljšanje postoperativne analgezije. Cilj ove studije bio je da se ispitaju analgeticki parametri i zadovoljstvo pacijenata postignutom analgezijom u postoperativnom periodu nakon primene 0,5% levobupivakaina (Lbup), 0,5% bupivakaina (Bup) i 2% lidokaina sa epinefrinom (1: 80,000) (Lid + Epi) za sprovodnu anesteziju donjeg alveolarnog nerva prilikom hirurškog vađenja donjih umnjaka. Metode. Ukupno 102 pacijenta (ASA I) bila su podeljena u tri grupe u zavisnosti od primljenog anestetika: 3 mL Lbup, 3 mL Bup ili 3 mL Lid + Epi. Intenzitet postoperativne analgezije registrovan je primenom verbalne rangirajuće skale (VRS). Zabeležena je ukupna količina primenjenih analgetika nakon prvog i sedmog postoperativnog dana. Zadovoljstvo pacijenata ocenjivano je na osnovu modifikovanih verbalnih skala. Rezultati. Značajno jači intenzitet postoperativnog bola zabeležen je u grupi Lid + Epi, u poređenju sa grupama Lbup i Bup. Značajno smanjenje potrebe za analgeticima u postoperativnom periodu zabeleženo u grupama Lbup i Bup (50%) u poređenju sa grupom Lid + Epi (80%) nakon 24 časa. Značajno smanjenje potrebe za postoperativnim analgeticima u grupama Lbup i Bup zabeleženo je i nakon 7 dana. Potpuno zadovoljstvo pacijenata postignutom analgezijom bilo je značajno slabije u grupi Lid + Epi (10%) u poređenju sa grupama Lbup (56%) i Bup (52%). Zaključak. Upotreba novog dugodelujućeg lokalnog anestetika 0,5% levobupivakaina klinički je relevantna i efikasna za sprovodnu anesteziju donjeg alveolarnog nerva i kontrolu postoperativnog bola nakon hirurškog vađenja donjih umnjaka. U našoj studiji Lbup i Bup bili su efikasniji u kontroli postoperativnog bola nakon hirurškog vađenja donjih umnjaka u poređenju sa Lid + Epi

Recombinational landscape of porcine X chromosome and individual variation in female meiotic recombination associated with haplotypes of Chinese pigs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Variations in recombination fraction (θ) among chromosomal regions, individuals and families have been observed and have an important impact on quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies. Such variations on porcine chromosome X (SSC-X) and on other mammalian chromosome X are rarely explored. The emerging assembly of pig sequence provides exact physical location of many markers, facilitating the study of a fine-scale recombination landscape of the pig genome by comparing a clone-based physical map to a genetic map. Using large offspring of F₁females from two large-scale resource populations (Large White ♂ × Chinese Meishan ♀, and White Duroc ♂ × Chinese Erhualian ♀), we were able to evaluate the heterogeneity in θ for a specific interval among individual F₁females.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Alignments between the cytogenetic map, radiation hybrid (RH) map, genetic maps and clone map of SSC-X with the physical map of human chromosome X (HSA-X) are presented. The most likely order of 60 markers on SSC-X is inferred. The average recombination rate across SSC-X is of ~1.27 cM/Mb. However, almost no recombination occurred in a large region of ~31 Mb extending from the centromere to Xq21, whereas in the surrounding regions and in the Xq telomeric region a recombination rate of 2.8-3.3 cM/Mb was observed, more than twice the chromosome-wide average rate. Significant differences in θ among F₁females within each population were observed for several chromosomal intervals. The largest variation was observed in both populations in the interval <it>UMNP71-SW1943</it>, or more precisely in the subinterval <it>UMNP891-UMNP93</it>. The individual variation in θ over this subinterval was found associated with F₁females' maternal haplotypes (Chinese pig haplotypes) and independent of paternal haplotype (European pig haplotypes). The θ between <it>UMNP891 </it>and <it>UMNP93 </it>for haplotype 1122 and 4311 differed by more than fourteen-fold (10.3% vs. 0.7%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study reveals marked regional, individual and haplotype-specific differences in recombination rate on SSC-X. Lack of recombination in such a large region makes it impossible to narrow QTL interval using traditional fine-mapping approaches. The relationship between recombination variation and haplotype polymorphism is shown for the first time in pigs.</p