Light distortion and spherical aberration for the accommodating and nonaccommodating eye

To evaluate how different amounts of induced spherical aberration (SA) affect the light distortion (LD) phenomena, tests were performed using an experimental device to measure the distortion (haloes, glare, and so on) of a point source. To simulate the effect of SA, eight different phase plates between þ0.300 and −0.300 μm of SA for a 5-mm aperture were used in a random and double-masked experimental design. Measurements were performed at a distance of 2 m in a darkened room in 10 eyes of five subjects with a mean age of 26.4 6.1 years and a mean refractive error of −0.50 0.70 D. Data were obtained with natural pupil and after pupil dilatation. The measurements with this experimental system showed a significant increase in all distortion parameters with cycloplegia for the phase plates with the higher positive SA (þ0.300 and þ0.150 μm). The disturbance index increased from 14.86 6.12% to 57.98 36.20% (p < 0.05) with the þ0.300 μm plate. The same effect was observed through at a much lower rate when the eye could accommodate. Plates inducing negative SA did not change the LD compared to the control condition without induction of SA or even decreased the effect of distortion. Pupillary dilation and cyclopegia led to a significant increase in the size of the LD when increasing values of SA were induced. Accommodation and pupillary constriction are capable of compensating the degradation of the optical quality induced.This study was funded by the FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of projects PTDC/SAUBEB/098391/2008, PTDC/SAU-BEB/098392/2008 and the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011. The authors thank the assistance of Professor Norberto López-Gil for the loan of the SA plates and the discussion of the results. R.M.A, J. M.G.M., H.F.N., L.R.V., and S.C.P.M have applied for a patent on the experimental device. Other authors declare that they do not have any proprietary or financial interest in any of the materials mentioned in this article

Predicted Planck Extragalactic Point Source Catalogue

An estimation of the number and amplitude (in flux) of the extragalactic point sources that will be observed by the Planck Mission is presented in this paper. The study is based on the Mexican Hat wavelet formalism introduced by Cayon et al. 2000. Simulations at Planck observing frequencies are analysed, taking into account all the possible cosmological, Galactic and Extragalactic emissions together with noise. With the technique used in this work the Planck Mission will produce a catalogue of extragalactic point sources above fluxes: 1.03 Jy (857 GHz), 0.53 Jy (545 GHz), 0.28 Jy (353 GHz), 0.24 Jy (217 GHz), 0.32 Jy (143 GHz), 0.41 Jy (100 GHz HFI), 0.34 Jy (100 GHz LFI), 0.57 Jy (70 GHz), 0.54 Jy (44 GHz) and 0.54 Jy (30 GHz), which are only slightly model dependent (see text). Amplitudes of these sources are estimated with errors below 15%. Moreover, we also provide a complete catalogue (for the point sources simulation analysed) with errors in the estimation of the amplitude below 10%. In addition we discuss the possibility of identifying different point source populations in the Planck catalogue by estimating their spectral indices.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, submitted to MNRA

Validation of a method to measure light distortion surrounding a source of glare

Our objective was to validate a new device dedicated to measure the light disturbances surrounding bright sources of light under different sources of potential variability. Twenty subjects were involved in the study. Light distortion was measured using an experimental prototype (light distortion analyzer, CEORLab, University of Minho, Portugal) comprising twenty-four LED arrays panel at 2 m. Sources of variability included: intrasession and intersession repeated measures, pupil size (3 versus 6 mm), defocus (þ0.50) correction for the working distance, angular resolution (15 deg versus 30 deg), temporal stimuli presentation, and pupil size. Size, shape, location, and irregularity parameters have been obtained. At a low speed of presentation of the stimuli, changes in angular resolution did not have an effect on the results of the parameters measured. Results did not change with pupil size. Intensity of the central glare source significantly influenced the outcomes. Examination time was reduced by 30% when a 30 deg angular resolution was explored instead of 15 deg. Measurements were fast and repeatable under the same experimental conditions. Size and shape parameters showed the highest consistency, whereas location and irregularity parameters showed lower consistency. The system was sensitive to changes in the intensity of the central glare source but not to pupil changes in this sample of healthy subjects.This study has been funded by the FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology in the framework of projects PTDC/ SAU-BEB/098391/2008, PTDC/SAU-BEB/098392/2008, and the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011

Guadalfeo and Adra submarine deltas evolution in response to sediment supply variations

The Guadalfeo and the Adra submarine deltas off the northern coast of the Alboran Sea have been built up under the direct influence of short and mountainous rivers. The area is subjected to strong climatic seasonality, with sporadic winter torrential floods and high summer aridity. In addition numerous anthropogenic activities have affected these systems, mostly during the last two centuries. In order to decode the influence of climatic variability and anthropogenic impacts on sediment supplies during the recent past, five sediment cores were collected from the Guadalfeo and Adra submarine deltas. Benthic foraminiferal and sedimentological analyses, combined with radiocarbon dating, were performed. The impact of torrential floods alternating with periods of low rainfall or dry periods were recorded in the Adra and Guadalfeo prodeltas. Periods with low abundance of benthic foraminifera and high amounts of coarse-grained sediments, were interpreted as the result of enhanced sediment supply to the shelf triggered by major flood events. On the other hand, periods with high amounts of fine-grained sediments and high abundances of colonizers and opportunistic foraminiferal species indicate the establishment of new environments with distinct ecological constraints. These environments were driven by lower sediment supplies during low rainfall or dry periods. The most recent sedimentation seems to reflect the human interventions in the rivers basins, such as deviation of the main river courses and dams construction, which reduced the sediment input and promoted the deposition of shallow-water submarine deltas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gold nanoparticles as a part of a photothermal therapy system.

Introduction Photothermal therapy (PTT) is attracting increased attention for the treatment of superficial localized tumors, relying on the induction of local hyperthermia of tumor cells upon their irradiation with light beams1. PTT efficacy depends, however, on the heat generated and, on the depth reached by the light. Some strategies to improve PTT efficacy includes the use of the near infrared (NIR, 650 to 900 nm) radiation to enhance the penetration depth of the light, combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enhance the photothermal effect2. Experimental Methods Core AuNPs were synthesized by a novel method using tetrachloroauric acid and a mixture of reducing agents, and subsequently coated with a combination of hyaluronic and oleic acids, for improving the NPs biocompatibility, biodegradability, and lifetime. This coating also promotes the binding of specific cell receptors of the tumor cells. The particles were physico-chemically characterized, and in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out in breast cancer models to assess their safety and efficacy, when applied alone or combined with NIR irradiation3. Results and Discussion AuNPs presented a predominant spherical morphology with sizes under 350 nm, polydispersity index lower than 0.4 and enhanced absorbance in the NIR. The particles showed no toxicity in vitro and promising efficacy in vivo when administering the NPs in situ and later irradiating them externally. Histopathological analysis of tumors treated with both AuNPs and laser irradiation showed the presence of necrosis in most of the tumors and no effect or practically absence in healthy surrounding cells, which are very encouraging outcomes. Conclusion The results are promising, however, there is still room for improving the system, namely by reducing even more the invasiveness of the treatment through the combined use of aerogels structures. Aerogel’s unique properties4 make them ideal candidates to minimize the exposure of healthy tissues to laser radiation, acting as light and thermal insulators, as well as to incorporate the nanoparticles into their skeletal structure and thus potentiating a topical application of the particles. For these reasons, some exploratory methods were carried to produce and design aerogels structures for PTT applications

Intoxicación por plaguicidas en pacientes asistidos en el Centro Nacional de Toxicología del Ministerio de Salud Pública

Se ha observado un gran incremento en el uso de plaguicidas en el Paraguay, especialmente en el área agrícola; sin embargo la conciencia sobre el peligro del uso de las sustancias químicas aún tiene una historia relativamente corta, y actualmente el control está bastante limitado. Las estadísticas no tienen un registro único, por lo que se estima un importante subregistro de casos. El siguiente trabajo corresponde a un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal y retrospectivo con el propósito de determinar la frecuencia de intoxicación por el uso de plaguicidas y las características demográficas de pacientes que acudieron al CentroNacional de Toxicología (CNT) del Centro de Emergencias Médicas de Asunción, Paraguay, en el período de julio del 2000 a mayo del 2004. El 13,7% de 2570 intoxicaciones correspondieron a plaguicidas, siendo las más frecuentes a órgano fosforados (47,1%). El grupo etáreo másfrecuente correspondió al de 16 a 30 años (50,3%) con predominio en el sexo femenino (58.2%). Con relación a la ocupación las intoxicaciones afectaban a estudiantes de primaria y secundaria con 61 casos (22,6%), seguidos por 49 casos domésticos (18,2%) y agricultores con31 casos (11,5%). La mayoría de los pacientes provenían del departamento Central con 190 casos (53,9%). Se destaca el bajo número de casos asistidos en el CNT de los departamentosque usan mayor cantidad de plaguicidas, además del fácil acceso que estudiantes de primaria y secundaria tienen a estas sustancias químicas

Parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em três raças de cavalos de alta performance do Sul do Brasil

The hematological and biochemical parameters are useful tools for clinics and feeding management of athlete equines. The population of high performance horses consists of different breed groups, displaying specific phenotypic and metabolic characteristics related to the type of sport activity they perform. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in the South of Brazil, racing, jumping, polo, endurance, reigning, and dressage are the main activities. This study investigated the hemato-biochemical parameters in three high performance horse breeds from Southern Brazil. A total number of 154 horses belonging to the breeds Thoroughbred, Brasileiro de Hipismo, and Criollo, were selected for this study. Within each breed, samples were collected from males (n=12) and non-pregnant females (n=12) of two ages: 1 to 3 years of age (n=12) and over five years of age (n=12). Hematological (total count of erythrocytes and leukocytes, blood cell volume, hemoglobin, and differential count of leukocytes) and biochemical (lactate, fructosamine, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulins, fibrinogen, urea, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and enzymes LDH, AST, GGT, and CK) parameters were analyzed. Significant differences were observed in hematological and biochemical parameters, except for calcium and albumin, among breeds. There was no significant effect of age or sex within breed. This study shows that the local population, the breed and the type of sport activity are important variables to be considered in the analysis of blood parameters of horses.Os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos são ferramentas que auxiliam na clínica e no manejo alimentar do eqüino atleta. Na população eqüina de alta performance existem diferentes grupos raciais que apresentam características fenotípicas e metabólicas específicas, relacionadas com o tipo de atividade esportiva que exercem. Atualmente, no Rio Grande do Sul (Sul do Brasil), são reconhecidas as modalidades esportivas de corrida, salto, polo, enduro, provas de rédeas e provas funcionais. O presente trabalho estudou os parâmetros hemato-bioquímicos em três raças de eqüinos de alta performance no Sul do Brasil. Um total de 154 animais das raças Puro Sangue Inglês, Brasileiro de Hipismo e Crioula foram selecionados para este estudo. Em cada grupo racial foram obtidas amostras de machos (n=12) e fêmeas não gestantes (n=12) e de duas faixas etárias: de 1 a 3 anos (n=12) e de mais de cinco anos (n=12). Foram analisados parâmetros hematológicos (contagem total de eritrócitos e leucócitos, hematócrito, hemoglobina e contagem diferencial de leucócitos) e bioquímicos (lactato, fructosamina, glicose, colesterol, proteína total, albumina, globulinas, fibrinogênio, uréia, cálcio, magnésio, fósforo e enzimas LDH, AST, GGT e CK). Foram observadas diferenças significativas nos parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos, exceto para cálcio e albumina, entre os grupos raciais. Não houve efeito significativo da idade e do sexo dentro da mesma raça. O presente trabalho mostra que o fator racial e o tipo de atividade esportiva são variáveis importantes que devem ser consideradas na análise de parâmetros sangüíneos em eqüinos

Does native Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin mediate growth inhibition of a mammary tumor during infection?

Indexación: Web of Science.Background: For several decades now an antagonism between Trypanosoma cruzi infection and tumor development has been detected. The molecular basis of this phenomenon remained basically unknown until our proposal that T. cruzi Calreticulin (TcCRT), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone, translocated-externalized by the parasite, may mediate at least an important part of this effect. Thus, recombinant TcCRT (rTcCRT) has important in vivo antiangiogenic and antitumor activities. However, the relevant question whether the in vivo antitumor effect of T. cruzi infection is indeed mediated by the native chaperone (nTcCRT), remains open. Herein, by using specific modified anti-rTcCRT antibodies (Abs), we have neutralized the antitumor activity of T. cruzi infection and extracts thereof, thus identifying nTcCRT as a valid mediator of this effect. Methods: Polyclonal anti-rTcCRT F(ab')(2) Ab fragments were used to reverse the capacity of rTcCRT to inhibit EAhy926 endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, as detected by BrdU uptake. Using these F(ab')(2) fragments, we also challenged the capacity of nTcCRT, during T. cruzi infection, to inhibit the growth of an aggressive mammary adenocarcinoma cell line (TA3-MTXR) in mice. Moreover, we determined the capacity of anti-rTcCRT Abs to reverse the antitumor effect of an epimastigote extract (EE). Finally, the effects of these treatments on tumor histology were evaluated. Results: The rTcCRT capacity to inhibit ECs proliferation was reversed by anti-rTcCRT F(ab')(2) Ab fragments, thus defining them as valid probes to interfere in vivo with this important TcCRT function. Consequently, during infection, these Ab fragments also reversed the in vivo experimental mammary tumor growth. Moreover, anti-rTcCRT Abs also neutralized the antitumor effect of an EE, again identifying the chaperone protein as an important mediator of this anti mammary tumor effect. Finally, as determined by conventional histological parameters, in infected animals and in those treated with EE, less invasive tumors were observed while, as expected, treatment with F(ab')(2) Ab fragments increased malignancy. Conclusion: We have identified translocated/externalized nTcCRT as responsible for at least an important part of the anti mammary tumor effect of the chaperone observed during experimental infections with T. cruzi.http://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-016-2764-

Puesta a punto de una metodología que permita evaluar el efecto de cantidades perfectamente conocidas de O2 en diferentes vinos tintos, sin la interferencia del O2 atmosférico.

El estudio de los procesos de oxidaci&oacute;n-reducci&oacute;n en el vino es un campo en el cu&aacute;l, a&uacute;n a d&iacute;a de hoy, existen grandes lagunas acerca de determinados aspectos. Por ello, el objetivo final de este trabajo consiste en poder adicionar de forma perfectamente controlada cantidades conocidas de O2 en botellas de 150 mL. De esta manera,&nbsp; despu&eacute;s de 6 meses a 25&ordm;C, se pretender&aacute; caracterizar: 1) el estado redox del vino, 2) los sistemas catal&iacute;ticos, 3) el estado arom&aacute;tico del vino, 4) aquellos precursores involucrados en cambios arom&aacute;ticos y 5) el aroma. Para ello se han escogido 16 vinos tintos con diferente tendencia oxido-reductiva. Para poder realizar este estudio ha sido imprescindible disponer de una caja de guantes con atm&oacute;sfera de Arg&oacute;n, que asegura un nivel de O2&nbsp; inferior a 1 ppm. Otro de los requisitos ha sido obtener un sistema de almacenaje pr&aacute;cticamente impermeable alO2 atmosf&eacute;rico. Para ello se ha partido de un sistema comercial (Sigma-Aldrich), que constaba de una chapa con un orificio, un septum, (a trav&eacute;s del cual se adiciona con una jeringa de gases la correspondiente cantidad de O2) y un tap&oacute;n de rosca externo. Este sistema comercial demostr&oacute; funcionar estrepitosamente, ya que permit&iacute;a la entrada continua de O2 atmosf&eacute;rico al vino, y por tanto despu&eacute;s de tres meses no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes niveles de adici&oacute;n de O2, ya que todos los vinos estaban extremadamente oxidados. Para solucionar este problema se ha probado con distintos dispositivos y modificaciones de este sistema comercial, para finalmente encontrar uno impermeable al O2 atmosf&eacute;rico que ha permitido llevar a cabo las adiciones de forma correcta. Este trabajo pretende ilustrar dicho proceso y sistema de trabajo

Puesta a punto de una metodología que permita evaluar el efecto de cantidades perfectamente conocidas de O2 en diferentes vinos tintos, sin la interferencia del O2 atmosférico.

El estudio de los procesos de oxidaci&oacute;n-reducci&oacute;n en el vino es un campo en el cu&aacute;l, a&uacute;n a d&iacute;a de hoy, existen grandes lagunas acerca de determinados aspectos. Por ello, el objetivo final de este trabajo consiste en poder adicionar de forma perfectamente controlada cantidades conocidas de O2 en botellas de 150 mL. De esta manera,&nbsp; despu&eacute;s de 6 meses a 25&ordm;C, se pretender&aacute; caracterizar: 1) el estado redox del vino, 2) los sistemas catal&iacute;ticos, 3) el estado arom&aacute;tico del vino, 4) aquellos precursores involucrados en cambios arom&aacute;ticos y 5) el aroma. Para ello se han escogido 16 vinos tintos con diferente tendencia oxido-reductiva. Para poder realizar este estudio ha sido imprescindible disponer de una caja de guantes con atm&oacute;sfera de Arg&oacute;n, que asegura un nivel de O2&nbsp; inferior a 1 ppm. Otro de los requisitos ha sido obtener un sistema de almacenaje pr&aacute;cticamente impermeable alO2 atmosf&eacute;rico. Para ello se ha partido de un sistema comercial (Sigma-Aldrich), que constaba de una chapa con un orificio, un septum, (a trav&eacute;s del cual se adiciona con una jeringa de gases la correspondiente cantidad de O2) y un tap&oacute;n de rosca externo. Este sistema comercial demostr&oacute; funcionar estrepitosamente, ya que permit&iacute;a la entrada continua de O2 atmosf&eacute;rico al vino, y por tanto despu&eacute;s de tres meses no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes niveles de adici&oacute;n de O2, ya que todos los vinos estaban extremadamente oxidados. Para solucionar este problema se ha probado con distintos dispositivos y modificaciones de este sistema comercial, para finalmente encontrar uno impermeable al O2 atmosf&eacute;rico que ha permitido llevar a cabo las adiciones de forma correcta. Este trabajo pretende ilustrar dicho proceso y sistema de trabajo