Suspensory materials for surgery of blepharoptosis: a systematic review of observational studies

Background Frontalis suspension surgery is considered the procedure of choice in cases of blepharoptosis. Among all the materials used in this type of surgery, ophthalmic and plastic surgeons prefer to use autologous Fascia Lata. However, during years, other autogenous and exogenous materials have been introduced. Objectives The aim of this study was therefore that of systematically reviewing the functional results and the rate of complications of different synthetic materials, as compared to autogenous Fascia Lata. The primary objective was to determine the rates of Successful Surgeries (SSs) of these materials. The secondary objective was to assess the onset of complications. The following materials were investigated: Fascia Lata, Mersilene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Silicon. Data Source and Methods Following the Prisma procedure, on January 30th, 2016 we used the following electronic databases to select the studies: MEDLINE and Scopus. Results The search strategy retrieved 48 publications that met the eligibility criteria of the systematic review. All studies were non-comparative. PTFE (n = 5) showed the best rate of SSs among the materials compared (statistically significant). Surgeries performed with autogenous Fascia Lata (n = 19) had a 87% rate of success those performed with Mersilene (n = 12)had 92% and those performed with Silicon (n = 17)88%. PTFE had the best outcome, with 99% success rate. As for complications, surgeries performed with PTFE had a higher rate of suture infections (1.9%) as compared to Fascia Lata, but lower incidence for all other complications. Conclusions Although most studies were good quality cohort studies, the overall quality of this evidence should be regarded as low due to their non-comparative design. Our data suggest that PTFE seems to be the most valid alternative material for frontalis suspension surgery, with low recurrence rates and good cosmetic and functional results

Arbolado viario en la calidad del paisaje del espacio público. Estudio de casos: vecinos de la alameda José Pardo, cuadra 7 - Miraflores 2021

La presente tesis tiene como objetivo describir e interpretar la percepción del arbolado viario en la cuadra 7 de la alameda José Pardo en el distrito de Miraflores, según la evaluación de 12 criterios de calidad del espacio público propuestos por Gehl y tomados del libro base “Ciudades para la gente” (2014), los mismos que sirvieron de referentes para la construcción de las distintas funciones perceptivas del árbol de alineación en la ciudad. El reconocimiento de dichas funciones por parte de los informantes en el lugar de estudio, pudo revelar el importante papel que juega este elemento verde en la estructuración del paisaje peatonal con el fin de hacerlo más habitable y sostenible, además de proporcionarle identidad cultural. A nivel metodológico, la investigación se desarrolló mediante un enfoque cualitativo y un diseño de tipo estudio de casos, utilizando los métodos de análisis, documentación y hermenéutica, y las técnicas de entrevista, observación y análisis documentario, con sus respectivos instrumentos. La unidad de análisis estuvo conformada por sujetos que residen en el Sector B4 del distrito de Miraflores y a la vez usuarios del mencionado espacio público. Asimismo, los resultados que arrojaron las entrevistas semi-estructuradas fueron analizados con la ayuda del software MAXQDA 2020. Del correspondiente análisis de resultados se elaboraron conclusiones sobre la valoración de las distintas funciones perceptivas propias del arbolado viario y presentes en el paisaje peatonal de una alameda, las mismas que se relacionan con criterios de seguridad, bienestar y disfrute

Chemical characterization of atmospheric PM in Delhi, India, during different periods of the year including Diwali festival

Abstract A study of the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter has been carried out in the city of Delhi. During two 6–day special observation periods, in November 2009 and in March 2010, we have determined atmospheric concentration of element, ions, elemental carbon, organic carbon and levoglucosan, obtaining a satisfactory mass closure (better than 94%). The results show that during these periods, pollutants produced by combustion sources constituted 6 –7 % of the total mass, and that the rest of it, in the absence of desert storms, was evenly divided among species coming from the soil, inorganic secondary compounds formed in the atmosphere and organic species. The results of the analysis of levoglucosan concentration showed that during the cold season in the atmosphere of Delhi about one fifth of the organics was directly produced by biomass burning. Elemental content of PM 10 has also been determined once a week during the year 2008. It has been found that PM 10 composition varies according to the season: soil components increase during the summer while secondary pollutants and organics increase during the post–monsoon and the winter. Elemental and ionic content of PM 10 and PM 2.5 have been determined every day during the week of Diwali festivals in 2008 and 2009. PM 10 concentration has reached the value of 767 μg m −3 in 2008 and 620 μg m −3 in 2009; a remarkable increase of elements produced by firework combustion (Sr, Ba, Ti, Mg, Cu, K, S, V, Cl, Bi, Ga) has been detected. The analysis of the extractable and residual fraction of elements has shown that most of the elements were predominantly in the residual fraction and that changes in the size and solubility distribution occurred as a consequence of fireworks

Results of case-control studies supportthe association between contact lens useand Acanthamoeba keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is ever more frequently reported in industrialized countries. The loss of the corneal surface integrity consequent to secondary microtrauma produced by the use of contact lens (CL) favors the penetration of the parasite into the corneal tissue. A scientific review was performed to investigate the association of CL wear as an Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) risk factor. A computerized screening of 7834 Medline articles (4623 from PubMed; 3211 from Scopus) used a strict selection criteria of case-control studies involving CL wear and/or trauma. The search yielded five case-control studies published from 1995 to 2012. All studies included showed a statistically significant positive association between AK and CL use, with a combined odds ratio (OR) of 10.21 (95%, confidence intervals [CI]; 3.57-27.64). All studies included showed a statistically significant positive association between AK and CL use, though with differing OR values. Though rare, AK should be held in higher consideration when ophthalmologists are faced with CL users exhibiting simplex-like lesions associated with circular stromal infiltrates and disproportionate ocular pain in respect to the objective clinical picture.Abstract BACKGROUND: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is ever more frequently reported in industrialized countries. The loss of the corneal surface integrity consequent to secondary microtrauma produced by the use of contact lens (CL) favors the penetration of the parasite into the corneal tissue. OBJECTIVES: A scientific review was performed to investigate the association of CL wear as an Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) risk factor. METHODS: A computerized screening of 7834 Medline articles (4623 from PubMed; 3211 from Scopus) used a strict selection criteria of case-control studies involving CL wear and/or trauma. RESULTS: The search yielded five case-control studies published from 1995 to 2012. All studies included showed a statistically significant positive association between AK and CL use, with a combined odds ratio (OR) of 10.21 (95%, confidence intervals [CI]; 3.57-27.64). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All studies included showed a statistically significant positive association between AK

Participation in local school networks to promote educational improvement, a case study

La participación de los centros en redes escolares para impulsar y consolidar la mejora y la innovación, promoviendo el trabajo colaborativo entre el profesorado, tiene la finalidad de trabajar con compromiso y cooperación entre profesionales. Este estudio de caso tiene como objetivo analizar las aportaciones que realiza la participación de 9 centros de una misma localidad en una red escolar, constituida, principalmente, para para que el profesorado trabaje de forma conjunta en el planteamiento de propuestas escolares que faciliten el tránsito del alumnado del nivel de primaria al de secundaria. La recogida de datos se ha basado en una metodología participativa y colaborativa que combina instrumentos de recogida de datos, entrevistas tanto individuales como en grupos focales a asesores de estos centros educativos de la zona y al coordinador de la red y cuestionarios abiertos individuales a asesores, directores de centros y profesorado participante. Respecto a las conclusiones, destacamos que la participación en redes escolares ha favorecido la construcción de una nueva configuración organizativa intercentros e incluso en el propio centro, la adjudicación de responsabilidades, experiencias en colaboración, acuerdo de estrategias de trabajo entre los centros, así como una reflexión sobre su funcionamiento basado en los principios de cooperación y compromiso entre todos.The participation of schools in school networks to promote and consolidate improvement and innovation, promoting collaborative work among teachers, aims to work with commitment and cooperation among professionals. This case study aims to analyze the contributions made by the participation of 9 centers of the same locality in a school network, constituted, mainly, so that teachers work together in the proposal of school proposals that facilitate the transit of the school. students from primary to secondary level. The collection of data has been based on a participatory and collaborative methodology that combines data collection instruments, interviews both individual and in focus groups with advisors of these educational centers in the area and the coordinator of the network and individual open questionnaires to advisors, directors of centers and participating teacher. Regarding the conclusions, we emphasize that participation in school networks has favored the construction of a new organizational configuration intercentros and even in the center itself, the allocation of responsibilities, experiences in collaboration, agreement of work strategies between the centers, as well as a reflection on its operation based on the principles of cooperation and commitment among all

Carbohydrate effect of novel arene Ru(II) phenanthroline-glycoconjugates on metastatic biological processes

Novel water-soluble half-sandwich ruthenium(II) polypyridyl-glycoconjugates [Ru(p-cymene)Cl{N-(1,10-phenanthroline-5-yl)-& beta;-glycopyranosylamine}][Cl] (glycopyranosyl = D-glucopyranosyl (1), D-mannopyranosyl (2), L-rhamnopyranosyl (3) and L-xylopyranosyl (4)) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Their behaviour in water under physiological conditions has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing their hydrolytic stability. Interactions of the novel compounds with duplex-deoxiribonucleic acid (dsDNA) were investigated by different techniques and the results indicate that, under physiological pH and saline conditions, the metal glycoconjugates bind DNA in the minor groove and/or through external, electrostatic interactions, and by a non-classical, partial intercalation mechanism in non-saline phosphate buffered solution. Effects of compounds 1-4 on cell viability have been assessed in vitro against two human cell lines (androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 and non-tumorigenic prostate RWPE-1), showing moderate cytotoxicities, with IC50 values higher than those found for free ligands [N-(1,10-phenanthroline-5-yl)-& beta;-glycopyranosylamine] (glycopyranosyl = D-glucopyranosyl (a), D-mannopyranosyl (b), L-rhamnopyranosyl (c) and L-xylopyranosyl (d)) or corresponding metal-aglycone. Cell viability was assayed in the presence and absence of the glucose transporters (GLUTs) inhibitor [N4-{1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-7-fluoroquinoline-2,4dicarboxamide] (BAY-876), and the results point to a negligible impact of the inhibition of GLUTs on the cytotoxicity caused by Ru(II) compounds 1-4. Remarkably, glycoconjugates 1-4 potently affect the migration pattern of PC-3 cells, and the wound healing assay evidence that the presence of the carbohydrate and the Ru(II) center is a requisite for the anti-migratory activity observed in these novel derivatives. In addition, derivatives 1-4 strongly affect the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9 activities of PC-3 cells, while proMMP-2 and especially proMMP-9 were influenced to a much lesser extent

Distribution of knock-down resistance mutations in Anopheles gambiae molecular forms in west and west-central Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Knock-down </it>resistance (<it>kdr</it>) to DDT and pyrethroids in the major Afrotropical vector species, <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>sensu stricto, is associated with two alternative point mutations at amino acid position 1014 of the voltage-gated sodium channel gene, resulting in either a leucine-phenylalanine (L1014F), or a leucine-serine (L1014S) substitution. In <it>An. gambiae </it>S-form populations, the former mutation appears to be widespread in west Africa and has been recently reported from Uganda, while the latter, originally recorded in Kenya, has been recently found in Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. In M-form populations surveyed to date, only the L1014F mutation has been found, although less widespread and at lower frequencies than in sympatric S-form populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Anopheles gambiae </it>M- and S-form specimens from 19 sites from 11 west and west-central African countries were identified to molecular form and genotyped at the <it>kdr </it>locus either by Hot Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay (HOLA) or allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>kdr </it>genotype was determined for about 1,000 <it>An. gambiae </it>specimens. The L1014F allele was found at frequencies ranging from 6% to 100% in all S-form samples (N = 628), with the exception of two samples from Angola, where it was absent, and coexisted with the L1014S allele in samples from Cameroon, Gabon and north-western Angola. The L1014F allele was present in M-form samples (N = 354) from Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon, where both M- and S-forms were sympatric.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results represent the most comprehensive effort to analyse the overall distribution of the L1014F and L1014S mutations in <it>An. gambiae </it>molecular forms, and will serve as baseline data for resistance monitoring. The overall picture shows that the emergence and spread of <it>kdr </it>alleles in <it>An. gambiae </it>is a dynamic process and that there is marked intra- and inter-form heterogeneity in resistance allele frequencies. Further studies are needed to determine: i) the importance of selection pressure exerted by both agricultural and public health use of pyrethroid insecticides, ii) the phenotypic effects, particularly when the two mutations co-occur; and iii) the epidemiological importance of <it>kdr </it>for both pyrethroid- and DDT-based malaria control operations, particularly if/when the two insecticides are to be used in concert.</p

Cadomian metabasites of the Eastern Pyrenees revisited

This study presents a new geochemical, petrological, and geochronological U-Pb dataset from Ediacaran metabasites of the Canigó and Cap de Creus massifs, Eastern Pyrenees. The rocks are composed of calcic amphibole + plagioclase + chlorite + epidote ± quartz plus titanite + apatite + ilmenite ± biotite ± rutile as accessory phases and show relict igneous textures. Peak pressure-temperature determinations share common conditions, ranging 452-482ºC and 5.2-7.7kbar. These intermediate P-T conditions suggest Barrovian-type metamorphism, most likely related to a collisional setting. The metabasites correspond to evolved basaltic rocks (Mg#<0.55) with moderate TiO2 content (up to 2.08wt.%) and relatively low Cr (43-416ppm). The rocks are moderately enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE) relative to heavy rare earth elements (HREE) (average (La/Lu)n of 2.7) and the N-MORB normalized multi-element patterns show negative slopes, with prominent negative Nb anomalies ((Nb/La)NMORB=0.33-0.78). These variations are akin to island arc tholeiites generated in back-arc basins and to other metabasites described in the Eastern Pyrenees with a putative Ediacaran age, and they differ from the Ordovician tholeiitic metabasites from the Canigó massif, which derived from a contaminated E-MORB source. The positive ƐNd(T) values (0.82-3.05) of the studied metabasites preclude a notable contribution from an older continental crust. U-Pb dating (LA-ICP-MS) of one chlorite-rich schist sample in contact with the metabasites from the Canigó massif yielded a main peak at ca. 632Ma. We argue that the Cadomian metabasites from the Pyrenees formed during back-arc extension in the continental margin of Gondwana and were later affected by (probably early Variscan) medium-P metamorphism before the HT-LP metamorphism classically described in the Pyrenees

Air microbial contamination in dental clinics: comparison between active and passive methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the microbial air contamination values obtained by active sampling (colony-forming units per cubic metre, CFU/m3) and by passive sampling (Index of microbial air contamination, IMA) and to calculate the corresponding equations. Air sampling was performed in ten dental clinics (DC), before (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) the clinical activity, for five consecutive days, once a month for a period of three months, for a total of 450 air samplings. The correlation was evaluated using the Spearman test, and a p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A statistically significant correlation was found considering both the results obtained from the total observations and from the single sampling times, T0, T1 and T2. Different correlation patterns were observed stratifying by DC. Both methods were able to evaluate the microbial air quality and highlight critical situations; therefore, both can be used with this aim. However, in particular during the activity, passive sampling resulted more sensitive, and for its simplicity, economy and standardization by IMA, as suggested by several authors, can be suggested for routine monitoring