Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebellar cysts in a neonate with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is one of the most common congenital viral infections in the world. Brain magnetic resonance imaging plays a key role in evaluating brain involvement and establishing prognosis; several characteristic features have been described. We present a description of cerebellar cysts in a neonate with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed cytomegalovirus congenital infection, and discuss the differential diagnosis and potential pathophysiological mechanisms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Primary Production and Nutrient Content in Two Salt Marsh

Seasonal variation patterns of aboveground and belowground biomass, net primary production, and nutrient accumulation were assessed in Atriplex portulacoides L. and Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. in Castro Marim salt marsh, Portugal. Sampling was conducted for five periods during 2001–2002 (autumn, winter, spring, summer, and autumn). This study indicates that both species have a clear seasonal variation pattern for both aboveground and belowground biomass. Mean live biomass was 2516 g m22 yr21 for L. monopetalum and 598 g m22 yr21 for A. portulacoides. Peak living biomass, in spring for both species, was three times greater in the former, 3502 g m22 yr21, than in the latter, 1077 g m22 yr21. For both the Smalley (Groenendijk 1984) and Weigert and Evans (1964) methods, productivity of L. monopetalum (2917 and 3635 g m22 yr21, respectively) was greater than that of A. portulacoides (1002 and 1615 g m22 yr21, respectively). Belowground biomass of L. monopetalum was 1.7 times greater than that of A. portulacoides. In spite of this, the root:shoot ratio for A. portulacoides was greater throughout the year. This shows that A. portulacoides allocates more biomass to roots and L. monopetalum to aerial components. Leaf area index was similar for both species, but specific leaf area of A. portulacoides was twice that of L. monopetalum. The greatest nutrient contents were found in leaves. Leaf nitrogen content was maximum in summer for both species (14.6 mg g21 for A. portulacoides and 15.5 mg g21 for L. monopetalum). Leaf phosphorus concentration was minimum in summer (1.1 mg g21 in A. portulacoides and 1.2 mg g21 in L. monopetalum). Leaf potassium contents in A. portulacoides were around three times greater than in L. monopetalum. Leaf calcium contents in L. monopetalum were three times greater than in A. portulacoides. There was a pronounced seasonal variation of calcium content in the former, while in the latter no clear variation was registered. Both species exhibited a decrease in magnesium leaf contents in the summer period. Manganese content in L. monopetalum leaves was tenfold that in A. portulacoides. Seasonal patterns of nutrient contents in A. portulacoides and L. monopetalum suggest that availability of these elements was not a limiting factor to biomass production

Impacto do Diâmetro do Nervo Óptico na Amplitude de Pulso Ocular no Glaucoma Primário de Ângulo Aberto

Introdução: A pressão intra-craniana (PIC) tem sido descrita como estando envolvida no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto (GPAA). A sua avaliação está contudo limitada pela necessidade de métodos invasivos, como a punção lombar. A ecografia ocular permite uma avaliação indirecta da PIC através da medição do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico (NO). Desconhece-se se esta nova variável tem capacidade de modular factores de risco normalmente investigados em doentes com GPAA. Objectivo: Avaliar o impacto do diâmetro da bainha do NO na pressão intra-ocular (PIO) e na amplitude de pulso ocular (OPA) de doentes com GPAA. Métodos: Quinze doentes com GPAA foram submetidos a medição da PIO por tonometria de contorno dinâmico, avaliação topográfica do disco óptico e ecografia ocular modo B com sonda doppler. Apenas o olho com maior dano glaucomatoso foi seleccionado por doente. Resultados: A média do diâmetro da bainha do NO foi de 5,6±0,67mm, a PIO média de 17,8±2,2mmHg e a OPA de 3,1±1,7mmHg. O diâmetro da bainha do NO correlacionou-se negativamente a OPA (r=-0.54, p=0.05), não tendo influenciado a PIO (r=-0,25, p=0,41). Da avaliação hemodinâmica, apenas o índice de resistência da artéria central da retina (CRA) foi influenciado pelo diâmetro da bainha do NO (r=-0.52, p=0.04). Conclusão: O diâmetro da bainha do NO correlaciona-se negativamente com a OPA. Este efeito poderá ser explicado pela alteração da resistência vascular da artéria que atravessa este espaço subaracnoideu, a CRA. O estudo da região retrobulbar e do balanço entre as pressões aí exercidas é assim um campo cuja importância será crescente na avaliação do doente com GPAA

Compreender a Recorrência dos Mixomas Cardíacos. Um Caso Clínico

Recurrence of cardiac myxoma is a rare condition, observed in about 3% of patients in sporadic cases, although it is more frequent in familial ones. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain such recurrence, and the importance of increased vascularization as a facilitating feature is the subject of debate. The authors report the case of a non-familial right atrial myxoma, unusual for both its histopathology and recurrence

Punctate Inner Choroidopathy: A Systematic Review

This article reviews clinically relevant data regarding punctate inner choroidopathy, mainly the various treatment options. Punctate inner choroidopathy is an uncommon, inflammatory, multifocal chorioretinopathy affecting mostly young myopic women. It is characterized by the presence of multiple, small, well-defined, yellow-white fundus lesions, in the absence of intraocular inflammation. We describe etiology, clinical findings and ancillary tests that help in the diagnosis and detection of complications. Treatment options that have been used to manage patients with PIC and CNV include immunosuppressants, corticoids, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and submacular surgery

Natural parasitism of the Citrus Leafminer (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) over eight years in seven citrus regions of São Paulo, Brazil

The citrus leafminer (CLM) Phyllocnists citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was frst recorded in Brazil in 1996. In 1998, the parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtdae) was introduced and established in many regions of the country. In this study, 130 onehour-samplings of sweet orange leaves (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) hostng CLM pupal chambers were carried out to estmate the CLM parasitsm rate (%) by its parasitoids in 7 regions of São Paulo State between 2000 and 2008. The sample sizes varied from 10 to 275 leaves (mean = 65). The most abundant parasitoid was the encyrtd A. citricola (found in 91.8% of the samplings). The highest level of CLM parasitsm by A. citricola was recorded in the southern region (Botucatu), 70.2 ± 6.6 (mean ± SEM), and the lowest level was recorded in the northern region (Barretos), 12.8 ± 5.7%. CLM parasitsm by A. citricola and by natve parasitoids (Galeopsomyia fausta LaSalle, Cirrospilus spp. and Elasmus sp.) did not differ between seasons. The 6-fold increase in the use of insectcides in citrus groves, afer 2004 when the Huanglongbing (HLB) disease was found in São Paulo State, did not reduce the level of CLM parasitsm. The level of parasitsm was 50.8 ± 4.2% before the advent of HLB (2000–2004) and 56.0 ± 4.4% thereafer (2005–2008), indicatng adaptaton of A. citricola in a disturbed agroecosystem.A minadora das folhas dos citros (MFC), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), foi encontrada pela primeira vez no Brasil em 1996. Em 1998, o parasitoide Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) foi introduzido e se estabeleceu em várias regiões do país. Nesse estudo, foram feitas130 amostragens, de uma hora, de folhas de laranjeiras doces [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] com câmaras pupais da MFC, para se estimar o parasitismo da MFC em 7 regiões do estado de São Paulo, entre 2000 e 2008. O tamanho das amostras variou de 10 a 275 folhas (média = 65). O parasitoide mais abundante foi o encirtídeo A. citricola (encontrado em 91.8% das amostragens). O maior parasitismo da MFC por A. citricola foi observado na região sul do estado (Botucatu), 70,2 ± 6,6 (média ± EPM), e o menor parasitismo na região norte (Barretos), 12,8 ± 5,7%. O parasitismo da MFC por A. citricola e seus parasitoides nativos (Galeopsomyia fausta LaSalle, Cirrospilus spp. and Elasmus sp.) não diferiram entre as estações do ano. O aumento de seis vezes no uso de inseticidas nos pomares de citros, após 2004, quando o Huanglongbing (HLB) foi encontrado no estado de São Paulo, não reduziu o nível de parasitismo da MFC. O nível médio de parasitismo foi de 50,8 ± 4,2%, antes do HLB (2000-2004), e 56,0 ± 4,4%, após o HLB (2005-2008), indicando a adaptação de A. citricola a um agroecossistema perturbado.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Punctate Inner Choroidopathy: A Systematic Review

This article reviews clinically relevant data regarding punctate inner choroidopathy, mainly the various treatment options. Punctate inner choroidopathy is an uncommon, inflammatory, multifocal chorioretinopathy affecting mostly young myopic women. It is characterized by the presence of multiple, small, well-defined, yellow-white fundus lesions, in the absence of intraocular inflammation. We describe etiology, clinical findings and ancillary tests that help in the diagnosis and detection of complications. Treatment options that have been used to manage patients with PIC and CNV include immunosuppressants, corticoids, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and submacular surgery

Fatal Central Nervous System Lymphocytic Vasculitis after Treatment for Burkitt Lymphoma in a Patient with a SH2D1A Mutation

Very rarely, patients with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 present central nervous system vasculitis. We report a patient carrying a SH2D1A mutation that, after treatment for lymphoma developed fatal central nervous system vasculitis. He lacked signs of ongoing Epstein-Barr virus infection. We propose that impaired T cell homeostasis caused by SAP deficiency facilitates aberrant CD8 T cell activation against vascular antigens promoting clinical manifestations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Influence of Thermal Comfort on the Quality of Life of Nursing Home Residents

Thermal comfort (TC) parameters were measured in 130 rooms from nursing homes (NH), following ISO 7730:2005 in order to evaluate the influence of winter season TC indices on quality of life (QoL) in older individuals. Mean radiant temperature (mrT), predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percent of dissatisfied people (PPD) indices, and the respective measurement uncertainties were calculated using Monte Carlo Method. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was conducted from September 2012 to April 2013, during the winter season TC sampling campaign. Winter PMV and PPD indices showed significant differences between seasons in median values for comfort. There were also significant differences between seasons for air temperature, air velocity, mrT, and relative humidity. The winter PMV index displayed a “slightly cool” [≤−1] to “cool” [≤−2] in thermal sensation scale [−3 to 3]. PPD index reflected this discomfort as evidenced by a high rate of predicted dissatisfied occupants (64%). The influence of winter season TC on older individual QoL results demonstrated that values of PMV above −0.7 had higher mean score of QoL (coefficient estimate: 11.13 units) compared with values of PMV below −0.7. These findings are of relevance to public health and may be useful for understanding NH indoor environment variables thus implementing preventive policies in terms of standards and guidelines for these susceptible populations.This work was supported by GERIA Project (www.geria.webnode.com): PTDC/SAU-SAP/116563/2010 and a PhD Grant (SFRH/BD/72399/2010) from Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT) through Operational Competitiveness Programme (COMPETE) as part of the National Strategic Reference Framework. SB work was supported by a grant funded by AIRC (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro)