Does posterior capsule opacification affect the results of diagnostic technologies to evaluate the retina and the optic disc?

The visual outcome obtained after cataract removal may progressively decline because of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). This condition can be treated by creating an opening in the posterior lens capsule by Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. PCO optical imperfections cause several light reflection, refraction, and diffraction phenomena, which may interfere with the functional and structural tests performed in different ocular locations for the diagnosis and follow-up of ocular disease, like macular and optic nerve diseases. Some parameters measured by visual field examinations, scanning laser polarimetry, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have changed after PCO removal. Imaging quality also changes following capsulotomy. Consequently, the results of ancillary tests in pseudophakic eyes for studying ocular diseases like glaucoma or maculopathies should be correlated with other clinical examinations, for example, slit-lamp biomicroscopy or funduscopy. If PCO is clinically significant, a new baseline should be set for future comparisons following capsulotomy when using automated perimetry and scanning laser polarimetry. To perform OCT in the presence of PCO, reliable examinations (considering signal strength) apparently guarantee that measurements are not influenced by PCO

Physicochemical characterization and antimicrobial properties of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 47T2 NCBIM 40044

7 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables.-- PMID: 12474254 [PubMed].-- Available online Dec 3, 2002.Pseudomonas aeruginosa 47T2, grown in submerged culture with waste frying oil as a carbon source, produced a mixture of rhamnolipids with surface activity. Up to 11 rhamnolipid homologs (Rha-Rha-C8-C10; Rha-C10-C8/Rha-C8-C10;Rha-Rha-C8-C12:1; Rha-Rha-C10-C10; Rha-Rha-C10-C12:1; Rha-C10-C10; Rha-Rha-C10-C12/Rha-Rha-C12-C10; Rha-C10-C12:1/Rha-C12:1-C10; Rha-Rha-C12:1-C12; Rha-Rha-C10-C14:1; Rha-C10-C12/Rha-C12-C10) were isolated from cultures of P. aeruginosa 47T2 from waste frying oil and identified by HPLC-MS analysis. This article deals with the production, isolation, and chemical characterization of the rhamnolipid mixture RL47T2. The physicochemical and biological properties of RL47T2 as a new product were also studied. Its surface tension decreased to 32.8 mN/m; and the interfacial tension against kerosene to 1 mN/m. The critical micellar concentration for RL47T2 was 108.8 mg/mL. The product showed excellent antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated according to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that inhibits development of visible microbial growth. Low MIC values were found for bacteria Serratia marcescens (4 g/mL), Enterobacter aerogenes (8 g/mL), Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.5 g/mL), Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis (32 g/mL), Bacillus subtilis (16 g/mL), and phytopathogenic fungal species: Chaetonium globosum (64 g/mL), Penicillium funiculosum (16 g/mL), Gliocadium virens (32 g/mL) and Fusarium solani (75 g/mL).Finnancial support by the CIRIT and CICYT; Grant Number: 199956R 00024, PPQ-2000-0105-P4-03, REN 2001-3224.Peer reviewe

THE GAME AS A TEACHING RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

This paper discusses the benefits of practicing Physical Education for students with special educational needs, and the use of the game as a teaching resource to help these students to improve relations with others and promote their integration into classes Physical Education. On the other hand, it will reflect on the importance of sporting activities to consolidate equality and solidarity between disabled and non-disabled. In this work sporting activities and games will be grounded in the characteristics of different special educational needs

El juego como recurso didáctico para el alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales

This paper discusses the benefits of practicing Physical Education for students with special educational needs, and the use of the game as a teaching resource to help these students to improve relations with others and promote their integration into classes Physical Education. On the other hand, it will reflect on the importance of sporting activities to consolidate equality and solidarity between disabled and non-disabled. In this work sporting activities and games will be grounded in the characteristics of different special educational needs.El presente trabajo trata sobre los beneficios de practicar Educación Física para alumnos y alumnas con necesidades educativas especiales, así como la utilización del juego como recurso didáctico para ayudar a estos alumnos y alumnas a mejorar las relaciones con los demás y favorecer su integración en las clases de Educación Física. Por otro lado, se reflexiona sobre la trascendencia de las actividades deportivas para la consolidación de la igualdad y solidaridad entre personas discapacitadas y no discapacitadas. En este trabajo, las actividades deportivas y los juegos están fundamentados en las características de las diferentes necesidades educativas especiales

Characterization of digestive involvement in patients with chronic T. cruzi infection in Barcelona, Spain

Background: Digestive damage due to Chagas disease (CD) occurs in 15-20% of patients diagnosed as a result of peristaltic dysfunction in some endemic areas. The symptoms of chronic digestive CD are non-specific, and there are numerous confounders. Diagnosis of CD may easily be missed if symptoms are not evaluated by a well trained physician. Regular tests, as barium contrast examinations, probably lack the necessary sensitivity to detect early digestive damage. Methods: 71 individuals with T. cruzi infection (G1) and 18 without (G2) coming from Latin American countries were analyzed. They were asked for clinical and epidemiological data, changes in dietary habits, and history targeting digestive and cardiac CD symptoms. Serological tests for T. cruzi, barium swallow, barium enema, an urea breath test, and esophageal manometry were requested for all patients. Principal findings: G1 and G2 patients did not show differences in lifestyle and past history. Fifteen (21.1%) of G1 had digestive involvement. Following Rezende criteria, esophagopathy was observed in 8 patients in G1 (11.3%) and in none of those in G2. Manometry disorders were recorded in 34 G1 patients and in six in G2. Isolated hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was found in sixteen G1 patients (23.9%) and four G2 patients (28.8%). Achalasia was observed in two G1 patients. Among G1 patients, ineffective esophageal motility was seen in six (five with symptoms), diffuse esophageal spasm in two (one with dysphagia and regurgitation), and nutcracker esophagus in three (all with symptoms). There were six patients with hypertonic upper esophageal sphincter (UES) among G1. Following Ximenes criteria, megacolon was found in ten G1 patients (13.9%), and in none of the G2 patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of digestive chronic CD in our series was 21.1%. Dysphagia is a non-pathognomonic symptom of CD, but a good marker of early esophageal involvement. Manometry could be a useful diagnostic test in selected cases, mainly in patients with T. cruzi infection and dysphagia in whose situation barium swallow does not evidence alterations. Constipation is a common but non-specific symptom that can be easily managed. Testing for CD is mandatory in a patient from Latin America with constipation or dysphagia, and if diagnosis is confirmed, megacolon and esophageal involvement should be investigated

Computational analysis of clinical and molecular markers and new theranostic possibilities in primary open-angle glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a paramount cause of irreversible visual disability worldwide. We focus on identifying clinical and molecular facts that may help elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease. By using ophthalmological approaches (biomicroscopy, ocular fundus, optical coherence tomography, and perimetry) and experimental tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Western blot/immunoblotting) directed to evaluate the oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neurodegeneration processes, we gather information to build a network of data to perform a computational bioinformatics analysis. Our results showed strong interaction of the above players and its downstream effectors in POAG pathogenesis. In conclusion, specific risk factors were identified, and molecules involved in multiple pathways were found in relation to anterior and posterior eye segment glaucoma changes, pointing to new theranostic challenges for better managing POAG progression

Colocación de implantes dentales cortos en defectos maxilofaciales para el anclaje de prótesis somática

El tratamiento de cáncer de cabeza y cuello por lo general incluye una gran resección quirúrgica, este abordaje quirúrgico en los pacientes los deja con grandes defectos en el área maxilofacial perdiendo la estética y función por lo que los pacientes generalmente necesitan una combinación de prótesis intra y extra oral.La prótesis intraoral será como un obturador que restaura la función masticatoria, el habla y mejora el aspecto delpaciente. La prótesis facial es una tarea difícil debido a su configuración, tamaño, peso y retención. La elaboración de laprótesis intraoral y somática se considera entonces un reto.Las prótesis faciales podrían mantenerse por medio de adhesivos médicos, ataches de semi-precisión, clips e implantesdentales. El presente reporte de caso muestra a los implantes dentales cortos como una alternativa para la retención deprótesis somáti

Influence of fly ash blending on hydration and physical behavior of Belite-Alite-Ye'elimite cements

A cement powder, composed of belite, alite and ye’elimite, was blended with 0, 15 and 30 wt% of fly ash and the resulting lended cements were further characterized. During hydration, the presence of fly ash caused the partial inhibition of both AFt degradation and belite reactivity, even after 180 days. The compressive strength of the corresponding mortars increased by increasing the fly ash content (68, 73 and 82 MPa for mortars with 0, 15 and 30 wt% of fly ash, respectively, at 180 curing days), mainly due to the diminishing porosity and pore size values. Although pozzolanic reaction has not been directly proved there are indirect evidences.This work is part of the Ph.D. of D. Londono-Zuluaga funded by Beca Colciencias 646—Doctorado en el exterior and Enlaza Mundos 2013 program grant. Cement and Building materials group (CEMATCO) from National University of Colombia is acknowledged for providing the calorimetric measurements. Funding from Spanish MINECO BIA2017-82391-R and I3 (IEDI-2016-0079) grants, co-funded by FEDER, are acknowledged

Smoking and age-related macular degeneration: review and update

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main socioeconomical health issues worldwide. AMD has a multifactorial etiology with a variety of risk factors. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for AMD development and progression. The present review summarizes the epidemiological studies evaluating the association between smoking and AMD, the mechanisms through which smoking induces damage to the chorioretinal tissues, and the relevance of advising patients to quit smoking for their visual health