Evaluation Of Patients Using An Innovative Low-vision Aid [avaliação De Pacientes Utilizando Equipamento Inovador De Auxílio à Visão Subnormal]

Purpose: To perform a preliminary evaluation at the "Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP)" of an innovative equipment for low-vision developed at USP containing a reading stand and a magnifier that maintains in a stable position the reading line and focus. Methods: 9 low-vision patients were evaluated using the above mentioned reading stand and a magnifier developed at USP comparing it with a hand magnifier of similar power taking into account the following evaluation parameters: etiology of low-vision, best corrected visual acuity for distance, patient's opinion comparing both low-vision aid resources, authors' opinion observing the patient using both low-vision aids. Results: The numerical preference for the low-vision aids was: 5 patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus; 2 patients for the hand magnifier; 1 patient indifferent regarding any of the resources; 1 patient inadequate for the evaluation of the low-vision aids. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows the preference of the majority of the patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus showing that this innovative product makes reading easier; the evaluator doctor translates the patient's opinion as an expert and contributes to the improvement of the product so that it can be evaluated again in the future.713385388(2004), CID-Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde. 10a rev. São Paulo: EduspCap. 7Doenças do olho e anexos (H00-H59)Visão Subnormal [apostilado]. In: III Curso de Reciclagem em Oftalmologia do Departamento de Oftalmologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (2004) São Paulo, Maio 8 2004, , São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo(2006), www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA59/A59_12-en.pdf, World Health Organization (WHO). Fifty-Ninth World Health Assembly. Prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment [Internet]. GenevaWHO[cited 2007 Jun 12]. Available from(2006), HaddadTemporini, E.R., Kara-José, N., A perda da visão: estratégias de prevenção (2004) Arq Bras Oftalmol, 67 (4), pp. 597-601Bonatti, F.A., Desenvolvimento de equipamento de auxílio à visão subnormal (2006) Arq Bras Oftalmol, 69 (2), pp. 221-226Colenbrander, A., Reabilitação de baixa visão (2000) São Paulo: Cultura Médica, pp. 87-109. , Veitzman S. Visão subnormal [Coleção de Manuais Básicos]Alves, M.R., Kara-José, N., O olho e a visão: o que fazer pela saúde ocular (1996) São Paulo: Vozes, p. 151Haddad, M.A., Sampaio, M.W., Kara-José, N., Auxílios para baixa visão (2001) São Paulo: LaramaraHaddad, MAl., Low cost telescopic system: its effectiveness in cases of macular retinochoroiditis due to congenital toxoplasmosis (2000) Vision rehabilitation: assessment, intervention, and outcomes, pp. 195-199. , Stuen C, Arditi A, Horowitz A, Lang MA, Rosenthal B, Seidman K, editors Lisse: Swets & ZeitlingerSuzuki, H., Suzuki, R., Suzuki, C.R., Gancho de íris para dilatação mecânica da pupila: modo de construção (1995) Arq Bras Oftalmol, 58 (5), pp. 367-368Suzuki, H., Suzuki, R., Suzuki, C.R., Diatermo coagulador bipolar coaxial: modo de construção (1995) Arq Bras Oftalmol, 58 (3), pp. 175-176Cavalcante, I., Ataque à miopia com raio laser (1991) J USP, 5 (171), p. 12Oliveira, A.C., Yasuoka, F.M., Tonissi S.A., Jr., Cansian, A.M., Ramos, J.E., Romão, A.C., Construção de um vídeokeratoscópio para análise topográfica da córnea [abstract] (1992) Caxambu, , XV Encontro Nacional de Física da Matéria Condensada Programa e ResumosBonatti, J.A., Suzuki, H., Kara-José, N., Matheus, L.C., Desenvolvimento de equipamento de geração e registro de pressão intra-ocular suportada por perfuração corneana colada com fibrina (1997) Arq Bras Oftalmol, 60 (5), pp. 514-515Papanek, V., (1977) Diseñar para el mundo real: ecología humana y cambio social, p. 339. , Madrid: Herman Blume;Bonsiepe, G., (1982) Desenho Industrial para pessoas deficientes, p. 96. , Brasília: CNPq(2003), p. 608. , Clarkson J. Coleman R. Keates S. Lebbon C. editors. Inclusive design: design for the whole population. London: SpringerMargolin, V., Um modelo social de Design: questões de prática e pesquisa (2004) Design em Foco, I (1), pp. 43-48Keinonen, T., (2007), http://www2.uiah.fi/projects/metodi/13c.htm, Evaluation in Product Development: presenting the draft and prototyping. [place unknown]: [cited 2007 Mar 3]. Available fro

<a name="home"></a>Protective effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on lung function and remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a novel phosphodiesterase 4 and 5 inhibitor, LASSBio596, with that of dexamethasone in a murine model of chronic asthma. Lung mechanics (airway resistance, viscoelastic pressure, and static elastance), histology, and airway and lung parenchyma remodeling (quantitative analysis of collagen and elastic fiber) were analyzed. Thirty-three BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups. In the asthma group (N = 9), mice were immunized with 10 µg ovalbumin (OVA, ip) on 7 alternate days, and after day 40 they were challenged with three intratracheal instillations of 20 µg OVA at 3-day intervals. Control mice (N = 8) received saline under the same protocol. In the dexamethasone (N = 8) and LASSBio596 (N = 8) groups, the animals of the asthma group were treated with 1 mg/kg dexamethasone disodium phosphate (0.1 mL, ip) or 10 mg/kg LASSBio596 dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (0.2 mL, ip) 24 h before the first intratracheal instillation of OVA, for 8 days. Airway resistance, viscoelastic pressure and static elastance increased significantly in the asthma group (77, 56, and 76%, respectively) compared to the control group. The asthma group presented more intense alveolar collapse, bronchoconstriction, and eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration than the control group. Both LASSBio596 and dexamethasone inhibited the changes in lung mechanics, tissue cellularity, bronchoconstriction, as well as airway and lung parenchyma remodeling. In conclusion, LASSBio596 at a dose of 10 mg/kg effectively prevented lung mechanical and morphometrical changes and had the potential to block fibroproliferation in a BALB/c mouse model of asthma

Recruitment Maneuvers Modulate Epithelial and Endothelial Cell Response According to Acute Lung Injury Etiology*

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the rate of increase in airway pressure and duration of lung recruitment maneuvers in experimental pulmonary and extrapulmonary acute lung injury. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. SETTINGS: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Fifty adult male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: Acute lung injury was induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide either intratracheally (pulmonary acute lung injury) or intraperitoneally (extrapulmonary acute lung injury). After 24 hours, animals were assigned to one of three different recruitment maneuvers, targeted to maximal airway pressure of 30\u2009cm H2O: 1) continuous positive airway pressure for 30 seconds (CPAP-30); 2) stepwise airway pressure increase (5\u2009cm H2O/step, 8.5 s at each step) over 51 seconds (STEP-51) to achieve a pressure-time product similar to that of CPAP-30; and 3) stepwise airway pressure increase (5\u2009cm H2O/step, 5 s at each step) over 30 seconds with maximum pressure sustained for a further 30 seconds (STEP-30/30). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All recruitment maneuvers reduced static lung elastance independent of acute lung injury etiology. In pulmonary acute lung injury, CPAP-30 yielded lower surfactant protein-B and higher type III procollagen expressions compared with STEP-30/30. In extrapulmonary acute lung injury, CPAP-30 and STEP-30/30 increased vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression, but the type of recruitment maneuver did not influence messenger ribonucleic acid expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products, surfactant protein-B, type III procollagen, and pro-caspase 3. CONCLUSIONS: CPAP-30 worsened markers of potential epithelial cell damage in pulmonary acute lung injury, whereas both CPAP-30 and STEP-30/30 yielded endothelial injury in extrapulmonary acute lung injury. In both acute lung injury groups, recruitment maneuvers improved respiratory mechanics, but stepwise recruitment maneuver without sustained airway pressure appeared to associate with less biological impact on lungs

Protective effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on lung function and remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a novel phosphodiesterase 4 and 5 inhibitor, LASSBio596, with that of dexamethasone in a murine model of chronic asthma. Lung mechanics (airway resistance, viscoelastic pressure, and static elastance), histology, and airway and lung parenchyma remodeling (quantitative analysis of collagen and elastic fiber) were analyzed. Thirty-three BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups. In the asthma group (N = 9), mice were immunized with 10 µg ovalbumin (OVA, ip) on 7 alternate days, and after day 40 they were challenged with three intratracheal instillations of 20 µg OVA at 3-day intervals. Control mice (N = 8) received saline under the same protocol. In the dexamethasone (N = 8) and LASSBio596 (N = 8) groups, the animals of the asthma group were treated with 1 mg/kg dexamethasone disodium phosphate (0.1 mL, ip) or 10 mg/kg LASSBio596 dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (0.2 mL, ip) 24 h before the first intratracheal instillation of OVA, for 8 days. Airway resistance, viscoelastic pressure and static elastance increased significantly in the asthma group (77, 56, and 76%, respectively) compared to the control group. The asthma group presented more intense alveolar collapse, bronchoconstriction, and eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration than the control group. Both LASSBio596 and dexamethasone inhibited the changes in lung mechanics, tissue cellularity, bronchoconstriction, as well as airway and lung parenchyma remodeling. In conclusion, LASSBio596 at a dose of 10 mg/kg effectively prevented lung mechanical and morphometrical changes and had the potential to block fibroproliferation in a BALB/c mouse model of asthma