Pupil size following dark adaptation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

According to the equivalent light hypothesis, molecular defects in the photoreceptor lead to a continuous activation of the photoreceptor cascade in a manner equivalent to real light. the consequences in diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are as disruptive to the cells as real light. Two forms of the equivalent light hypothesis can be distinguished: strong - mutations in rhodopsin or other cascade proteins in some forms of RP continuously excite the visual phototransduction cascade, weak - disruption of outer segments in all patients with RP eliminates circulating dark current and blocks neurotransmitter release in a manner similar to real light. Both forms of the equivalent light hypothesis predict that pupils of patients with RP will be constricted like those of normal subjects in the light. the purpose of this study was to test the equivalent light hypothesis by determining whether steady-state pupil diameter following full dark adaptation is abnormally small in any of a sample of patients with RP. Thirty-five patients with RP and 15 normal subjects were tested. Direct steady-state pupillometric measures were obtained from one eye in a full-field dome after 45 min of dark adaptation by videotaping the pupil with an infrared camera. Mean pupil diameter in the dark was comparable (t = -0.15. P = 0.88) between patients with RP (6.85 +/- 0.58 min) and normal subjects (6.82 +/- 0.76 mm). the results of the present study are clearly counter to the prediction of the second (weaker) form of the equivalent light hypothesis.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Oftalmol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, SP, BrazilRetina Fdn SW, Dallas, TX USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Oftalmol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Continuous monitoring of a transesterification reaction using an analytical balance

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOAn electronic analytical balance was used to monitor a transesterification reaction through density variations. To test the proposed system, we studied how the transesterification reaction was influenced by: (i) the addition of methanol to the oil ; (ii)291200204CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçãoThe authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (CNPq) for financial support and the Students Assistance Service (SAE) of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) for the scholarship granted to A. G. O.

Benefits from using an ankle-foot orthosis in children with myelomeningocele

Myelomeningocele (MMC) or spina bifida is a defect of the neural tube in which the spinal cord, its envelopes (meninges), and vertebral arches develop abnormally in the beginning of gestation, and owing to this failure of closure there appear a series of congenital defects and associated comorbidies, impairing in several aspects the functioning of the life of children with MMC. The congenital clubfoot has been found the most common orthopaedic anomaly in patientswith MMC. The ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is an orthopaedic device commonly used by these children to minimize the sequelae caused by this anomaly. Objective: Identify the functional benefits brought about by the use of the AFO to children with MMC, as reported by their guardians. Method: Descriptive, transversal study. Convenience sample consisting of 25 guardians of children with MMC who were using/had used an AFO. Results: Eighty percent of the guardians have reported at least one benefit brought about by the use of theAFO, among them: improvement in foot position (68%), foot growth (40%), improvement in foot balance (32%), and balance sitting position (15%). Conclusion: The use of the AFO by children with MMC can provide several benefits reported by their guardians.

Infestação de plantas espontâneas em cultivo de café solteiro ou consorciado com banana em sistema agroecológico.

bitstream/item/69051/1/062-germani-infestacao.pdfPublicado também no Cadernos de Agroecologia, v. 7, n.2, 2012

Geographic Distribution, Key Challenges and Prospects for the Conservation of Threatened Stingless Bee Melipona capixaba Moure e Camargo (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The stingless bee Melipona capixaba Moure and Camargo, 1994 is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Its occurrence is restricted to highlands in the Espírito Santo State, and it has possibly the smallest known geographic distribution among the cataloged stingless bees. It is therefore considered to be an endangered species. Perhaps because of its small area of occurrence, or because it was only identified two decades ago, little is known about the biology of this species, its current geographic distribution, or its actual preservation status. Here, we present the results from the largest sampling of M. capixaba conducted in its natural habitat. We developed a distribution map by using a geographic information system. Our data indicate that M. capixaba is found in the municipalities of Espírito Santo State at altitudes between 800 m and 1,200 m; with annual average temperatures around 18–23°C; precipitation more than 1,200 mm per year; and vegetation cover-type Mountain Dense Ombrophylous Forest, restricted to an area of approximately 3,450 km2. We observed colonies both in their natural habitat and under conditions of ex situ maintenance, and identified the key challenges and prospects for the conservation of this endangered bee

Influence of water and ultraviolet irradiation on the induction period of the oxidation of biodiesel

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Biodiesel degrades due to oxidative processes, causing a decrease in its quality. In the present work, it has been clearly shown that the incidence of ultraviolet radiation on biodiesels obtained from soy, canola, linseed and microalgae oils initiate oxidative processes which lead to the decrease in the induction period (IP) of the fuel. The influence of the residual water content of the same biodiesels on the oxidation process was also investigated with and without the incidence of ultraviolet radiation. Between 190 and 850 ppm of water in the biodiesel and without UV irradiation, no significant change in the IP values was observed under the experimental conditions.Biodiesel degrades due to oxidative processes, causing a decrease in its quality. In the present work, it has been clearly shown that the incidence of ultraviolet radiation on biodiesels obtained from soy, canola, linseed and microalgae oils initiate oxid284676680FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)sem informaçãosem informaçãoThe authors are grateful to CNPq for financial support and to Dr. Fabio Batista (EXTRAE-UNICAMP) who graciously provided the microalgae oi

Densidade e volume total de poros do solo cultivado com adubos verdes perenes consorciados com a bananeira em um sistema sob transição agroecológica em Mato Grosso do Sul.

bitstream/item/68859/1/041-carneiro-densidade.pdfPublicado também no Cadernos de Agroecologia, v. 7, n.2, 2012

Macro e microporosidade do solo cultivado com adubos verdes perenes consorciados com a bananeira em um sistema sob transição agroecológica em Mato Grosso do Sul.

bitstream/item/69053/1/066-carneiro-macro.pdfPublicado também no Cadernos de Agroecologia, v. 7, n.2, 2012

Variações diurnas da emissão de CO2, temperatura e umidade do solo sobre diferentes manejos pós-colheita da cana-de-açúcar.

bitstream/item/69062/1/098-moitinho-variacoes.pdfPublicado também no Cadernos de Agroecologia, v. 7, n.2, 2012

Binary blends of biodiesel from macauba (acromia aculeata) kernel oil with other biodiesels

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOMacauba is a palm tree which provides large amount of oil. Particularly its oil from the kernel presents excellent stability to oxidation as it is mainly constituted by saturated organic chains. This stability is inherited by the biodiesel prepared with t292240247CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO404808/2013-1The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq (404808/2013-1) for the financial support. The authors would also like to thank Gustavo Giraldi Shimamoto for monitoring the biodiesel synthesis reactio