87 research outputs found
Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence imaging in a case of photic maculopathy
No full textHerein we describe the characteristics of scanning laser ophthalmoscope imaging (SLO), and particularly of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence modality (IRAF), in photic maculopathy. IRAF visualizes selectively the melanin granules contained in the cells of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), which are normally localized in the apical portion of RPE cells, a favorite target of the photic damage to the retina. In the present work we report a three-month follow-up of a case of photic maculopathy, showing that the retinal alterations found by IRAF precisely matched the retinal anomalies found by macular optical coherence tomography, and had a parallel evolution. We think that IRAF could represent a useful imaging modality, together with more conventional imaging, in the management of photic maculopathy
Voltammetric Characterization and Quantification of the Cocaine Analog Nitracaine
No full textSynthetic cocaine analogs are designer drugs that recently emerged as non-controlled substitutes for their parent drug. Among them, nitracaine is of particular concern for its psychoactive effect. In this work, we present a thorough characterization of the electrochemical behavior of nitracaine, with a final quantification performed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in ethanol/lithium perchlorate 0.1 M. The selectivity of the method and reproducibility of results were assessed. LOQ of
0.3 μgmL 1 and a linear dynamic range of up to 400 μgmL 1 were obtained. In addition, recoveries from 85 % to 101% were achieved on both simulated and real samples. For nitracaine analysis in urine, a clean-up and a preconcentration step by solid phase extraction (SPE) using the adsorbent Florisil have been developed and optimized through the Design of Experiments (DoE) strategy, thus achieving an enrichment factor of 20
Intervention review. Corticosteroids for the long-term treatment in multiple sclerosis
No full textBackground: Short term high dose corticosteroid treatment improves symptoms and short term disability after an acute exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS) but it is unknown whether its long-term use can reduce the accumulation of disability.Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of long-term corticosteroid use in MS.Search strategy: We searched the following bibliographic databases: CENTRAL (Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2007) and EMBASE (1980 to February 2007). In an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials we searched reference lists and contacted trial authors and one pharmaceutical company.Selection criteria: We considered controlled, randomised trials (RCTs), with or without blinding, of long term treatment (i.e. longer than 6 months) of any type of corticosteroid in MS, irrespective of disease course.Data collection and analysis: Reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information.Main results: Three trials, all classified at high risk of bias, contributed to this review (Miller 1961; BPSM 1995; Zivadinov 2001) resulting in a total of 183 participants (91 treated). Corticosteroid therapy did not reduce the risk of being worse at the end of follow-up (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26 to 1.02) but there was a substantial heterogeneity between studies (I(2): 78.4%). I. v. periodic high dose methylprednisolone (MP) was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of disability progression at 5 years in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.66), while oral continuous low dose prednisolone was not associated with any risk reduction in disability progression at 18 months (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.43 to 3.56). Risk of experiencing at least one exacerbation at end of follow-up was not significantly reduced with corticosteroid treatment (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.10 to 1.25).Only one study recorded adverse events: in one patient i. v. MP was discontinued after the fourth pulse when he developed acute glomerulonephritis; a second patient was removed from the study after the fifth i. v. MP pulse because of severe osteoporosis.Authors' conclusions: There is no enough evidence that long-term corticosteroid treatment delays progression of long term disability in patients with MS. Since one study at high risk of bias showed that the administration of pulsed high dose i. v. MP is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of long term disability progression in patients with RR MS, an adequately powered, high quality RCT is needed to investigate this finding.Plain language summaryThe long-term use of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids for treating multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. It results in episodes of neurological deficit which recover (relapses) as well as accumulation of sustained disability with the passage of time. Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs. It is postulated that long-term use of steroids may reduce the accumulation of disability. The reviewers found three studies addressing this issue. A meta-analysis showed a trend towards a beneficial effect of long-term corticosteroids on accumulation of disability; however only two small studies contributed to this result. It was not possible to reliably comment on the effect of long-term corticosteroids on the frequency of relapses. Side effects were poorly documented. Therefore rigorous randomised controlled trials of this treatment are warranted
Chromatographic measurement of 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase activity reveals that edaravone can mitigate the formation of quinolinic acid through a direct enzyme inhibition
No full textHerein it is reported the development and application of two chromatographic assays for the measurement of the activity of 3-Hydroxyanthranilate-3,4-dioxygenase (3HAO). Such an enzyme converts 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) to 2-amino-3-carboxymuconic semialdehyde (ACMS), which undergo a spontaneous, non-enzymatic cyclization to produce quinolinic acid (QUIN). The enzyme activity was measured by quantitation of the substrate consumption over time either with spectrophotometric (UV) or mass spectrometric (MS) detection upon reversed-phase chromatographic separation. MS detection resulted more selective and sensitive, but less accurate and precise. However, both methods have sufficient sensitivity to allow the measurement of enzyme activity with consistent results compared to literature data. Since MS detection allowed less sample consumption it was used to calculate the kinetics parameters (i.e., Vmax and Kd) of recombinant 3HAO. Another MS-based method was then developed to measure the amount of QUIN produced, revealing an incomplete conversion of 3HAA to QUIN. As suggested by previous studies, the enzyme activity was apparently sensitive to the redox state of the enzyme thiols. In fact, thiol reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH), can alter the enzyme activity although the investigation on the exact mechanism involved in such effect was beyond the scope of the research. Interestingly, edaravone (EDA) induced an in vitro suppression of QUIN production through direct, competitive 3HAO inhibition. EDA is a molecule approved for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease associated with an increase of QUIN concentrations in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Although EDA was reported to mitigate ALS progression its mode of action is still largely unknown. Some studies reported antioxidant and radical scavenger properties of EDA, but none confirm a direct activity as 3HAO enzyme inhibitor. Since QUIN is reported to be a neurotoxic metabolite, 3HAO inhibition can contribute to the beneficial effect of EDA in ALS, although such a mechanism must be then confirmed in vivo. However, EDA might be a convenient scaffold for the design of selective 3HAO inhibitors with potential applications in ALS treatment
Dynamic imaging of accommodation by swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography
No full textPURPOSE: To study the accommodation process in normal eyes using a commercially available clinical system based on swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).
SETTING: Ophthalmology Department, University of Parma, Italy.
DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic technology.
METHODS: Right eyes were analyzed using swept-source AS-OCT (Casia SS-1000). The optical vergence of the internal coaxial fixation target was adjusted during imaging to obtain monocular accommodation stimuli with different amplitudes (0, 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0 diopters [D]). Overlapping of real and conjugate OCT images enabled imaging of all the anterior segment optical surfaces in a single frame. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and lens thickness were extracted from the OCT scans acquired at different static accommodation stimulus amplitudes. The crystalline lens was analyzed dynamically during accommodation and disaccommodation by acquiring sequential OCT images of the anterior segment at a rate of 8 frames per second. The lens thickness was extracted from the temporal sequence of OCT images and plotted as a function of time.
RESULTS: The study analyzed 14 eyes of 14 subjects aged 18 to 46 years. During accommodation, the decrease in the ACD was statistically significant (P < .05), as were the increase in the lens thick- ness (P < .001) and the slight movement forward of the lens central point (P < .01). The CCT and anterior chamber width measurements did not change statistically significantly during accommo- dation. The lens thickness at 0 D was positively correlated with age (P < .01).
CONCLUSION: High-resolution real-time imaging and biometry of the accommodating anterior segment can be effectively performed using a commercially available swept-source AS-OCT clinical device
Green roofs: Performance of native plant species in a multifunctional perspective for the mitigation of impacts in urban environments
No full textResearch in landscape planning highlights the benefits of urban green systems' ecosystem services, and the need for integrated approaches to urban green planning that can adapt to different local conditions worldwide. Green roofs can reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and manage stormwater: research indicates that plant selection and substrate management are crucial for optimizing these performances. However, relatively few works have studied the effects of combined factors on the growth of native medicinal plants suitable for low-maintenance, multi-purpose urban GRs. Filling this gap is essential to increase the knowledge for an integrated approach to urban planning. This study performed an interdisciplinary, multi-factorial evaluation of the performances of three native medicinal forbs suitable for urban GRs: Trifolium repens, Melissa officinalis, and Hypericum perforatum. They were grown on experimental GR modules, comparing single-species vs. mixed-species cultivation, and chemical fertilizers vs. mycorrhizal bio-stimulants. Biomass, cover ratio, chlorophyll content, and metabolite production were measured. Results showed that these species can be effective for sustainable management of GRs: T. repens and M. officinalis may enhance multi-purpose GR's functionality, due to their production of secondary metabolites in quantities comparable to those of plants grown using other cultivation methods, while the fast growth and uniform cover of T. repens make it suitable for extensive green roofs, if properly managed. Mycorrhizal bio-stimulation was also effective on M. officinalis and H. perforatum growth, although to a lesser extent than chemical fertilization. Overall, the results proved that low-maintenance, native medicinal plants can perform well on GRs, provide sustainable, multifunctional solutions, and produce useful quantities of secondary metabolites
Illness TB / HIV: the effects of sense from the perspective of discursive coinfected individuals in a municipality in the state of São Paulo
No full textThis is a qualitative based study, supported by methodological theoretical framework
Speech Analysis of French Matrix, which seeks to understand these production
processesin the relation of langua get o the historical and social externality of the
subject. The study aimed to analyze the senses produced by the disease processin
patients with TB/HIV. This proposal was developed with patients using the Care Center
of Chronicle Infections of a city in the São Paulo state. The data collection was divided
into two stages :the first stage was collected by the multi-professional team, through the
Book of Registration and Monitoring of Tuberculosis Cases Treatment, the National
Disease Reporting Information System(Sinan), TBWEB and socio demographic data in
order to characterize the subjects of this investigation. In the second stage individual
interviews were conductedwith06TB /HIV co-infected patients; the interviews were
semi-structured and audio-recorded. The transcriptions were organized with
ATLAS.ti7software feature, which facilitated the organization of empirical data. The
results of this research demonstrate that some subject sin the interview and patient
position assume a standard circulating conception in society, in which HIV is
inextricably linked torisky behaviors (drug use and unprotected sex) that propitiate
infection by this virus. In addition, was possible to observet he importance of the link
between the patient and the health professional in strengthening and continuity of
treatment. Considering the above, there is the need to strengthen the recommendations
by the Health Ministry about the co-infection TB /HIV using health strategies or actions
not only to patients and health professionals, but also t of families and care givers of
these patients.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Trata-se de um estudo com a abordagem qualitativa, sustentado no referencial teórico
metodológico Análise de Discurso de matriz francesa, o qual busca compreender os
processos de produção de sentidos na relação da língua com a exterioridade histórica e
social do sujeito. O estudo teve como objetivo analisar os sentidos produzidos pelo
processo de adoecimento em doentes com TB/HIV. Esta proposta foi desenvolvida com
pacientes que perpassam pelo Centro de Atendimento de Infecções Crônicas de um
município do interior do Estado de São Paulo. A coleta de dados dividiu-se em duas
etapas: A primeira etapa foi coletada junto a equipe multiprofissional, por meio do
Livro de Registro e Acompanhamento de Tratamento de Casos de Tuberculose, ao
Sistema de Informação de Notificação de Agravos Nacional (Sinan), do TBWEB, dados
sócios demográficos a fim de caracterizar os sujeitos desta investigação. Na segunda
etapa foram realizadas entrevistas individuais com os 06 sujeitos coinfectados TB/HIV,
sendo estas semiestruturadas e áudio-gravadas. As transcrições foram organizadas com
recurso do software ATLAS.ti 7, o qual facilitou a organização dos dados empíricos. Os
resultados desta investigação demonstram que alguns sujeitos na posição de
entrevistados e doentes, assumem uma concepção padrão circulante na sociedade, na
qual o HIV está intrinsecamente ligado a comportamentos de risco (uso de drogas e
relações sexuais sem proteção) que propiciam a infecção por este vírus. Além disso, foi
possível observar a importância do vínculo entre o doente e o profissional de saúde, no
fortalecimento e continuidade do tratamento. Diante do exposto, há necessidade do
fortalecimento das recomendações pelo Ministério da Saúde acerca da co-infecção TB /
HIV utilizando-se de estratégias ou ações de saúde voltadas não somente aos doentes e
profissionais da saúde, mas também aos familiares e cuidadores desses doentes
PRIME OSSERVAZIONI SULL'AZIONE DEI LIEVITI NELLE LEUCEMIE
No full text Leukemic myelocytes and lymphocytes can undergo « in vitro » severe alterations when kept in contact with some strains of yeasts The changes are briefly described. The intravenous treatment with such yeasts seems to benefit the course of the myeloid and lymphatic chronic leukemia. The present experiments may be related with the preceding studies of the Author on specific antagonism of some yeasts to cancer cells. </jats:p
International perspectives and initiatives
No full textThis article introduces a new column which will explore the way different regions and nation states are dealing with the challenges of managing health information. The intention is to draw together trends which are relevant to both health science librarians and health informatics professionals. This inaugural piece maps out the territory. It provides a rationale for the column, along with evidence of current initiatives to articulate a global perspective on the application of communication and information technologies to health information
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