Nerve fiber layer in glaucomatous hemifield loss: a case-control study with time- and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer measurements with time-domain (TD) and spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to test the diagnostic ability of both technologies in glaucomatous patients with asymmetric visual hemifield loss. Methods: 36 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with visual field loss in one hemifield (affected) and absent loss in the other (non-affected), and 36 age-matched healthy controls had the study eye imaged with Stratus-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, California, USA) and 3 D OCT-1000 (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer measurements and normative classification were recorded. Total deviation values were averaged in each hemifield (hemifield mean deviation) for each subject. Visual field and retinal nerve fiber layer "asymmetry indexes" were calculated as the ratio between affected versus non-affected hemifields and corresponding hemiretinas. Results: Retinal nerve fiber layer measurements in non-affected hemifields (mean [SD] 87.0 [17.1] mu m and 84.3 [20.2] mu m, for TD and SD-OCT, respectively) were thinner than in controls (119.0 [12.2] mu m and 117.0 [17.7] mu m, P<0.001). The optical coherence tomography normative database classified 42% and 67% of hemiretinas corresponding to non-affected hemifields as abnormal in TD and SD-OCT, respectively (P=0.01). Retinal nerve fiber layer measurements were consistently thicker with TD compared to SD-OCT. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness asymmetry index was similar in TD (0.76 [0.17]) and SD-OCT (0.79 [0.12]) and significantly greater than the visual field asymmetry index (0.36 [0.20], P<0.001). Conclusions: Normal hemifields of glaucoma patients had thinner retinal nerve fiber layer than healthy eyes, as measured by TD and SD-OCT. Retinal nerve fiber layer measurements were thicker with TD than SD-OCT. SD-OCT detected abnormal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness more often than TD-OCT.

Relação entre violência física, consumo de álcool e outras drogas e bullying entre adolescentes escolares brasileiros

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a associação entre o consumo de álcool e outras drogas e o bullying com o envolvimento em situações de violência física entre adolescentes de 13 a 15 anos, em escolas públicas e privadas das capitais brasileiras e do Distrito Federal. Foram analisados os dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) de 2009. Para análise dos dados foi utilizada a regressão logística. A prevalência de envolvimento em situações de violência física foi 12,9% maior no sexo masculino. Em ambos os sexos, foram observadas associações entre violência física e ser vítima de bullying com o uso de drogas ilícitas e efeito potencializado do consumo de álcool e drogas. Para o sexo masculino, o uso de álcool mostrou associação significante com violência física. Morar o pai ou ambos os genitores na residência apresentou associação inversa para violência física no sexo feminino. O conhecimento de fatores associados à violência física entre adolescentes é importante para auxiliar estratégias de promoção da saúde e da cultura de paz, rompendo com a ideia de que a violência entre adolescentes é algo banal e esperado.

Acidentes e violência na infância: evidências do inquérito sobre atendimentos de emergência por causas externas - Brasil, 2009

Compreender as características e a magnitude das causas externas (acidentes e violência) em crianças de 0 a 9 anos de idade torna-se cada vez mais importante em Saúde Pública. O objetivo do presente artigo foi analisar os atendimentos de emergência por causas externas em crianças. Utilizaram-se dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes em Serviços Sentinelas de Urgência e Emergência (Inquérito VIVA), realizado em 74 serviços de urgência do Distrito Federal e 23 capitais no ano 2009. Analisaram-se dados de 7.123 crianças: 6.897 (96,7%) vítimas de acidentes e 226 (3,3%) de violência. Em comparação às vítimas de violência, os atendimentos por acidentes foram mais frequentes entre crianças de 2 a 5 anos, de pele branca e ocorridos no domicílio (p < 0,05). Dentre os acidentes, as quedas e queimaduras predominaram no grupo de 0 a 1 ano, enquanto os acidentes de transporte foram mais frequentes no grupo de 6 a 9 anos (p < 0,001). Quanto às violências, atendimentos por negligência e agressão física predominaram, respectivamente, nos grupos extremos de faixa etária, sendo um familiar identificado como agressor (p < 0,001). Informações sobre ocorrência de causas externas em crianças podem apoiar políticas de promoção da saúde, além de orientar profissionais de saúde, educadores e famílias na prevenção destas causas.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Europium(III) Pentakis(picrate) Complexes with Imidazolium Countercations: Structural and Photoluminescence Study

Six new lanthanide complexes of stoichiometric formula (C)(2)[Ln(Pic)(5)]-where (C) is a imidazolium cation coming from the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium picrate (BMIm-Pic), 1-butyl-3-ethylimidazolium picrate (BEIm-Pic), and 1,3-dibutylimidazolium picrate (BBIm-Pic), and Ln is Eu(III) or Gd(III) ions-have been prepared and characterized. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first cases of Ln(III) pentakis(picrate) complexes. The crystal structures of (BEIm)(2)[Eu(Pic)(5)] and (BBIm)(2)[Eu(Pic)(5)] compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The [Eu(Pic)(5)](2-) polyhedra have nine oxygen atoms coordinated to the Eu(III) ion, four oxygen atoms from bidentate picrate, and one oxygen atom from monodentate picrate. The structures of the Eu complexes were also calculated using the sparkle model for lanthanide complexes, allowing an analysis of intramolecular energy transfer processes in the coordination compounds. The photoluminescence properties of the Eu(III) complexes were then studied experimentally and theoretically, leading to a rationalization of their emission quantum yields.

Tb3+-> Eu3+ Energy Transfer in Mixed-Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks

In this work, we report a theoretical and experimental investigation of the energy transfer mechanism in two isotypical 2D coordination polymers, (infinity)[(Tb1-xEux)(DPA)(HDPA)], where H(2)DPA is pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and x = 0.05 or 0.50. Emission spectra of (infinity)[(Tb0.95Eu0.05)(DPA)(HDPA)] and (infinity)[(Tb0.5Eu0.5)(DPA)(HDPA)], (I) and (2), show that the high quenching effect on Tb3+ emission caused by Eu3+ ion indicates an efficient Tb3+-> Eu3+ energy transfer (ET). The k(ET) of Tb3+-> Eu3+ ET and rise rates (k(r)) of Eu3+ as a function of temperature for (1) are on the same order of magnitude, indicating that the sensitization of the Eu3+5D0 level is highly fed by ET from the D-5(4) level of Tb3+ ion. The eta(ET) and R-0 values vary in the 67-79% and 7.15 to 7.93 angstrom ranges. Hence, Tb3+ is enabled to transfer efficiently to Eu3+ that can occupy the possible sites at 6.32 and 6.75 angstrom. For (2), the ET processes occur on average with eta(ET) and R-0 of 97% and 31 angstrom, respectively. Consequently, Tb3+ ion is enabled to transfer energy to Eu3+ localized at different layers. The theoretical model developed by Malta was implemented aiming to insert more insights about the dominant mechanisms involved in the ET between lanthanides ions. Calculated single Tb3+-> Eu3+ ETs are three orders of magnitude inferior to those experimentally; however, it can be explained by the theoretical model that does not consider the role of phonon assistance in the Ln(3+)-> Ln(3+) ET processes. In addition, the Tb3+-> Eu3+ ET processes are predominantly governed by dipole-dipole (d-d) and dipole-quadrupole (d-q) mechanisms.

The local environment of Co2+ ions intercalated in vanadium oxide/hexadecylamine nanotubes

Vanadium oxide nanotubes constitute promising materials for applications in nanoelectronics as cathode materials, in sensor technology and in catalysis. In this work we present a study on hybrid vanadium oxide/hexadecylamine multiwall nanotubes doped with Co ions using state of the art x-ray diffraction and absorption techniques, to address the issue of the dopant location within the nanotubes' structure. The x-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis shows that the Co ions in the nanotubes are in the 2+ oxidation state, while extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy reveals the local environment of the Co2+ ions. Results indicate that Co atoms are exchanged at the interface between the vanadium oxide's layers and the hexadecylamines, reducing the amount of amine chains and therefore the interlayer distance, but preserving the tubular shape. The findings in this work are important for describing Co2+ interaction with vanadium oxide nanotubes at the molecular level and will help to improve the understanding of their physicochemical behavior, which is desired in view of their promising applications.

Down-conversion process in Tb3+-Yb3+ co-doped Calibo glasses

The down-conversion process in Tb3+-Yb3+ co-doped Calibo glasses was studied. The emission, excitation and time-resolved measurements indicated the existence of an energy conversion through the excitation of Tb3+ ions to near-infrared emission by Yb3+ ions. The emission intensity dependence on excitation power confirms that the one-photon process is responsible for the Yb3+ emission. An enhanced Yb3+ emission was observed with Yb3+ doping and an optimal energy transfer efficiency of 32% was obtained before reaching near-infrared emission quenching. The mechanism of the non-resonant energy transfer from Tb3+ to Yb3+ is discussed in terms of the Tb3+-Yb3+ cross-relaxation and multiphonon decay processes. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1,3-Azoles from ortho-naphthoquinones: Synthesis of aryl substituted imidazoles and oxazoles and their potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Twenty-three naphthoimidazoles and six naphthoxazoles were synthesised and evaluated against susceptible and rifampicin- and isoniazid-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Among all the compounds evaluated, fourteen presented MIC values in the range of 0.78 to 6.25 mu g/mL against susceptible and resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, Five structures were solved by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These substances are promising antimycobacterial prototypes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distribution of QPY and RAH haplotypes of granzyme B gene in distinct Brazilian populations

Introduction: The cytolysis mediated by granules is one of the most important effector functions of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Recently, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified at exons 2, 3, and 5 of the granzyme B gene, resulting in a haplotype in which three amino acids of mature protein Q48P88Y245 are changed to R48A88H245, which leads to loss of cytotoxic activity of the protein. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of these polymorphisms in Brazilian populations. Methods: We evaluated the frequency of these polymorphisms in Brazilian ethnic groups (white, Afro-Brazilian, and Asian) by sequencing these regions. Results: The allelic and genotypic frequencies of SNP 2364A/G at exon 2 in Afro-Brazilian individuals (42.3% and 17.3%) were significantly higher when compared with those in whites and Asians (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0007, respectively). The polymorphisms 2933C/G and 4243C/T also were more frequent in Afro-Brazilians but without any significant difference regarding the other groups. The Afro-Brazilian group presented greater diversity of haplotypes, and the RAH haplotype seemed to be more frequent in this group (25%), followed by the whites (20.7%) and by the Asians (11.9%), similar to the frequency presented in the literature. Conclusions: There is a higher frequency of polymorphisms in Afro-Brazilians, and the RAH haplotype was more frequent in these individuals. We believe that further studies should aim to investigate the correlation of this haplotype with diseases related to immunity mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes, and if this correlation is confirmed, novel treatment strategies might be elaborated.

Acute hepatitis C virus infection assessment among chronic hemodialysis patients in the Southwest Parana State, Brazil

Abstract Background Chronic hemodialysis patients are at higher risk for acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV). The prevalence varies among different countries and hemodialysis centers. Although guidelines for a comprehensive infection control program exist, the nosocomial transmission still accounts for the new cases of infection. The aim of this study was analyze the follow up of newly acquired acute hepatitis C cases, during the period from January 2002 to May 2005, in the Hemodialysis Center, located in the Southwest region of Parana State, Brazil and to analyze the effectiveness of the measures to restrain the appearance of new cases of acute hepatitis C. Methods Patients were analyzed monthly with anti-HCV tests and ALT measurements. Patients with ALT elevations were monitored for possible acute hepatitis C. Results During this period, 32 new cases were identified with acute hepatitis C virus infection. Blood screening showed variable ALT levels preceding the anti-HCV seroconversion. HCV RNA viremia by PCR analysis was intermittently and even negative in some cases. Ten out of 32 patients received 1 mcg/kg dose of pegylated interferon alfa-2b treatment for 24 weeks. All dialysis personnel were re-trained to strictly follow the regulations and recommendations regarding infection control, proper methods to clean and disinfect equipment were reviewed and HCV-positive patients were isolated. Conclusion Laboratory tests results showed variable ALT preceding anti-HCV seroconversion and intermittent viremia. The applied recommendations contributed importantly to restrain the appearance of new cases of acute hepatitis C in this center and the last case was diagnosed in May 2004.

CD3e expression in HTLV-1-infected individuals is associated with proviral load and Tax expression

Financial support: FUNDHERP, CTC, INCTC, FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES.

Management of diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Brazil – the Brazilian study on the practice of diabetes care

Abstract Background The Brazilian Study on the Practice of Diabetes Care main objective was to provide an epidemiological profile of individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in Brazil, concerning therapy and adherence to international guidelines in the medical practice. Methods This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study collected and analyzed data from individuals with type 1 and 2 DM attending public or private clinics in Brazil. Each investigator included the first 10 patients with type 2 DM who visited his/her office, and the first 5 patients with type 1 DM. Results A total of 1,358 patients were analyzed; 375 (27.6%) had type 1 and 983 (72.4%) had type 2 DM. Most individuals were women, Caucasian, and private health care users. High prevalence rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia and central obesity were observed, particularly in type 2 DM. Only 7.3% and 5.1% of the individuals with types 1 and 2 DM, respectively, had optimal control of blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipids. The absence of hypertension and female sex were associated with better control of type 1 DM and other cardiovascular risk factors. In type 2 DM, older age was also associated with better control. Conclusions Female sex, older age, and absence of hypertension were associated with better metabolic control. An optimal control of plasma glucose and other cardiovascular risk factors are obtained only in a minority of individuals with diabetes. Local numbers, compared to those from other countries are worse.

HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence and coinfection rate in Brazilian first-time blood donors: an 11-year follow-up

The seroprevalence and geographic distribution of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors are extremely important to transfusion services. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among first-time blood donor candidates in Ribeirão Preto city and region. From January 2000 to December 2010, 1,038,489 blood donations were obtained and 301,470 were first-time blood donations. All samples were screened with serological tests for HTLV-1/2 using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In addition, the frequency of coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Chagas disease (CD) and syphilis was also determined. In-house PCR was used as confirmatory test for HTLV-1/2. A total of 296 (0.1%) first-time donors were serologically reactive for HTLV-1/2. Confirmatory PCR of 63 samples showed that 28 were HTLV-1 positive, 13 HTLV-2 positive, 19 negative and three indeterminate. Regarding HTLV coinfection rates, the most prevalent was with HBV (51.3%) and HCV (35.9%), but coinfection with HIV, CD and syphilis was also detected. The real number of HTLV-infected individual and coinfection rate in the population is underestimated and epidemiological studies like ours are very informative.

HIV-1 tropism and CD4 T lymphocyte recovery in a prospective cohort of patients initiating HAART in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

While human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 chemokine co-receptors 5 tropism and the GWGR motif in the envelope third variable region (V3 loop) have been associated with a slower disease progression, their influence on antiretroviral response remains unclear. The impact of baseline V3 characteristics on treatment response was evaluated in a randomised, double blind, prospective cohort study with patients initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy with lopinavir or efavirenz plus azithothymidine/3TC (1:1) over 48 weeks. Similar virological and immunological responses were observed for both treatment regimens. The 43 individuals had a mean baseline CD4 T cell count of 119 cells/mm³ [standard deviation (SD) = 99] and a mean viral load of 5.09 log10 copies/mL (SD = 0.49). The GWGR motif was not associated with a CD4 T cell response, but predicted R5 tropism by the geno2pheno[clinical20%] algorithm correlated with higher CD4 T cell levels at all monitoring points (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher false-positive rates (FPR) values from this analysis revealed a strong correlation with CD4 T cell recovery (p < 0.0001). Transmitted drug resistance mutations, documented in 3/41 (7.3%) cases, were unrelated to the assigned antiretroviral regimen and had no impact on patient outcomes. In conclusion, naÏve HIV-1 R5 infected patients exhibited higher CD4 T cell counts at baseline; this difference was sustained throughout therapy. The geno2pheno[clinical] option FPR positively correlated with CD4 T cell gain and may be useful in predicting CD4 T cell recovery.