Natural occurrence of Zoophthora radicans (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) on Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Heteroptera: Thaumastocoridae), an invasive pest recently found in Brazil

Occurrence of Zoophthora radicans infecting nymphs and adults of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero and Dellape, 2006 is reported in Brazil. This is a new record of host for this fungal species and the first fungal pathogen associated with this pest worldwide. Infection of Z. radicans on T. peregrinus populations on commercial Eucalyptus plantation (Eucalyptus spp.) reached up to 100%, and low insect densities were associated with high levels of fungal infection in three out of seven plots. This pathogen seems to be virulent against T. peregrinus and may play an important role in population regulations of this invasive pest through naturally induced epizootics. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differences in early biomechanical properties after myopic and hyperopic lasik using mechanical microkeratome Sub-Bowman's Keratomileusis (SBK)

Purpose: To evaluate biomechanical changes measured with the ORA (Ocular Response Analyzer (R); Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, New York, USA) after Lasik with the Moria One Use Plus and to compare the biomechanics changes after myopic and hyperopic ablations. Methods: Fourteeneyes for hyperopia (H) and 19 eyes for myopia (M) were evaluated with the ORA preoperatively and 1 month after Lasik with thin flap (100 microns) using SBK-OUP (Sub-Bowman Keratomileusis-One Use Plus, Moria (R)). CH (Corneal Hysteresis), CRF (Corneal Resistance Factor), IOPg (gold-standard, Goldmann correlated Intraocular pressure), IOPcc (Corneal compensated Intraocular pressure) and more 38 variables derived from the corneal biomechanical response signal of the ORA were analyzed. The Wilcoxon test was used to assess differences between the variables before and after surgery for each group and the differences between the pre and postoperative (1 month) myopic eyes were compared with those obtained in hyperopic eyes, using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was a significant difference before and after Lasik in myopic and hyperopic eyes in IOPg (Wilcoxon, p<0.05), but not in IOPcc. Only myopic eyes showed a significant difference in CH and CRF measurements before and after LASIK, as well as 9 other biomechanical parameters (aspect1, h1, dive1, path1, p1area1, W11, H11, and w2 path11; Wilcoxon, p<0, 05), 8 of these being related to the first sign of flattening. Five parameters related to the sign of the second applanation showed significant variation only in the eyes before and after hyperopic Lasik (aspect2, h2, dive2, mslew2 and H21; Wilcoxon, p<0,05). There was a difference in both myopic and hyperopic on three parameters related to the applanation signal areas (p1area, and p2area p2area1; Wilcoxon, p<0.05). Differences in IOPg and p1area, before and after surgery were significantly higher in myopic eyes than in hyperopic eyes (Mann-Whitey, p<0.05). Conclusion: There are several significant differences in biomechanical parameters after Lasik with Moria OUP_SBK. Overall, the impact of myopic LASIK on corneal biomechanics is higher than of hyperopic Lasik. The parameters derived from the first sign of the ORA are more affected in myopic LASIK, whereas parameters derived from the second applanation are more affected in hyperopic LASIK.

Rates of Change in the Visual Field and Optic Disc in Patients with Distinct Patterns of Glaucomatous Optic Disc Damage

Purpose: To investigate the rate of visual field and optic disc change in patients with distinct patterns of glaucomatous optic disc damage. Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Participants: A total of 131 patients with open-angle glaucoma with focal (n = 45), diffuse (n = 42), and sclerotic (n = 44) optic disc damage. Methods: Patients were examined every 4 months with standard automated perimetry (SAP, SITA Standard, 24-2 test, Humphrey Field Analyzer, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and confocal scanning laser tomography (CSLT, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) for a period of 4 years. During this time, patients were treated according to a predefined protocol to achieve a target intraocular pressure (IOP). Rates of change were estimated by robust linear regression of visual field mean deviation (MD) and global optic disc neuroretinal rim area with follow-up time. Main Outcome Measures: Rates of change in MD and rim area. Results: Rates of visual field change in patients with focal optic disc damage (mean -0.34, standard deviation [SD] 0.69 dB/year) were faster than in patients with sclerotic (mean - 0.14, SD 0.77 dB/year) and diffuse (mean + 0.01, SD 0.37 dB/year) optic disc damage (P = 0.003, Kruskal-Wallis). Rates of optic disc change in patients with focal optic disc damage (mean - 11.70, SD 25.5 x 10(-3) mm(2)/year) were faster than in patients with diffuse (mean -9.16, SD 14.9 x 10(-3) mm(2)/year) and sclerotic (mean -0.45, SD 20.6 x 10(-3) mm(2)/year) optic disc damage, although the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.11). Absolute IOP reduction from untreated levels was similar among the groups (P = 0.59). Conclusions: Patients with focal optic disc damage had faster rates of visual field change and a tendency toward faster rates of optic disc deterioration when compared with patients with diffuse and sclerotic optic disc damage, despite similar IOP reductions during follow-up. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references. Ophthalmology 2012; 119: 294-303 (C) 2012 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Development of nanoinjector devices for electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn)

In mass spectrometric (MS) systems with electrospray ionization (ESI), the sample can be analyzed coupled to separation systems (such as liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis) or simply by direct infusion. The greatest benefit of the type of injection is the possibility of continuous use of small amounts of samples over a long period of time. This extended analysis time allows a complete study of fragmentation by mass spectrometry, which is critical for structure elucidation of new compounds, or when using an ion trap mass analyzer. The injector filled with the sample is placed at the ESI source inlet creating an electric field suitable for the continuous formation of a spray (solvent and sample) and consequently, the gradual and even release of the sample. For the formation of the spray, is necessary that the injector end is metalized. The formation of a bilayer of titanium and gold provided an excellent attachment of the film, resulting in a nanoinjector for ionization/spray formation in the system for MS. The nanoinjectors showed high repeatability and stability over 100 min by continuous sampling with 10 µL of sample.

Effect of denture cleansers on metal ion release and surface roughness of denture base materials

Chemical disinfectants are usually associated with mechanical methods to remove stains and reduce biofilm formation. This study evaluated the effect of disinfectants on release of metal ions and surface roughness of commercially pure titanium, metal alloys, and heat-polymerized acrylic resin, simulating 180 immersion trials. Disk-shaped specimens were fabricated with commercially pure titanium (Tritan), nickel-chromium-molybdenum-titanium (Vi-Star), nickel-chromium (Fit Cast-SB Plus), and nickel-chromium-beryllium (Fit Cast-V) alloys. Each cast disk was invested in the flasks, incorporating the metal disk to the heat-polymerized acrylic resin. The specimens (n=5) were immersed in these solutions: sodium hypochlorite 0.05%, Periogard, Cepacol, Corega Tabs, Medical Interporous, and Polident. Deionized water was used as a control. The quantitative analysis of metal ion release was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ELAN DRC II). A surface analyzer (Surftest SJ-201P) was used to measure the surface roughness (µm). Data were recorded before and after the immersions and evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). The nickel release proved most significant with the Vi-Star and Fit Cast-V alloys after immersion in Medical Interporous. There was a significant difference in surface roughness of the resin (p=0.011) after immersion. Cepacol caused significantly higher resin roughness. The immersion products had no influence on metal roughness (p=0.388). It could be concluded that the tested alloys can be considered safe for removable denture fabrication, but disinfectant solutions as Cepacol and Medical Interporous tablet for daily denture immersion should be used with caution because it caused greater resin surface roughness and greater ion release, respectively.

Metodologia de avaliação metrológica da medição de energia para analisadores de desfibriladores e cardioversores

Neste artigo descreve-se uma pesquisa na qual se desenvolveu um analisador de desfibriladores e cardioversores e se executou sua avaliação metrológica, sendo apresentados os resultados obtidos. A avaliação das incertezas de medição do analisador foi realizada de acordo com as determinações da versão brasileira do EA-4/02 - Expressão da Incerteza de Medição de Calibração publicado pelo INMETRO. Os resultados obtidos mostraram-se adequados às exigências de exatidão determinadas pelas normas ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American..., 1996) e ANSI/AAMI DF80 (American..., 2003), tendo apresentado uma incerteza expandida relativa para as medições de energia igual a 1,0% no pior caso. Nesta pesquisa foi também realizada uma análise da incerteza definicional do processo de calibração utilizado e avaliou-se a capacidade do processo. Para os cálculos da capacidade do processo, foi determinado um erro máximo para as medições de energia igual a 5% ou 1,0 J, o que for maior. Este erro máximo é igual a 1/3 do erro máximo admissível para a energia entregue pelos desfibriladores, em outras palavras, é igual ao erro máximo admissível para um instrumento de medição pela Norma ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American..., 1996). Os resultados obtidos para a capacidade do procedimento de calibração mostraram-se adequados para as especificações de um analisador de desfibriladores e cardioversores, tendo obtido como resultado, no pior caso, um índice de capacidade Cm igual a 2,87, que é bem superior, portanto, a 1,0, sendo este o limite mínimo para que o procedimento seja considerado capaz de calibrar a medição de energia sem atribuir uma incerteza definicional demasiadamente grande.