Effect of+3.00 diopter and+4.00 diopter additions in multifocal intraocular lenses on defocus profiles, patient satisfaction, and contrast sensitivity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the new low-addition (add) (+3.00 diopter [D]) ReSTOR multifocal IOL compared with the preceding ReSTOR model with +4.00 D add. SETTING: University Eye Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHODS: Patients with a +3.00 D or +4.00 D add multifocal IOL were examined for uncorrected and distance-corrected visual acuity at distance, intermediate, and near. A defocus profile was assessed, individual reading distance and the distance for lowest intermediate visual acuity were determined. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with a standardized questionnaire. Contrast sensitivity was tested under mesopic and photopic conditions. RESULTS: Uncorrected and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuities were statistically significantly better in the +3.00 D add group (24 eyes) than in the +4.00 D add group (30 eyes); distance and near visual acuities were not different between groups. The defocus profile significantly varied between groups. The +4.00 D add group had a closer reading distance (33.0 cm) than the +3.00 D add group (43.5 cm), a closer point of lowest intermediate visual acuity (65.8 cm versus 86.9 cm) and worse lowest intermediate visual acuity (20/59 +/- 4.5 letters [SD] versus 20/48 +/- 5.5 letters). Thus, patients in the +3.00 D add group reported being more satisfied with intermediate visual acuity. The +3.00 D add group reported more glare but less halos than the +4.00 D add group; contrast sensitivity was not different. CONCLUSION: The lower addition resulted in a narrower defocus profile, a farther reading distance, and better intermediate visual acuity and thus increased patient satisfaction.

Effect of a 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) varnish on demineralisation and remineralisation of bovine enamel in vitro

Objectives: This in vitro study assessed the effect of a 4% TiF4 varnish on demineralisation and remineralisation of sound enamel and artificial carious enamel lesions, respectively. Methods: Bovine sound and carious enamel (n = 110) were randomly allocated to each type of varnish: Duraphat (R))-D (NaF, 2.26%F, pH 4.5, Colgate-Brazil, n = 30), Duofluorid (R)-F (NaF, 2.71%F, pH 8.0, FGM-Brazil, n = 30), TiF4-T (2.45%F, pH 1.0, FGM-Brazil, n = 30) and no-fluoride-P (FGM-Brazil, pH 5.0, n = 20). For the formation of artificial enamel caries, half of the blocks were immersed in 32 mL buffer acetate solution (16 h), whereas the other half was maintained sound. The varnishes were applied onto the enamel surfaces. Thus, the samples were subjected to pH cycles (37 degrees C) for 7 days. The response variables tested were surface and cross-sectional hardness. Data were tested using Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results: All F varnishes significantly reduced demineralisation and increased remineralisation in comparison to placebo. The TiF4 did not significantly reduce the surface enamel softening when compared with the other F varnishes, but it decreased the loss of subsurface hardness to the same extent. In enamel blocks with previous artificial carious lesions, the TiF4 significantly improved the rehardening compared to the other varnishes up to 30 mu m depth. Conclusions: The TiF4 varnish was able to decrease the demineralisation and increase the remineralisation of previously sound and carious enamel, respectively. It was equally effective compared to NaF varnishes on reducing the demineralisation at subsurface, but it was more effective on improving the remineralisation at surface and subsurface. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of a single application of TiF(4) and NaF varnishes and solutions on dentin erosion in vitro

Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to analyse the effect of a single application of TiF(4) and NaF varnishes and solutions to protect against dentin erosion. Methods: Bovine root dentin samples were pre-treated with NaF-Duraphat varnish (2.26%F, pH 4.5), NaF/CaF(2)-Duofluorid varnish (5.63%F, pH 8.0), NaF-experimental varnish (2.45%F, pH 4.5), TiF(4)-experimental varnish (2.45%F, pH 1.2), NaF solution (2.26%F, pH 4.5), TiF(4) solution (2.45%F, pH 1.2) and placebo varnish (pH 5.0, no-F varnish control). Controls remained untreated. Ten samples in each group were then subjected to an erosive demineralisation (Sprite Zero, 4x 90 s/day) and remineralisation (artificial saliva, between the erosive cycles) cycling for S days. Dentin loss was measured profilometrically after pretreatment and after 1, 3 and 5 days of de-remineralisation cycling. The data were statistically analysed by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni`s post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: After pre-treatment, TiF(4) solution significantly induced surface loss (1.08 +/- 0.53 mu m). Only Duraphat reduced the dentin loss overtime, but it did not significantly differ from placebo varnish (at 3rd and 5th days) and TiF(4) varnish (at 3rd day). Conclusions: Duraphat varnish seems to be the best option to partially reduce dentin erosion. However, the maintenance of the effects of this treatment after successive erosive challenges is limited. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ion dependence of magnetic anisotropy in MFe(2)O(4) (M = Fe, Co, Mn) nanoparticles synthesized by high-temperature reaction

The influence of different M(2+) cations on the effective magnetic anisotropy of systems composed of MFe(2)O(4) (M Fe, Co and Mn) nanoparticles was investigated. Samples were prepared by the high-temperature (538 K) solution phase reaction of Fe (acac) 3, Co (acac) 2 and Mn (acac) 2 with 1,2 octanodiol in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine. The final particles are coated by an organic layer of oleic acid that prevents agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that particles present near spherical form and a narrow grain size distribution, with mean diameters in the range of 4.5 - 7.6 nm. Powder samples were analyzed by ac susceptibility and Mossbauer measurements, and K(eff) for all samples was evaluated using both techniques, showing a strong dependence on the nature of the divalent cation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1,4-Diamino-2-butanone, a wide-spectrum microbicide, yields reactive species by metal-catalyzed oxidation

The alpha-aminoketone 1,4-diamino-2-butanone (DAB), a putrescine analogue, is highly toxic to various microorganisms, including Trypanosoma cruzi. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying DAB`s cytotoxic properties. We report here that DAB (pK(a) 7.5 and 9.5) undergoes aerobic oxidation in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 37 degrees C, catalyzed by Fe(II) and Cu(II) ions yielding NH(4)(+) ion, H(2)O(2), and 4-amino-2-oxobutanal (oxoDAB). OxoDAB, like methylglyoxal and other alpha-oxoaldehydes, is expected to cause protein aggregation and nucleobase lesions. Propagation of DAB oxidation by superoxide radical was confirmed by the inhibitory effect of added SOD (50 U ml(-1)) and stimulatory effect of xanthine/xanthine oxidase, a source of superoxide radical. EPR spin trapping studies with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) revealed an adduct attributable to DMPO-HO(center dot), and those with alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone or 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid, a six-line adduct assignable to a DAB(center dot) resonant enoyl radical adduct. Added horse spleen ferritin (HoSF) and bovine apo-transferrin underwent oxidative changes in tryptophan residues in the presence of 1.0-10 mM DAB. Iron release from HoSF was observed as well. Assays performed with fluorescein-encapsulated liposomes of cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine (20:80) incubated with DAB resulted in extensive lipid peroxidation and consequent vesicle permeabilization. DAB (0-10 mM) administration to cultured LLC-MK2 epithelial cells caused a decline in cell viability, which was inhibited by preaddition of either catalase (4.5 mu M) or aminoguanidine (25 mM). Our findings support the hypothesis that DAB toxicity to several pathogenic microorganisms previously described may involve not only reported inhibition of polyamine metabolism but also DAB pro-oxidant activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of some N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-[(4 `-substituted) phenylsulfonyl]propanamides

The analysis of the IR carbonyl band of the N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-[(4`-substituted)phenyisulfonyI]propanamides Y-PhSO(2)CH(Me)C(O)N(OMe)Me (Y = OMe 1, Me 2, H 3, Cl 4, NO(2) 5), supported by HF/6-31G(d,p) calculations of 3,, indicated the existence of two gauche conformers (g(1) and g(2)), the g, conformer being the most stable and the least polar one (in gas phase and in solution). Both conformers are present in solution of the non polar solvent (CCl(4)) for 1-5 and in solution of the more polar solvents (CHCl(3)) for 1. 4, 5 and (CH(2)Cl(2)) for 5, while only the g(1) conformer is present in solution of the most polar solvent (CH(3)CN) for 1-5. The g, and g2 conformers correspond to the enantiomeric pairs of diastereomers (diast(1) and diast(2)) whose relative configurations are [C(3)(R)N(R)]/[C(3)(s)N(s)] and [C(3)(R)N(s)]/[C(3)(s)N(R)], respectively. The computed carbonyl frequencies for g(1) (diast(1)) and g(2) (diast(2)) stereoisomers of3 match well the experimental values. The NBO analysis, for 3 shows the important role of the orbital interactions in conformer stabilization and the overall balance of these interactions corroborates that the g, conformer is more stable than the 92 one. The observed abnormal solvent effect on the relative intensities of the carbonyl doublet components is attributed to the molecular crowding in the g2 conformer which hinders its solvation in comparison to the g, conformer (diast(1)). X-ray single crystal analysis performed for 3 shows the existence Of two 92, and g(1b) conformers of diastereomers (diast2, and diast(1b)) whose absolute configurations are [C(3)(R)N(s)] and [C(3)(R)N(R)], respectively. The larger population and. thus, the larger stabilization of the g(2), conformer over the gib form in the crystals may be associated with a larger energy gain deriving from dipole moment coupling in the former conformer along with a series of C-H center dot center dot center dot O electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions, (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stereoselective Nucleophilic Addition of Potassium Alkyltrifluoroborates to Cyclic N-Acyliminium Ions: a Simple and Mild Approach to Chiral 5-Alkyl-pyrrolidin-2-ones

The stereoselective nucleophilic addition of potassium alkyltrifluoroborates to cyclic N-acyliminium ions derived from N-benzyl-3,4,5-triacetoxy-pyrrolidin-2-one, which affords 5-substituted-pyrrolidin-2-ones, is described. The products are obtained in moderate to good yields and are produced predominantly as the anti diastereomer.

Oral health conditions among the elderly in Southeastern São Paulo State

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to asses oral health conditions in a population aged 60 years and over living in Botucatu, Southeastern Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out using a random sample (N=372) of the urban population aged 60 years and over from the city of Botucatu, in 2005. World Health Organization criteria and codes for oral health epidemiological surveys were used. Re-examination was carried out in 10% of individuals aiming to evaluate intra-examiner agreement. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, as applicable. Also, the t-test was used in the absence of homoscedasticity. Fisher's exact test was used for situations where the categories with less than five units were observed. Adjusted residuals and multiple-comparison analysis were conducted to identify associations between variable categories and subgroups. The intra-examiner agreement was 98% and Kappa statistics result was 0.95. Loss component represented 90.68% of DMF-T index, which was 29.85. The prevalence of edentulism was 63.17%. Upper and lower dentures were found in 80% and 58% respectively, with complete denture as the most commonly used. In those studied, 15% required upper and 38% lower dentures. There was more need for complete denture in both jaws. Approximately 20% had soft tissue alterations. For periodontal conditions, most sextants were excluded (81.81%). Periodontal pockets (4 - 5 mm) were seen in 11.29% of the examined individuals. The oral health status of the elderly population in Botucatu is poor, as well as in other Brazilian cities. The results of this study may help planning collective health actions, giving an accurate description of the oral problems among the elderly.

In vitro wear resistance of three types of polymethyl methacrylate denture teeth

The wear resistance of denture teeth is important to the longevity of removable prostheses of edentulous patients. The ability of denture teeth to maintain a stable occlusal relationship over time may be influenced by this property. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the wear resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture teeth based on their chemical composition when opposed by a ceramic antagonist. The maxillary canines (n=10) of 3 PMMA denture teeth (Trubyte Biotone, cross-linked PMMA; Trilux, highly cross-linked IPN (interpenetrating polymer network)-PMMA; and Vivodent, highly cross-linked PMMA) were secured in an in vitro 2-body wear-testing apparatus that produced sliding contact of the specimens (4.5 cycles/s, sliding distance of 20 mm, under 37°C running water) against glazed or airborne particle abraded ceramic. Wear resistance was measured as height loss (mm) under 300 g (sliding force) after 100,000 cycles, using a digital measuring microscope. Mean values were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (a=0.05). The wear of Trubyte Biotone (0.93 ± 0.14 mm) was significantly higher than that of both other types of teeth tested against abraded ceramic (p<0.05). The Vivodent tooth (0.64 ± 0.17 mm) exhibited the best wear resistance among the denture teeth tested against airborne particle abraded ceramic. There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in wear among the 3 denture teeth evaluated against glazed ceramic. Trilux and Vivodent teeth tested against either glazed or airborne particle abraded ceramic did not differ significantly from each other (p<0.05). All teeth showed significantly more wear against airborne particle abraded ceramic than against glazed ceramic (p<0.05). In conclusion, the three types of PMMA denture teeth presented significantly different wear resistance against the abraded ceramic. The high-strength PMMA denture teeth were more wear-resistant than the conventional PMMA denture tooth.

Cárie dentária em população ribeirinha do Estado de Rondônia, Região Amazônica, Brasil, 2005/2006

O objetivo foi analisar experiência de cárie dentária na população ribeirinha residente às margens dos rios Machado e Preto (Rondônia, Brasil), em 2005 e 2006. Foram examinados 469 indivíduos com formulário preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde, sob luz natural e utilização de espátulas de madeira e sonda CPI. Na faixa etária de 4-5 anos de idade, ceod = 4,30 e 19,64% livres de cárie; 6-10 anos, CPOD = 1,04, ceod = 3,52, 17,05% livres de cárie; aos 12 anos, CPOD = 2,65 e 30,76% livres de cárie; aos 18 anos, CPOD = 5,41 e 19,51% livres de cárie; 35-44 anos, CPOD = 17,74 e 2,98% livres de cárie; 65-74 anos, CPOD = 21,56 e 4,34% livres de cárie. Na análise por componentes, constatou-se que o componente cariado tem maior prevalência nas idades de 0-3, 4-5, 6-10, 12 e 18 anos. Em adultos e idosos, o componente que mais contribui é o perdido. Conclui-se que a população apresenta índices de cárie dentária elevados, sendo necessária a atuação em âmbito educativo, preventivo e curativo.

Desempenho produtivo, características de carcaça e avaliação econômica de bovinos cruzados, castrados e não-castrados, terminados em pastagens de Brachiaria decumbens

Avaliou-se o efeito da castração sobre o desempenho produtivo e sobre as características de carcaça e realizou-se a avaliação econômica de bovinos terminados em pastagens de Brachiaria decumbens. Foram utilizados oito novilhos Canchim-Nelore com 14 meses de idade, sendo quatro animais castrados e quatro não-castrados, com média de peso corporal de 273,2kg. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições por tratamento. Os animais receberam, diariamente, 0,7% do PC de suplemento proteíco-energético e foram abatidos aos 26 meses de idade. O peso de abate e o ganho médio diário (GMD) diferiram entre castrados e não-castrados, com médias de 441,0 e 482,2kg e 0,6 e 0,7kg/dia, respectivamente. Não houve efeito da castração sobre as características avaliadas, com exceção do peso de abate, do peso da carcaça quente, 252,3 versus 229,9kg, da cor da carne, 3,25 versus 4,50 pontos e da espessura da gordura subcutânea, 0,6 versus 1,4mm, respectivamente, para não-castrados e castrados. A lucratividade por animal e por hectare foi de 14,5 e 15,8% para não-castrados e 4,5 e 5,8% para castrados, respectivamente. Sugere-se a utilização de bovinos não-castrados suplementados em pastagens de Brachiaria decumbens.

Isotopic view of vegetation and carbon and nitrogen cycles in a cerrado ecosystem, southeastern Brazil

Carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles in savannas are strongly regulated by the seasonal distribution of precipitation and pulses of nutrients released during the wetting of the dry soil and are critical to the dynamics of microorganisms and vegetation. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of C and N isotope ratios as indicators of the cycling of these elements in a cerrado sensu stricto area, within a protected area in a State Park in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The foliar δ13C and δ15N values varied from -33.6 to -24.4 ‰ and -2.5 to 4.5 ‰, respectively. The δ13C values showed a consistent relationship with canopy height, revealing the importance of structure of the canopy over the C isotopic signature of the vegetation. Carbon isotopic variations associated with the length of the dry season indicated the importance of recent fixed C to the integrated isotopic signature of the leaf organic C. The studied Cerrado species showed a depleted foliar δ15N, but a wide range of foliar Nitrogen with no difference among canopy heights. However, seasonal variability was observed, with foliar δ15N values being higher in the transition period between dry and rainy seasons. The variation of the foliar C and N isotope ratios presented here was consistent with highly diverse vegetation with high energy available but low availability of water and N.

Ambiental volatile organic compounds in the megacity of São Paulo

In order to characterize the composition of the main urban air organic compounds in the megacity of Sao Paulo, analysis of samples collected during the winter of 2003 downtown was carried out. The samplings were performed on the roof of a building in the commercial center of São Paulo. Hydrocarbons and carbonyls compounds were collected on August 4, 5 and 6. Comparing to previous data, the concentration of hydrocarbons presented no decrease in the concentration, except for the aldehydes, which decreased when compared to previous data. Among the HCs species analyzed, the highest concentrations observed were those of toluene (7.5 ± 3.4 ppbv), n-decane (3.2 ± 2.0 ppbv), benzene (2.7 ± 1.4 ppbv) and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (2.2 ± 1.5 ppbv).

Screening of Trypanosoma cruzi glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme inhibitors

The inhibitory activity of crude extracts of Meliaceae and Rutaceae plants on glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) enzyme from Trypanosoma cruzi was evaluated at 100 μg/mL. Forty-six extracts were tested and fifteen of them showed significant inhibitory activity (IA % > 50). The majority of the assayed extracts of Meliaceae plants (Cedrela fissilis, Cipadessa fruticosa and Trichilia ramalhoi) showed high ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity. The fractionation of the hexane extract from branches of C. fruticosa led to the isolation of three flavonoids: flavone, 7-methoxyflavone and 3',4',5',5,7-pentamethoxyflavone. The two last compounds showed high ability to inhibit the gGAPDH activity. Therefore, the assayed Meliaceae species could be considered as a promising source of lead compounds against Chagas' disease.

Treadmill exercise testing of asymptomatic men and women without evidence of heart disease

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of differences in performance including differences in ST-T wave changes between healthy men and women submitted to an exercise stress test. Two hundred (45.4%) men and 241 (54.6%) women (mean age: 38.7 ± 11.0 years) were submitted to an exercise stress test. Physiologic and electrocardiographic variables were compared by the Student t-test and the chi-square test. To test the hypothesis of differences in ST-segment changes, data were ranked with functional models based on weighted least squares. To evaluate the influence of gender and age on the diagnosis of ST-segment abnormality, a logistic model was adjusted; P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Rate-pressure product, duration of exercise and estimated functional capacity were higher in men (P < 0.05). Sixteen (6.7%) women and 9 (4.5%) men demonstrated ST-segment upslope ≥0.15 mV or downslope ≥0.10 mV; the difference was not statistically significant. Age increase of one year added 4% to the chance of upsloping of segment ST ≥0.15 mV or downsloping of segment ST ≥0.1 mV (P = 0.03; risk ratio = 1.040, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.002-1.080). Heart rate recovery was higher in women (P < 0.05). The chance of women showing an increase of systolic blood pressure ≤30 mmHg was 85% higher (P = 0.01; risk ratio = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.1-3.05). No significant difference in the frequency of ST-T wave changes was observed between men and women. Other differences may be related to different physical conditioning.