Screening of melon populations for resistance to Didymella bryoniae in greenhouse and plastic tunnel conditions

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Silent period in carpal tunnel syndrome

The silent period is a misunderstood electrophysiological phenomenon leading to several different hypotheses explaining its electrogenesis. It has been studied by different authors and different methodologies giving a wide variability of results, therefore an exact pattern of its normal values does not exist. This work was undertaken to define the normal morphology and duration of the silent period obtained by supramaximal stimulus of the median nerve, during maximum isometric effort of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle against resistance, using 20 adult volunteers without neurological alterations. The normal median duration was 104.6 milliseconds. The same methodology was applied to 20 hands from 20 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The silent period showed many types of morphological alterations, but the major alteration observed was a tendency to temporal elongation. No correlation between the severity of the carpal tunnel syndrome and the silent period alterations were observed.

The natural history of carpal tunnel syndrome: A study of 20 hands evaluated 4 to 9 years after initial diagnosis

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy. In the last decade several papers have been published on epidemiology, clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment, but little is known about its natural history. The objective of this work was to study the natural history of CTS syndrome. From 358 patients with clinical and conduction study diagnosis of CTS, 12 cases were identified that had refused surgical treatment, had not used anti-inflammatory medications, and had not undergone orthopaedic procedures, such as immobilization or anaesthetic infiltration. These 12 patients have 20 compromised hands which have been followed up for between 4 and 9 years. In all cases sensory and motor conduction studies were performed on the median nerve, at the beginning and end of follow-up period. Electrical improvement was marked in 5 hands and slight in 3; there was no significant change in 10, and deterioration in 2. As 8 hands (7 patients) showed improved clinical symptoms and conduction studies over several years, this brings the universally accepted procedure of surgical treatment into doubt.

A systematic review of anti-inflammatories for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory drugs in the medium- and long-term management of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild and moderate cases of CTS. There were included only randomized, double-blind clinical trials. Six publications referring to five trials were included in the review. No study on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs met our inclusion criteria. Although neurophysiological studies have not shown great differences resulting from the application of corticosteroids, the symptomatic benefit provided by such drugs is clear. In the short term, local infiltration provides better results than systemic administration of corticosteroids. Over a 1-year period, however, this difference does not persist. Further double-blind randomized trials evaluating therapeutic efficacy for a longer follow-up period are required to provide stronger evidence for both steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. © 2009 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Ammonia emissions in tunnel-ventilated broiler houses

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação neurocomportamental, antinociceptiva e antioxidante do extrato hidroalcoólico de Eupatorium ayapana Vent (Asteraceae)

O Eupatorium ayapana Vent., da família Asteraceae, conhecida popularmente como japana é utilizada em infusões, decocção, banhos e chá, com ação sedativa, febrífuga, estimulante e tônica, utilizada também no combate à insônia, dor de cabeça, dor de garganta, diarréia, etc., sendo muito utilizada pela população amazônica. Este estudo avaliou a ação de diferentes doses do extrato hidroalcoólico de Eupatorium ayapana Vent (EHAEA) sobre o comportamento de ratos Wistar, na faixa etária de 2 meses. Foram utilizados 8 grupos de ratos machos (n= 7-10), divididos em controle, droga padrão de ação ansiolítica (diazepam), droga padrão de ação antidepressiva (fluoxetina) e 5 doses do extrato (100, 200, 400, 600, 800 mg/Kg), que foram solubilizados com tween 80 a 1%. A administração do extrato foi realizada de forma aguda por gavagem. No teste de toxicidade oral realizado, verificou-se que o extrato não é tóxico. Os testes comportamentais utilizados foram: o campo aberto, o Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE) e o nado forçado. Após os testes comportamentais foi realizada a coleta de sangue na região do plexo retroorbital dos ratos, para avaliação dos níveis de estresse oxidativo como: Capacidade Antioxidante Total, malondialdeído (MDA) e NO, e também a ação antioxidante total do EHAEA. Os resultados obtidos no teste do campo aberto demonstraram atividade do tipo ansiolítica, resultado confirmado com o teste do LCE. No teste do Nado Forçado, o EHAEA demonstrou ação do tipo antidepressiva. Nos testes de nocicepção, o qual se utilizou camundongos, ocorreu atividade antinociceptiva no teste de contorção abdominal induzido, nas doses de 200, 400, 600 e 800 mg/Kg. Na avaliação da bioquímica oxidativa, observou-se que não ocorreu dano oxidativo nos grupos tratados com o EHAEA, os níveis de NO permaneceram inalterados nas doses de 200, 400 e 600 mg, e a capacidade antioxidante total mostrou-se aumentada. Com estes resultados apresentados, o presente trabalho pretende contribuir com futuros trabalhos, haja vista, serem escassos os trabalhos na área comportamental, de nocicepção e estresse oxidativo com esta espécie vegetal, e que estudos posteriores possam reforçar o uso do extrato da japana na medicina popular.

Effect of working pressure at different spray nozzles on drift quantification in wind tunnel

Each year, there is an increase in pesticide consumption and in its importance of use in the large-scale agricultural production, being fundamental the knowledge of application technology to the activity success. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of working pressure on the drift generated by different spray nozzles, assessed in wind tunnel. The treatments were composed of two spray nozzles AXI 110015 and AXI 11002 with pressure levels of 276 and 414 kPa. The spray solution was composed by water and NaCl at 10%. The applications were conducted at wind speed of 2.0 m s-1, being the drift collected at 5.0; 10.0 and 15.0 m away from the spray boom and at heights of 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8 e 1.0 m from the tunnel floor. To both spray nozzles, the greatest drift was collected at the smallest distance to the spray-boom and at the lowest height. The AXI 11002 nozzle gave a smaller drift relative to the AXI 110015 nozzle for the two tested pressures and for all the collection points. Regardless of the nozzle, a rise in the working pressure increases the spray drift percentage at all distances in the wind tunnel.

Finite-time synchronization of tunnel-diode-based chaotic oscillators

This paper addresses the problem of finite-time synchronization of tunnel diode based chaotic oscillators. After a brief investigation of its chaotic dynamics, we propose an active adaptive feedback coupling which accomplishes the synchronization of tunnel-diode-based chaotic systems with and without the presence of delay(s), basing ourselves on Lyapunov and on Krasovskii-Lyapunov stability theories. This feedback coupling could be applied to many other chaotic systems. A finite horizon can be arbitrarily established by ensuring that chaos synchronization is achieved at a pre-established time. An advantage of the proposed feedback coupling is that it is simple and easy to implement. Both mathematical investigations and numerical simulations followed by PSPICE experiment are presented to show the feasibility of the proposed method.

Attraction of the sand fly Nyssomyia neivai (Diptera: Psychodidae) to chemical compounds in a wind tunnel

Background: Similar to other hematophagous insects, male and female sand flies must feed on plants to obtain sugar and, subsequently, energy to complete their life cycles. A large number of compounds emitted by plants may act as volatile signals to these insects. Primary alcohols have been detected in some plants, but in small amounts. In a previous report, the attractiveness of saturated primary alcohols with 7 to 9 carbons was evaluated for Lutzomyia longipalpis, the vector of American visceral leishmaniasis, with positive results.Methods: In the present study, a wide range of primary alcohols, 3 to 10 carbons, were tested to investigate their attractiveness to another sand fly species, Nyssomyia neivai, a putative vector of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. The mixture of compounds that induced the best sand fly response was also evaluated.Results: Of the eight compounds evaluated, hexanol and octanol elicited the best attractive responses for sand fly females.Conclusion: Phytochemicals may be an interesting source of search for new sand fly attractants.

GPR applied to mapping utilities along the route of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel construction in Sao Paulo City, Brazil

The rapid industrial development and disorganized population growth in huge cities bring about various urban problems due to intense use of physical space on and below the surface. Subsurface problems in metropolitan areas are caused by subway line construction, which often follows the routes of utility networks, such as electric and telephone cables, water and gas pipes, storm sewers, etc. Usually, the main problems are related to damage or destruction of preexisting utilities, often putting human lives at risk. With the purpose of minimizing risks. GPR-profiling with 200 MHz antennae was done at two sites, both located in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil. The objectives of this work were to map utilities or existing infrastructure in the subsurface in order to orient the construction of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel in Sao Paulo. GPR profiles can detect water pipes, utility networks in the subsurface, and concrete foundation columns or pilings in subsoil up to 2 m depth. In addition. the GPR profiles also provided details of the target shapes in the subsurface. GPR interpretations combined with lithological information from boreholes and trenches opened in the study areas were extremely important in mapping of the correct spatial distribution of buried utilities at these two sites in Sao Paulo. This information improves and updates maps of utility placement, serves as a basis for planning of the geotechnical excavation of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel in Sao Paulo, helps minimize problems related to destruction of preexisting utilities in the subsoil, and avoids risk of dangerous accidents. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tunnel excavation triggering pulmonary sarcoidosis

Context A definite cause of sarcoidosis has not been identified, however past research suggests that environmental factors may be triggers of the granulomatous response in genetically susceptible individuals. Case Presentation A 22-year-old male non-smoker, presented with progressive exertional dyspnea and cough of 3 months duration. One year before, when he started working in tunnel excavation, he had a normal chest radiograph. Chest imaging revealed bilateral nodules and masses of peribronchovascular distribution plus mediastinal lymphadenomegaly. Histologic lymph node analysis revealed non-caseating confluent granulomas. Sarcoidosis was diagnosed. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and advised to change jobs. Complete remission of the disease was achieved and persisted for at least one year without steroid treatment. Discussion Sarcoidosis is believed to have environmental triggers. The timing of the onset of sarcoidosis in this patient following intensive exposure to tunnel dust suggests an environmental contribution. The recognition that sarcoidosis may have occupational triggers have medical, employment, and legal implications. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55: 390-394, 2012. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy in the upper extremity, resulting from the compression of the median nerve at wrist level. Clinical studies are essentials to present evidence on therapeutic resources use at early restoration on peripheral nerve functionality. Low-level laser therapy has been widely investigated in researches related to nerve regeneration. Therefore, it is suggested that the effect of low-level laser therapy associated with other conservative rehabilitation techniques may positively affect symptoms and overall hand function in compressive neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in addition to orthoses therapy and home orientations in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods/Design: Patients older than 18 years old will be included, with clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, excluding comorbidies. A physiotherapist will conduct intervention, with a blinding evaluator. Randomization will be applied to allocate the patients in each group: with association or not to low-level laser therapy. All of them will be submitted to orthoses therapy and home orientations. Outcome will be assessed through: pain visual analogic scale, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments (TM) threshold sensibility test, Pinch Gauge T, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and two point discrimination test. Discussion: This paper describes the design of a randomized controlled trial, which aim to assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment added to low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec) - 75ddtf / Universal Trial Number: U1111-1121-5184

Temperature impact on the tunnel fet off-state current components

In this work, the temperature impact on the off-state current components is analyzed through numerical simulation and experimentally. First of all, the band-to-band tunneling is studied by varying the underlap in the channel/drain junction, leading to an analysis of the different off-state current components. For pTFET devices, the best behavior for off-state current was obtained for higher values of underlap (reduced BTBT) and at low temperatures (reduced SRH and TAT). At high temperature, an unexpected off-state current occurred due to the thermal leakage current through the drain/channel junction. Besides, these devices presented a good performance when considering the drain current as a function of the drain voltage, making them suitable for analog applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

What is the diagnostic value of ultrasonography compared to physical evaluation in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome?

[EN] OBJECTIVE: Our hypothesis is that sonography performed by the rheumatologist in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has higher diagnostic value compared to physical evaluation. METHODS: Adult patients with suspected idiopathic CTS, defined by sensory symptoms over the distribution of the median nerve with or without positive results with the Phalen and/or the Tinel's maneuvers were included. The diagnosis of CTS was indicated by typical symptoms daily for at least 3 months and a positive nerve conduction study. One rheumatologist unaware of the clinical and electrodiagnostic results performed an ultrasound examination of the median nerve for the area ranging from the inlet to the outlet of the carpal tunnel. Mean cross-sectional area at each level, flattening ratio and bowing of flexor retinaculum were obtained. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with 105 affected wrists were examined. Tinel's and Phalen's signs had a closer sensitivity (73% and 67% respectively) and specificity (40% and 30% respectively). The best swelling nerve cut-off by sonography was 9.7 mm2 at the tunnel inlet, with a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 48% and accuracy of 77%. A 100% positive predictive value was reached with a cross-sectional area of 13 mm2, involving 33 hands (31% of the whole sample). Maximal cross sectional area and the measurement of flexor retinaculum had an accuracy of 72% and 73% respectively. Combination of physical maneuvers and sonography not yielded more accuracy than cross-sectional area itself. CONCLUSION: In patients with clinical history of idiopathic CTS and positive nerve conduction study, sonography performed by the rheumatologist has higher diagnostic value than physical maneuvers.

Usefulness of clinical findings, nerve conduction studies and ultrasonography to predict response to surgical release in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

[EN] OBJECTIVES: To assess the usefulness of clinical findings, nerve conduction studies and ultrasonography performed by a rheumatologist to predict success in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) undergoing median nerve release. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients with CTS (112 wrists) completed a specific CTS questionnaire and underwent physical examination and nerve conduction studies. Ultrasound examination was performed by a rheumatologist who was blind to any patient's data. Outcome variables were improvement >25% in symptoms of the CTS questionnaire and patient's overall satisfaction (5-point Likert scale) at 3 months postoperatively. Success was defined as improvement in both outcome variables. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the best predictive combination of preoperative findings. RESULTS: Success was achieved in 63% of the operated wrists. Utility parameters and area under the ROC curve (AUC) for individual findings was poor, ranging from 0.481 of the nerve conduction study to 0.634 of the cross-sectional area at tunnel outlet. Logistic regression identified the preoperative US parameters as the best predictive variables for success after 3 months. The best predictive combination (AUC=0.708) included a negative Phalen maneuver, plus absence of thenar atrophy, plus less than moderately abnormalities on nerve conduction studies plus a large maximal cross-sectional area along the tunnel by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Although cross-sectional area of the median nerve was the only predictor of success after three months of surgical release, isolated preoperative findings are not reliable predictors of success in patients with idiopathic CTS. A combination of findings that include ultrasound improves prediction.