Prospective study evaluating the predictability of need for retreatment with intravitreal ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the rhythm and predictability of the need for retreatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 39 patients with treatment-naïve nAMD. After three loading doses of intravitreal ranibizumab, patients underwent an intensified follow-up for 12 months (initially weekly, then with stepwise increases to every 2 weeks and to monthly after each injection). Patients were retreated on an as-needed basis if any fluid or increased central retinal thickness (CRT) (>50μm) was found on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Statistical analysis included patients who received at least two retreatments (five injections). RESULTS: A mean of 7.5 injections (range 0-12) were given between months 3 and 15. The mean visual acuity increased by 13.1 and 12.6 ETDRS letters at months 12 and 15 respectively. Two or more injection-retreatment intervals were found in 31 patients. The variability of their intra-individual intervals up to 14 weeks was small (SD 0-2.13 weeks), revealing a high regularity of the retreatment rhythm. The SD was correlated with the mean interval duration (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). The first interval was a good predictor of the following intervals (regression coefficient =0.81). One retreatment criterion was stable in 97 % of patients (cysts or subretinal fluid). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a high intra-individual predictability of retreatment need with ranibizumab injections for nAMD. These findings may be helpful for developing individualized treatment plans for maintained suppression of disease activity with a minimum of injections and visits.

[Tasavallan Presidentin vierailu Yhdysvaltoihin 1.8.-5.8.1976] (Tasavallan Presidentin vastaus Presidentti Fordille Valkoisen Talon nurmikolla pidettyjen tervetuliaisseremonioiden yhteydessä 3.8.1976)

Puhe

Rajavartioston kantamiehistölle maksettava eroraha, 1K

Puhe

Patent foramen ovale and obstructive sleep apnoea: from pathophysiology to diagnosis of a potentially dangerous association.

Patent foramen ovale and obstructive sleep apnoea are frequently encountered in the general population. Owing to their prevalence, they may coexist fortuitously; however, the prevalence of patent foramen ovale seems to be higher in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We have reviewed the epidemiological data, pathophysiology, and the diagnostic and therapeutic options for both patent foramen ovale and obstructive sleep apnoea. We focus on the interesting pathophysiological links that could explain a potential association between both pathologies and their implications, especially on the risk of stroke.

Audit report on Pottawattamie County, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on Pottawattamie County, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Comparação dos métodos de pesquisa de parasitas intestinais utilizados nos laboratórios clínicos em Cabo Verde com o método de Ritchie modificado.

As parasitoses intestinais constituem um grave problema de saúde pública, sendo o diagnóstico laboratorial essencial na sua identificação e controlo, tornando- se importante a escolha do método de eleição no processo, para que seja feito um diagnóstico fidedigno, através de técnicas sensíveis e específicas. Várias técnicas são usadas na identificação e pesquisas destes microrganismos, entre os quais o exame directo/ a fresco, métodos de concentração, como método de Willis, método de Faust e Cols, método bifásico de Ritchie modificado, técnicas de sedimentação como Hoffmam, Pons e Janer, método de Baermann, método de Graham (fita adesiva), métodos de coloração como hematoxilina férrica, coloração tricrômica, assim como uso de técnicas moleculares e testes rápidos (DOLDMAN, 2009). O presente estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a sensibilidade e especificidades das técnicas utilizadas no diagnóstico de parasitas intestinais nos laboratórios públicos de análises clínicas em Cabo Verde comparativamente ao método de Ritchie modificado. O estudo envolveu a análise de 251 amostras recolhidas em crianças dos 2 a 12 anos da comunidade de Rincão de Santa Catarina. Os métodos de diagnóstico laboratoriais utilizados foram os métodos de concentração de Willis, Ritchie modificado por Sales de Cunha e exame a fresco/directo. As amostras foram analisadas na Unidade Sanitária Base de Rincão e no Laboratório análises Clínica do Hospital Regional Santiago Norte. Para análise estatística, foram utilizadas Excel (2007), SPSS (versão 17). O método de Ritchie modificado mostrou ser mais sensível que o método de concentração de Willis. Também verificou-se a necessidade da realização de técnicas cada vez mais sensíveis no diagnóstico laboratorial dos parasitas intestinais nos laboratórios de análises clínicas estatais no Pais.

Toimituspäällikkö Kari Vanhapiha 18/7 1975

Kirje 18.7.1975

Low malathion concentrations influence metabolism in Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) in acute and chronic toxicity tests

Low malathion concentrations influence metabolism in Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) in acute and chronic toxicity tests. Organophosphate compounds are used in agro-systems, and in programs to control pathogen vectors. Because they are continuously applied, organophosphates often reach water sources and may have an impact on aquatic life. The effects of acute and chronic exposure to the organophosphate insecticide malathion on the midge Chironomus sancticaroli are evaluated. To that end, three biochemical biomarkers, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), alpha (EST-α) and beta (EST-β) esterase were used. Acute bioassays with five concentrations of malathion, and chronic bioassays with two concentrations of malathion were carried out. In the acute exposure test, AChE, EST-α and EST-β activities declined by 66, 40 and 37%, respectively, at 0.251 µg L-1 and more than 80% at 1.37, 1.96 and 2.51 µg L-1. In chronic exposure tests, AChE and EST-α activities declined by 28 and 15% at 0.251 µg L-1. Results of the present study show that low concentrations of malathion can influence larval metabolism, indicating high toxicity for Chironomus sancticaroli and environmental risk associated with the use of organophosphates.

Biomasa de las principales especies pelágicas del mar peruano a fines del invierno austral 2001

Estudio de la biomasa de la anchoveta se estimó en 3.905.235 toneladas; con mayores valores en los 7°S, 11°S y 8°S. La biomasa del bagre fue 201.006 t.; de vinciguerria de 1.373.074 t.; de pota 46.616 t. y de múnida 763.251 t.

Improved statistical evaluation of group differences in connectomes by screening-filtering strategy with application to study maturation of brain connections between childhood and adolescence.

Detecting local differences between groups of connectomes is a great challenge in neuroimaging, because the large number of tests that have to be performed and the impact on multiplicity correction. Any available information should be exploited to increase the power of detecting true between-group effects. We present an adaptive strategy that exploits the data structure and the prior information concerning positive dependence between nodes and connections, without relying on strong assumptions. As a first step, we decompose the brain network, i.e., the connectome, into subnetworks and we apply a screening at the subnetwork level. The subnetworks are defined either according to prior knowledge or by applying a data driven algorithm. Given the results of the screening step, a filtering is performed to seek real differences at the node/connection level. The proposed strategy could be used to strongly control either the family-wise error rate or the false discovery rate. We show by means of different simulations the benefit of the proposed strategy, and we present a real application of comparing connectomes of preschool children and adolescents.

Rastreo acústico de recursos pesqueros y comportamiento de red pelágica en otoño 2003

Los resultados del rastreo acústico en el crucero BIC Olaya 0305-06, de Huarmey a Puerto Pizarro, mostraron a la anchoveta adulta en altas concentraciones de Punta Falsa a Salaverry entre 5 y 50 mn, sus larvas y juveniles se localizaron de Salaverry a Punta Guañape, de 3 a 55 m de profundidad. La múnida se distribuyó de Huarmey a Pimentel entre 5 a 55 mn. La vinciguerria se ubicó de Huarmey a Caleta La Cruz de 10 a 80 mn. La pota tuvo una distribución dispersa de Costa Baja de Arena a Caleta La Cruz de 5 a 45 mn. La distribución geográfica de la merluza se presentó dispersa entre las isóbatas de 20 a 300 brazas, registrándose mayormente frente a Punta Guañape (25 mn), Malabrigo (58 mn) y Punta Chérrepe (40 mn). La red de arrastre pelágica tuvo un buen comportamiento frente a los cardúmenes detectados con niveles de significancia altos que se obtuvieron con la relación de sus parámetros.