Posterior Sub-Tenon Triamcinolone Injection for Chronic Macular Oedema Associated With Non-Ischemic Branch or Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Posterior Sub-Tenon (PST) Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) injection for persistent macular oedema associated with non-ischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) or Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) in non-vitrectomized eye. Methods: Fourteen consecutive eyes of 14 patients characterized by macular oedema lasting more than 3 months and with a visual acuity of less than 20/40 were enrolled. Six eyes presented with BRVO, 8 eyes with CRVO. PST injection of 40 mg TA was performed in topical anaesthesia. All patients were phakic, and followed for at least 6 months. Snellen visual acuity converted to LogMAR units and anatomic responses were evaluated before, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 (if required) months after injections and re-injection considered. Results: In the BRVO group, mean foveal thickness was 548.2±49.50 μm preoperatively, and 452.8±56.2 μm and 280.8±62.5 μm at 1 and 12 month follow-up, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements (P<.05, paired t test) 3 months after injections. Improvement of visual acuity by at least 0.2 LogMAR was seen in 3(50%) of the 6 eyes. No re-injection was needed. In the CRVO group, mean foveal thickness was 543.7±34.4 μm preoperatively, and 283.0±29.0 μm and 234.8±23.6 μm at 1 and 12 month follow-up, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements (P<.05, paired t test). Improvement of visual acuity by at least 0.2 LogMAR was seen in 7 eyes (88%). Mean number of re-injection was of 2.1±0.3. Intraocular pressure elevation of 22 mm Hg or higher was found in 2/14 eyes (14%). Cataract progression was noted in 5/14 eyes (36%). Conclusions: PST injection of TA appears to be as safe and effective treatment for chronic macular oedema associated due to both non-ischemic BRVO or CRVO, with a better efficacy in BRVO.

When the non-contrast-enhanced phase is unnecessary in abdominal computed tomography scans? A retrospective analysis of 244 cases

Objective: To evaluate the necessity of the non contrast-enhanced phase in abdominal computed tomography scans. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study was developed, evaluating 244 consecutive abdominal computed tomography scans both with and without contrast injection. Initially, the contrast-enhanced images were analyzed (first analysis). Subsequently, the observers had access to the non-contrast-enhanced images for a second analysis. The primary and secondary diagnoses were established as a function of the clinical indications for each study (such as tumor staging, acute abdomen, investigation for abdominal collection and hepatocellular carcinoma, among others). Finally, the changes in the diagnoses resulting from the addition of the non-contrast-enhanced phase were evaluated. Results: Only one (0.4%; p > 0.999; non-statistically significant) out of the 244 reviewed cases had the diagnosis changed after the reading of non-contrast-enhanced images. As the secondary diagnoses are considered, 35 (14%) cases presented changes after the second analysis, as follows: nephrolithiasis (10%), steatosis (3%), adrenal nodule (0.7%) and cholelithiasis (0.3%). Conclusion: For the clinical indications of tumor staging, acute abdomen, investigation of abdominal collections and hepatocellular carcinoma, the non-contrast-enhanced phase can be excluded from abdominal computed tomography studies with no significant impact on the diagnosis.

The analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block (TAP Block) in adult patients : a meta-analysis

Introduction : Le bloc transverse de l'abdomen (bloc TAP, Transversus Abdominis Plane) échoguidé consiste en l'injection d'anesthésique local dans la paroi abdominale entre les muscles oblique interne et transverse de l'abdomen sous contrôle échographique. Ceci permet de bloquer l'innervation sensitive de la paroi antérolatérale de l'abdomen afin de soulager la douleur après des interventions chirurgicales. Auparavant, cette procédure reposait sur une technique dite « à l'aveugle » qui utilisait des repères anatomiques de surface. Depuis quelques années, cette technique est effectuée sous guidage échographique ; ainsi, il est possible de visualiser les structures anatomiques, l'aiguille et l'anesthésique local permettant ainsi une injection précise de l'anesthésique local à l'endroit désiré. Les précédentes méta- analyses sur le bloc TAP n'ont inclus qu'un nombre limité d'articles et n'ont pas examiné l'effet analgésique spécifique de la technique échoguidée. L'objectif de cette méta-analyse est donc de définir l'efficacité analgésique propre du bloc TAP échoguidé après des interventions abdominales chez une population adulte. Méthode : Cette méta-analyse a été effectuée selon les recommandations PRISMA. Une recherche a été effectuée dans les bases de donnée MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE) et Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Le critère de jugement principal est la consommation intraveineuse de morphine cumulée à 6 h postopératoires, analysée selon le type de chirurgie (laparotomie, laparoscopie, césarienne), la technique anesthésique (anesthésie générale, anesthésie spinale avec/ou sans morphine intrathécale), le moment de l'injection (début ou fin de l'intervention), et la présence ou non d'une analgésie multimodale. Les critères de jugement secondaires sont, entre autres, les scores de douleur au repos et à l'effort à 6 h postopératoires (échelle analogique de 0 à 100), la présence ou non de nausées et vomissements postopératoires, la présence ou non de prurit, et le taux de complications de la technique. Résultats : Trente et une études randomisées contrôlées, incluant un total de 1611 adultes ont été incluses. Indépendamment du type de chirurgie, le bloc TAP échoguidé réduit la consommation de morphine à 6 h postopératoires (différence moyenne : 6 mg ; 95%IC : -7, -4 mg ; I =94% ; p<0.00001), sauf si les patients sont au bénéfice d'une anesthésie spinale avec morphine intrathécale. Le degré de réduction de consommation de morphine n'est pas influencé par le moment de l'injection (I2=0% ; p=0.72) ou la présence d'une analgésie multimodale (I2=73% ; p=0.05). Les scores de douleurs au repos et à l'effort à 6h postopératoire sont également réduits (différence moyenne au repos : -10 ; 95%IC : -15, -5 ; I =92% ; p=0.0002; différence moyenne en mouvement : -9 ; 95%IC : -14, -5 ; I2=58% ; p<0. 00001). Aucune différence n'a été retrouvée au niveau des nausées et vomissements postopératoires et du prurit. Deux complications mineures ont été identifiées (1 hématome, 1 réaction anaphylactoïde sur 1028 patients). Conclusions : Le bloc TAP échoguidé procure une analgésie postopératoire mineure et ne présente aucun bénéfice chez les patients ayant reçu de la morphine intrathécale. L'effet analgésique mineure est indépendant du moment de l'injection ou de la présence ou non d'une analgésie multimodale.

Quantitative market and sales forecast accuracy analysis

The main objective of this master’s thesis was to quantitatively study the reliability of market and sales forecasts of a certain company by measuring bias, precision and accuracy of these forecasts by comparing forecasts against actual values. Secondly, the differences of bias, precision and accuracy between markets were explained by various macroeconomic variables and market characteristics. Accuracy and precision of the forecasts seems to vary significantly depending on the market that is being forecasted, the variable that is being forecasted, the estimation period, the length of the estimated period, the forecast horizon and the granularity of the data. High inflation, low income level and high year-on-year market volatility seems to be related with higher annual market forecast uncertainty and high year-on-year sales volatility with higher sales forecast uncertainty. When quarterly market size is forecasted, correlation between macroeconomic variables and forecast errors reduces. Uncertainty of the sales forecasts cannot be explained with macroeconomic variables. Longer forecasts are more uncertain, shorter estimated period leads to higher uncertainty, and usually more recent market forecasts are less uncertain. Sales forecasts seem to be more uncertain than market forecasts, because they incorporate both market size and market share risks. When lead time is more than one year, forecast risk seems to grow as a function of root forecast horizon. When lead time is less than year, sequential error terms are typically correlated, and therefore forecast errors are trending or mean-reverting. The bias of forecasts seems to change in cycles, and therefore the future forecasts cannot be systematically adjusted with it. The MASE cannot be used to measure whether the forecast can anticipate year-on-year volatility. Instead, we constructed a new relative accuracy measure to cope with this particular situation.

Capillary thermal desorption unit for near real-time analysis of VOCs at sub-trace levels. Application to the analysis of environmental air contamination and breath samples

A capillary microtrap thermal desorption module is developed for near real-time analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at sub-ppbv levels in air samples. The device allows the direct injection of the thermally desorbed VOCs into a chromatographic column. It does not use a second cryotrap to focalize the adsorbed compounds before entering the separation column so reducing the formation of artifacts. The connection of the microtrap to a GC–MS allows the quantitative determination of VOCs in less than 40 min with detection limits of between 5 and 10 pptv (25 °C and 760 mmHg), which correspond to 19–43 ng m−3, using sampling volumes of 775 cm3. The microtrap is applied to the analysis of environmental air contamination in different laboratories of our faculty. The results obtained indicate that most volatile compounds are easily diffused through the air and that they also may contaminate the surrounding areas when the habitual safety precautions (e.g., working under fume hoods) are used during the manipulation of solvents. The application of the microtrap to the analysis of VOCs in breath samples suggest that 2,5-dimethylfuran may be a strong indicator of a person's smoking status

Flow analysis by using solenoid valves for As(III) determination in natural waters by an on-line separation and pre-concentration system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer

A flow system coupled to a tungsten coil atomizer in an atomic absorption spectrometer (TCA-AAS) was developed for As(III) determination in waters, by extraction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC) as complexing agent, and by sorption of the As(III)-DDTC complex in a micro-column filled with 5 mg C18 reversed phase (10 µL dry sorbent), followed by elution with ethanol. A complete pre-concentration/elution cycle took 208 s, with 30 s sample load time (1.7 mL) and 4 s elution time (71 µL). The interface and software for the synchronous control of two peristaltic pumps (RUN/ STOP), an autosampler arm, seven solenoid valves, one injection valve, the electrothermal atomizer and the spectrometer Read function were constructed. The system was characterized and validated by analytical recovery studies performed both in synthetic solutions and in natural waters. Using a 30 s pre-concentration period, the working curve was linear between 0.25 and 6.0 µg L-1 (r = 0.9976), the retention efficiency was 94±1% (6.0 µg L-1), and the pre-concentration coefficient was 28.9. The characteristic mass was 58 pg, the mean repeatability (expressed as the variation coefficient) was 3.4% (n=5), the detection limit was 0.058 µg L-1 (4.1 pg in 71 µL of eluate injected into the coil), and the mean analytical recovery in natural waters was 92.6 ± 9.5 % (n=15). The procedure is simple, economic, less prone to sample loss and contamination and the useful lifetime of the micro-column was between 200-300 pre-concentration cycles.

Analysis of the tensile modulus of polypropylene composites reinforced with stone groundwood fibers

One of the most relevant properties of composite materials to be considered is stiffness. Fiberglass has been used traditionally as a fibrous reinforcing element when stiff materials are required. However, natural fibers are been exploited as replacements for synthetic fibers to satisfy environmental concerns. Among the different natural fibers, wood fibers show the combination of relatively high aspect ratio, good specific stiffness and strength, low density, low cost, and less variability than other natural fibers of such those from annual crops. In this work, composites from polypropylene and stone groundwood fibers from softwood were prepared and mechanically characterized under tensile loads. The Young’s moduli of the ensuing composites were analyzed and their micromechanics aspects evaluated. The reinforcing effect of stone groundwood fibers was compared to that of conventional reinforcement such fiberglass. The Halpin-Tsai model with the modification proposed by Tsai-Pagano accounted fairly for the behavior of PP composites reinforced with stone groundwood fibers. It was also demonstrated that the aspect ratio of the reinforcement plays a role in the Young’s modulus of injection molded specimens

A Markov chain analysis of emotional exchange in voice-to-voice communication: Testing for the mimicry hypothesis of emotional contagion

Mimicry is a central plank of the emotional contagion theory; however, it was only tested with facial and postural emotional stimuli. This study explores the existence of mimicry in voice-to-voice communication by analyzing 8,747 sequences of emotional displays between customers and employees in a call-center context. We listened live to 967 telephone inter-actions, registered the sequences of emotional displays, and analyzed them with a Markov chain. We also explored other propositions of emotional contagion theory that were yet to be tested in vocal contexts. Results supported that mimicry is significantly present at all levels. Our findings fill an important gap in the emotional contagion theory; have practical implications regarding voice-to-voice interactions; and open doors for future vocal mimicry research.

Long-term functional improvements in the 2-year treatment of schizophrenia outpatients with olanzapine long-acting injection

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term changes in the functioning of schizophrenia patients receiving maintenance therapy with olanzapine long-acting injection (LAI), and whether observed changes differ from those seen with oral olanzapine. METHODS: This study describes changes in the levels of functioning among outpatients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine-LAI compared with oral olanzapine over 2 years. This was a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter, randomized, open-label, 2-year study comparing the long-term treatment effectiveness of monthly olanzapine-LAI (405 mg/4 weeks; n=264) with daily oral olanzapine (10 mg/day; n=260). Levels of functioning were assessed with the Heinrichs-Carpenter Quality of Life Scale. Functional status was also classified as 'good', 'moderate', or 'poor', using a previous data-driven approach. Changes in functional levels were assessed with McNemar's test and comparisons between olanzapine-LAI and oral olanzapine employed the Student's t-test. RESULTS: Over the 2-year study, the patients treated with olanzapine-LAI improved their level of functioning (per Quality of Life total score) from 64.0-70.8 (P<0.001). Patients on oral olanzapine also increased their level of functioning from 62.1-70.1 (P<0.001). At baseline, 19.2% of the olanzapine-LAI-treated patients had a 'good' level of functioning, which increased to 27.5% (P<0.05). The figures for oral olanzapine were 14.2% and 24.5%, respectively (P<0.001). Results did not significantly differ between olanzapine-LAI and oral olanzapine. CONCLUSION: In this 2-year, open-label, randomized study of olanzapine-LAI, outpatients with schizophrenia maintained or improved their favorable baseline level of functioning over time. Results did not significantly differ between olanzapine-LAI and oral olanzapine.

Specificity and selectivity improvement in doping analysis using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used for the identification of forty doping agents. The improvement in the specificity was remarkable, allowing the resolution of analytes that could not be done by one-dimensional chromatographic systems. The sensitivity observed for different classes of prohibited substances was clearly below the value required by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In addition time-of-flight mass spectrometry gives full spectrum for all analytes without any interference from the matrix, resulting in selectivity improvements. These results could support the implementation of an exhaustive monitoring approach for hundreds of doping agents in a single injection.

Isolation and quantitative HPLC-PDA analysis of lupeol in phytopharmaceutical intermediate products from Vernonanthura ferruginea (Less.) H. Rob.

Prior to obtain a standardized dried extract from V. ferruginea, lupeol was first time isolated from leaves and used as chemical maker. An analytical method using HPLC-PDA for lupeol determination in V. ferruginea intermediate products was developed using a C8 reverse-phase column, acetonitrile-acetic acid (99.99:0.01, v/v) as mobile phase at 0.8 mL min-1, oven temperature at 23-25 ºC, sample injection volume at 30 µL and detection at 210 nm. The method presented linearity from 10 to 160 µg mL-1, accuracy, precision, robustness and suitable sensitivity proving to be a useful tool to the obtainment process of lupeol standardized dried extracts of V. ferruginea.

Determination of sulfate in the wet-process of phosphoric acid by reverse flow injection

An improved method based on reverse flow injection is proposed for determining sulfate concentration in the wet-process of phosphoric acid (WPA). The effect of reagent composition, flow rate, temperature, acid concentration, length of the reaction coil, and linear response range on the flow system is discussed in detail. Optimal conditions are established for determining sulfate in the WPA samples. Baseline drift is avoided by a periodic washing step with EDTA in an alkaline medium. A linear response is observed within a range of 20 - 360 mg L-1, given by the equation A = 0.0020C (mg L-1) + 0.0300, R² = 0.9991. The detection limit of the proposed method for sulfate analysis is 3 mg L-1, and the relative standard deviation (n = 12) of sulfate absorbance peak is less than 1.60%. This method has a rate of up to 29 samples per hour, and the results compare well with those obtained with gravimetric method.

Complete mole in a dichorionic twin pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

A dichorionic twin pregnancy with complete hydatidiform mole and coexistent fetus is a rare and challenging situation, whose pathogenesis has not been yet fully understood. We present a case of a 39-year-old woman who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection with two embryos transfer. The 12-week gestation ultrasound examination revealed normal fetus and placenta with features of hydatidiform mole, leading to pregnancy termination. Autopsy and histological examinations diagnosed a complete mole coexisting with a normal fetus, and the genetic analysis showed a diploid fetus with biparental genome and molar tissue with paternal diploidy. This case highlighted that complete molar pregnancies may still occur even though pregnancy is achieved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A review of the literature was performed by collecting data from the few similar reported cases and by commenting on the pathogenesis of this rare condition.

Histopathological analysis of rat mesentery as a method for evaluating neutrophil migration: differential effects of dexamethasone and pertussis toxin

In the present study, histopathological analysis of rat mesentery was used to quantify the effect of two anti-inflammatory agents, dexamethasone (Dex) and pertussis toxin (Ptx), on leukocyte migration. The intravenous injection of Dex (1 mg/kg) and Ptx (1,200 ng) 1 h prior to the intraperitoneal injection of the inflammatory stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) significantly reduced the neutrophil diapedesis (LPS: Ptx = 0.86 ± 0.19 and Dex = 0.35 ± 0.13 vs saline (S) = 2.85 ± 0.59; fMLP: Ptx = 0.43 ± 0.09 and Dex 0.01 ± 0.01 vs S = 1.08 ± 0.15 neutrophil diapedesis/field) and infiltration (LPS: Ptx = 6.29 ± 1.4 and Dex = 3.06 ± 0.76 vs S = 15.94 ± 3.97; fMLP: Ptx = 3.85 ± 0.56 and Dex = 0.40 ± 0.16 vs S = 7.15 ± 1.17 neutrophils/field) induced by the two agonists in the rat mesentery. The inhibitory effect of Dex and Ptx was clearly visible in the fields nearest the venule (up to 200 µm), demonstrating that these anti-inflammatory agents act preferentially in the transmigration of neutrophils from the vascular lumen into the interstitial space, but not in cell movement in response to a haptotactic gradient. The mesentery of rats pretreated with Dex showed a decreased number of neutrophils within the venules (LPS: Dex = 1.50 ± 0.38 vs S = 4.20 ± 1.01; fMLP: Dex = 0.25 ± 0.11 vs S = 2.20 ± 0.34 neutrophils in the lumen/field), suggesting that this inhibitor may be acting at a step that precedes neutrophil arrival in the inflamed tissue. In contrast to that observed with Dex treatment, the number of neutrophils found in mesenteric venules was significantly elevated in animals pretreated with Ptx (LPS: Ptx = 9.85 ± 2.25 vs S = 4.20 ± 1.01; fMLP: Ptx = 4.66 ± 1.24 vs S = 2.20 ± 0.34 neutrophils in the lumen/field). This discrepancy shows that Ptx and Dex act via different mechanisms and suggests that Ptx prevents locomotion of neutrophils from the vascular lumen to the interstitial space. In conclusion, the method described here is useful for quantifying the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect of different substances. The advantage of this histopathological approach is that it provides additional information about the steps involved in leucocyte migration.

Effect of perimuscular injection of Bothrops jararacussu venom on plasma creatine kinase levels in mice: influence of dose and volume

The effect of dose and volume of a perimuscular injection of Bothrops jararacussu venom on myonecrosis of skeletal muscle was studied in mice. An increase of the venom dose (0.25 to 2.0 µg/g) at a given volume (50 µl) resulted in an increase in plasma creatine kinase (CK) levels 2 h after injection. Plasma CK activity increased from the basal level of 129.27 ± 11.83 (N = 20) to 2392.80 ± 709.43 IU/l (N = 4) for the 1.0 µg/g dose. Histological analysis of extensor digitorum longus muscle 4 h after injection showed lesion of peripheral muscle fibers, disorganization of the bundles or the complete degeneration of muscle fibers. These lesions were more extensive when higher doses were injected. Furthermore, an increase in volume (12.5 to 100 µl) by dilution of a given dose (0.5 µg/g) also increased plasma CK levels from 482.31 ± 122.79 to 919.07 ± 133.33 IU/l (N = 4), respectively. These results indicate that care should be taken to standardize volumes and sites of venom injections.