Cataract surgery: emotional reactions of patients with monocular versus binocular vision

Purpose: To analyze emotional reactions related to cataract surgery in two groups of patients (monocular vision - Group 1; binocular vision - Group 2). Methods: A transversal comparative study was performed using a structured questionnaire from a previous exploratory study before cataract surgery. Results: 206 patients were enrolled in the study, 96 individuals in Group 1 (69.3 +/- 10.4 years) and 110 in Group 2 (68.2 +/- 10.2 years). Most patients in group 1 (40.6%) and 22.7% of group 2, reported fear of surgery (p<0.001). The most important causes of fear were: possibility of blindness, ocular complications and death during surgery. The most prevalent feelings among the groups were doubts about good results and nervousness. Conclusion: Patients with monocular vision reported more fear and doubts related to surgical outcomes. Thus, it is necessary that phisycians considers such emotional reactions and invest more time than usual explaining the risks and the benefits of cataract surgery. Ouvir

Sequential Methyl-Fluorine Exchange Reactions of Siloxide Ions in the Gas Phase

Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

Do extrafloral nectaries present a defensive role against herbivores in two species of the family Bignoniaceae in a Neotropical savannas?

Despite the general belief that the interaction between extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) and ants is mutualistic, the defensive function of EFNs has been poorly documented in South American savannas. In this article, we evaluate the potential impact of EFNs (benefits and costs) on two species of plants from the dry areas of Central Brazil, Anemopaegma album and Anemopaegma scabriusculum (Bignoniaceae). In particular, we characterize the composition of substances secreted by the EFNs, test whether EFNs attract ants, and whether ants actually present a defensive role, leading to reduced herbivory and increased plant fitness. Histochemical analyses indicated that EFNs from both species of Anemopaegma secrete an exudate that is composed of sugars, and potentially lipids and proteins. Furthermore, EFNs from both species were shown to present a significant role in ant attraction. However, contrary to common expectations, ants were not found to protect plants against herbivore attack. No effect was found between ant visitation and flower or fruit production in A. album, while the presence of ants led to a significant decrease in flower production in A. scabriusculum. These results suggest that EFNs might present a similar cost and benefit in A. album, and a higher cost than benefit in A. scabriusculum. Since the ancestor of Anemopaegma occupied humid forests and already presented EFNs that were maintained in subsequent lineages that occupied savannas, we suggest that phylogenetic inertia might explain the presence of EFNs in the species of Anemopaegma in which EFNs lack a defensive function.

Novel cross-coupling reactions between organotellurides and Grignard reagents employing a MnCl2/CuI catalytic system

We present a general protocol for the cross-coupling reaction of Grignard reagents and organic tellurides. Aryl Grignard reagents react stereospecifically with vinyl tellurides in the presence of a catalytic amount of manganese (II) chloride and copper (I) iodide to produce good yields of the corresponding cross-coupling products. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effect of aqueous extracts from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora-biotreated wood on the decolorization of Azure B by Fenton-like reactions

Aqueous extracts from wood biotreated with the white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora were evaluated for their Fe3+- and Cu2+-reducing activities and their anti- or prooxidant properties in Fenton-like reactions to decolorize the recalcitrant dye Azure B. The decolorization of Azure B was strongly inhibited in the presence of 10% (v/v) wood extracts. Only 0.1% (v/v)-diluted extracts provided some enhancement of the Azure B decolorization. The iron-containing reactions decolorized more Azure B and consumed substantially more H2O2 than the reactions containing copper. This study demonstrates that water-soluble wood phenols exert anti- or prooxidant effects that depend on their concentration in the reactions and on the type of cation, Fe3+ or Cu2+, used to convert H2O2 to OH radicals. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermodynamics of Axial Substitution and Kinetics of Reactions with Amino Acids for the Paddlewheel Complex Tetrakis(acetato)chloridodiruthenium(II,III)

The known paddlewheel, tetrakis(acetato)chloridodiruthenium(II,III), offers a versatile synthetic route to a novel class of antitumor diruthenium(II,III) metallo drugs, where the equatorial ligands are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory carboxylates. This complex was studied here as a soluble starting prototype model for antitumor analogues to elucidate the reactivity of the [Ru-2(CH3COO)(4)](+) framework. Thermodynamic studies on equilibration reactions for axial substitution of water by chloride and kinetic studies on reactions of the diaqua complexes with the amino acids glycine, cysteine, histidine, and tryptophan were performed. The standard thermodynamic reaction parameters Delta H degrees, Delta S degrees, and Delta V degrees were determined and showed that both of the sequential axial substitution reactions are enthalpy driven. Kinetic rate laws and rate constants were determined for the axial substitution reactions of coordinated water by the amino acids that gave the corresponding aqua(amino acid)-Ru-2 substituted species. The results revealed that the [Ru-2(CH3COO)(4)](+) paddlewheel framework remained stable during the axial ligand substitution reactions and was also mostly preserved in the presence of the amino acids.

Linking origin of the electric field-assisted beta-PbF2 crystallization in lead oxyfluoroborate glasses below T (g) to simultaneous cathode/anode-compensated electrochemical reactions

Full validation of the electrochemical mechanisms so far postulated as driving force of electric field-assisted non-spontaneous crystallization development in given glasses has suffered experimental restrictions. In this work, we looked into origin of this phenomenon in lead oxyfluoroborate glasses, resulting in beta-PbF2 growth even below the corresponding glass transition temperatures, through achieving a systematic study of not only Pt,Ag/Glass/Ag,Pt- but also Pt,Ag/Glass/YSZ:PbF2/Ag,Pt-type cells, where YSZ:PbF2 represents a two-phase system (formed by Y2O3-doped ZrO2 and PbF2). It is demonstrated that crystallization induction in these glasses involves Pb2+ ions reduction at the cathode, the phenomenon being, however, confirmed only when the F- ions were simultaneously also able to reach the anode for oxidation, after assuring either a direct glass-anode contact or percolation pathways for free fluoride migration across the YSZ:PbF2 mixtures. A further support of this account is that the electrochemically induced beta-PbF2 phase crystallizes showing ramified-like microstructure morphology that arises, accordingly, from development of electroconvective diffusion processes under electric field action.

The occurrence of defensive alkaloids in non-integumentary tissues of the Brazilian red-belly toad Melanophryniscus simplex (Bufonidae)

The red-belly toads (Melanophryniscus) of southern South America secrete defensive alkaloids from dermal granular glands. To date, all information on Melanophryniscus alkaloids has been obtained by extraction from either skins or whole organisms; however, in other amphibians, tetrodotoxins, samandarines, and bufadienolides have been detected in both skin and other organs, which raise the possibility that lipophilic alkaloids may occur in non-integumentary tissues in Melanophryniscus as well. To test this hypothesis, we studied the distribution of alkaloids in the skin, skeletal muscle, liver, and mature oocytes of the red-belly toad M. simplex from three localities in southern Brazil. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of skin extracts from 11 individuals of M. simplex resulted in the detection of 47 alkaloids (including isomers), 9 unclassified and 38 from 12 known structural classes. Each alkaloid that was present in the skin of an individual was also present in the same relative proportion in that individual's skeletal muscle, liver, and oocytes. The most abundant and widely distributed alkaloids were the pumiliotoxins 251D, 267C, and 323A, 5,8-disubstituted indolizidines 207A and 223D, 5,6,8-trisubstituted indolizidine 231B, 3,5-disubstituted pyrrolizidines cis-223B and cis- and trans-251K, and izidine 211C. We report the first record of piperidines in Melanophryniscus, bringing the total number of alkaloid classes detected in this genus to 16. Alkaloid composition differed significantly among the three study sites. The functional significance of defensive chemicals in non-integumentary tissues is unknown.

Panic-like defensive behavior but not fear-induced antinociception is differently organized by dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei of Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia, Muridae)

The hypothalamus is a forebrain structure critically involved in the organization of defensive responses to aversive stimuli. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic dysfunction in dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei is implicated in the origin of panic-like defensive behavior, as well as in pain modulation. The present study was conducted to test the difference between these two hypothalamic nuclei regarding defensive and antinociceptive mechanisms. Thus, the GABA A antagonist bicuculline (40 ng/0.2 µL) or saline (0.9% NaCl) was microinjected into the dorsomedial or posterior hypothalamus in independent groups. Innate fear-induced responses characterized by defensive attention, defensive immobility and elaborate escape behavior were evoked by hypothalamic blockade of GABA A receptors. Fear-induced defensive behavior organized by the posterior hypothalamus was more intense than that organized by dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei. Escape behavior elicited by GABA A receptor blockade in both the dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamus was followed by an increase in nociceptive threshold. Interestingly, there was no difference in the intensity or in the duration of fear-induced antinociception shown by each hypothalamic division presently investigated. The present study showed that GABAergic dysfunction in nuclei of both the dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamus elicit panic attack-like defensive responses followed by fear-induced antinociception, although the innate fear-induced behavior originates differently in the posterior hypothalamus in comparison to the activity of medial hypothalamic subdivisions.

Fine-tuning of defensive behaviors in the dorsal periaqueductal gray by atypical neurotransmitters

This paper presents an up-to-date review of the evidence indicating that atypical neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO) and endocannabinoids (eCBs) play an important role in the regulation of aversive responses in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Among the results supporting this role, several studies have shown that inhibitors of neuronal NO synthase or cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor agonists cause clear anxiolytic responses when injected into this region. The nitrergic and eCB systems can regulate the activity of classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that control PAG activity. We propose that they exert a ‘fine-tuning’ regulatory control of defensive responses in this area. This control, however, is probably complex, which may explain the usually bell-shaped dose-response curves observed with drugs that act on NO- or CB1-mediated neurotransmission. Even if the mechanisms responsible for this complex interaction are still poorly understood, they are beginning to be recognized. For example, activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel (TRPV1) receptors by anandamide seems to counteract the anxiolytic effects induced by CB1 receptor activation caused by this compound. Further studies, however, are needed to identify other mechanisms responsible for this fine-tuning effect.

Dorsal periaqueductal gray stimulation facilitates anxiety-, but not panic-related, defensive responses in rats tested in the elevated T-maze

The escape response to electrical or chemical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (DPAG) has been associated with panic attacks. In order to explore the validity of the DPAG stimulation model for the study of panic disorder, we determined if the aversive consequences of the electrical or chemical stimulation of this midbrain area can be detected subsequently in the elevated T-maze. This animal model, derived from the elevated plus-maze, permits the measurement in the same rat of a generalized anxiety- and a panic-related defensive response, i.e., inhibitory avoidance and escape, respectively. Facilitation of inhibitory avoidance, suggesting an anxiogenic effect, was detected in male Wistar rats (200-220 g) tested in the elevated T-maze 30 min after DPAG electrical stimulation (current generated by a sine-wave stimulator, frequency at 60 Hz) or after local microinjection of the GABA A receptor antagonist bicuculline (5 pmol). Previous electrical (5, 15, 30 min, or 24 h before testing) or chemical stimulation of this midbrain area did not affect escape performance in the elevated T-maze or locomotion in an open-field. No change in the two behavioral tasks measured by the elevated T-maze was observed after repetitive (3 trials) electrical stimulation of the DPAG. The results indicate that activation of the DPAG caused a short-lived, but selective, increase in defensive behaviors associated with generalized anxiety.

Perioperative latex hypersensitivity reactions: an integrative literature review

This article characterizes hypersensitivity reactions during anesthetic-surgical procedures. This integrative literature review was conducted in the LILACS, CINAHL, COCHRANE and MEDLINE databases including papers published from 1966 to September 2011. A total of 17 case reports, two prevalence studies and one cohort study were identified. Latex reactions were mainly type III and the primary source of intraoperative reaction was latex gloves. The average time for clinical manifestation was 59.8 minutes after anesthetic induction; 44.4% of patients reported a reaction to latex at the pre-anesthetic evaluation. It was determined that the history of allergic reactions to latex obtained in the pre-anesthetic evaluation does not ensure the safety of patients if the staff is inattentive to the severity of the issue. There is also a tendency to initially attribute the anaphylactic event to the anesthetic drugs.

Prevention of skin reactions due to teletherapy in women with breast cancer: a comprehensive review

One of the possible courses of cancer treatment is teletherapy, and one of the most important adverse side effects are skin reactions, an ailment more commonly called radiodermatitis. The main purpose of this study is to analyze knowledge of the evidence about topical products used in the prevention of radiodermatitis, to support care delivery to women with breast cancer during teletherapy. The research method used here is the comprehensive literature review. Four databases were used to select the bibliography. The sample consists of 15 articles. The data shows that, among the topical products analyzed here, Calendula, corticosteroids and Xclair have shown significant protective effects, underlining their actions. The lack of articles published in Brazil highlights the need for further research in this area, seeking better care quality through the use of products with scientifically proven efficiency.

Hypersensitivity reactions to non beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, a statement of the WAO special committee on drug allergy

Antibiotics are used extensively in the treatment of various infections. Consequently, they can be considered among the most important agents involved in adverse reactions to drugs, including both allergic and non-allergic drug hypersensitivity [J Allergy Clin Immunol 113:832–836, 2004]. Most studies published to date deal mainly with reactions to the beta-lactam group, and information on hypersensitivity to each of the other antimicrobial agents is scarce. The present document has been produced by the Special Committee on Drug Allergy of the World Allergy Organization to present the most relevant information on the incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, possible mechanisms, and management of hypersensitivity reactions to non beta-lactam antimicrobials for use by practitioners worldwide.

Chronic unpredictable mild stress alters an anxiety-related defensive response, Fos immunoreactivity and hippocampal adult neurogenesis

Previous results show that elevated T-maze (ETM) avoidance responses are facilitated by acute restraint. Escape, on the other hand, was unaltered. To examine if the magnitude of the stressor is an important factor influencing these results, we investigated the effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on ETM avoidance and escape measurements. Analysis of Fos protein immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) was used to map areas activated by stress exposure in response to ETM avoidance and escape performance. Additionally, the effects of the UCMS protocol on the number of cells expressing the marker of migrating neuroblasts doublecortin (DCX) in the hippocampus were investigated. Corticosterone serum levels were also measured. Results showed that UCMS facilitates ETM avoidance, not altering escape. In unstressed animals, avoidance performance increases Fos-ir in the cingulate cortex, hippocampus (dentate gyrus) and basomedial amygdala, and escape increases Fos-ir in the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray and locus ceruleus. In stressed animals submitted to ETM avoidance, increases in Fos-ir were observed in the cingulate cortex, ventrolateral septum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, dorsal and median raphe nuclei. In stressed animals submitted to ETM escape, increases in Fos-ir were observed in the cingulate cortex, periaqueductal gray and locus ceruleus. Also, UCMS exposure decreased the number of DCX-positive cells in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus and increased corticosterone serum levels. These data suggest that the anxiogenic effects of UCMS are related to the activation of specific neurobiological circuits that modulate anxiety and confirm that this stress protocol activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and decreases hippocampal adult neurogenesis.