Landmark detection for fusion of fundus and MRI toward a patient-specific multimodal eye model.

Ophthalmologists typically acquire different image modalities to diagnose eye pathologies. They comprise, e.g., Fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Yet, these images are often complementary and do express the same pathologies in a different way. Some pathologies are only visible in a particular modality. Thus, it is beneficial for the ophthalmologist to have these modalities fused into a single patient-specific model. The goal of this paper is a fusion of Fundus photography with segmented MRI volumes. This adds information to MRI that was not visible before like vessels and the macula. This paper contributions include automatic detection of the optic disc, the fovea, the optic axis, and an automatic segmentation of the vitreous humor of the eye.

Iontophoresis of dexamethasone in the treatment of endotoxin-induced-uveitis in rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Coulomb Controlled Iontophoresis system (CCI) in the local delivery of corticosteroids for the treatment of uveitis. The therapeutic efficacy of Dexamethasone (Dex) administered by CCI was compared to systemic injection and to topical application with the iontophoresis apparatus in the absence of electrical current. The evaluation was done in the treatment of the endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) model, and in the effect on TNF gene expression in the iris/ciliary body as well as in the retina and on TNF levels in aqueous humor and vitreous. Dex was administered either at the time of LPS injection or 5 hours later. For iontophoresis, we used a 1 ml reservoir-electrode covering the cornea, the limbus, and the first millimeter of the sclera. The applied electrical current was of 400 microA during four minutes with a total surface charge of 0.4 C cm-2. EIU was evaluated by clinical examination, by counts of intraocular inflammatory cells on histological sections, and by measuring the protein levels in the aqueous humor and in the vitreous. The TNF-alpha gene expression in the iris and ciliary body, and in the retina was evaluated by RT-PCR. The systemic effect of Dex delivered by CCI was evaluated on the level of serum TNF-alpha in EIU. Our results demonstrated that local administration of Dex by CCI inhibited anterior and posterior signs of intraocular inflammation as effectively as systemic administration, with no effect on systemic level of TNF. In the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, the protein exudation. TNF levels and the cellular infiltration were inhibited. The TNF-alpha gene expression was inhibited in the anterior as well as the posterior segment of the eye. No clinical nor histological damage were caused by the CCI apparatus. In conclusion, CCI administration of Dex allows for a therapeutic effect on the posterior as well as the anterior segment of the eye, and may present a viable alternative to systemic administration of glucocorticoids in severe ocular inflammations.

Análisis de dos traducciones de la obra The Importance of Being Earnest, de Oscar Wilde

El siguiente trabajo consiste en el análisis de dos traducciones, una al catalán y otra al castellano, de la comedia The Importance of Being Earnest de Oscar Wilde. El análisis se centra en los aspectos más problemáticos de la traducción de esta obra

Marcadores Pragmáticos en lasTraducciones Rusas de la novela de P.G.Wodhouse “Right Ho, Jeeves”

Este trabajo se enfoca en la traslación de los marcadores pragmáticos en las traducciones rusas de "Right Ho, Jeeves" de P.G. Wodehouse. Aún siendo vacíos semánticamente y opcionales gramaticalmente, estas unidades son indispensables desde el punto de vista pragmático ya que desempeñan muchas funciones en los ámbitos textual e interpersonal. Como son multifuncionales y polisémicos, las equivalencias dadas en los diccionarios bilingües no alcanzan todas las situaciones comunicativas en que se utilizan. Son buenos indicadores que permiten observar la transferencia tanto de las peculiaridades discursivas como del retrato de la relación interpersonal de los protagonistas, dos componentes clave del humor de la novela analizada. El grado de conservación de la carga pragmática y del nivel de formalidad repecute en la construcción del caracter del personaje y en este caso en la representación de la pareja del señor y su criado — un constructo literario que varía según la cultura.

Propriedades físicas do solo e produtividade de arroz irrigado por inundação no sistema plantio direto

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as propriedades físicas do solo e a produtividade de arroz irrigado por inundação no sistema plantio direto, na fronteira oeste do Rio Grande do Sul, em comparação ao sistema convencional. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com três experimentos e dez repetições: E1, sistema plantio direto após nivelamento do terreno (E1PDR) e sistema convencional com duas gradagens a 0,0-0,07 m após nivelamento do terreno (E1C), sete anos de pousio do cultivo de arroz, com semeadura de azevém no inverno e pastejo animal; E2, sistema plantio direto (E2PD) e sistema convencional (E2C), após campo nativo; E3, sistema plantio direto (E3PD), sistema plantio direto após nivelamento do terreno com remaplan (E3PDR) e sistema convencional (E3C), após arroz irrigado em sistema convencional, durante um ano sob campo nativo. As propriedades físicas do solo diferiram pouco entre os sistemas de plantio direto e o sistema convencional. O cultivo continuado com arroz irrigado causou compactação do solo na camada 0,07-0,10 m. A produtividade de arroz não diferiu nos sistemas plantio direto e convencional, nos experimentos 1 e 2. No experimento 3, com maior quantidade de restos culturais de arroz, a produtividade foi superior no sistema convencional

Marcadores pragmáticos en las traducciones rusas de la novela de P.G. Wodehouse "Right Ho, Jeeves"

Este trabajo se enfoca en la traslación de los marcadores pragmáticos en las traducciones rusas de "Right Ho, Jeeves" de P.G. Wodehouse. Aún siendo vacíos semánticamente y opcionales gramaticalmente, estas unidades son indispensables desde el punto de vista pragmático ya que desempeñan muchas funciones en los ámbitos textual e interpersonal. Como son multifuncionales y polisémicos, las equivalencias dadas en los diccionarios bilingües no alcanzan todas las situaciones comunicativas en que se utilizan. Son buenos indicadores que permiten observar la transferencia tanto de las peculiaridades discursivas como del retrato de la relación interpersonal de los protagonistas, dos componentes clave del humor de la novela analizada. El grado de conservación de la carga pragmática y del nivel de formalidad repecute en la construcción del caracter del personaje y en este caso en la representación de la pareja del señor y su criado — un constructo literario que varía según la cultura.

Are you having a laugh? Los límites de la sitcom contemporánea

El presente trabajo explora el estado actual de la sitcom como género televisivo a partir del caso problemático de Louie, serie que renuncia a casi todas las convenciones de la comedia televisivatradicional. Justificando su filiación como sitcom, se articula una breve historia de la comedia revolucionaria que desemboca en Louie a través de las series obra de Garry Shandling, Larry David, Ricky Gervais y Louis C.K. El género se analiza a partir de su estética, su puesta en escena, su relación temática y su dimensión temporal. También se describe la evolución de su tipo de humor, en cuanto a su relación con la stand-up comedy y con el concepto de post-humor. Además se introduce un concepto de autoría propio de estas series, basado en la presencia del cuerpo del cómico/autor en pantalla

Estudios de los restos vegetales de diversas muestras procedentes del abrigo de Son Gallard- Son Marroig: el resultado de los analisis de fitolitos.

[spa] Los fitólitos son microrestos síliceos que reproducen el tejido celular de las plantas. Su identificación y cuantificación en un yacimiento arqueológico permiten obtener información sobre el tipo de plantas utilizadas en un contexto determinado así como su distribución. Fueron realizados análisis de fitolitos en diversos niveles correspondientes a diferentes períodos cronológicos del abrigo de Son Gallard-Son Marroig. Los resultados obtenidos señalan una deposición de carácter «antrópico» de materia vegetal en dos de los niveles analizados (TB3 y UE5), aunque sin una selección aparente del tipo de plantas depositadas. Por otro lado las muestras analizadas de la Covacha Este parecen indicar que se trata del suelo de hábitat del abrigo sin una deposición intencionada de materia vegetal, mas allá de la derivada por el uso continuado del abrigo. [eng] Phytoliths are silica microremains that reproduce the cellular tissue of plants. The identification and quantification of phytoliths in archaeological sediments, allows for a better understanding of the utilised plants in a pecific area as well as the distribution of the plants used. Phytolith analyses were performed on different levels from different periods in Son Gallard-Son Marroig rockshelter. The results obtained show an «anthropological» deposition of plants in two of the studied levels (TB3 and UE5), without apparent selection of plants. On the other hand, the samples analyzed from the Covacha Este seem to indicate the presence of vegetal remains product of the continued use of the soils with no intentional deposition.

A new poly(ortho ester)-based drug delivery system as an adjunct treatment in filtering surgery.

PURPOSE: Pharmacologic modulation of wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery remains a major clinical challenge in ophthalmology. Poly(ortho ester) (POE) is a bioerodible and biocompatible viscous polymer potentially useful as a sustained drug delivery system that allows the frequency of intraocular injections to be reduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of POE containing a precise amount of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in an experimental model of filtering surgery in the rabbit. METHODS: Trabeculectomy was performed in pigmented rabbit eyes. An ointmentlike formulation of POE containing 1% wt/wt 5-FU was injected subconjunctivally at the site of surgery, during the procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb persistence, and ocular inflammatory reaction were monitored until postoperative day 30. Quantitative analysis of 5-FU was performed in the anterior chamber. Histologic analysis was used to assess the appearance of the filtering fistula and the polymer's biocompatibility. RESULTS: The decrease in IOP from baseline and the persistence of the filtering bleb were significantly more marked in the 5-FU-treated eyes during postoperative days 9 through 28. Corneal toxicity triggered by 5-FU was significantly lower in the group that received 5-FU in POE compared with a 5-FU tamponade. Histopathologic evaluation showed that POE was well tolerated, and no fibrosis occurred in eyes treated with POE containing 5-FU. CONCLUSIONS: In this rabbit model of trabeculectomy, the formulation based on POE and containing a precise amount of 5-FU reduced IOP and prolonged bleb persistence in a way similar to the conventional method of a 5-FU tamponade, while significantly reducing 5-FU toxicity.

Activitats d'aprenentatge de tipus aplicatiu en l'estudi de casos a grau i postgrau

La metodología basada en el estudio de casos constituye una estrategia docente que ha sido de gran utilidad en la asignatura de Fisiopatología de la Licenciatura de Farmacia desde el año 2002. Esta estrategia se ha continuado aplicando en la asig-natura de Fisiología y Fisiopatología II del actual Grado en Farmacia, así como en otras asignaturas de postgrado, como es el caso de la asignatura “Intolerancias y Alergias Alimentarias” del Master en Nutrición y Metabolismo (URV-UB). En el marco del proyecto 2010PID-UB/38, se estableció como objetivo el diseño de actividades de aprendizaje de tipo funcional, implementadas en el entorno del Campus Virtual, que permitieran desarrollar diversas competencias transversales.

Reflexions al voltant de la resiliencia. Una conversa amb Stefan Vanistendael

E Darre rament, e l concepte resili cncia s' ha fet molt present en e ls discursos tècnics del camp soc ial. Ara bé, e ls usos que se li estan donant són múlti ples i en alguns casos molt diferenciats entre ells. Per cl arificar e l sentit ini c ial de l concepte hem mantingut una: conversa amb el professor Stefan VanistendaeL una de les persones que més ha desenvolupat aquest concepte i explorat les seves aplicacions.

Humour and translation, an interdiscipline

This paper calls for greater attention from researchers into the nature of humor translation as an interdisciplinary area that should be of interest to translation and humor studies. It includes a brief review of the complexity of translation and the problems posed by traditional approaches. The paper introduces a number of parameters that may be of assistance in developing joke typologies for translators or translation scholars. A model is presented for structuring joke-types according to binary branching. An attempt is then made to combine the model with ideas and concepts put forward in Attardo (2002). The result is a binary branch tree for the 6 Knowledge Resources and the hierarchical structure that Attardo claims they have. One important conclusion is that sameness, or similarity, may have little to do with funniness, and, if this is so, it is going to create a dilemma for translators wishing to achieve equivalent effect.

Downregulation of endotoxin-induced uveitis by intravitreal injection of vasoactive intestinal Peptide encapsulated in liposomes.

PURPOSE: To reestablish the immunosuppressive microenvironment of the eye, disrupted by ocular inflammation during endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU), by means of intravitreal injection of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in saline or encapsulated in liposomes, to increase its bioavailability and efficiency. METHODS: EIU was induced in Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Simultaneously, animals were intravitreally injected with saline, saline/VIP, VIP-loaded liposomes (VIP-Lip), or unloaded liposomes. EIU severity and cellular infiltration were assessed by clinical examination and specific immunostaining. VIP concentration was determined in ocular fluids by ELISA. Ocular expression of inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNAs was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Biodistribution of rhodamine-conjugated liposomes (Rh-Lip) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in eyes and regional cervical lymph nodes (LNs). RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after intravitreal injection of VIP-Lip, VIP concentration in ocular fluids was 15 times higher than after saline/VIP injection. At that time, EIU clinical severity, ocular infiltrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and, to a lesser extent, ED1(+) macrophages, as well as inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression, were significantly reduced in VIP-Lip-injected rats compared with rats injected with saline/VIP, unloaded liposomes, or saline. Rh-Lip was distributed in vitreous, ciliary body, conjunctiva, retina, and sclera. It was internalized by macrophages and PMNs, and VIP colocalized with liposomes at least up to 14 days after injection. In cervical LNs, resident macrophages internalized VIP-Rh-Lip, and some adjacent lymphocytes showed VIP expression. CONCLUSIONS: VIP was efficient at reducing EIU only when formulated in liposomes, which enhanced its immunosuppressive effect and controlled its delivery to all tissues affected by or involved in ocular inflammation.