Modulation transfer function and optical quality after bilateral implantation of a+3.00 D versus a+4.00 D multifocal intraocular lens

PURPOSE: To determine whether the improvement in intermediate vision after bilateral implantation of an aspheric multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) with a +3.00 diopter (D) addition (add) occurs at the expense of optical quality compared with the previous model with a +4.00 D add. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN: Prospective randomized double-masked comparative clinical trial. METHODS: One year after bilateral implantation of Acrysof Restor SN6AD1 +3.00 D IOLs or Acrysof Restor SN6AD3 +4.00 D IOLs, optical quality was evaluated by analyzing the in vivo modulation transfer function (MTF) and point-spread function (expressed as Strehl ratio). The Strehl ratio and MTF curve with a 4.0 pupil and a 6.0 mm pupil were measured by dynamic retinoscopy aberrometry. The uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities at 4 m, uncorrected and distance-corrected near visual acuities at 40 cm, and uncorrected and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuities at 50 cm, 60 cm, and 70 cm were measured. RESULTS: Both IOL groups comprised 40 eyes of 20 patients. One year postoperatively, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in the MTF or Strehl ratio with either pupil size. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in distance or near visual acuity. Intermediate visual acuity was significantly better in the +3.00 D IOL group. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the improvement in intermediate vision in eyes with the aspheric multifocal +3.00 D add IOL occurred without decreasing optical quality over that with the previous version IOL with a +4.00 D add.

The Behavior of Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM) in Post-Extraction Sockets

Autogenous bone grafts are considered to be the gold standard in bone regeneration because of their osteogenic activity; however, due to limited availability of intraoral donor sites and the need to resolve the demands of patients requires an alternative to these. Two male patients were submitted to implant surgery in two stages with 6 months intervals between each of them: the first was exodontia and placement of DBM graft into the socket; the second stage was the drill with a 2 mm internal diameter trephine in center of the alveolar ridge previously grafted with DBM and subsequent implant placement. The samples were analyzed under histological techniques. A very mature bone was observed at 6 months after DBM graft placement in the sockets, showing it to be a good alternative as bone graft.

Prasugrel versus Clopidogrel for Acute Coronary Syndromes without Revascularization

Background The effect of intensified platelet inhibition for patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation who do not undergo revascularization has not been delineated. Methods In this double-blind, randomized trial, in a primary analysis involving 7243 patients under the age of 75 years receiving aspirin, we evaluated up to 30 months of treatment with prasugrel (10 mg daily) versus clopidogrel (75 mg daily). In a secondary analysis involving 2083 patients 75 years of age or older, we evaluated 5 mg of prasugrel versus 75 mg of clopidogrel. Results At a median follow-up of 17 months, the primary end point of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke among patients under the age of 75 years occurred in 13.9% of the prasugrel group and 16.0% of the clopidogrel group (hazard ratio in the prasugrel group, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.05; P = 0.21). Similar results were observed in the overall population. The prespecified analysis of multiple recurrent ischemic events (all components of the primary end point) suggested a lower risk for prasugrel among patients under the age of 75 years (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00; P = 0.04). Rates of severe and intracranial bleeding were similar in the two groups in all age groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of nonhemorrhagic serious adverse events, except for a higher frequency of heart failure in the clopidogrel group. Conclusions Among patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST- segment elevation, prasugrel did not significantly reduce the frequency of the primary end point, as compared with clopidogrel, and similar risks of bleeding were observed. (Funded by Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo; TRILOGY ACS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00699998.)

Wheezing in infants: frequency, clinical characteristics and treatment

Objective: To estimate the frequency and describe the clinical characteristics and respective treatments of previous history of wheezing. Methods: Infants aged 6-23 months with upper respiratory tract complaints and reporting previous wheezing were followed-up retrospectively. Data were registered on a validated standardized form. Results: Out of 451 infants, 164 (36.4%; 95%CI: 31.9-41.0) had a report of prior history of wheezing, 148 (32.8%; 95%CI: 28.5-37.4) during the first year of life. The mean age at the first episode of wheezing was 5.3 +/- 3.9 months. Among those who had had their first episode before 12 months of age, 38.5% reported 3 to 6 episodes and 14.2% > 6 episodes. Mean age at first episode was lower for those with a >= 3 episodes in comparison with those with <= 2 episodes (3.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 5.7 +/- 2.5 months, p < 0.001). Conclusion: One third of the infants reported wheezing during the first year of life. The earlier the first episode occurs, the more frequently wheezing recurs.

Characterization of the procera Tomato Mutant Shows Novel Functions of the SlDELLA Protein in the Control of Flower Morphology, Cell Division and Expansion, and the Auxin-Signaling Pathway during Fruit-Set and Development

procera (pro) is a tall tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant carrying a point mutation in the GRAS region of the gene encoding SlDELLA, a repressor in the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway. Consistent with the SlDELLA loss of function, pro plants display a GA-constitutive response phenotype, mimicking wild-type plants treated with GA(3). The ovaries from both nonemasculated and emasculated pro flowers had very strong parthenocarpic capacity, associated with enhanced growth of preanthesis ovaries due to more and larger cells. pro parthenocarpy is facultative because seeded fruits were obtained by manual pollination. Most pro pistils had exserted stigmas, thus preventing self-pollination, similar to wild-type pistils treated with GA(3) or auxins. However, Style2.1, a gene responsible for long styles in noncultivated tomato, may not control the enhanced style elongation of pro pistils, because its expression was not higher in pro styles and did not increase upon GA(3) application. Interestingly, a high percentage of pro flowers had meristic alterations, with one additional petal, sepal, stamen, and carpel at each of the four whorls, respectively, thus unveiling a role of SlDELLA in flower organ development. Microarray analysis showed significant changes in the transcriptome of preanthesis pro ovaries compared with the wild type, indicating that the molecular mechanism underlying the parthenocarpic capacity of pro is complex and that it is mainly associated with changes in the expression of genes involved in GA and auxin pathways. Interestingly, it was found that GA activity modulates the expression of cell division and expansion genes and an auxin signaling gene (tomato AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7) during fruit-set.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the helical oxalate-bridged copper(II) chain {[(CH3)(4)N](2)[Cu(C2O4)(2)] center dot H2O}(n)

The preparation, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new oxalate-containing copper(II) chain of formula {[(CH3)(4)N](2)]Cu(C2O4)(2)] center dot H2O}(n) (1) [(CH3)(4)N+ = tetramethylammonium cation] are reported. The structure of 1 consists of anionic oxalate-bridged copper(II) chains, tetramethylammoniun cations and crystallization water molecules. Each copper(II) ion in 1 is surrounded by three oxalate ligands, one being bidentate and the other two exhibiting bis-bidenate coordination modes. Although all the tris-chelated copper(H) units from a given chain exhibit the same helicity, adjacent chains have opposite helicities and then an achiral structure results. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show the occurrence of a weak ferromagnetic interaction through the oxalate bridge [J = +1.14(1)cm(-1), the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -J Sigma nm S-i . S-j]. This value is analyzed and discussed in the light of available magnetostructural data for oxalate-bridged copper(H) complexes with the same out-of-plane exchange pathway. (C) 2012 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Underlying Event measurements in pp collisions at root s=0.9 and 7 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

We present measurements of Underlying Event observables in pp collisions at root s = 0 : 9 and 7 TeV. The analysis is performed as a function of the highest charged-particle transverse momentum p(T),L-T in the event. Different regions are defined with respect to the azimuthal direction of the leading (highest transverse momentum) track: Toward, Transverse and Away. The Toward and Away regions collect the fragmentation products of the hardest partonic interaction. The Transverse region is expected to be most sensitive to the Underlying Event activity. The study is performed with charged particles above three different p(T) thresholds: 0.15, 0.5 and 1.0 GeV/c. In the Transverse region we observe an increase in the multiplicity of a factor 2-3 between the lower and higher collision energies, depending on the track p(T) threshold considered. Data are compared to PYTHIA 6.4, PYTHIA 8.1 and PHOJET. On average, all models considered underestimate the multiplicity and summed p(T) in the Transverse region by about 10-30%.

Catalogue of the type material of Neriidae (Diptera, Schizophora) in the collection of the Museum fur Naturkunde Berlin, Germany

The Diptera collection of the Natural History Museum Berlin holds one of the most important collections of Neriidae. In this paper, the type specimens (holotypes, lectotypes, paratypes, paralectotypes, syntypes) of this historical collection are listed. 28 species-group taxa are dealt with. A lectotype designation is made for the species Brachantichir purpusianus Enderlein, 1922 in order to fix the identity of the name. Holotypes are recognized by monotypy of the species Chaetomeristes bullatus Enderlein, 1922; Chaetomeristes peruanus Enderlein, 1922; Derocephalus angusticollis Enderlein, 1922; Glyphidops limbatus Enderlein, 1922; Longina abdominalis Wiedemann, 1830; Loxozus clavicornis Enderlein, 1922; Oncopsia mexicana Enderlein, 1922; Paranerius fibulatus Enderlein, 1922; Telostylinus dahli Enderlein, 1922; Telostylus latibrachium Enderlein, 1922; and Telostylinus luridus Enderlein, 1922. Syntypes are labelled and listed for Brachantichir robusta Enderlein, 1922; Nerius terebratus Enderlein, 1922; Odontoloxozus punctulatus Enderlein, 1922; Telostylinus apicalis Enderlein, 1922; Telostylinus obscuratus Enderlein, 1922; and Telostylinus ornatipennis Enderlein, 1922. The account concludes with geographic and taxonomic summaries; an appendix listing the abbreviations, localities, and collectors cited in the text; and a bibliography. ((c) 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Effects of the extraction conditions on the yield and composition of rice bran oil extracted with ethanol-A response surface approach

Rice bran oil was obtained from rice bran by solvent extraction using ethanol. The influence of process variables, solvent hydration (0-24% of water, on mass basis), temperature (60-90 degrees C), solvent-to-rice bran mass ratio (2.5:1 to 4.5:1) and stirrer speed (100-250 rpm) were analysed using the response surface methodology. The extraction yield was highly affected by the solvent water content, and it varied from 8.56 to 20.05 g of oil/100 g of fresh rice bran (or 42.7-99.9% of the total oil available) depending on the experimental conditions. It was observed that oryzanol and tocols behave in different ways during the extraction process. A larger amount of tocols is extracted from the solid matrix in relation to gamma-oryzanol. It was possible to obtain values from 123 to 271 mg of tocols/kg of fresh rice bran and 1527 to 4164 mg of oryzanol/kg of fresh rice bran, indicating that it is feasible to obtain enriched oil when this renewable solvent is used. No differences in the chemical composition of the extracted oils were observed when compared to the data cited in the literature. (C) 2011 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In Vitro Macroscopic and Endoscopic Analysis of Three-Rooted Maxillary Premolars and Two-Rooted Mandibular Premolars in the Same Individual: a Case Report

The recent addition of endoscopy in dental practice has enabled clinicians to have an excellent view of the operative field, yielding highly successful visualization of anatomical structures that are difficult to access, both in oral surgery and endodontics. The purpose of this report is to provide an in vitro macroscopic, radiographic, and endoscopic description of the anatomic variation of the roots of maxillary and mandibular first premolars in the same patient. A 22-year-old patient was referred by an orthodontist for the extraction of all the first premolars. Once extracted, the premolars were examined macroscopically and then analyzed radiographically after trepanation and filled root canal systems. Subsequently, a diaphanization process was carried out and the samples were sectioned at the middle and apical third for observation by endoscope. It was found that both the maxillary first premolars had three roots, and mandibular first premolars had two roots, all with complete root formation. Apical deltas or accessory canals were not identified in the radiographic images; however, through endoscope at the middle third, it was possible to observe an accessory canal to the first maxillary and mandibular right premolars. Thus, it can be concluded that the view through the endoscope allows better identification of accessory canals than X-rays.

Multiple Tooth Agenesis in Non-syndromic Patient: a rare case report

Dental agenesis is a term referred to the absence of one or more teeth. However, oligodontia is a severe type of tooth agenesis involving six or more congenitally missing teeth, excluding the third molars. Oligodontia has a low prevalence and is a very rare condition. The aim was to show this case report of a 13-year-old female patient who presented oligodontia with absence of eight permanent teeth and condylar atrophy on left side. The patient had no history of any syndrome or systemic disease according to the anamnesis. Is very important to know oligodontia features to perform a carefully treatment plan.

Experiments on through-wall imaging using ultra wideband radar

Through-wall imaging (TWI) may provide vital information on interior environment in cases when physically entering such environment would pose danger to the person involved. The concept of ultra wideband radar (UWB radar) is an emerging technology, which offers high spatial resolution, as opposed to narrow band radars. Thus, TWI applications using UWB radar have become a growing field of research with several applications in the civil and defense areas such as rescue and surveillance. For this study, a prototype system of UWB radar to TWI has been built. Analyses and result to several kinds of experiments have been presented, that is, detection and visualization of metallic targets behind wooden board wall and concrete blocks wall. The results are encouraging and show the advantages of using UWB radar for TWI. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett, 54:339-344, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26543

Parent psychopathology and offspring mental disorders: results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

Background Associations between specific parent and offspring mental disorders are likely to have been overestimated in studies that have failed to control for parent comorbidity. Aims To examine the associations of parent with respondent disorders. Method Data come from the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health Surveys (n = 51 507). Respondent disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and parent disorders with informant-based Family History Research Diagnostic Criteria interviews. Results Although virtually all parent disorders examined (major depressive, generalised anxiety, panic, substance and antisocial behaviour disorders and suicidality) were significantly associated with offspring disorders in multivariate analyses, little specificity was found. Comorbid parent disorders had significant sub-additive associations with offspring disorders. Population-attributable risk proportions for parent disorders were 12.4% across all offspring disorders, generally higher in high- and upper-middle-than low-/lower-middle-income countries, and consistently higher for behaviour (11.0-19.9%) than other (7.1-14.0%) disorders. Conclusions Parent psychopathology is a robust non-specific predictor associated with a substantial proportion of offspring disorders.

Corneal wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin-C for hyperopia after radial keratotomy: Two-year follow-up

PURPOSE: To assess corneal wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to correct hyperopia after radial keratotomy (RK). SETTING: Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Excimer laser corneal wavefront-guided PRK with intraoperative mitomycin-C (MMC) 0.02% was performed. Main outcome measures were uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, spherical equivalent (SE), corneal aberrations, and haze. RESULTS: The mean time between RK and PRK in the 61 eyes (39 patients) was 18.8 years +/- 3.8 (SD). Before PRK, the mean SE was +4.17 +/- 1.97 diopters (D); the mean astigmatism, -1.39 +/- 1.04 D; and the mean CDVA, 0.161 +/- 0.137 logMAR. At 24 months, the mean values were 0.14 +/- 0.99 D (P<.001), -1.19 +/- 1.02 D (P=.627), and 0.072 +/- 0.094 logMAR (P<.001), respectively; the mean UDVA was 0.265 +/- 0.196 (P<.001). The UDVA was 20/25 or better in 37.7% of eyes and 20/40 or better in 68.9%. The CDVA improved by 1 or more lines in 62.3% of eyes. Two eyes (3.3%) lost 2 or more lines, 1 due to corneal ectasia. Thirty eyes (49.2%) were within +/- 0.50 D of intended SE and 45 (73.8%) were within +/- 1.00 D. From 6 to 24 months, the mean SE regression was +0.39 D (P<.05). A significant decrease in coma, trefoil, and spherical aberration occurred. Three eyes developed peripheral haze more than grade 1. CONCLUSION: Corneal wavefront-guided PRK with MMC for hyperopia after RK significantly improved UDVA, CDVA, and higher-order corneal aberrations with a low incidence of visually significant corneal haze.

Measurement of prompt J/psi and beauty hadron production cross sections at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV

The ALICE experiment at the LHC has studied J/psi production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV through its electron pair decay on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity L-int = 5.6 nb(-1). The fraction of J/psi from the decay of long-lived beauty hadrons was determined for J/psi candidates with transverse momentum p(t) > 1,3 GeV/c and rapidity vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9. The cross section for prompt J/psi mesons, i.e. directly produced J/psi and prompt decays of heavier charmonium states such as the psi(2S) and chi(c) resonances, is sigma(prompt J/psi) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 8.3 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 1.1 (syst.)(-1.4)(+1.5) (syst. pol.) mu b. The cross section for the production of b-hadrons decaying to J/psi with p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c and vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9 is a sigma(J/psi <- hB) (p(t) > 1.3 GeV/c, vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.9) = 1.46 +/- 0.38 (stat.)(-0.32)(+0.26) (syst.) mu b. The results are compared to QCD model predictions. The shape of the p(t) and y distributions of b-quarks predicted by perturbative QCD model calculations are used to extrapolate the measured cross section to derive the b (b) over bar pair total cross section and d sigma/dy at mid-rapidity.