Seroepidemiological survey to cell culture rabies vaccines (CCRV) in Brazil.

Rabies is a contagious viral disease that can be easily transmitted by the saliva and brain/nervous system tissues of the infected animals, causing severe and fatal encephalitis in both animals and humans. Vaccination campaigns are crucial to combat and prevent rabies's spread in dogs and humans. The Modified Fuenzalida & Palicios vaccines have been widely used since the 70s and have proven effective in producing a solid serological response. Since 2008, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has introduced a Cell Culture Rabies Vaccine (CCRV) for all dog mass vaccination campaigns in Brazil. However, to date, there is limited evidence on the immunologic response of dogs to this type of vaccine in field conditions. The present study evaluated the serological response in dogs vaccinated with CCRV from blood samples of 724 dogs using the Simplified Fluorescence Inhibition Microtest - SFIMT. Dogs with a titer equal to 0.5 IU/mL or above were considered seropositive. The results revealed that 59.12% (428/724) of all dogs tested and 48.49% (32/66) of primo-vaccinated animals were seropositive. The percentage of seronegative animals was higher than seropositive for animals that received a single dose during their life (p < 0.05). The opposite was observed in animals with five or more doses. The results of this study demonstrated that the CCRV vaccines elicit a satisfactory immunological response in field conditions and can constitute an essential population-level preventive strategy as part of annual canine rabies vaccination campaigns. Although its effectiveness has been studied, there is limited evidence of its immunological response in dogs under field conditions. This paper evaluates the serological response to CCRV in dogs vaccinated during mass vaccination campaigns from 2012 to 2017.

Myocardial proteome changes in aortic stenosis rats subjected to long-term aerobic exercise.

The effects of exercise training (ET) on the heart of aortic stenosis (AS) rats are controversial and the mechanisms involved in alterations induced by ET have been poorly clarified. In this study, we analyzed the myocardial proteome to identify proteins modulated by moderate-intensity aerobic ET in rats with chronic supravalvular AS. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary control (C-Sed), exercised control (C-Ex), sedentary aortic stenosis (AS-Sed), and exercised AS (AS-Ex). ET consisted of five treadmill running sessions per week for 16 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis and Goodman tests. Results were discussed at a significance level of 5%. At the end of the experiment, AS-Ex rats had higher functional capacity, lower blood lactate concentration, and better cardiac structural and left ventricular (LV) functional parameters than the AS-Sed. Myocardial proteome analysis showed that AS-Sed had higher relative protein abundance related to the glycolytic pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation, and lower relative protein abundance related to beta-oxidation than C-Sed. AS-Ex had higher abundance of one protein related to mitochondrial biogenesis and lower relative protein abundance associated with oxidative stress and inflammation than AS-Sed. Proteomic data were validated for proteins related to lipid and glycolytic metabolism. Chronic pressure overload changes the abundance of myocardial proteins that are mainly involved in lipid and glycolytic energy metabolism in rats. Moderate-intensity aerobic training attenuates changes in proteins related to oxidative stress and inflammation and increases the COX4I1 protein, related to mitochondrial biogenesis. Protein changes are combined with improved functional capacity, cardiac remodeling, and LV function in AS rats.

Trachoma: an underdiagnosed disease revealed by a survey carried out at Jaú, São Paulo.

BACKGROUND: Trachoma is a notifiable disease in the state of São Paulo- Brazil. However, in Jaú, a municipality located in this state, in the last 10 years there are no records of cases. This study purpose is to assess if there are cases of inflammatory trachoma in schoolchildren aged 1 to 9 years in the municipality of Jaú as well if it is possible to detect clusters areas of the disease to establish elimination programs. METHODS: An epidemiological study was performed in 2018, involving a stratified random sample of schoolchildren aged 1- to 9-year-old, from public day care centers and elementary schools in the municipality of Jaú. A trachoma screening following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the distribution of cases was assessed using geoprocessing. RESULTS: Four thousand-six hundred-nineteen children from 44 elementary schools were examined, and 126 children with active trachoma were detected, with an adjusted prevalence rate of 2.65%. The prevalence was higher (3.01%) in children aged 6- to 9-year-old compared to children aged 1-to 5-year-old (2.42%). There were clusters with a higher concentration of positive cases of the disease in three schools located in the neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic conditions. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory trachoma still present in children aged 1- to 9-year-old in the city of Jaú. The positive cases were located mainly in areas with low socioeconomic conditions. Health promotion with active search and periodical treatment must be planned to fight this important blinding cause, that persists in our municipality.

Short-term qualitative and quantitative analyses of preseptal injection of hyaluronic acid on the treatment of acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion / Análise preliminar qualitativa e quantitativa da injeção pré-septal de ácido hialurônico para tratamento do ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior

ABSTRACT Purpose: Recently, hyaluronic acid (HA) was proposed as a promising option for the treatment of acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion. However, this effect was not confirmed by quantitative assessments. This study aimed to assess the effect of hyaluronic acid on the treatment of acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion. Methods: Eight patients with acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion (13 eyelids) were treated with a single 1 mL injection of hyaluronic acid in the preseptal area of the lower eyelid. Evaluation of symptoms and biomicroscopic exam was performed before and 30 days after hyaluronic acid injection. Quantitative analysis of the lower eyelid position (with and without lid traction) was determined before and 30 days after hyaluronic acid injection through standard photographs analyzed using the ImageJ. Results: All patients experienced partial improvement of symptoms. The lower eyelid position was significantly lifted after hyaluronic acid injection with a significant reduction of medial and lateral angles, reduction of the margin reflex distance, and total and medial ocular fissure area. However, signs of lid margin inflammation and corneal punctate keratitis persisted. Conclusions: Hyaluronic acid injected in the pre-septal area of the lower eyelid improved acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion symptoms and significantly lifted the position of the lower eyelid. Further studies, with a large number of participants and a long-term follow-up period, are needed to better determine the permanency of the effects of hyaluronic acid injections on the treatment of acquired lower eyelid cicatricial ectropion.

RESUMO Objetivo: Recentemente, o ácido hialurônico foi proposto como promissor no tratamento do ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior. No entanto, não foram feitas avaliações quantitativas para confirmar este efeito, motivo que levou a realização do presente estudo que visou avaliar o efeito do ácido hialurônico no tratamento do ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior. Métodos: Oito portadores de ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior (13 pálpebras) foram tratados com uma única dose de 1 mL de ácido hialurônico, injetada na área pré-septal da pálpebra inferior. Os sintomas e o exame biomicroscópico foram realizados antes e 30 dias após a injeção do ácido hialurônico. A análise quantitativa da posição palpebral inferior (com e sem tração palpebral) foi determinada antes e 30 dias após a injeção do ácido hialurônico por meio de fotografias que foram analisadas usando o programa ImageJ. Resultados: Todos os pacientes apresentaram melhora parcial dos sintomas. A posição da pálpebra inferior foi elevada significativamente após a injeção do ácido hialurônico, com redução significativa dos ângulos medial e lateral, da distância entre o reflexo pupilar e a margem da pálpebra inferior, da área de fissura palpebral total e da área medial. No entanto, sinais de inflamação da margem palpebral e ceratite puntata da córnea persistiram. Conclusões: O ácido hialurônico injetado na área pré-septal da pálpebra inferior, melhorou os sintomas do ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior e elevou significativamente a posição da pálpebra inferior. Estudos com maior número de participantes e período de acompanhamento mais longo são necessários para melhor determinar os efeitos das injeções de ácido hialurônico a longo prazo no tratamento do ectrópio cicatricial adquirido da pálpebra inferior.

Reliability of simulated combat tasks performed by Brazilian Air Force cadets.

The Brazilian Air Force (BAF) has developed physical evaluations focused on the demands required in combat scenarios, giving rise to the Simulated Tasks (STs). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine test-retest reliability and investigate learning effects of the five STs established among the BAF. Fifty-six subjects performed five STs three times, after completing a previous familiarisation session. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the occurrence of learning effects, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to identify the reliability of each ST. ANOVA revealed no significant differences in the subject's scores across trials for all the STs, and the ICCs ranged from 0.75 to 0.92 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study identified that the five STs showed no learning effects across three successive trials and exhibited high levels of reliability.

Understanding the reliability and learning effects of the STs established among the Brazilian Air Force is crucial for their potential implementation. The subjects performed five STs three times, over the course of seven days. The results highlighted no evidence of learning effects, and high levels of reliability.

Aerobic Exercise Training Improves Calcium Handling and Cardiac Function in Rats with Heart Failure Resulting from Aortic Stenosis.

Aerobic exercise training (AET) has been used to manage heart disease. AET may totally or partially restore the activity and/or expression of proteins that regulate calcium (Ca2+) handling, optimize intracellular Ca2+ flow, and attenuate cardiac functional impairment in failing hearts. However, the literature presents conflicting data regarding the effects of AET on Ca2+ transit and cardiac function in rats with heart failure resulting from aortic stenosis (AoS). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of AET on Ca2+ handling and cardiac function in rats with heart failure due to AoS. Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: control (Sham; n = 61) and aortic stenosis (AoS; n = 44). After 18 weeks, the groups were redistributed into: non-exposed to exercise training (Sham, n = 28 and AoS, n = 22) and trained (Sham-ET, n = 33 and AoS-ET, n = 22) for 10 weeks. Treadmill exercise training was performed with a velocity equivalent to the lactate threshold. The cardiac function was analyzed by echocardiogram, isolated papillary muscles, and isolated cardiomyocytes. During assays of isolated papillary muscles and isolated cardiomyocytes, the Ca2+ concentrations were evaluated. The expression of regulatory proteins for diastolic Ca2+ was assessed via Western Blot. AET attenuated the diastolic dysfunction and improved the systolic function. AoS-ET animals presented an enhanced response to post-rest contraction and SERCA2a and L-type Ca2+ channel blockage compared to the AoS. Furthermore, AET was able to improve aspects of the mechanical function and the responsiveness of the myofilaments to the Ca2+ of the AoS-ET animals. AoS animals presented an alteration in the protein expression of SERCA2a and NCX, and AET restored SERCA2a and NCX levels near normal values. Therefore, AET increased SERCA2a activity and myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ and improved the cellular Ca2+ influx mechanism, attenuating cardiac dysfunction at cellular, tissue, and chamber levels in animals with AoS and heart failure.

Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and quality of life after bilateral implantation of multifocal diffractive intraocular lens / Acuidade visual, sensibilidade ao contraste e qualidade de vida após implante bilateral de lente intraocular multifocal difrativa

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate visual outcomes, satisfaction, and quality of life of patients assisted in a Medical School hospital by the Brazilian Public Health System, who underwent bilateral diffractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation. Methods: Case series study with intervention, including 20 patients who underwent bilateral implantation of multifocal IOL EyeDiff® (Eyeol UK, Dunstable, UK). Exclusion criteria were corneal astigmatism >1.5 cylindrical diopters, previous ocular surgery or ocular disease, and intra- or postoperative complications. Patients were evaluated one, three, and six months after surgery. Monocular and binocular visual acuity for distance, intermediate and near, under photopic and mesopic conditions, monocular contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions, defocus curve, and quality of life were assessed. Results: Monocular distance-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 logMAR or better and monocular distance-corrected near visual acuity was J3 or better in all eyes under photopic conditions. Binocular distance-corrected near visual acuity was J1 in all cases. Contrast sensitivity was at the minimum level of normality for low and high spatial frequencies and within normal limits for intermediate spatial frequency. The quality of life questionnaire showed a high level of patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Bilateral implantation of the multifocal intraocular lens EyeDiff® provides patients with good visual acuity and quality of life, besides spectacle independence. The visual acuity and contrast sensitivity progressively improved between one and six postoperative months.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados visuais, satisfação e qualidade de vida de pacientes atendidos em um hospital escola pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, submetidos a implante bilateral de lente intraocular multifocal difrativa. Métodos: Estudo tipo série de casos com intervenção, incluindo 20 pacientes submetidos a implante bilateral da lente intraocular multifocal difrativa EyeDiff® (Eyeol UK, Dunstable, UK). Os critérios de exclusão foram astigmatismo corneano >1,5 dioptria cilíndrica, cirurgia ou doença ocular prévias e complicações intraoperatórias ou pós-operatórias. Os pacientes foram avaliados após 1, 3 e 6 meses da cirurgia. Foram avaliadas a acuidade visual monocular e binocular para longe, intermediário e perto sob condições fotópica e mesópica, sensibilidade ao contraste monocular sob condições fotópicas, curva de defocus e questionário para avaliação da qualidade de vida. Resultados: A acuidade visual para longe corrigida monocular foi de 0,3 logMAR ou melhor e a acuidade visual para perto com correção para longe foi J3 ou melhor em todos os olhos, sob condições fotópicas. A acuidade visual binocular para perto com a correção para longe foi J1 em todos os casos. A sensibilidade ao contraste estava no nível mínimo de normalidade para frequências espaciais baixas e altas e abaixo dos limites normais para frequência espacial intermediária. O questionário de qualidade de vida mostrou que os pacientes apresentavam altos níveis de satisfação. Conclusão: O implante bilateral da lente intraocular multifocal EyeDiff® proporcionou boa acuidade visual e qualidade de vida, e independência de óculos aos pacientes. A acuidade visual e a sensibilidade ao contraste melhoraram progressivamente entre um e seis meses de pós-operatório.

Morphogeometric Evaluation of the Left Ventricle and Left Atrioventricular Ring in Dogs: A Computerized Anatomical Study.

In veterinary, there is scarce availability of morphogeometric studies in normal and remodeled hearts; furthermore, ventricular geometry acts as an indicator of cardiac function. It is a highly necessary field of knowledge for the development of therapeutic protocols, especially surgical ones. The objectives of this study were: to obtain measurements of the left atrioventricular valve ring and left ventricle, to analyze the proportionality between the segments of the left cardiac chamber of normal hearts and to describe reference values for morphogeometric analysis of the left ventricle. For this, 50 hearts from small (Group 1-G1) and medium to large (Group 2-G2) dogs were laminated in the apical, basal and equatorial segments, and submitted to computer analysis to identify the perimeter of each segment and the left atrioventricular ring, wall thickness and distance from the atrioventricular sulcus to the apex. The largest internal perimeter was that of the equatorial. The basal segment had the highest mean for ventral parietal wall thickness, suggesting greater contractile reserve at that location. Considering the proportionality relationships, there was no statistical difference between the intersegmental perimeter indices for the two groups. This suggests that despite the animals' weight variations, the proportions between the left ventricular segments are maintained. Therefore, it is concluded that the data can be used as a standard of comparison for cardiac geometric assessments, as well as a basis for the development of therapeutic measures in the context of adverse cardiac remodeling.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha and Glucose Metabolism during Cardiac Remodeling Progression from Hypertrophy to Heart Failure.

In pathological cardiac hypertrophy, the heart is more dependent on glucose than fatty acids. This shift in energy metabolism occurs due to several factors, including the oxygen deficit, which activates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a critical molecule related to glucose metabolism. However, there are gaps regarding the behavior of key proteins in the glycolytic pathway and HIF-1α during the transition from hypertrophy to heart failure (HF). This study assesses the hypothesis that there is an early change and enhancement of HIF-1α and the glycolytic pathway, as well as an association between them during cardiac remodeling. Sham and aortic stenosis Wistar rats were analyzed at 2, 6, and 18 weeks and in HF (n = 10-18). Cardiac structure and function were investigated by echocardiogram. Myocardial glycolysis, the aerobic and anaerobic pathways and glycogen were analyzed by enzymatic assay, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The following were observed: increased left ventricular hypertrophy; early diastolic function change and severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction in HF; increased HIF-1α in the 2nd week and in HF; precocious alteration and intensification of glycolysis with a shift to anaerobic metabolism from the 6th week onwards; association between HIF-1α, glycolysis, and the anaerobic pathway. Our hypothesis was confirmed as there was an early change and intensification in glucose metabolism, alteration in HIF-1α, and an association between data during the progression from hypertrophy to heart failure.

Neuroregeneration and immune response after neurorrhaphy are improved with the use of heterologous fibrin biopolymer in addition to suture repair alone.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Peripheral nerve injuries result in impaired neuromuscular interactions, leading to morphological and functional alterations. Adjuvant suture repair methods have been used to improve nerve regeneration and modulate the immune response. Heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB), a scaffold with adhesive properties, plays a critical role in tissue repair. The aim of this study is to evaluate neuroregeneration and immune response focusing on neuromuscular recovery, using suture-associated HFB for sciatic nerve repair. METHODS: Forty adult male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 10): C (control), only sciatic nerve location; D (denervated), neurotmesis and 6-mm gap removal and fixation stumps in subcutaneous tissue; S (suture), neurotmesis followed by suture; and SB (suture + HFB), neurotmesis followed by suture and HFB. Analysis of M2 macrophages (CD206+ ), as well as the morphology and morphometry of nerves, soleus muscle, and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), were performed at 7 and 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: The SB group had the highest M2 macrophage area in both periods. After 7 days, SB was the only group similar to the C group regarding the number of axons; furthermore, after 30 days, the SB group was closer to the C group concerning blood vessel and central myonuclear numbers, NMJ angle, and connective tissue volume. After 7 days, increases in nerve area, as well as the number and area of blood vessels, were also observed in SB. DISCUSSION: HFB potentiates the immune response, increases axonal regeneration, induces angiogenesis, prevents severe muscle degeneration, and assists in NMJ recovery. In conclusion, suture-associated HFB has major implications for improved peripheral nerve repair.

Acetylcholine receptors of the neuromuscular junctions present normal distribution after peripheral nerve injury and repair through nerve guidance associated with fibrin biopolymer.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) lead to alterations in the Agrin-LRP4-MuSK pathway. This results in disaggregation of AChRs and change from epsilon (mature, innervated) to gamma (immature, denervated) subunit. Tubulization technique has been shown to be effective for PNI repair and it also allows the use of adjuvants, such as fibrin biopolymer (FB). This study evaluated the effect of the association of tubulization with FB after PNI on AChRs and associated proteins. Fifty-two adults male Wistar rats were used, distributed in 4 experimental groups: Sham Control (S), Denervated Control (D); Tubulization (TB) and Tubulization + Fibrin Biopolymer (TB+FB). Catwalk was performed every 15 days. Ninety days after surgery the right soleus muscles and ischiatic nerves were submitted to the following analyses: (a) morphological and morphometric analysis of AChRs by confocal microscopy; (b) morphological and morphometric analysis of the ischiatic nerve; (c) protein quantification of AChRs: alpha, gama, and epsilon, of Schwann cells, agrin, LRP4, MuSK, rapsyn, MMP3, MyoD, myogenin, MURF1 and atrogin-1. The main results were about the NMJs that in the TB+FB group presented morphological and morphometric approximation (compactness index; area of the AChRs and motor plate) to the S group. In addition, there were also an increase of S100 and AChRε protein expression and a decrease of MyoD. These positive association resulted in AChRs stabilization that potentiate the neuromuscular regeneration, which strengthens the use of TB for severe injuries repair and the beneficial effect of FB, along with tubulization technique.

Azadirachtin-based insecticide impairs testis morphology and spermatogenesis of the southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

BACKGROUND: In the search for alternative tools for integrated pest management, azadirachtin, a botanical insecticide, has been used with the most promising activity against Spodoptera spp., but the mechanism of cytotoxicity on reproductive organs remains unclear. Spodoptera eridania (Stoll, 1782) is a polyphagous pest with great economic importance that has become an important target to elucidate the action of azadirachtin on the reproductive organs of insect pests, helping to understand the deleterious effects caused by its exposure. This study evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to azadirachtin on the morphology and ultrastructure of S. eridania larval testes as well as larval development. RESULTS: Azadirachtin exposure (6 or 18 mg a.i. L-1 ) caused a progressive increase in cumulative mortality and reduced gain in body mass after 5 days. Testicular structure indicated a reduction in their size with internal morphological changes such as spermatogonia, spermatogonial, spermatocytes and spermatid cysts in degeneration. The occurrence of cell death in germ and somatic cells was evidenced by the TUNEL technique. Electron microscopy revealed changes in cystic cells, such as cytoplasmic membrane rupture and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Chromatin compaction, changes in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex cisternae were observed in germ cells. Apoptotic bodies occurred between germ cell cysts. CONCLUSION: Azadirachtin damaged the testes of S. eridania larvae, and these changes compromised spermatogenesis and consequently the development of the reproductive potential of this specimen, making azadirachtin a promising botanical insecticide for application in integrated pest management programs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simulated keratometry and central corneal thickness measured in cats by autokeratometer, ultrasonic pachymeter, and Galilei G6™.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) measured by an ultrasonic pachymeter (SP-100, Tomey, Japão) versus the Galilei G6™ (Ziemer Ophthalmics System AG, Port, Switzerland) and to compare the simulated keratometry (SimK) measured by an autokeratometer (KM 500 Nidek) versus the Galilei G6™. ANIMAL STUDIED: Eighteen mixed-breed cats, 10 males, and eight females, aged between 18 and 48 months, were evaluated (n = 36 eyes). PROCEDURE(S): The cats were manually restrained using a blanket. The operator held the autokeratometer close to the eye and measured the SimK. Next, one anesthetic eye drop was applied; the operator lightly touched the corneal using the ultrasound pachymeter and measured the CCT. At another moment, the cats were sedated using meperidine and xylazine and then evaluated using the Galilei. Student's t-test was employed to perform the statistical analyzes. RESULTS: Considering the CCT, the ultrasound pachymeter provided mean ± SD of 623.03 ± 48.17 µm and the Galilei 617.34 ± 53.38 µm. The autokeratometer produced a SimK of 38.20 ± 0.84D (8.84 ± 0.20 mm) and the Galilei 38.37 ± 0.83D (8.80 ± 0.19 mm). The CCT and SimK did not differ statistically regardless of the device used. CONCLUSION: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first work to compare the CCT measured by the Galilei versus the ultrasonic pachymeter and to compare the SimK measured by the Galilei versus the keratometer in cats. No statistical difference was found considering the CCT and the SimK measured by the different devices.

Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and quality of life after bilateral implantation of multifocal diffractive intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual outcomes, satisfaction, and quality of life of patients assisted in a Medical School hospital by the Brazilian Public Health System, who underwent bilateral diffractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: Case series study with intervention, including 20 patients who underwent bilateral implantation of multifocal IOL EyeDiff® (Eyeol UK, Dunstable, UK). Exclusion criteria were corneal astigmatism >1.5 cylindrical diopters, previous ocular surgery or ocular disease, and intra- or postoperative complications. Patients were evaluated one, three, and six months after surgery. Monocular and binocular visual acuity for distance, intermediate and near, under photopic and mesopic conditions, monocular contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions, defocus curve, and quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: Monocular distance-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 logMAR or better and monocular distance-corrected near visual acuity was J3 or better in all eyes under photopic conditions. Binocular distance-corrected near visual acuity was J1 in all cases. Contrast sensitivity was at the minimum level of normality for low and high spatial frequencies and within normal limits for intermediate spatial frequency. The quality of life questionnaire showed a high level of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Bilateral implantation of the multifocal intraocular lens EyeDiff® provides patients with good visual acuity and quality of life, besides spectacle independence. The visual acuity and contrast sensitivity progressively improved between one and six postoperative months.

Electrocardiogram as Part of the Evaluation of Children and Adolescents Before Starting Physical Exercise

Abstract Background: Children and adolescents should be encouraged to participate in sports; however, physicians should screen for cardiac abnormalities that can lead to sudden death. The European Society of Cardiology, the Brazilian Society of Cardiology and the Brazilian Society of Sports Medicine indicate performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) in evaluating athletes, while the American Heart Association indicates complementary exams only when there is a personal or family history of cardiovascular diseases or changes in clinical examination. Objectives: To evaluate the need for an ECG in evaluating children and adolescents before starting physical activities. Methods: We recruited 983 children and adolescents who practiced physical activities for anthropometric assessment, clinical examination and conventional ECG at rest. Variables were analysed using the Goodman test with a significance level of 5%. Results: Participants had a higher incidence of overweight, obesity and severe obesity compared to standard World Health Organization (WHO) values. The most common finding in clinical examination was heart murmur (18.5% of participants). Electrocardiographic changes were found in 3.3% of participants, including paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and pre-excitation syndrome, which may be responsible for sudden death, even in asymptomatic individuals with no personal or family history of heart disease and no abnormality on clinical examination. Conclusions: ECG revealed arrhythmias that were not detected by clinical examination and may precede sudden death in individuals subjected to physical exertion, indicating its role in the assessment of children and adolescents before starting regular physical exercise.

Anti-inflammatory effects of α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene on pterygium fibroblasts.

AIM: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the sesquiterpenes α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene on pterygium fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultures of pterygium fibroblasts were established. Third passage pterygium fibroblasts were exposed to α-humulene and ß-caryophyllene separately and together. The cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 12, 24, 48, and 72h after exposure. The levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 in the conditioned culture medium were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 12, 24 and 48h after exposure. Data were statistically analyzed using Friedman repeated measures analysis of variances on ranks. RESULTS: The 25 µmol/L ß-caryophyllene induced significant decrease in the IL-6 production by pterygium fibroblasts 48h after the exposure (P=0.041). The levels of IL-1ß, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were very low and had no statistically significant variations after exposure to α-humulene, ß-caryophyllene, or both compounds together. CONCLUSION: The exposure to 25 µmol/L of ß-caryophyllene significantly reduce the production of IL-6 by pterygium fibroblasts after 48h. This sesquiterpene may be a potential alternative adjuvant agent for the treatment of pterygium.

Swimming training attenuates the decrease of calcium responsiveness in female infarcted rats.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of swimming training on calcium responsiveness of the myocardium of rats with different infarction sizes (MI). Method: female Wistar rats, sedentary sham (SS = 14), sedentary moderate MI (SMI = 8) and sedentary large MI (SLI = 10) were compared to trained sham (TS = 16), trained moderate MI (TMI = 9) and trained large MI (TLI = 10). After 4 weeks of MI, the animals swam for 60 min/day, 5 days/week, for additional 8 weeks. Papillary muscles of the left ventricle were subjected to different concentrations of extracellular calcium. Inotropism was evaluated through the developed tension (DT), the maximum positive value of the first temporal derivation (+Td/td) and the time to peak tension (TPT). Lusitropism was evaluated by the maximum negative value of the first temporal derivation (-Td/td) and time to 50% relaxation (50%TR). Statistical significance was determined using multivariate analysis of variance and a Hotelling T2 test for the absolute power values of all four extracellular calcium concentrations (p < 0.05). Results: MI depressed inotropism (from 17% to 51%) and lusitropism (from 22% to 54%) of the sedentary rats, but exercise attenuated the losses, especially regarding + dT/dt, TPT, -dT/dt and 50%TR. Exercise attenuated the decrease in myocardial responsiveness, proportionally to the size of the MI. Conclusion: Myocardial calcium responsiveness is favorably affected in animals with moderate and large MI after swimming exercise.

Dual-Scheimpflug-Placido-disc corneal analysis in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the corneal topography and tomography of cats using a dual Scheimpflug and Placido disc device. ANIMAL STUDIED: Sixteen mixed-breed cats (32 eyes). PROCEDURE(S): Cats were sedated using meperidine (4.3 mg/kg/IM) and xylazine (0.5 mg/kg/IM), and evaluated using the software Galilei™. Values assessed included anterior and posterior corneal curvature, total corneal power, and corneal thickness. RESULTS: Ten males and six females aged between 18 and 48 months were evaluated. The simulated keratometry (SimK) was 38.37 ± 0.83D, mean posterior keratometry -4.89 ± 0.34D, and mean total corneal power 38.04 ± 0.94D. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was 617.34 ± 53.38 µm with a mean thinnest point of 583.74 ± 60.60 µm. CONCLUSION: The Galilei™ examination was feasible in cats, enabling a detailed study of the cornea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the corneal topography and tomography of cats using a device that integrates data from a dual Scheimpflug and Placido disc system.

Midgut and fat body: Multisystemic action of pyriproxyfen on non-target organism Ceraeochrysa claveri (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Morphological tools can assist in the evaluation of effects of insecticides on non-target insects. Pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone analog, is known to interfere with growth and metamorphosis of insects. However, there are studies showing indirect effects on natural enemies, including green lacewings. Few prior studies describe morphological effects of pyriproxyfen on target insect organs, especially on natural enemies. Through morphological tools, this study aimed to characterize the midgut and fat body, both important organs of digestion and great metabolic activity respectively, of the predator Ceraeochrysa claveri after chronic exposure to pyriproxyfen. Larvae of C. claveri were fed Diatraea saccharalis egg clusters treated with pyriproxyfen in solution of 50 or 100 mg a.i. L-1 throughout the larval stage. The biological data revealed significant increases in development time, especially in the third instar, and in cumulative mortality from the prepupal into the pupal stage. Morphological analysis of adult midgut (≤24 h old) showed damage including formation of epithelial folds, intercellular spaces, emission of cytoplasmic protrusions. Both fat body regions presented decrease of lipid droplets, vacuolization of trophocytes and mitochondrial injury featuring a multisystemic action. In both organs, pyriproxyfen exposure induced significant oxidative stress by mitochondrial superoxide production. Cytoprotective responses were induced in midgut and fat body cells by augmenting the number of cytoplasmic granules containing calcium and expression of HSP 90. Both organs proved to be efficient in presenting histopathological alterations, showing the sensitivity and applicability of this morphological tool for evaluating other insecticides in non-target organisms.

New treatments to disinfect vine cuttings with Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and the reason for the control

Petri disease is a problem for vineyard caused mainly by the fungus Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. Contaminated seedlings are source of inoculum for the disease. Treatment to disinfect vine rootstock cuttings for seedling production is hot water treatment (HWT) by 50 °C for 30 min, but the efficiency is contested. To improve its efficacy, the study aimed to assess the combination of the following methods and the reason for the control: i) exposition of the fungus to five different temperatures in HWT bath for 30 min; ii and iii) exposition of the fungus and also plants infected with P. chlamydospora to different disinfection treatments (biofumigation = soil + cabbage at 40 °C; temperatures of 40 and 23 °C, all in microcosm), in different periods (7, 14 and 21 days), with and without additional HWT (51 °C for 30 min). The results showed that HWT with high temperatures (55­70 °C) for 30 min inactivated the fungus. Biofumigation technique at 40 °C and the temperature solely of 40 °C applied for up to 21 days and combined with HWT (51 °C for 30 min) inhibited mycelial growth and inactivated the fungus in vine plant tissues without compromising the rooting.