Mechanical osteoarthritis of the hip in a one medicine concept: a narrative review.

Human and veterinary medicine have historically presented many medical areas of potential synergy and convergence. Mechanical osteoarthritis (MOA) is characterized by a gradual complex imbalance between cartilage production, loss, and derangement. Any joint instability that results in an abnormal overload of the joint surface can trigger MOA. As MOA has a prevailing mechanical aetiology, treatment effectiveness can only be accomplished if altered joint mechanics and mechanosensitive pathways are normalized and restored. Otherwise, the inflammatory cascade of osteoarthritis will be initiated, and the changes may become irreversible. The management of the disease using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, physical therapy, diet changes, or nutraceuticals is conservative and less effective. MOA is a determinant factor for the development of hip dysplasia in both humans and dogs. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease with a high incidence and, therefore, of great clinical importance due to the associated discomfort and significant functional limitations. Furthermore, on account of analogous human and canine hip dysplasia disease and under the One Medicine concept, unifying veterinary and human research could improve the well-being and health of both species, increasing the acknowledgement of shared diseases. Great success has been accomplished in humans regarding preventive conservative management of hip dysplasia and following One Medicine concept, similar measures would benefit dogs. Moreover, animal models have long been used to better understand the different diseases' mechanisms. Current research in animal models was addressed and the role of rabbit models in pathophysiologic studies and of the dog as a spontaneous animal model were highlighted, denoting the inexistence of rabbit functional models to investigate therapeutic approaches in hip MOA.

Debilidad muscular proximal progresiva de inicio subagudo en un paciente anciano: descripción de un caso / Progressive proximal muscle weakness with subacute onset in an elderly patient: a case report

Introducción: Las estatinas son de los medicamentos más recetados. Aunque las estatinas generalmente se toleran bien, pueden provocar efectos secundarios musculoesqueléticos. La miopatía autoinmune necrotizante inducida por estatinas (SINAM) es una afección rara y la prevalencia sólo es de 1 de cada 100.000 personas. Este trastorno se caracteriza por debilidad muscular simétrica progresiva y grave, elevación marcada de la creatincinasa y síntomas persistentes a pesar de la interrupción de la estatina. La electromiografía suele mostrar un patrón de miopatía irritable inespecífico, indistinguible de otras miopatías inflamatorias. La biopsia muscular muestra la presencia de fibras necróticas, fibras en regeneración sin células inflamatorias significativas y una regulación positiva difusa o focal de la expresión del complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad de clase I. Los anticuerpos anti-3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A (anti-HMG-CoA) reductasa representan un rasgo serológico característico de la SINAM.Caso clínico: Presentamos a un paciente que desarrolló debilidad muscular progresiva después de tomar simvastatina durante los últimos siete años. En la presentación inicial, su nivel de creatincinasa fue de 2.954 U/L y los anticuerpos anti-HMG-CoA reductasa fueron positivos. La biopsia mostró rasgos miopáticos profundos con numerosas fibras necróticas, algunas fibras en regeneración e infiltrado de células inflamatorias perimisial, combinado con una sobreexpresión difusa del complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad de clase I. Se le diagnosticó SINAM, se suspendió la estatina y se inició una dosis alta de corticoides sistémicos, inmunoglobulina intravenosa y metotrexato. Después de tres meses de seguimiento, tuvo una mejora significativa en la fuerza muscular y el nivel de creatincinasa volvió a la normalidad.(AU)

Introduction: Statins are some of the most widely prescribed medications. Although statins are generally well tolerated, they can lead to musculoskeletal side effects. Statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myositis (SINAM) is a rare condition and the prevalence is only 1 per 100,000 people. This disorder is characterized by progressive and severe symmetric muscle weakness, marked elevation of creatine kinase and persistent symptoms despite statin discontinuation. Electromyography commonly shows a nonspecific irritable myopathy pattern indistinguishable from other inflammatory myopathies. Muscle biopsy shows the presence of necrotic fibers, regenerating fibers without significant inflammatory cells and diffuse or focal upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I expression. The anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibodies represent a characteristic serological feature of SINAM. Case report: We present a patient who developed progressive muscle weakness after taking simvastatin for the last seven years. At initial presentation, her creatine kinase level was 2,954 U/L and anti-HMGCR antibodies were positive. The biopsy showed a profound myopathic features with numerous necrotic fibers, some regenerating fibers and perimysial inflammatory cell infiltrate, combined with a diffuse overexpression of major histocompatibility complex class I products. She was diagnosed with SINAM, statin was suspended and a high dose of systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and methotrexate was started. At three-month follow-up, she had significant improvement in muscle strength and creatine kinase level returned to normal...(AU)

Progressive proximal muscle weakness with subacute onset in an elderly patient: a case report. / Debilidad muscular proximal progresiva de inicio subagudo en un paciente anciano: descripción de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Statins are some of the most widely prescribed medications. Although statins are generally well tolerated, they can lead to musculoskeletal side effects. Statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myositis (SINAM) is a rare condition and the prevalence is only 1 per 100,000 people. This disorder is characterized by progressive and severe symmetric muscle weakness, marked elevation of creatine kinase and persistent symptoms despite statin discontinuation. Electromyography commonly shows a nonspecific irritable myopathy pattern indistinguishable from other inflammatory myopathies. Muscle biopsy shows the presence of necrotic fibers, regenerating fibers without significant inflammatory cells and diffuse or focal upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I expression. The anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) antibodies represent a characteristic serological feature of SINAM. CASE REPORT: We present a patient who developed progressive muscle weakness after taking simvastatin for the last seven years. At initial presentation, her creatine kinase level was 2,954 U/L and anti-HMGCR antibodies were positive. The biopsy showed a profound myopathic features with numerous necrotic fibers, some regenerating fibers and perimysial inflammatory cell infiltrate, combined with a diffuse overexpression of major histocompatibility complex class I products. She was diagnosed with SINAM, statin was suspended and a high dose of systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and methotrexate was started. At three-month follow-up, she had significant improvement in muscle strength and creatine kinase level returned to normal. CONCLUSION: In this case, exclusion of inflammatory myopathies, metabolic muscle disorders and other neurological diseases is necessary for establishing a reliable diagnosis. In SINAM, simply discontinuing statin is often insufficient and aggressive immunosuppression or immunomodulation therapy is needed to achieve disease remission. This case aims to demonstrate that statins can induce serious muscular diseases that require aggressive immunosuppression.

TITLE: Debilidad muscular proximal progresiva de inicio subagudo en un paciente anciano: descripción de un caso.Introducción. Las estatinas son de los medicamentos más recetados. Aunque las estatinas generalmente se toleran bien, pueden provocar efectos secundarios musculoesqueléticos. La miopatía autoinmune necrotizante inducida por estatinas (SINAM) es una afección rara y la prevalencia sólo es de 1 de cada 100.000 personas. Este trastorno se caracteriza por debilidad muscular simétrica progresiva y grave, elevación marcada de la creatincinasa y síntomas persistentes a pesar de la interrupción de la estatina. La electromiografía suele mostrar un patrón de miopatía irritable inespecífico, indistinguible de otras miopatías inflamatorias. La biopsia muscular muestra la presencia de fibras necróticas, fibras en regeneración sin células inflamatorias significativas y una regulación positiva difusa o focal de la expresión del complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad de clase I. Los anticuerpos anti-3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A (anti-HMG-CoA) reductasa representan un rasgo serológico característico de la SINAM. Caso clínico. Presentamos a un paciente que desarrolló debilidad muscular progresiva después de tomar simvastatina durante los últimos siete años. En la presentación inicial, su nivel de creatincinasa fue de 2.954 U/L y los anticuerpos anti-HMG-CoA reductasa fueron positivos. La biopsia mostró rasgos miopáticos profundos con numerosas fibras necróticas, algunas fibras en regeneración e infiltrado de células inflamatorias perimisial, combinado con una sobreexpresión difusa del complejo mayor de histocompatibilidad de clase I. Se le diagnosticó SINAM, se suspendió la estatina y se inició una dosis alta de corticoides sistémicos, inmunoglobulina intravenosa y metotrexato. Después de tres meses de seguimiento, tuvo una mejora significativa en la fuerza muscular y el nivel de creatincinasa volvió a la normalidad. Conclusiones. En este caso, la exclusión de miopatías inflamatorias, trastornos musculares metabólicos y otras enfermedades neurológicas es necesaria para establecer un diagnóstico fidedigno. En la SINAM, la simple suspensión de las estatinas a menudo es insuficiente, y es necesaria una terapia de inmunosupresión o inmunomodulación agresiva para lograr la remisión de la enfermedad. Este caso tiene como objetivo demostrar que las estatinas pueden inducir enfermedades musculares graves que requieren una inmunosupresión agresiva.

Characterizing and predicting the relationship between translaminar fracture toughness and pull-out length distributions under distinct temperatures.

The translaminar fracture toughness reflects the damage tolerance of a fibre-reinforced composite under longitudinal tension, which often governs the final failure of structures. One of the main energy-dissipation mechanisms that contributes to the translaminar toughness of composites is the fibre pull-out process. The present study aims to quantify and model the statistical distribution of fibre pull-out lengths formed on the translaminar fracture surface of composites, for the first time in the literature; this is done under different temperatures, so that the relationship between pull-out length distributions, micromechanical properties and the translaminar fracture toughness can be established. The fracture surfaces of cross-ply compact tension specimens tested under three different temperatures have been scanned through X-ray computed tomography to quantify the extent of fibre pull-out on the fracture surfaces; the distribution of pull-out lengths showed alarger average and larger variability with an increase in temperature, which also lead to an increase in translaminar fracture toughness. A similar trend has been captured by the proposed analytical model, which predicts the pull-out length distribution based on the analysis of quasi-fractal idealizations of the fracture surface, yielding an overall accuracy of more than 85%. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ageing and durability of composite materials'.

El papel de los cannabinoides en los trastornos del neurodesarrollo de niños y adolescentes / The role of cannabinoids in neurodevelopmental disorders of children and adolescents

Introducción: Los trastornos del neurodesarrollo tienen una etiología multifactorial que resulta de la interacción entre factores biológicos y ambientales. La base biológica de muchos de estos trastornos se comprende sólo parcialmente, lo que hace que las intervenciones terapéuticas, especialmente las farmacológicas, sean particularmente difíciles. El impacto del cannabis medicinal en los trastornos neurológicos y psiquiátricos se ha estudiado durante mucho tiempo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo revisar los estudios clínicos y preclínicos actualmente disponibles con respecto al uso de cannabinoides en trastornos del neurodesarrollo pediátrico y llamar la atención sobre el posible papel terapéutico del cannabidiol en este campo. Desarrollo: El cannabidiol es un modulador del sistema endocannabinoide y ejerce sus efectos tanto en cerebros en desarrollo como en cerebros maduros a través de numerosos mecanismos. El cannabidiol tiene un límite de toxicidad relativamente alto, y la bibliografía actual sugiere que puede tener propiedades ansiolíticas, antipsicóticas y neuroprotectoras. La evidencia clínica sugiere que el tratamiento temprano con cannabidiol podría ser una terapia prometedora para los trastornos del desarrollo neurológico, incluida la discapacidad intelectual, los trastornos del espectro autista, los tics y el trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad. Conclusiones: Es de esperar que esta revisión llame la atención sobre un cuerpo emergente de evidencia sobre el potencial significativo del cannabidiol para mejorar de manera segura muchos de los síntomas comunes que afectan a niños y adolescentes con trastornos del neurodesarrollo, especialmente el trastorno del espectro autista.(AU)

INTRODUCTION: Neurodevelopmental disorders have a multifactorial etiology that results from the interaction between biological and environmental factors. The biological basis of many of these disorders is only partially understood, which makes therapeutic interventions, especially pharmacological ones, particularly difficult. The impact of medical cannabis on neurological and psychiatric disorders has been studied for a long time. This study aimed to review the currently available clinical and pre-clinical studies regarding the use of cannabinoids in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders and to draw attention to the potential therapeutic role of cannabidiol in this field. DEVELOPMENT: Cannabidiol is an endocannabinoid system modulator and exerts its effects on both developing and mature brains through numerous mechanisms. Cannabidiol holds a relatively high toxicity limit and current literature suggests that it may have anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective properties. Clinical evidence suggests that early treatment with cannabidiol might be a promising therapy for neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, tics, and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This review hopefully draws attention to an emerging body of evidence concerning cannabidiol’s significant potential to safely improve many of the common symptoms affecting children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder.(AU)

The role of cannabinoids in neurodevelopmental disorders of children and adolescents. / El papel de los cannabinoides en los trastornos del neurodesarrollo de niños y adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: Neurodevelopmental disorders have a multifactorial etiology that results from the interaction between biological and environmental factors. The biological basis of many of these disorders is only partially understood, which makes therapeutic interventions, especially pharmacological ones, particularly difficult. The impact of medical cannabis on neurological and psychiatric disorders has been studied for a long time. This study aimed to review the currently available clinical and pre-clinical studies regarding the use of cannabinoids in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders and to draw attention to the potential therapeutic role of cannabidiol in this field. DEVELOPMENT: Cannabidiol is an endocannabinoid system modulator and exerts its effects on both developing and mature brains through numerous mechanisms. Cannabidiol holds a relatively high toxicity limit and current literature suggests that it may have anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective properties. Clinical evidence suggests that early treatment with cannabidiol might be a promising therapy for neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, tics, and attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This review hopefully draws attention to an emerging body of evidence concerning cannabidiol's significant potential to safely improve many of the common symptoms affecting children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder.

TITLE: El papel de los cannabinoides en los trastornos del neurodesarrollo de niños y adolescentes.Introducción. Los trastornos del neurodesarrollo tienen una etiología multifactorial que resulta de la interacción entre factores biológicos y ambientales. La base biológica de muchos de estos trastornos se comprende sólo parcialmente, lo que hace que las intervenciones terapéuticas, especialmente las farmacológicas, sean particularmente difíciles. El impacto del cannabis medicinal en los trastornos neurológicos y psiquiátricos se ha estudiado durante mucho tiempo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo revisar los estudios clínicos y preclínicos actualmente disponibles con respecto al uso de cannabinoides en trastornos del neurodesarrollo pediátrico y llamar la atención sobre el posible papel terapéutico del cannabidiol en este campo. Desarrollo. El cannabidiol es un modulador del sistema endocannabinoide y ejerce sus efectos tanto en cerebros en desarrollo como en cerebros maduros a través de numerosos mecanismos. El cannabidiol tiene un límite de toxicidad relativamente alto, y la bibliografía actual sugiere que puede tener propiedades ansiolíticas, antipsicóticas y neuroprotectoras. La evidencia clínica sugiere que el tratamiento temprano con cannabidiol podría ser una terapia prometedora para los trastornos del desarrollo neurológico, incluida la discapacidad intelectual, los trastornos del espectro autista, los tics y el trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad. Conclusiones. Es de esperar que esta revisión llame la atención sobre un cuerpo emergente de evidencia sobre el potencial significativo del cannabidiol para mejorar de manera segura muchos de los síntomas comunes que afectan a niños y adolescentes con trastornos del neurodesarrollo, especialmente el trastorno del espectro autista.

A synchrotron computed tomography dataset for validation of longitudinal tensile failure models based on fibre break and cluster development.

We performed in-situ tensile tests on two carbon fibre/epoxy composites with continuous scanning using synchrotron computed tomography (CT). Both composites were cross-ply laminates, and two specimens were tested for each composite. The voxel size was sufficiently small to recognize individual fibres and fibre breaks. For each test, 16-19 volumes were reconstructed, cropped down to the 0° plies and analysed to track fibre break and cluster development. This dataset provides the last CT volume before failure for each of the four specimens as well as the individual fibre break locations in all reconstructed volumes. These data are then plotted against predictions from six state-of-the-art strength models. The target is that these data become a benchmark for the development of new models, inspiring researchers to set up refined experiments and develop improved models.

Tratamiento no quirúrgico de la enfermedad de Dupuytren con aponeurotomía percutánea con aguja: 10 años de experiencia / Non-surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease by using percutaneous needle aponeurotomy: a 10-year experience

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad de Dupuytren es un trastorno fibroproliferativo de la aponeurosis palmar que conduce a contracturas de flexión digital. Esta afección incapacitante se puede tratar con un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo, llamado aponeurotomía percutánea con aguja (APA). OBJETIVO: Presentar los resultados de 10 años de experiencia en el tratamiento de la contractura de Dupuytren por APA en la Consulta de Mano Reumatológica de nuestro departamento. MÉTODOS: Se ha realizado un estudio retrospectivo con la descripción del método de ejecución de la APA junto con el análisis de los resultados posteriores al procedimiento. RESULTADOS: Se han observado un total de 197 pacientes con enfermedad de Dupuytren. Noventa y ocho pacientes (49,7%) fueron tratados con APA, lo que equivale a 117 dedos tratados. Hubo un 84% de buenos resultados inmediatos, con mejores resultados para las etapas menos avanzadas. Se observaron recurrencias en un 12% de los pacientes. Se registró una tasa de complicación del 1,7%. CONCLUSIÓN: Nuestros resultados confirman el valor de esta técnica especialmente en las primeras etapas de la enfermedad de Dupuytren, con resultados satisfactorios inmediatos asociados a una baja tasa de complicaciones

INTRODUCTION: Dupuytren's disease is a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar aponeurosis that leads to digital flexion contractures. This disabling condition can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure, called percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA). OBJECTIVE: To report the results of 10 years of experience treating Dupuytren's contracture by PNA in the rheumatology hand unit of our department. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with a description of method to perform PNA and analysis of post-procedure results. RESULTS: There were 197 patients with Dupuytren's disease. Ninety-eight patients (49.7%) underwent PNA, corresponding to 117 treated fingers. Good immediate results were achieved in 84% of the patients, with results being better in those with less advanced stages. Recurrences occurred in 12% of the patients. The complication rate was 1.7%. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the value of this technique especially in the early stages of Dupuytren's disease, with immediate satisfactory results and a low rate of complications

Distraction index measurement on the dog's hip joint using a dedicated software / [Medição do índice de distração da anca do cão usando um software especial]

The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of a new automated computer software tool for the assessment of passive hip laxity. The hip laxity was estimated using the dedicated computer software by two blinded evaluators, one previously trained and one without specific training for distraction index measurement, in two independent sessions using 230 hip joints from 115 dogs that underwent screening for passive hip laxity using the distraction view. Previously, all of these radiographs were sent to PennHIP Analysis Center for an official distraction index record. The measurement repeatability of the two sessions was adequate for both evaluators. The reproducibility of the official distraction index measurement, mean distraction index±standard deviation 0.44±0.15, was adequate (P>0.05) for the trained evaluator, 0.44±0.15, and non-adequate (P<0.05), for the non-trained evaluator 0.47±0.17. The distraction index measurement tool proposed can be used with confidence for hip laxity evaluation by trained evaluators, as it provided good repeatability and reproducibility of official reports. The simplicity of the process described leads to a less time-consuming and more affordable procedure.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a viabilidade de uma nova ferramenta de software informático para avaliação da lassitude articular passiva da articulação coxofemoral. A lassitude articular da articulação coxofemoral foi estimada usando-se um programa informático especial, desenvolvido para o efeito, por dois avaliadores, um com treino prévio e outro não treinado, na medição do índice de distração, em duas sessões independentes, utilizando-se 230 articulações coxofemorais de 115 cães, as quais efetuaram o rastreio de displasia coxofemoral realizando a projeção de distração da articulação coxofemoral. Previamente, todas as radiografias foram enviadas para o PennHIP Analysis Center, para se obter uma medida oficial do índice de distração. A repetibilidade das medições das duas sessões foi adequada para ambos os avaliadores. A reprodutibilidade do índice de distração oficial, média±desvio-padrão 0,44±0,15, foi adequada (P>0,05) para o avaliador treinado, 0,44±0,15, e não adequada (P>0,05) para o avaliador não treinado, 0,47±0,17. A ferramenta de medição do índice de distração proposta pode ser usada com segurança na medição do índice de distração por avaliadores treinados, uma vez que mostra uma adequada repetibilidade e reprodutibilidade das medições oficiais do índice de distração. A simplicidade do processo apresentado torna-o menos demorado e mais econômico.(AU)

[Non-surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease by using percutaneous needle aponeurotomy: A 10-year experience]. / Tratamiento no quirúrgico de la enfermedad de Dupuytren con aponeurotomía percutánea con aguja: 10 años de experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Dupuytren's disease is a fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar aponeurosis that leads to digital flexion contractures. This disabling condition can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure, called percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA). OBJECTIVE: To report the results of 10 years of experience treating Dupuytren's contracture by PNA in the rheumatology hand unit of our department. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study with a description of method to perform PNA and analysis of post-procedure results. RESULTS: There were 197 patients with Dupuytren's disease. Ninety-eight patients (49.7%) underwent PNA, corresponding to 117 treated fingers. Good immediate results were achieved in 84% of the patients, with results being better in those with less advanced stages. Recurrences occurred in 12% of the patients. The complication rate was 1.7%. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the value of this technique especially in the early stages of Dupuytren's disease, with immediate satisfactory results and a low rate of complications.

Portuguese recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis and management of primary osteoporosis - 2018 update.

BACKGROUND: Advances in osteoporosis (OP)case definition, treatment options, optimal therapy duration and pharmacoeconomic evidence in the national context motivated the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR) to update the Portuguese recommendations for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis published in 2007. METHODS: SPR bone diseases' working group organized meetings involving 55 participants (rheumatologists, rheumatology fellows and one OP specialist nurse) to debate and develop the document. First, the working group selected 11 pertinent clinical questions for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in standard clinical practice. Then, each question was investigated through literature review and draft recommendations were built through consensus. When insufficient evidence was available, recommendations were based on experts' opinion and on good clinical practice. At two national meetings, the recommendations were discussed and updated. A draft of the recommendations full text was submitted to critical review among the working group and suggestions were incorporated. A final version was circulated among all Portuguese rheumatologists before publication and the level of agreement was anonymously assessed using an online survey. RESULTS: The 2018 SPR recommendations provide comprehensive guidance on osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis, fracture risk assessment, pharmacological treatment initiation, therapy options and duration of treatment, based on the best available evidence. They attained desirable agreement among Portuguese rheumatologists. As more evidence becomes available, periodic revisions will be performed. Target audience and patient population: The target audience for these guidelines includes all clinicians. The target patient population includes adult Portuguese people. Intended use: These recommendations provide general guidance for typical cases. They may not be appropriate in all situations - clinicians are encouraged to consider this information together with updated evidence and their best clinical judgment in individual cases.

Multiple genetic resistances in Capsicum spp.

This study aimed to identify Capsicum genotypes with resistance to bacterial spot (BS), anthracnose and Pepper yellow mosaic virus (PepYMV). Fifty-four genotypes of Capsicum spp were evaluated. Resistance reaction against BS was evaluated using three replicates, testing hypersensitivity and quantitative resistance in leaves. After evaluation, inoculated leaves were detached from the plants, being then cultivated until reproductive stage for evaluations anthracnose resistance in immature and mature fruit, totalizing 18 fruits per genotype. For PepYMV resistance was performed with five replications. Each genotype reaction was evaluated by a scoring scale, using the area under the disease progress curve for each pathosystem, and incubation period for the three systems. The latent period was evaluated only for the pathosystem Capsicum-Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test. Measures of dissimilarity matrix among the genotypes were obtained by Gower's algorithm and the grouping was obtained by the UPGMA clustering method. The accessions belonging to the Capsicum frutescens were the most susceptible to the three diseases. At least one genotype of Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum, Capsicum annuum, and Capsicum chinense showed resistance potential to BS and PepYMV, for use in breeding programs. The accession UENF 1381 (C. annuum) was resistant to the three pathogens.

Genotype x environment interaction on experimental hybrids of chili pepper.

In Brazil, cultivation of hybrid plants comprise near 40% of the area grown with vegetables. For Capsicum, hybrids of bell and chili peppers have already exceeded 50% and over 25% of all are commercialized seeds. This study aimed to evaluate new pepper hybrids in two environments, Cáceres, MT, and Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. Nine experimental hybrids of C. baccatum var. pendulum were tested and trials were performed in a randomized block design, with three replications and eight plants per plot. In each environment, plants were assessed for canopy diameter, plant height, number of fruit per plant, mean fruit mass per plant, fruit length and diameter, pulp thickness, and content of soluble solids. Seven of the eight traits have differed significantly due to environment variation. Furthermore, genotype and environment interaction was highly significant for number of fruit per plant, mean fruit mass per plant, fruit length, and fruit diameter. Choosing a hybrid to be grown in one of the studied locations must be in accordance with the sought characteristics since there is a complex interaction for some studied traits.

Inheritance of bacterial spot resistance in Capsicum annuum var. annuum.

Since 2008, Brazil is the largest consumer of agrochemicals, which increases production costs and risks of agricultural products, environment, and farmers' contamination. Sweet pepper, which is one of the main consumed vegetables in the country, is on top of the list of the most sprayed crops. The bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas spp, is one of the most damaging diseases of pepper crops. Genetic resistant consists of a suitable way of disease control, but development of durable resistant cultivars as well as understanding of plant-bacterium interaction is being a challenge for plant breeders and pathologists worldwide. Inheritance of disease resistance is often variable, depending on genetic background of the parents. The knowledge of the genetic base controlling such resistance is the first step in a breeding program aiming to develop new genotypes, bringing together resistance and other superior agronomic traits. This study reports the genetic basis of bacterial spot resistance in Capsicum annuum var. annuum using mean generation analysis from crosses between accessions UENF 2285 (susceptible) and UENF 1381 (resistant). The plants of each generation were grown in a greenhouse and leaflets were inoculated with bacterial strain ENA 4135 at 105 CFU/mL in 1.0 cm2 of the mesophyll. Evaluations were performed using a scoring scale whose grades ranged from 1.0 (resistant) to 5.0 (susceptible), depending on symptom manifestation. Genetic control of bacterial spot has a quantitative aspect, with higher additive effect. The quantitative analysis showed that five genes were the minimum number controlling bacterial spot resistance. Additive effect was higher (6.06) than dominant (3.31) and explained 86.36% of total variation.

Molecular and agronomic analysis of intraspecific variability in Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum accessions.

Capsicum baccatum is one of the most important chili peppers in South America, since this region is considered to be the center of origin and diversity of this species. In Brazil, C. baccatum has been widely explored by family farmers and there are different local names for each fruit phenotype, such as cambuci and dedo-de-moça (lady's finger). Although very popular among farmers and consumers, C. baccatum has been less extensively studied than other Capsicum species. This study describes the phenotypic and genotypic variability in C. baccatum var. pendulum accessions. Twenty-nine accessions from the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro gene bank, and one commercial genotype ('BRS-Mari') were evaluated for 53 morphoagronomic descriptors (31 qualitative and 22 quantitative traits). In addition, accessions were genotyped using 30 microsatellite primers. Three accessions from the C. annuum complex were included in the molecular characterization. Nine of 31 qualitative descriptors were monomorphic, while all quantitative descriptors were highly significant different between accessions (P < 0.01). Using the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages, four groups were obtained based on multicategoric variables and five groups were obtained based on quantitative variables. In the genotyping analysis, 12 polymorphic simple sequence repeat primers amplified in C. baccatum with dissimilarity between accessions ranging from 0.13 to 0.91, permitting the formation of two distinct groups for Bayesian analysis. These results indicate wide variability among the accessions comparing phenotypic and genotypic data and revealed distinct patterns of dissimilarity between matrices, indicating that both steps are valuable for the characterization of C. baccatum var. pendulum accessions.

Off-label Use of Tocilizumab in Psoriatic Arthritis: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ) on three patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and review the literature for other cases of PsA treated with TCZ. CLINICAL CASES: The first patient started TCZ treatment after the failure of adalimumab (ADA), and etanercept (ETA) (Disease Activity Score, DAS28: 6.66) to treat PsA. After 12 months, her DAS28 decreased to 3.26, and at present (24 months), she has achieved disease remission. The second patient started TCZ treatment after the failure of ADA. After 12 months, the DAS28 decreased from 4.90 to 3.99. After 48 months of treatment, the patient had a DAS28 of 3.76. The third case was treated with TCZ after the failure of both infliximab and rituximab therapy. After 12 months, the DAS28 dropped from 8.65 to 5.49. At present, after 37 months of treatment, the patient has a DAS28 of 4.67. In the literature, there are six cases of PsA, which have been treated with TCZ: in two of the cases, the patient showed a great improvement. Two cases failed to achieve disease remission, despite a moderate response to the treatment, and the other two cases showed no improvement. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that TCZ cannot be recommended as an alternative treatment for PsA with predominant peripheral involvement.

Design and fabrication of SiO2/TiO2 and MgO/TiO2 based high selective optical filters for diffuse reflectance and fluorescence signals extraction.

This paper presents the design, optimization and fabrication of 16 MgO/TiO2 and SiO2/TiO2 based high selective narrow bandpass optical filters. Their performance to extract diffuse reflectance and fluorescence signals from gastrointestinal tissue phantoms was successfully evaluated. The obtained results prove their feasibility to correctly extract those spectroscopic signals, through a Spearman's rank correlation test (Spearman's correlation coefficient higher than 0.981) performed between the original spectra and the ones obtained using those 16 fabricated optical filters. These results are an important step for the implementation of a miniaturized, low-cost and minimal invasive microsystem that could help in the detection of gastrointestinal dysplasia.

On longitudinal compressive failure of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer: from unidirectional to woven, and from virgin to recycled.

Modelling the longitudinal compressive failure of carbon-fibre-reinforced composites has been attempted for decades. Despite many developments, no single model has surfaced to provide simultaneously a definitive explanation for the micromechanics of failure as well as validated predictions for a generic stress state. This paper explores the reasons for this, by presenting experimental data (including scanning electron microscopic observations of loaded kink bands during propagation, and brittle shear fracture at 45° to the fibres) and reviewing previously proposed micromechanical analytical and numerical models. The paper focuses mainly on virgin unidirectional (UD) composites, but studies for woven and recycled composites are also presented, highlighting similarities and differences between these cases. It is found that, while kink-band formation (also referred to in the literature as microbuckling) is predominant in UD composites under longitudinal compression, another failure mode related to the failure of the fibres can be observed experimentally. It is also shown that the micromechanics of the failure process observed in UD composites is similar to that in other fibre architectures, hence encouraging the adaptation and application of models developed for the former to the latter.

Development of an automatic electronic system to human blood typing.

Blood typing has a vital contribution to the success of life-saving procedures, such as blood transfusions, and it can be critical, especially in emergency situations. For that, in this paper the main principles to the development of a miniaturized, low cost, portable and automatic system to human blood typing, in emergency situations, are presented. In a previous study, the authors validated a general experimental protocol to be applied in the automatic system. Now, the implementation of a specific light source system by using standard Light Emission Diodes (LEDs) was studied. Moreover, the specification of all electronic components to be used in the prototype device was performed.

Hansen's disease mimicking a systemic vasculitis.

Hansen's disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, classically presents with cutaneous and neurological manifestations. Rheumatologic manifestations present in 1 to 5% of the patients, and include arthritis, arthralgias, Charcot arthropathy, erythema nodosum and vasculitis. We report a case of a 86 year old woman with polyarthritis, subcutaneous nodules and leg ulcers whose differential diagnosis included primary vasculitis and diffuse connective tissue diseases and ended to be leprosy in a non endemic country.