Mejora funcional en personas mayores frágiles mediante el programa de ejercicios Vivifrail, durante dos años de pandemia / Functional improvement in frail older adults through the Vivifrail exercise program, during two years of pandemic

Antecedentes y objetivo El ejercicio físico aumenta la capacidad funcional en personas mayores ayudando a evitar o retrasar situaciones de dependencia. En este estudio se evalúa el impacto de una intervención de ejercicio físico multicomponente basado en el programa Vivifrail realizado en un centro de atención primaria en dos años coincidente con la pandemia COVID. Sujetos y métodos Diseño descriptivo longitudinal con comparación antes-después sin grupo control. Personas mayores de 65 años con alteración de funcionalidad medida mediante test de ejecución, adscritos al centro de salud El Palo, Málaga. La intervención consiste en dos sesiones semanales grupales de ejercicio físico guiadas por monitor, según programa Vivifrail. Variables: índice de Barthel, velocidad de la marcha, categoría Vivifrail, calidad de vida (EuroQol 5-D [EQ-5D]) uso de ayudas para la marcha, número de caídas el año previo. Mediciones: basal, segunda (un año) y final (dos años). Análisis test de Kruskal-Wallis, nivel significación 0,05. Resultados Se incluyen evaluaciones de 20 pacientes. Entre primera y segunda valoración, objetivamos modificación significativa en uso de ayudas para la marcha (p 0,01) y categorías Vivifrail: de B inicial, 50% permanecen, 25% pasa a A, 16,7% C2 y 8,3% D (p 0,048). En análisis valoración basal-final, encontramos mejora estadísticamente significativa en calidad de vida medida por EQ-5D (aumento medio 24 puntos en medición de calidad de vida hoy, termómetro EQ-5D, con IC 95% (9,6-38,3), p 0,004) y de categoría Vivifrail (n=10) 60% permanecen categoría B y 40% pasan a D (autónomos) (p<0,0001). Se observa tendencia a mejoría en velocidad de la marcha, tiempo de paseo diario y número de caídas, sin alcanzar significación estadística. Conclusiones El ejercicio físico multicomponente mejora la calidad de vida percibida medida mediante EQ-5D y produce una tendencia a la mejora en capacidad funcional, estado de ánimo y número de caídas (AU)

Background and objective Physical exercise increases functional capacity in older adults, helping to prevent or delay dependence. This study evaluates the impact of a multicomponent physical exercise intervention based on the Vivifrail program, conducted in a primary care center over two years coinciding with the COVID pandemic. Subjects and methods Descriptive longitudinal design with before-after comparison without control group. Participants were older than 65 years old with functional impairment measured by execution test, enrolled in the El Palo Health Center, Málaga. The intervention consists of two weekly group sessions of physical exercise guided by a monitor, according to the Vivifrail program. Variables: Barthel Index, Gait Speed, Vivifrail Category, Quality of Life (EuroQol 5-D [EQ-5D]), use of walking aids, number of falls in the previous year. Measurements: baseline, second (one year) and final (two years). Analysis of the Kruskal-Wallis test, significance level 0.05. Results Twenty patients were evaluated. Between the first and second evaluation, we observed a significant modification in the use of walking aids (p 0.01) and Vivifrail categories: from an initial B category, 50% remained, 25% moved to A, 16.7% to C2 and 8.3% to D (p 0.048). In the analysis of the baseline-final evaluation, we found a statistically significant improvement in quality of life measured by EQ-5D (mean increase of 24 points in today's quality of life measurement, EQ-5D thermometer, with 95% CI (9.6-38.3), p 0.004) and Vivifrail category (n=10) with 60% remaining in category B and 40% moving to D (autonomous) (p<0.0001). There was a trend towards improvement in gait speed, daily walking time, and number of falls, but without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions Multicomponent physical exercise improves perceived quality of life measured by EQ-5D and leads to a trend towards improvement in functional capacity, mood, and number of falls (AU)

El glistening de las lentes intraoculares: revisión de la literatura / Glistening on intraocular lenses: a review

El glistening en las lentes intraoculares (LIO) es un fenómeno en el que se forman diminutas microvacuolas llenas de agua dentro del material de la LIO, lo que hace que la luz se disperse y cree un efecto centelleante o reluciente. La presencia del glistening es frecuente en muchos tipos de materiales y modelos de LIO, y se ha estudiado ampliamente en los últimos años para conocer su incidencia, factores de riesgo, evolución y posible relevancia clínica. Clásicamente se ha estudiado in vitro en laboratorio o mediante fotografía obtenida con lámpara de hendidura. Sin embargo, son técnicas que requieren de un explorador experto, además de requerir mucho tiempo y un complejo procesado de las imágenes. En los últimos años, han surgido propuestas basadas en la cámara de Scheimpflug y en la tomografía de coherencia óptica como forma de simplificar el análisis del glistening en las LIO. Se ha descrito que tanto el proceso de fabricación, como el propio material acrílico hidrofóbico, y el tiempo desde la cirugía son factores de riesgo relacionados con la aparición de glistening. Además, aún se desconocen numerosas cuestiones relacionadas con este fenómeno, como la cantidad de puntos o el tamaño de los mismos necesarios para causar afectación de la función visual, ya que se han descrito diferentes fenómenos ópticos relacionados con el glistening de las LIO (AU)

The glistening in intraocular lenses (IOLs) is a phenomenon in which tiny water-filled microvacuoles form within the IOL material, causing light to scatter and create a sparkling or shimmering effect. The presence of glistening is common in many types of IOL materials and models and has been extensively studied in recent years to determine its incidence, risk factors, evolution, and possible clinical relevance. Classically, it has been studied in vitro in the laboratory or by means of photography obtained with a slit lamp, but these were techniques that required either specific technology or an expert explorer, complex image processing, and required a lot of time. In recent years, proposals based on the Scheimpflug camera and optical coherence tomography have emerged to try to simplify the analysis of glistening in IOLs. It has been described that the manufacturing process, the hydrophobic acrylic material, or the time since surgery are risk factors for the appearance of glistening. In addition, many issues related to this phenomenon are still unknown, such as not knowing from what number of points or their size they may have relevance to visual function since different optical phenomena related to glistening have been described on the IOLs (AU)

Evaluación de las modificaciones biométricas del ojo durante la succión del LASIK / Assessment of the biometric modifications of the eye in LASIK during suction

Objetivo Estudiar las modificaciones biométricas del globo ocular durante la succión en la cirugía de queratomileusis in situ asistida por láser (LASIK). Métodos Estudio observacional transversal. Se estudiaron 43 pacientes intervenidos de miopía y astigmatismo miópico. La edad media fue de 38,3 ± 11,5 años, 19 eran mujeres (44,2%). Se realizó una cirugía LASIK convencional con microqueratomo manual. Antes y durante la maniobra de succión se midieron los siguientes parámetros mediante una sonda biométrica de 11 Mhz: profundidad acuosa (AQD), espesor del cristalino (EC), longitud de la cavidad vítrea (LCV) y longitud axial (LA). Se utilizó la prueba t pareada para comparar las medidas biométricas antes y durante la succión. Resultados El equivalente esférico medio fue de -4,5 ± 2,3 dioptrías. Durante la succión, la AQD no aumentó significativamente (p = 0,231). Sin embargo, la LA y LCV aumentaron en 0,12 mm y 0,2 mm, respectivamente (p = 0,039 y < 0,01) y EC disminuyó en 0,20 mm (p < 0,01). La LA aumentó en 42% de los ojos y disminuyó en 16%, mientras que la LCV aumentó en 70% de los ojos y disminuyó en 9%, y el EC se redujo en 67% de los ojos. Conclusiones Las maniobras de succión durante la cirugía LASIK producen cambios de poca magnitud en el globo ocular, principalmente disminución de EC y aumento de LCV y LA. Por lo tanto, es esperable que estas modificaciones produzcan alteraciones anatómicas mínimas (AU)

Purpose To study the biometric modifications of the eyeball during suction in laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods Observational and cross-sectional study. We studied 43 patients who underwent surgery for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Mean age was 38.3±11.5 years, and 19 were female (44.2%). Conventional LASIK surgery with a manual microkeratome was performed. Before and during the suction maneuvre the following parameters were measured using an 11 MHz biometric probe: aqueous depth (AQD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous cavity length (VCL) and axial length (AXL). Paired t-test was used to compare the biometric measurements before and during suction. Results The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was −4.5±2.3 diopters. During suction, the AQD did not change significantly (p = 0.231). However, AXL and VCL increased by 0.12 mm and 0.22 mm respectively (p = 0.039 and <0.01) and LT decreased by 0.20 mm (p<0.01). AXL increased in 42% of the eyes and decreased in 16%, VCL increased in 70% of the eyes and decreased in 9%, and the LT was reduced in 67% of the eyes. Conclusions Suction maneuvres during LASIK surgery produce changes of little magnitude in the eye globe, mainly a decrease in LT and an increase in VCL and AXL. Therefore, these modifications are expected to produce minimal anatomic alterations (AU)

[Functional improvement in frail older adults through the Vivifrail exercise program, during two years of pandemic]. / Mejora funcional en personas mayores frágiles mediante el programa de ejercicios Vivifrail, durante dos años de pandemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical exercise increases functional capacity in older adults, helping to prevent or delay dependence. This study evaluates the impact of a multicomponent physical exercise intervention based on the Vivifrail program, conducted in a primary care center over two years coinciding with the COVID pandemic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Descriptive longitudinal design with before-after comparison without control group. Participants were older than 65 years old with functional impairment measured by execution test, enrolled in the El Palo Health Center, Málaga. The intervention consists of two weekly group sessions of physical exercise guided by a monitor, according to the Vivifrail program. VARIABLES: Barthel Index, Gait Speed, Vivifrail Category, Quality of Life (EuroQol 5-D [EQ-5D]), use of walking aids, number of falls in the previous year. MEASUREMENTS: baseline, second (one year) and final (two years). Analysis of the Kruskal-Wallis test, significance level 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty patients were evaluated. Between the first and second evaluation, we observed a significant modification in the use of walking aids (p 0.01) and Vivifrail categories: from an initial B category, 50% remained, 25% moved to A, 16.7% to C2 and 8.3% to D (p 0.048). In the analysis of the baseline-final evaluation, we found a statistically significant improvement in quality of life measured by EQ-5D (mean increase of 24 points in today's quality of life measurement, EQ-5D thermometer, with 95% CI (9.6-38.3), p 0.004) and Vivifrail category (n=10) with 60% remaining in category B and 40% moving to D (autonomous) (p<0.0001). There was a trend towards improvement in gait speed, daily walking time, and number of falls, but without reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent physical exercise improves perceived quality of life measured by EQ-5D and leads to a trend towards improvement in functional capacity, mood, and number of falls.

Clinical features and genetic biomarkers associated with different phenotypes of systemic lupus erythematosus in Paraguayan patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by a heterogeneous clinical picture that makes the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients difficult. This study aimed to identify correlations between clinical, immunological, and genetic biomarkers and clinical manifestations in SLE. A retrospective study of data from medical records and immunological and genetic studies of SLE patients in Paraguay was carried out. A descriptive analysis was performed based on the type of variable. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele frequencies (DPA1, DPB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1) were calculated, and univariate logistic regression analyses were performed between each of the explanatory variables and the presence or absence of each phenotype. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p values were recorded. Associations with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. 104 SLE patients were included: 86% were female, with a mean age of 32.80±10.36 years. An association was identified between anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and the presence of the renal phenotype and between anti-dsDNA and the absence of the joint and hematological phenotypes. Immunoglobulin M isotype rheumatoid factor was associated with the absence of a renal phenotype. HLA-DQB1*02:02 and HLA-DRB1*07:01 were associated with the cutaneous phenotype. An association was identified between age at disease onset over 30 years and the presence of the joint phenotype. No other associations were identified. Potential clinical, immunological, and genetic biomarkers of phenotypes have been identified in SLE Paraguayan patients.

Assessment of the biometric modifications of the eye in LASIK during suction.

PURPOSE: To study the biometric modifications of the eyeball during suction in Laser assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Observational and cross-sectional study. We studied 43 patients who underwent surgery for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Mean age was 38.3 ±â€¯11.5 years, and 19 were female (44.2%). Conventional LASIK surgery with a manual microkeratome was performed. Before and during the suction maneuvre the following parameters were measured using an 11 Mhz biometric probe: aqueous depth (AQD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous cavity length (VCL) and axial length (AXL). Paired t-test was used to compare the biometric measurements before and during suction. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -4.5 ±â€¯2.3 diopters. During suction, the AQD did not change significantly (p = 0.231). However, AXL and VCL increased by 0.12 mm and 0.22 mm respectively (p = 0.039 and <0.01) and LT decreased by 0.20 mm (p < 0.01). AXL increased in 42% of the eyes and decreased in 16%, VCL increased in 70% of the eyes and decreased in 9%, and the LT was reduced in 67% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Suction maneuvres during LASIK surgery produce changes of little magnitude in the eye globe, mainly a decrease in LT and an increase in VCL and AXL. Therefore, these modifications are expected to produce minimal anatomic alterations.

Glistening on intraocular lenses: A review.

The glistening in intraocular lenses (IOLs) is a phenomenon in which tiny water-filled microvacuoles (MVs) form within the IOL material, causing light to scatter and create a sparkling or shimmering effect. The presence of glistening is common in many types of IOL materials and models and has been extensively studied in recent years to determine its incidence, risk factors, evolution, and possible clinical relevance. Classically, it has been studied in vitro in the laboratory or by means of photography obtained with a slit lamp, but these were techniques that required either specific technology or an expert explorer, complex image processing, and required a lot of time. In recent years, proposals based on the Scheimpflug camera and optical coherence tomography have emerged to try to simplify the analysis of glistening in IOLs. It has been described that the manufacturing process, the hydrophobic acrylic material, or the time since surgery are risk factors for the appearance of glistening. In addition, many issues related to this phenomenon are still unknown, such as not knowing from what number of points or their size they may have relevance to visual function since different optical phenomena related to glistening have been described on the IOLs.

Atrofia coriorretiniana pigmentada paravenosa de presentación unifocal y unilateral / Unifocal and unilateral pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy

La atrofia coriorretiniana pigmentada paravenosa es una entidad infrecuente, asociada a enfermedades autoinmunes y otras complicaciones oculares, generalmente multifocal, bilateral y simétrica. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente con artritis reumatoide que acude por dolor de varios días. Presenta disminución de agudeza visual de ojo izquierdo, escleritis nodular y atrofia coriorretiniana con acumulación de pigmento en espículas óseas en arcada vascular temporal inferior y agujero macular lamelar. El ojo derecho no presenta alteraciones. La autofluorescencia del ojo izquierdo muestra hipoautofluorescencia de bordes definidos en la lesión. La angiografía con fluoresceína evidencia hiperfluorescencia compatible con degeneración del epitelio pigmentario retiniano y bloqueo en las áreas de pigmento. El campo visual revela un defecto altitudinal en hemicampo superior. Este caso describe una atrofia coriorretiniana pigmentada paravenosa atípica unifocal y unilateral. Se debe conocer esta variante para realizar un correcto diagnóstico diferencial, así como proporcionar una información pronóstica adecuada (AU)

Paravenous pigmented chorioretinal atrophy is a generally multifocal, bilateral and symmetric rare entity associated with autoimmune diseases and other ocular complications. We present the clinical case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who attended for pain of several days. He presented decreased visual acuity of the left eye, nodular scleritis and chorioretinal atrophy with pigment accumulation in bone spicules in the inferior temporal vascular arcade and lamellar macular hole. The right eye shows no alterations. LE autofluorescence shows a hypoautofluorescence lesion with defined edges. Fluorescein angiography shows hyperfluorescence consistent with retinal pigmentary epithelial degeneration and blockage in pigment areas. The visual field reveals a defect in the superior hemifield. This case describes an atypical unifocal and unilateral paravenous pigmented chorioretinal atrophy. This variant must be known to make a correct differential diagnosis, as well as to provide adequate prognostic information (AU)

Unifocal and unilateral pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy.

Paravenous pigmented chorioretinal atrophy (PPRCA) is a generally multifocal, bilateral and symmetric rare entity associated with autoimmune diseases and other ocular complications. We present the clinical case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who attended for pain of several days. He presented decreased visual acuity of the left eye (LE), nodular scleritis and chorioretinal atrophy with pigment accumulation in bone spicules in the inferior temporal vascular arcade and lamellar macular hole (AML). The right eye shows no alterations. LE autofluorescence (AF) shows a hypoautofluorescence lesion with defined edges. Fluorescein angiography (FAG) shows hyperfluorescence consistent with retinal pigmentary epithelial degeneration and blockage in pigment areas. The visual field (VC) reveals a defect in the superior hemifield. This case describes an atypical unifocal and unilateral PPRCA. This variant must be known to make a correct differential diagnosis, as well as to provide adequate prognostic information.

Agreement between optical coherence and Scheimpflug tomography: Vault measurements and reproducibility after implantable collamer lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement between Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam, Oculus) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT, RTVue 100, Optovue) as well as the reproducibility of each technique in assessing the lens-ICL distance (vault) after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation. METHODS: The vault was measured manually with Scheimpflug tomography and AS-OCT. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine the reproducibility of measurements and the agreement between them. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of differences in vault measurements between devices. RESULTS: 80 eyes of 46 ICL patients were analyzed. Mean patient age was 33.8±7.4 years (range, 21 to 51), and 27 (59%) were women. The preoperative spherical equivalent refraction ranged from -26 to 8.5 diopters (D). The mean vault measured by AS-OCT was 558.8±240.2µm (range, 162 - 1220) vs. 430.1±215.3µm (range, 0 to 1070) by Pentacam. AS-OCT yielded vault values, on average, 128.1±64.6µm higher than the Pentacam (range, -22 to 293µm). The ICC values for consistency and absolute agreement were 0.960 and 0.928, respectively. Reproducibility of vault measurements was excellent for both devices (ICC≥0.946). Four parameters-vault, pupil diameter (PD), PD differences between devices, and preoperative spherical equivalent refraction-were significant predictors of differences in vault measurements (adjusted-R2=0.412; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Agreement between AS-OCT and Pentacam for vault measurement was good. Vaults were higher when measured by AS-OCT. These differences are clinically relevant, and therefore these devices cannot be used interchangeably to measure vault.

Multi-Class Cost-Constrained Random Coding for Correlated Sources over the Multiple-Access Channel.

This paper studies a generalized version of multi-class cost-constrained random-coding ensemble with multiple auxiliary costs for the transmission of N correlated sources over an N-user multiple-access channel. For each user, the set of messages is partitioned into classes and codebooks are generated according to a distribution depending on the class index of the source message and under the constraint that the codewords satisfy a set of cost functions. Proper choices of the cost functions recover different coding schemes including message-dependent and message-independent versions of independent and identically distributed, independent conditionally distributed, constant-composition and conditional constant composition ensembles. The transmissibility region of the scheme is related to the Cover-El Gamal-Salehi region. A related family of correlated-source Gallager source exponent functions is also studied. The achievable exponents are compared for correlated and independent sources, both numerically and analytically.

Nearest Neighbor Decoding and Pilot-Aided Channel Estimation for Fading Channels.

We study the information rates of noncoherent, stationary, Gaussian, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) flat-fading channels that are achievable with nearest neighbor decoding and pilot-aided channel estimation. In particular, we investigate the behavior of these achievable rates in the limit as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) tends to infinity by analyzing the capacity pre-log, which is defined as the limiting ratio of the capacity to the logarithm of the SNR as the SNR tends to infinity. We demonstrate that a scheme estimating the channel using pilot symbols and detecting the message using nearest neighbor decoding (while assuming that the channel estimation is perfect) essentially achieves the capacity pre-log of noncoherent multiple-input single-output flat-fading channels, and it essentially achieves the best so far known lower bound on the capacity pre-log of noncoherent MIMO flat-fading channels. Extending the analysis to fading multiple-access channels reveals interesting relationships between the number of antennas and Doppler bandwidth in the comparative performance of joint transmission and time division multiple-access.

Evaluación de los cambios en la mácula y en el nervio óptico mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica en pacientes con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad / Assessment of changes in the macula and optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

INTRODUCCIÓN: Determinar si existen diferencias en el grosor macular y papilar mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) en pacientes con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) comparando con un grupo control, evaluando además si existen diferencias entre pacientes con TDAH con y sin tratamiento. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal en el que se incluyó a 92 ojos de 46 pacientes, divididos en 2 grupos: 46 ojos de 23 pacientes con TDAH y un grupo control de 46 ojos de 23 sujetos. El grupo de pacientes con TDAH se subdividió en aquellos con tratamiento con metilfenidato o derivados (n = 28) y aquellos sin tratamiento (n = 18). Se midió el grosor macular, el complejo de células ganglionares (CCG) y la capa de fibras nerviosas de la retina (CFNR) a nivel papilar en 12 sectores. RESULTADOS: Se observó un menor grosor macular central en los TDAH que en controles (257,4 ± 20 μm vs. 267,5 ± 20 μm; p = 0,013), no observándose diferencias en el CCG (p ≥ 0,566), ni en la CFNR (p ≥ 0,095). En los pacientes con TDAH con y sin tratamiento no se observaron diferencias en el grosor macular ni en el CCG (p ≥ 0,160 y 0,375, respectivamente), pero se objetivó un menor grosor foveal (p = 0,018) y de la CFNR en 5/12 sectores a nivel papilar (p ≤ 0,033) en aquellos sin tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: Se observó un menor grosor macular en los pacientes con TDAH que en controles. Además, los pacientes con TDAH sin tratamiento presentaron un menor grosor foveal y de la CFNR que aquellos pacientes en tratamiento

INTRODUCTION: To assess if there are any differences in macular and papillary thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with a control group, including if there are differences between ADHD patients with and without treatment. METHODS: Prospective observational study including 92 eyes of 46 patients divided into 2 groups: 46 eyes of 23 patients with ADHD, and a control group of 46 eyes of 23 healthy patients. The group of patients with ADHD was subdivided into those on treatment with methylphenidate (n = 28) and those not on treatment (n = 18). The macular thickness, the ganglion cell complex (GCC), and the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) at the papillary level were measured in 12 sectors. RESULTS: A lower central macular thickness was observed in the ADHD patients than in the controls (257.4 ±20 μm versus 267.5 ±20 μm, P = .013), with no differences observed in the GCC (P=.566), or in the RNFL (P = .095). There were no differences in the patients with ADHD with and without treatment, as regards macular thickness and the GCC (P = .160 and P = .375 respectively), but a lower foveal thickness (P = .018) and RNFL in 5/12 sectors at the papillary level (P = .033) were observed in those without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A lower macular thickness was observed in patients with ADHD than in controls. In addition, patients with ADHD without treatment had a lower thickness of the fovea and RNFL than those patients on treatment

Assessment of changes in the macula and optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. / Evaluación de los cambios en la mácula y en el nervio óptico mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica en pacientes con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad.

INTRODUCTION: To assess if there are any differences in macular and papillary thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with a control group, including if there are differences between ADHD patients with and without treatment. METHODS: Prospective observational study including 92 eyes of 46 patients divided into 2 groups: 46 eyes of 23 patients with ADHD, and a control group of 46 eyes of 23 healthy patients. The group of patients with ADHD was subdivided into those on treatment with methylphenidate (n=28) and those not on treatment (n=18). The macular thickness, the ganglion cell complex (GCC), and the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) at the papillary level were measured in 12 sectors. RESULTS: A lower central macular thickness was observed in the ADHD patients than in the controls (257.4±20µm versus 267.5±20µm, P=.013), with no differences observed in the GCC (P=.566), or in the RNFL (P=.095). There were no differences in the patients with ADHD with and without treatment, as regards macular thickness and the GCC (P=.160 and P=.375 respectively), but a lower foveal thickness (P=.018) and RNFL in 5/12 sectors at the papillary level (P=.033) were observed in those without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A lower macular thickness was observed in patients with ADHD than in controls. In addition, patients with ADHD without treatment had a lower thickness of the fovea and RNFL than those patients on treatment.

Efficacy of combinations of colistin with other antimicrobials involves membrane fluidity and efflux machinery.

OBJECTIVE: Despite its use was abandoned several decades ago, the polycationic peptide colistin has become the last hope to treat severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Thus, the development of colistin resistance may seriously compromise the efficacy of treatment. Moreover, colistin has high toxicity being dose dependent. A potentially effective strategy to avoid resistance may be to combine colistin with other antimicrobials. This may help in the rescue of old antimicrobials and in reducing toxic undesired effects. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility determination, efflux machinery function measurements in different conditions and measurement of inhibition of the extrusion by colistin were performed. Moreover, modifications of anisotropy of the membranes by using fluorescent dyes was accomplished. RESULTS: Sub-inhibitory concentrations of colistin have a synergistic effect with several antimicrobials that act intracellularly (targeting protein synthesis and DNA replication). This effect was demonstrated through the uptake increases of acridine orange. in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumanii but also in an intrinsically colistin-resistant species as Serratia marcescens. Measurements of the anisotropy of bacterial membranes, as a measure of membrane fluidity, showed significant changes indicative of colistin activity. CONCLUSION: The alterations in the cellular efflux machinery that resulted in higher intracellular concentrations of acridine orange, and likely of other antimicrobials combined with data of membrane fluidity and measured synergism in vitro allow us to envisage the use of these combinations to fight infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Head-space gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the assessment of the contamination of mayonnaise by yeasts.

Head-space (HS) gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) is proposed for the assessment of the contamination of mayonnaise as an alternative to plate counting, which is the technique commonly used for evaluating microbial contamination. More specifically, this method was applied in the detection of Candida metapsilosis and Zygosaccharomyces bailii, both of great importance in term of food spoilage since they are resistant to many of the common methods of food preservation. Different chemometric models were investigated using the data obtained by GC-MS (m/z profile, area of the chromatographic peaks and entire chromatographic profile), in order to obtain the highest classification success. The best results were obtained using the chromatographic profile (success rate of 92%). Contaminated samples could also be classified according to the concentration of yeast, obtaining a success rate of 87.5%. Finally, a chemometric model was constructed in an attempt to differentiate between strains.

Evaluación de los signos de la pseudoexfoliación en el segmento anterior mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica y cámara de Scheimpflug / Pseudoexfoliation signs in the anterior segment assessed by optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug device

Objetivo: Evaluar diferentes parámetros del segmento anterior en ojos con pseudoexfoliación (PSX), ojos contralaterales y controles mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica (OCT) y cámara Scheimpflug. Métodos: Se estudiaron 3 grupos: 44 ojos de 44 pacientes con PSX, 30 ojos contralaterales no afectos y 148 ojos de 148 controles sanos. Mediante la cámara de Scheimpflug (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.; Wetzlar, Alemania) se midieron la profundidad y volumen de la cámara anterior, volumen corneal y paquimetría, diámetro pupilar y densitometría corneal. Mediante OCT RTVue 100 (Optovue, Fremont, CA, EE. UU.) se midieron la abertura angular, la longitud y el área de la malla trabecular, el grosor del iris, y se valoró la visualización de depósitos PSX. Resultados. No se observaron diferencias en cuanto a la profundidad ni volumen de la cámara anterior, ni en el volumen corneal o paquimetría (p≥0,228 en todos los parámetros) entre grupos. Sin embargo, la densitometría corneal fue mayor en PSX y en los ojos contralaterales que en el grupo control (p < 0,001). En cuanto a los parámetros de OCT no existieron diferencias en la abertura angular ni en el tamaño de la malla entre los 3 grupos, siendo el grosor del iris menor en controles (p = 0,005); identificándose en todos los pacientes el depósito PSX mediante OCT. Conclusiones: No se detectaron diferencias entre las medidas biométricas del segmento anterior entre los pacientes con PSX y controles, salvo en el caso de la densitometría corneal central y el grosor del iris que fueron mayores en el grupo con PSX y en los ojos contralaterales (AU)

Objective: To evaluate different anterior segment parameters in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PSX), fellow eyes, and controls using optical coherence tomography and a Scheimpflug imaging system. Methods: Three groups were studied: 44 eyes of 44 patients with PSX, 30 clinically unaffected fellow eyes, and 148 eyes of 148 healthy controls. The anterior chamber depth and volume, corneal volume and thickness, pupil diameter and corneal densitometry were measured using a Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.; Wetzlar, Germany). The angle width, the length and area of the trabecular meshwork, and the iris thickness were measured using an optical coherence tomography RTVue 100 device (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The presence of PSX deposits was also assessed by OCT. Results: There were no differences in the anterior chamber volume or depth in the corneal volume or central thickness (P ≥ .228). The corneal densitometry was similar between PSX and fellow eyes; however it was greater than in the control group (P < .001). As regards the parameters measured by OCT, there were no differences in the angle width or in the trabecular meshwork size between the 3 groups; however, the iris was thinner in controls (P = .005). In all patients the PSX deposits were correctly visualised by OCT after the identification by biomicroscopy. Conclusions: There were no differences in the anterior segment biometric measurements between patients with PSX and controls, although the corneal densitometry and iris thickness were greater in the PSX and fellow eyes groups (AU)

Pseudoexfoliation signs in the anterior segment assessed by optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug device. / Evaluación de los signos de la pseudoexfoliación en el segmento anterior mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica y cámara de Scheimpflug.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate different anterior segment parameters in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PSX), fellow eyes, and controls using optical coherence tomography and a Scheimpflug imaging system. METHODS: Three groups were studied: 44 eyes of 44 patients with PSX, 30 clinically unaffected fellow eyes, and 148 eyes of 148 healthy controls. The anterior chamber depth and volume, corneal volume and thickness, pupil diameter and corneal densitometry were measured using a Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam, Oculus Inc.; Wetzlar, Germany). The angle width, the length and area of the trabecular meshwork, and the iris thickness were measured using an optical coherence tomography RTVue 100 device (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The presence of PSX deposits was also assessed by OCT. RESULTS: There were no differences in the anterior chamber volume or depth in the corneal volume or central thickness (P≥.228). The corneal densitometry was similar between PSX and fellow eyes; however it was greater than in the control group (P<.001). As regards the parameters measured by OCT, there were no differences in the angle width or in the trabecular meshwork size between the 3 groups; however, the iris was thinner in controls (P=.005). In all patients the PSX deposits were correctly visualised by OCT after the identification by biomicroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the anterior segment biometric measurements between patients with PSX and controls, although the corneal densitometry and iris thickness were greater in the PSX and fellow eyes groups.