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.

Accuracy, Reliability, and Repeatability of a Novel Artificial Intelligence Algorithm Converting Two-Dimensional Radiographs to Three-Dimensional Bone Models for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of advanced technology, such as robotics, three-dimensional (3D) imaging is necessary to execute preoperative surgical plans accurately. However, 3D imaging adds cost and potential risk to patients. This study determined the measurement accuracy, reliability, and repeatability of a novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm which converts two-dimensional (2D) radiographs to 3D bone models. METHODS: An AI algorithm was developed to convert 2D radiographs to 3D bone model reconstructions. The accuracy of the AI algorithm was evaluated by comparing mean absolute error in measurements performed on 3D bone reconstructions, 3D computed tomography (CT) scans, and manual measurements on five cadaveric knees. Reliability and repeatability of the AI algorithm were evaluated by assessing the inter-observer and intra-observer agreement between measurements performed on 3D bone reconstructions, respectively. RESULTS: Accuracy of the AI algorithm was considered excellent with mean absolute errors <2mm in 9 of 12 anatomical parameters compared with measurements performed on CTs and manual calipers. All inter-observer and intra-observer correlation coefficients were greater than 0.90 representing a high level of measurement reliability and repeatability by independent observers and the same observers. CONCLUSION: This particular AI algorithm demonstrated a high degree of accuracy, reliability, and repeatability for converting 2D radiographs to 3D bone reconstructions similar to a CT-scan. Study results suggest this AI algorithm has the potential for use in preoperative surgical planning due to its efficiencies related to cost and time and reduced radiation exposure without the use of 3D imaging.

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.

Irreversible incorporation of L-dopa into the C-terminus of α-tubulin inhibits binding of molecular motor KIF5B to microtubules and alters mitochondrial traffic along the axon.

L-dopa is the most effective drug used to date for management of Parkinson's disease symptoms. Unfortunately, long-term administration of L-dopa often results in development of motor disorders, including dyskinesias. Despite extensive research on L-dopa-induced dyskinesia, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. We demonstrated previously that L-dopa can be post-translationally incorporated into the C-terminus of α-tubulin in living cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the presence of L-dopa-tubulin-enriched microtubules on mitochondrial traffic mediated by molecular motor KIF5B. Using biochemical approaches in combination with experiments on neuronal cell lines and mouse hippocampal primary cultures, we demonstrated that L-dopa incorporation into tubulin is irreversible. Transport of mitochondria along the axon was altered after L-dopa treatment of cells. In L-dopa-treated cells, mitochondria had reduced ability to reach the distal segment of the axon, spent more time in pause, and showed reduced velocity of anterograde movement. KIF5B motor, a member of the kinesin family involved in mitochondrial transport in neurons, showed reduced affinity for Dopa-tubulin-containing microtubules. Our findings, taken together, suggest that tyrosination state of tubulin (and microtubules) is altered by L-dopa incorporation into tubulin; the gradual increase in amount of altered microtubules affects microtubule functioning, impairs mitochondrial traffic and distribution, and this could be relevant in Parkinson's disease patients chronically treated with L-dopa.

Blood system ABO antigens as risk factor for severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION: Whether there is an influence of the ABO blood system on SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To analyze if there is an association between the ABO system antigens and susceptibility to and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The frequency of ABO system antigens was compared in 73 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 52 clinically healthy donors. Infection severity was assessed by comparing the frequency of antigens by disease severity and mortality. RESULTS: The risk of suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection increases in subjects with A vs. non-A antigen (OR = 1.45; 95 % CI: 1.061-1.921). Blood phenotype O reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.686; 95 % CI: 0.522-0.903). No differences were found regarding disease severity. In critically ill patients, the risk of mortality increased in subjects with A vs. non-A antigen (OR = 3.34; 95 % CI: 1.417-8.159). CONCLUSION: Blood group A is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not for disease severity, although in critically ill patients it is a risk factor for mortality.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se desconoce si existe una influencia del sistema sanguíneo ABO en susceptibilidad y gravedad de la enfermedad. OBJETIVO: Analizar si existe una asociación entre los antígenos del sistema ABO y la susceptibilidad y gravedad de la infección por SARS-CoV-2. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se compararon las frecuencias de los antígenos del sistema ABO en 73 casos confirmados de infección por SARS-CoV-2 y 52 donadores clínicamente sanos. La gravedad de la infección se evaluó comparando la frecuencia de los antígenos por gravedad de la enfermedad y la mortalidad. RESULTADOS: El riesgo de padecer infección por SARS-CoV-2 se incrementa en sujetos con antígeno A vs los no-A (OR=1.45; IC95 %:1.061-1.921). El fenotipo sanguíneo O disminuye el riesgo de padecer infección por SARS-CoV-2 (OR=0.686; IC95 %: 0.522-0.903). No se encontraron diferencias entre la gravedad de la enfermedad. En los pacientes graves, el riesgo de mortalidad se incrementó en sujetos con antígeno A vs los no-A (OR= 3.34; IC95 %: 1.417-8.159). CONCLUSIÓN: El grupo sanguíneo A es un factor de riesgo para padecer infección por SARS-CoV-2, no así en la gravedad de la enfermedad, pero en los pacientes graves fue un factor de riesgo para la mortalidad.

Tubulin-Na+, K + -ATPase interaction: Involvement in enzymatic regulation and cellular function.

A new function for tubulin was described by our laboratory: acetylated tubulin forms a complex with Na+ ,K + -ATPase (NKA) and inhibits its activity. This process was shown to be a regulatory factor of physiological importance in cultured cells, human erythrocytes, and several rat tissues. Formation of the acetylated tubulin-NKA complex is reversible. We demonstrated that in cultured cells, high concentrations of glucose induce translocation of acetylated tubulin from cytoplasm to plasma membrane with a consequent inhibition of NKA activity. This effect is reversed by adding glutamate, which is coctransported to the cell with Na + . Another posttranslational modification of tubulin, detyrosinated tubulin, is also involved in the regulation of NKA activity: it enhances the NKA inhibition induced by acetylated tubulin. Manipulation of the content of these modifications of tubulin could work as a new strategy to maintain homeostasis of Na + and K + , and to regulate a variety of functions in which NKA is involved, such as osmotic fragility and deformability of human erythrocytes. The results summarized in this review show that the interaction between tubulin and NKA plays an important role in cellular physiology, both in the regulation of Na + /K + homeostasis and in the rheological properties of the cells, which is mechanically different from other roles reported up to now.

PMCA activity and membrane tubulin affect deformability of erythrocytes from normal and hypertensive human subjects.

Our previous studies demonstrated formation of a complex between acetylated tubulin and brain plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA), and the effect of the lipid environment on structure of this complex and on PMCA activity. Deformability of erythrocytes from hypertensive human subjects was reduced by an increase in membrane tubulin content. In the present study, we examined the regulation of PMCA activity by tubulin in normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes, and the effect of exogenously added diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) on erythrocyte deformability. Some of the key findings were that: (i) PMCA was associated with tubulin in normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes, (ii) PMCA enzyme activity was directly correlated with erythrocyte deformability, and (iii) when tubulin was present in the erythrocyte membrane, treatment with DAG or PA led to increased deformability and associated PMCA activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that PMCA activity is involved in deformability of both normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes. This rheological property of erythrocytes is affected by acetylated tubulin and its lipid environment because both regulate PMCA activity.

Activation of H(+)-ATPase by glucose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae involves a membrane serine protease.

BACKGROUND: Glucose induces H(+)-ATPase activation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our previous study showed that (i) S. cerevisiae plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase forms a complex with acetylated tubulin (AcTub), resulting in inhibition of the enzyme activity; (ii) exogenous glucose addition results in the dissociation of the complex and recovery of the enzyme activity. METHODS: We used classic biochemical and molecular biology tools in order to identify the key components in the mechanism that leads to H(+)-ATPase activation after glucose treatment. RESULTS: We demonstrate that glucose-induced dissociation of the complex is due to pH-dependent activation of a protease that hydrolyzes membrane tubulin. Biochemical analysis identified a serine protease with a kDa of 35-40 and an isoelectric point between 8 and 9. Analysis of several knockout yeast strains led to the detection of Lpx1p as the serine protease responsible of tubulin proteolysis. When lpx1Δ cells were treated with glucose, tubulin was not degraded, the AcTub/H(+)-ATPase complex did not undergo dissociation, and H(+)-ATPase activation was significantly delayed. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the mechanism of H(+)-ATPase activation by glucose involves a decrease in the cytosolic pH and consequent activation of a serine protease that hydrolyzes AcTub, accelerating the process of the AcTub/H(+)-ATPase complex dissociation and the activation of the enzyme. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our data sheds light into the mechanism by which acetylated tubulin dissociates from the yeast H(+)-ATPase, identifying a degradative step that remained unknown. This finding also proposes an indirect way to pharmacologically regulate yeast H(+)-ATPase activity and open the question about mechanistic similarities with other higher eukaryotes.

Oxychlorine species suppress postsurgical adhesions in rats.

BACKGROUND: Surgically induced adhesions complicate up to 100% of abdominal surgeries. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments are generally not only less effective than desired but they also have major contraindications. Oxychlorine species, including chlorine dioxide (ClO2), suppress scar formation in infected wounds without affecting keratinocytes while reducing fibroblast proliferation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oxychlorine solutions containing ClO2 on adhesion formation. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to Buckenmaier model of surgical adhesions and treated with either oxychlorine solutions containing ClO2 (40-150 ppm) or isotonic saline solution. To increase the severity of adhesions, peritonitis was produced by intraperitoneal administration of a diluted nonlethal dose of feces (50 mg/kg). Wound strength of the healed wound was measured to evaluate the effects of oxychlorine solutions. In addition, an oxychlorine solution of lesser efficacy (at 100 ppm) was compared with three available anti-adhesion materials. RESULTS: Reproducibility of the model was validated in 26 rats. Oxychlorine solutions containing ClO2 (40-110 ppm) significantly reduced postsurgical adhesion formation without affecting the strength of the healed wound. Higher concentrations (120 and 150 ppm) had no effect. Fecal peritonitis significantly increased, and solutions with ClO2 at 110 ppm significantly reduced adhesion formation. The effect of the oxychlorine solution was significantly greater than that of Interceed, Guardix, Seprafilm, and isotonic saline solution. CONCLUSIONS: ClO2-containing oxychlorine solutions could be an innovative strategy for the suppression of surgical adhesion formation, with the additional advantage of contributing antiseptic properties.

A novel method for purification of polymerizable tubulin with a high content of the acetylated isotype.

Tubulin can be acetylated/deacetylated on Lys40 of the α-subunit. Studies of the post-translational acetylation/deacetylation of tubulin using biochemical techniques require tubulin preparations that are enriched in AcTubulin (acetylated tubulin) and (for comparison) preparations lacking AcTubulin. Assembly-disassembly cycling of microtubules gives tubulin preparations that contain little or no AcTubulin. In the present study we demonstrated that this result is owing to the presence of high deacetylating activity in the extracts. This deacetylating activity in rat brain homogenates was inhibited by TSA (Trichostatin A) and tubacin, but not by nicotinamide, indicating that HDAC6 (histone deacetylase 6) is involved. TSA showed no effect on microtubule polymerization or depolymerization. We utilized these properties of TSA to prevent deacetylation during the assembly-disassembly procedure. The effective inhibitory concentration of TSA was 3 µM in the homogenate and 1 µM in the subsequent cycling steps. By comparison with immunopurified AcTubulin, we estimated that ~64% of the tubulin molecules in the three cycled preparations were acetylated. The protein profiles of these tubulin preparations, as assessed by SDS/PAGE and Coomassie Blue staining, were identical to that of a preparation completely lacking AcTubulin obtained by assembly-disassembly cycles in the absence of TSA. The tyrosination state and in vitro assembly-disassembly kinetics were the same regardless of the degree of acetylation.

A Cadaveric Study: Does Ankle Positioning Affect the Quality of Anatomic Syndesmosis Reduction?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the quality of syndesmotic reduction with the ankle in maximal dorsiflexion versus neutral plantarflexion (normal resting position). METHODS: Baseline computed tomography (CT) imaging of 10 cadaveric ankle specimens from 5 donors was obtained with the ankles placed in normal resting position. Two fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons disrupted the syndesmosis of each ankle specimen. All ankles were then placed in neutral plantarflexion and were subsequently reduced with thumb pressure under direct visualization through an anterolateral approach and stabilized with one 0.062-inch K-wire placed from lateral to medial in a quadricortical fashion across the syndesmosis. Postreduction CT scans were then obtained with the ankle in normal resting position. This process was repeated with the ankles placed in maximal dorsiflexion during reduction and stabilization. Postreduction CT scans were then obtained with the ankles placed in normal resting position. All postreduction CT scans were compared with baseline CT imaging using mixed-effects linear regression with significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Syndesmotic reduction and stabilization in maximal dorsiflexion led to increased external rotation of the fibula compared with baseline scans [13.0 ± 5.4 degrees (mean ± SD) vs. 7.5 ± 2.4 degrees, P = 0.002]. There was a tendency toward lateral translation of the fibula with the ankle reduced in maximal dorsiflexion (3.3 ± 1.0 vs. 2.7 ± 0.7 mm, P = 0.096). No other statistically significant differences between measurements of reduction with the ankle placed in neutral plantarflexion or maximal dorsiflexion compared with baseline were present (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the syndesmosis with the ankle in maximal dorsiflexion may lead to malreduction with external rotation of the fibula. There was no statistically significant difference in reduction quality with the ankle placed in neutral plantarflexion compared with baseline. Future studies should assess the clinical implications of ankle positioning during syndesmotic fixation.

Does Scheduled Low-Dose Short-Term NSAID (Ketorolac) Modulate Cytokine Levels After Orthopaedic Polytrauma? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether scheduled low-dose, short-term ketorolac modulates cytokine concentrations in orthopaedic polytrauma patients. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Single Level I trauma center from August 2018 to October 2022. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Orthopaedic polytrauma patients between 18 and 75 years with a New Injury Severity Score greater than 9 were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive 15 mg of intravenous ketorolac every 6 hours for up to 5 inpatient days or 2 mL of intravenous saline similarly. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Daily concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, and IL-10. Clinical outcomes included hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, pulmonary complications, and acute kidney injury. RESULTS: Seventy orthopaedic polytrauma patients were enrolled, with 35 participants randomized to the ketorolac group and 35 to the placebo group. The overall IL-10 trend over time was significantly different in the ketorolac group ( P = 0.043). IL-6 was 65.8% higher at enrollment compared to day 3 ( P < 0.001) when aggregated over both groups. There was no significant treatment effect for prostaglandin E2, IL-1a, or IL-1b ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled low-dose, short-term, intravenous ketorolac was associated with significantly different mean trends in IL-10 concentration in orthopaedic polytrauma patients with no significant differences in prostaglandin E2, IL-1a, IL-1b, or IL-6 levels between groups. The treatment did not have an impact on clinical outcomes of hospital or intensive care unit length of stay, pulmonary complications, or acute kidney injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Local Aqueous Tobramycin Injection Reduce Open Fracture-Related Infection Rates?

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of local aqueous tobramycin injection adjunct to perioperative intravenous (IV) antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing fracture-related infections (FRIs) following reduction and internal fixation of open fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single academic Level I trauma center. PATIENTS SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients with open extremity fractures treated with reduction and internal fixation with (intervention group) or without (control group) 80 mg of local aqueous (2 mg/mL) tobramycin injected during closure at the time of definitive fixation were identified from December 2018 to August 2021 based on population-matched demographic and injury characteristics. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: The primary outcome was FRI within 6 months of definitive fixation. Secondary outcomes consisted of fracture nonunion and bacterial speciation. Differences in outcomes between the 2 groups were assessed and logistic regression models were created to assess the difference in infection rates between groups, with and without controlling for potential confounding variables, such as sex, fracture location, and Gustilo-Anderson classification. RESULTS: An analysis of 157 patients was performed with 78 patients in the intervention group and 79 patients in the control group. In the intervention group, 30 (38.5%) patients were women with a mean age of 47.1 years. In the control group, 42 (53.2%) patients were women with a mean age of 46.4 years. The FRI rate was 11.5% in the intervention group compared with 25.3% in the control group ( P = 0.026). After controlling for sex, Gustilo-Anderson classification, and fracture location, the difference in FRI rates between groups remained significantly different ( P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Local aqueous tobramycin injection at the time of definitive internal fixation of open extremity fractures was associated with a significant reduction in FRI rates when administered as an adjunct to intravenous antibiotics, even after controlling for potential confounding variables. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Nonoperative Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fractures With Immediate Functional Bracing Versus Coaptation Splinting and Delayed Functional Bracing: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare radiographic and clinical outcomes in nonoperative management of humeral shaft fractures treated initially with coaptation splinting (CS) followed by delayed functional bracing (FB) versus treatment with immediate FB. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic Level 1 Trauma Center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Patients with closed humeral shaft fractures managed nonoperatively with initial CS followed by delayed FB or with immediate FB from 2016 to 2022. Patients younger than 18 years and/or with less than 3 months of follow-up were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: The primary outcome was coronal and sagittal radiographic alignment assessed at the final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included rate of failure of nonoperative management (defined as surgical conversion and/or fracture nonunion), fracture union, and skin complications secondary to splint/brace wear. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were managed nonoperatively with delayed FB (n = 58) or immediate FB (n = 39). Overall, the mean age was 49.9 years (range 18-94 years), and 64 (66%) patients were female. The immediate FB group had less smokers ( P = 0.003) and lower incidence of radial nerve palsy ( P = 0.025), with more proximal third humeral shaft fractures ( P = 0.001). There were no other significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics ( P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in coronal ( P = 0.144) or sagittal ( P = 0.763) radiographic alignment between the groups. In total, 33 (34.0%) humeral shaft fractures failed nonoperative management, with 11 (28.2%) in the immediate FB group and 22 (37.9%) in the delayed FB group ( P = 0.322). There were no significant differences in fracture union ( P = 0.074) or skin complications ( P = 0.259) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that nonoperative treatment of humeral shaft fractures with immediate functional bracing did not result in significantly different radiographic or clinical outcomes compared to treatment with CS followed by delayed functional bracing. Future prospective studies assessing patient-reported outcomes will further guide clinical decision making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Tubulin pools in human erythrocytes: altered distribution in hypertensive patients affects Na+, K+-ATPase activity.

The presence of tubulin in human erythrocytes was demonstrated using five different antibodies. Tubulin was distributed among three operationally distinguishable pools: membrane, sedimentable structure and soluble fraction. It is known that in erythrocytes from hypertensive subjects (HS), the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (NKA) activity is partially inhibited as compared with erythrocytes from normal subjects (NS). In erythrocytes from HS the membrane tubulin pool is increased by ~150%. NKA was found to be forming a complex with acetylated tubulin that results in inhibition of enzymes. This complex was also increased in erythrocytes from HS. Treatment of erythrocytes from HS with nocodazol caused a decrease of acetylated tubulin in the membrane and stimulation of NKA activity, whereas taxol treatment on erythrocytes from NS had the opposite effect. These results suggest that, in erythrocytes from HS, tubulin was translocated to the membrane, where it associated with NKA with the consequent enzyme inhibition.

Orbscan II and double-K method for IOL calculation after refractive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Precise IOL calculation in post-refractive surgery patients is still a challenge for the cataract surgeon. The purpose of this study is to test whether adding Orbscan II values into the double-K method improves IOL calculation in this group of patients. METHODS: A prospective study with 43 eyes previously submitted to refractive surgery that underwent cataract extraction. IOL calculation was performed with double-K method. Post-K value was derived from Orbscan total-mean power map. The average corneal curvature of the general population (43.8D) was used as the pre-K value. Refraction results 30 days after surgery were compared with refraction that would be obtained if we used: (1) post-K values from keratometry, (2) post-K values from topography, and (3) pre-K values from Orbscan total-mean power. Anterior chamber depth measures obtained with the IOL Master and Orbscan II were compared. RESULTS: Mean postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -0.25 ± 1.10 D in eyes submitted to radial keratotomy , -1.04 ± 1.42 D in eyes previously submitted to myopic Lasik, and +0.05 ± 1.76 D in those submitted to hyperopic surgeries. Had we inputted post-K values derived from keratometer and from topography, we would have obtained significantly higher postoperative refractive errors in eyes previously submitted to myopic refractive surgery (p < 0.05). Refractions using pre-K derived from the central 8 mm Orbscan instead of 43.8 D were similar in all studied groups (p > 0.05). Anterior chamber depth measured with IOL Master or Orbscan were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Orbscan measurements used as the post-K values into the double-K method provide a precise IOL calculation, especially in post myopic refractive surgery patients.

Mechanical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass toward enzymatic/fermentative valorization.

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) has the potential to replace fossil fuels, thanks to the concept of biorefinery. This material is formed mainly by cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. To maximize the valorization potential of this material, LCB needs to be pretreated. Milling is always performed before any other treatments. It does not produce chemical change and improves the efficiency of the upcoming processes. Additionally, it makes LCB easier to handle and increases bulk density and transfer phenomena of the next pretreatment step. However, this treatment is energy consuming, so it needs to be optimized. Several mills can be used, and the equipment selection depends on the characteristics of the material, the final size required, and the operational regime: continuous or batch. Among them, ball, knife, and hammer mills are the most used at the laboratory scale, especially before enzymatic or fermentative treatments. The continuous operational regime (knife and hammer mill) allows us to work with high volumes of raw material and can continuously reduce particle size, unlike the batch operating regime (ball mill). This review recollects the information about the application of these machines, the effect on particle size, and subsequent treatments. On the one hand, ball milling reduced particle size the most; on the other hand, hammer and knife milling consumed less energy. Furthermore, the latter reached a small final particle size (units of millimeters) suitable for valorization.

[Short-term morbidity in newborns of the late preterm period]. / Morbilidad a corto plazo de recién nacidos en el periodo pretérmino tardío.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is the most common cause of antepartum hospitalization. Currently little is known about neonatal morbidity in late preterm period. OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term morbidity of infants born at term (37 0/7-41 0/7 weeks gestational age) of low-risk pregnancies with newborns in the late preterm period (34 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks gestational age) of low-risk pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHOD: retrospective study of births in the Hospital Metropolitano, Secretaria de Salud del Estado de Nuevo León (Mexico) between January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007. The study included preterm births in the late period of low risk pregnancies in spontaneous labor, and three control cases matched at term of the same features for each of the late preterm. Neonatal complications were compared among those born in the late preterm period to term infants. RESULTS: Late preterm births accounted for 2.2% of births and had higher incidences of respiratory distress syndrome, longer hospital stay, jaundice requiring phototherapy and hypoglycemia than those born at term. CONCLUSION: Late preterm births are a vulnerable group with significant neonatal morbidity. It is necessary to design strategies to improve neonatal outcomes in late preterm group.

Acetylated tubulin associates with the fifth cytoplasmic domain of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase: possible anchorage site of microtubules to the plasma membrane.

We showed previously that NKA (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase) interacts with acetylated tubulin resulting in inhibition of its catalytic activity. In the present work we determined that membrane-acetylated tubulin, in the presence of detergent, behaves as an entity of discrete molecular mass (320-400 kDa) during molecular exclusion chromatography. We also found that microtubules assembled in vitro are able to bind to NKA when incubated with a detergent-solubilized membrane preparation, and that isolated native microtubules have associated NKA. Furthermore, we determined that CD5 (cytoplasmic domain 5 of NKA) is capable of interacting with acetylated tubulin. Taken together, our results are consistent with the idea that NKA may act as a microtubule-plasma membrane anchorage site through an interaction between acetylated tubulin and CD5.

Parental feeding styles and adolescents' healthy eating habits. Structure and correlates of a Costa Rican questionnaire.

This study designed and validated a questionnaire aimed at examining parental feeding styles to encourage healthy eating habits among Costa Rican adolescents. Adolescents (n=133; mean age 15.4 years), and their parents, participated in the study. The parents completed a parental feeding style questionnaire, and the adolescents completed 3-day food records. Confirmatory factor analyses suggest four distinct parental feeding styles, (a) verbal encouragement of healthy eating behaviors; (b) use of verbal sanctions to indirectly control the intake of healthy food; (c) direct control of access to and intake of food; and (d) use of food to regulate emotions and behavior. There were no correlations between dietary intake and the verbal encouragement of healthy eating behaviors, but there were significant negative correlations between (1) "the use of verbal sanctions to indirectly control the intake of healthy food", and the consumption of fruit and vegetable, of calcium, iron, vitamin B6 and folic acid intake, and (2) between the "direct control of access to and intake of food" and fast food consumption and total carbohydrates intake. The use of food to regulate emotions and behavior was positively correlated with high energy-dense food consumption. Stratification of the data shows significant differences by gender in the correlations between parental feeding style and dietary intake. Understanding parental feeding styles in a Latin American context is a first step in helping researchers develops culturally-appropriate parenting intervention/prevention strategies to encourage healthy eating behaviors during adolescence.