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Cinthia Minatel Riguetto,1,&ast; Eduardo Buzolin Barbosa,2,&ast; Camila Cristina Atihe,2 Fabiano Reis,3 Mônica Alves,2 Denise Engelbrecht Zantut-Wittmann1 1Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 3Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Denise Engelbrecht Zantut-Wittmann, Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences – University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Campinas, São Paulo, 13084-971, Brazil, Tel +55 19 32894107, Email zantutw@unicamp.brPurpose: This study evaluated the ocular surface disease (OSD), especially dry eye disease (DED) parameters by combining qualitative and quantitative tools, including tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) with and without Thyroid eye disease (TED).Patients and Methods: A total of 17 active TED, 16 inactive TED, 16 GD without ophthalmopathy, and 16 healthy controls were included. All patients were assessed with CAS, ophthalmometry, qualitative tear MMP-9, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), ocular surface staining, Schirmer test, meibography, tear meniscus height, conjunctival hyperemia, and non-invasive tear film break-up time. Patients were classified into three subtypes of DED: aqueous tear deficiency, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and mixed dry eye.Results: Inactive TED was shown to be an associated factor with DED (odds ratio 14, confidence interval 2.24– 87.24, p=0.0047), and presented more DED than healthy controls (87.5% versus 33.3%, p=0.0113). MGD was also more prevalent among these subjects than in healthy control (62.5% versus 6.7%; p=0.0273). No significant differences were found in other ophthalmological parameters, except for more intense conjunctival redness among active TED than GD without ophthalmopathy (p=0.0214). Qualitative MMP-9 test was more frequently positive in both eyes among active TED than in other groups (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Patients with GD were symptomatic and presented a high prevalence of ocular surface changes and DED, particularly the subgroup with inactive TED. Tear MMP-9 detection was associated with active TED suggesting a relationship between ocular surface changes and the initial inflammatory phase of ophthalmopathy.Keywords: Graves’ ophthalmopathy, thyroid eye disease, ocular surface disease, dry eye, MMP-9

Since the rotor blade system of an horizontal axis wind turbine is responsible for converting wind energy into mechanical, which turns into electrical and predicting its dynamic behavior is of vital importance. In that sense, this paper deals with performing a modal analysis of a blade belonging to the DTU 10-MW reference wind turbine by using a modified Myklestad’s method. The blade model was built on two different keystones, as follows: first, considering uncoupled bending in out-of-plane (flapwise) and in-plane (edgewise) directions and considering a coupled bending-torsion motion also in both directions. In order to accomplish these objectives, a Python code was implemented. The computed eigenfrequencies were compared to the results obtained for the blade by using the finite element method. Besides, the mode shapes were plotted and the centrifugal stiffening was also taken into account. Results suggest the feasibility of the modified Myklestad’s method for modal analysis purposes, since good agreement with reference data was achieved and considering that the Myklestad’s method has a considerably less complex implementation than the finite element method.

Tobias Engel,1,2,&ast; Jonathon Smith,1,2,&ast; Mariana Alves1 1Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland; 2FutureNeuro, Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, D02 YN77, Ireland&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Tobias EngelDepartment of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin D02 YN77, IrelandTel +353-1-402-5199Fax +35314022447Email tengel@rcsi.ieAbstract: Treatment of epilepsy remains a clinical challenge, with > 30% of patients not responding to current antiseizure drugs (ASDs). Moreover, currently available ASDs are merely symptomatic without altering significantly the progression of the disease. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as playing an important role during the generation of hyperexcitable networks in the brain. Accordingly, the suppression of chronic inflammation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent epileptogenesis and to treat drug-refractory epilepsy. As a consequence, a strong focus of ongoing research is identification of the mechanisms that contribute to sustained inflammation in the brain during epilepsy and whether these can be targeted. ATP is released in response to several pathological stimuli, including increased neuronal activity within the central nervous system, where it functions as a neuro- and gliotransmitter. Once released, ATP activates purinergic P2 receptors, which are divided into metabotropic P2Y and ionotropic P2X receptors, driving inflammatory processes. Evidence from experimental models and patients demonstrates widespread expression changes of both P2Y and P2X receptors during epilepsy, and critically, drugs targeting both receptor subtypes, in particular the P2Y1 and P2X7 subtypes, have been shown to possess both anticonvulsive and antiepileptic potential. This review provides a detailed summary of the current evidence suggesting ATP-gated receptors as novel drug targets for epilepsy and discusses how P2 receptor–driven inflammation may contribute to the generation of seizures and the development of epilepsy.Keywords: epilepsy, inflammation, purinergic signaling, ATP, P2 receptors, P2X7 receptor, P2Y1 receptor, disease modification, drug refractoriness

Mathias V Melega,1 Rodrigo Pessoa Cavalcanti Lira,2 Iuri Cardoso da Silva,1 Bruna Gil Ferreira,1 Hermano LG Assis Filho,1 Alexandre AF Martini,1 Roberto dos Reis,1 Carlos Eduardo Leite Arieta,1 Monica Alves1 1School of Medical Sciences, Ophthalmology Department of University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; 2School of Medical Sciences, Ophthalmology Department of Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Pernambuco, BrazilCorrespondence: Mathias V MelegaSchool of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Dona Josefina Sarmento 120, Ap 71, Cambuí, Campinas, SP CEP 13025-260, BrazilTel +55 19 997513150Email mvmelega@hotmail.comPurpose: To evaluate outcomes of resident-performed cataract surgeries in different training levels in a retrospective case series.Patients and Methods: A total of 730 surgeries performed by residents were evaluated into three groups: surgeries performed during residents’ first semester of training in phacoemulsification (Level 1 – L1), surgeries performed during the second semester (Level 2 – L2), and surgeries performed during the third semester (Level 3 – L3). The primary outcome was the incidence of intraoperative complications in each group. Secondary outcomes were the comparisons between initial and final corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), and central corneal thickness (CCT) in each group. Descriptive statistical analyses were employed in the presentation of the results using central tendency and variance measurements.Results: The rate of complications within six weeks of follow-up was 24 out of 102 eyes (23.53%) in the L1 group, 63 out of 301 eyes (20.93%) in the L2 group, and 37 out of 327 (11.31%) in the L3 group (p=0.001). Posterior capsule rupture (PCR) was the most frequent intercurrence observed in all three semesters: it occurred in 12.7% of the surgeries in the first semester (13/102), 16.9% of surgeries in the second semester (51/301), and 9.5% of surgeries in the third semester (31/327). There was no significant difference in CDVA (p=0.298), ECD (p=0.067), IOP (p=0.217), or CCT (p=0.807) between the groups.Conclusion: When measured by rates of complications and by the aforementioned parameters, surgical competency was found to improve as surgical experience and frequency increased. Therefore, this study identified some patterns of skill development that can be applied to teaching strategies and better assist surgeons in training.Keywords: cataract, phacoemulsification, complications, practicing surgeons, surgical education, ophthalmology residency

Ana Luiza Mylla Boso, Erica Gasperi, Leticia Fernandes, Vital Paulino Costa, Monica Alves Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, BrazilCorrespondence: Ana Luiza Mylla BosoDepartment of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP 13083-970, BrazilTel/Fax +55-19 3521 7396Email analuizaamb@gmail.comPurpose: Chronic topical treatment for glaucoma may lead to Ocular Surface Disease (OSD). This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the prevalence of OSD in glaucoma patients under topical treatment, quantifying symptoms and objective ocular surface parameters and (2) the impact of ocular surface treatment on OSD and IOP control.Methods: Patients with primary open angle or primary angle closure glaucoma under topical treatment for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent symptom screening with the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, assessment of objective ocular surface parameters, ocular surface staining and Schirmer test. A treatment for OSD with eyelid hygiene, fluorometholone acetate 0.1%, preservative-free lubricants, free-acid supplementation and oral tetracyclin derivate was started, and the same evaluation was performed.Results: In our sample (n=19), 73.68% of the patients reported severe symptoms of dry eye disease, with OSDI scores higher than 33 at baseline. Tear film instability was found in 50% of patients, while 23.53% had severe meibomian gland abnormalities. Fluorescein and lissamine green stainings were abnormal in 88.24% and 82.35% of patients, respectively. After ocular surface treatment, statistically significant improvement was found in best-corrected visual acuity (p=0.0003), OSDI score (p< 0.0001), bulbar redness (p=0.0196) and fluorescein staining (p< 0.0001.) Mean IOP following OSD treatment reduced − 1.59 mmHg from baseline in the left eye (p=0.0510).Conclusion: The prevalence of OSD signs and symptoms was high in glaucoma patients under medical treatment. Short-term OSD treatment may improve ocular surface disease and IOP control, with no need to discontinue glaucoma medications.Keywords: ocular surface disease, glaucoma, preservative, keratograph, benzalkonium chloride

Arnaldo Dias-Santos,1–3 Joana Tavares Ferreira,1–3 Sofia Pinheiro,4 João Paulo Cunha,1,3 Marta Alves,5 Ana Luísa Papoila,3,5–6 Maria Francisca Moraes-Fontes,3,7–8 Rui Proença9,101Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital CUF Descobertas, Lisbon, Portugal; 3NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; 4Autoimmune Disease Unit, Unidade de Doenças Auto-imunes/serviço Medicina 3, Hospital de Santo António Dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; 5Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Research Center, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; 6CEAUL (Center of Statistics and Applications), Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal; 7Autoimmune Disease Unit, Unidade de Doenças Auto-imunes/serviço de Medicina 7.2, Hospital Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal; 8Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal; 9Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; 10Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCorrespondence: Arnaldo Dias-SantosServiço de Oftalmologia, Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos, Alameda de Santo António dos Capuchos, Lisboa 1169-050, PortugalTel +351 21313 6492Email arnaldomiguelsantos@gmail.comPurpose: To compare choroidal thickness (CT) between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without ophthalmologic manifestations and a control group. To study the effects in CT of disease duration, activity index, medication and systemic comorbidities.Methods: Cross-sectional study where spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging was used to measure CT in 13 locations, subfoveally and at 500-μm intervals along a horizontal and a vertical section from the fovea. Linear regression models were used.Results: Sixty-eight SLE patients and fifty healthy controls were enrolled. CT multivariable analysis revealed lower values in SLE patients (12.93–26.73 μm thinner) in all locations, except the inferior quadrants (6.48–10.44 μm thicker); however, none of these results reached statistical significance. Contrary to the control group, the normal topographic variation in CT between macular quadrants and from the center to the periphery was not observed in the SLE group. Multivariable analysis in the SLE group alone revealed a significant negative association with anticoagulants (50.10–56.09 μm thinner) and lupus nephritis (40.79–58.63 μm thinner). Contrary to controls, the CT of SLE patients did not respond to changes in mean arterial pressure.Conclusion: CT in SLE appears to be thinner, particularly in the subset of patients with nephritis and taking anticoagulants, suggesting more advanced systemic vascular disease. Choroidal responses to hemodynamic changes may also be altered in SLE.Keywords: choroidal thickness, enhanced depth imaging, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, systemic lupus erythematosus

Ana Cláudia Viana Wanzeler,1 Bruna Duarte,1,2 Vitor Duarte Moron de Andrade,2 Monica Alves1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; 2Pontific Catholic University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil Purpose: Pterygium is a fibrovascular condition of the ocular surface that can cause a broad range of irritative and visual symptoms. Controversy exists regarding pterygium mechanisms, management, surgical techniques, adjuvant approaches and impact on patients’ quality of life. We performed a retrospective survey focused on the impact of pterygium-related symptoms before surgery and patients’ satisfaction after excision surgery followed by conjunctival autograft transplantation with fibrin glue, based on patients’ subjective reporting.Methods: All patients underwent surgery consisting of the extensive removal of the pterygium fibrovascular tissue, followed by autologous conjunctival graft fixed with fibrin glue to cover the bare scleral area. A total of 500 patients were contacted by phone call and invited to participate in the study answering a brief two-question survey. First, to grade overall intensity of symptoms related to pterygium before surgical intervention, such as pain, irritation, tearing, red eye, photophobia, burning and foreign body sensation, using a scale from 0 to 10 (0 asymptomatic and 10 very severe symptoms). Results were categorized as mild (0–3), moderate (4–7) and severe (8–10). Then, patients were asked about their satisfaction with the surgery outcome, also using a scale from 0 to 10 (ranging from dissatisfied to fully satisfied).Results: Patients’ mean age was 41.5±12.31 (min 18/max 83) years old and the mean of days after surgery was 1,493±552.7 (min 711/max 2,702). Symptoms were referred to as severe (70.2%), moderate (25.2%) and mild (4.6%). After surgery, most patients were fully satisfied and the mean grade was 9.6; 1% (0–3), 2.4% (4–7) and 96.6% (8–10). Women presented a higher score of symptoms compared to men (P

The manganes(III) complex functionalised with 2,3-dihydropyridazine has been encapsulated in the supercages of the NaY zeolite using two different procedures, flexible ligand and in situ complex. The parent zeolite and the encapsulated manganese(III) complexes were screened as catalysts for styrene oxidation by using t-BOOH as the oxygen source in acetonitrile. Under the optimized conditions, the catalysts exhibited moderate activity with high selectivity to benzaldehyde

Scaled models are important in naval engineering since actual ship size makes too expensive to test prototypes. However, the analysis of ship collision events employing naval structures in reduced scale is not an ordinary ship research area. The aim of this work is to create the basis for a posterior similarity study by analysing reduced scale ship structures submitted to impact loads. Two basic naval structures, commonly found in the construction of large ships, were considered for this study: a T cross-section beam submitted to a mid-span impact test and a double plate panel with inner cross reinforcement also submitted to a central impact load. These models were made in a reduced scale of 1:100. The experimental material characterization was also carried out in this work, including the evaluation of the stress strain curve under quasi static conditions, the strain rate sensitivity and the structural failure using three criteria developed particularly for numerical modelling of ship collision by other authors.

Abstract Background Second generation hydrogen fermentation technologies using organic agricultural and forestry wastes are emerging. The efficient microbial fermentation of hexoses and pentoses resulting from the pretreatment of lingocellulosic materials is essential for the success of these processes. Results Conversion of arabinose and glucose to hydrogen, by extreme thermophilic, anaerobic, mixed cultures was studied in continuous (70°C, pH 5.5) and batch (70°C, pH 5.5 and pH 7) assays. Two expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors, Rarab and Rgluc, were continuously fed with arabinose and glucose, respectively. No significant differences in reactor performance were observed for arabinose and glucose organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 4.3 to 7.1 kgCOD m-3 d-1. However, for an OLR of 14.2 kgCOD m-3 d-1, hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield were higher in Rarab than in Rgluc (average hydrogen production rate of 3.2 and 2.0 LH2 L-1 d-1 and hydrogen yield of 1.10 and 0.75 molH2 mol-1substrate for Rarab and Rgluc, respectively). Lower hydrogen production in Rgluc was associated with higher lactate production. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) results revealed no significant difference on the bacterial community composition between operational periods and between the reactors. Increased hydrogen production was observed in batch experiments when hydrogen partial pressure was kept low, both with arabinose and glucose as substrate. Sugars were completely consumed and hydrogen production stimulated (62% higher) when pH 7 was used instead of pH 5.5. Conclusions Continuous hydrogen production rate from arabinose was significantly higher than from glucose, when higher organic loading rate was used. The effect of hydrogen partial pressure on hydrogen production from glucose in batch mode was related to the extent of sugar utilization and not to the efficiency of substrate conversion to hydrogen. Furthermore, at pH 7.0, sugars uptake, hydrogen production and yield were higher than at pH 5.5, with both arabinose and glucose as substrates.