Search

To investigate ocular safety of intravitreal metoprolol in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy.Five eyes of five patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) previously treated unsuccessfully with oral spironolactone, micropulse laser and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents were enrolled and received off-label intravitreal metoprolol (50 µg/0.05 ml). Baseline and follow-up examinations included measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, anterior chamber cellular/flare scores, vitritis classification, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography and electroretinography (ERG), recorded by means of DTL electrodes and following the standard suggested by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV). The total follow-up period was 4 weeks.There were no significant differences between baseline and follow-up ERG parameters: scotopic or photopic, a- and b-wave amplitude and implicit time, nor oscillatory potentials amplitude, or whatsoever. No intraocular inflammation sign was observed. In addition, BCVA showed small improvement in 4 or kept baseline values in 1 patient. The subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid volume reduced in all patients at 1 month after treatment.Patients with refractory cCSC treated with intravitreal 50 µg/0.05 ml metoprolol showed no signs of acute ocular toxicity, along with intraretinal fluid reduction and slight BCVA improvement 1 month after injection. This data suggest that intravitreal metoprolol may be a safe alternative for cCSC.

This case report aims to show the anatomical and functional results of a patient diagnosed as having cancer-associated retinopathy treated with a controlled-release dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex). Anatomical outcomes were assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography; and functional outcomes, by measuring visual acuity, microperimetry, and mutifocal electroretinography. The follow-up period was 1 year. RESUMO Este relato de caso tem como objetivo mostrar os resultados anatômicos e funcionais de um paciente com diagnóstico de retinopatia associada ao câncer tratado com implante de liberação controlada de dexametasona (Ozurdex®). Os resultados anatômicos foram avaliados por SD-OCT e os resultados funcionais por medida de acuidade visual, microperimetria e eletrorretinograma multifocal. O período de acompanhamento foi de um ano.

Achromatopsia (ACHM) is a congenital cone photoreceptor disorder characterized by impaired color discrimination, low visual acuity, photosensitivity, and nystagmus. To date, six genes have been associated with ACHM (CNGA3, CNGB3, GNAT2, PDE6C, PDE6H, and ATF6), the majority of these being implicated in the cone phototransduction cascade. CNGA3 encodes the CNGA3 subunit of the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel in cone photoreceptors and is one of the major disease-associated genes for ACHM. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the CNGA3 variant spectrum in a cohort of 1060 genetically confirmed ACHM patients, 385 (36.3%) of these carrying "likely disease-causing" variants in CNGA3. Compiling our own genetic data with those reported in the literature and in public databases, we further extend the CNGA3 variant spectrum to a total of 316 variants, 244 of which we interpreted as "likely disease-causing" according to ACMG/AMP criteria. We report 48 novel "likely disease-causing" variants, 24 of which are missense substitutions underlining the predominant role of this mutation class in the CNGA3 variant spectrum. In addition, we provide extensive in silico analyses and summarize reported functional data of previously analyzed missense, nonsense and splicing variants to further advance the pathogenicity assessment of the identified variants.

A acuidade visual representa o inverso do ângulo visual, ou seja, da menor distância angular entre dois pontos que podem ser vistos como separados. Apesar de ser a medida da função visual mais comum na prática oftalmológica, é muitas vezes interpretada erroneamente, principalmente devido às inúmeras tabelas e diferentes sistemas de notações empregados na clínica. Este artigo revisa alguns conceitos sobre a quantificação da acuidade visual, suas principais notações e tabelas de medida, discutindo as vantagens do uso da escala logarítmica.Visual acuity represents the visual angle or the smallest distance between two points that allows their discrimination as separated points. Although it is the most common clinical measurement of visual function, it is often misunderstood, especially due to the variety of charts and different notation systems employed for its quantification. This article reviews some concepts about visual acuity measurement, the main notation systems, type of charts and discuss the advantages of using logarithmic scales.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver textos para medida da velocidade de leitura comparáveis com outros quatro idiomas europeus. MÉTODOS: Dez textos com similar grau de dificuldade, número de caracteres, número de palavras e sintaxe (segundo a teoria de Gibson) foram desenvolvidos por um especialista em lingüística, em português (BR), fazendo-se a tradução de textos previamente padronizados em quatro idiomas: inglês, francês, finlandês e alemão. A velocidade de leitura foi medida em 25 indivíduos saudáveis de idade entre 19 e 35 anos (mediana=24 anos) com os dez textos. RESULTADOS: A velocidade de leitura nos textos em português foi em média 1100 ± 167 (desvio padrão) caracteres por minuto. Pequenas diferenças foram encontradas entre as velocidades de leitura medidas com os dez textos, e essas diferenças não foram estatisticamente significantes em grupos de no mínimo seis textos. A velocidade de leitura dos voluntários da mesma faixa etária nos outros idiomas foi: alemão: 1126 ± 105; finlandês: 1263 ± 142; francês: 1214 ± 152 e inglês: 1234 ± 147. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores desenvolveram um conjunto de textos em português (BR) padronizados e homogêneos para medida da velocidade de leitura, que são comparáveis com textos em outros quatro idiomas europeus. Esses textos podem ser usados para estudos multicêntricos internacionais envolvendo leitura e visão subnormal.PURPOSE: To develop standardized texts in Brazilian Portuguese to assess reading speed and compare performances among four European languages. METHODS: 10 texts were designed by a linguistic expert at the level of a sixth grade reading material (reading ages 10-12 years) and were matched for length and syntactic complexity, according to the syntactic prediction locality theory of Gibson. Normally sighted native speaking volunteers aged 18-35 years read each text aloud at random. RESULTS: The reading speed was on average 1100 ± 167 (standard deviation) characters per minute. Only small differences were found between the measured reading speeds of the 10 texts, and these differences were not statistically significant in groups of at least 6 texts. The mean reading speed in age-matched volunteers in Finnish was: 1263 ± 142; French: 1214 ± 152; English: 1234 ± 147; and German: 1126 ± 105. CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a set of standardized, homogeneous, and comparable texts in Brazilian Portuguese. These texts will be a valuable tool to measure reading speed for repeated measurements and in international studies in the field of reading and low vision research.

Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Florianópolis, 2012 No presente trabalho foi desenvolvido um método de produção em escala aumentada de nanopartículas de dissulfeto de molibdênio (MoS2). Foi utilizada a rota hidrotérmica para sua produção, sendo projetado um forno de aquecimento resistivo com capacidade para 9 autoclaves. Estas foram confeccionadas em aço SAE 310, revestidas internamente com politetrafluoretileno (PTFE), tendo 120 ml de volume interno cada. Este forno conta com um assoalho vibratório capaz de manter as autoclaves sob agitação constante, alcançando até dois modos vibracionais fundamentais do conteúdo líquido no interior delas. As sínteses foram desenvolvidas na temperatura de 220°C em períodos de 6, 12 e 24 horas, tendo como reagentes o molibdato de amônio tetrahidratado, hidroxilamina cloridrato e tioureia, sendo a reação dada em água bidestilada. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto ao seu rendimento químico, estrutura cristalina por Difração de Raios X (DRX), morfologia por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura por Emissão de Campo (FEG), Termogravimetria e Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier (TG-IR) simultaneamente, Espectroscopia Raman, Interferometria Óptica e, com enfoque maior, Tribologia. Foram obtidas nanopartículas na morfologia de nanoflores com cerca de 200 nm de diâmetro com estrutura cristalina hexagonal lamelar (2H-MoS2) parcialmente amorfizadas. Estas formam dispersões relativamente estáveis com os três óleos sintéticos testados (fortemente polar, de média polaridade e apolar) e com água bidestilada. Obteve-se um rendimento médio de reação de 71,3% em relação ao Mo e foi verificado um aumento de 10% neste quando comparado com amostras estáticas, sem a aplicação da agitação por vibração. Desta forma, valores para uma produção industrial utilizando o sistema desenvolvido ficam em torno de 300 g/mês. Abstract : In the present work was developed a method for scaling up the production of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles. It was used a hydrothermal route to its production, being designed a resistive heating furnace with capacity for 9 autoclaves. They were designed in SAE 310 stainless steel, internally coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), having 120 ml internal volume each. This furnace has a vibratory floor capable of maintaining the autoclaves under stirring, reaching until two fundamental vibrational modes of the liquid contents inside them. The syntheses were developed at temperature of 220 °C in periods of 6, 12 and 24 hours, with the reagents of ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and thiourea, the reaction is given in bidistilled water. The samples were characterized according to their chemical yield, crystalline structure by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), morphology by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG), Thermogravimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared (TG-IR) simultaneously, Raman Spectroscopy, Optical Interferometry and, with increased focus, Tribology. Nanoparticles were obtained on the morphology of nanoflowers about 200 nm diameter with lamellar hexagonal crystalline structure (2H-MoS2) partially amorphous. These form relatively stable dispersions with the three synthetic oils tested (strongly polar, medium polarity and nonpolar) and with bidistilled water. It was obtained an average reaction yield of 71.3% in relation to Mo and there was verified an increment of 10% in it in comparison with static samples, without the application of stirring by vibration. Thus, values for an industrial production using the developed system are around 300 g / month.

PURPOSE: To describe a method for the assessment of gait dynamics in rats submitted to limb ischemia. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (150-160g) were used. Twelve animals were submitted to limb ischemia by ligation of the common left iliac artery (ischemic group: n = 12); and a sham-operated group was used as control (n=12). After a recovery period of 6 weeks, gait dynamics was assessed by counting the complete footprints and the number of hindlimb-floor contacts during a treadmill test for five minutes at a speed of 12 m.min-1 and angulation of 15°. The number of contacts of the left hindlimb was divided by the right hindlimb values (LRR) for group comparisons. Ischemic disability was quantified by comparing the area under curve (AUC) created by plotting each contact versus time for each hindlimb. The left hindlimb ischemic disability index (LHDI), which was compared between groups, was defined by the formula: LHDI = (1- AUC left / AUC right) x 100. RESULTS: Surgery was well tolerated by all animals. Rats did not suffer tissue loss or ulcerations. Complete footprint LRR was 0.3 ± 0.08 for the ischemic group and 1.3 ± 0.9 for controls (p=0.0043). Number of contacts LLR was 0.5 ± 0.2 for the ischemic group and 1.0 ± 0.1 for the control group (p=0.0051). LHDI was 56.83 ± 10.67 for the ischemic group and 2.50 ± 13.10 for the control group (P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Assessment of gait dynamics in rats submitted to limb ischemia could be done by footprint analysis and hindlimb contact recording during a treadmill test. OBJETIVO: Descrever um método para avaliar a dinâmica da marcha em ratos submetidos à isquemia de membro pélvico. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro ratos Wistar machos (150-160g) foram utilizados neste estudo experimental. Doze animais foram submetidos à isquemia de membro pélvico por meio da ligadura da artéria ilíaca comum esquerda (grupo isquêmico: n=12); e doze animais foram submetidos à cirurgia simulada e usados como controle (grupo controle: n=12). Após seis semanas de recuperação, foi realizada avaliação da dinâmica da marcha por meio da contagem de impressões plantares e da contagem de contatos pata-solo durante teste com esteira durante cinco minutos, velocidade 12 m.min-1 e angulação de 15°. Os valores do número de contatos do membro pélvico esquerdo foram divididos pelos do membro pélvico direito (razão esquerda-direita - LRR) para comparação entre os grupos. A quantificação da incapacitação isquêmica foi feita comparando a área sob a curva (AUC) da representação gráfica dos contatos versus tempo para cada membro pélvico. O índice de incapacitação isquêmica do membro pélvico esquerdo (LHDI), que foi comparado entre os grupos, foi definido pela fórmula: LHDI = (1- AUC esquerda / AUC direito) x 100. RESULTADOS: A cirurgia foi bem tolerada por todos os animais. Nenhum rato apresentou necrose tecidual ou ulceração. A LRR das impressões plantares completas foi 0,3 ± 0,08 no grupo isquêmico e 1,3 ± 0,9 no grupo controle (p=0,0043). A LRR do número de contatos foi 0,5 ± 0,2 no grupo isquêmico e 1,0 ± 0,1 no grupo controle (p=0,0051). O LHDI foi 56,83 ± 10,67 no grupo isquêmico e 2,50 ± 13,10 no grupo controle (p=0,031). CONCLUSÃO: Avaliação da dinâmica da marcha em ratos submetidos à isquemia de membro pélvico pôde ser feita por meio da contagem de impressões plantares e da contagem de contatos pata-solo durante teste com esteira.

Visual acuity represents the visual angle or the smallest distance between two points that allows their discrimination as separated points. Although it is the most common clinical measurement of visual function, it is often misunderstood, especially due to the variety of charts and different notation systems employed for its quantification. This article reviews some concepts about visual acuity measurement, the main notation systems, type of charts and discuss the advantages of using logarithmic scales.

To develop standardized texts in Brazilian Portuguese to assess reading speed and compare performances among four European languages.10 texts were designed by a linguistic expert at the level of a sixth grade reading material (reading ages 10-12 years) and were matched for length and syntactic complexity, according to the syntactic prediction locality theory of Gibson. Normally sighted native speaking volunteers aged 18-35 years read each text aloud at random.The reading speed was on average 1100 +/- 167 (standard deviation) characters per minute. Only small differences were found between the measured reading speeds of the 10 texts, and these differences were not statistically significant in groups of at least 6 texts. The mean reading speed in age-matched volunteers in Finnish was: 1263 +/- 142; French: 1214 +/- 152; English: 1234 +/- 147; and German: 1126 +/- 105.The authors developed a set of standardized, homogeneous, and comparable texts in Brazilian Portuguese. These texts will be a valuable tool to measure reading speed for repeated measurements and in international studies in the field of reading and low vision research.

Purpose: To describe costs and outcomes of phacoemulsification for cataracts performed by ophthalmology residents. Methods: We obtained medical records from patients operated on in 2011 by third year residents (R3) using phacoemulsification (n=576). Our expenses estimation included professionals’ and hospital costs (fees, materials, medications, and equipment). The study outcomes included spectacle-corrected visual acuities before and six months after the operation, rate of intraoperative complications, and total number of postoperative visits. We compared outcome variables with those from extracapsular cataract extraction procedures (n=274) performed by R3 residents in 1997. Results: The mean total cost for phacoemulsification was US$ 416, while an overall estimation indicated the extracapsular cataract extraction cost at US$ 284 (as of December 30, 2011). The mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity was worse for eyes scheduled for extracapsular cataract extraction (1.73 ± 0.62), than for eyes scheduled for phacoemulsification (0.74 ± 0.54 logMAR) (p