ABSTRACT. Selection practices are maximized when plant breeders have the availability of consolidated parameters, which will guide direct and indirect selection methods. This study aimed to apply a biometric alternative to minimize residual variance and maximize selection parameters by parent-progeny regression, interim controls, and mixed linear models intrinsic to breeding. The obtained data were subjected to the assumptions of the statistical model, which identified the normality and homogeneity of the residual variances and model additivity. Subsequently, two analysis scenarios were created. The first preserved all information obtained in the experiment, both from segregating families and pure-line cultivars, and was called original scenario. The other scenario preserved progeny data, but the residual variability of controls was restricted using as criterion observations contained between the interval of the first sample standard deviation. Thereby, an acceptable residue limit could be obtained. Both scenarios were submitted to three consolidated frequentist methods (genitor-progeny regression; sum of squares of augmented block design with interim controls; and mixed linear models, wherein random genetic effects are taken as weighted genetic parameters by the genealogical matrix). Restricting residual variation in parents or controls can maximize genetic parameters and genetic gains in soybean breeding. Significant heritability estimate gains were obtained in the augmented blocks with interim control approach. Mixed linear models with random genetic effects can be considered a great tool to obtain genetic parameters in experiments with a high magnitude of common and regular treatments.

Abstract Background Our aim was to compare the efficacy of rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to treatments with MTX or TNFi agents. Methods We searched 6 databases until January 2023 for phase 2–4 RCTs evaluating patients with RA refractory to MTX or TNFi therapy treated with rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab (intervention arm) compared to controls. Study data were independently assessed by two investigators. The primary outcome was considered as achieving ACR70 response. Results The meta-analysis included 19 RCTs, with 7,835 patients and a mean study duration of 1.2 years. Hazard ratios for achieving an ACR70 response at six months were not different among the bDMARDs, however, we found high heterogeneity. Three factors showing a critical imbalance among the bDMARD classes were identified: baseline HAQ score, study duration, and frequency of TNFi treatment in control arm. Multivariate meta-regression adjusted to these three factors were conducted for the relative risk (RR) for ACR70. Thus, heterogeneity was attenuated (I2 = 24%) and the explanatory power of the model increased (R2 = 85%). In this model, rituximab did not modify the chance of achieving an ACR70 response compared to abatacept (RR = 1.773, 95%CI 0.113–10.21, p = 0.765). In contrast, abatacept was associated with RR = 2.217 (95%CI 1.554–3.161, p < 0.001) for ACR70 compared to tocilizumab. Conclusion We found high heterogeneity among studies comparing rituximab, abatacept, and tocilizumab. On multivariate metaregressions, if the conditions of the RCTs were similar, we estimate that abatacept could increase the chance of reaching an ACR70 response by 2.2-fold compared to tocilizumab. Key messages Abatacept could increase the chance of reaching an ACR70 response by 2.2-fold compared to tocilizumab.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a posição das alças das lentes intraoculares implantadas intencionalmente no sulco ciliar, em olhos submetidos à cirurgia de catarata com complicação de ruptura de cápsula posterior, e correlacionar os achados com alterações clínicas observadas no exame oftalmológico, utilizando a biomicroscopia ultrassônica. MÉTODOS: Onze olhos (11 pacientes) que apresentaram ruptura de cápsula posterior durante a cirurgia de catarata com implantação intencional das alças no sulco ciliar foram submetidos ao exame oftalmológico e biomicroscopia ultrassônica. Biomicroscopia ultrassônica avaliou os seguintes parâmetros: posicionamento da porção distal das alças, inclinação e descentração da lente intraocular. O exame oftalmológico foi focalizado para avaliar a presença de "flare" e células na câmara anterior, depósitos na lente e defeitos de transiluminação de íris. A pressão intraocular foi medida, a pigmentação do trabeculado foi determinada, e a avaliação fundoscópica foi necessária para afastar a presença de ruptura retiniana periférica e edema de mácula. RESULTADOS: Tempo pós-operatório médio para os exames: 103,09 ± 32,93 dias. Assimetria da posição foi observada em 3 olhos (27,2%), que tinham alça no sulco ciliar e a segunda alça localizada na pars plana em 2 olhos, associada à inclinação e descentração da lente intraocular; ou no corpo ciliar (1 olho). O exame oftalmológico observou: 5 (45,5%) olhos com defeitos de transiluminação de íris, 2 (18,1%) olhos com descentração da lente intraocular; 1 olho (9%) apresentou hipertensão intraocular. Em todos os casos observou-se hiperpigmentação do trabeculado à gonioscopia. Nenhum caso de rotura periférica de retina e/ou edema de mácula foi relatado. CONCLUSÕES: A biomicroscopia ultrassônica foi capaz de localizar as alças das lentes intraoculares implantadas intencionalmente no sulco ciliar durante cirurgia complicada de catarata, e pôde demonstrar a relação da descentração da lente intraocular com a implantação assimétrica das alças.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the position of haptics of intraocular lens intentionally implanted in the ciliary sulcus in eyes undergoing cataract surgery complication associated with intraoperative posterior capsule rupture, as well as to correlate the findings with clinical changes observed in ophthalmic examination, utilizing ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: Eleven eyes (11 patients) who had posterior capsule rupture during cataract surgery with intentional implantation of the haptics in the ciliary sulcus, underwent complete ophthalmic examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Ultrasound biomicroscopy evaluated the parameters: positioning of the distal portion of the haptics, tilt and decentration of the intraocular lens. Ophthalmic examination was aimed to evaluate the presence of flare and cells in the anterior chamber, deposits on the lens and iris transillumination defects. Intraocular pressure was measured, pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork was determined, and a fundoscopic evaluation was needed to rule out peripheral retinal rupture and macular edema. RESULTS: Mean postoperative time for the examinations: 103.09 ± 32.93 days. Asymmetry of the haptics positioning was observed in 3 eyes (27.2%) that had one haptic in the ciliary sulcus, the second haptic was placed in the pars plana in 2 eyes, associated to intraocular lens tilt and decentration; or in the ciliary body (1 eye). Ophthalmic examination observed: 5 (45.5%) eyes with iris transillumination defects, 2 (18.1%) with intraocular lens decentration; 1 eye (9%) presented ocular hypertension. In all cases trabecular hyperpigmentation was observed at gonioscopy. No cases of peripheral retinal rupture and/or macular edema were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was able to locate the intraocular lens haptics intentionally implanted in the ciliary sulcus during complicated cataract surgery, and could demonstrate the relation of intraocular lens decentration to assymetric haptic implantation.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O diagnóstico das lesões por esforço repetitivo (LER) é difícil e baseado em sinais clínicos, exame físico e testes complementares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilidade da cintilografia óssea trifásica (COT) no diagnóstico das lesões por esforço repetitivo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo realizado no Serviço de Medicina Nuclear, Departamento de Radiologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 73 pacientes (47 homens; idade média 31,2 anos) com diagnóstico clínico de LER nos membros superiores. Um total de 127 articulações com diagnóstico clínico de LER foram estudadas. As imagens foram submetidas à análise semi-quantitativa dos ombros, cotovelos e punhos, usando as diáfises dos úmeros e ulnas como referência. Os resultados foram comparados com um grupo controle de 40 indivíduos normais. O quadro clínico dos pacientes foi usado como "padrão ouro" para calcular as probabilidades. RESULTADOS: Na análise visual dos pacientes foram observadas alterações em quatro articulações na fase do fluxo sangüíneo, em 11 articulações na fase de equilíbrio e em 26 articulações nas imagens tardias. A análise visual das articulações do grupo controle não mostrou alterações. Na análise semi-quantitativa, a maioria dos valores dos pacientes foram normais. As exceções foram os punhos dos pacientes com lesões por esforço repetitivo no lado esquerdo (p = 0,0216). Entretanto, a sensibilidade (9%) e a acurácia (41%) foram muito baixas. CONCLUSÃO: A COT com análise semi-quantitativa apresenta sensibilidade e acurácia muito baixas para detectar LER nos membros superiores.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of repetitive strain injury (RSI) is subjective and solely based on clinical signs and physical examination. The aim of this paper was to assess the usefulness of three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) in diagnosing RSI. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study at the Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). METHODS: Seventy-three patients (mean age 31.2 years; 47 males) with clinical suspicion of RSI in the upper limbs were studied. A total of 127 joints with suspicion of RSI were studied. The shoulders, elbows and wrists were analyzed semi-quantitatively, using the shafts of the humeri and ulnae as references. The results were compared with a control group of 40 normal individuals. The patients’ signs and symptoms were used as the "gold standard" for calculating the probabilities. RESULTS: From visual analysis, abnormalities were observed in the flow phase for four joints, in the blood pool phase for 11 joints and in the delayed images for 26 joints. Visual analysis of the joints of the control group did not show any abnormalities. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that most of the patients’ joint ratios were normal. The exceptions were the wrists of patients with left-sided RSI (p = 0.0216). However, the sensitivity (9%) and accuracy (41%) were very low. CONCLUSION: TPBS with semi-quantitative analysis has very low sensitivity and accuracy in the detection of RSI abnormalities in the upper limbs.