ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to study the effect of cinnamaldehyde on nutrients ruminal degradation and total production and molar proportion of volatile fatty acids in a ruminal in vitro system (DaisyII Ankom Technology, USA). The diet was composed of a mixture of barley seed: alfalfa hay (70:30) which was incubated with 4 treatments: without additive or negative control (NC), with monensin at 7.5 ppm or positive control (CP) and with cinnamaldehyde at 250 (C250) and 500 ppm (C500). The inhibitory effect of cinnamaldehyde on disappearance of DM, NDF and ADF (from 48 to 72 h incubation time, P < 0.01) was similar to CP treatment. All supplemented treatments tended to decrease the potential degradability of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, as the effective degradability of DM, NDF and ADF. However, contrary to monensin, cinnamaldehyde increased total VFA production and did not affect molar proportion of VFA. The two doses of cinnamaldehyde evaluated showed the same effect. Results indicate that cinnamaldehyde modified in vitro ruminal fermentation.

RESUMEN El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar el efecto del cinamaldehído en la degradabilidad ruminal de los nutrientes y la producción total y la proporción molar de ácidos grasos volátiles en un sistema ruminal in vitro (DaisyII Ankom Technology,USA). La dieta estaba compuesta por una mezcla de semilla de cebada: heno de alfalfa (70:30) que se incubó con 4 tratamientos: sin control aditivo o negativo (CN), con monensina a 7,5 ppm o control positivo (CP) y con cinamaldehído a 250 (C250) y 500 ppm (C500). El efecto inhibidor de cinnamaldehyde en la desaparición de MS, FDN y FDA (de 48 a 72 h de tiempo de incubación, P <0.01) fue similar al tratamiento con CP. Todos los tratamientos suplementados tendieron a disminuir la degradabilidad potencial de MS, PB, FDN, FDA, como la degradabilidad efectiva de la MS, FDN y FDA. Sin embargo, a diferencia de la monensina, el cinamaldehído aumentó la producción total de AGV y no afectó la proporción molar de AGV. Las dos dosis evaluadas de cinamaldehído mostraron el mismo efecto. Los resultados indicaron que cinnamaldehyde modificó la fermentación ruminal in vitro.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intavitreal injection of bevacizumab in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods: A study of 8 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. We studied the visual acuity with Snellenns method and the foveal thickness, before and after the injection. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.25 years. After one month of follow-up, visual acuity before the injection was 0.431±0.249 vision lines and after was 0.631±0.310 vision lines (P=.017). The foveal thickness was 351.25±78.492μm and after treatment was 183.50±22.640μm (P=.012). Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab can be an alternative treatment in patients with serous central chorioretinopathy as it leads to a better objective visual acuity and foveal thickness with optical coherence tomography.

Propósito: Evaluar la eficacia de la inyección intravítrea de bevacizumab en pacientes diagnosticados de coriorretinopatía serosa central crónica. Método: Estudio de ocho pacientes con corioretinopatía serosa central tratada con inyección intravitrea de bevacizumab. Se incluye la agudeza visual con la escala de Snellen y el grosor de la mácula, ambas pre- y post-inyección. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 50,25 años. El estudio se evaluó al cabo de un mes de evolución. La agudeza visual previa media fue de 0,431±0,249 líneas de visión y la posterior a la inyección fue de 0,631±0,310 líneas de visión (P=0,017). El grosor medio de la mácula fue de 351,25±78,492 μm y post-tratamiento de 183,50±22,640 μm (P=0,012). Conclusión: El bevacizumab intravítreo puede ser una alternativa en los pacientes con coriorretinopatía serosa central ya que existe una mejoría objetiva tanto de la agudeza visual como del grosor macular objetivado con tomografía de coherencia óptica.

Clinical Case: A 42-year-old man presented with ptosis and miosis in his left eye and a history of headache over the last 20 days. An angioresonance showed dissection of internal carotid artery. Discussion: "Painful Horner´s Syndrome" is considered to be a medical emergency due possible onset of an internal carotid artery dissection. We consider that awareness of neuro-ophthalmologic emergencies is very important in the clinical praxis of an ophthalmologist. Multidisciplinary treatment and follow-up of these patients is required.

Caso Clínico: Un varón de 42 años se presenta con ptosis y miosis izquierda después de una historia de cefalea homolateral de 20 días de evolución, que empeora progresivamente durante los últimos días. Una angioresonancia revela disección de la arteria carótida interna. Discusión: El «síndrome de Horner doloroso» destaca como una urgencia médica por posible manifestación de una disección carotídea. Consideramos que el perfecto conocimiento de las urgencias neurooftalmológicas es de gran necesidad para el médico oftalmólogo y que estas requieren una atención multidisciplinaria para asegurar un seguimiento y tratamiento adecuado.

Abstract The work reported in the present paper was performed to honor the centennial of the flight by Alberto Santos Dumont with his 14-Bis aircraft. The paper describes results for a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the 14-Bis aircraft aerodynamics and flight stability. The 14-Bis aircraft geometry was generated from historical sources and observations. CFD computations were performed using well-established commercial codes for calculation of the historical flight conditions. Simulations considered a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes formulation, in which turbulence closure was achieved by using Menter's model. The flight conditions investigated were primarily concerned with historical observations regarding flight speeds and the need for a more powerful engine, as well as flight stability characteristics of the 14-Bis airplane, which are unknown up to the present day. The results led to qualitative agreement with historical reports, although quite interesting conclusions could be drawn with regard to the actual aerodynamic flight speeds and the aircraft stability parameters.

Native strains of Trichoderma viridae (CIAD 01570903 and CIAD 03-580903), T. harzianum (CIAD 04560903 and CIAD 05-550903), and T. lignorum (CIAD 02590903 and CIAD 06-540903) showed inhibition in vitro against F. oxysporum, S. rolfsii, and R. solani. The chitinase activity and the inhibition of fungal pathogens by the Trichoderma strains presented a Pearson's correlation r = 0.90 for S. rolfsii inhibition. T. lignorum (CIAD 06 540903) was grown under simulated mycoparasitism with F. oxysporum, S. rolfsii or R. solani cell walls or glucose used as a carbon source. T. lignorum showed a differential induction of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activity when grown with cell walls of R. solani, suggesting possible roles for these enzymes in pathogen cell wall lysis.

Las cepas nativas de Trichoderma viridae (CIAD 01-570903 y CIAD 03-580903), T. harzianum (CIAD 04560903 y CIAD 05-550903), y T. lignorum (CIAD 02-590903 y CIAD 06-540903) inhibieron in vitro a F. oxysporum, S. rolfsii y R. solani. La actividad quitinasa y la inhibición de hongos patógenos de las cepas presentaron una correlación de Pearson's r = 0.90 para la inhibición de S. rolfsii. T. lignorum (CIAD 06 540903) fue cultivada bajo micoparásitos de hongos simulados contra paredes celulares de F. oxysporum, S. rolfsii, R. solani o glucosa como fuente de carbono. La cepa tuvo una inducción diferencial de quitinasa y una actividad de β-1,3-glucanasa contra las paredes celulares de R. solani, lo que sugiere su posible papel dentro de la lisis de la pared de estas últimas.

RESUMO A pleuropneumonia suína, causada pelo Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, é uma importante doença respiratória, responsável por prejuízos e queda de produtividade nas criações. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a ocorrência de A. pleuropneumoniae em amostras de campo, mediante a adaptação e emprego de uma técnica de nested-PCR dirigida ao gene Apx IV. Definiu-se a sensibilidade analítica das técnicas de PCR e nested-PCR utilizando a amostra padrão A. pleuropneumoniae sorotipo III, em concentrações de DNA variando entre 30 µg/mL a 0,01 ng/ mL. Um total de trinta e sete amostras de campo encaminhadas ao Instituto Biológico entre 1995 a 2007 foram analisadas pelas técnicas de PCR e nested-PCR. A avaliação da sensibilidade analítica revelou que a PCR possui capacidade de gerar sinal a partir de 2 ng/mL de DNA extraído e a nested-PCR a partir de 0,4 ng/mL. Uma vez que a nested-PCR apresentou sensibilidade analítica cinco vezes maior se comparada à PCR para detecção de A. pleuropneumoniae em amostra padrão, o seu emprego pode minimizar a ocorrência de resultados tipo “falso-negativo”. Dentre as amostras testadas, dez foram positivas à nested-PCR, sendo observada a ocorrência de A. pleuropneumoniae em nove diferentes animais, um deles javali. A presente técnica de nested-PCR pode ser utilizada para detecção direta de A. pleuropneumoniae em amostras de campo, mesmo após congelamento da amostra por longos períodos e sem necessidade de isolamento bacteriano prévio.

ABSTRACT Porcine pleuropneumonia, caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, is an important respiratory disease, responsible for economic losses and reduced productivity. The aim of this study was to determine occurrence of A. pleuropneumoniae in field samples, using an adapted nested-PCR reaction targeting the Apx IV gene. Different DNA concentrations (from 30 µg/mL to 0.01 ng/mL) of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype III reference strain were used to determine the level of sensitivity of first generation and nested-PCR reactions. Thirty-seven field samples sent to Instituto Biológico from 1995 to 2007 were tested by PCR and nested-PCR. Determination of the level of sensitivity showed that PCR could amplify to 2 ng/mL of extracted DNA and nested-PCR to 0.4 ng/mL. Since the nested reaction exhibited a level of sensitivity 5 times greater than the PCR reaction to detect a reference strain, using nested-PCR could minimize the occurrence of false-negative results. Among tested samples, 10 of them were nested-PCR positive, showing occurrence of A. pleuropneumoniae in 9 different animals (including one wild boar). This nested-PCR reaction can be used for direct detection of A. pleuropneumoniae in field samples, even after frozen storage for long periods, without the need for previous bacterial isolation.

Abstract. Quartz phenolic composites have been applied to thermal protection systems (TPSs) for reentry vehicles since the late fifties due to their excellent ablative resistance and mechanical performance. TPSs must withstand the aggressive reentry environment, such as atomic oxygen, when submitted to very high temperatures (> 1000° C) and heat flux. The ablative performance of composites is influenced by both base materiais and environmental parameters during the ablation process. For TPS systems phenolic resin is usually used as the base matrix due to its ability to form a stable char during decomposition. This charplays an important role in the absorption of the heat generated during the ablation process. During re-entry, parts of the charred matrix can be abrasively removed by shear force due to high pressure and velocity. In this work the ablative and mechanical properties of quartz phenolic composites were evaluated in order to identify the range of properties suitable for the use of these materiais as thermal protection systems for space vehicles. Quartz fabric having an areai weight of 680 g/m2 and a resole-typephenolic resin were used to prepare the composites. The resin has a viscosity of l65 MPa at 20°C. The prepreg material was cured by heating under pressure of 100 bar in a mold. The resin content of the prepreg obtained was about 50 per cent. The mechanical properties evaluated were, tensile, shear and flexural strength. The results obtained showed that this material has average values of 38.5 MPa, 52 MPa and 85 MPa for tensile, shear andflexural strength, respectively. The ablative tests were carried out in a high-energy air plasma in ambient atmosphere and the mass losses were measured for different exposure time.

Case report: A 52-year-old woman with advanced colorectal cancer was referred to us for treatment of Cetuximab-related ocular side-effects. Discussion: Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks epidermal growth factor receptor activity. It has recently been approved to treat some tumors such as metastatic colorectal cancer and some ORL cancers. Tolerance to it seems to be better than that to the classic chemotherapeutic agents. However it has several side-effects. Cetuximab-related eyelid toxicity has been recently described, though the pathogenesis has not yet been clearly established.

Caso clínico: Mujer de 52 años diagnosticada de adenocarcinoma colorrectal, remitida a nuestro servicio por presentar tras iniciar tratamiento con Cetuximab reacción adversa palpebral. Discusión: El Cetuximab es un anticuerpo monoclonal cuya diana es el receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico. Ha sido incorporado recientemente al tratamiento de tumores, principalmente el cáncer colorrectal metastático y los tumores del área otorrinolaringológica. Su tolerancia es en principio mejor que la de los agentes quimioterápicos clásicos. Sin embargo, no está exento de efectos secundarios. La toxicidad palpebral asociada a Cetuximab ha sido recientemente descrita, por lo que la patogenia no está establecida claramente.

Em vacas leiteiras, a disenteria de inverno (DI) é uma doença infecciosa sazonal mundialmente relatada que ocasiona uma marcada queda na produção de leite; no hemisfério Norte, onde a doença é classicamente reconhecida, o coronavirus bovino (BCoV) tem um importante papel como agente etiológico. Entretanto, no hemisfério Sul, pesquisas etiológicas aprofundadas em casos de DI nunca forma realizadas. Este estudo objetivou a pesquisa de BCoV utilizando nested-RT-PCR, rotavírus utilizando eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida (PAGE) e ELISA, bactérias com métodos bacteriológicos clássicos e PCR para fatores de virulência e parasitas pela técnica de flutuação em açúcar em 21 amostras fecais de vacas de uma fazenda durante um surto de DI no estado de São Paulo, Sudeste do Brasil. BCoV foi encontrado em todas as 21 amostras, enquanto que rotavírus foi encontrado em duas vacas sintomáticas. Escherichia coli, Yersinia intermedia, Providencia rustigiani, Proteus penneri, Klebsiella terrigena e Enterobacter aglomerans foram encontradas tanto em amostras de vacas sintomáticas quanto assintomáticas. O estudo de fatores de virulência para E. coli revelou que as amostras isoladas eram todas apatogênicas. Cistos de Eimeria sp. e ovos de Strongyloidea foram encontrados em baixos números em quatro animais sintomáticos, com uma co-infestação. Tais resultados sugerem o BCoV como o principal agente etiológico em casos de DI no Brasil, uma conclusão que, somada aos padrões clínicos e epidemiológicos da doença aqui estudada, concordam com aqueles descritos em outras regiões. Estes achados fornecem base o desenvolvimento de medidas preventivas e também contribuem para o entendimento sobre a etiologia da DI.

Winter dysentery (WD) is a seasonal infectious disease described worldwide that causes a marked decrease in milk production in dairy cows. In the Northern hemisphere, where the disease is classically recognized, bovine coronavirus (BCoV) has been assigned as a major etiologic agent of the disease. Nonetheless, in the Southern hemisphere, an in-deep etiological survey on WD cases had not been carried out. This study aimed to survey for BCoV by nested-RT-PCR, rotavirus by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and ELISA, bacteria by classical bacteriological methods and PCR for virulence factors and parasites by sugar flotation test on fecal samples of 21 cows from a farm during an outbreak of WD in São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil. BCoV was detected in all 21 samples, while rotavirus was detected in two symptomatic cows. Escherichia coli, Yersinia intermedia, Providencia rustigianii Proteus penneri, Klebsiella terrigena and Enterobacter aglomerans were detected in samples from both asymptomatic and healthy cows in different associations. The study of E. coli virulence factors revealed that the strains isolated were all apathogenic. Cysts of Eimeria sp. and eggs of Strongyloidea were detected at low numbers in four of the symptomatic cows, with one co-infestation. These results suggest BCoV as the main etiologic agent of the cases of WD in Brazil, a conclusion that, with the clinical and epidemiological patterns of the disease studied herein, match those already described elsewhere. These findings give basis to the development of preventive measures and contribute to the understanding of the etiology of WD.

Case report: We report the case of a 65-year-old woman with dry eye syndrome who was referred because of a red mass in the internal left canthus. Three years previously two Smart Plugs had been introduced into both lacrimal punctums of that eye. We diagnosed a pyogenic granuloma and removed it. Two weeks later a new granuloma developed so both the granuloma and the punctal plug were removed. The patient became asymptomatic following this latter procedure. Discussion: A pyogenic granuloma in a Smart Plug punctum is described. This rare complication is generally associated with the use of silicone punctal plugs, being possibly caused by the chronic irritation of the accumulated detritus and necessitating removal of the plug.

Caso clínico: Mujer de 65 años, diagnosticada de ojo seco, acude por aparición de tumoración en canto interno con sensación de cuerpo extraño. Tres años antes se le habían implantado tapones lagrimales SmartPlug en ambos puntos lagrimales inferiores. Se apreció un granuloma en el punto lagrimal inferior izquierdo que se extirpó. Dos semanas después presentó una recidiva lo que obligó a extraer el implante quedándose desde entonces asintomática. Discusión: Estamos ante un granuloma piógeno en un implante punctal SMART PLUG, complicación descrita clásicamente con los implantes de silicona, debido posiblemente a la irritación crónica de los detritus acumulados. Esta complicación obliga a extraer los tapones.

Descreve-se a pesquisa de BCoV e rotavírus em 13 mostras fecais de vacas de surtos de disenteria utilizando uma nested PCR dirigida ao gene RdRp e PAGE, respectivamente. Todas as amostras fecais foram positivas para BCoV e nenhuma delas apresentou-se positiva para rotavírus em PAGE. O encontro de coronavírus bovino em amostras fecais de vacas com disenteria sugere que este vírus possa ser o agente primário envolvido na etiologia dos casos aqui relatados.

Case report: We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with recurrent dacryocystitis of the right lacrimal sac. She did not recover after medical treatment, nor after dacryocystorhinostomy with canalicular intubation. She also had dacryocystitis on the left side. The material that was obtained during surgery was grown in a culture medium and Candida Lusitaniae was identified as the responsible organism. All symptoms disappeared after topical treatment with amphotericin B and dacryocystorhinostomy. Discussion: Dacryocystitis caused by Candida Lusitaniae is very rare. We should always consider whether Candida Lusitaniae is responsible for the primary infection or is the agent resulting from a superadded infection caused by previous antibiotic therapy.

Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 60 años con episodios recurrentes de dacriocistitis aguda derecha que no cedían con tratamiento médico ni tras una dacriocistorrinostomía con intubación bicanalicular. Presentó también una dacriocistitis izquierda que requirió una dacriocistorrinostomía. Se tomaron muestras intraoperatorias y en el cultivo apareció Candida Lusitaniae como germen responsable. Tras tratamiento tópico con Anfotericina B, asociado a dacriocistorrinostomía, la clínica desapareció. Discusión: La dacriocistitis por Candida Lusitaniae es muy rara. Cabría preguntarse si Candida Lusitaniae es el germen primario o la dacriocistitis podría ser por sobreinfección fúngica debido al tratamiento antibiótico de las distintas dacriocistitis agudas sufridas.

Clinical case: A 35-year-old man with a family history of von Hippel-Lindau disease was diagnosed to have two retinal hemangiomas in the right eye and another in the left eye. The hemangiomas were treated with cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation respectively. Despite apparent good resolution of the retinal lesions, progressive visual loss was observed. An MRI was then performed and showed bilateral tumoral lesions of the optic nerve compatible with a glioma, meningioma or hemangioblastoma. Currently the visual acuity in his right eye is hand movement, and is 0.6 in the left eye. Discussion: The presence of the retinal hemangiomas delayed the diagnosis of an optic nerve tumor in this patient.

Caso clínico: Varón de 35 años con antecedentes familiares de enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) diagnosticado de dos hemangiomas retinianos en ojo derecho (OD) y uno en ojo izquierdo. Las lesiones se trataron con crioterapia en OD y láserterapia en OI. A pesar de una aparente buena evolución de las lesiones retinianas hubo una progresiva disminución de la AV. Se realizó RM donde se evidenció lesiones tumorales del nervio óptico (NO) bilaterales compatibles con glioma, meningioma o hemangioblastoma. Actualmente: AV (OD): movimiento de manos y AV(OI): 0,6. Discusión: La presencia de los hemangiomas retinianos en este paciente hizo retrasar el diagnóstico de un tumor en el NO, infrecuente en esta entidad.