Outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Postoperative endophthalmitis often progresses to significant visual impairment. This paper describes an outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, and propose a new sterilization protocol to minimize the risk of further cases. Medical records of patients with O. anthropi endophthalmitis or with suggestive clinical findings during the outbreak were reviewed. Seven cases of O. anthropi pseudophakic endophthalmitis were confirmed between 24 July and 10 November 2010. The most probable cause of the outbreak of Ochrobactrum anthropi endophthalmitis was contamination of the tubing of the phaco-emulsification machine. Following introduction of a new sterilization protocol, no further cases occurred in over 1000 subsequent procedures.

Comparative study of Botox injection treatment for upper eyelid retraction with 6-month follow-up in patients with thyroid eye disease in the congestive or fibrotic stage.

AIM: To compare morphometric data of the eyelid fissure and the levator muscle function (LF) before and up to 6 months after transcutaneous injection with five units of Botox in patients with upper lid retraction (ULR) from congestive or fibrotic thyroid eye disease (TED). METHODS: Twenty-four patients with ULR from TED were submitted to transcutaneous injection of 5 units (0.1 ml) of Botox in one eye only. Patients were divided into two groups: 12 with congestive-stage TED (CG), and 12 with fibrotic-stage TED (FG). Bilateral lid fissure measurements using digital imaging and computer-aided analysis were taken at baseline and at regular intervals 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after unilateral Botox injection. Mean values taken at different follow-up points were compared for the two groups. RESULTS: Most patients experienced marked improvement in ULR, with a mean reduction of 3.81 mm in FG and 3.05 mm in CG. The upper eyelid margin reflex distance, fissure height and total area of exposed interpalpebral fissure were significantly smaller during 1 month in CG and during 3 months in FG. Reduction in LF and in the difference between lateral and medial lid fissure measurements was observed in both groups. The treatment lasted significantly longer in FG than in CG. CONCLUSIONS: A single 5-unit Botox injection improved ULR, reduced LF and produced an adequate lid contour in patients with congestive or fibrotic TED. The effect lasts longer in patients with fibrotic orbitopathy than in patients with congestive orbitopathy.

Resultados econômicos de sistemas de produção de leite com diferentes níveis tecnológicos na região de Lavras, MG / Economic results of milk production systems with different technological levels in the area of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Estudou-se a rentabilidade da atividade leiteira na região de Lavras, MG, analisando a influência do nível tecnológico sobre o custo de produção do leite. Foram identificados os componentes com maior influência sobre os custos finais da atividade e calculado o ponto de equilíbrio. Os dados, provenientes de 16 sistemas de produção, representando os níveis tecnológicos baixo, médio e alto, foram coletados mensalmente, entre janeiro de 2002 e junho de 2003. Consideraram-se a margem bruta, a margem líquida e o resultado (lucro ou prejuízo) como indicadores de eficiência econômica. O nível tecnológico influenciou o custo total de produção do leite - lucratividade e rentabilidade. Os sistemas de produção com nível tecnológico baixo apresentaram o menor custo unitário. O nível tecnológico influenciou os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo da atividade leiteira. A margem líquida positiva e a lucratividade negativa, nos três níveis tecnológicos, indicaram que os pecuaristas estarão se descapitalizando a longo prazo, mas não a médio prazo.(AU)

The profitability of milk activity was studied in the region of Lavras, MG by analyzing the influence of the technological level on milk cost. The components with major influence on the final cost of the activity were identified and the breakeven point was calculated. Monthly data from 16 production systems representing the low, medium and high technological levels from January 2002 to June 2003 were used. The gross margin, net income and the profit or loss results for the period were used as indicators of economic efficiency. The technological level had impact on the total costs of the milk and consequently on its profitability. The low level production system showed the lowest costs. The technological level also had an impact on the operational cost of the activity. The analysis of the net income and losses observed during the period for the three technological levels suggested the farmers will capitalize in medium term but not in the long one.(AU)

Resultados econômicos de sistemas de produção de leite com diferentes níveis tecnológicos na região de Lavras, MG / Economic results of milk production systems with different technological levels in the area of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Estudou-se a rentabilidade da atividade leiteira na região de Lavras, MG, analisando a influência do nível tecnológico sobre o custo de produção do leite. Foram identificados os componentes com maior influência sobre os custos finais da atividade e calculado o ponto de equilíbrio. Os dados, provenientes de 16 sistemas de produção, representando os níveis tecnológicos baixo, médio e alto, foram coletados mensalmente, entre janeiro de 2002 e junho de 2003. Consideraram-se a margem bruta, a margem líquida e o resultado (lucro ou prejuízo) como indicadores de eficiência econômica. O nível tecnológico influenciou o custo total de produção do leite - lucratividade e rentabilidade. Os sistemas de produção com nível tecnológico baixo apresentaram o menor custo unitário. O nível tecnológico influenciou os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo da atividade leiteira. A margem líquida positiva e a lucratividade negativa, nos três níveis tecnológicos, indicaram que os pecuaristas estarão se descapitalizando a longo prazo, mas não a médio prazo.

Gender-related differences in the effects of nitric oxide donors on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in mice.

It has been suggested that nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission is modulated by nitric oxide (NO). Since there is evidence that gonadal hormones can affect extrapyramidal motor behavior in mammals, we investigated the effects of isosorbide dinitrate (ISD), linsidomine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), three pharmacologically different NO donors, on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in 60- to 80-day-old male and female albino mice. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, ip) and measured at 30-min intervals by means of a bar test. Drugs (or appropriate vehicle) were injected ip 30 min before haloperidol, with each animal being used only once. ISD (5, 20 and 50 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of catalepsy in male mice (maximal effect 120 min after haloperidol: 64% inhibition). In the females only at the highest dose of ISD was an attenuation of catalepsy observed, which was mild and short lasting. SIN-1 (10 and 50 mg/kg) did not significantly affect catalepsy in female mice, while a significant attenuation was observed in males at the dose of 50 mg/kg (maximal inhibition: 60%). SNAP (20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated catalepsy in males 120 min after haloperidol (44% inhibition), but had no significant effect on females. These results basically agree with literature data showing that NO facilitates central dopaminergic transmission, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. They also reveal the existence of gender-related differences in this nitrergic modulation in mice, with females being less affected than males.

Gender-related differences in the effects of nitric oxide donors on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in mice

It has been suggested that nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission is modulated by nitric oxide (NO). Since there is evidence that gonadal hormones can affect extrapyramidal motor behavior in mammals, we investigated the effects of isosorbide dinitrate (ISD), linsidomine (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), three pharmacologically different NO donors, on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in 60- to 80-day-old male and female albino mice. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, ip) and measured at 30-min intervals by means of a bar test. Drugs (or appropriate vehicle) were injected ip 30 min before haloperidol, with each animal being used only once. ISD (5, 20 and 50 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of catalepsy in male mice (maximal effect 120 min after haloperidol: 64 percent inhibition). In the females only at the highest dose of ISD was an attenuation of catalepsy observed, which was mild and short lasting. SIN-1 (10 and 50 mg/kg) did not significantly affect catalepsy in female mice, while a significant attenuation was observed in males at the dose of 50 mg/kg (maximal inhibition: 60 percent). SNAP (20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated catalepsy in males 120 min after haloperidol (44 percent inhibition), but had no significant effect on females. These results basically agree with literature data showing that NO facilitates central dopaminergic transmission, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. They also reveal the existence of gender-related differences in this nitrergic modulation in mice, with females being less affected than males

Evidence of sex related differences in the effects of calcium channel blockers on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in mice.

1. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are reported to affect extrapyramidal motor behavior in mammals. Since sex related differences are a common feature in the pharmacological properties of several centrally active drugs, the authors decided to investigate the effects of verapamil (VER), flunarizine (FLU) and nimodipine (NIM), three pharmacologically different CCBs, on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in male and female albino mice. 2. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (0.75 mg/kg, i.p.) and measured at 30-min intervals by means of a bar test. Drugs (or appropriate vehicle, for the controls) were injected i.p. 20 min before haloperidol, with each animal being used only once. 3. VER (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) did not significantly affect catalepsy in male mice. In females, however, a significant attenuation of catalepsy was found at the two higher doses. 4. FLU (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) did not significantly affect catalepsy in male mice, whilst a significant attenuation was observed in females with the doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg (but not with the dose of 10 mg/kg). 5. NIM (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) potentiated neuroleptic-catalepsy in males at the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg. In females, however, only the higher dose of NIM caused a potentiation of catalepsy. 6. These results demonstrate the existence of sex related differences in the extrapyramidal effects of CCBs in mice. Further, this sex related effect might depend, among other factors, on the particular channel involved.

[Streptokinase in severe pulmonary thromboembolism]. / Estreptoquinase no Tromboembolismo Pulmonar Grave.

Severe pulmonary embolism (PE) was treated with streptokinase in four patients, three men and one woman, age 38 to 72 (mean = 53 +/- 14) years. Before the thrombolytic therapy, all patients had pulmonary angiogram and hemodynamic parameters analyzed. The drug was infused through the distal lumen of the Swan-Ganz catheter at the pulmonary artery trunk. The initial dosage was 250,000 units "in bolus" and 100,000 units in 24 to 72 hours. The time interval between the symptoms and treatment had ranged from 2 hours to 5 days. The results are analyzed as follow: reduction on right atrial pressure, mean pulmonary pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, an increase in the stroke volume and cardiac output. In two cases we observed total lysis, in one partial lysis and one patient died from severe form of PE and late infusion of SK. Reinfusion of the drug was necessary in one patient that had PE recurrence with reliable final result. Finally, no one had severe bleeding despite the use of the intrapulmonary catheter.