Disrupted Resolution Mechanisms Favor Altered Phagocyte Responses in COVID-19.

[Figure: see text].

Stereocontrolled synthesis and investigation of the biosynthetic transformations of 16(S),17(S)-epoxy-PDn-3 DPA.

PD1n-3 DPA is a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator that displays potent anti-inflammatory properties and pro-resolving bioactivities. Such naturally occurring compounds are of current interest in biomolecular chemistry and drug discovery. To investigate the involvement of an epoxide intermediate in the biosynthesis of PD1n-3 DPA from n-3 docosapentaenoic acid, the epoxy acid 16(S),17(S)-epoxy-PDn-3 DPA, herein named ePDn-3 DPA, was prepared by stereoselective total synthesis. The synthetic material of ePDn-3 DPA allowed investigations of its role in the biosynthesis of PD1n-3 DPA. The obtained results establish that the biosynthesis of PD1n-3 DPA in neutrophils occurs with ePDn-3 DPA as the intermediate, and that 15-LOX produces ePDn-3 DPA from n-3 docosapentaenoic acid. Furthermore, support for the involvement of a hydrolytic enzyme in the biosynthetic conversion of ePDn-3 DPA to PD1n-3 DPA was found. In addition, ePDn-3 DPA was found to regulate the formation of the potent neutrophil chemoattractant LTB4 with equal potencies to that obtained with PD1n-3 DPA.

Métodos de detecção de cárie / Methods of caries detection

A Odontologia contemporânea não deve restringir-se a identificar cavidades, mas, também, despertar para um diagnóstico precoce das lesões cariosas iniciais. Os mais diversos e modernos métodos de detecção de cárie vêm sendo desenvolvidos com objetivo de tornar mais preciso o diagnóstico de cárie dental. Os métodos de detecção mais utilizados são os convencionais, porém a associação dos métodos proporciona melhores resultados ao exame clínico tradicional isolado. Este estudo teve como propósito a revisão de literatura sobre os métodos de detecção da doença cárie disponíveis atualmente, baseados nos métodos radiográficos, fluorescência a laser e corrente elétrica.

The contemporary Odontology cannot be restricted to just identify cavities, but must be interested in an early diagnosis of caries lesions. Varied and modern methods of caries detection are being developed, aiming to turn the diagnosis of dental caries more accurate. The conventional methods are most used for detection, however, the association of methods offer better results to the clinician. The purpose of this paper was to do a literature review and to compare the methods of caries detection, based on radiographic methods, laser fluorescence and electric chain.

[Evaluation of patients using an innovative low-vision aid]. / Avaliação de pacientes utilizando equipamento inovador de auxílio à visão subnormal.

PURPOSE: To perform a preliminary evaluation at the "Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP)" of an innovative equipment for low-vision developed at USP containing a reading stand and a magnifier that maintains in a stable position the reading line and focus. METHODS: 9 low-vision patients were evaluated using the above mentioned reading stand and a magnifier developed at USP comparing it with a hand magnifier of similar power taking into account the following evaluation parameters: etiology of low-vision, best corrected visual acuity for distance, patient's opinion comparing both low-vision aid resources, authors' opinion observing the patient using both low-vision aids. RESULTS: The numerical preference for the low-vision aids was: 5 patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus; 2 patients for the hand magnifier; 1 patient indifferent regarding any of the resources; 1 patient inadequate for the evaluation of the low-vision aids. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study shows the preference of the majority of the patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus showing that this innovative product makes reading easier; the evaluator doctor translates the patient's opinion as an expert and contributes to the improvement of the product so that it can be evaluated again in the future.

Avaliação de pacientes utilizando equipamento inovador de auxílio à visão subnormal / Evaluation of patients using an innovative low-vision aid

OBJETIVO: Avaliação preliminar na Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) de equipamento inovador para baixa visão desenvolvido na USP que consiste em prancha de leitura acoplada a lente de aumento que mantém fixos o foco e a linha de leitura. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 9 pacientes com visão subnormal usando o supracitado equipamento prancha de leitura acoplada a lente para auxílio em visão subnormal desenvolvida na USP em comparação com uso de uma lupa teste manual de dioptria semelhante, considerando-se os seguintes parâmetros de avaliação: causa da doença, acuidade visual corrigida no melhor olho para longe, impressão pessoal do paciente comparando prancha de leitura e lupa teste, impressão dos autores observando o uso dos 2 auxílios acima citados. RESULTADOS: A preferência pelos recursos foi: prancha de leitura acoplada a lupa - 5 pacientes; lupa manual - 2 pacientes; sem preferência por nenhum dos recursos - 1 paciente; inadequados para avaliação dos recursos preferidos - 1 paciente. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo preliminar, a maioria dos pacientes avaliados preferiu o recurso prancha de leitura acoplada à lupa, o que mostra que este produto inovador facilita a leitura; o médico avaliador interpreta a opinião do paciente como um especialista e contribui para o aprimoramento do produto para que ele possa ser futuramente submetido a novas avaliações.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To perform a preliminary evaluation at the "Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP)" of an innovative equipment for low-vision developed at USP containing a reading stand and a magnifier that maintains in a stable position the reading line and focus. METHODS: 9 low-vision patients were evaluated using the above mentioned reading stand and a magnifier developed at USP comparing it with a hand magnifier of similar power taking into account the following evaluation parameters: etiology of low-vision, best corrected visual acuity for distance, patient's opinion comparing both low-vision aid resources, authors' opinion observing the patient using both low-vision aids. RESULTS: The numerical preference for the low-vision aids was: 5 patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus; 2 patients for the hand magnifier; 1 patient indifferent regarding any of the resources; 1 patient inadequate for the evaluation of the low-vision aids. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study shows the preference of the majority of the patients for the reading stand and a magnifier that maintains at a stable position the reading line and focus showing that this innovative product makes reading easier; the evaluator doctor translates the patient's opinion as an expert and contributes to the improvement of the product so that it can be evaluated again in the future.