Determination of stress and displacement on human composite pelvis under static and dynamic loading.

This case study describes the experimental determination of displacements and stresses on a composite model of a pelvis that was modified to represent a healthy intact pelvic ring. The modified model was stressed statically up to 1750 N to simulate standing on one leg and also cyclically to model walking. For two different model settings in the loading machine the values of displacements and stresses at the pelvic ring were determined. The two different settings correspond to two different loading vectors applied on the pelvic ring, boundary conditions and degrees of freedom. The experimentally determined values of displacements in both settings are very similar and in accordance with the knowledge on the behaviour of a real human pelvis. The modified model is thus suitable for testing of newly developed implants for pelvis treatment and experimental determination of displacements and stresses in pelvic ring which are caused by application of implants.

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria in urine cultures from inpatients with spinal cord injuries and disorders: an 8-year, single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Patients, especially inpatients, with spinal cord lesions and disorders (SCI/D) have an elevated risk of recurrent urinary tract infections with multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study evaluated antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of multidrug resistance and determined the risk factors for multidrug resistance. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, urine culture results were used to calculate the antimicrobial resistance rate and the incidence of infection with MDR bacteria in the SCI/D population. MDR was defined as acquired nonsusceptibility to at least one agent from three or more antimicrobial categories. The cohort included 402 inpatients from 2013 to 2020, with 1385 urine isolates. We included only the first isolate; duplicate isolates, defined as positive cultures of the same strain within 14 days, were excluded from the evaluation. RESULTS: The most common MDR strains were Klebsiella spp. (29%) and Escherichia coli (24%). MDR isolates were detected in 50% of the samples and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates were detected in 26%, while carbapenem resistance was found in 0.1%. Significantly higher rates of infection with MDR bacteria were identified in groups of patients with indwelling urethral/suprapubic catheters (p = 0.003) and severity scores of C1-C4/AIS A-C (p = 0.01). We identified age (OR: 0.99, 95% CI; 0.98-0.99, p = 0.000), sex (OR: 1.55, 95% CI; 1.16-2.06, p = 0.003), management with urethral/suprapubic catheters (OR: 2.76, 95% CI; 2.04-3.74, p = 0.000), and spontaneous voiding (OR: 1.84, 95% CI; 1.03-3.29, p = 0.038) as independent predictors of multidrug resistance in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a high antibiotic resistance rate and an increasing prevalence of infection with MDR bacteria in the SCI/D inpatient population. Particular attention should be given to bladder management, with an emphasis on minimizing the use of indwelling catheters.

Submucosal administration of onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity: pilot single-centre experience and comparison with standard injection into the detrusor.

INTRODUCTION: Apart from the standard intramural administration of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) to the detrusor, intense research is taking place into new means of administration in view of the complex mechanism of action of BoNT/A. METHODS: An open, randomised, prospective study was performed on a total of 23 patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. Following randomisation, patients were treated with 300 U of onabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT/A) in either the submucosa or the detrusor. Urodynamic examinations were carried out, and a bladder diary was kept both prior to and 12 weeks after the treatment. All patients stopped taking anticholinergics 1 week prior to the treatment. RESULTS: In both the submucosa and detrusor groups, we recorded a significant improvement in the monitored urodynamic parameters and significant decreases in the frequency of urinary incontinence episodes following the treatment. A comparison of the two groups showed no significant difference between the two forms of application, with the exception of voided volume (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: A comparison of the two administration methods did not show any significant difference between onaBoNT/A administration to the submucosa and to the detrusor. Thus, the submucosal injection of onaBoNT/A represents an equally effective approach for its administration to patients.