Reliability-Based Design Optimization of a Cemented Prosthesis in a Femur Undergoing Bone Remodeling.

This study proposes a numerical methodology to minimize the bone mass loss in a femur with a total hip arthroplasty procedure, considering uncertainties in the material parameters and using a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) procedure. A genetic algorithm (GA) is applied for optimization, and a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model associated with the bone remodeling procedure is proposed and described to account for the internal and external femoral bone behavior. An example of a femoral prosthesis design is presented as a basis for discussion of the proposed methodologies, and the corresponding reliability level is evaluated. Constraints on the strength of all materials and target reliability levels are inputs to the optimization model. The main prosthesis dimensions and Young modulus are the design variables. The proposed methodology is compared with a well-known deterministic optimization (DO) procedure and the results show that it is important to consider the uncertainties in this kind of problem since in this case, the a posteriori reliability may be low.

Catheter-related infection due to Papiliotrema laurentii in an oncologic patient: Case report and systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Papiliotrema laurentii is one of several non-neoformans cryptococci that have rarely been associated with human infection, since it was previously considered saprophyte and thought to be non-pathogenic to humans. Nevertheless, increasing number of reports of human infection have emerged in recent years, mostly in oncologic patients. Aim: To report a case of a female patient with pyloric obstructive cancer with a catheter-related Papiliotrema laurentii blood stream infection and systematically review the available evidence on P. laurentii infection in humans. Methods: Retrieval of studies was based on Medical Subject Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors, which were combined using Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), BIREME (Biblioteca Regional de Medicina), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengray.eu. There was no language or date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. Results: The search strategy retrieved 1703 references. In the final analysis, 31 references were included, with the description of 35 cases. Every patient but one had a previous co-morbidity - 48.4 % of patients had a neoplasm. Amphotericin B was the most used treatment and only a single case of resistance to it was reported. Most patients were cured of the infection. Conclusion: P. laurentii infection in humans is usually associated to neoplasia and multiple co-morbidities, and amphotericin B seems to be a reliable agent for treatment.

Catheter-related infection due to Papiliotrema laurentii in an oncologic patient: Case report and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Papiliotrema laurentii is one of several non-neoformans cryptococci that have rarely been associated with human infection, since it was previously considered saprophyte and thought to be non-pathogenic to humans. Nevertheless, increasing number of reports of human infection have emerged in recent years, mostly in oncologic patients. AIM: To report a case of a female patient with pyloric obstructive cancer with a catheter-related Papiliotrema laurentii blood stream infection and systematically review the available evidence on P. laurentii infection in humans. METHODS: Retrieval of studies was based on Medical Subject Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors, which were combined using Boolean operators. Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), BIREME (Biblioteca Regional de Medicina), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengray.eu. There was no language or date of publication restrictions. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 1703 references. In the final analysis, 31 references were included, with the description of 35 cases. Every patient but one had a previous co-morbidity - 48.4 % of patients had a neoplasm. Amphotericin B was the most used treatment and only a single case of resistance to it was reported. Most patients were cured of the infection. CONCLUSION: P. laurentii infection in humans is usually associated to neoplasia and multiple co-morbidities, and amphotericin B seems to be a reliable agent for treatment.

Optimization of a Cemented Femoral Prosthesis Considering Bone Remodeling.

The study presents a numerical methodology for minimizing the bone loss in human femur submitted to total hip replacement (THR) procedure with focus on cemented femoral stem. Three-dimensional computational models were used to describe the femoral bone behavior. An optimization procedure using the genetic algorithm (GA) method was applied in order to minimize the bone loss, considering the geometry and the material of the prosthesis as well as the design of the stem. Internal and external bone remodeling were analyzed numerically. The numerical method proposed here showed that the bone mass loss could be reduced by 24%, changing the design parameters.

Desfechos materno-fetais do diabetes gestacional em serviço terciário de atenção obstétrica / Maternal and fetal outcomes of gestational diabetes in a tertiary obstetric center

Introdução: Diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) é uma das principais complicações da gestação, sendo definida como intolerância à glicose reconhecida neste período. Considerando as implicações neonatais e maternas decorrentes dessa comorbidade, este estudo tem como objetivo descrever os desfechos materno-fetais de gestantes diabéticas. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, em que se investigou o prontuário de 86 gestantes internadas por DMG (e seus neonatos), entre 01/01/2012 e 30/08/2013, no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA). Resultados: A média de idade foi 31,9 ± 6,9 anos. Quanto ao parto, 60,5% foi por cesárea, sendo a idade gestacional média de 37 semanas e 6 dias. 55,8% das gestantes apresentaram algum desfecho adverso. O peso médio dos recém nascidos foi 3416 ± 528,2 gramas, 20,9% apresentaram hipoglicemia, 3,5% hiperbilirrubinemia, 12,8% disfunção respiratória e 10,5% necessitaram UTI Neonatal. As incidências de prematuridade e recém-nascido grande para idade gestacional foram de 25,5%. O tempo médio de internação foi de 67 horas. Conclusões: Os resultados suportam os achados esperados de morbidade neonatal associada ao DMG, com expressiva incidência de desfechos neonatais constatados na população estudada, em especial, prematuridade, hipoglicemia neonatal e recém-nascido grande para a idade gestacional. Nossos dados reforçam a importância do rastreamento e manejo adequado desta patologia devido à alta incidência de complicações neonatais e morbidade associado a essa condição (AU)

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major complication of pregnancy, defined as glucose intolerance recognized in this period. Considering the neonatal and maternal implications of this comorbidity, this study aims to describe the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant diabetic women. Methods: Descriptive study, which investigated the medical records of 86 pregnant women hospitalized for DMG (and their newborns) between Jan 1, 2012 and Aug 30, 2013 at the University Hospital of the Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA). Results: Mean age was 31.9 ± 6.9 years. As for the birth, 60.5% was by caesarean section, with mean gestational age of 37 weeks and 6 days. 55.8% of the patients presented some adverse outcome. The mean weight of newborns was 3416 ± 528.2 grams, 20.9% had hypoglycemia, 3.5%, hyperbilirubinemia, 12.8% respiratory dysfunction, and 10.5% required neonatal ICU. The incidence of prematurity and large-for-gestational-age newborn was 25.5%. The mean hospital stay was 67 hours. Conclusion: Our results support the expected findings of neonatal morbidity associated with GDM, with a significant incidence of neonatal outcomes observed in the study population, especially prematurity, neonatal hypoglycemia and large-for-gestational-age newborn. Our data reinforce the importance of screening and appropriate management of this disease due to the high incidence of neonatal morbidity and complications associated with this condition

Otoprotection in guinea pigs exposed to pesticides and ginkgo biloba.

UNLABELLED: Pesticides are widely used in agriculture, despite the risk of hearing loss related to the exposure to their chemical components. This study looks into protective drugs to counteract the ototoxicity of pesticides. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the effect ginkgo biloba extract may have in protecting against possible cochlear damage caused by organophosphate pesticides (methamidophos). Anatomic changes are assessed through surface and electron microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective experimental study. Twenty-one guinea pigs were given saline solution, pesticide, and ginkgo biloba alone or combined for seven consecutive days. Then their cochleas were removed and examined in a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Pesticide-exposed guinea pigs had morphological alterations in their cochleas and injuries in the three turns analyzed through electron microscopy. Injury intensity varied according to the dosages of the agents given to the test subjects. Guinea pigs treated with pesticide and ginkgo biloba maintained the architecture of their outer hair cells in all cochlear turns. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant properties found in the ginkgo biloba extract protected guinea pigs from pesticide ototoxicity.

Otoproteção em cobaias expostas a agrotóxico e ginkgo biloba / Otoprotection in guinea pigs exposed to pesticides and ginkgo biloba

Os agrotóxicos são amplamente utilizados na agricultura e, atualmente, fazem parte do grupo de agentes químicos que podem levar à perda auditiva. A identificação de drogas que, associadas aos ototóxicos, possam atuar como otoprotetores é objeto de estudo. OBJETIVO: Analisar a existência de efeito otoprotetor do extrato de Ginkgo biloba aos possíveis danos cocleares causados pelo agrotóxico do grupo dos organofosforados - metamidofós, avaliando-se as alterações anatômicas por meio da microscopia eletrônica de superfície. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo experimental prospectivo utilizando 21 cobaias, que sofreram ação da administração de soro fisiológico, agrotóxico e ginkgo biloba isoladamente e associadas, durante sete dias consecutivos. Após, as cócleas foram removidas e avaliadas anatomicamente pela microscopia eletrônica de varredura. RESULTADOS: As cobaias submetidas ao agrotóxico apresentaram alterações morfológicas cocleares, com lesões nas três espiras analisadas na microscopia eletrônica, intensificadas de acordo com a dosagem recebida do agente. As cobaias tratadas com agrotóxico e Ginkgo biloba apresentaram uma manutenção da arquitetura ciliar nas células ciliadas externas em todas as espiras da cóclea. CONCLUSÃO: O extrato de Ginkgo biloba, por sua ação antioxidante, atuou como fator otoprotetor à ototoxicidade pelo agrotóxico em cobaias.

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture, despite the risk of hearing loss related to the exposure to their chemical components. This study looks into protective drugs to counteract the ototoxicity of pesticides. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the effect ginkgo biloba extract may have in protecting against possible cochlear damage caused by organophosphate pesticides (methamidophos). Anatomic changes are assessed through surface and electron microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective experimental study. Twenty-one guinea pigs were given saline solution, pesticide, and ginkgo biloba alone or combined for seven consecutive days. Then their cochleas were removed and examined in a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Pesticide-exposed guinea pigs had morphological alterations in their cochleas and injuries in the three turns analyzed through electron microscopy. Injury intensity varied according to the dosages of the agents given to the test subjects. Guinea pigs treated with pesticide and ginkgo biloba maintained the architecture of their outer hair cells in all cochlear turns. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant properties found in the ginkgo biloba extract protected guinea pigs from pesticide ototoxicity.