3D object printing technology is a resource increasingly used in medicine in recent years, mainly incorporated in surgical areas like orthopedics. The models made by 3D printing technology provide ...surgeons with an accurate analysis of complex anatomical structures, allowing the planning, training, and surgery simulation. In orthopedic surgery, this technique is especially applied in oncological surgeries, bone, and joint reconstructions, and orthopedic trauma surgeries. In these cases, it is possible to prototype anatomical models for surgical planning, simulating, and training, besides printing of instruments and implants.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the acquisition and processing from computed tomography images for 3D printing, to describe modeling and the 3D printing process of the biomodels in real size. This paper highlights 3D printing with the applicability of the 3D biomodels in orthopedic surgeries and shows some examples of surgical planning in orthopedic trauma surgery.
Four examples were selected to demonstrate the workflow and rationale throughout the process of planning and printing 3D models to be used in a variety of situations in orthopedic trauma surgeries. In all cases, the use of 3D modeling has impacted and improved the final treatment strategy.
The use of the virtual anatomical model and the 3D printed anatomical model with the additive manufacturing technology proved to be effective and useful in planning and performing the surgical treatment of complex articular fractures, allowing surgical planning both virtual and with the 3D printed anatomical model, besides being useful during the surgical time as a navigation instrument.
Objective: to evaluate the use of the 2D-FlexRuler as a facilitating tool for the early calculation of the predictive scar factor of chronic wounds. Method: a descriptive study with a quantitative, ...experimental, longitudinal and prospective approach. The sample consisted of 22 outpatients. 32 chronic wounds were analyzed. The wound edges were identified and drawn on the 2D-FlexRuler. The calculations of the areas of chronic wounds were obtained by manual, traditional methods, by software and Matlab algorithm. These areas were compared with each other to determine the efficiency of the proposed ruler in relation to traditional methods. Results: the calculation of the wound area by the traditional method and Kundin’s coefficient show average errors greater than 40%. The manual estimation of the area with the 2D-FlexRuler is more accurate in relation to traditional measurement methods, which were considered quantitatively disqualified. When compared with the reference method, for example, the Klonk software, the data obtained by 2D-FlexRuler resulted in an error of less than 1.0%. Conclusion: the 2D-FlexRuler is a reliable metric platform for obtaining the anatomical limits of chronic wounds. It facilitated the calculation of the wound area under monitoring and allowed to obtain the scar predictive factor of chronic wounds with precocity in two weeks.
Objetivo: evaluar el uso de la regla 2D-FlexRuler como herramienta facilitadora para el cálculo temprano del factor predictivo de cicatrices en heridas crónicas. Método: estudio descriptivo con enfoque cuantitativo, experimental, longitudinal y prospectivo. La muestra consistió en 22 pacientes ambulatorios. Se analizaron 32 heridas crónicas. Los bordes de la herida fueron identificados y dibujados en 2D-FlexRuler. Los cálculos de las áreas de heridas crónicas se obtuvieron por métodos manuales, tradicionales, por software y algoritmo Matlab. Estas áreas se compararon entre sí para determinar la eficiencia de la regla propuesta en relación con los métodos tradicionales. Resultados: el cálculo del área de la herida por el método tradicional y el coeficiente de Kundin muestran errores promedio superiores al 40%. La estimación manual del área con 2D-FlexRuler es más precisa en relación con los métodos de medición tradicionales, que se consideraron descalificados cuantitativamente. Al ser comparados con el método de referencia, es decir, el software Klonk, los datos obtenidos por 2D-FlexRuler arrojaron un error de menos del 1,0%. Conclusión: la regla 2D-FlexRuler es una plataforma métrica confiable para obtener los límites anatómicos de las heridas crónicas. Facilitó el cálculo del área de la herida bajo monitoreo y permitió obtener el factor predictivo de cicatriz de heridas crónicas con precocidad en dos semanas.
Objetivo: avaliar o uso da régua 2D-FlexRuler como ferramenta facilitadora para o cálculo precoce do fator preditivo cicatricial de feridas crônicas. Método: estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa, experimental, longitudinal e prospectiva. A amostra foi de 22 pacientes ambulatoriais. Foram analisadas 32 feridas crônicas. As bordas das feridas foram identificadas e desenhadas na 2D-FlexRuler. Os cálculos das áreas das feridas crônicas foram obtidos pelos métodos manuais, tradicionais, por softwares e algoritmo Matlab. Essas áreas foram comparadas entre si para determinar a eficiência da régua proposta em relação aos métodos tradicionais. Resultados: o cálculo da área da ferida pelo método tradicional e coeficiente de Kundin demonstram erros médios maiores do que 40%. A estimativa manual da área com a 2D-FlexRuler é mais exata em relação aos métodos tradicionais de medição, os quais foram considerados quantitativamente desqualificados. Quando comparada com o método de referência, i.e., o software Klonk, os dados obtidos pela 2D-FlexRuler resultaram em um erro menor que 1,0%. Conclusão: a régua 2D-FlexRuler é uma plataforma métrica confiável para a obtenção dos limites anatômicos de feridas crônicas. Facilitou o cálculo da área da ferida sob monitoramento e permitiu obter o fator preditivo cicatricial de feridas crônicas com precocidade em duas semanas.
The use of biomaterials in medicine is not recent, and in the last few decades, the research and development of biocompatible materials had emerged. Hydroxyapatite (HAp), a calcium phosphate that ...constitutes a large part of the inorganic composition of human bones and teeth, has been used as an interesting bioceramic material. Among its applications, HAp has been used to carry antitumor drugs, such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, and gemcitabine. Such HAp-based composites have an essential role in anticancer drug delivery systems, including the treatment of osteosarcoma. In addition, the association of this bioceramic with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has also been used as an effective agent of local magnetic hyperthermia. Further, the combined approach of the aforementioned techniques (HAp scaffolds combined with anti-tumor drugs and MNPs) is also an attractive therapeutical alternative. Considering the promising role of the use of bioceramics in modern medicine, we proposed this review, presenting an updated perspective on the use of HAp in the treatment of cancer, especially osteosarcoma. Finally, after giving the current progress in this field, we highlight the urgent need for efforts to provide a better understanding of their potential applications.
Abstract N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutamate-modulating agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been considered as a potential anti-addictive drug. Beneficial effects were ...reported for cocaine, cannabis, and tobacco addicts, but the effect of NAC in alcoholics or in alcohol animal models is unknown. The aggravation of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, has been associated with increased levels of serum corticosterone and leptin. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of NAC on anxiety, as well as corticosterone and leptin serum levels, after cessation of chronic alcohol treatment in rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with 2 g/kg ethanol, twice daily, by gavage for 30 days; control animals received an appropriate dose of glucose to balance caloric intake. Rats were treated for 4 days with NAC (60 and 90 mg/kg, intra-peritoneally i.p.) or saline after alcohol cessation. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, rats were exposed to a 5-min session in the open-field test (OF). Corticosterone and leptin serum levels were determined by ELISA in samples collected within 30 min after the OF. Results showed that rats were hypoactive (decreased rearing, peripheral, and total crossings), and that corticosterone and leptin levels were increased 5 days after alcohol cessation. Four days of NAC prevented the behavioral and biochemical changes brought about by alcohol cessation. We suggest that, in addition to the anti-addictive properties reported for other drugs of abuse, NAC is potentially useful in the management of alcohol withdrawal.
To evaluate how personality traits are associated with occasional use, abuse, and dependence of alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and hallucinogens in a large availability sample of adults ...via online questionnaires.
The sample consisted of 8,646 individuals (24.7% men and 75.3% women) who completed an anonymous web survey. Involvement with drugs and temperament/character traits were assessed through the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Temperament and Character Inventory - Revised (TCI-R), respectively. Interactions among variables were analyzed using MANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment.
Novelty seeking was the trait most associated with increased involvement with alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. There was a significant association between harm avoidance and benzodiazepine use. Persistence was lower in cannabis-, benzodiazepine-, and cocaine-dependent subjects, as well as in hallucinogen abusers. Self-directedness was reduced in dependents of all drug classes. No strong relationships were found between other temperament or character dimensions and the severity of drug use.
Novelty seeking was associated with increased involvement with all drugs studied in this sample, although to a lesser extent with benzodiazepines and hallucinogens. The temperament and character profile for benzodiazepine use was different from that of other drugs due to the relationship with higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower self-directedness.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by progressive and profoundly disabling heterotopic ossification (HO). Here we show that ...fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are a major cell-of-origin of HO in an accurate genetic mouse model of FOP (Acvr1
). Targeted expression of the disease-causing type I bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor, ACVR1(R206H), to FAPs recapitulates the full spectrum of HO observed in FOP patients. ACVR1(R206H)-expressing FAPs, but not wild-type FAPs, activate osteogenic signaling in response to activin ligands. Conditional loss of the wild-type Acvr1 allele dramatically exacerbates FAP-directed HO, suggesting that mutant and wild-type ACVR1 receptor complexes compete for activin ligands or type II BMP receptor binding partners. Finally, systemic inhibition of activin A completely blocks HO and restores wild-type-like behavior to transplanted Acvr1
FAPs. Understanding the cells that drive HO may facilitate the development of cell-specific therapeutic approaches to inhibit catastrophic bone formation in FOP.
Alcoholism has been characterized as a systemic pro-inflammatory condition and alcohol withdrawal has been linked to various changes in the brain homeostasis, including oxidative stress and glutamate ...hyperactivity.
N
-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant multi-target drug with promising results in psychiatry, including drug addiction. We assessed the effects of NAC on the serum and brain inflammatory cytokines after cessation of chronic alcohol treatment in rats. Male Wistar rats received 2 g/kg alcohol or vehicle twice a day by oral gavage for 30 days. Rats were treated, from day 31 to 34, with NAC (60 or 90 mg/kg) or saline, intraperitoneally, once daily. Rats were sacrificed at day 35, trunk blood was collected and the frontal cortex and hippocampus dissected for assessment of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-10. NAC prevented the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the decrease of anti-inflammatory cytokine in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. No changes were observed on serum cytokines. We conclude that NAC protects against inflammation induced by chronic (30 days) alcohol ingestion followed by 5 days cessation in two rat brain areas. Because inflammation has been documented and associated with craving and relapse in alcoholics, the data revealed by this study points to the validity of NAC clinical evaluation in the context of alcohol detoxification and withdrawal.
We present a review of the current status of the use of methylene blue (MB) photoinactivation of viruses starting with the first early observations up to its current use to inactivate HIV-1 in blood ...products. Basic mechanism of action studies conducted with model bacteriophages indicate that MB-photomediated viral RNA-protein crosslinkage is a primary lesion and that oxygen, specifically singlet oxygen, is very important also. Basic studies on the mechanism of action with HIV are lacking; however, we do show new data illustrating that viral reverse transcriptase inactivation per se cannot account for MB-mediated photoinactivation. We also show data illustrating that MB photomediates the inactivation of West Nile Virus, a flavivirus, which poses a significant new threat to the continental US. MB photoinactivation of viruses show significant promise because the technology not only offers significant potency but the history of safe MB use in human therapy makes it attractive also.
Alcohol use disorder is an alarming health problem, and the withdrawal symptoms increase the risk of relapse. We have hypothesized that taurine, a multitarget substance acting as a gamma-aminobutyric ...acid A receptor (GABAAR) positive modulator and a partial inhibitor of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors, may reduce the withdrawal symptoms or modify behaviors when combined with alcohol. Therefore, we investigated the effects of taurine on behavior in the open field test (OFT), the GABAAR α2 subunit and BDNF mRNA expression in the frontal cortex of rats after chronic alcohol treatment or upon withdrawal. Rats received alcohol 2g/kg (alcohol and withdrawal groups) or water (control group) twice daily by oral gavage for 28days. On day 29, the withdrawal rats received water instead of alcohol, and all groups were reallocated to receive 100mg/kg taurine or vehicle intraperitoneally, once a day for 5days. On day 33, the rats were exposed to OFT; 18h later, they were euthanized, and the frontal cortex was dissected for GABAAR α2 subunit detection and BDNF mRNA expression determination by real-time quantitative PCR. Taurine administration restored rearing behavior to the control levels in the withdrawal rats. Taurine also showed anxiolytic-like effects in control rats and did not change the behaviors in the chronic alcohol group. Chronic alcohol treatment or withdrawal did not change the GABAAR α2 subunit or BDNF mRNA expression in the frontal cortex, but taurine decreased the α2 subunit level in control rats and to the BDNF levels in the alcohol rat group. We conclude that taurine restored exploratory behavior after alcohol withdrawal but that this effect was not related to the GABAAR α2 subunit or BDNF mRNA expression in the frontal cortex of the rats.
•Alcohol withdrawal decreases rearing in rats and taurine treatment reestablishes it.•Taurine presents an anxiolytic-like effect in control rats.•Taurine does not affect behaviors in chronically alcohol treated rats.•Chronic alcohol or withdrawal does not change GABAAR α2 mRNA in the frontal cortex of rats.•Alcohol withdrawal does not change BDNF mRNA in the frontal cortex of rats.
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