Pyrocarbon Humeral Head in a Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty: Preliminary Results at 3 Years Follow-Up and Review of the Current Literature

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty is a viable option in young patients with an intact rotator cuff in order to preserve the native glenoid. To avoid the dreaded and expected wear of the glenoid in very active shoulders, implants with humeral head coated with a high resistant and elastic material—pyrolytic carbon—are now an option. The authors present the first pyrocarbon coated arthroplasty performed at our Orthopedic Department in a patient with osteonecrosis of the humeral head. At three years of follow-up, the patient is pain free and without limitations in his daily work. The Constant score was applied preand postoperatively, and an improvement of 32 points was reported. Larger cohorts with long-term follow-up are required to confirm our promising results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SightSurfers VR: navegação e interação em vídeo imersivo com óculos de VR e AR

Tese de mestrado, Engenharia Informática (Interação e Conhecimento) Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2016Com o avanço tecnológico, cada vez mais o utilizador procura obter experiências ricas e inovadoras através das tecnologias. Este procura acima de tudo experiências imersivas, por forma a aumentar a sua sensação de presença. Cada vez mais se encontram vídeos esféricos gravados em 360º disponibilizados na internet, mas deparamo-nos com navegadores pouco imersivos para visualizar tais conteúdos. Este projeto teve por objetivo a exploração e o desenvolvimento de ferramentas para proporcionar uma experiência rica e imersiva ao utilizador na visualização de conteúdos multimédia de qualquer tipo, usando óculos de Realidade Virtual, com especial foco no tipo de vídeo gravado em 360º esférico. Um dos objetivos passava por tentar que o utilizador pudesse sentir que faz parte do ambiente gravado. Tentou-se aumentar a imersividade melhorando a forma e fluidez de navegação e a interação com os conteúdos. Um dos grandes problemas passava também pela incompatibilidade de ligação de grande parte de dispositivos de input externo a alguns equipamentos móveis. Pensou-se então que seria útil a criação de um Sistema de Navegação Facilitada que permitisse qualquer tipo de input e facilitasse o acesso a operações mais complexas de forma simples. Foi também um dos focos o desenvolvimento de funcionalidades que permitissem a exploração de Realidade Aumentada com o experienciar destes conteúdos. Foi realizada uma avaliação com utilizadores para validar as opções tomadas, em termos de usabilidade e aceitação. Estes consideraram as ferramentas desenvolvidas no Sight Surfers VR e no SSVR Helper bastante utéis, satisfatórias e fáceis de usar e de compreender, tendo contribuído ainda para identificar direções para desenvolvimentos futuros.Due to technological advancements, users more and more desire to achieve new, rich, and innovative immersive experiences. Users are looking to experience immersive experiences in order to increase theirs sense of presence. The amount of spherical 360º recorded media available on the internet is largely increasing, but the experience that the browser gives to the user is not immersive enough to the current user expectation. This project main goal was to grant users the tools in order to achieve a good immersive experience when visualizing any type of media while using Virtual Reality Googles. There was a special focus on spherical 360º movies. This project aims to grant users the feeling that they take part of the environment. New interaction and navigation techniques were developed in order to try to increase immersion. One of the biggest issues refers to the fact that mobile devices are not very compatible with external input devices. An Easy Navigation System was designed with the goal to try to surpass these needs. This system also had the goal to allow users to access complex operations in a fast and easy way. It was also the goal to develop functionalities aimed to explore Augmented Reality while experiencing these contents. A user evaluation took place in order to evaluate the choices made, in terms of usability and acceptance. They considered the tools developed in Sight Surfers VR and SSVR Helper quite useful, satisfactory and easy to use and understand, having also contributed to identify directions for future developments

Melhoria da qualidade numa empresa metalomecânica

Nos dias de hoje, a melhoria da qualidade nos processos de produção tem vindo a tornar-se uma prioridade para as organizações por forma a assegurar altos níveis de qualidade nos produtos e corresponder às expectativas dos clientes. O presente projeto foi desenvolvido numa empresa metalomecânica que fabrica uma vasta gama de eletrodomésticos entre os quais fornos microondas e exaustores. Assim, o objetivo é estudar alguns problemas de não qualidade num modelo de fornos micro-ondas e propor ações de melhoria, assim como estudar a variabilidade associada ao caudal máximo num modelo de exaustores. Relativamente ao estudo aos fornos micro-ondas é analisada a variabilidade na produção, determinados os componentes críticos e definidos os quality gates ao longo do processo produtivo. De forma a acompanhar este estudo, é desenvolvida uma folha template para introdução e processamento dos dados, que apresenta os resultados referentes a análises estatísticas. Por fim, torna-se possível propor ações de melhoria. No estudo aos exaustores serão analisados dados já existentes referentes ao caudal de ar, recolhidos aquando das auditorias ao produto final, propor e implementar ações de melhoria e avaliar, quando possível, o seu impacto. Considera-se que os objetivos foram atingidos, na medida em que foram estudas e analisadas as características críticas do micro-ondas e sugeridas ações de melhoria por forma a aumentar a capacidade do processo e reduzir a sua variabilidade. Relativamente aos exaustores, foi possível entender o que provocava os diferentes grupos de dados, propor e implementar ações de melhoria e reduzir também a variabilidade dos dados. Desta forma, o impacto da melhoria da qualidade nos produtos e processos estudados e os trabalhos futuros sugeridos trouxeram benefícios evidentes para a empresa.Nowadays, improving quality in production processes has become a priority for organizations in order to ensure high levels of product quality and to satisfy customers' expectations. The present project was developed in a metal-mechanic company that manufactures a wide range of household appliances, including microwave ovens and hoods. Thus, the objective is to study some non-quality problems in a microwave oven model and to propose improvement actions, as well as to study the variability associated with the maximum flow in an exhaust fan model. Regarding the study of microwave ovens, the variability in production is analyzed, critical components are determined and quality gates are defined throughout the production process. In order to support this study, a template sheet for the introduction and processing of data is developed, which presents the results related to statistical analysis. Finally, it is possible to propose improvement actions. In the study of exhaust fans, existing data relating to air flow, collected during the audits of the final product, will be analyzed, propose and implement improvement actions and assess, when possible, their impact. It is considered that the objectives were achieved, as the critical characteristics of the microwave were studied and analyzed and improvement actions were suggested in order to increase the capacity of the process and reduce its variability. Regarding the hoods, it was possible to understand what caused the different groups of data, to propose and implement improvement actions and also to reduce the variability of the data. In this way, the impact of improving quality in the products and processes studied and the suggested future work brought evident benefits for the company.Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industria

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle in an adult: case report and literature review

A 27 years old male, presented with a bump over the middle third of is right clavicle and a foreshortened shoulder girdle causing a severe deformity. Radiographs revealed a Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle (CPC). A resection of the pseudarthrosis was carried and internal fixation with a reconstruction plate was done using iliac graft. One year after he was asymptomatic, without any functional impairment and very satisfied with the final cosmetic result. There is no consensus about optimal treatment. We present a rare case of surgical in an adult patient, and demonstrate why treatment must be individualized and surgical associated complications must be discussed

Multi-step thermally induced transitions of ß-lactoglobulin - an in situ spectroscopy approach

An in-situ approach based in multiple spectroscopic techniques and benchmarked with DSC was used to characterise ß-Lg thermally-induced transitions. The methodology applied overcomes previously reported limitations, by ensuring similar experimental conditions in different determinations, non-aggregation conditions and allowing distinguishing between fluorescent variations due to collisional quenching and structural modifications. These experimental improvements along with the correlation of complementary data from the assessment of several unfolding-related events, allowed a real time, precise and detailed description of the unfolding/refolding pathways of ß-Lg. The existence of a complex multi-step unfolding mechanism was confirmed, with a focus on the reversible conformational changes. The elusive unfolding intermediates were characterised in terms of structural swelling, hydrophobic sites accessibility and tryptophan exposure. This approach allowed establishing a clear order of events during thermally-induced structural changes, representing a step forward in the understanding of protein stability and interactions, useful, e.g., when establishing heat treatments of dairy products.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and of UID/QUI/0081/2013 unit, and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006980), Biotecnorte Operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) and Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000028 funded by European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors Rui M. Rodrigues, Ricardo N. Pereira, also thank to FCT their financial grants with SFRH/BD/110723/2015, SFRH/BPD/81887/2011, respectively and Bárbara Claro thanks Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte for a Master grant under the project Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000028.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparative analysis of proximal humerus fracture management in elderly patients: complications of open reduction and internal fixation by shoulder surgeons and non-shoulder surgeons—a retrospective study

Background Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a locking plate is a popular surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures (PHF). This study aimed to assess the occurrence of complications in elderly patients with PHF treated surgically using ORIF with a locking plate and to investigate the potential differences between patients treated by shoulder surgeons and non-shoulder surgeons. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using a single-center database to identify patients aged ≥70 years who underwent ORIF for PHF between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. Data on the Neer classification, follow-up, occurrence of avascular necrosis of the humeral head, implant failure, and revision surgery were also collected. Statistical analyses were performed to calculate the overall frequency of complications according to the Neer classification. Results The rates of implant failure, avascular osteonecrosis, and revision surgery were 15.7%, 4.8%, and 15.7%, respectively. Complications were more common in patients with Neer three- and four-part fractures. Although the difference between surgeries performed by shoulder surgeons and non-shoulder surgeons did not reach statistical significance, the rate of complications and the need for revision surgery were nearly two-fold higher in the latter group. Conclusions PHF are highly prevalent in the elderly population. However, the ORIF surgical approach, as demonstrated in this study, is associated with a considerable rate of complications. Surgeries performed by non-shoulder surgeons had a higher rate of complications and a more frequent need for revision surgery. Future studies comparing surgical treatments and their respective complication rates are crucial to determine the optimal therapeutic options. Level of evidence III

Transmural remission improves clinical outcomes up to 5 years in Crohn's disease

© 2022 The Authors. United European Gastroenterology Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of United European Gastroenterology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial‐NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non‐commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.Introduction: Evidence supporting transmural remission (TR) as a long-term treatment target in Crohn's disease (CD) is still unavailable. Less stringent but more reachable targets such as isolated endoscopic (IER) or radiologic remission (IRR) may also be acceptable options in the long-term. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study including 404 CD patients evaluated by magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. Five-year rates of hospitalization, surgery, use of steroids, and treatment escalation were compared between patients with TR, IER, IRR, and no remission (NR). Results: 20.8% of CD patients presented TR, 23.3% IER, 13.6% IRR and 42.3% NR. TR was associated with lower risk of hospitalization (odds-ratio [OR] 0.244 [0.111-0.538], p < 0.001), surgery (OR 0.132 [0.030-0.585], p = 0.008), steroid use (OR 0.283 [0.159-0.505], p < 0.001), and treatment escalation (OR 0.088 [0.044-0.176], p < 0.001) compared to no NR. IRR resulted in lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.333 [0.143-0.777], p = 0.011) and treatment escalation (OR 0.260 [0.125-0.540], p < 0.001), while IER reduced the risk of steroid use (OR 0.442 [0.262-0.745], p = 0.002) and treatment escalation (OR 0.490 [0.259-0.925], p = 0.028) compared to NR. Conclusions: TR improved clinical outcomes over 5 years of follow-up in CD patients. Distinct but significant benefits were seen with IER and IRR. This suggests that both endoscopic and radiologic remission should be part of the treatment targets of CD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Transmural remission improves clinical outcomes up to 5 years in Crohn's disease

IntroductionEvidence supporting transmural remission (TR) as a long-term treatment target in Crohn's disease (CD) is still unavailable. Less stringent but more reachable targets such as isolated endoscopic (IER) or radiologic remission (IRR) may also be acceptable options in the long-term. MethodsMulticenter retrospective study including 404 CD patients evaluated by magnetic resonance enterography and colonoscopy. Five-year rates of hospitalization, surgery, use of steroids, and treatment escalation were compared between patients with TR, IER, IRR, and no remission (NR). Results20.8% of CD patients presented TR, 23.3% IER, 13.6% IRR and 42.3% NR. TR was associated with lower risk of hospitalization (odds-ratio [OR] 0.244 [0.111-0.538], p < 0.001), surgery (OR 0.132 [0.030-0.585], p = 0.008), steroid use (OR 0.283 [0.159-0.505], p < 0.001), and treatment escalation (OR 0.088 [0.044-0.176], p < 0.001) compared to no NR. IRR resulted in lower risk of hospitalization (OR 0.333 [0.143-0.777], p = 0.011) and treatment escalation (OR 0.260 [0.125-0.540], p < 0.001), while IER reduced the risk of steroid use (OR 0.442 [0.262-0.745], p = 0.002) and treatment escalation (OR 0.490 [0.259-0.925], p = 0.028) compared to NR. ConclusionsTR improved clinical outcomes over 5 years of follow-up in CD patients. Distinct but significant benefits were seen with IER and IRR. This suggests that both endoscopic and radiologic remission should be part of the treatment targets of CD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio