A model for in vitro evaluation of overlapping connections between devices used in the endovascular repair of popliteal aneurysms

This work proposes a new methodology to investigate the potential for disconnection (Type III endoleak) of pairs of overlapped endoprostheses in a popliteal model vessel after a cyclic physiologic load, for three different overlap lengths. A multiaxial fatigue accelerated testing was designed to mimic the physiological loads and movements to which the peripheral arteries are submitted during gait. The experiment design was based on principles from technical standards ASTM F2477-07 and ASTM F2942-13. Migration and disconnection were monitored by DIC (Digital Image Correlation) for three different overlap lengths (20, 30 and 40mm). The testing method proposed in this work was efficient to provide a simulated environment to evaluate the influence of gait biomechanics on overlapped endoprosthesis disconnection. Obtained results demonstrated minimal or absence of relevant migration between the endoprosthesis, range -0.06 to 0,34 millimeters. The proposed methodology was verified as a valuable tool to investigate the influence of the biomechanical environment which the devices are subjected to on the migration of overlapped endoprosthesis. It may become a new alternative to study the pre-clinical in vitro performance of single endoprosthesis or multiple connected devices with different overlapped regions

Possibilities of using silicate rock powder: An overview

This study evaluates the on use of crushed rocks (remineralizers) to increase soil fertility levels and which contributed to increase agricultural productivity, recovery of degraded areas, decontamination of water, and carbon sequestration. The use of these geological materials is part of the assumptions of rock technology and, indirectly, facilitates the achievement of sustainable development goals related to soil management, climate change, and the preservation of water resources. Research over the past 50 years on silicate rocks focused on soil fertility management and agricultural productivity. More recently, the combined use with microorganisms and organic correctives have shown positive results to mitigate soil degradation; to expand carbon sequestration and storage; and to contribute to the adsorption of contaminants from water and soil. In this article we show results obtained in several countries and we show that this technology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture, as well as to reverse global warming. Although mineral nutrients are released more slowly from these types of inputs, they remain in the soil for a longer time, stimulating the soil biota. In addition, they are a technology to soluble synthetic fertilizers replace, since the few nutrients derived from such inputs not consumed by plants are lost by leaching, contaminating groundwater and water resources. In addition, conventional methods rely heavily on chemical pesticides which cause damage to soil's microfauna (responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling) and the loss of organic carbon (in the form of dioxide), which is quickly dispersed in the atmosphere. Silicate rock powders are applied in natura, have long-lasting residual effects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The anatomo-clinical picture of the pathological embodiment over someone else's body part after stroke

Recently, a monothematic delusion of body ownership due to brain damage (i.e., the embodiment of someone else's body part within the patient's sensorimotor system) has been extensively investigated. Here we aimed at defining in-depth the clinical features and the neural correlates of the delusion. Ninety-six stroke patients in a sub-acute or chronic phase of the illness were assessed with a full ad-hoc protocol to evaluate the embodiment of an alien arm under different conditions. A sub-group of seventy-five hemiplegic patients was also evaluated for the embodiment of the movements of the alien arm. Fifty-five patients were studied to identify the neural bases of the delusion by means of voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping approach. Our results show that, in forty percent of the whole sample, simply viewing the alien arm triggered the delusion, but only if it was a real human arm and that was seen from a 1st person perspective in an anatomically-correct position. In the hemiplegic sub-group, the presence of the embodiment of the alien arm was always accompanied by the embodiment of its passive and active movements. Furthermore, the delusion was significantly associated to primary proprioceptive deficits and to damages of the corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. To conclude, we show that the pathological embodiment of an alien arm is well-characterized by recurrent and specific features and might be explained as a disconnection deficit, mainly involving white matter tracts. The proposed exhaustive protocol can be successfully employed to assess stroke-induced disorders of body awareness, unveiling even their more undetectable or covert clinical forms

Efficiency and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures From Clinic to Home: The Human Empowerment Aging and Disability Program for Digital-Health Rehabilitation

Background: The recent exponential growth of Digital Health (DH) in the healthcare system provides a crucial transformation in healthcare, answering to alarming threats related to the increasing number of Chronic Neurological Diseases (CNDs). New long-term integrated DH-care approaches, including rehabilitation, are warranted to address these concerns. Methods: The Human Empowerment Aging and Disability (HEAD) rehabilitation program, a new long-term integrated care including DH-care system, was evaluated in terms of efficiency and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in 107 CND patients (30 with Parkinson's Disease, PD; 32 with Multiple Sclerosis, MS; 45 with stroke in chronic stage). All participants followed 1-month of HEAD rehabilitation in clinic (ClinicHEAD: 12 sessions, 3/week), then 1:3 patient was consecutively allocated to 3-months telerehabilitation at home (HomeHEAD: 60 sessions, 5/week). Efficiency (i.e., adherence, usability, and acceptability) and PROMs (i.e., perceived functioning in real-world) were analyzed. Results: The rate of adherence to HEAD treatment in clinic (≥90%) and at home (77%) was high. Usability of HEAD system was judged as good (System Usability Scale, median 70.00) in clinic and even more at home (median 80.00). Similarly, administering the Technology Acceptance Model 3 questionnaire we found high scores both in clinic/at home (Usefulness, mean 5.39 ± 1.41 SD/mean 5.33 ± 1.29 SD; Ease of use, mean 5.55 ± 1.05 SD/ mean 5.45 ± 1.17 SD, External Control, mean 4.94 ± 1.17 SD/mean 5.07 ± 1.01 SD, Relevance, mean 5.68 ± 1.29 SD/mean 5.70 ± 1.13 SD and Enjoyment, mean 5.70 ± 1.40 SD/mean 6.01 ± 1.08 SD). After ClinicHEAD, participation and autonomy in daily routine was maintained or even ameliorated (PD and stroke > MS). Whereas, increased functionality and participation in the MS group was found only after HomeHEAD intervention. Discussion: Our results suggest that a tele-health-based approach is both feasible and efficient in providing rehabilitation care to CNDs from clinic to home. Increasing and maintaining participation as well as autonomy in daily routine are promising findings that open up scenarios for the continuity of care at home through DH-care for CNDs