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

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

Artisanal ceramic factories using wood combustion: A nanoparticles and human health study

The ceramics industry, resulting from developments of modern compounds, is a segment of great influence in worldwide sustainability. Artisanal ceramic factories based on wood combustion have significant risks for the creation and discharge of atmosphere nanoparticles (NPs) and ultra-fine particles (UFPs). At present, there is insufficient recognition on the influence of engineered-NPs on the atmosphere and health. Real improvements are indispensable to diminish contact with NPs. The present study demonstrates the main NPs and UFPS present in an area of intense artisanal wood-combustion ceramic manufacturing. Particulate matter was sampled for morphological, chemical, and geochemical studies by sophisticated electron microbeam microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. From NPs configuration (10 nm) were produced around the studied artisanal ceramic factories. This study presents an indication of the recent information on population and work-related contact to NPs in the artisanal ceramic factories and their influence on health

Seroprevalence estimate and associated risk factors for neosporosis in dairy cattle in the northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate neosporosis seroprevalence and its associated risk factors in milk herds (Bos taurus taurus) located in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Three hundred twenty-two blood samples were collected from dairy cows on 18 farms in 17 cities of this region. An epidemiologic questionnaire was completed for each farm. It consisted of questions about the general characteristics of the herd, reproduction, and animal management. Serum samples were tested for Neospora caninum using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results indicated a seroprevalence of Neospora in 88.9% (16/18) of herds and 31.1% (100/322) of individuals. Risk factor analyses demonstrated that culling by reproductive disorder (OR = 0.6), flooding (OR = 0.5), and commercial sale (OR = 0.4) were associated with seroprevalence. Nevertheless, the purchase of replacement animals in the herd played an important role in disease occurrence (OR = 2.2). Results of this study suggested that Neospora caninum was present in the studied herds under investigation and that there are risk factors associated with its seroprevalence on the farms of the northwestern of Rio Grande do Sul.</p></div

Situação epidemiológica e fatores de risco para problemas reprodutivos em bovinos leiteiros localizados em diferentes mesorregiões do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul 2016/2017.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi descrever a situação epidemiológica da rinotraqueíte infecciosa bovina (IBR), diarreia viral bovina (BVD), neosporose (NEO) e leptospirose (LEP) e o impacto destas doenças sobre problemas reprodutivos em rebanhos bovinos leiteiros localizados em diferentes mesorregiões do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul e vinculados a duas cooperativas e uma associação de produtores. Em cada cooperativa e associação de produtores, rebanhos foram selecionados aleatoriamente e, dentro destes, selecionou-se também de forma aleatória um número pré-estabelecido de animais, os quais foram submetidos a testes sorológicos para diagnóstico destas doenças. No total, foram testadas 1.156 vacas com mais de 24 meses oriundas de 75 rebanhos. O histórico reprodutivo relacionado a repetição de cio e abortamento foram das vacas selecionadas na amostragem. As prevalências da IBR, BVD, NEO e LEP variaram de 54,4 a 60,3%, 30,0 a 42,5%, 21,8 a 35,0% e 15,8 a 27,5%, respectivamente. As prevalências da IBR mostram uma distribuição homogênea da doença de acordo com as mesorregiões. Entretanto, a IBR foi associada a repetição de cio e abortamento nos rebanhos localizados nas mesorregiões nordeste e noroeste. A BVD, NEO e LEP apresentaram prevalências distintas de acordo com as mesorregiões, indicando situação epidemiológica distinta. A BVD foi associada a repetição de cio em rebanhos localizados nas mesorregiões sudeste, sudoeste, nordeste e noroeste. A NEO foi associada a casos de abortamento nos rebanhos localizados nas mesorregiões nordeste e noroeste. A LEP foi associada a abortamentos nos rebanhos localizados na mesorregião noroeste. Verificou-se que a situação epidemiológica entre as doenças foram distintas entre as mesorregiões. Desta forma, as prioridades no controle e prevenção destas doenças são distintas entre as mesorregiões, cooperativas e associação de produtores. Apesar de existirem procedimentos de controle comuns entre as doenças estudadas, cada uma destas tem sua particularidade em relação à epidemiologia e consequentemente controle e prevenção.bitstream/item/169305/1/BOP-36-Situacao-epidemiologica-e-fatores-de-risco-2017.pd