Bioactive conformable hydrogel-carbonated hydroxyapatite nanocomposite coatings on Ti-6Al-4V substrates

A series of nanocomposite coatings was produced, comprising a hydrogel polymer, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PHEMA/PCL) matrix with nanoscale carbonated hydroxyapatite (nCHA) filler particles. The weight fraction of the filler was varied from 0 to 20% and the composites were applied as coatings onto Ti-6Al-4V substrates. The filler distribution and surface morphology were investigated by AFM, and the mechanical stability of the coatings was characterised using nanoindentation in both dry and wet conditions. The cellular response to the coatings was also examined in vitro using human osteoblast (HOB) cells. It was found that interfacial cracking occurred for composites containing greater than 10 wt.% nCHA and that 10 wt.% nCHA composite coatings appear to offer the greatest coating stability and bioactivity compared with the other composite coatings. It was concluded that the nCHA-containing PHEMA/PCL composite coatings had the potential to provide a soft, low modulus interface between metal implants and bone

Development of a novel forward dynamic programming method for weather routing

This paper presents a novel forward dynamic programming method for weather routing to minimise ship fuel consumption during a voyage. Compared with traditional weather routing methods which only optimise the ship's heading, while the engine power or propeller rotation speed is set as a constant throughout the voyage, this new method considers both the ship power settings and heading controls. A float state technique is used to reduce the iterations required during optimisation and thus save computation time. This new method could lead to quasiglobal optimal routing in comparison with the traditional weather routing methods

Antepartum Pituitary Necrosis Occurring In Pregnancy with Uncontrolled Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

Antepartum pituitary necrosis is a rare medical condition that has only been reported in pregnant women with type I diabetes attributable to diabetes-related vasculopathy and hypercoagulability. We present for the first time a case of antepartum pituitary necrosis occurring in an uncontrolled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patient. The patient was a 32-yr-old woman at 33 weeks and 2 days of gestation. She suffered from severe headache, blurred vision, dizziness, and vomiting. Her baby was delivered by Cesarean section. The brain magnetic resonance images revealed pituitary necrosis. This suggests that pituitary gland necrosis may also complicate GDM pregnancy when glucose levels are uncontrolled

The Effect of Fish Consumption on Blood Mercury Levels of Pregnant Women

In the present study, we examined the relationship between average fish consumption, as well as the type of fish consumed and levels of mercury in the blood of pregnant women. We also performed follow-up studies to determine if blood mercury levels were decreased after counseling and prenatal education. To examine these potential relationships, pregnant women were divided into two groups: a study group was educated to restrict fish intake, whereas a control group did not receive any prenatal education regarding fish consumption. We measured blood mercury level and performed follow-up studies during the third trimester to examine any differences between the two groups. Out of the 63 pregnant women who participated in our study, we performed follow-up studies with 19 pregnant women from the study group and 12 pregnant women from control group. The average initial blood mercury level of both groups was 2.94 µg/L, with a range of 0.14 to 10.75 µg/L. Blood mercury level in the group who ate fish more than four times per month was significantly higher than that of the group who did not consume fish (p = 0.02). In follow-up studies, blood mercury levels were decreased in the study group but slightly increased in the control group (p = 0.014). The maternal blood mercury level in late pregnancy was positively correlated with mercury levels of cord blood (r = 0.58, p = 0.047), which was almost twice the level found in maternal blood. Pregnant women who consume a large amount of fish may have high blood mercury levels. Further, cord blood mercury levels were much higher than that of maternal blood. Because the level of fish intake appears to influence blood mercury level, preconceptual education might be necessary in order decrease fish consumption

CONTRIBUTION OF THE KNEE JOINT TO MECHANICAL ENERGY IN CROUCHING START ACCORDING TO THE BACKWARD BLOCK INCLINED ANGLE INCREASE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the contribution of the knee joint to mechanical energy in crouching start according to the backward block inclined angle increase(F, F1, F2). Using kinetic and kinematic data from 3 university sprinters participating in this study we calculated the energies absorbed and generated by the knee joints. The analysis is limited to a two-dimensional (sagittal plane) exercise. Comparing mean values of the energy absorbed and generated from lower extremity joints of each subjects according to backward block inclined angle increase (F, F1, F2). We generate a ratio of a total energy absorbed and generated from lower extremities to one from knee joints. The generated energy of knee joints during start was the highest for all subjects and the absorbed energy of those was the lowest at 55 degree of backward block angle, or F, for subject 1, 50 degree for subject 2, and 50 degree for subject 3

Retrieval evidence of impingement at the third articulation in contemporary dual mobility cups for total hip arthroplasty

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess polyethylene liners of retrieved hips of one design of a dual mobility (DM) cup liner and two designs of femoral stems to better understand the role of femoral stem design on polyethylene impingement. METHODS: This was a case-control study involving 70 retrieved highly cross-linked polyethylene (X3) liners used with ABGII (n = 35) and Rejuvenate (n = 35) stems (Stryker). All polyethylene liners were assessed for evidence of rim deformation and the damage quantified using metrology methods. RESULTS: A total of 80% of polyethylene liners paired with ABGII necks had macroscopic evidence of neck impingement resulting in a raised lip whilst 23% of liners paired with Rejuvenate necks had evidence of a raised lip (p < 0.0001). The height of the raised rims of the DM cups paired with ABGII necks had a median (range) of 139 μm (72-255). The height of the raised rims of the DM cups paired with Rejuvenate necks had a median (range) of 52 μm (45-90) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our new findings from retrieved dual mobility bearings showed that polyethylene liner rim deformation resulting from impingement with the femoral neck occurs in early in-human function, is circumferential in distribution, and is affected by the stem neck design. We recommend the use of highly polished and non-edged neck designs when used in conjunction with DM cups

Calcified Carcinoma of the Gallbladder with Calcified Nodal Metastasis Presenting as a Porcelain Gallbladder: A Case Report

Porcelain gallbladder is regarded as a risk factor of gallbladder cancer. A porcelain gallbladder with calcified regional lymph nodes was found using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 43-year-old man who presented with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. His cholecystectomy specimen showed diffuse wall thickening and contained small gallstones. Histological examination revealed diffuse infiltrative adenocarcinoma with extensive intratumoral calcification (calcified carcinoma). The majority of the calcified material was located within or replaced the tumor glands, and was not found in the stroma. A lymph node was totally replaced with a calcified metastatic adenocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of calcified lymph node metastasis from a calcified carcinoma of the gallbladder has been previously reported in the literature. We herein add a case of calcified carcinoma of the gallbladder with calcified lymph node metastasis, presenting as a porcelain gallbladder on CT and MRI

Adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium presenting with recurrent iridocyclitis: unique expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein

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