Tissue response to porous high density polyethylene as a three-dimensional scaffold for bone tissue engineering: An experimental study

High density polyethylene (HDPE) is a synthetic biomaterial used as a three-dimensional scaffold for bone defect reconstruction. Reports differ with regard to its biological response, particularly its osteoconductive capacity. The aim of the present work was to histologically and histomorphometrically evaluate tissue response to porous HDPE. An in vivo study was conducted in rat tibia to evaluate osteogenic capacity, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, and the presence of multinucleated giant cells 14 and 60 days post-biomaterial implantation. Histological examination 14 days post-implantation showed fibrovascular tissue inside pores and on the surface of porous HDPE, acute inflammatory response, scant multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), and lamellar bone in contact with the biomaterial. An increase in the proportion of lamellar bone tissue, no inflammatory response, and a decrease in the number of MNGCs were observed at 60 days. The histomorphometric study showed a significant time-dependent increase both in the area of bone tissue formed in contact with the porous HDPE (14d: 24.450 ± 11.623 µm 2 vs. 60d: 77.104 ± 26.217 µm 2 , p < 0.05) and in the percentage of bone tissue in contact with the porous HDPE (osseointegration). A significant decrease in the number of MNGCs was also observed at 60 days post-implantation. Porous HDPE showed adequate osteoconductive properties, and only caused an initial inflammatory response. Although this biomaterial has traditionally been used juxtaosseoulsy, its adequate osteoconductive properties broaden the scope of its application to include intraosseous placement.Fil: Martínez Rodríguez, Juliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Renou, Sandra Judith. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Guglielmotti, Maria Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Olmedo, Daniel Gustavo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Odontología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

An Intelligent System-on-a-Chip for a Real-Time Assessment of Fuel Consumption to Promote Eco-Driving

Pollution that originates from automobiles is a concern in the current world, not only because of global warming, but also due to the harmful effects on people’s health and lives. Despite regulations on exhaust gas emissions being applied, minimizing unsuitable driving habits that cause elevated fuel consumption and emissions would achieve further reductions. For that reason, this work proposes a self-organized map (SOM)-based intelligent system in order to provide drivers with eco-driving-intended driving style (DS) recommendations. The development of the DS advisor uses driving data from the Uyanik instrumented car. The system classifies drivers regarding the underlying causes of non-optimal DSs from the eco-driving viewpoint. When compared with other solutions, the main advantage of this approach is the personalization of the recommendations that are provided to motorists, comprising the handling of the pedals and the gearbox, with potential improvements in both fuel consumption and emissions ranging from the 9.5% to the 31.5%, or even higher for drivers that are strongly engaged with the system. It was successfully implemented using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device of the Xilinx ZynQ programmable system-on-a-chip (PSoC) family. This SOM-based system allows for real-time implementation, state-of-the-art timing performances, and low power consumption, which are suitable for developing advanced driving assistance systems (ADASs).This work was supported in part by the Spanish AEI and European FEDER funds under Grant TEC2016-77618-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the University of the Basque Country under Grant GIU18/122

Designing bioactive porous titanium interfaces to balance mechanical properties and in vitro cells behavior towards increased osseointegration

Titanium implant failures are mainly related to stress shielding phenomenon and the poor cell interaction with host bone tissue. The development of bioactive and biomimetic Ti scaffolds for bone regeneration remains a challenge which needs the design of Ti implants with enhanced osseointegration. In this context, 4 types of titanium samples were fabricated using conventional powder metallurgy, fully dense, dense etched, porous Ti, and porous etched Ti. Porous samples were manufactured by space holder technique, using ammonium bicarbonate particles as spacer in three different ranges of particle size (100–200 μm, 250–355 μm and 355–500 μm). Substrates were chemically etched by immersion in fluorhydric acid at different times (125 and 625 s) and subsequently, were characterized from a micro-structural, topographical and mechanical point of view. Etched surfaces showed an additional roughness preferentially located inside pores. In vitro tests showed that all substrates were biocompatible (80% of cell viability), confirming cell adhesion of premioblastic cells. Similarly, osteoblast showed similar cell proliferation rates at 4 days, however, higher cell metabolic activity was observed in fully dense and dense etched surfaces at 7 days. In contrast, a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase enzyme expression was observed in porous and porous etched samples compared to control surfaces (dense and dense etched), noticing the suitable surface modification parameters (porosity and roughness) to improve cell differentiation. Furthermore, the presence of pores and rough surfaces of porous Ti substrates remarkably decreased macrophage activation reducing the M1 phenotype polarization as well M1 cell marker expression. Thus, a successful surface modification of porous Ti scaffolds has been performed towards a reduction on stress shielding phenomenon and enhancement of bone osseointegration, achieving a biomechanical and biofunctional equilibrium.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain grant MAT2015-71284-PJunta de Andalucía – FEDER (Spain) Project Ref. P12-TEP-140

Conocimientos de los estudiantes del programa de enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana sobre los protocolos de aislamiento hospitalario en el primer periodo de 2017

Objetivo: Determinar los conocimientos de los estudiantes del programa de enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana sobre protocolos de aislamiento hospitalario (contacto, gotas, aerosol y protector) en el primer periodo del año 2017. Metodología: De enero a junio de 2017 se realizó un estudio cuantitativo descriptivo de corte trasversal, con 87 estudiantes de enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de cuarto, quinto, sexto y séptimo semestre, donde se evaluó a través de una encuesta el conocimiento de los protocolos de aislamiento hospitalario, en una institución de educación superior de la ciudad de Bogotá. Resultados: Ochenta y siete estudiantes fueron incluidos en el estudio, el 88.50% de la población fue de sexo femenino y la edad promedio fue 31 años (6-6.90%). El 98.85% de estudiantes afirmo haber recibido información durante su plan académico sobre aislamiento hospitalario, teniendo en cuenta que los de IV semestre tuvieron un porcentaje mayor de conocimiento del 96.30%con respecto a los demás semestres encuestados. Cuándo se les pregunto sobré los tipos de aislamiento el 100%conocía el de gotas y contacto, el 86.21% el protector y el 79.31% conocía el aéreo. En cuanto al conocimiento de los elementos utilizados para cada tipo de aislamiento solo el 12.64% acertó para el protector, el 10.34% para el aéreo, el 4.60%para el de gotas y el 2.30% para el de contacto. Conclusión: Esta investigación se basó en evaluar el conocimiento que tuvo una población de estudiantes de enfermería de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana sobre los protocolos de aislamiento hospitalario. Concluimos que la formación académica que reciban los estudiantes en relación a protocolos de aislamiento hospitalario puede impactar en la disminución de las infecciones asociadas al cuidado de la salud.Objective: To determine the knowledge of the students of the nursing program of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana on protocols of hospital isolation (contact, drops, aerosol and protector) in the first period of 2017. Methodology: From January to June 2017, a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out, with 87 nursery students from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh semesters, where a knowledge of the Protocols of hospital isolation, in an institution of superior education of the city of Bogota. Results: Eighty-seven students were included in the study; 88.50% of the population was female and the mean age was 31 years (6-6.90%). 98.85% of students claimed to have received information during their academic plan on hospital isolation, taking into account that the fourth semester had a higher percentage of knowledge of 96.30% with respect to the other semesters surveyed. When asked about the types of insulation, 100% knew about drops and contact, 86.21% the protector and 79.31% knew the air. As for the knowledge of the elements used for each type of isolation, only 12.64% were correct for the protector, 10.34% for the air, 4.60% for the drops and 2.30% for the contact. Conclusion: Our research was based on evaluating the knowledge that had a population of nursing students of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana on the protocols of hospital isolation. We conclude that the academic training that students receive in relation to hospital isolation protocols may impact on the decrease of infections associated with health care.Enfermero (a)Pregrad

Comparación de la salud bucal en pacientes institucionalizados polimedicados frente a un grupo no polimedicado

Resumen: El desconocer si las manifestaciones orales que se puedan presentar en el paciente adulto dependen del compromiso sistémico, de los medicamentos consumidos o la edad, evita dar un diagnóstico y un tratamiento adecuado, sumando al odontólogo como un factor de riesgo para la misma condición de salud del paciente. Diversos autores han caracterizado las manifestaciones orales a partir de estos factores de riesgo y otros coinciden con esta investigación sugiriendo que no existe relación entre el consumo de varios medicamentos y la presencia clínica de patología bucal. Objetivo: Comparar la salud bucal (tejidos dentales y blandos) en pacientes institucionalizados polimedicados frente a un grupo no polimedicado. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio cross-sectional consideró un muestreo probabilístico, se valoraron 54 pacientes en el grupo expuesto a polimedicación y 33 en el grupo no polimedicado. Se solicitó autorización a un comité de Bioética y consentimiento a las autoridades responsables de los pacientes. La información recolectada consideró los antecedentes médicos incluyendo diagnósticos médicos, tipo y cantidad de medicamentos que consumía el paciente. Se realizó una valoración clínica destacando el estado de los maxilares, mucosas, presencia de prótesis total o parcial y estado de la misma, evaluación de higiene oral, la salud gingival y el COP mediante índices epidemiológicos. Resultados: La proporción de pacientes con Hipertensión en el grupo polimedicado fue de 55.6% y en el no polimedicado 51.5 % (p0.05); Índice de placa Augsberger y Elahi polimedicado: 1,90 no polimedicado: 2,64; Índice de placa Silness y Löe polimedicado 2,3 no polimedicado: 2,7 (p>0.05); Índice Gingival Löe y Silness polimedicado: 2 no polimedicado: 2,05 (p>0.05). La proporción de pacientes con riesgo alto para caries dental fue de 40.7 % en el grupo polimedicado y 33,3 % en el no polimedicado (p>0.05) y con riesgo alto para enfermedad gingival fue de 35% para el grupo polimedicado y 27,3% para el no polimedicado (p>0.05). Conclusión: La polimedicación no determinó ninguna diferencia en el estado de salud bucal entre los grupos comparados

Degradation kinetics and thermodynamic analysis of betalains on microencapsulated beetroot juice using maltodextrin and sweet potato starch

Natural colorants have become important due to the health-benefits for humans. In that sense, it is important to evaluate the degradation kinetics of these components, in order to establish the stability under different processing and/or storage conditions. This study provides experimental and simulated results about the degradation of betalains in microencapsulated beetroot juice. Maltodextrin solution (MDX 10%) and sweet potato starch solution (SPS 2%) in proportions of 40MDX:60SPS, 20MDX:80SPS and 0MDX:100SPS were used as microencapsulating agents. The thermal degradation of betalains in the microencapsulated powders was evaluated at three temperatures (6, 19 and 30 °C) in order to predict the behavior under different conditions, using the first-order kinetic model. The kinetic parameters were identified using linear regression on the logarithmic curves of the experimental data to obtain the Arrhenius equations. The highest content of betalains was 2.58 mg/g and the lowest activation energy value was 48.71 KJ/mol, with both values corresponding to the powder that was microencapsulated with 20MDX:80SPS. The above results suggest high betalain stability in this powder, since there was less sensitivity to temperature in comparison to the rest of the powders. Additionally, some thermodynamic parameters were evaluated, which confirmed that the process is non-spontaneous and irreversible. The results obtained from this study, could be a useful tool to predict the minimal losses during processing, and gives the possibility to improve and select the food products where this kind of natural colorant can be applied.Natural colorants have become important due to their health benefits for humans. In that sense, it is important to evaluate the degradation kinetics of these components, in order to establish stability under different processing and/or storage conditions. This study provides experimental and simulated results about the degradation of betalains in microencapsulated beetroot juice. Maltodextrin solution (MDX 10%) and sweet potato starch solution (SPS 2%) in proportions of 40MDX:60SPS, 20MDX:80SPS and 0MDX:100SPS were used as microencapsulating agents. The thermal degradation of betalains in the microencapsulated powders was evaluated at three temperatures (6, 19 and 30 °C) in order to predict the behavior under different conditions, using the first-order kinetic model. The kinetic parameters were identified using linear regression on the logarithmic curves of the experimental data to obtain the Arrhenius equations. The highest content of betalains was 2.58 mg/g and the lowest activation energy value was 48.71 KJ/mol, with both values corresponding to the powder that was microencapsulated with 20MDX:80SPS. The above results suggest high betalain stability in this powder since there was less sensitivity to temperature in comparison to the rest of the powders. Additionally, some thermodynamic parameters were evaluated, which confirmed that the process is non-spontaneous and irreversible. The results obtained from this study could be a useful tool to predict the minimal losses during processing and give the possibility to improve and select the food products where this kind of natural colorant can be applied

Plataforma digital para la gestión logística integral de PyMEs manufactureras en Colombia

El presente estudio está enfocado en la gestión de la cadena de suministro en PyMEs manufactureras en Colombia con procesos soportados en sistemas de información. A lo largo de la investigación se identificarán diferentes problemas que generan la escasa implementación de la tecnología en las cadenas de abastecimiento de dichas empresas. La principal dificultad que impide la correcta gestión e implementación es la falta de herramientas tecnologías, siendo esta la prioridad a abordar en este proyecto. Al ser las PyMEs un gran porcentaje de generación de empleo en Colombia, enfocarse a estas, generaría un gran impacto en el ámbito de este tipo de organizaciones. Por lo tanto, se trabajará con Telares Medellín Kiloencajes y Metros, en donde se identificarán los diferentes procesos que se encuentran inmersos dentro la gestión logística y se establecerán las pautas para la creación de una plataforma digital como soporte a dichos procesos (procesos logísticos, modelación, configuración, pruebas, alineación de UX/UI y apropiación). La plataforma será desarrollada a través de metodologías ágiles como SCRUM. Por otro lado, se establecerán diferentes roles y responsabilidades de los involucrados en la gestión de la cadena de suministro buscando identificar el impacto socioeconómico que conllevaría la implementación de la plataforma digital en la PyME.The following study focuses on supply chain management in SMEs in Colombia with processes supported in information systems. During the research, different problems will be identified that generate the limited implementation of technology in the supply chains of these companies. The main difficulty preventing proper management and implementation is the lack of technology tools, this being the priority to address in this project. Taking in account that SMEs are a large percentage of job creation in Colombia, focusing on them would have a great impact in the field of this type of organization. Therefore, the case study is going to be deploy ... with Telares Medellín Kiloencajes y Metros, where it will be identified the different processes that are immersed in the logistics management and establish guidelines for the creation of a digital platform as support to these processes (logistics processes, modeling, configuration, testing, develop of UX/IU and adoption manegement). The platform will be developed through agile frameworks such as Scrum. On the other hand, different roles and responsibilities of those involved in supply chain management will be established in order to identify the socio-economic impact that the implementation of the digital platform would have on SMEs.Ingeniero (a) IndustrialPregrad

Mutación BRAF V600E en pacientes con cáncer de tiroides. Fundación Clínica Valle del Lili: una serie de casos

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y los hallazgos histopatológicos de los pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de tiroides y estudio de la mutación del Gen BRAF V600E. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, con información obtenida de las historias clínicas de los pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de tiroides atendidos durante 2014 y 2105 en la Fundación Clínica Valle del Lili con estudio para la mutación del gen BRAF V600E. Resultados: De los 344 pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de tiroides durante los años 2014 y 2015, se les realizó estudio de la mutación BRAF V600E a 24. La edad promedio fue de 47 años, con predominio en mujeres (87,5%), fueron positivos para la mutación 66% de los pacientes. En relación a las características histopatológicas, el 95,8% de los casos correspondían a cáncer papilar de tiroides, la mayoría de la variedad clásica. Los pacientes con la mutación BRAF V600E tenían mayor extensión extratiroidea, invasión linfática, invasión vascular y compromiso ganglionar, pero no se encontró relación con respecto a tamaño tumoral, multicentralidad, bilateralidad, tiroiditis de Hashimoto o presencia de metástasis. Conclusión: Este es el primer estudio en Colombia, que describe las características clínicas e histopatológicas de los pacientes con cáncer de tiroides en relación a la presencia de la mutacion del Gen BRAF. Abstract Objective: To describe the clinical and histopathological findings of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer and BRAF V600E gene mutation study. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study, with information obtained from the medical records of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer seen during 2014 and 2105 in the Fundacion Clínica Valle del Lili with analysis of the BRAF V600E gene mutation. Results: Of the 344 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer during the years 2014 and 2015, underwent study of the BRAF V600E to 24. The average age was 47 years, with prevalence in women (87.5%) were positive for mutation 66% of patients. Regarding the histopathologic features, 95.8% of the cases werepapillary thyroid cancer, most classic variety. Patients with BRAF V600E mutation were more extrathyroid extension, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and nodal involvement, but no relationship was found with respect to tumor size, multicentrality, bilateralism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or presence of metastasis. Conclusion: This is the first study in Colombia, describing the clinical and histopathologic of patients with thyroid cancer in relation to the presence of the BRAF gene mutation characteristics.