São cada vez mais freqüentes as queixas cosméticas na sociedade contemporânea objetivando a perfeição das formas do corpo e da pele. Os dermatologistas e cirurgiões plásticos são frequentemente consultados para avaliar e tratar essas queixas. Sendo assim é importante conhecer o Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal, inicialmente chamado de dismorfofobia que foi pouco estudado até recentemente. Esse transtorno é relativamente comum, por vezes incapacitante, e envolve uma percepção distorcida da imagem corporal caracterizada pela preocupação exagerada com um defeito imaginário na aparência ou com um mínimo defeito corporal presente. A maioria dos pacientes apresenta algum grau de prejuízo no funcionamento social e ocupacional e como resultado de suas queixas obsessivas com a aparência podem desenvolver comportamentos compulsivos, em casos mais graves há risco de suicídio. O nível de juízo crítico é prejudicado, não reconhecem que seu defeito é mínimo ou inexistente e freqüentemente procuram tratamentos cosméticos para um transtorno psíquico. A prevalência do transtorno na população geral é de 1 a 2% e em pacientes dermatológicos e de cirurgia cosmética de 2,9 a 16%. Neste estudo investigou-se a prevalência do Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal em pacientes dermatológicos. Entrevistadores treinados avaliaram com questionários e entrevistas semi-estruturadas (SCID) pacientes que procuravam tratamentos cosméticos clínicos e cirúrgicos (grupo Cosmiatria, n=150), que procuravam a dermatologia em geral (grupo Geral, n=150) e grupo controle de 50 pacientes. Três psiquiatras independentes fizeram a melhor estimativa diagnóstica (best estimate diagnosis). Foram diagnosticados 32 pacientes (Cosmiatria 14%; Geral 6,7%; Controle 2%). As diferenças entre as prevalências nos três grupos foram significativas, bem como entre o grupo da Cosmiatria e o Controle. A regressão logística mostrou maior prevalência na Cosmiatria do que no grupo Geral e Controle, em indivíduos solteiros e com menor índice de massa corpórea. A gravidade foi moderada (em escala validada) e as obsessões foram mais significativas no grupo da Cosmiatria do que no Geral. A aplicação de escala de avaliação de crenças mostrou que o nível de juízo crítico estava mais prejudicado nos pacientes do grupo da Cosmiatria. Nenhum paciente havia sido diagnosticado previamente. As comorbidades psiquiátricas foram freqüentes, principalmente o Transtorno Depressivo Maior e o Transtorno Obsessivo Compulsivo. A comparação de subgrupos de pacientes que tinham o Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal ou este associado ao Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo não mostrou diferenças significativas quanto às variáveis demográficas, comorbidades psiquiátricas, gravidade do transtorno ou nível de juízo crítico. As queixas dermatológicas mais freqüentes, em média duas, foram: discromias, acne, quanto à forma do corpo e ao envelhecimento. No grupo Cosmiatria a maioria dos pacientes já havia se submetido a tratamentos ou cirurgias cosméticas com resultados insatisfatórios. Os achados desse estudo apontam para uma maior prevalência em pacientes dermatológicos, principalmente nos que procuram tratamentos cosméticos, sugerindo que possam ser mais obsessivos e ter pior nível de juízo crítico em relação aos seus sintomas. Considerando a alta prevalência do Transtorno Dismórfico Corporal em pacientes dermatológicos e que os tratamentos cosméticos raramente melhoram seus sintomas, o treinamento dos profissionais para a investigação sistemática, diagnóstico e encaminhamento para tratamento psiquiátrico parece fundamental / Cosmetic concerns are increasingly pervading the contemporary societies, focusing on body shape and the skin perfection. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are frequently consulted to evaluate and treat these concerns. Therefore it is important to be aware of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder, also known as dysmorphophobia, little studied until recently. This disorder is relatively common sometimes causing impairment involving a distorted perception of the body image characterized by an excessive preoccupation with an imagined or minimal appearance defect. Most of the patients experience some degree of impairment in social or occupational functioning and as a result, their obsessive thoughts, may lead to repetitive behaviors and in severe cases, to attempted suicide. Most individuals have poor insight and they do not acknowledge the defect is minimal or inexistent and seek out cosmetic treatments for a psychiatric disorder. The prevalence of this disorder among general population ranges from 1 to 2 % and in dermatological and cosmetic surgery patients ranges from 2, 9 to 16%. This study assessed the prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in dermatological patients. Trained interviewers used questionnaires (BDDQ) and semi-structured clinical interviews (SCID) to access patients seeking clinical or surgical cosmetic treatments (Cosmetic group, n=150), seeking dermatology in general (General group, n=150) and a control group of 50 subjects. Three independent psychiatrists assigned the best estimate diagnosis and 32 patients were diagnosed with the disorder (Cosmetic 14%, General 6, 7% and Control 2%). Prevalence differences in the three groups were significant, also for Cosmetic and Control groups. In the logistic regression a higher prevalence has been noticed in the Cosmetic group (when compared with General and Control groups), in patients that are not currently married and with less body mass index. The severity of the symptoms assessed by a validated scale (BDD-YBOCS) was moderate and the obsessions were significantly higher in the Cosmetic group as compared to the General one. Beliefs were assessed by a scale (BABS) and insight were significantly poorer in the Cosmetic group. None of the patients had been previously diagnosed. Psychiatric co-morbidities were frequent, mostly Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Comparing two patients subgroups with just Body Dysmorphic Disorder and patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as comorbidity show no differences according to demographic variables, Axis I psychiatric comorbidity, symptoms severity and level of insight. The most frequent dermatological concerns were dyschromias, acne, the shape of the body and ageing. In the Cosmetical group most of the patients have performed clinical or surgical cosmetic treatments with poor results. Our findings provide further support for higher prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in dermatological patients, mainly those seeking cosmetic treatments and suggests that those patients might be more obsessive and having poorer insight into their symptoms. Taking into account the high prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in dermatological patients and cosmetic treatments that rarely improve symptoms there are compelling reasons for training professionals to systematically investigate, diagnose and refer these patients to adequate psychiatric treatment

Novas técnicas de frontoplastia, assistidas ou não de endoscópio, têm sido utilizadas na tentativa de diminuir as incisões tradicionalmente bi-coronais. Contudo, os resultados das cirurgias realizadas com mínimas incisões, sem endoscópio, ainda não são bem conhecidos, principalmente quando há sequelas de paralisia facial periférica (PFP). Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo prospectivo foi avaliar a eficácia da frontoplastia não endoscópica com mínimas incisões na elevação do supercílio em indivíduos com PFP, 24 meses após a cirurgia. Constituíram variáveis do estudo a posição dos supercílios aferida em milímetros em fotografias digitais, por um software especialmente criado para este fim. Exploratoriamente, as fotos foram também avaliadas após o intervalo de 12 meses, e ainda, entre 36 a 78 meses. A satisfação dos pacientes com o resultado cirúrgico foi questionada verbalmente com a utilização de duas perguntas. A primeira, se o paciente estava satisfeito ou não e; a segunda, como o paciente qualificava sua aparência pós-cirurgia (entre as opções: pior, indiferente, melhor ou muito melhor). A amostra foi composta por 20 pacientes adultos que sofreram PFP há mais de 12 meses, com paralisia residual do ramo temporal e ptose do supercílio. Os pacientes foram submetidos a frontoplastia através de 2 incisões temporais no couro cabeludo, medindo 2,5 cm cada. Quando desejada fixação da parte medial do supercílio, esta foi realizada com agulha de Reverdin e 1 ou 2 incisões frontais acessórias, de 1 cm cada no couro cabeludo. Foi realizado descolamento frontal e temporal pelo plano subgaleal e liberação dos ligamentos do arcus marginalis sem visualização direta, com palpação externa dos reparos anatômicos. Não ocorreram lesões neurais sensitivas ou motoras permanentes em nenhum paciente em decorrência deste procedimento. As medidas pós-operatórias dos supercílios foram maiores do que as préoperatórias (p < 0,05) mostrando a eficácia da cirurgia na elevação do supercílio pós PFP após 24 meses. Todos os pacientes ficaram satisfeitos e qualificaram sua aparência como \"melhor\" ou \"muito melhor\" / New forehead lift techniques assisted by endoscopic visualization or not, have currently been used to reduce the traditional bi-coronal incision. However, the results of surgeries performed with minimal incisions are unknown, especially when given in cases of sequelae of peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Therefore, the objective of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of nonendoscopic forehead lift with minimal incisions in PFP patient brow suspension, 24 months after surgery. Study variables were the position of the eyebrow assessed in millimeters on digital photographs, by software developed for this purpose. Brow position after 12 month and also between 36 and 78 months was exploratory analyzed. Patient\'s satisfaction and improvement was verbally inquired after surgery \"are you satisfied or not\" and \"are you looking worst, the same, better or much better\". The sample was composed of 20 adult patients who suffered PFP over 12 month and remain with paralysis of the temporal branch and eyebrow ptosis. Patients underwent forehead lift performed by two incisions in the lateral hair bearing area measuring 2.5 cm each. When desired medial eyebrow fixation a Reverdin needle was used and an extra incision measuring 1 cm each was placed centrally on hair bearing. Frontal and temporal flap detachment was performed by subgaleal plane and the release of the arcus marginalis was blindly accomplished by external palpation, minding anatomic parameters. No patient exhibited permanent sensitive or motor neural lesion after this procedure. Eyebrow position in the post-operative periods was higher than pre-operative (p < 0,05) confirming brow lift efficacy 24 months after surgery. Al the patients declared satisfied and qualified themselves as looking \"better\" or \"much better\"

No tratamento do cálculo coraliforme por nefrolititomia percutânea, há cirurgias com poucas dificuldades e pacientes que evoluem sem complicações, como há casos muito difíceis, com pós-operatório extremamente complicado. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os fatores de risco pré, intra e pós-operatórios, relacionados com complicações e insucessos da nefrolitotomia percutânea no tratamento do cálculo coraliforme. Foram estudados 57 pacientes portadores de 72 cálculos coraliformes. Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre complicação e os seguintes fatores: infecção do trato urinário no pré-operatório e número de punções renais. Em relação a insucesso os fatores de risco foram: infecção do trato urinário no pré-operatório e via excretora sem dilatação / During a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) procedure there are cases with no difficulties and no complications. In the other hand, there are cases very hard to treat with a higher surgical risk and post-operative complications.The goal of this study is to analyze the pre, intra and postoperative risk factors related to surgical complications and nonsuccess rates of PNL as treatment for staghorn stone. Fifty-seven patients with seventy-two staghorn calculi were studied. There have been significant statistical correlation between complications and: postoperative urinary tract infections and the number of renal access required. When considering nonsuccess rate, there was association with the following risk factors: postoperative urinary tract infections and absence of dilatation of collecting system

A prevalent morphology in the microscopic world of artificial microswimmers, bacteria and viruses is that of a helix. The intriguingly different physics at play at the small scale level make it necessary for bacteria to employ swimming strategies different from our everyday experience, such as the rotation of a helical filament. Bio-inspired microswimmers that mimic bacterial locomotion achieve propulsion at the microscale level using magnetically actuated, rotating helical filaments. A promising application of these artificial microswimmers is in non-invasive medicine, for drug delivery to tumours or microsurgery. Two crucial features need to be addressed in the design of microswimmers. First, the ability to selectively control large ensembles and second, the adaptivity to move through complex conduit geometries, such as the constrictions and curves of the tortuous tumour microvasculature. In this dissertation, a mechanics-based selective control mechanism for magnetic microswimmers is proposed, and a model and simulation of an elastic helix passing through a constricted microchannel are developed. Thereafter, a theoretical framework is developed for the propulsion by stiff elastic filaments in viscous fluids. In order to address this fluid-structure problem, a pertubative, asymptotic, elastohydrodynamic approach is used to characterise the deformation that arises from and in turn affects the motion. This framework is applied to the helical filaments of bacteria and magnetically actuated microswimmers. The dissertation then turns to the sub-bacterial scale of bacteriophage viruses, 'phages' for short, that infect bacteria by ejecting their genetic material and replicating inside their host. The valuable insight that phages can offer in our fight against pathogenic bacteria and the possibility of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics, are of paramount importance to tackle antibiotics resistance. In contrast to typical phages, flagellotropic phages first attach to bacterial flagella, and have the striking ability to reach the cell body for infection, despite their lack of independent motion. The last part of the dissertation develops the first theoretical model for the nut-and-bolt mechanism (proposed by Berg and Anderson in 1973). A nut being rotated will move along a bolt. Similarly, a phage wraps itself around a flagellum possessing helical grooves, and exploits the rotation of the flagellum in order to passively travel along and towards the cell body, according to this mechanism. The predictions from the model agree with experimental observations with respect to directionality, speed and the requirements for succesful translocation.

Παρά τον μεγάλο όγκο της βιβλιογραφίας σχετικά με τα αποτελέσματα της αντιμετώπισης των ασταθών καταγμάτων του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας με κλειστή ανάταξη και ελάχιστα επεμβατική οστεοσύνθεση υπάρχουν ακόμα σημαντικά αναπάντητα ερωτήματα. Πιό συγκεκριμένα, δεν υπάρχουν επαρκή στοιχεία γιά τον ρυθμό αποκατάστασης των κλινικών παραμέτρων κατά τη διάρκεια της μετατραυματικής περιόδου, γιά το τελικό αποτέλεσμα όπως εκφράζεται από τους ασθενείς με τη χρήση κλιμάκων αυτο-αξιολόγησης, καθώς και γιά τον βαθμό επίδρασης συγκεκριμένων ακτινολογικών παραμέτρων στο τελικό λειτουργικό αποτέλεσμα. Επίσης, δεν έχει διερευνηθεί ο συσχετισμός μεταξύ της ακτινολογικής παραμέτρου της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας και των φορτίων που αναπτύσσονται στην φυσιολογική κερκιδοκαρπική άρθρωση. Η εργασία αυτή αποτελεί μία προοπτική μελέτη ασταθών καταγμάτων του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας που αντιμετωπίστηκαν με κλειστή ανάταξη και ελάχιστα επεμβατική (διαδερμική) οστεοσύνθεση. Έγινε ανάλυση ακτινολογικών και κλινικών παραμέτρων καθώς και χρησιμοποίηση κλίμακας αυτο-αξιολόγησης της δυσλειτουργίας της πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης γιά συνολικό διάστημα ενός έτους μετά τον τραυματισμό. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι ο ‘τυπικός’ ρυθμός μετατραυματικής αποκατάστασης αντιστοιχεί σε ταχεία κλινική βελτίωση κατά τη διάρκεια των τριών πρώτων μηνών ακολουθούμενη από ήπιου βαθμού δυσλειτουργία. Ωστόσο σημαντική δυσλειτουργία παραμένει σε 10% των ασθενών ένα έτος μετά τον τραυματισμό. Επίσης, τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν σημαντικές διαφορές στο βαθμό κατά τον οποίο ο περιορισμός συγκεκριμένων αντικειμενικών κλινικών παραμέτρων αντανακλά το επίπεδο δυσλειτουργίας της πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης. Ακτινολογικά, η μόνιμη απώλεια της παλαμιαίας γωνίας, η κερκιδική βράχυνση και η παρουσία ανωμαλίας της αρθρικής επιφάνειας της πηχεοκαρπικής με αρθρικό ‘βήμα’ τουλάχιστον ενός χιλιοστού σχετίζονται με επιμένοντα συμπτώματα πόνου και δυσλειτουργίας, ενώ δεν υπάρχει εμφανής συσχέτιση μεταξύ του τύπου του κατάγματος και του τελικού λειτουργικού αποτελέσματος. Επιπλέον, ανάλυση δυνάμεων της φυσιολογικής πηχεοκαρπικής άρθρωσης έδειξε φορτίσεις που μπορεί να φθάνουν έως 4,2 φορές το ανυψούμενο βάρος, αντίστροφο συσχετισμό μεταξύ της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας και του μέγιστου φορτίου στην κερκιδοκαρπική άρθρωση καθώς και μη σημαντική διαφορά μεταξύ της γωνίας διεύθυνσης του μέγιστου φορτίου της κερκιδοκαρπικής και της παλαμιαίας γωνίας του περιφερικού άκρου της κερκίδας. / Despite the large volume of published literature on the results of management of unstable fractures of the distal radius using closed reduction and minimally invasive fixation there are still significant unanswered questions. More specifically, there is no sufficient evidence about the rate of recovery of the clinical parameters over the post-traumatic period, the final outcome as expressed by the patients using self-assessment scores and the degree that specific radiographic parameters influence the final functional outcome. Furthermore, the correlation between the radiographic parameter of volar tilt of the distal radius and the normal loads in the radiocarpal joint has not been investigated. The present thesis is a prospective study of unstable fractures of the distal radius managed with closed reduction and minimally invasive (percutaneous) fixation. Analysis of radiographic and clinical parameters as well as of patient-rated wrist dysfunction score for one year following injury was carried out. The results showed that a ‘typical’ rate of post-traumatic recovery corresponds to an initial rapid clinical improvement for the first three months followed by mild wrist dysfunction. However, significant dysfunction persists in 10% of patients one year following injury. Furthermore, the results showed significant differences in the degree to which the restriction of specific objective clinical parameters reflected the level of wrist dysfunction. Regarding the radiographic parameters, permanent loss of palmar tilt of the distal radius, radial shortening and the presence of articular incongruency with an articular ‘step off’ of at least 1 mm correlate with persisting pain and dysfunction while there is no obvious correlation between the fracture type and the final functional outcome. Moreover, force analysis in the normal wrist showed loads as high as 4.2 times the lifted weight, a reverse relationship between the angle of palmar tilt of the distal radius and the maximum radiocarpal load as well as a nonsignificant difference between the angle of the maximum radiocarpal force and the angle of palmar tilt of the distal radius.

Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo foi comparar a perviedade da artéria torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) dissecada por videotoracoscopia robótica para revascularização minimamente invasiva do ramo interventricular anterior (RIA) com a revascularização do miocárdio convencional. Métodos: De 2007 a 2010, 36 pacientes foram randomizados para revascularização do miocárdio minimamente invasiva (RMMI) ou revascularização do miocárdio convencional (RMC). Pacientes randomizados para o grupo RMMI foram submetidos à dissecção da ATIE por videotoracoscopia auxiliada pelo braço robótico AESOP seguida de uma minitoracotomia anterior esquerda no 4º espaço intercostal para anastomose com o RIA. Pacientes randomizados para o grupo RMC foram submetidos a revascularização do miocárdio convencional com esternotomia mediana completa, dissecção aberta da ATIE e anastomose ao RIA. Fluxometria por tempo de trânsito (FTT) foi utilizada para avaliação da perviedade da ATIE imediata. Após 24 meses uma tomografia multislice foi utilizada para avaliar a perviedade a médio prazo da ATIE. Resultados: O tempo médio de dissecção da ATIE no grupo RMMI foi de 50,1 ± 11,2 vs. 22,7 ± 3,3 min no grupo RMC. Não houve diferença significativa no fluxo médio da ATIE para o RIA entre os grupos estudados (46,17 ± 20,11 vs. 48,61 ± 23,42 mL/min, p=0,86) respectivamente. Não houve diferença significante na incidência de infecção de ferida profunda (0 vs. 2, p=0,48) e necessidade de reoperação por sangramento (0 vs. 1, p=1,00) nos grupos RMMI e RMC respectivamente. A angiotomografia mostrou perviedade da ATIE em 100% dos pacientes do grupo RMMI vs. 94,1% no grupo RMC (p=1,00). Não houve mortalidade nos grupos estudados. Conclusão: A revascularização do miocárdio minimamente invasiva do ramo interventricular anterior com dissecção da artéria torácica interna esquerda por videotoracoscopia robótica foi segura e factível. A perviedade da artéria torácica interna esquerda imediata e a médio prazo foi similar entre ambas as técnicas / Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the patency of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) robotically harvested for left anterior descendent (LAD) artery minimally invasive bypass with conventional LIMA to LAD off-pump bypass. Method: From 2007 to 2010, 36 patients were randomized to either LIMA robotically harvested to LAD artery minimally invasive bypass or standard LIMA to LAD off-pump bypass. Patients assigned to robotic group underwent robotic endoscopic harvesting of LIMA with the AESOP system followed by a small left thoracotomy in the 4th intercostal space for off-pump LAD bypass. Patients assigned to standard group underwent full median sternotomy, open LIMA harvesting followed by off-pump LAD bypass. Transit time flow measurement was used for intraoperative evaluation of LIMA to LAD patency. After a mean 24-month follow-up, Multislice Computed Tomography was used to evaluate LIMA to LAD midterm patency. Results: The mean LIMA harvesting time in robotic group was 50.1 ± 11.2 min vs. 22.7 ± 3.3 min in conventional group. There was no significant difference in intraoperative LIMA to LAD flow between robotic and conventional groups (46.17 ± 20.11 mL/min vs. 48.61 ± 23.42 mL/min, p=0.86). There were no significant differences in incidence of wound infection (0 vs. 2, p=0,48) and reoperation for bleeding (0 vs. 1, p=1.00) between robotic and conventional groups respectively. In robotic group, Multislice CT revealed patent LIMA graft in 100% patients vs. 94.1% patients in conventional group (p=1.00). There was no mortality in the study group. Conclusions: Minimally invasive LAD bypass using LIMA graft robotically harvested was safe and feasible. Early and mid-term LIMA patency was similar between both techniques

No tratamento do cálculo coraliforme por nefrolititomia percutânea, há cirurgias com poucas dificuldades e pacientes que evoluem sem complicações, como há casos muito difíceis, com pós-operatório extremamente complicado. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os fatores de risco pré, intra e pós-operatórios, relacionados com complicações e insucessos da nefrolitotomia percutânea no tratamento do cálculo coraliforme. Foram estudados 57 pacientes portadores de 72 cálculos coraliformes. Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre complicação e os seguintes fatores: infecção do trato urinário no pré-operatório e número de punções renais. Em relação a insucesso os fatores de risco foram: infecção do trato urinário no pré-operatório e via excretora sem dilatação / During a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) procedure there are cases with no difficulties and no complications. In the other hand, there are cases very hard to treat with a higher surgical risk and post-operative complications.The goal of this study is to analyze the pre, intra and postoperative risk factors related to surgical complications and nonsuccess rates of PNL as treatment for staghorn stone. Fifty-seven patients with seventy-two staghorn calculi were studied. There have been significant statistical correlation between complications and: postoperative urinary tract infections and the number of renal access required. When considering nonsuccess rate, there was association with the following risk factors: postoperative urinary tract infections and absence of dilatation of collecting system

Magnesium alloys have been widely explored as potential biomaterials, but several limitations to using these materials have prevented their widespread use, such as uncontrollable degradation kinetics which alter their mechanical properties. In an attempt to further the applicability of magnesium and its alloys for biomedical purposes, two novel magnesium alloys Mg-Zn-Cu and Mg-Zn-Se were developed with the expectation of improving upon the unfavorable qualities shown by similar magnesium based materials that have previously been explored. The overall performance of these novel magnesium alloys has been assessesed in three distinct phases of research: 1) analysing the mechanical properties of the as-cast magnesium alloys, 2) evaluating the biocompatibility of the as-cast magnesium alloys through the use of in-vitro cellular studies, and 3) profiling the degradation kinetics of the as-cast magnesium alloys through the use of electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization techqnique as well as gravimetric weight-loss methods. As compared to currently available shape memory alloys and degradable as-cast alloys, these experimental alloys possess superior as-cast mechanical properties with elongation at failure values of 12% and 13% for the Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Se alloys, respectively. This is substantially higher than other as-cast magnesium alloys that have elongation at failure values that range from 7-10%. Biocompatibility tests revealed that both the Mg-Zn-Se and Mg-Zn-Cu alloys exhibit low cytotoxicity levels which are suitable for biomaterial applications. Gravimetric and electrochemical testing was indicative of the weight loss and initial corrosion behavior of the alloys once immersed within a simulated body fluid. The development of these novel as-cast magnesium alloys provide an advancement to the field of degradable metallic materials, while experimental results indicate their potential as cost-effective medical devices.

Hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) é considerada a neoplasia masculina mais comum, além de ser a principal causa de sintomas do trato urinário baixo (STUB) em homens idosos. Se não tratada ou mal tratada, poderá levar o paciente a quadro de retenção urinária aguda, incontinência e infecção do trato urinário, progredindo em gravidade com a idade. Apesar do desenvolvimento de técnicas alternativas, a ressecção transuretral da próstata (RTU) continua sendo considerada o tratamento cirúrgico padrão ouro para HPB. Não obstante, a RTU pode estar associada a muitas comorbidades como, sangramento, sintomas urinários irritativos, disfunção sexual e ejaculação retrógrada. Por essa razão, o desenvolvimento de modalidades de tratamentos minimamente invasivos para o tratamento de HPB constitui um campo interessante de pesquisa clínica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (1) avaliar a viabilidade, a segurança e a eficácia da embolização das artérias prostáticas (EAP) nos pacientes com retenção urinária devido à HPB, (2) avaliar a porcentagem de redução volumétrica da próstata e a qualidade de vida após a EAP nos pacientes com retenção urinária devido à HPB. No presente estudo, Fase I prospective centro único, 11 pacientes portadores de retenção urinária devido à HPB foram tratados por meio da EAP entre agosto de 2009 e novembro de 2011. Exame físico, questionários de sintomas e qualidade de vida (International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) e Quality of Life (QoL)), dosagem do antígeno prostático específico (PSA), exames de imagens de ultrassom (US) e ressonância magnética (RM), e estudos urodinâmicos foram realizados antes e 1, 3, 6, e 12 meses depois da EAP. O tamanho da próstata variou de 30 a 90 gramas, e as embolizações foram realizadas com microesferas (Embospheres) de 300-500?m. O sucesso técnico (EAP bilateral) foi atingido em 75%, e o sucesso clínico (retirada do cateter vesical de demora e melhora dos sintomas) foi obtido em 91% (10 de 11 pacientes) dos casos. Síndrome pósembolização manifestou-se com dor leve no períneo, retropúbica e uretral. Não foram observadas complicações maiores. Ao final do primeiro ano de seguimento, sintomas eram leves com a média do IPSS de 2,8 pontos (p = 0,04), a média da QoL era de 0,4 pontos (p = 0,001), a média do PSA diminuiu de 10,1 para 4,3 ng/mL (p = 0,003), a média do volume prostático reduziu de 69,7 para 46,3 gramas (p = 0,002) e de 62 para 42,7 gramas (p = 0,004) medidos por RM e US, respectivamente, a média do pico de fluxo máximo (Qmax) aumentou de 4,2 para 10,8 mL/sec (p = 0,009), a média da pressão detrusora (Pdet) diminuiu de 85,7 para 51,5 cmH2O (p = 0,007), a média do resíduo final pós-miccional diminuiu de 160,5 para 60ml (p = 0,04) e não foi observada disfunção sexual. A EAP para o tratamento da retenção urinária causada por HPB demonstrou ser um procedimento viável, seguro e eficaz, além de poder reduzir o volume prostático em mais de 30% e melhorar os STUB e a qualidade de vida / Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is considered the most common neoplasm in men and is the main cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the aging male. If left untreated or not effectively treated, can lead to acute urinary retention, incontinence, and urinary tract infections, progressing in severity with age. Despite the development of alternative techniques, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered the gold standard surgical treatment for BPH. However, TURP procedures can be associated with substantial morbidities such as bleeding, irritative urinary symptoms, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disorders. For this reason, the development of minimally invasive modalities for treatment of BPH has constituted an interesting field of research. The study objectives were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with urinary retention due to BPH, (2) to evaluate the percentage of reduction in prostate volume and quality of life after PAE in patients with urinary retention due to BPH. In the present study, a single-center prospective phase I study, 11 patients with urinary retention due to BPH were treated by PAE between August 2009 and November 2011. Physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL), prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurement, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and urodynamic tests were performed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after PAE. Prostate size ranged from 30 to 90g, and embolizations were performed with 300- 500-?m Embosphere microspheres. Technical success (ie, bilateral PAE) was obtained in 75%, and clinical success (ie, catheter removal and symptom improvement) was obtained in 91% (10 of 11patients) of the cases. Postembolization syndrome manifested as mild pain in the perineum, retropúbica area, and/ or urethra. No major complications were observed. At the first year follow-up, symptoms were mild with the mean IPSS score was 2.8 points (p = 0.04), mean QoL was 0.4 points (p = 0.001), mean PSA decreased from 10.1 to 4.3 ng/mL (p = 0.003), mean prostate volume reduce from 69.7 to 46.3g (p = 0.002) and from 62 to 42.7 (p = 0.004) by MRI and US respectively, maximum urinary flow (Qmax) improved from 4.2 to 10.8 mL/sec (p = 0.009), detrusor pressure (Pdet) decreased from 85.7 to 51.5 cmH2O (p = 0.007), post-void residual decreased from 160.5 to 60ml (p = 0.04) and no erectile dysfunction was observed. PAE for the treatment of urinary retention caused by BPH demonstrated to be a feasible, safe and effective procedure. PAE can reduce the prostate volume greater than 30% and improve clinical symptoms and QoL

Hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) é considerada a neoplasia masculina mais comum, além de ser a principal causa de sintomas do trato urinário baixo (STUB) em homens idosos. Se não tratada ou mal tratada, poderá levar o paciente a quadro de retenção urinária aguda, incontinência e infecção do trato urinário, progredindo em gravidade com a idade. Apesar do desenvolvimento de técnicas alternativas, a ressecção transuretral da próstata (RTU) continua sendo considerada o tratamento cirúrgico padrão ouro para HPB. Não obstante, a RTU pode estar associada a muitas comorbidades como, sangramento, sintomas urinários irritativos, disfunção sexual e ejaculação retrógrada. Por essa razão, o desenvolvimento de modalidades de tratamentos minimamente invasivos para o tratamento de HPB constitui um campo interessante de pesquisa clínica. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (1) avaliar a viabilidade, a segurança e a eficácia da embolização das artérias prostáticas (EAP) nos pacientes com retenção urinária devido à HPB, (2) avaliar a porcentagem de redução volumétrica da próstata e a qualidade de vida após a EAP nos pacientes com retenção urinária devido à HPB. No presente estudo, Fase I prospective centro único, 11 pacientes portadores de retenção urinária devido à HPB foram tratados por meio da EAP entre agosto de 2009 e novembro de 2011. Exame físico, questionários de sintomas e qualidade de vida (International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) e Quality of Life (QoL)), dosagem do antígeno prostático específico (PSA), exames de imagens de ultrassom (US) e ressonância magnética (RM), e estudos urodinâmicos foram realizados antes e 1, 3, 6, e 12 meses depois da EAP. O tamanho da próstata variou de 30 a 90 gramas, e as embolizações foram realizadas com microesferas (Embospheres) de 300-500?m. O sucesso técnico (EAP bilateral) foi atingido em 75%, e o sucesso clínico (retirada do cateter vesical de demora e melhora dos sintomas) foi obtido em 91% (10 de 11 pacientes) dos casos. Síndrome pósembolização manifestou-se com dor leve no períneo, retropúbica e uretral. Não foram observadas complicações maiores. Ao final do primeiro ano de seguimento, sintomas eram leves com a média do IPSS de 2,8 pontos (p = 0,04), a média da QoL era de 0,4 pontos (p = 0,001), a média do PSA diminuiu de 10,1 para 4,3 ng/mL (p = 0,003), a média do volume prostático reduziu de 69,7 para 46,3 gramas (p = 0,002) e de 62 para 42,7 gramas (p = 0,004) medidos por RM e US, respectivamente, a média do pico de fluxo máximo (Qmax) aumentou de 4,2 para 10,8 mL/sec (p = 0,009), a média da pressão detrusora (Pdet) diminuiu de 85,7 para 51,5 cmH2O (p = 0,007), a média do resíduo final pós-miccional diminuiu de 160,5 para 60ml (p = 0,04) e não foi observada disfunção sexual. A EAP para o tratamento da retenção urinária causada por HPB demonstrou ser um procedimento viável, seguro e eficaz, além de poder reduzir o volume prostático em mais de 30% e melhorar os STUB e a qualidade de vida / Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is considered the most common neoplasm in men and is the main cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the aging male. If left untreated or not effectively treated, can lead to acute urinary retention, incontinence, and urinary tract infections, progressing in severity with age. Despite the development of alternative techniques, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered the gold standard surgical treatment for BPH. However, TURP procedures can be associated with substantial morbidities such as bleeding, irritative urinary symptoms, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disorders. For this reason, the development of minimally invasive modalities for treatment of BPH has constituted an interesting field of research. The study objectives were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with urinary retention due to BPH, (2) to evaluate the percentage of reduction in prostate volume and quality of life after PAE in patients with urinary retention due to BPH. In the present study, a single-center prospective phase I study, 11 patients with urinary retention due to BPH were treated by PAE between August 2009 and November 2011. Physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL), prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurement, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and urodynamic tests were performed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after PAE. Prostate size ranged from 30 to 90g, and embolizations were performed with 300- 500-?m Embosphere microspheres. Technical success (ie, bilateral PAE) was obtained in 75%, and clinical success (ie, catheter removal and symptom improvement) was obtained in 91% (10 of 11patients) of the cases. Postembolization syndrome manifested as mild pain in the perineum, retropúbica area, and/ or urethra. No major complications were observed. At the first year follow-up, symptoms were mild with the mean IPSS score was 2.8 points (p = 0.04), mean QoL was 0.4 points (p = 0.001), mean PSA decreased from 10.1 to 4.3 ng/mL (p = 0.003), mean prostate volume reduce from 69.7 to 46.3g (p = 0.002) and from 62 to 42.7 (p = 0.004) by MRI and US respectively, maximum urinary flow (Qmax) improved from 4.2 to 10.8 mL/sec (p = 0.009), detrusor pressure (Pdet) decreased from 85.7 to 51.5 cmH2O (p = 0.007), post-void residual decreased from 160.5 to 60ml (p = 0.04) and no erectile dysfunction was observed. PAE for the treatment of urinary retention caused by BPH demonstrated to be a feasible, safe and effective procedure. PAE can reduce the prostate volume greater than 30% and improve clinical symptoms and QoL