Atualmente os defeitos herniários da parede abdominal são freqüentemente corrigidos com o uso de biomateriais. Embora utilizada com bons resultados há várias décadas, a prótese de Polipropileno (PP) tem implicado graves complicações decorrentes de aderências aos órgãos abdominais. A prótese de Politetrafluoroetileno expandido (PTFEe) tem reconhecidamente menor potencial aderencial; no entanto, dados obtidos de estudos biomecânicos deixam dúvida quanto a sua real eficiência na correção herniária. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar esses dois diferentes tipos de próteses na correção de defeitos ventrais produzidos em ratos Wistar, levando-se em consideração parâmetros histológicos, biomecânicos e da resposta aderencial. Para o estudo histológico um grupo de animais (n=21) foi submetido simultaneamente a implante subperitoneal de fragmentos de próteses de PP e PTFEe. Para o estudo comparativo da resposta biomecânica e aderencial entre as próteses, procedeu-se ao implante protético subperitoneal com PP (n=21) e PTFEe (n=21) para corrigir defeitos ventrais criados cirurgicamente envolvendo toda a espessura da parede abdominal dos animais. Para análise biomecânica, dois outros grupos de animais foram utilizados como controle: um grupo não submetido à cirurgia (n=15) e um grupo com correção de defeitos ventrais por meio de sutura (n=21). Todas as avaliações foram realizadas com 1, 2 e 4 semanas de pós-operatório e constituíram-se de: avaliação da resposta aderencial por meio de pesquisa da área de prótese aderida e incidência de aderência a órgãos, avaliação biomecânica por meio de ensaios de tração de tiras de parede abdominal e avaliação morfométrica do tecido inflamatório e das fibras colagênicas em cortes histológicos corados por Hematoxilina-eosina e pelo método da Picrossírius-polarização, respectivamente. Os resultados mostraram que: a fração de volume de tecido inflamatório no grupo PP na primeira, segunda e quarta semanas foi respectivamente: 20%, 9% e 4% enquanto no grupo PTFEe: 30%, 16% e 16%. Houve diferença estatística na segunda e quarta semanas. A fração de volume de colágeno fibrilar no grupo PP foi respectivamente: 65%, 71% e 77%, na primeira, segunda e quarta semanas. No grupo PTFEe os valores foram: 55%, 66% e 68%, na primeira, segunda e quarta semanas. Da mesma forma, houve diferença estatística na segunda e quarta semanas. Na análise semiquantitativa do grau de agregação de colágeno foi observado diferença estatística apenas primeira semana de pós-operatório a favor do PP (3,24 x 1,40 p=0,022). As próteses induziram valores semelhantes de área aderida na primeira (67,85%-PP x 71,42%- PTFEe), segunda (60,71%-PP x 60,71%-PTFEe) e quarta semanas de pós-operatório (46,42% PP x 42,85% PTFEe). Quanto à presença de aderência a órgãos abdominais houve diferença entre as próteses apenas na primeira semana a favor do PTFEe: enquanto 85,7% dos animais no grupo PP apresentaram aderências à órgãos, esse índice foi de apenas 28,5% no grupo PTFEe. Os valores de força máxima obtidos nos ensaios biomecânicos de tração com a prótese de PP foram na primeira, segunda e quarta semanas: 20,54 N, 21,62 N e 26,23 N. No grupo PTFEe os valores na primeira, segunda e quarta semanas foram: 16,92 N, 23,12 N e 25,41 N. Foi observada diferença estatística na primeira semana de pós-operatório. A comparação entre os implantes protéticos de PP e PTFEe nas condições da presente pesquisa permitiu concluir: 1) A estimativa de área aderida à prótese foi semelhante independentemente do material implantado; 2) Com 1 semana de pós-operatório, o implante de PP demonstrou-se mais resistente aos ensaios biomecânicos de tração o que se correlacionou a um maior grau de agregação das fibras colagênicas nos tecidos implantados; 3) Com 1 semana de pós-operatório, os implantes de PTFEe induziram aderências as órgãos abdominais em um menor número de animais; 4) Com 2 e 4 semanas de pós-operatório o implante de PP induziu a uma menor infiltração de tecido inflamatório e a um maior depósito de colágeno fibrilar / Nowadays, abdominal wall defects are frequently repaired with biomaterials. Although utilized with good results for several decades, polypropylene mesh (PP) has been implicated with serious complications due to adhesion to the abdominal organs. It has been reported that prostheses of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh exhibit less adhesion formation potential; however, data obtained by biomechanical studies leave doubt as to its real efficiency in hernia repair. The objective of the present study was to compare these two types of mesh in the correction of ventral defects created in Wistar rats, taking into account histological and biomechanical parameters and the adhesion response. For the histological study, a group of animals (n = 21) was submitted simultaneously to subperitoneal implantation of fragments of PP and ePTFE mesh. For the comparative study of the biomechanical and adhesion response between the prostheses, subperitoneal implantation with PP (n = 21) and ePTFE mesh (n = 21) was performed to repair surgically created abdominal defects, involving all layers of the abdominal wall. In the biomechanical analysis, two other groups of animals were used for the control: a group not submitted to surgery (n = 15) and a group with abdominal wall defects repaired with sutures (n = 21). At postoperative weeks 1, 2 and 4, the following evaluations were performed: study of the adhesion response by measuring the incidence of adherence to organs and area of adhered prosthesis; biomechanical test of abdominal wall strips; and morphometric study of the inflammatory tissue and collagenic fibers in sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and by Picrosiriuspolarization technique. The results showed that: the inflammatory tissue volume in group PP at postoperative weeks 1, 2 and 4, respectively, was 20%, 9% and 4%; while in the group ePTFE the values were 30%, 16% and 16%. The difference was statistically significant in postoperative weeks 1 and 4. The collagen fibril volume in group PP was: 65%, 71% and 77%, in postoperative weeks 1, 2 and 4, respectively. In group ePTFE the values were: 55%, 66% and 68%. Likewise, there was a statistically significant difference in postoperative weeks 2 and 4. In the semi-quantitative analysis of the degree of collagen aggregation, a statistically significant difference was only observed in postoperative week 1, in favor of PP (3.24 x 1.40, p = 0.022). The prostheses induced similar values for adhered area in postoperative week 1 (67.85%-PP vs. 71.42%-ePTFE), week 2 (60.71%-PP vs. 60.71%-ePTFE) and week four (46.42% PP vs. 42.85% ePTFE). Regarding the presence of adherence to abdominal organs, there was only a statistically significant difference between the prostheses in week one, in favor of ePTFE. While 85.7% of the animals in group PP presented adherence to organs, this index was only 28.5% in group ePTFE. The maximum force obtained in the biomechanical tests with the PP mesh was 20.54 N, 21.62 N and 26.23 N, in postoperative weeks 1, 2 and 4, respectively. In group ePTFE the values were 16.92 N, 23.12 N and 25.41 N. A statistically significant difference was observed in postoperative week 1. The comparison between PP and ePTFE prosthetic implants in the conditions of the present research enabled the conclusion that: 1) the estimated area adhered to the prostheses was similar, irrespective of the implanted material; 2) at postoperative week 1, the resistance to traction was higher when the repair was done with PP mesh, which was correlated to a higher degree of collagen fiber aggregation in the implanted tissues; 3) at postoperative week 1, fewer visceral adhesions were formed on ePTFE group of animals; and 4) at postoperative weeks 2 and 4, the PP implant induced a smaller infiltration of inflammatory tissue and a larger deposit of collagen fibrils

As restaurações provisórias no tratamento reabilitador oral são de suma importância. Por isso é preocupante que os materiais utilizados para a execução das mesmas sejam críticos com relação à sua resistência e longevidade, principalmente, quando estas são executadas em tratamentos prolongados e/ou em espaços desdentados extensos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar em 4 grupos reforçados, compostos por 9 espécimes cada um, a resistência e o modo de fratura, de uma resina acrílica poli(metilmetacrilato) auto-polimerizável (Dencor® - Clássico®, São Paulo, SP, Brasil) utilizada para restaurações provisórias quando reforçada com fibras de vidro (Fibrante® e Interlig® - Angelus®, Londrina, PR, Brasil), fibras de aramida (Kevlar® - Du Pont®, USA) y fio ortodôntico &#x2205; 0, 7mm. E um grupo controle sem nenhum tipo de reforço, com a mesma quantidade de corpos de prova. A análise dos resultados (ANOVA, p < 0,05), para o teste de resistência, mostrou haver diferença estatística entre os grupos. O teste de Tukey encontrou que os grupos reforçados, aqueles que alcançaram maior média de resistência à fratura foram os que utilizaram a fibra de vidro trançada pré-impregnada com resina composta foto-polimerizável, Interlig® (1083 N); a fibra de vidro unidirecional préimpregnada com dimetacrilato de glicol, Fibrante® (1022 N) e a fibra de poli(aramida) unidirecional sem pré-impregnação, Kevlar® 29, aumentando em 26%, 22% e 17%, respectivamente, esta resistência em relação ao grupo controle (800 N), não havendo diferença estatística significante entre eles. O grupo reforçado com fio de aço com &#x2205; 0,7 mm (871 N) apareceu em seguida com uma resistência somente 8% maior e semelhante àquela apresentada pelo grupo controle sem reforço. A análise das fraturas concorreu com a elaboração de um novo sistema de classificação dividindo-as em quatro tipos: Ausente, Parcial, Total Não Separada e Total Separada. As fraturas dos espécimes reforçados foram consideradas mais favoráveis ocorrendo, predominantemente, os tipos Ausente e Parcial. / Provisional restorations are of ultimate importance in the oral rehabilitation treatment. Thus, clinicians have to bear in mind that materials used for their fabrication are critical due to its longevity and strength, when these are done for longterm therapy and/or large edentulous spaces. The aim of this work was to evaluate the flexural resistance and fracture mode of an auto-cure polymethylmetacrilate resin (Dencor® - Classico® , Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil) used for provisional restorations and reinforced with four materials. Samples were divided in four groups of nine each, as the following: glass fiber (Fibrante® and Interlig® Angelus®, Londrina, PR, Brasil), aramide fibers (Kevlar® Du Pont®, USA), and orthodontic wire &#x2205; 0,7mm. one group whitout reinforcement served as control. Data was submitted to statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA (p<.05) test. Results showed statistically significant difference among the groups. Tukeys test showed that glass-fiber Interlig® exhibited the greatest value of flexural strength (1083 N); followed by unidirectional glycol dimetacrylate glass-fiber Fibrante® (1022 N) and aramid fiber Kevlar® (966 N). These values represent 26%, 22% and 17% in relation to the control group (800 N), being non statistically significant difference observed among them. The group with &#x2205; 0,7mm orthodontic wire (871 N) had a resistance only 8% higher and similar of that of control group without reinforcement. Fracture analysis was conducted by the following scale: absence, partial, complete without separation, and complete with separation. Fracture modes observed on reinforced samples were considered more favorable, with types absent and partial seeing more frequently.

INTRODUÇÃO: A prótese biliar endoscópica é aceita em todo o mundo como a primeira escolha de tratamento paliativo na obstrução biliar maligna. Atualmente ainda persistem dois tipos de materiais utilizados em sua confecção: plástico e metal. Consequentemente, muitas dúvidas surgem quanto a qual deles é o mais benéfico para o paciente. Esta revisão reúne as informações disponíveis da mais alta qualidade sobre estes dois tipos de prótese, fornecendo informações em relação à disfunção, complicação, taxas de reintervenção, custos, sobrevida e tempo de permeabilidade; e pretende ajudar a lidar com a prática clínica nos dias de hoje. OBJETIVO: Analisar, através de metanálise, os benefícios de dois tipos de próteses na obstrução biliar maligna inoperável. MÉTODOS: Uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados (RCT) foi conduzida, com a última atualização em março de 2015, utilizando EMBASE, CINAHL (EBSCO), Medline, Lilacs / Centro (BVS), Scopus, o CAPES (Brasil), e literatura cinzenta. As informações dos estudos selecionados foram extraídas tendo em vista seis desfechos: primariamente disfunção, taxas de reintervenção e complicações; e, secundariamente, custos, sobrevivência e tempo de permeabilidade. Os dados sobre as características dos participantes do RCT, critérios de inclusão e exclusão e tipos de próteses também foram extraídos. Os vieses foram avaliados principalmente através da escala de Jadad. Esta metanálise foi registrada no banco de dados PROSPERO pelo número CRD42014015078. A análise do risco absoluto dos resultados foi realizada utilizando o software RevMan 5, calculando as diferenças de risco (RD) de variáveis dicotômicas e média das diferenças (MD) de variáveis contínuas. Os dados sobre a RD e MD para cada desfecho primário foram calculados utilizando o teste de Mantel-Haenszel e a inconsistência foi avaliada com o teste Qui-quadrado (Chi2) e o método de Higgins (I2). A análise de sensibilidade foi realizada com a retirada de estudos discrepantes e a utilização do efeito aleatório. O teste t de Student foi utilizado para a comparação das médias aritméticas ponderadas, em relação aos desfechos secundários. RESULTADOS: Inicialmente foram identificados 3660 estudos; 3539 foram excluídos por título ou resumo, enquanto 121 estudos foram totalmente avaliados e foram excluídos, principalmente por não comparar próteses metálicas (SEMS) e próteses plásticas (PS), levando a treze RCT selecionados e 1133 indivíduos metanálise. A média de idade foi de 69,5 anos, e o câncer mais comum foi de via biliar (proximal) e pancreático (distal). O diâmetro de SEMS mais utilizado foi de 10 mm (30 Fr) e o diâmetro de PS mais utilizado foi de 10 Fr. Na metanálise, SEMS tiveram menor disfunção global em comparação com PS (21,6% versus 46,8% p < 0,00001) e menos reintervenções (21,6% versus 56,6% p < 0,00001), sem diferença nas complicações (13,7% versus 15,9% p = 0,16). Na análise secundária, a taxa média de sobrevida foi maior no grupo SEMS (182 contra 150 dias - p < 0,0001), com um período maior de permeabilidade (250 contra 124 dias - p < 0,0001) e um custo semelhante por paciente, embora menor no grupo SEMS (4.193,98 contra 4.728,65 Euros - p < 0,0985). CONCLUSÃO: SEMS estão associados com menor disfunção, menores taxas de reintervenção, melhor sobrevida e maior tempo de permeabilidade. Complicações e custos não apresentaram diferença / INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic stenting is accepted worldwide as the first choice palliative treatment for malignant biliary obstruction. There are still two types of materials currently being used, which are plastic and metal. Therefore, many doubts are raised as to which one is the most beneficial to the patient. This review gathers the highest quality information available about these two types of stent, giving information in regards to dysfunction, complication, reintervention rates, costs, survival, and patency time; and intends to help handle clinical practice nowadays. OBJECTIVE: To analyze through meta-analyses the benefits of two types of stents in the inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. METHODS: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCT) was conducted, with the last update on March 2015, using EMBASE, CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE, LILACS/CENTRAL (BVS), SCOPUS, CAPES (Brazil), and gray literature. Information of the selected studies was extracted in sight of six outcomes: primarily regarding dysfunction, reintervention and complication rates; and secondarily costs, survival, and patency time. The data about characteristics of trial participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria and types of stents were also extracted. The biases were mainly assessed through the Jadad scale. This meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO database by the number CRD42014015078. The analysis of the absolute risk of the outcomes was performed using the software RevMan 5, by computing risk differences (RD) of dichotomous variables and mean differences (MD) of continuous variables. Data on RD and MD for each primary outcome were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel test and inconsistency was qualified and reported in Chisquared (Chi2) and the Higgins method (I2). Sensitivity analysis was performed withdrawing discrepant studies and using random effect. Student\'s t-test was used for the comparison of weighted arithmetic means regarding secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Initial searching identified 3660 studies; 3539 were excluded through title or abstract, while 121 studies were fully assessed and were excluded mainly because they did not compare Self Expanding Metal Stents (SEMS) and Plastic Stents (PS), leading to thirteen RCT selected and 1133 subjects meta-analyzed. The mean age was 69.5 years old, that were affected mostly by bile duct (proximal) and pancreatic tumors (distal). The preferred SEMS diameter used was the 10 mm (30 Fr) and the preferred PS diameter used was 10 Fr. In the meta-analysis, SEMS had lower overall stent dysfunction compared to PS (21.6% versus 46.8% p < 0.00001) and fewer reintervention (21.6% versus 56.6% p < 0.00001), with no difference in complications (13.7% versus 15.9% p=0.16). In the secondary analysis, the mean survival rate was higher in the SEMS group (182 versus 150 days - p < 0.0001), with a higher patency period (250 versus 124 days - p < 0.0001) and a similar cost per patient, although lower in the SEMS group (4193.98 versus 4728.65 Euros - p < 0.0985). CONCLUSION: SEMS are associated with lower stent dysfunction, lower reintervention rates, better survival, and higher patency time. Complications and costs do not show difference

Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e longitudinal realizado na Seção de Implante Coclear, Centro de Pesquisas Audiológicas do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais da Universidade de São Paulo (IC-CPA/HRAC/USP). O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o desempenho da percepção auditiva da fala de indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia de reimplante coclear. No total de 1.323 indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia de implante coclear no período de 1990 a janeiro de 2016, consta o registro de 84 indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia de reimplante coclear, correspondendo a 6,3% do total. Deste total de 84, 68 indivíduos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão/exclusão da pesquisa e foram avaliados utilizando-se testes de percepção auditiva da fala, em três momentos: antes da segunda intervenção cirúrgica, após o reimplante e última avaliação de acompanhamento. As variáveis estudadas foram: a) motivo do reimplante coclear; b) etiologia da perda auditiva; c) idade na primeira cirurgia; d) tempo de uso do implante coclear antes do reimplante; e) tempo de recuperação do escore anterior à intervenção; f) tempo de uso atual; g) escore nos procedimentos de avaliação da percepção auditiva da fala, pré e pós-reimplante coclear. Na análise dos dados foi possível observar que a causa mais comum do reimplante foi a falha do dispositivo interno, seguido de razões médicas. Na avaliação auditiva da fala, um total de 61 (89,7%) recuperaram o desempenho observado antes do reimplante coclear e sete (10,3%), não alcançaram o mesmo desempenho. Constatou-se que as variáveis idade do primeiro Implante e tempo de uso do primeiro Implante Coclear, assim como tempo de reimplante, influenciaram nos resultados encontrados. A cirurgia de reimplante coclear é um procedimento viável, contudo a família e o paciente devem ser orientados quanto aos possíveis comprometimentos na percepção auditiva da fala / A retrospective, descriptive and longitudinal study performed in the Cochlear Implant Section, Audiological Research Center of the Hospital of Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paulo (IC-CPA / HRAC / USP). This study aimed at characterizing the auditory speech perception of individuals undergoing cochlear reimplantation surgery. Out of 1,323 individuals undergoing cochlear implant surgery from 1990 to January 2016, 84 (6.3%) subjects underwent cochlear reimplantation surgery. From this total of 84, 68 individuals met the inclusion / exclusion criteria of the study and were evaluated using auditory speech perception tests in three moments: before the second surgical intervention, after reimplantation and the last follow-up evaluation. The variables studied were: a) reason for cochlear reimplantation; b) etiology of hearing loss; c) age at first surgery; d) time cochlear implant use before reimplantation; e) recovery time from the previous intervention score; f) time of current use; g) score in the procedures of assessment of auditory speech perception before and after cochlear reimplantation. The data analysis showed that the most common cause of reimplantation was the failure of the internal device, followed by medical reasons. In the auditory speech evaluation, a total of 61 (89.7%) recovered performance before cochlear reimplantation, and seven (10.3%), did not reach the same performance. It was verified that the variables age at the first Implant and time using the first Cochlear Implant, as well as time of reimplantation, influenced the results. Cochlear replantation surgery is a viable procedure, however, the family and the patient should be advised on the possible compromising risks to the auditory speech perception

La prothèse cochléaire est un appareillage destiné à la réhabilitation des surdités profondes et totales dont un appareillage conventionnel est inefficace. Elle assure la stimulation directe des neurones cochléaires à travers un faisceau d’électrodes. Différents travaux de recherches ont été établis afin d'évaluer l'intelligibilité de la parole chez les sujets bilatéralement implantés en environnements silencieux et bruité. Les résultats ont montré une bonne intelligibilité de la parole en milieu silencieux. Toutefois, les capacités de perception de la parole chez les patients implantés se dégradent en environnement bruité. Nous avons de ce fait proposé trois approches de traitement du signal en vue d'une amélioration de l'intelligibilité de la parole dans le cas de l'implant cochléaire bilatéral: la stimulation bilatérale décalée, l'algorithme de la soustraction spectrale bi-voie et l'algorithme de la soustraction interspectrale. Des améliorations de l'intelligibilité de la parole entre 4% et 10% ont été notées dans le cas de la stimulation bilatérale décalée par rapport à la stimulation bilatérale symétrique. L'approche basée sur l'algorithme de la soustraction spectrale bi-voie présentait des améliorations variables entre 10% et 17%. De meilleures performances ont été obtenues lorsque l'approche basée sur l'algorithme de la soustraction interspectrale est considérée où les améliorations étaient entre 15% et 27% / Cochlear prostheses are intended for persons suffering from deep or total deafness where conventional prostheses proved ineffective. In quiet listening conditions, most bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) users can now achieve even more than 80% word recognition scores regardless the used device. However, under more challenging listening conditions, BCI recipients perform poorly, compared to normal-hearing listeners. In this work, we proposed three speech processing approaches for speech intelligibility improvement. The first is based on shifted bilateral cochlear implant stimulation; the second is based on dual-channel spectral subtraction algorithm and finally the cross power spectral subtraction algorithm was considered. Experimental results showed a speech intelligibility improvement between 4% and 10% when the shifted bilateral cochlear implant stimulation is considered. Performance amelioration was observed when the dual-channel spectral subtraction based speech enhancement algorithm was considered and the improvement was between 10% and 17%. The better performance was obtained when noisy speech signals were processed using cross power spectral subtraction algorithm and the improvement was between 15% and 27%

Ces dernières années, des travaux importants ont été observés dans le développement du contrôle prothétique afin d'aider les personnes amputées du membre supérieur à améliorer leur qualité de vie au quotidien. Certaines prothèses myoélectriques modernes des membres supérieurs disponibles dans le commerce ont de nombreux degrés de liberté et nécessitent de nombreux signaux de contrôle pour réaliser plusieurs tâches fréquemment utilisées dans la vie quotidienne. Pour obtenir plusieurs signaux de contrôle, de nombreux muscles sont requis mais pour les personnes ayant subi une amputation du membre supérieur, le nombre de muscles disponibles est plus ou moins réduit selon le niveau de l’amputation. Pour accroître le nombre de signaux de contrôle, nous nous sommes intéressés au biceps brachial, vu qu’anatomiquement il est formé de 2 chefs et que de la présence de compartiments a été observée sur sa face interne. Physiologiquement, il a été trouvé que les unités motrices du biceps sont activées à différents endroits du muscle lors de la production de diverses tâches fonctionnelles. De plus, il semblerait que le système nerveux central puisse se servir de la synergie musculaire pour arriver à facilement produire plusieurs mouvements. Dans un premier temps on a donc identifié que la synergie musculaire était présente chez le biceps de sujets normaux et on a montré que les caractéristiques de cette synergie permettaient d’identifier la posture statique de la main lorsque les signaux du biceps avaient été enregistrés. Dans un deuxième temps, on a réussi à démontrer qu’il était possible, dans un cube présenté sur écran, à contrôler la position d’une sphère en vue d’atteindre diverses cibles en utilisant la synergie musculaire du biceps. Les techniques de classification utilisées pourraient servir à faciliter le contrôle des prothèses myoélectriques. / In recent years, important work has been done in the development of prosthetic control to help upper limb amputees improve their quality of life on a daily basis. Some modern commercially available upper limb myoelectric prostheses have many degrees of freedom and require many control signals to perform several tasks commonly used in everyday life. To obtain several control signals, many muscles are required, but for people with upper limb amputation, the number of muscles available is more or less reduced, depending on the level of amputation. To increase the number of control signals, we were interested in the biceps brachii, since it is anatomically composed of 2 heads and the presence of compartments was observed on its internal face. Physiologically, it has been found that the motor units of the biceps are activated at different places of the muscle during production of various functional tasks. In addition, it appears that the central nervous system can use muscle synergy to easily produce multiple movements. In this research, muscle synergy was first identified to be present in the biceps of normal subjects, and it was shown that the characteristics of this synergy allowed the identification of static posture of the hand when the biceps signals had been recorded. In a second investigation, we demonstrated that it was possible in a virtual cube presented on a screen to control online the position of a sphere to reach various targets by using muscle synergy of the biceps. Classification techniques have been used to improve the classification of muscular synergy features, and these classification techniques can be integrated with control algorithm that produces dynamic movement of myoelectric prostheses to facilitate the training of prosthetic control.

In Germany alone, 10,000 to 12,000 transfemoral amputations occur every year. Persistent rehabilitation efforts and advanced medical devices like prosthetic knee joints are crucial to reintegrating amputees into daily life successfully. Modern knee joints represent a highly integrated mechatronic system including special kinematics, a lightweight design, various sensors, microprocessors and complex algorithms to control a damping system in the context of the given situation. A knee joint is a passive system and normally has no actuator for an active movement. To enable a natural gait pattern, dampers decelerate the swinging speed of the prosthesis depending on the walking speed and situation. The invention of a novel knee joint called VarioKnie provides two kinematics - a monocentric and a polycentric one. Both kinematics have diametrical advantages and the user can choose the preferred setting through an electromechanical switching unit. With this knee joint in mind, a special hydraulic damper is developed to support both kinematics. Requirements and technical data are provided in the present paper. State of art are microprocessor-controlled knee joints with only one kinematic and either a hydraulic, a pneumatic, or a rheological damper.

La presente investigación evalúa la viabilidad de un nuevo servicio de laboratorio dental digital con tecnología 3D para el diseño y confección de prótesis dentales como propuesta para reducir los dolores actuales de los clientes, en este caso odontólogos y técnicos dentales; brindando asesoría y soporte técnico a lo largo del proceso.  Los servicios existentes en el mercado actual ofrecen un producto trabajado bajo un procedimiento artesanal que, al involucrar varios pasos, más de un actor dentro del proceso y varios mini procesos manuales tanto en la fase preparatoria (clínica) y técnica; está expuesto a errores y lleva a los actores a tiempos de trabajo prolongados. Por lo mismo, la calidad de una prótesis trabajada bajo un proceso artesanal, es decir, el ajuste y precisión, color exacto y estética; muchas veces se ve afectada ocasionando a los clientes (odontólogos) una mala experiencia y el retraso por el reproceso que suele darse y a los usuarios finales (pacientes) una mala experiencia con la prótesis adquirida y la no satisfacción con el resultado final.   Este servicio trabajado bajo proceso artesanal actualmente es ofrecido en su mayoría por técnicos dentales de manera particular y en muchos casos, informal. Actualmente no existe una empresa que brinde un servicio integral en el que las impresiones sean trabajadas de manera digital o que brinde un respaldo y seguridad.  Para validar la idea de negocio se realizó una encuesta cuantitativa y entrevistas a profundidad y según el análisis de los resultados, se concluye que el desarrollo del laboratorio digital DentalTec, es viable. La fuente primaria estuvo conformada por más de 50 odontólogos de Lima Metropolitana. Con ello se evidenció que la propuesta de valor es atractiva para el público objetivo, al ofrecer mejores indicadores relevantes para ellos: menor tiempo, mayor ajuste y mejor estética.  La propuesta de valor del laboratorio digital DentalTec está centrada en la impresión digital que ofrecerá como parte de todos los servicios. Se reemplaza el proceso tradicional artesanal, eliminando así reprocesos, errores humanos y largos tiempos de atención. Permitiendo a su vez a nuestros clientes, poder contar con un servicio de confianza que cumplirá con las fechas pactadas, con prótesis dentales de calidad y un mayor número de clientes atendidos en una menor cantidad de citas programadas.  Finalmente, respecto al análisis financiero y a la proyección de ventas, en el escenario optimista se espera llegar a una cobertura del 2% del mercado en el primer año y a más del 10% en el quinto año, se logra un TIR del 159.4% cuando el COK de la empresa es 11%. Además, el VAN sería de S/.10,589,582 soles. De igual manera, en el escenario pesimista, se lograría un TIR superior al COK. Datos que nos llevan a apostar por este proyecto. / This research evaluates the feasibility of a new digital dental laboratory service with 3D technology for the design and manufacture of dental prostheses as a proposal to reduce the pain of current clients, in this case dentists and dental technicians; providing advice and technical support throughout all process. The services in the current market offer a product with an artisan procedure that involve several steps and more than one actor in the process. Therefore, the quality of a prosthesis worked under an artisan process it is affected with a wrong fit and precision, exact color and aesthetics. Clients (dentists) and users (patients) are not being satisfied with the final result. This service under the artisan process is currently offered mostly by dental technicians in an informal way. Currently there is no company that provides a service in which prints are worked digitally and provides security of a good result. To validate the business idea, we work with quantitative survey and interviews. Based on the analysis of the results, the development of DentalTec digital laboratory is viable. The quantitative survey was made in more than 50 dentists from Lima. This evidenced that DentalTec services are attractive to the target audience, offering better relevant indicators for them as less time, better fit and aesthetics. The value proposal of the DentalTec digital laboratory is focused on digital printing with personalized services. The traditional artisan process is replaced, and it will eliminate reprocessing, human errors and long times. At the same time, clients will have a trustworthy service with deadlines, with quality dental prostheses and an important number of clients attended in less appointments. Finally, regarding the financial analysis and the sales projection, in the optimistic scenario it is expected to reach a coverage of 2% of the market in the first year and more than 10% in the fifth year, an IRR of 159.4% is achieved when the company's opportunity cost is 11%. In addition, the NPV would be S /. 10,589,582 soles. In the same way, in the pessimistic scenario, an IRR higher than the opportunity cost would be achieved. Data that leads us to bet on this project. / Trabajo de investigación

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No / Infection is the major reason of GTR/GBR membrane failure in clinical application. In this work, we developed GTR/GBR nanofiber membranes with localized drug delivery function to prevent infection. Metronidazole (MNA), an antibiotic, was successfully incorporated into electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% polymer). To obtain the optimum anti-infection membrane, we systematically investigated the physical-chemical and mechanical properties of the nanofiber membranes with different drug contents. The interaction between PCL and MNA was identified by molecular dynamics simulation. MNA released in a controlled, sustained manner over 2 weeks and the antibacterial activity of the released MNA remained. The incorporation of MNA improved the hydrophilicity and in vitro biodegradation rate of PCL nanofibers. The nanofiber membranes allowed cells to adhere to and proliferate on them and showed excellent barrier function. The membrane loaded with 30% MNA had the best comprehensive properties. Analysis of subcutaneous implants demonstrated that MNA-loaded nanofibers evoked a less severe inflammatory response than pure PCL nanofibers. These results demonstrate the potential of MNA-loaded nanofiber membranes as GTR/GBR membrane with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory function for extensive biomedical applications.