BACKGROUND: The ultrasonic vibrations from the piezoelectric knife may amplify the natural response to surgical injury. This may lead to different clinical and biological outcomes when using the piezoelectric knife versus a surgical bur to create selective cortical penetrations for alveolar ridge augmentation surgeries. The first aim of this study was to analyze the differences in bone graft healing when selective cortical penetrations are created with a surgical bur and with a piezoelectric knife. The second aim of this pilot study was to see if enhanced new bone formation during bone regeneration procedures can be achieved with the use of a piezoelectric knife versus the conventional bur or onlay grafting techniques utilizing deep learning, a subset of machine learning. MATERIALS & METHODS: he project was approved by the Boston University Medical Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Twenty, 9-10 week male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing approximately 300g, were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: Xenograft, Alloplast, and Collagen. These groups were further divided by surgical technique: Bur, Piezo, and Onlay. For the Bur and Piezo groups, four equally-spaced selective cortical penetrations were made prior to bone graft stabilization. Three rats served as controls (Control group). Microcomputed tomography scans (µCT) were acquired for each sample, containing approximately 1,000 slices of data each. After 28 days of healing the volumes of and density of the newly formed bone were extracted and analyzed for each group. This was achieved with an innovative deep learning algorithm designed for multi-level segmentation and regional feature detection utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNN). RESULTS: Microcomputed tomography (µCT) of our samples yielded very localized, high-resolution scans of our surgical samples. The innovative deep learning algorithm was able to reliably produce highly accurate, unbiased segmentations of our samples. This study demonstrated that new bone formation was possible with all nine of the tested surgical techniques, however the differences were not statistically significant. Selective cortical penetrations with a piezoelectric knife (PIEZO) resulted in significantly more “cortical-like” new bone formation at 28 days. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this preliminary study, it is possible to conclude that the piezoelectric knife is a valid alternative to conventional carbide burs when making selective cortical penetrations prior to bone grafting surgery. Additionally, our deep learning algorithm successfully segmented thousands of slices of data and allowed for the calculation of porosity and new bone volume in our samples.

A hipovitaminose de vitamina D é um problema global de saúde e a sua deficiência compromete funções importantes ao corpo humano. A suplementação oral, políticas de fortificação em alimentos e mudanças dos hábitos de vida são medidas efetivas para solucionar este problema. Porém, pessoas com doença de Crohn, celíaca, fibrose cística, bypass gástrico e que fazem uso de medicamentos sequestradores de ácido biliares possuem a absorção intestinal de vitamina D comprometida. A via transdérmica pode ser uma alternativa de administração de vitamina D3, porém poucas referências bibliográficas abordam sobre o assunto. A proposta do presente estudo é o desenvolvimento de sistemas transdérmicos com a combinação de promotores de permeação químicos: lecitina de soja, palmitato de isopropila, etoxidiglicol (Transcutol® CG), propilenoglicol e etanol, acrescidos do ingrediente ativo vitamina D3, a validação analítica para quantificação do ativo em Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), a avaliação da estabilidade, segurança, retenção e permeação cutânea. A validação do método analítico de quantificação da vitamina D3 em CLAE foi considerada específica, linear, precisa e exata. O limite de detecção foi 20 ng/mL e de quantificação 40 ng/mL. Os testes de estabilidade foram realizados (preliminar, acelerado e normal) e a melhor condição de armazenamento foi a geladeira (5,0 ± 2,0 ºC) durante 90 dias. A condição de radiação luminosa foi a menos adequada, o que indica que o armazenamento deve ser realizado em frascos protegidos da luz (âmbar). No teste de segurança de irritação (HET-CAM) as formulações testadas foram consideradas não irritantes. No teste de retenção e permeação cutânea a solubilidade da vitamina D3 foi avaliada para garantir a sink condition do líquido receptor escolhido: Phosfate Buffer Saline (PBS) com etanol a 50% e a integridade da pele foi garantida com o teste de perda de água transepidérmica (TEWL). A formulação desenvolvida com a presença de todos os promotores de permeação avaliados (F1) e o controle, apenas com a presença do etanol e o propilenoglicol, foram avaliados. A F1 permaneceu na superfície da pele, por possuir maior afinidade com a fase oleosa da formulação e houve tendência de hidratação desta formulação. O controle demonstrou uma retenção cutânea em 4 h no estrato córneo e em 24 h na epiderme e derme. Concluiu-se que a formulação desenvolvida é estável, segura e a vitamina D3 ficou retida na pele, o que indica o uso tópico da mesma. A alta lipofilicidade foi a justificativa dos resultados apresentados e futuros estudos podem ser realizados com derivados menos lipofílicos da vitamina D para avaliar a via transdérmica. / Hypovitaminosis D is a global health issue and vitamin D deficiency compromises important functions to the human body. Oral supplementation, fortification food and changes in live style are effective measures to solve this problem. However, people with Crohn\'s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, gastric bypass and who use bile acid-binding medications have compromised intestinal vitamin D absorption. The transdermal route may be an alternative for vitamin D3 administration, but few references refer to the subject. The purpose of the present study is the development of transdermal systems with the combination of penetrations enhancers (soybean lecithin, isopropyl palmitate, ethoxydiglycol (Transcutol® CG), propylene glycol and ethanol) with vitamin D3, the analytical validation for quantification of the active in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), stability assessment, safety, skin retention and permeation. The validation of the analytical method for quantification of vitamin D3 in HPLC was considered specific, linear, precise and accurate. The limit of detection was 20 ng/mL and 40 ng/mL. Stability assessment was performed and the appropriate storage condition was the refrigerator (5.0 ± 2.0 ° C) for 90 days. The indirect solar radiation condition was not adequate, which indicates that the storage should be performed in light-protected bottles (amber). In the irritation safety test (HET-CAM) the formulations tested were considered non-irritant. In the skin permeation and retention test the solubility of vitamin D3 was evaluated to guarantee the sink condition of the receptor fluid: Phosfate Buffer Saline (PBS) with 50% ethanol and skin integrity was guaranteed with Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). The developed formulation with the presence of all penetrations enhancers evaluated (F1) and the control formulation with the presence of ethanol and propylene glycol were assessed. F1 remained on the surface of the skin, because it had greater affinity with the oily phase of the formulation and there was tendency of hydration to this formulation. The control formulation demonstrated skin retention in 4 hours in the stratum corneum and in 24 hours in the epidermis and dermis. The study concluded that the formulation developed is stable, safe and vitamin D3 was retained in the skin, which indicates the topical use. High lipophilicity was the explanation of the presented results and future studies can be carried out with less lipophilic derivatives of vitamin D to evaluate the transdermal route.

A hipovitaminose de vitamina D é um problema global de saúde e a sua deficiência compromete funções importantes ao corpo humano. A suplementação oral, políticas de fortificação em alimentos e mudanças dos hábitos de vida são medidas efetivas para solucionar este problema. Porém, pessoas com doença de Crohn, celíaca, fibrose cística, bypass gástrico e que fazem uso de medicamentos sequestradores de ácido biliares possuem a absorção intestinal de vitamina D comprometida. A via transdérmica pode ser uma alternativa de administração de vitamina D3, porém poucas referências bibliográficas abordam sobre o assunto. A proposta do presente estudo é o desenvolvimento de sistemas transdérmicos com a combinação de promotores de permeação químicos: lecitina de soja, palmitato de isopropila, etoxidiglicol (Transcutol® CG), propilenoglicol e etanol, acrescidos do ingrediente ativo vitamina D3, a validação analítica para quantificação do ativo em Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE), a avaliação da estabilidade, segurança, retenção e permeação cutânea. A validação do método analítico de quantificação da vitamina D3 em CLAE foi considerada específica, linear, precisa e exata. O limite de detecção foi 20 ng/mL e de quantificação 40 ng/mL. Os testes de estabilidade foram realizados (preliminar, acelerado e normal) e a melhor condição de armazenamento foi a geladeira (5,0 ± 2,0 ºC) durante 90 dias. A condição de radiação luminosa foi a menos adequada, o que indica que o armazenamento deve ser realizado em frascos protegidos da luz (âmbar). No teste de segurança de irritação (HET-CAM) as formulações testadas foram consideradas não irritantes. No teste de retenção e permeação cutânea a solubilidade da vitamina D3 foi avaliada para garantir a sink condition do líquido receptor escolhido: Phosfate Buffer Saline (PBS) com etanol a 50% e a integridade da pele foi garantida com o teste de perda de água transepidérmica (TEWL). A formulação desenvolvida com a presença de todos os promotores de permeação avaliados (F1) e o controle, apenas com a presença do etanol e o propilenoglicol, foram avaliados. A F1 permaneceu na superfície da pele, por possuir maior afinidade com a fase oleosa da formulação e houve tendência de hidratação desta formulação. O controle demonstrou uma retenção cutânea em 4 h no estrato córneo e em 24 h na epiderme e derme. Concluiu-se que a formulação desenvolvida é estável, segura e a vitamina D3 ficou retida na pele, o que indica o uso tópico da mesma. A alta lipofilicidade foi a justificativa dos resultados apresentados e futuros estudos podem ser realizados com derivados menos lipofílicos da vitamina D para avaliar a via transdérmica. / Hypovitaminosis D is a global health issue and vitamin D deficiency compromises important functions to the human body. Oral supplementation, fortification food and changes in live style are effective measures to solve this problem. However, people with Crohn\'s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, gastric bypass and who use bile acid-binding medications have compromised intestinal vitamin D absorption. The transdermal route may be an alternative for vitamin D3 administration, but few references refer to the subject. The purpose of the present study is the development of transdermal systems with the combination of penetrations enhancers (soybean lecithin, isopropyl palmitate, ethoxydiglycol (Transcutol® CG), propylene glycol and ethanol) with vitamin D3, the analytical validation for quantification of the active in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), stability assessment, safety, skin retention and permeation. The validation of the analytical method for quantification of vitamin D3 in HPLC was considered specific, linear, precise and accurate. The limit of detection was 20 ng/mL and 40 ng/mL. Stability assessment was performed and the appropriate storage condition was the refrigerator (5.0 ± 2.0 ° C) for 90 days. The indirect solar radiation condition was not adequate, which indicates that the storage should be performed in light-protected bottles (amber). In the irritation safety test (HET-CAM) the formulations tested were considered non-irritant. In the skin permeation and retention test the solubility of vitamin D3 was evaluated to guarantee the sink condition of the receptor fluid: Phosfate Buffer Saline (PBS) with 50% ethanol and skin integrity was guaranteed with Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). The developed formulation with the presence of all penetrations enhancers evaluated (F1) and the control formulation with the presence of ethanol and propylene glycol were assessed. F1 remained on the surface of the skin, because it had greater affinity with the oily phase of the formulation and there was tendency of hydration to this formulation. The control formulation demonstrated skin retention in 4 hours in the stratum corneum and in 24 hours in the epidermis and dermis. The study concluded that the formulation developed is stable, safe and vitamin D3 was retained in the skin, which indicates the topical use. High lipophilicity was the explanation of the presented results and future studies can be carried out with less lipophilic derivatives of vitamin D to evaluate the transdermal route.

The widespread usage of smartphones and mobile applications in Sweden exposes the users to potential risks if not adequate security standards are implemented. An insecure application that is exploited by an adversary could potentially compromise the users private data and integrity. As such, this report aims to examine and evaluate the security of ten commonly used mobile applications in Sweden. Using the OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG) and conducting penetration testing, the applications were assessed in regards of strengths and weaknesses. The results presents nine potential vulnerabilities of which three were successfully exploited with the use of brute-force and session hijack attacks. Even though all examined applications adopt industry security standards of various degrees, our findings shows that a few applications are susceptible to vulnerabilities. / Det breda användadet av smarta telefoner och mobila applikationer i Sverige utsätter användare för potentiella risker om inte tillräckliga nivåer av säkerhetsstandarder implementeras. En osäker applikation som utnyttjas av en person med onda avsikter skulle kunna leda till dataintrång hos en användare. Därav siktar denna rapport på att utvärdera säkerheten hos tio vanligt förekommande mobila applikationer i Sverige. Med hjälp av OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG) och utförandet av penetrationstester så har applikationernas styrkor och svagheter utvärderats. Resultatet som presenteras visar på nio potentiella sårbarheter varav tre kunde verifieras genom lyckade brute-force och session hijack attacker. Även om de utvärderade applikationerna implementerar en viss nivå av säkerhetsstandarder, så visar vårt resultat att vissa av applikationerna är utsatta för sårbarheter.