Semi-automatic algorithm to build finite element numerical models of the human hearing system from Micro-CT data

Finite Element modeling has been an extended methodology to build numerical model to simulate the behavior of the hearing system. Due to the complexity of the system and the difficulties to reduce the uncertainties of the geometric data, they result in computationally expensive models, sometimes generic, representative of average geometries. It makes it difficult to validate the model with direct experimental data from the same specimen or to establish a patient-oriented modeling strategy. In the present paper, a first attempt to automatize the process of model building is made. The source information is geometrical information obtained from CT of the different elements that compose the system. Importing that data, we have designed the complete procedure to build a model including tympanic membrane, ossicular chain and cavities. The methodology includes the proper coupling of all the elements and the generation of the corresponding finite element model. The whole automatic procedure is not complete, as we need to make some human-assisted decisions; however, the model development time is reduced from 4 weeks to approximately 3 days. The goal of the modeling algorithm is to build a Finite Element Model with a limited computational cost. Several tasks as contour identification or model decimation are designed and integrated in order to follow a semi-automated process that allows generating a patient-oriented model.

Registro Nacional de Síndrome Coronario Agudo en Paraguay (RENASCA-PY)

Objetivo:

Determinar el tratamiento inicial y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria de pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo que acudieron a centros hospitalarios de referencia de Paraguay.

Método:

Estudio observacional y multicéntrico en pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico confirmado de síndrome coronario agudo.

Resultados:

Se incluyó a 780 pacientes desde mayo de 2015 hasta febrero de 2016; la edad media fue de 64.1 ± 12.3 años y el género masculino representó el 64.1%. La presentación clínica fue la de síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del ST en 40.1% y sin elevación del ST en 59.9%. En pacientes con elevación del ST se observó un alto porcentaje de consultas tardías, mayor de 12 h de evolución en 49.8%; en aquéllos con menos de 12 h de evolución se indicó la reperfusión en 52.2%, el 36.3% recibió fibrinolíticos y 15.9% intervención coronaria percutánea primaria. La mortalidad hospitalaria del síndrome coronario agudo fue de 10.3%, con elevación del segmento ST en 12.8% y sin elevación del segmento ST en 8.6%.

Conclusiones:

El tratamiento del síndrome coronario agudo en el Paraguay requiere un abordaje integral, que promueva consultas más tempranas y aumente la institución de tratamientos de reperfusión en la red de servicios de salud; el objetivo es mejorar los índices de respuesta terapéutica y disminuir la mortalidad hospitalaria.

Incubation of frozen-thawed llama sperm with seminal plasma

Seminal plasma is intimately connected to sperm physiology and particularly in South American Camelids, has demonstrated to be involved in multiple physiological reproductive events. Different percentages of seminal plasma (0%, 10% and 50%) were added to thawed llama semen samples with the objective of evaluating the interaction with cryopreserved sperm over time (0, 1.5 and 3 hr at 37°C). A total of 20 ejaculates from five adult llama males (n = 5; r = 4) were evaluated. A significant decrease in sperm motility, membrane function and live sperm was observed in all thawed samples (0%, 10% and 50%) at 0 hr when compared to raw semen. Neither morphology nor chromatin condensation was altered in all thawed samples (p > .05), but a significant increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was observed after thawing all samples versus raw semen. When evaluating thawed samples over time, a significant decrease of motility and membrane function was observed, while the percentages of total live sperm were preserved over the 3 hr of incubation in all final concentrations evaluated. To conclude, the addition of 10% or 50% of seminal plasma was incapable of preserving motility or membrane function of frozen-thawed llama sperm during 3 hr of incubation.

Avaliação das Propriedades Físico-Químicas de Diferentes Pastas de Hidróxido de Cálcio

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e comparar a composic,ão química e a radiopacidade de diferentes pastas de hidróxido de cálcio. Foram avaliadas treˆs pastas comerciais: Ultracal XS Hydropast e Callen. O hidróxido de cálcio PA foi utilizado como controle. Para avaliar a composição química dos materiais, uma amostra de cada pasta foi avaliada por análise termogravimétrica, e a massa de hidróxido de cálcio presente foi obtida através de cálculos estequiométricos a partir da decomposic,ão térmica de suas moléculas. Para avaliar a radiopacidade, foram analisadas 03 amostras para cada grupo. A radiopacidade foi avaliada com um sistema de radiografia digital indireta EXPRESS e equipamento de raios X FOCUS. As imagens obtidas foram analisadas quanto aos padrões do valor de cinza através do software ImageJ. Os percentuais de massa de hidróxido de cálcio obtidos para cada material foram: hidróxido de cálcio PA: 87,12% Ultracal XS: 36,38% Hydropast: 30,66% Callen: 50,54%. Os valores de escala de cinza das pastas foram de: 63,41 para o hidróxido de cálcio PA 126,35 para Ultracal XS 106,73 para Hydropast, e 72,23 para Callen. Na mesma análise, a escala de alumínio apresentou os valores: Al 1mm: 53,50 Al 4 mm:  98,06 Al 8mm:  162,14 Al 12mm: 205,4. Houve diferenc,as em todas as pastas entre a quantidade de hidróxido de cálcio informada pelo fabricante e a quantidade encontrada nas análises termogravimétricas. As pastas comerciais testadas apresentaram maior radiopacidade que o grupo controle. A Ultracal XS foi o material com maior radiopacidade, seguido da Hydropast e Callen.Palavras-chave: Hidróxido de Cálcio. Termogravimetria. Radiografia.

Heavy drinkers of Ilex paraguariensis beverages show lower lipid profiles but higher body weight

Obesity is a widely recognized risk factor for several diseases, reaching an epidemic magnitude worldwide. Natural polyphenols may improve blood lipids and body weight, but their clinical relevance in the general population remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to analyze the relationship of intake of Ilex paraguariensis (I. paraguariensis) beverages to lipid profiles and body weight in a large patient population. Patients were recruited to participate in an educational program to change habits to a healthy lifestyle. Anamnesis, clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted at study enrollment and during follow‐up. I. paraguariensis beverages were defined according to preparation as obtained by repeated cold water extraction (CWE), hot water infusions, or water and sugar decoction. Heavy drinkers were defined as those persons consuming >1 L/day of one or more preparation types. Participants (N = 18,287) aged ≥18 years entered the study. Overall prevalence of I. paraguariensis consumption was 91.2%. All three forms were drunk by 35.7%, whereas CWE + hot water infusion and CWE alone by 28.4% and 14.5% participants, respectively. Heavy CWE drinkers had lower total cholesterol (191.4 ± 49.4 vs. 194.6 ± 48.3 mg/dl, p = .02) and lower low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (118.6 ± 38.9 vs. 121.2 ± 47.1 mg/dl, p = .001), but body weight was higher (81.1 ± 16.8 vs. 77.2 ± 16.4 kg, p < .0001) compared with moderate drinkers. Fasting glucose was lower (104.5 ± 48.7 vs. 107.2 ± 49.5 mg/dl, p < .001), and consumption of carbohydrates was higher (36.3% vs. 28.7%, p < .001). A low‐lipids high‐body‐weight paradox could be observed in a population of heavy drinkers of I. paraguariensis beverages. Induced hypoglycemia and compensatory higher intake of refined carbohydrates may represent a possible cause.

[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in an urban ambulatory adult population: AsuRiesgo study, Paraguay]

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the world. Although most of them are preventable, their prevalence continues to increase. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in an urban ambulatory adult hospital population in Asunción, Paraguay.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the population of patients enrolled in the AsuRiesgo prospective study on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, which focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle. Patients 18 years of age or older who were encountered in doctors' waiting rooms in a tertiary care hospital were invited to participate. Each patient's clinical history, body measurements, and laboratory test results were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 18 287 patients aged 51 ± 16 years were recruited. Of this group, 67.5% were female, with an average bodyweight of 77.5 ± 16.2 kg and a body mass index 29.7 ± 5.9 kg/m². The prevalence rates of a history of myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were 2.6%, 3%, 13.3%, and 53%, respectively, and the rates of smoking, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and psychological stress were 29.3%, 41.2%, 58.2%, and 56.6%. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 79.6%; the rates of prehypertension and systemic hypertension were 39% and 25%, respectively; and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 34.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the prevalence rates of smoking, systemic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were low, those for obesity, sedentary lifestyle, psychological stress, unhealthy diet, and metabolic syndrome were very high. This finding demonstrates the need for global action to prevent disability and death from ischemic heart and cerebrovascular disease. It is urgent to implement programs to address these challenges on a national scale.

Education to a Healthy Lifestyle Improves Symptoms and Cardiovascular Risk Factors - AsuRiesgo Study

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the current leading causes of death and disability globally.

Objective

To assess the effects of a basic educational program for cardiovascular prevention in an unselected outpatient population.

Methods

All participants received an educational program to change to a healthy lifestyle. Assessments were conducted at study enrollment and during follow-up. Symptoms, habits, ATP III parameters for metabolic syndrome, and American Heart Association’s 2020 parameters of cardiovascular health were assessed.

Results

A total of 15,073 participants aged ≥ 18 years entered the study. Data analysis was conducted in 3,009 patients who completed a second assessment. An improvement in weight (from 76.6 ± 15.3 to 76.4 ± 15.3 kg, p = 0.002), dyspnea on exertion NYHA grade II (from 23.4% to 21.0%) and grade III (from 15.8% to 14.0%) and a decrease in the proportion of current active smokers (from 3.6% to 2.9%, p = 0.002) could be documented. The proportion of patients with levels of triglycerides > 150 mg/dL (from 46.3% to 42.4%, p < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol > 100 mg/dL (from 69.3% to 65.5%, p < 0.001) improved. A ≥ 20% improvement of AHA 2020 metrics at the level graded as poor was found for smoking (-21.1%), diet (-29.8%), and cholesterol level (-23.6%). A large dropout as a surrogate indicator for low patient adherence was documented throughout the first 5 visits, 80% between the first and second assessments, 55.6% between the second and third assessments, 43.6% between the third and fourth assessments, and 38% between the fourth and fifth assessments.

Conclusion

A simple, basic educational program may improve symptoms and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but shows low patient adherence.

Helminths of hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Parasitological examination of a stranded hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Pacific coast of Costa Rica revealed the presence of a rich digenean fauna including Carettacola stunkardi (Spirorchiidae), Enodiotrema reductum (Plagiorchiidae), Cricocephalus albus, Adenogaster serialis, Epi-bathra crassa, Pleurogonius lobatus, P. trigonocephalus, P. linearis, and Pyelosomum posterorchis (Pronocephalidae). All helminths except C. albus and P. lobatus represent new geographical records for Costa Rica. Carettacola stunkardi is reported for first time in an Eastern Pacific hawksbill turtle and its pathological changes are here described. Histologically, nodular lesions on the serosal surface of intestine revealed a mixed infiltrate of heterophils, lymphocytes, and histiocytes within necrotic debris. Granulomas with spirorchiid eggs were observed in the mucosa, sub-mucosa and muscular layers of stomach and intestine, gallbladder and liver.

Hypoosmotic test in equine spermatozoa

The aim of the study was to evaluate equine sperm membrane integrity using the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test and to correlate this test with different sperm parameters in raw and frozen thawed semen. The HOS solutions were made with fructose, sucrose, lactose and sodium citrate each at 300, 150, 100, 50 and 25 mosm. Maximum numbers of swollen spermatozoa were observed in solutions of fructose, sucrose and lactose each at 100, 50 and 25 mosm. Correlations between progressive motility, morphologically normal spermatozoa and the HOS test were r = 0.75 and r = 0.51 in raw semen and r = 0.26 and r = -0.22 in frozen-thawed semen. The correlation between HOS and percentage of intact membranes with the fluorescent stain was r = 0.32 in frozen-thawed semen. The HOS test is a simple and accessible method which could be used as a complement to routine equine semen analysis. It has the added advantages of being less susceptible to the immediate effects of cold shock and of evaluating individual spermatozoa rather than the population as a whole, as does progressive motility.