Reproductive and ecological similarity between Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) and Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) in southern Bahia (Brazil).

This study evaluates the reproductive and ecological similarity between loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) two species of sea turtles on the southern coast of Bahia (Brazil) during two breeding seasons (October to April 2013 to 2015). The study covers a 10-km area composed of three beaches, Pompilho, Itacarezinho and Patizeiro beach, which are 5, 3, and 2 km long, respectively. Daily field surveys were performed for 102 days to assess patterns between the studied species, using the non-metric multidimensional scaling order and the Spearman correlation analysis to obtain the oviposition pattern of the two species. Moreover, Kruskall-Wallys tests were performed to review the differences in the number of hatchlings on the three beaches. The NMDS proved the species are very similar from an ecological perspective since as there were three clear groupings in terms of the number of hatchlings on the three beaches. With reference to the number of nests, a negative correlation was observed in the two species. Regarding the hatching activity of both species on the three beaches studied, a larger amount of C. caretta and E. imbricata hatchlings was found on Pompilho beach, followed by Patizeiro and Itacarézinho. These findings influence management strategies to reduce anthropogenic impact and contribute to the conservation of these two endangered sea turtle species.

The importance of femur/acetabulum cartilage in the biomechanics of the intact hip: experimental and numerical assessment.

Experimental studies have been made to study and validate the biomechanics of the pair femur/acetabulum considering both structures without the presence of cartilage. The main goal of this study was to validate a numerical model of the intact hip. Numerical and experimental models of the hip joint were developed with respect to the anatomical restrictions. Both iliac and femur bones were replicated based on composite replicas. Additionally, a thin layer of silicon rubber was used for the cartilage. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed and the boundary conditions of the models were applied according to the natural physiological constrains of the joint. The loads used in both models were used just for comparison purposes. The biomechanical behaviour of the models was assessed considering the maximum and minimum principal bone strains and von Mises stress. We analysed specific biomechanical parameters in the interior of the acetabular cavity and on femur's surface head to determine the role of the cartilage of the hip joint within the load transfer mechanism. The results of the study show that the stress observed in acetabular cavity was 8.3 to 9.2 MPa. When the cartilage is considered in the joint model, the absolute values of the maximum and minimum peak strains on the femur's head surface decrease simultaneously, and the strains are more uniformly distributed on both femur and iliac surfaces. With cartilage, the cortex strains increase in the medial side of the femur. We prove that finite element models of the intact hip joint can faithfully reproduce experimental models with a small difference of 7%.

Theoretical assessment of an intramedullary condylar component versus screw fixation for the condylar component of a hemiarthroplasty alloplastic TMJ replacement system.

Virtual design gives flexibility to explore constructive solutions or structures. It enables analysis that would often be impossible even if expensive real prototypes were available. Simulations using finite element models allow access to the stress and strain tensor or to the deformation tensor within an implant or a tissue which is impossible experimentally, even in vitro. This study is based on two numerical models of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) implants, comparing two bone-implant connections: an external connection performed with surgical screws (commercial model) and an internal connection carried out by penetration into the intramedullary space. The finite element models were constructed based on a cadaveric mandible and considering the five principal muscles in action. Strain distributions into the surrounding bone tissue are analysed and in both models they show significant differences at the external surface of the mandible in displacements. However, while the intramedullary fixation increases strains in the cancellous tissue, the study shows that strain distribution is mainly influenced by the number and distribution of screws in commercial solution.

The influence of acetabular bone cracks in the press-fit hip replacement: Numerical and experimental analysis.

BACKGROUND: The press-fit hip acetabular prosthesis implantation can cause crack formation in the thin regions surrounding the acetabular. As a consequence the presence of cracks in this region can lead to poor fixation and fibrous tissue formation. METHODS: Numerical and experimental models of commercial press-fit hip replacements were developed to compare the behavior between the intact and implanted joints. Numerical models with an artificial crack and without crack were considered. The iliac and the femur were created through 3D geometry acquisition based on composite human replicas and 3D-Finite Element models were generated. FINDINGS: The mechanical behavior was assessed numerically and experimentally considering the principal strains. The comparison between Finite Element model predictions and experimental measurements revealed a maximum difference of 9%. Similar distribution of the principal strains around the acetabular cavity was obtained for the intact and implanted models. When comparing the Von Mises stresses, it is possible to observe that the intact model is the one that presents the highest stress values in the entire acetabular cavity surface. INTERPRETATION: The crack in the posterior side changes significantly the principal strain distribution, suggesting bone loss after hip replacement. Relatively to micromotions, these were higher on the superior side of the acetabular cavity and can change the implant stability and bone ingrowth.

Biomechanical evaluation of different reconstructive techniques of proximal tibia in revision total knee arthroplasty: An in-vitro and finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bone loss and subsequent defects are often encountered in revision total knee arthroplasty. In particular, when the cortical rim of proximal tibia is breached, the surgical decision on the reconstructive options to be taken is challenging due to the variety of defects and the lack of data from clinical or experimental studies that can support it. The purpose of this study is to assess how different reconstructive techniques, when applied to an identical defect and bone condition, can be associated to dissimilar longevity of the revision procedure, and the role of a stem in this longevity. METHODS: Proximal cortex strains and implant stability were measured in ten reconstructive techniques replicated with synthetic tibiae. The cancellous bone strains under each construct were assessed with finite element models which were validated against experimental strains. FINDINGS: The measured strains and stability showed that the proximal cortex is not immune to the different reconstructive techniques when applied to an identical defect. The largest cancellous strain differences between modular and non-modular techniques indicate a distinct risk between reconstructive techniques, associated to the supporting capacity of cancellous bone at long term. INTERPRETATION: The main finding of the present study is the observation that modular augments increases, on a long term basis, the potential risk of bone resorption relative to the non-modular techniques. In addition, the use of a press-fit stem in the scope of non-modular techniques can lead to improved stability and load transfer, which can contribute positively to the life expectancy of these techniques.

The effect of megavoltage radiation on polymeric materials to be used in biomedical devices.

For a number of biomedical applications, including the development of phantoms for quality control of radiotherapy treatments and dose determination, it is important to study the radiation response of the used materials, in order to distinguish the relevant dose distribution modifications from the artifacts caused by the phantom material when subjected to high dose irradiation. Beside the radiation response, those materials should have certain physical and chemical properties in order to be able to be used for the purposes described above, i.e., mechanical hardness and inelasticity, chemically stability and nonreactive, among others. In this work, a wide range of polymeric materials were irradiated under megavoltage radiation using a radiotherapy linear accelerator. The irradiated materials were imaged using transmission X-ray tomography to determine if some radiation induced electronic density change could result in altered Hounsfield units. Furthermore, Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques were used before and after irradiation in order to study any structural modification induced by the radiation. In addition, a special phantom simulating a breast treatment with two tangential beams has been fabricated and tested.

A new press-fit stem concept to reduce the risk of end-of-stem pain at revision TKA: a pre-clinical study.

PURPOSE: Revision total knee arthroplasty presents numerous technical challenges, with lower patient outcomes compared with those obtained in primary surgery. Extended stems have been used in revision total knee arthroplasty to improve component alignment and fixation. Hybrid fixation with cemented tibial tray and press-fit stem has shown good results. One of the disadvantages of this technique is pain related to the presence of a cementless diaphyseal engaging stem, often designated as end-of-stem pain. Patients with this pain have reported a decrease in overall satisfaction, as well as demonstrate a lower clinical outcome score. Clinical findings suggest that stem material and design are important factors in the development of end-of-stem pain. Therefore, a question can be raised: can a novel press-fit stem concept minimize bone strain changes at the stem tip? The hypothesis here considered lies upon the fact, that if periosteal cortex strain changes are minimized at the stem tip comparatively to the intact situation, the risk of end-of-stem pain might be minimized. SCOPE: This pre-clinical study was accomplished using synthetic tibiae to experimentally predict the periosteal cortex strains at the proximal and stem tip regions, with a commercial press-fit stem and a new stem concept. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the new stem concept has the ability to minimize strain changes induced by the stem tip at the distal periosteal cortex and consequently, at the periosteal layer of bone tissue, which is highly pain sensitive, probably contributing to the reduction of the risk of end-of-stem pain.

Improved stability with intramedullary stem after anterior femoral notching in total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: It has been hypothesized that femoral notching in total knee arthroplasties weakens the cortex of the femur, which can predispose to femoral fractures in the postoperative period. Some authors suggest that patients who sustain inadvertent notching should have additional protection in the postoperative period, and consideration should be given to the use of prophylactic femoral stems. In this case, a question can be raised: Is the use of femoral stem in an anterior femoral notching an effective way to reduce the fracture risk? We hypothesized that for a larger notch, the use of a femoral stem does not decrease considerably the stress-riser at the notch edge, and the use of stem is not enough to reduce the risk of fracture. METHODS: In the present in vitro study, twelve synthetic femurs were selected and used for the experiments under two load scenarios. Femoral components with and without femoral stems were implanted in femurs with different notch sizes to predict experimentally the strain levels at the notch edge with the use of fiber Bragg gratings and at notch region with strain gauges. RESULTS: Despite the global strain reduction in stemmed condition, at the notch edge, the strain behavior was dissimilar for the different notch depths. For notch depths lower than 5 mm, the use of stem reduces the strain level at the notch edge to values below the intact femur condition, while for depths greater or equal to 5 mm, the strain levels at the notch edge were higher than the intact femur condition with values ranging from +10 to +189%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests the use of a prophylactic stem for notch depths greater than 5 mm. For notch depths below 5 mm, the fracture risk due to strain increase at the notch edge seems to be low in the stemless condition.

Biomechanical analysis of total elbow replacement with unlinked iBP prosthesis: an in vitro and finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous models of elbow prostheses are being used and can be divided into two categories: one being a semi-constrained, linked type; and the other being non-constrained, unlinked type. Recent reports of National Elbow Arthroplasty Registers reveal no significant differences in the survival rates between linked and unlinked prosthesis brands, and the main cause appointed for revision for both types is loosening. Some previous biomechanical studies confirm the presence of abnormal bone stresses for the linked type, which can be associated with the risk of loosening. However for the unlinked type, biomechanical studies are not available that corroborate a loosening risk. It seems, that issue has not yet been fully answered and requires further analysis. METHODS: Cortex strains adjacent to the elbow joint were measured with strain gauges in synthetic humeri and ulnae, before and after replacement. To assess cancellous bone strains and cement stresses around the implant finite element models validated relative to measured strains were used. FINDINGS: Bone strains adjacent to the implant tip increased several times in the humerus and ulna. At the epiphyseal regions a generalised cancellous bone strain reduction was observed for both humerus and ulna relatively to the intact bones. INTERPRETATION: The unlinked elbow prostheses can be associated with the risk of bone fatigue failure by overload, particularly in the ulna, and bone resorption by stress-shielding at the epiphyseal regions. The identical structural behaviour relative to linked prostheses associated with the same loosening risks corroborates the results of recent arthroplasty published register reports.

Straight, semi-anatomic and anatomic TMJ implants: the influence of condylar geometry and bone fixation screws.

A 3D finite element model of in vitro intact and implanted mandibles with different temporomandibular joints (TMJ) was analyzed. Three TMJ implant geometries were assessed. The displacements, stress and strain fields on the condyle were obtained for both simulated cases. Strains were also assessed near the screws that fixate the implant to the mandible. The geometry of the mandible was obtained through 3D digitalization of a synthetic model. The TMJ implants studied were modelled considering a commercial implant which was also used to create semi-anatomic and anatomic implants that were analyzed and to assess the influence of the geometry. Numerical finite element models were built and the implants were positioned by an experienced orofacial surgeon. All implants were fixed by four screws which were placed in the same position on the mandible. The boundary conditions were simulated considering the support on the incisive tooth, the loads of the five most important muscular forces and a 5mm mouth aperture. This study indicates that the deformation on the intact mandible was similar when an anatomic implant was considered in the implanted mandible. However, the anatomic geometry presented some problems concerning the implant integrity due to geometric variations. The geometry of TMJ implant also played a role relatively to the screws structural integration and bone fixation. The geometry of TMJ implant defines the necessary number of screws and position in the mandible fixation.

The influence of data shape acquisition process and geometric accuracy of the mandible for numerical simulation.

Computer-aided technologies have allowed new 3D modelling capabilities and engineering analyses based on experimental and numerical simulation. It has enormous potential for product development, such as biomedical instrumentation and implants. However, due to the complex shapes of anatomical structures, the accuracy of these technologies plays an important key role for adequate and accurate finite element analysis (FEA). The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the geometry variability between two digital models of a human model of the mandible. Two different shape acquisition techniques, CT scan and 3D laser scan, were assessed. A total of 130 points were controlled and the deviations between the measured points of the physical and 3D virtual models were assessed. The results of the FEA study showed a relative difference of 20% for the maximum displacement and 10% for the maximum strain between the two geometries.

Biomechanical evaluation of proximal tibia behaviour with the use of femoral stems in revision TKA: an in vitro and finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recognized failure mechanisms after revision total knee arthroplasty include failure of fixation, instability and loosening. Thus, extended stems have been used to improve fixation and stability. In clinical cases where the stem is only applied in the femur, a question concerning the structural aspect of tibia may arise: Does a stemmed femur changes the structural behaviour of proximal tibia? It seems, that question has not yet been fully answered and the use of stems in the opposite bone structure requires further analysis. METHODS: Proximal cortex strains were measured with tri-axial strain gauges in synthetic tibias for three different types of implanted femurs, with two constrained implants. To assess the strains at the cancellous bone under the tibial tray, it was considered a closest physiological load condition with the use of finite element models. FINDINGS: No significant differences of the mean of the tibial cortex strains for the stemmed femur relatively to the stemless femur were observed. The R(2) and slopes values of the linear regressions between experimental and finite element strains were close to one indicating good correlations. The strain behaviour of cancellous bone under the tibial tray is not completely immune to the use of femoral stem extensions. However, the level of this alteration is relatively small when compared with the strain magnitudes. INTERPRETATION: The main insight given by the present study could probably lie in the fact that the use of femoral stems does not contribute to an increase of the risk of failure of the tibia.