Sex and Depot Differences in Palmitoleic Acid Content of Human Blood and Fat

Palmitoleic acid has been classified as an insulin-sensitizing lipokine, but evidence for this from human studies has been inconsistent. We hypothesized that this is related to either the types of samples or conditions under which samples are collected. We measured plasma palmitoleic acid and total free fatty acids (FFA) using ultra-performance liquid chromatography in blood samples collected from 34 adults under a variety of conditions. We collected duplicate samples of adipose (n = 10), FFA (n = 9), and very low density lipoprotein triacylglycerol (VLDL-TAG) (n = 7) to measure the palmitoleic acid as a percentage of total fatty acids. We tested whether the percentage of palmitoleic acid was correlated with insulin resistance, as measured by homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Adipose stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1) protein was measured by capillary Western blotting. FFA-palmitoleic acid percentage increased as a function of total FFA and was greater (p < 0.005) in females than males. Adipose palmitoleic acid percentage was greater in females than males (p < 0.001), as was adipose SCD-1. Palmitoleic acid was greater in femoral fat than in abdominal fat in both females and males (p < 0.001), and correlated positively with HOMA-IR only in females. The test–retest reliability values for percentage palmitoleic acid were 7 ± 10% for adipose, 24 ± 26% for VLDL, and 53 ± 31% for FFA. Because FFA-palmitoleic acid percentage varies as a function of total FFA, investigators should re-evaluate how palmitoleic acid data is presented. The positive relationship between adipose palmitoleic acid and HOMA-IR in females suggests that it is not a potent insulin-sensitizing lipokine in humans.     

Finite element analysis of femoral components paper III – hip joints

Finite element analysis of the hip implant is conducted in this paper for representative femoral cross-section geometries and development of stress in the presence of bone cement is elucidated. Differences in cement stresses generated by varying implant cross-sections were compared with conventional features derived from representative implants. The analysis was performed under idealized implant assemblies by constraining the implant movement in the assembly. The cross-sections and implant geometries used are generic and intended to be representative of available geometries. This paper is a part of student research projects, prepared from a series of activities in biomedical implant research currently underway at Ohio Northern and Arkansas Tech Universities.     

Comparison of two tools for the measurement of interfragmentary movement in femoral neck fractures stabilised by cannulated screws

Achieving stability at the site of femoral neck fracture is an important factor for callus formation in the post-operative period. However, measuring interfragmentary movement in vivo is not currently possible as telemetric screws have not been manufactured for surgical use. Understanding how the implantation of the screws can affect the stability of the fracture allows the surgeon to tailor the procedure to the patient and produce the best possible outcome. Two techniques have been developed that measure interfragmentary movement between fractured surfaces. The first was a FEA model of the proximal femur with screws represented by nodal links. Movement was quantified by the amount of relative motion occurring between paired nodes either side of the fracture. The second was a mechanical compression test of a composite femur that allowed the motion analysis of paired markers on the external surface of the femur. Movement was digitised with markers selected and displacements calculated by transforming the global coordinate system to a local system relative to the fracture plane.     

About the relevance of roughness parameters used for characterizing worn femoral heads

This study aims to contribute to the definition of a methodology, which can help to select a relevant roughness parameter with a view to describing the topography of orthopaedic bearing surfaces. In this investigation, the surface topography of a retrieved titanium alloy (TA6V) femoral head was characterized using visual inspection, optical microscopy and three-dimensional contacting profilometry. A numerical analysis of roughness measurements was then undertaken to assess in a first step the values of different roughness parameters of interest found in papers dealing with the topography of orthopaedic bearing surfaces. In a second step, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Computer-Based Bootstrap Method were combined to determine statistically, and without preconceived opinion, which of those parameters is the most relevant to describe the different investigated worn regions of the studied femoral head.     

An investigation into the flexural characteristics of functionally graded cobalt chrome femoral stems manufactured using selective laser melting

In order to reduce the stress shielding of the femur following Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), stiffness matching strategies between the host bone and femoral stem still need to be investigated. Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technologies such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) can produce components from a single alloy with varying mechanical properties, and hence, functionally graded parts. This work considers the flexural characteristics of laser melted cobalt chrome femoral stems, by using a combination of mechanical testing and finite element analysis. A functionally graded design methodology was considered in order to reduce the weight and stiffness of the femoral stems. Three separate functionally graded designs were investigated by incorporating square pore cellular structures of varying density. The results confirmed that selective laser melting can repeatedly manufacture a functionally graded femoral stem that is 48% lighter and 60% more flexible than a traditional fully dense stem. However, there are concerns associated with the repeatability of the manufacturing process for producing stems with cellular structures that incorporate strut sizes, which are equal to or less than 0.5 mm.     

Blood flow interpretation in femoral pseudoaneurysm

A femoral artery pseudoaneurysm is one complication of vascular intervention, and the incidence is increasing. Early management is then needed to avoid potential dangers from it. It differs from a true aneurysm in that it doesn＇t include any component of the vascular wall, and is not studied as much as a true aneurysm. Here, a model of a femoral pseudoaneurysm was made and a Computational Fluid Dynamics（CFD） simulation was verified with PIV experiment. Afterwards, a CFD simulation with two different models was performed to look for any findings which may help in developing new treatment methods.     

基于组织不可压缩性的血管壁横向位移估计

利用软组织的不可压缩性,本文由精确的轴向位移估计值来重构血管壁组织横向位移分布。针对不同变形情况分别采用了线性和非线性估计算法。在小变形情况下,基于应变－位移的线性关系由轴向应变来重构横向位移;在大变形情况下,考虑应变张量的非线性关系由轴向位移的受干扰的横向位移估计值来重构精确的横向位移。离体血管壁组织实验结果表明,不可压缩过程可以大大提高横向位移的信噪比,对最终的弹性重构具有重要意义。     

基于Hilbert2Huang Transform 的心音信号谱分析

心音信号是一种典型的非平稳信号,传统信号处理方法的应用受到很大限制。针对此本文提出了基于 Hilbert - Huang Transform(HHT) 的心音信号的分析方法,对冠心病患者的心音信号进行了分析。通过把心音信号分 解为内蕴模式函数,利用Hilbert 变换建立了心音信号的时间- 频率- 能量三维Hilbert 谱分布以及边界谱分布; Hilbert 谱及其边界谱在时域以及频域以较高的分辨率表征了心音信号的时频变化特性,揭示了冠心病患者心音信 号的病理特征;为冠心病的早期无损诊断奠定了坚实基础,临床实践中有较大的指导价值。     

Biomechanical analyses of static and dynamic fixation techniques of retrograde interlocking femoral nailing using nonlinear finite element methods

Femoral shaft fractures can be treated using retrograde interlocking nailing systems; however, fracture nonunion still occurs. Dynamic fixation techniques, which remove either the proximal or distal locking screws, have been used to solve the problem of nonunion. In addition, a surgical rule for dynamic fixation techniques has been defined based on past clinical reports. However, the biomechanical performance of the retrograde interlocking nailing systems with either the traditional static fixation technique or the dynamic fixation techniques has not been investigated by using nonlinear numerical modeling. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models were developed, and the implant strength, fixation stability, and contact area of the fracture surfaces were evaluated. Three types of femoral shaft fractures (a proximal femoral shaft fracture, a middle femoral shaft fracture, and a distal femoral shaft fracture) fixed by three fixation techniques (insertion of all the locking screws, removal of the proximal locking screws, or removal of the distal locking screws) were analyzed. The results showed that the static fixation technique resulted in sufficient fixation stability and that the dynamic fixation techniques decreased the failure risk of the implant and produced a larger contact area of the fracture surfaces. The outcomes of the current study could assist orthopedic surgeons in comprehending the biomechanical performances of both static and dynamic fixation techniques. In addition, the surgeons could also select a fixation technique based on the specific patient situation using the numerical outcomes of this study.     

Coronary artery numerical flow analysis for determination of bypass graft geometric parameters

A computational investigation of blood flow in a coronary artery grafted by artificial bypass was performed to determine such geometric parameters as the cunvature of radius, approach length, and angle of end to—side anastomosis Transient flow features in the host artery were computed using FVM and SIMPLE algorithms We compared flow distributions and wall shear stresses in two simple models, planar and non—planar, and confnmed that the non—planar bypass model was more conducive to suppressing intimal hyperplasra Our non-planar model with 60° of anastomosis and a 10 diameter appioach length and radius of curvature predicts a relatively small, spatially—extended high-OSI (>0 01) zone, as well as an increased average wall shear stress on this zone