Computed tomography study of radial head morphology

Computed tomography scans of 22 cadaveric adult elbows were obtained in 3 forearm positions: full supination, neutral, and full pronation. The radial head dimensions, the radiocapitellar joints, and the proximal radioulnar joints were measured. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine which portions of each articulation were the most congruent. The results showed that the radial head tended to become uncovered at the radial lip (P < .001). The radiocapitellar joint was tighter in pronation than in supination (P = .001). The proximal radioulnar joint was most congruent at the middle proximal radioulnar joint, at the midportion and posterior aspects rather than the anterior aspect (P < .001). The proximal radioulnar joint coverage was between 69 degrees and 79 degrees . Prosthesis trial sizing should be judged by the articulations providing the most congruency: (1) the ulnar lip or trough of the radiocapitellar joint in pronation and (2) the posterior or midportion of the middle proximal radioulnar joint.     

Clinical utility of cardiac computed tomography

Technological advances have made cardiac computed tomography (CT) an important player in cardiac imaging. Cardiac CT has become a powerful tool in the armamentarium of cardiac risk stratification assessment of intermediate-risk patients, bypass grafts, stents, and anomalous coronary arteries. With advancement in accuracy and reliability, cardiac CT is becoming mainstream in everyday clinical cardiology. It is up to the clinician to use the technology effectively and appropriately. It is certain that cardiac CT technology will continue to improve.     

Application of metabonomics on an experimental model of fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide in rats

Metabonomics has already been used to discriminate different pathological states in biological fields. The metabolic profiles of chronic experimental fibrosis and cirrhosis induction in rats were investigated using (1)H NMR spectroscopy of liver extracts and serum combined with pattern recognition techniques. Rats were continuously administered with thioacetamide (TAA) in the drinking water (300 mg TAA/L), and sacrificed on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd month of treatment. (1)H NMR spectra of aqueous and lipid liver extracts, together with serum were subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Liver portions were also subjected to histopathological examination and biochemical determination of malondialdehyde (MDA). Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were progressively induced in TAA-treated rats, verified by the histopathological examination and the alterations of MDA levels. TAA administration revealed a number of changes in the (1)H NMR spectra compared to control samples. The performance of PCA in liver extracts and serum, discriminated the control samples from the fibrotic and cirrhotic ones. Metabolic alterations revealed in NMR spectra during experimental liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induction, characterize the stage of fibrosis and could be illustrated by subsequent PCA of the spectra. Additionally, the PCA plots of the serum samples presented marked clustering during fibrosis progression and could be extended in clinical diagnosis for the management of cirrhotic patients.     

Handgrip strength is associated with learning and verbal fluency in older men without dementia: insights from the NHANES

GeroScience - Low handgrip strength, a hallmark measure of whole-body strength, has been linked with greater odds of cognitive decline and dementia; however, conflicting findings, which could be...     

Current treatment concepts for neuromas-in-continuity

SUMMARY: A neuroma-in-continuity is a neuroma that results from failure of the regenerating nerve growth cone to reach peripheral targets. It occurs within an intact nerve in response to internally damaged fascicles, resulting in a distal portion of the nerve that no longer functions properly. Management of neuromas-in-continuity is challenging. Chemical methods, and microsurgical techniques including fascicular ligation, and burying into muscle and bone have been reported to prevent neuroma-in-continuity formation. The purpose of this article is to present novel techniques for neuroma-in-continuity management, and to discuss the related literature.     

Focal adhesion kinase: a promising target for anticancer therapy

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a protein tyrosine kinase acting as an early modulator of the integrin signalling cascade, thus regulating various basic cellular functions. In transformed cells, upregulation of FAK protein expression and uncontroled signalling were held responsible for the promotion of malignant phenotypic characteristics, as well as resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Direct FAK targeting resulted in the inhibition of the malignant phenotype of cancer cells, whereas increased apoptotic rates of cancer cells, either used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, radiotherapy or hormonal therapy. Furthermore, drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, besides their basic mode of action, were also shown to act through altering FAK signalling. Finally, positive results were noted by the transfection of cancer cells with fak mutants or genes that suppress FAK expression or activity, such as phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome Ten (PTEN), ribonucleotide reductase M1 polypeptide (RRM1) and melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (mda-7). The purpose of this article is a comprehensive review of the existing data on the possible use of FAK targeting in anticancer therapy.     

Tibial plateau fractures treated with the less invasive stabilisation system

Thirty-six tibial plateau fractures in 35 patients were treated with the less invasive stabilisation system (LISS). Patients' mean age was 42 years. There were 27 type C fractures and nine type B fractures according to AO/OTA classification. The average time to healing was 4.2 months (3-7 months). Deep infection developed in two cases. One patient healed in 6 degrees of varus, and seven patients had an increased articular angulation of 6 degrees (4-8 degrees ) in the sagittal plane. There were no cases of loss of reduction, non-union, or deep vein thrombosis. The LISS system could be considered for the management of tibial plateau fractures.     

Intrapleural instillation of autologous blood for persistent air leak in spontaneous pneumothorax- is it as effective as it is safe?

Objective  

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of autologous blood pleurodesis in the management of persistent air leak in spontaneous pneumothorax.