Preoperative tendon retraction,not smoking,is a risk factor for failure with continuity after rotator cuff repair

BackgroundSmoking is a poor prognostic factor for healing after rotator cuff repair and is associated with inferior results. We hypothesized that smokers would have higher recurrent tear rates and more postoperative myotendinous junction (MTJ) retraction in healed repairs than nonsmokers three months postoperatively.MethodsRotator cuff repairs (RCRs) were retrospectively reviewed over a 2-year period. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 6 months prior to surgery and again at 3 months postoperatively. Seventy-nine patients were included and stratified by smokers versus nonsmokers. Baseline patient demographics, tear characteristics, and surgical factors were collected. Preoperative and postoperative MRIs were assessed to quantify the MTJ position and to establish the recurrent tear rate.ResultsFor the total cohort (nonsmokers, n = 56; smokers, n = 23), significant differences in age, race, and traumatic onset of injury existed between groups. There were no significant differences in recurrent tear between smokers (26%) and nonsmokers (27%), but nonsmokers were more satisfied. For patients with healed RCRs (nonsmokers, n = 41; smokers, n = 17), there were significant differences in race. On univariate analysis, nonsmokers had a significantly more lateral MTJ postoperatively (P = 0.05). On multivariable regression analysis, medialized postoperative MTJ position in healed cuffs was driven only by greater preoperative rotator cuff retraction preoperatively. There were no significant differences in MTJ position based on smoking status for patients with healed RCRs.ConclusionSmoking does not appear to be an independent risk factor for postoperative MTJ retraction in healed RCRs, also known as failure in continuity. Preoperative tear size and retraction play the biggest roles in predicting postoperative MTJ position, regardless of smoking status. There are no significant differences in patient-reported outcomes for patients with healed RCRs, but nonsmokers had more satisfaction following RCR in the total cohort.Level of EvidenceLevel III; Retrospective cohort study; Diagnostic study     

胸腰椎骨质疏松性骨折治疗后BMD、BGP变化的Meta分析

目的系统评价胸腰椎骨质疏松性骨折在接受复方骨肽注射液治疗后骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)、骨钙素(bone gla protein,BGP)的变化。方法制定检索策略并检索目前国内外公开发表的中、英文数据库,应用Review Manager 5.3对纳入文献中所提取的数据资料进行分析。结果复方骨肽组与对照组相比,其治疗胸腰椎骨质疏松性骨折的总有效率显著高于后者(OR:7.51; 95%CI:4.40～12.83; P0.00001);其骨痛强度评分更低(WMD:-1.62; 95%CI:-1.94～-1.29; P0.00001)、骨密度值更高(WMD:0.04; 95%CI:0.01～0.07; P0.05)、血清骨钙素更高(WMD:2.01; 95%CI:1.44～2.58; P 0.00001)、中度骨痛病例数更少(OR:0.32; 95%CI:0.17～0.58; P 0.05)、重度骨痛病例数更少(OR:0.14; 95%CI:0.06～0.32; P0.00001),轻度骨痛病例数相对更多(OR:1.63; 95%CI:0.38～6.98; P0.05),但差异并无统计学意义。结论胸腰椎骨质疏松性骨折患者在接受复方骨肽治疗后,其骨密度、血清骨钙素等指标优于对照组,可缓解骨痛症状,具有积极的临床意义。     

Risks and benefits of timely screw removal after thoracolumbar spine fractures treated with non-fusion technique

BackgroundPercutaneous-short segment screw fixation (SSSF) without bone fusion has proven to be a safe and effective modality for thoracolumbar spine fractures (TLSFs). When fracture consolidation is confirmed, pedicle screws are no longer essential, but clear indications for screw removal following fracture consolidation have not been established.MethodsIn total, we enrolled 31 patients with TLSFs who underwent screw removal following treatment using percutaneous-SSSF without fusion. Plain radiographs, taken at different intervals, measured local kyphosis using Cobb’ angle (CA), vertebra body height (VBH), and the segmental motion angle (SMA). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied pre-screw removal and at the last follow-up.ResultsThe overall mean CA deteriorated by 1.58° (p < 0.05) and the overall mean VBH decreased by 0.52 mm (p = 0.001). SMA preservation was achieved in 18 patients (58.1%) and kyphotic recurrence occurred in 4 patients (12.9%). SMA preservation was statistically significant in patients who underwent screw removal within 12 months following the primary operation (p = 0.002). Kyphotic recurrence occurred in patients with a CA ≥ 20° at injury (p < 0.001) with a median interval of 16.5 months after screw removal. No patients reported worsening pain or an increased ODI score after screw removal.ConclusionScrew removal within 12 months can be recommended for restoration of SMA with improvement in clinical outcomes. Although, TLSFs with CA ≥ 20° at the time of injury can help to predict kyphotic recurrence after screw removal, the clinical outcomes are less relevant.     

Black beans and red kidney beans induce positive postprandial vascular responses in healthy adults: A pilot randomized cross-over study

Background and aimsConsuming pulses (dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, lentils) over several weeks can improve vascular function and decrease cardiovascular disease risk; however, it is unknown whether pulses can modulate postprandial vascular responses. The objective of this study was to compare different bean varieties (black, navy, pinto, red kidney) and white rice for their acute postprandial effects on vascular and metabolic responses in healthy individuals.Methods and resultsThe study was designed as a single-blinded, randomized crossover trial with a minimum 6 days between consumption of the food articles. Vascular tone (primary endpoint), haemodynamics and serum biochemistry (secondary endpoints) were measured in 8 healthy adults before and at 1, 2, and 6 h after eating ¾ cup of beans or rice. Blood pressure and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were lower at 2 h following red kidney bean and pinto bean consumption compared to rice and navy bean, respectively (p < 0.05). There was greater vasorelaxation 6 h following consumption of darker-coloured beans, as shown by decreased vascular tone: PWV was lower after consuming black bean compared to pinto bean, augmentation pressure was lower after consuming black bean compared to rice and pinto bean, and wave reflection magnitude was lower after consuming red kidney bean and black bean compared to rice, navy bean, and pinto bean (p < 0.05). LDL-cholesterol concentrations were lower 6 h after black bean consumption compared to rice (p < 0.05).ConclusionOverall, red kidney and black beans, the darker-coloured beans, elicited a positive effect on the tensile properties of blood vessels, and this acute response may provide insight for how pulses modify vascular function.     

Serological Responses of Raccoons and Striped Skunks to Ontario Rabies Vaccine Bait in West Virginia during 2012–2016

Since the 1990s, oral rabies vaccination (ORV) has been used successfully to halt the westward spread of the raccoon rabies virus (RV) variant from the eastern continental USA. Elimination of raccoon RV from the eastern USA has proven challenging across targeted raccoon (Procyon lotor) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) populations impacted by raccoon RV. Field trial evaluations of the Ontario Rabies Vaccine Bait (ONRAB) were initiated to expand ORV products available to meet the rabies management goal of raccoon RV elimination. This study describes the continuation of a 2011 trial in West Virginia. Our objective was to evaluate raccoon and skunk response to ORV occurring in West Virginia for an additional two years (2012–2013) at 75 baits/km² followed by three years (2014–2016) of evaluation at 300 baits/km². We measured the change in rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (RVNA) seroprevalence in targeted wildlife populations by comparing levels pre- and post-ORV during each year of study. The increase in bait density from 75/km² to 300/km² corresponded to an increase in average post-ORV seroprevalence for raccoon and skunk populations. Raccoon population RVNA levels increased from 53% (300/565, 95% CI: 50–57%) to 82.0% (596/727, 95% CI: 79–85%) during this study, and skunk population RVNA levels increased from 11% (8/72, 95% CI: 6–20%) to 39% (51/130, 95% CI: 31–48%). The RVNA seroprevalence pre-ORV demonstrated an increasing trend across study years for both bait densities and species, indicating that multiple years of ORV may be necessary to achieve and maintain RVNA seroprevalence in target wildlife populations for the control and elimination of raccoon RV in the eastern USA.     

Could non-HDL-cholesterol be a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia in obstructive sleep apnea?

Background/objectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with dyslipidemia, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is accepted as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a better marker of atherogenic dyslipidemia and recommended as a target of lipid lowering therapy. We aimed to assess the prevalence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, and relationship between OSA severity and serum LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels in OSA patients.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated treatment naïve 2361 subjects admitted to the sleep laboratory of a university hospital for polysomnography. All subjects’ lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-cholesterol were measured.ResultsOut of 2361 patients (mean age 49.6 ± 11.9 years; 68.9% male, apnea-hypopnea index 36.6 ± 28.4/h), 185 (7.8%) had no OSA and 2176 (92.2%) had OSA. Atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalence was high (57–66%) in OSA patients, and especially increased in severe OSA compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Though total and LDL-cholesterol did not differ between those with and without OSA, non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.020), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher and HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.018) were lower in OSA patients than non-OSA. Non-HDL-cholesterol was significantly correlated with OSA severity (p < 0.001) and hypoxia parameters (p < 0.01), whereas LDL-cholesterol showed no correlation.ConclusionsAtherogenic dyslipidemia is highly prevalent and non-HDL-cholesterol levels are significantly increased, predominantly in severe OSA patients. Non-HDL-cholesterol but not LDL-cholesterol, is significantly correlated with OSA severity and hypoxia parameters. Therefore, it could be better to use non-HDL-cholesterol, which is a guideline recommended target of lipid therapy, as a marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in OSA patients.     

Association of malnutrition with all-cause mortality in the elderly population: A 6-year cohort study

Background and aimsFew studies have explored the association between malnutrition, defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and all-cause mortality, particularly in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between the GNRI and all-cause mortality in the elderly population.Methods and resultsParticipants aged ≥60 years were eligible for this study and were divided into three groups by the GNRI: An adequate nutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥98; mild malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥82 but <98; and a severe malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI <82. The results implied that there was a positive association between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality in the total population (hazard ratio (HR): 2.591 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.729–3.884), male subjects (HR: 2.903 and 95% CI: 1.718–4.906), and female subjects (HR: 2.081 and 95% CI: 1.071–4.046). Similar associations between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality were observed in both the 60–69 and 70–79 years age groups (HR: 2.863 and 2.600, 95% CI: 1.444–5.678 and 1.394–4.849, respectively). However, no significant association was observed between mild malnutrition and all-cause mortality.ConclusionsSevere malnutrition could increase all-cause mortality in the 60- to 79-year-old population. However, there was no association of mild malnutrition with all-cause mortality.     

黄芪增液汤对便秘大鼠结肠AQP9的表达影响

目的:采用复方地芬诺酯灌胃建立津亏便秘大鼠模型,观察黄芪增液汤对便秘模型大鼠水通道蛋白-9(Aquaporin 9,AQP9)表达的影响。方法:健康(Sprague-Dawley,SD)大鼠50只,随机分为5组,空白组、模型组、伊托必利组、黄芪增液汤高、中、低剂量组。模型组及各治疗组采用限水+复方地芬诺酯灌胃复制津亏便秘模型,造模成功后,模型组以0.9%氯化钠注(NaCl)灌胃,每日1次。治疗组分别给予设定剂量和配比的增液汤和莫沙必利,每日1次(剂量依体质量而定),连续12天。治疗结束后,采用免疫组织化学链霉亲和素-生物素复合物(Strept Avidin-biotin Complex,SABC)法检测空白组、模型组及治疗各组AQP9在结肠的表达情况,应用彩色病理图像分析系统对阳性表达的平均光密度值(Density Mean,MD)进行半定量比较分析。结果:①AQP9在各组大鼠结肠黏膜均有表达,主要表达于杯状细胞胞膜,部分杯状细胞淡然,染色呈棕褐色,胞核无染色;②模型组AQP9表达显著降低,着色浅,MD值显著下降,与空白组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);③伊托必利组、中药高、中、低剂量组均较模型组细胞阳性表达量高,各组与空白组比较表达量低,MD值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);④中药低、中剂量组、伊托必利组两两比较,表达量无统计学意义(P>0.05),中药高剂量组表达量较低、中剂量组、伊托必利组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:①便秘大鼠结肠黏膜AQP9表达量显著降低,这可能是肠道液体分泌减少,导致便秘"津亏"的根源所在。②黄芪增液汤能上调便秘大鼠结肠黏膜AQP9表达,尤其以黄芪增液汤高剂量组升高明显,提示黄芪增液汤可能是以通过提高结肠AQP9表达来达到其对便秘"增液行舟"机制的。