Evaluation of interface pressure and temperature management in five wheelchair seat cushions and their effects on user satisfaction

BackgroundFactors such as the manufacturing materials, shape or even the mechanical and thermal response of sitting Pressure Redistribution Support Surfaces (PRSS) can be potential contributors to pressure ulcers. However, few studies have compared a number of characteristics of the most frequently used devices.ObjectiveTo compare three potential contributors to pressure ulcers in five commercial PRSS: pressure redistribution, temperature and perceived comfort. Method: Study with a cross-over randomized design in healthy volunteer participants. Data was collected in a temperature and relative humidity controlled environment. To assess thermal response, the temperature (Flir-E60) of the region of interest was captured before and after use of each PRSS for further analysis. The region of interest was the gluteal zone. To assess the pressure redistribution a pressure mat (XSensor®) was used between the 5 cushion and each study participant using a standardized method. Finally, a subjective perception questionnaire recorded comfort, adaptability and thermal sensation parameters. Data analysis levels of significance were set at 0.05.ResultsA total of 22 participants completed the assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline temperatures between PRSS (>0.05). Pressure redistribution analysis showed significant differences between all PRSS in all variables evaluated except in the maximum and peak pressure index al sacrum. The subjective assessment suggested no major user-perceived differences between PRSS.ConclusionSeat cushions made of open cell polyurethane foam blocks of variable hardness and the horseshoe cushion (also open cell polyurethane foam) seem to provide a more effective pressure relief characteristic than those injected with polyurethane foam and gel in most of the studied pressure variables. However, the cushions provide similar thermal response and perceived comfort.     

Not Kidding! Sequalae of elbow trauma in children

Elbow injuries are common in children and while majority heal very well, some result in deformities of the elbow. Although deformities such as cubitus varus and non-progressive cubitus valgus are considered cosmetic by the paediatric orthopaedic surgeons and intentionally ignored, they are not always benign and can result in functional deficit due to instability, pain, tardy nerve palsies and osteoarthritis later in life. Similarly congenital and developmental conditions that do not cause major functional loss in childhood, become very disabling in adults due to increasing functional demands. Congenital radial head dislocation and radioulnar synostosis fall into this category. In this paper we discuss clinical presentation, treatment options and outcomes of common elbow conditions presenting later in the life.     

小儿哮喘眼影分级与中医证候的相关性研究

目的观察小儿哮喘患者眼影分布情况及程度,并探索与中医证候的相关性。方法收集2014年12月—2015年11月于湖南中医药大学第一附属医院儿科就诊的小儿哮喘患者400例,其中风寒束肺证68例、痰热阻肺证156例、外寒内热证46例、肺实肾虚证12例、肺脾气虚证67例、脾肾阳虚证10例及肺肾阴虚证41例。统计患儿年龄、性别构成情况,分析发病季节、年龄与中医证候的相关性。对入选患儿进行眼影分级,分析眼影分级与小儿哮喘患者病程、中医证候等的相关性。结果(1)小儿哮喘于学龄前期(44.50%)及幼儿期(42.75%)的发病率高,各年龄段患儿的性别差异无统计学意义(P=0.59)。(2)哮喘患儿以痰热阻肺证(39.00%)多见,风寒束肺证(17.00%)及肺脾气虚证(16.75%)次之,风寒束肺证与痰热阻肺证哮喘患儿多发生在冬春、季(P<0.01)。(3)入选患儿眼影分级情况为:0、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级分别为71、94、155、80例,其中以Ⅱ级最多见;眼影分级与小儿哮喘病程呈正相关(r=0.581,P<0.01)。风寒束肺证与外寒内热证以0级(39.7%、39.1%)与Ⅰ级(32.4%、34.8%)为主;痰热阻肺证与肺脾气虚证以Ⅱ级(55.8%、47.8%)为主;肺肾阴虚证以Ⅲ级(58.5%)最多,肺实肾虚证、脾肾阳虚证眼影分级差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。小儿哮喘发作期眼影以Ⅰ级(24.1%)、Ⅱ级(39.4%)为主,缓解期眼影以Ⅱ级(37.3%)、Ⅲ级(28.0%)为主。(4)伴有家族哮喘史或者伴有过敏性鼻炎的小儿哮喘患者的眼影分布中,Ⅱ、Ⅲ级所占比例较大。结论小儿哮喘患儿病程越长,眼影分级越高;风寒束肺证、外寒内热证患者眼影分级低于痰热阻肺证、肺脾气虚证及肺肾阴虚证患者。有家族哮喘史或伴有过敏性鼻炎的患儿眼影分级越高。     

Hip muscle atrophy in patients with acetabular labral joint pathology

Intra-articular hip joint pathology is a source of hip and groin pain in active individuals and is thought to be a precursor to hip osteoarthritis. Limited evidence exists to guide appropriate physiotherapy management for these patients. Identification of which hip muscles are affected may help clinicians to develop effective exercise programs. A cross-sectional observational study in a hospital setting was conducted to investigate the size of individual hip abductor, hip extensor, and hip external rotator muscles in patients with acetabular labral joint pathology compared with age and sex matched healthy subjects. Twelve participants (eight females, four males), aged 20–53 years, with a medical diagnosis of unilateral acetabular labral tear and 12 healthy participants were recruited. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cross-sectional areas of the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, upper gluteus maximus, lower gluteus maximus, piriformis, and quadratus femoris muscles bilaterally. Gluteus medius muscle cross-sectional area was significantly different between groups (P < 0.01, effect size = 0.92) with muscle size found to be smaller in the pathology group. No differences were found for the other hip muscles (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that hip muscles are not all affected equally by the presence of intra-articular hip joint pathology. Atrophy of specific hip muscles, which are important in hip joint and pelvic stability, may alter hip joint function during gait and functional tasks. Clinicians treating patients with intra-articular hip joint pathology may need to prescribe exercises targeting the specific muscles with demonstrated dysfunction. Clin. Anat. 33:538–544, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

两种不同缝线方法治疗原发性翼状胬肉的疗效比较

目的：观察2种不同缝线方法治疗原发性翼状胬肉的临床疗效。方法：前瞻性研究。选取2015年4月 至2018年4月于解放军乌鲁木齐市第474医院住院并手术的翼状胬肉患者128例(128眼)，采用随机数字表法随机分成观察组和对照组，每组64例（64眼）。观察组采用翼状胬肉切除联合连续缝合自体结膜瓣移植治疗，对照组采用翼状胬肉切除联合间断缝合自体结膜瓣移植治疗。观察2组术后1、3、 7 d的疼痛、角膜刺激症状程度；角膜荧光染色确定2组角膜上皮完全愈合时间；6个月随访中记录结膜完全愈合、瘢痕纤维增生及胬肉复发情况。2组间各指标的比较采用独立样本t检验；2组间率的比 较采用卡方检验（必要时辅以Fisher精确概率法直接计算P值）。结果：疼痛和刺激症状评分方面，观察组术后1 d和3 d均低于对照组（疼痛评分：t=-40.477，P<0.001；t=-23.376，P<0.001。刺激症状评分： t=-18.431，P<0.001；t=-7.894，P<0.001)，术前和术后7 d，2组间差异无统计学意义。角膜荧光染色 显示角膜上皮完全愈合率方面，观察组术后3 d和5 d均高于对照组（χ2 =4.354，P=0.037；χ2 =13.333， P<0.001），术后7 d组间差异无统计学意义。观察组的痊愈率高于对照组（χ2 =8.848，P=0.003），观察 组的瘢痕痊愈率低于对照组（χ2 =8.214，P=0.004），2组胬肉复发率差异无统计学意义。观察组拆线 时间早于对照组（t=-32.686，P<0.001），拆线耗时短于对照组（t=-20.236，P<0.001），拆线疼痛评分低于对照组（t=-26.580，P<0.001），差异均有统计学意义。结论：翼状胬肉切除联合连续缝合自体结膜瓣移植治疗原发性翼状胬肉，术后眼部疼痛、刺激、炎症反应轻，角膜上皮愈合更快，可明显减少瘢痕的形成，术后拆线更早，拆线耗时短且疼痛感较轻。     

Epidemiology and Outcomes Following Open Globe Injury in Agricultural Region,an 11-Year Experience

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To determine the characteristics and epidemiology of open globe injury (OGI) in a third referral centre over 11 years.     

Cervical fracture patterns associated with blunt cerebrovascular injures when utilizing computed tomographic angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPrior studies have demonstrated an association between cervical spine fractures and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) due to the intimate anatomic relationship between the cervical spine and the vertebral arteries. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has historically been the gold standard, but computed tomography angiography (CTA) is commonly used to screen for BCVI in the trauma setting. However, there is no consensus regarding which fracture patterns mandate screening. Over aggressive screening may lead to increased radiation, increased false positives, and overtreatment of patients which can cause unnecessary patient harm, and increased healthcare costs.PURPOSEThe aim of this meta-analysis is to analyze which cervical spine fracture patterns are most predictive of BCVI when utilizing CTA.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGSystematic review and meta-analysis.OUTCOME MEASURESOdds ratios for specific cervical fracture patterns and risk of developing a BCVI.METHODSA systematic literature review of all English language studies from 2000-2020 was conducted. The year 2000 was chosen as the cut-off because use of CTA prior to 2000 was rare. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) the diagnostic imaging modality was CTA; (2) investigated blunt cervical trauma; (3) noted specific cervical spine fracture patterns associated with BCVI; (4) odds ratios for specific cervical spine fracture patterns or the odds ratio could be calculated; (5) subjects were 18 years old or older. Studies were excluded if they: (1) included DSA or magnetic resonance imaging; (2) included penetrating cervical trauma; (3) included pediatric patients less than 18 years of age; (4) were not written in English. All statistical analysis was performed using R Studio (RStudio, Boston, MA, USA).RESULTSThe initial search, after duplicates were removed, resulted in 10,940 articles for independent review. Six studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Specific fracture patterns mentioned are isolated C1, C2, C3 fractures, any C1–C3 fracture, any C4–C7 fracture, two-level fractures, subluxation/dislocations, and transverse foramen (TF) fractures. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis for C1, C2, C1–C3, subluxations/dislocations, and TF fractures. Two studies were included in the meta-analysis for C3, C4–C7, and two-level fractures. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval for: C1 fractures and BCVI is 1.3 (0.8–2.1); C2: 1.6 (0.9–2.8); C3: 1.8 (0.9–3.6); C1–C3: 2.2 (1.1–4.2); C4–C7: 0.7 (0.3–1.7); Two-level: 2.5 (1.4–4.6); Subluxation/Dislocation: 2.9 (1.8–4.5); TF: 3.6 (1.4–8.9).DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONThis study found that when utilizing CTA for screening of BCVI only fractures in the C1-C3 region, two-level fractures, subluxations/dislocations, and transverse foramen fractures were associated with increased incidence of a BCVI. Further refinement of protocols for CTA in the setting of blunt cervical trauma may help limit unnecessary patient harm from overtreatment and reduce healthcare costs.     

Serum growth factor stability in different eye drop packaging systems during storage

Serum eye drops (SED) have shown beneficial effects in patients suffering from dry eye syndrome and are manufactured for an increasing number of patients in Australia every year. Previous studies have examined the stability of serum growth factors during storage in either experimental vessels not used as the final packaging system or in eye drop bottles. To ensure the quality and safety of SED product manufactured in Australia, the stability of growth factors in serum packaged into two different systems during storage at different temperatures was examined. Healthy blood donors provided a whole blood donation, from which serum was prepared, diluted to 20% and dispensed into either a tube or a vial packaging system. The stability of growth factors, fibronectin and total protein in tube segments was comparable to matched vials samples during storage at −30 °C, 4 °C, 22 °C and 37 °C, with the exception of EGF and fibronectin in 20% SED stored in tube segments, which were more sensitive to storage conditions at 4 °C and 22 °C when compared to vials. Additionally, the growth factor, fibronectin and total protein concentration in both tube segments and vials was stable during storage at −30 °C for at least 9 months. This study highlights the impact of different manufacturing procedures on serum growth factor stability during storage.