Impact of hospitalist vs. non-hospitalist services on length of stay and 30-day readmission rate in hip fracture patients

Objectives: Hip fracture is a common and morbid condition, affecting a patient population with significant medical co-morbidities. A number of medical co-management models have been studied, with conflicting reports of effect on patient outcomes. Our objective was to compare outcomes for patients with hip fracture managed by hospitalist vs. non-hospitalist services at an academic medical center.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with hip fracture over 1 year, comparing those on hospitalist vs. non-hospitalist services. Outcomes included 30-day readmission and hospitalization ≤7 days, with comparison between patients admitted to hospitalist vs. non-hospitalist services. We performed multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, insurance type, ASA score, and blood transfusion during hospitalization and days from admission to surgery.

Results: We identified 124 hospitalist and 53 non-hospitalist patients. In unadjusted analysis, hospitalist patients were more likely to have hospitalization ≤7 days (84.7% vs. 67.9%, p = 0.01). In adjusted analysis, hospitalist patients had lower odds of 30-day readmissions (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.04–0.97) but no difference in odds of hospitalization ≤7 days (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.82–5.66).

Conclusions: Patients with hip fracture managed by hospitalist vs. non-hospitalist services had lower odds of 30-day readmission after discharge. Our results suggest benefit to hospitalist co-management of hip fracture patients.     

Development of Orally Applicable,Combinatorial Drug–Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Fibrosarcoma

Nanoparticulate systems have been receiving a significant attention especially for the treatment of cancer but one of the main hurdles is to produce these developed and high-tech nanosystems in large quantities. Anticancer drug formulations are generally designed for parenteral administrations but oral administration is still the most convenient route. In this study, orally applicable nano-sized chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully prepared using Nano Spray Dryer. It is possible to produce these NPs in large quantities by simply increasing the processing time using the machine without changing any parameter. A chemotherapeutic agent (imatinib mesylate; IMA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (dexketoprofen trometamol) were loaded together in these NPs. NPs were also functionalized with polyethylene glycol and folic acid to obtain long circulating NPs and tumor targeting. The antitumoral activities of formulations showed that these developed NPs can enhance the effectiveness. Animal experiments were performed on fibrosarcoma-bearing mice model, and the treatment with 0.8 mg/μL/kg IMA-loaded chitosan NPs was found to be successful to slow down the growth of tumors. The tumor tissues were removed from the animals and enzymatic activities were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of tyrosine kinase was found to be enhanced from 36.4% to 68.4% when IMA was used in combination with dexketoprofen trometamol. Furthermore, all dried NPs were found to be stable for more than a year at 25°C. Presented results show that these developed combinatorial drug–loaded NPs can be used for the treatment of fibrosarcoma, and these data can provide an insight, new strategies for productions or alternatives in cancer treatment.     

Do Anti-TNF Agents Increase the Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Evolution in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis? Real Life Data

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is any association with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent administration and development of new-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.MethodsRecords of the patients who met 1984 modified New York criteria for AS between 1998 and 2016 at Rheumatology Department were evaluated retrospectively and data about the patients, IBD properties and medication were obtained.ResultsAmong 420 patients, 310 were male, the average age was 42.9 ± 1.3 years, average disease duration was 16.7 ± 10.4 years. Anti-TNF agents were in use by 154 patients, 52 patients were receiving etanercept (ETN), infliximab (INF), adalimumab (ADA), and golimumab (GO) treatments were ongoing in 50, 41, and 11 patients, respectively. New-onset IBD developed in 10 patients; 3 from the group treated with non-anti-TNF drugs (1.1%) and 7 from the group treated with anti-TNF agents (4.5%) (p = 0.042). No significant difference was detected between three anti-TNF agent forms in relation with the risk of IBD onset. In AS patients, existence of familial AS (OR 4.69 (95%CI 1.28-17.19, p = 0.020) and anti-TNF agent treatment (OR 4.17 (95%CI 1.06-16.38, p = 0.041) were independent risk factors for new-onset IBD development.ConclusionDespite the increased risk of new-onset IBD development during the course of AS, paradoxical response to anti-TNF drugs must also be considered as a source that triggers onset of IBD.     

Influence of tooth clench on the soleus H-reflex

The Hoffmann (H) reflex is elicited by electrical stimulation of a mixed nerve and is used to measure the excitability of the spindle-motoneuron synapse. Recent investigations have indicated a positive correlation between increases in bite force and H-reflex facilitation. However, these investigations did not examine the H-reflex in detail or the possible role of periodontal mechanoreceptors (PMRs) in this facilitation. The current investigation was performed to determine whether PMRs play a role in H-reflex facilitation during tooth clench (TC). The H-reflex was elicited in the soleus muscle of human subjects while bite level was maintained at rest (0 N), 40 N, 80 N and maximal TC. The front teeth that contributed to the (40 N and 80 N) bite force were then locally anaesthetised (LA), and the protocol was repeated. The current data suggest that the effect of TC on the H-reflex amplitude in the human limb muscles is variable from one subject to the next. Statistical analysis has shown that the H-reflex was significantly smaller during the rest condition than during the 80 N bite (p<0.05) in both non-LA and LA conditions. Since LA did not alter the response, our results do not support that the PMRs play a major role in the facilitation of distal muscle activity.     

The effects of two methods of Class III malocclusion treatment on temporomandibular disorders

The aim of this research was to evaluate, within a controlled clinical study, the effects of a Delaire-type facemask or a modified Jasper Jumper (JJ) used in the treatment of children with Class III malocclusions due to maxillary retrognathia on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Forty-six patients with Class III malocclusions referred for orthodontic treatment were divided into two groups, a test and a control. The test group comprised 33 randomly chosen patients (15 females, 18 males) aged 8-11 years. The control group included 13 patients (eight females, five males) with similar features. TMD assessment was performed before and after treatment using a two-axis questionnaire, the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMDs). Qualitative data were evaluated using chi-square and McNemar tests. No statistically significant differences related to the presence of TMD were observed pre- or post-treatment (P > 0.05). The most commonly encountered diagnosis was arthralgia in the JJ group both before and after treatment. Evaluation of joint and muscle regions showed decreased symptoms, apart from the diagnosed discomforts, in the JJ group (P < 0.05). Reduced symptoms were observed in the Delaire group; however, this reduction was not statistically significant. An increase, not considered to be statistically significant, was observed in the control group. The Delaire-type facemask and modified JJ used in the early phase of Class III malocclusion treatment did not result in TMD.     

Long-term evaluations of temporomandibular disorders in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery compared with a control group

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery compared with a healthy group. STUDY DESIGN: Signs and symptoms of TMD in orthognathic surgery patients were evaluated before surgery, 1 week after removal of intermaxillary fixation, and 1 and 2 years after surgery by means of Helkimo's Anamnestic and Dysfunction Indexes. At initial and final examinations, signs and symptoms of TMD of orthognathic surgery patients were compared also with those of healthy patients. The lengths of condylar pathways during opening, medial, and protrusive movements in orthognathic surgery patients were evaluated with axiography. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction was noted for the TMD symptoms and signs 2 years after surgery compared with before surgery. At initial examination, orthognathic surgery patients did not report TMD signs and symptoms significantly more often than healthy subjects. At final examination, improvements in TMD symptoms of orthognathic surgery patients were found when compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that functional status of temporomandibular joint can be improved with orthognathic surgery, but no association could be clearly shown between TMD symptoms and the type of dentofacial deformity.     

The effect of saliva contamination on microleakage of an etch-and-rinse and a self-etching adhesive

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of saliva contamination on the microleakage of an etch-and-rinse adhesive and a self-etching adhesive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class V cavity preparations at the cementoenamel junction were made on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 40 freshly extracted human molars. The teeth were randomly assigned into two groups for different adhesives: Group I, Single Bond (two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive) and Group II, Futura Bond NR (one-step self-etching adhesive). The adhesive materials were applied according to their manufacturers' recommendations. The specimens were then further subdivided into five subgroups (A-E; n = 8): group A, contamination before adhesive curing; group B, contamination before adhesive curing and re-application of adhesive; group C, contamination after adhesive curing; group D, contamination after adhesive curing and re-application of adhesive; and group E, no contamination (control). Contamination of adhesive surfaces was performed with fresh natural saliva and the saliva was removed by a gentle air blast. The specimens were restored with Z250 hybrid composite. After thermocycling (500x, 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C) and immersion in 0.5% basic fuchsin, the dye penetration was evaluated under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was performed with the Kruskal-Wallis test at p < 0.05. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found among the contamination subgroups on the enamel or on the dentin for either group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in leakage between Group I and Group II for any subgroup (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Contamination of adhesives with saliva before and after adhesive curing did not worsen the microleakage of the two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive Single Bond or the one-step self-etching adhesive Futura Bond NR.     

Combined use of platelet-rich plasma and bone grafting with or without guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of anterior interproximal defects

BACKGROUND: The aim of periodontal therapy is to prevent tissue destruction while achieving the regeneration of damaged tissues. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used to generate new bone, periodontal ligament, and new attachment with a strategy based on the modulation and enhancement of wound healing through an autologous source for growth factors obtained from the patient's own blood. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRP when used in combination with beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) alloplastic graft material and collagen barrier membrane in the treatment of anterior interproximal intrabony defects. METHODS: Thirty interproximal intrabony defects in 25 systemically healthy patients were selected for the study. Defects were distributed randomly and equally into three groups: graft alone (beta-TCP), graft + PRP, and graft + PRP + membrane. The plaque index, gingival index, periodontal probing depth, relative attachment level, transgingival probing measurement, and radiographic analyses were performed at baseline and repeated after 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: At the end of 12 months, relative attachment gain was 2.4, 2.1, and 2.5 mm in the three treatment groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences in clinical and radiographic measurements were observed among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: All options were effective in the treatment of anterior interproximal intrabony defects. The results also suggested that PRP added no clinical benefit to beta-TCP alloplastic graft material used alone or in combination with GTR.     

Long-term results of the application of solvent-dehydrated bone xenograft and duramater xenograft for the healing of oroantral osseous defects: a pilot experimental study

Abstract –  The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of the use of human cadaveric solvent-dehydrated bone graft and duramater as a barrier membrane for the treatment of oroantral communication. Standard oroantral osseous defects were created in five minipigs. Subjects received cancellous bone graft in the form of block or microchips, duramater or a combination of bone and membrane. Uneventful healing was achieved in all of the subjects, clinically including the control site which did not receive any material. The operated bone segments were evaluated both by radiological and histological examinations after 6 months. Radiological evaluation was carried out using bone density analysis software and histological evaluation made by light microscopy. Radiological and histological results revealed that bone grafting of oroantral osseous defects improved the bone quality. However, application of duramater did not change this activity, both alone or combined with bone grafts. Within the limits of this experimental study, although solvent-dehydrated bone grafts were found superior and could be applied for the healing of osseous oroantral defects, resorbable membranes did not contribute to this process.