The Duration of the correction loss after removing cheneau brace in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the loss of truncal rotation over 54 hours after removing Chêneau brace.

A new aspect of in vitro antimicrobial leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma activity based on flow cytometry assessment

The current literature suggests that the antibacterial effect of leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) is directly related to platelet and leukocyte concentrations. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of L-PRP against selected bacterial strains in vitro, and second, to correlate this effect with leukocyte and platelet content in the final concentration. Blood was collected from 20 healthy males, and L-PRP, acellular plasma (AP), and autologous thrombin were consecutively prepared. Flow cytometry analysis of the blood, L-PRP, and AP was performed. The L-PRP gel, liquid L-PRP, and thrombin samples were tested in vitro for their antibacterial properties against seven selected bacterial strains using the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method. There was notable antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial strains. No statistically significant correlations between antimicrobial activities and the platelet concentration in L-PRP were observed. Statistically significant positive correlations between selected leukocyte subtypes and antimicrobial activity were noted. A negative correlation was found between elevated monocyte count and antimicrobial activity of L-PRP against one bacterial strain studied. L-PRP possesses antimicrobial activity and can be potentially useful in the fight against certain postoperative infections. The bactericidal effect of L-PRP is caused by leukocytes, and there exists a relationship among selected leukocyte subtypes and L-PRP antimicrobial activity.     

Survival from breast cancer in women with a BRCA2 mutation by treatment

Background The impact of various breast-cancer treatments on patients with a BRCA2 mutation has not been studied. We sought to estimate the impact of bilateral oophorectomy and other treatments on breast cancer-specific survival among patients with a germline BRCA2 mutation.Methods We identified 664 women with stage I–III breast cancer and a BRCA2 mutation by combining five different datasets (retrospective and prospective). Subjects were followed for 7.2 years from diagnosis to death from breast cancer. Tumour characteristics and cancer treatments were patient-reported and derived from medical records. Predictors of survival were determined using Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for other treatments and for prognostic features.Results The 10-year breast-cancer survival for ER-positive patients was 78.9% and for ER-negative patients was 82.3% (adjusted HR = 1.23 (95% CI, 0.62–2.45, p = 0.55)). The 10-year breast-cancer survival for women who had a bilateral oophorectomy was 89.1% and for women who did not have an oophorectomy was 59.0% (adjusted HR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.28–0.72, p = 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio for chemotherapy was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.65–1.53: p = 0.56).Conclusions For women with breast cancer and a germline BRCA2 mutation, positive ER status does not predict superior survival. Oophorectomy is associated with a reduced risk of death from breast cancer and should be considered in the treatment plan.Subject terms: Targeted therapies, Breast cancer     

New derivative of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (TP427) potentiates the anticonvulsant action of valproate,but not that of carbamazepine,phenytoin or phenobarbital in the mouse tonic-clonic seizure model

Background

To assess the effects of 5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-4-hexyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (TP427) on the protective anticonvulsant action of four classical antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate) in the tonic-clonic seizure model in mice, an isobolographic transformation of data was used.

Static and Dynamic Stiffness of Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened with Externally Bonded CFRP Strips

This paper presents experimental investigations of reinforced concrete (RC) beams flexurally strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. Seven 3300 mm × 250 mm × 150 mm beams of the same design, with the tension reinforcement ratio of 1.01%, were tested. The beams differed in the way they were strengthened: one of the beams was the reference, two beams were passively strengthened as precracked (series B-I), two beams were passively strengthened as unprecracked (series B-II) and two beams were actively strengthened as unprecracked (series B-III). Moreover, the strengthening parameters differed between the particular series. The parameters were: CFRP strip cross-sectional areas (series B-I, B-II) or prestressing forces (series B-III). The beams were statically loaded, up to the assumed force value, in the three-point bending test and deflections at midspan were registered. After unloading the beams were suspended on flexible ropes (the free-free beam system) and their eigenfrequencies were measured using operational modal analysis (OMA). The static measurements (deflections) and the dynamic measurements (eigenfrequencies) were conducted for the adopted loading steps until failure. Static stiffnesses and dynamic stiffnesses were calculated on the basis of respectively the deflections and the eigenfrequencies. The qualitative and quantitative differences between the parameters are described.     

Solution‐driven approaches to generic substitution challenges – a survey among international experts

The main objective of this study was to explore the perception and understanding of economic, legal, and social barriers that may restrain generic uptake among recognized international experts in health care, and to identify and verify recommendations on how to streamline generic substitution (GS) at no expense of therapeutic safety. A questionnaire survey was devised, and experts with world‐renowned expertise in the field of generic medicinal products were selected. Almost 3/4 of respondents claimed that all drugs that satisfy bioequivalence criteria represent similar efficacy and adverse effects, and 1/4 of respondents believed that some differences could be reported. The majority of experts supported (i) the right of patients to refuse GS, (ii) the right of physicians to veto GS, and (iii) the introduction of a statutory obligation to provide patients with access to the cheapest generics available on the market. The main obstacles to more general uptake of generics were as follows: (i) perception of generics as lower quality products, (ii) absence of a transparent policy governing GS, and (iii) disincentives to pharmacists and physicians. Among the most popular recommendations were as follows: (i) introduction of various measures to aid physicians in generic prescribing, (ii) setting clear guidelines specifying when GS is not advisable, (iii) supporting competition on the generic market. The views of experts and the resulting recommendations were strongly affected by their opinion on the bioequivalence of generics. From this analysis, we have selected several principal recommendations which could help shape successful healthcare policies regarding GS.     

Effect of variable annular reduction on functional tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular dynamics in an ovine model of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of variable tricuspid annular reduction (TAR) on functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and right ventricular (RV) dynamics in ovine tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.MethodsNine adult sheep underwent implantation of a pacemaker with an epicardial lead and were paced at 200 to 240 bpm until the development of biventricular dysfunction and functional TR was noted. During reoperation on cardiopulmonary bypass, 6 sonomicrometry crystals were placed around the tricuspid annulus (TA) and 14 were placed on the RV epicardium. Annuloplasty suture was placed around the TA and externalized to an epicardial tourniquet. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and sonomicrometry data were acquired at baseline and during 5 progressive TARs achieved with suture cinching. TA area and RV free wall strains and function were calculated from crystal coordinates.ResultsAfter pacing, changes in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and RV fractional area decreased significantly. Mean TA diameter increased from 25.1 ± 2.9 mm to 31.5 ± 3.3 mm (P = .005), and median TR (range, 0-3+) increased from 0 (0) to 3 (2) (P = .004). Progressive suture cinching reduced the TA area by 18 ± 6%, 38 ± 11%, 56 ± 10%, 67 ± 9%, and 76 ± 8%. Only aggressive annular reductions (67% and 76%) decreased TR significantly, but these were associated with deterioration of RV function and strain. A moderate annular reduction of 56% led to a substantial reduction of TR with little deleterious effect on regional RV function.ConclusionsA moderate TAR of approximately 50% may be most advantageous for correction of functional TR and simultaneous maintenance of regional RV performance. Additional subvalvular interventions may be needed to achieve complete valvular competence.