Management of sagittal craniosynostosis: morphological comparison of eight surgical techniques

The aim of this study was to carry out a retrospective multicentre study comparing the morphological outcome of 8 techniques used for the management of sagittal synostosis versus a large cohort of control patients. Computed tomographic (CT) images were obtained from children CT-scanned for non-craniosynostosis related events (n = 241) and SS patients at preoperative and postoperative follow-up stages (n = 101). No significant difference in morphological outcomes was observed between the techniques considered in this study. However, the majority of techniques showed a tendency for relapse. Further, the more invasive procedures at older ages seem to lead to larger intracranial volume compared to less invasive techniques at younger ages. This study can be a first step towards future multicentre studies, comparing surgical results and offering a possibility for objective benchmarking of outcomes between methods and centres.     

Effect of contralateral cane use on hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during the stance phase

BackgroundRecent reports have shown that the daily cumulative moment in the frontal plane (i.e., product of hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during the stance phase and mean steps per day) is a risk factor for hip osteoarthritis. This study aimed to clarify the effect of contralateral cane use on hip moment impulse in the frontal plane of the stance limb.MethodsThis study included 15 healthy subjects who walked under four experimental conditions: (1) without a cane and (2–4) contralateral cane use with 10%, 15%, and 20% body weight support (BWS), respectively. To maintain the same walking speed in all conditions, the cadence was set to 80 steps/min, and the step length was fixed. The hip moment impulses in the frontal plane (i.e., area under the hip ab-adduction moment waveform) and peak hip adduction moments in all conditions were calculated.ResultsContralateral cane use significantly decreased the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane and peak hip adduction moment compared to non-cane use. Moreover, the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane and peak hip adduction moment decreased significantly with increased cane BWS. There were no significant differences in walking speed, cadence, and step length between the four conditions.ConclusionContralateral cane use decreases the hip moment impulse in the frontal plane and peak hip adduction moment in the stance limb. These findings may help clarify how to delay the progression of hip osteoarthritis.     

Bloqueio do plano do eretor da espinha com técnica de múltiplos cateteres para esofagectomia aberta: relato de caso

Background and objective

Erector spinae plane block is a valid technique to provide simultaneously analgesia for combined thoracic and abdominal surgery.

Building and Exploitation of Learning Curves to Train Radiographer Students in X-Ray CT Image Postprocessing

IntroductionThis study aims to construct learning curves related to the realization of standardized postprocessing by radiographer students and to discuss their exploitation and interest.Materials and MethodsThis study was carried out in 21 French students in their 3rd year of training. Two postprocessing protocols in CT (#1 traumatic shoulder; #2 petrous bone) were repeated 15 times by each student. Each achievement was timed to obtain overall learning curves. The realization accuracy was also assessed for each student at each repetition.ResultsThe learning rates for the two protocols are 63% and 56%, respectively. The number of repetitions to reach the reference time for each protocol is 11 and 12, respectively. In both protocols, the standard deviations are significantly reduced and stabilized during repetitions. The mean accuracy progresses more quickly in protocol #1.DiscussionThe measured learning rates reflect a rapid learning process for each protocol. The analysis of the standard deviations shows that students have reached a homogeneous level. The average times and accuracies measured during the last repetitions show that the group has reached a high level of performance. Building learning curves helps students measure their progress and motivates them.ConclusionObtaining learning curves allows trainers/supervisors to qualify the learning difficulty of a task while motivating students/radiographers. The use of learning curves is inline with the competency-based training paradigm.     

Estimating Potency for the E max-Model Without Attaining Maximal Effects

The most widely applied model relating drug concentrations to effects is the E_max model. In practice, concentration–effect relationships often deviate from a simple linear relationship but without reaching a clear maximum because a further increase in concentration might be associated with unacceptable or distorting side effects. The parameters for the E_max model can only be estimated with reasonable precision if the curve shows sign of reaching a maximum, otherwise both EC₅₀ and E_max estimates may be extremely imprecise. This paper provides a solution by introducing a new parameter (S₀ ) equal to E_max/EC₅₀ that can be used to characterize potency adequately even if there are no signs of a clear maximum. Simulations are presented to investigate the nature of the new parameter and published examples are used as illustration.     

胸廓矢状面倾斜度的测定及其对放疗的意义

目的了解人体前胸矢状面倾斜度的大小及对放疗剂量分布的影响。方法选择126例患者行胸部CT扫描并予正中矢状面重建。分别测定上中下胸廓层面前后体表中线至脊髓距离及各层上下间距,计算出前胸倾斜度。查TMR表得出中平面深度及脊髓深度处上中胸及中下胸层面剂量误差。结果前野各层面至脊髓距离变化较大,后野变化较小。人体前胸倾斜度范围为25~56°。上中胸段组的上下缘剂量误差较大,躯体中平面平均相差8%,脊髓17%。中下胸段组剂量误差较小,躯体中平面4%,脊髓7%。误差随倾斜角度增加而增加。根据倾斜度得出合适的楔形板修正角度大约为10~35°。结论人体前胸矢状面存在自然倾斜度,这种倾斜影响前野剂量分布,应予以个体化修正。建议根据角度的大小选择合适的头足向楔形板优化。     

平面导板在深覆(牙合)矫治中的临床应用研究

目的：探讨平面导板矫治重度深覆[牙合]患者的作用机制及临床作用要点。方法：对18名生长发育期的重度深覆[牙合]患者,用平面导板来打开咬合,并对咬合打开前后的硬软组织变化进行分析。结果：①上下后牙及牙槽高度均增加,下后牙及牙槽高度的增加值大于上后牙及牙槽高度的增加值,而对前牙及牙槽高度的影响无统计学差异;②上下颌骨在水平方向上无改变,但下颌平面角与下面高/全面高治疗后较治疗前增大,后面高/前面高治疗后较治疗前减小;③覆[牙合]减小,Spee氏曲线得到整平;④松弛的下唇肌肉得到紧张,从而改善了侧貌外形。结论：平面导板使覆[牙合]减小主要是后牙及后牙齿槽突高度增加的结果,对生长发育期的低角重度深覆[牙合]患者治疗效果较好。     

Reassessment of the accuracy of traditional sperm characteristics and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in estimating the fertilizing potential of human semen in vivo

Receiver operating characteristic curves and accuracy parameters were computed for traditional sperm characteristics (concentration, motility, morphology) and the number of peroxidase negative cells, and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in semen from populations of fertile and infertile men, and men who achieved a pregnancy after varicocele treatment. The percentage and concentration per millilitre of spermatozoa with rapid linear progressive motility, and the ATP concentration, provided the best discrimination between fertile and treated fertile from infertile men. The misclassification rate was higher for sperm morphology, total progressive motility and viability, whereas sperm concentration and the total sperm count per ejaculate had the worst discriminating power. The number of peroxidase negative cells per 100 spermatozoa was highly specific in identifying men who achieved pregnancy after varicocele treatment. The lower limit of normality of sperm characteristics was remarkably different between fertile men and men achieving pregnancy after treatment or during infertility work-up.