Controlled study of nimodipine in treatment of patients with diffuse axonal injury

Objective:To determine the efficacy and safety of early intervention with nimodipine treatment in diffuse axonal injury.Methods:Based on the characteristic radiological signs and criteria for diffuse axonal injury(DAI),89 patients with the diagnosis of DAI were enrolled in this randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial.Results:Nimodipine proved to be safe and well tolerated.With TCD sonography we found that there was a higher incidence of cerebral vasospasm in this series (38.2%).Overall,Nimodipine produced a better clinical result than placebo,but there was no statistically significant difference in favorable outcome at 3 months after injury (P=0.11) between the two groups.A trend toward a favorable effect was suggested by the analyses in two small subgroups.either in the patients suffering from clinical Grade Ⅲ DAI (P=0.04),or in those with the TCD-evidence of cerebral vasospasm during clinical observation (P=0.049).Conclusions:We postulate that a clinically valuable benefit is possible with nimodipine treatment in DAI patients.However,the effects on outcome should be verified by further controlled study.     

Theoretical study of subluxation in early Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

The relationship between mechanical subluxation and femoral head necrosis geometry in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCP) was investigated with a three-dimensional rigid body-spring method hip model. Femoral head models with progressively larger regions of necrosis, corresponding to the four Catterall grades, were placed in a spherical acetabular model and studied in static single-limb stance configuration, with variable mechanical rigidity of the necrotic segment. The degree of subluxation was dependent on the geometric region of involvement, mechanical properties of the segment, and direction of loading force. In general, femoral head subluxation was always in the direction of the necrosis, modified by the anatomic and force environment. In the neutral position, the Catterall I models exhibited minimal subluxation. The Catterall II model subluxated anteriorly as collapse occurred, and the Catterall III model subluxated anteriorly and superiorly. Lateral subluxation could be produced by changing the loading force to a more vertical orientation. The Catterall IV model collapsed directly along the line of force application rather than subluxating. Reorientation of models with minor necrosis could improve stability, but reorientation of models with extensive necrosis had minimal effect on subluxation behavior. Higher-grade LCP involvement may lead to early subluxation, particularly anteriorly, which is difficult to visualize radiographically. The appearance of lateral subluxation may signal a change in the mechanical environment of the hip from clinical progression of the disease. Femoral head reorientation (osteotomy) may improve femoral head stability when necrosis is limited but is unlikely to reduce subluxation or collapse when extensive necrosis is present.     

A study of Kurdish women’s tragic self-immolation in Iran: A qualitative study

Self-immolation is one of the most painful methods of suicide which is widespread among women in Kurdish regions of Iran. The present study aimed to explore the causes and sociocultural groundwork of choosing self-immolation methods by women in Kurdish regions of Iran.This present study was conducted using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. The research population included women who self-immolated and were rescued in Kurdish regions of Iran. The data collection method was a deep interview as well as observation. The sampling method was based on objective and snowball sampling. The data collection continued to theoretical saturation, the number of participants reached 25 in the end, and Lincoln and Guba criteria were used to strengthen the research. From the analysis of the data obtained in this study, the 8 sub-themes related to cause of suicide attempt from the participants’ viewpoints including unbridled coherence, lack of supportive social and environmental structures, economic pressure, aggravation of violence, humiliated ego, dominance of modern values over the local and indigenous ones, incoherent family, and giving up on changing conditions as well as 6 sub themes based on the cause of choosing the method of self-immolation including protesting, frightening the family, catching more attention, championing and showing courage, inducing more guilty feelings in the family and society, fashion or imitation, and easy access were revealed. Self-immolation is one of the most important problems in the Kurdish regions of Iran, which is rooted in various economic, social, psychological and cultural causes. To reduce this social harm, there is a need for comprehensive programs that cover all dimensions.     

Timing of aneurysm surgery in subarachnoid haemorrhage – an observational study in The Netherlands

Summary Background. There is still lack of evidence on the optimal timing of surgery in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Only one randomised clinical trial has been done, which showed no difference between early and late surgery. Other studies were observational in nature and most had methodological drawbacks that preclude clinically meaningful conclusions. We performed a retrospective observational study on the timing of aneurysm surgery in The Netherlands over a two-year period.Method. In eight hospitals we identified 1500 patients with an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. They were subjected to predefined inclusion criteria. We included all patients who were admitted and were conscious at any one time between admission and the end of the third day after the haemorrhage. We categorised the clinical condition on admission according the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grading scale. Early aneurysm surgery was defined as operation performed within three days after onset of subarachnoid haemorrhage; intermediate surgery as performed on days four to seven, and late surgery as performed after day seven. Outcome was classified as the proportion of patients with poor outcome (death or dependent) two to four months after onset of subarachnoid haemorrhage. We calculated crude odds ratios with late surgery as reference. We distinguished between management results (reconstructed intention to treat analysis) and surgical results (on treatment analysis). The results were adjusted for the major prognosticators for outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage.Findings. We included 411 patients. There were 276 patients in the early surgery group, 36 in the intermediate surgery group and 99 in the late surgery group. On admission 78% were in good neurological condition (WFNS I–III).Management results. Overall, 93 patients (34%) operated on early had a poor outcome, 13 (36%) of those with intermediate surgery and 37 (37%) in the late surgery group had a poor outcome. For patients in good clinical condition on admission and planned for early surgery the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.3 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.0). The adjusted OR for patients admitted in poor neurologicalcondition (WFNS IV–V) and planned for early surgery was 0.1 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.6).Surgical results. For patients in good clinical condition on admission who underwent early operation the adjusted OR was 1.1 (95% CI 0.4 to 3.2); it was 0.2 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.9) for patients admitted in poor clinical condition.Conclusions. In this observational study we found no significant difference in outcome between early and late operation for patients in good clinical condition on admission. For patients in poor clinical condition on admission outcome was significantly better after early surgery. The optimal timing of surgery is not yet settled. Ideally, evidence on this issue should come from a randomised clinical trial. However, such a trial or even a prospective study are unlikely to be ever performed because of the rapid development of endovascular coiling.Both authors have contributed equally to this study.     

Simulation study on the effectiveness of accident proneness test in drivers

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of accident proneness test in drivers.Methods:Accident proneness test results in 100000 drivers were simulated by function of RANNOR using SAS statistical software,their accident records were simulated by function of UNIFORM according to 3 alternatives,the accident rate of qualified drivers was 0.01,and the accident rate of unqualified drivers was 0.01,0.05 and 0.10,respectively.Results:It was found that there was no effectiveness of accident proneness test if the accident rate of unqualified drivers was equal to the qualified ones,if the accident rate of the unqualified drivers was really higher than that of the qualified ones,the test could identify a certain proportion of high risk drivers.Conclusions:Accident proneness test may be effective to some extent,it is advisable to carry out further kprospective study or pilot work so as to practically prove the effectiveness of the test.     

Locking plates in distal humerus fractures： study of 43 patients

Objective:The treatment of multifragmentary,intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus is difficult,even in young patients with bone of good quality.Small distal fragment,diminished bone mineral qu...     

Undertreatment of osteoporosis in persons with dementia? A population-based study

Summary  

In this population-based study of more than 2,600 elderly, people with dementia received less preventive treatment for osteoporosis compared to people without dementia, although osteoporotic fractures were more common in patients with dementia. Thus, our results indicate an undertreatment of osteoporosis in dementia.     

Comparison of two diode lasers on bactericidity in root canals—an in vitro study

This in vitro study compares two 810-nm and 940-nm diode lasers on bacterial kill in root canals of extracted human teeth and shows the clinical relevance of different treatment modalities. Ninety root canals of single-rooted human teeth were prepared up to ISO 70, steam sterilized, and assigned to two test groups (810 nm, 940 nm) and one control group. Following an initiatory experiment in which access opening of root canals and surrounding cavity were excluded from irradiation in the main experiment, 60 teeth were inoculated with 2 μl of either Escherichia coli or Enterococcus faecalis suspension. Laser irradiation was performed, additionally including access opening of root canals and surrounding cavity in the laser treatment. Excluding access opening of root canals and surrounding cavity from the laser treatment, the diode laser achieved an average bacterial reduction of Escherichia coli of 76.06% (810 nm) and 68.15% (940 nm), while including access cavities showed an average bacterial reduction of Escherichia coli of 97.84% (810 nm) and 98.83% (940 nm) and an average bacterial reduction of Enterococcus faecalis of 98.8% (810 nm) and 98.66% (940 nm). Diode laser wavelengths are effective in endodontic therapy. It seems to be clinically relevant that additional irradiation of the access cavity produces significantly better bactericidal results.     

Pharmacokinetic study of intravesical gemcitabine in carcinoma in situ of the bladder refractory to bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy

INTRODUCTION: Gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic agent, has been shown to be active against transitional cell cancer of the bladder. The aim of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of gemcitabine, administered intravesically in patients with carcinoma in situ(CIS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients with CIS refractory to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy were enrolled. Gemcitabine was given in 50 ml 0.9% NaCl by catheterization and held in the bladder for 1 h, once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. The pharmacokinetics for gemcitabine metabolites were performed in plasma and serum. Dose levels were: 1,000, 1,250, and 1,500 mg. Clinical evaluation was repeated 4 weeks after therapy and thereafter every 6 months. RESULTS: Grade-1 neutropenia was observed only in 1 patient. Grade-1 urinary frequency and hematuria were observed in 1 and 3 patients, respectively. No grade 2-4 toxicity or clinically relevant myelosuppression were observed. Gemcitabine was detectable in serum, but with an irrelevant pharmacological effect, in only 1 patient treated with 1,500 mg of gemcitabine. With regard to activity, after 6 instillations of this drug, 4 complete responses were observed. CONCLUSION: Intravesical gemcitabine is well tolerated and safe. No systemic absorption with a clinical or pharmacological effect was detected and only slightly irritative bladder symptoms were observed. These results warrant further investigation in phase-II trials.     

Use of ultrasonography in ulnar nerve entrapment surgery—a prospective study

The purpose of our study is to assess the usefulness of high-resolution ultrasonography in observing the morphology and dynamics of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel and also the efficacy of ultrasonography in a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment decision. Cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerves of 40 healthy volunteers in the control group were measured bilaterally at the level of the epicondyle, 2 cm proximal to and 2 cm distal to the epicondyle. Measurements were obtained for elbows both in extension and flexion. Then, we prospectively obtained the cross-sectional area values of 18 patients at the same levels, elbows in extension and flexion position, and compared the data obtained from the patient group and the control group. The differences between the cross-sectional areas of the ulnar nerves in extension and flexion were statistically significant in the patient population (p < 0.001). Mean cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve in the patient population was calculated as 0.16 cm², and we accepted the cut-off point as 0.1 cm². This value for cross-sectional area yielded a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100% in diagnosis of ulnar nerve entrapment. Results substantiated conspicuous morphological changes in ulnar nerve during flexion and extension of the elbow. We also observed that as the degree of the nerve displacement by virtue of elbow flexion that is discerned by ultrasonography increased, a more aggressive decompressive surgery was needed for an appropriate treatment.     

A study of ΔNp63 expression in lung non-small cell carcinomas

Distinguishing between lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is becoming increasingly important, given the different treatment regimens available. Although histologic subdivision between the two is generally not difficult in differentiated tumors, it can be challenging in poorly differentiated tumors and may require a panel of immunohistochemistry stains. The p63 gene encodes two different N-termini (TA and ΔN). ΔNp63 is selectively expressed in squamous cell carcinoma, whereas TAp63 is not restricted only to it. 4A4, a widely used anti-p63 antibody, identifies both isoforms and is expressed in about 15% of adenocarcinomas, and, although generally focal, its expression can be diffuse. In this study, a total of 150 lung adenocarcinomas and 50 squamous cell carcinomas were immunostained by antibodies for p63 (4A4), ΔNp63 (p40), and TTF-1 (8G7G3/1). Twenty-seven adenocarcinomas (18%) were positive for p63 to a variable extent, with diffuse reaction being seen in 13 tumors (8.7%). p63 expression was seen in all subtypes of adenocarcinomas, except for the mucinous type. p40 was negative in all adenocarcinomas. All squamous cell carcinomas were diffusely positive for both p63 and p40. Four of 27 p63-positive adenocarcinomas were negative for TTF-1. p63 expression is not uncommonly seen in adenocarcinomas, whereas ΔNp63 (p40) expression is specific for squamous cell carcinoma, with sensitivity comparable to that of p63 expression. Presence of p63-positive cells in poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma may be erroneously interpreted as evidence of squamous cell differentiation. p40 appears to be a more reliable marker for squamous cell carcinoma.     

The importance of coherence length in laser phototherapy of gingival inflammation—a pilot study

The aim of this study was to investigate if coherence length is of importance in laser phototherapy. Twenty patients with moderate periodontitis were selected. After oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing (SRP), one side of the upper jaw was randomly selected for HeNe (632.8 nm, 3 mW) or InGaAlP (650 nm, 3 mW) laser irradiation. One week after SRP, the following parameters were measured: pocket depth, gingival index, plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-8), interleukin (IL-8) and subgingival microflora. The irradiation (180 s per point, energy 0.54 J) was then performed once a week for 6 weeks. At the follow up examination, all clinical parameters had improved significantly in both groups. A more pronounced decrease of clinical inflammation was observed after HeNe treatment. MMP-8 levels were considerably reduced on the HeNe side, while there was no difference for IL-8 or microflora. Coherence length appears to be an important factor in laser phototherapy.     

Comparative study on CT and MRI in diagnosis of vertebral burst fracture

Objective:To evaluate the dignostic value of CT and MRI in diagnosis and directing management of vertebral burstfractures. Methods: The imaging features of 66 cases of vertebral burst fracture were retrospectively analyzed, including cervicalvertebrae in 6, thoracic vertebrae in 3, thoracolumbar area in 48 and lumbar vertebrae in 9 cases; 50 male and 16 female; withan average age of 35 years. CT and MRI were done in all patients. Results: CT clearly demonstrated the fracture of the vertebraeand appendix, spinal canal stenosis and retropulsed fragments. MRI showed the injury and tear of ligament and intervertebral disc,abnormal signals and spinal cord compression. Condusion: CT and MR] can make precise diagnosis of burst fractures. CombiningCT with MR] can reveal the injury status of burst fractures and help the surgeon to select a proper surgical technique.     

A population-based study on trend in incidence of distal radial fractures in adults in Taiwan in 2000�C2007

Summary  

This population-based study was conducted using claims data obtained from the National Health Insurance to investigate the trend in incidence of distal radial fractures in adults in Taiwan from 2000 to 2007. Our results revealed an increasing trend, particularly among women >50 years of age.     

Biomechanical study on the suture strength of ligament in cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objective: To test the suture strength on the tendon or ligament end and evaluate the stitch in the reconstruction of cruciate ligament and its clinical application. Methods: Twenty-four specimens of patellar tendon with free ends were divided into 3 groups: Group I (3 Krackow stitches ), Group H ( 2 Krackow stitches ) and Group HI (2 Krackow stitches with the first stitch passing through the tendon tissue as a modified Krackow stitch).These 3 groups were further divided into 6 subgroups according to different suture materials, No 1 Ethilon or stainless steel wire (φ = 0.4 mm ). Tensile test was undertaken to f‘md out the least stitches with efficient suture pattern. Results: Two Krackow locking stitches had stronger strength than 0.4 mm-diameter stainless steel wire. The fixation strength of 2 stitches with No 1 Ethilon was more than 80 N, superior to the failure strength of the material itself. The same strength was maintained if the first stitch was across the tendon tissue transversely. There was no statistically significant difference in the suture strength between 2 and 3 Krackow locking stitches. Conclusions: The suture strength is greater than the failure strength of the suture material. Less suture exposure can be achieved when the first stitch is across the tendon tissue while maintaining a comparable strength to other sutures. To attain higher suture strength, stronger materials or multiple strands rather than more stitches are preferred. Therefore, a rapid early rehabilitation of range of motion (ROM) is possible and reliable in practice.     

Danger zone of radial nerve in Indian population – A cadaveric study

BackgroundIdentification of the radial nerve is necessary during surgery of the humerus fracture to avoid injury to it. Iatrogenic nerve injury during humerus fracture surgery is a well-known complication. Prevention of this type of injuries would be of great value. Aim of this study is to reduce the chance of iatrogenic nerve injury by defining of a danger zone in the distal upper arm regarding the radial nerve in indian population.MethodsThirty six upper limbs of eighteen adult human formalin preserved cadavers (14 males & 4 females) were used in this study. The posterior aspect of the arm was dissected to expose the radial nerve from the triangular space to the point where the radial nerve pierced the lateral intermuscular septum. Systematic identification of radial nerve and multiple measurements were done for each specimen.ResultsThe mean humeral length was 30.96 + 1.23 cm. Mean Distance of medial epicondyle to entry of radial nerve into spiral groove was 18.5 + 0.79 cm. Mean Distance of lateral epicondyle to exit of radial nerve into spiral groove was 11.34 + 0.41 cm. The mean length of radial nerve groove/spiral groove was 4.3 + 0.75 cm.ConclusionsOur study has identified the point of intersection of radial nerve to humerus in Indian population. Understanding the safe zones and the zone of danger of the humerus provides more safety during the surgical interference of the humerus. To do this, the radial nerve must be identified and protected. Wide incision and blunt dissection is still recommended to minimize the risk of radial nerve damage.