Biofilms: do they affect wound healing?

Biofilms are known to exist in wounds, and it is suspected that their presence may delay wound healing, especially in chronic wounds; however, the evidence to support or refute this is not yet conclusive. This literature review has found that there is some evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, that the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix protects the biofilm from some inflammatory processes key to wound healing. The mechanisms of these effects and how this translates into clinical practice are still unknown. Strategies to manage biofilms within wounds are being investigated and may include use of silver, surgical debridedment, antibiotics and quorum-sensing inhibitors but no firm conclusions can yet be drawn from these studies. In conclusion, while there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that biofilms do indeed influence aspects of wound healing, there is still a large gap in our understanding of how this affects the wounds of clinical patients or how to improve rates of healing.     

Anaesthetic agents in paediatric day case surgery: do they affect outcome?

Both the numbers of children undergoing day case surgery and the type of procedures performed in this way are increasing. This expansion will only be beneficial if anaesthesia and surgery are provided with minimal post-operative morbidity e.g. postoperative delirium or nausea and vomiting. The choice of anaesthetic technique is considered critical to optimizing the service provided to patients and for this reason much research has addressed this question. This review considers the effect of anaesthetic technique on postoperative outcome in paediatric day case surgery. The outcome measures reviewed by this article are induction of anaesthesia, effects on the cardiovascular system, recovery from anaesthesia and postoperative nausea and vomiting. In each section both quantitative and qualitative outcome measures are discussed. Comparisons are made between sevoflurane and halothane, sevoflurane and propofol, propofol and halothane, desflurane and halothane and the presence or absence of nitrous oxide.     

Suture materials: do they affect fistula and stricture rates in flap urethroplasties?

INTRODUCTION: The effect of suture materials on urethroplasty complications is debated. Indeed, materials with a delayed absorption might either reduce the incidence of fistulas by ensuring a prolonged approximation of neo-urethral edges or increase the risk of urethral strictures due to a prolonged tissue reaction during suture absorption. We retrospectively evaluated the role of suture materials in the complication rate of urethroplasty procedures performed in our institution over a 10-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and thirty-six boys undergoing a flap procedure (parameatal based, preputial tube, or onlay preputial flap) for hypospadias repair were considered for this study. The patients were stratified into two groups according to the suture material used for urethroplasty. Polyglactin (Vicryl), a polyfilament with intermediate absorption, was used in 254 group A patients, whereas polydioxanone (PDS), a monofilament with prolonged absorption, was used in 82 group B patients. The success of a one-stage repair and stricture and fistula rates were evaluated. RESULTS: A successful one-stage repair was achieved in 82% of the group A and in 83% of the group B patients (p = 0.97). No statistically significant differences were noted in fistula and/or stricture rates in the two groups, even considering each procedure separately. CONCLUSIONS: This series suggests that suture materials do not affect the complication rate in flap urethroplasty procedures. Appropriate technique, meticulous surgery, and surgeon experience seem to be more crucial factors. A randomized trial is warranted.     

AGEs in foods: do they play a role in uremia?

The so-called Maillard reaction, or nonenzymatic glycation between proteins and carbohydrates, is of particular importance for the flavor, color, and shelf life of food. Despite the great variety of possible AGEs, which can be formed during heating processes, only a few have unequivocally been identified and quantified in foods. From the quantitative point of view, the amount of AGEs ingested with a conventional diet is much higher than the total amount of AGEs in the plasma and tissue. To date, however, only preliminary studies concerning digestion, resorption, and elimination of AGE-modified food proteins can be found in the literature, indicating that for patients with impaired kidney function, dietary AGEs might contribute significantly to the total AGE load of the body. To date, however, no conclusive answers or recommendations can be given regarding a possible role of AGEs as uremic toxins in general, and of dietary AGEs in particular.     

Incidental carcinoid tumors of the appendix: do they affect presentation or prognosis?

Carcinoid tumors are the most common neoplasm of the vermiform appendix, with most found incidentally after surgery for appendicitis. To determine in patients presenting with appendicitis if incidental carcinoid tumors affected presentation or prognosis, we reviewed our experience. Of 1350 patients receiving an appendectomy from 1992 to 2000 for appendicitis, 20 were found to have appendiceal carcinoid tumors. Comparing tumor patients to 251 consecutive patients whom underwent appendectomy without tumors, we found patients with tumors were older at presentation (41 +/- 4 versus 30 +/- 1 years, P = 0.005) and had initial lower white blood cell (WBC) counts (10.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 14.2 +/- 0.3, P = 0.007). There was equivalent survival between patients with carcinoid and without. Therefore, these data suggest that patients with carcinoid tumors are older and have lower WBC counts at presentation with appendicitis, although outcome was not affected by their presence.     

Review of the molecular profile and modern prognostic markers for gastric lymphoma: How do they affect clinical practice?

Primary gastric lymphoma is a rare cancer of the stomach with an indeterminate prognosis. Recently, a series of molecular prognostic markers has been introduced to better describe this clinical entity. This review describes the clinical importance of several oncogenes, apoptotic genes and chromosomal mutations in the initiation and progress of primary non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma and their effect on patient survival. We also outline the prognostic clinical importance of certain cellular adhesion molecules, such as ICAM and PECAM-1, in patients with gastric lymphoma, and we analyze the correlation of these molecules with apoptosis, angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastatic potential. We also focus on the host–immune response and the impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric lymphoma development and progression. Finally, we explore the therapeutic methods currently available for gastric lymphoma, comparing the traditional invasive approach with more recent conservative options, and we stress the importance of the application of novel molecular markers in clinical practice.     

Does frequency of resistance training affect tibial cortical bone density in older women? A randomized controlled trial

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of resistance training frequency (0, 1, and 2 times/week) on cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the tibia in older women. There was no mean difference in change in tibial cortical vBMD in older women who engaged in resistance training (RT) one or two times/week compared with the control group over 12 months after adjusting for baseline values.

Introduction

National guidelines recommend RT two to three times/week to optimize bone health. Our objective was to determine the effect of a 12-month intervention of three different RT frequencies on tibial volumetric cortical density (CovBMD) in healthy older women.

Methods

We randomized participants to the following groups: (1) 2×/week balance and tone group (i.e., no resistance beyond body weight, BT), (2) 1×/week RT (RT1), and (3) 2×/week RT (RT2). Treatment allocation was concealed, and measurement team and the bone data analyst were blinded to group allocation. We used peripheral quantitative computed tomography to acquire one 2.3-mm scan at the 50 % tibia, and the primary outcome was CovBMD. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months, and we used linear mixed modeling to assess the effect at 12 months.

Results

We assessed 147 participants; 100 women provided data at all three points. Baseline unadjusted mean (SD) tibial CovBMD (in milligrams per cubic centimeter) at the 50 % site was 1,077.4 (43.0) (BT), 1,087.8 (42.0) (RT1), and 1,058.7 (60.4) (RT2). At 12 months, there were no statistically significant differences (?0.45 to ?0.17 %) between BT and RT groups for mean difference in change in tibial CovBMD for exercise interventions (BT, RT1, RT2) after adjusting for baseline tibial CovBMD.

Conclusion

We note no mean difference in change in tibial CovBMD in older women who engaged in RT one or two times/week compared with the control group over 12 months. It is unknown if RT of 3× or 4×/week would be enough to promote a statistically significant difference in change of bone density.