Periosteal transplantation to the rabbit patella

Autologous periosteal transplantation (without chondrocyte cell transplantation) for treating traumatic articular cartilage defects of the patella gives pain relief in uncontrolled clinical studies. To study the whole transplanted area macroscopically and microscopically, animal studies are motivated. In this pilot study, we reproduce the surgical technique for periosteum transplantation on human patella to a rabbit model. A full-thickness cartilage defect of the whole patella was created in eight adult female rabbits. The defect was treated with autologous periosteal transplantation. After surgery, the rabbits were allowed free activity. This is the difference compared to the treatment in humans, where our group uses CPM for 5 days and non-weight-bearing for 12 weeks. After 21 weeks, there was a diffuse synovitis in all transplanted knees, and in five of eight knees there were signs of osteoarthritis in the patello-femoral joint. Histologically, in three animals, small islands of hyaline cartilage surrounded by fibrocartilage were seen in the transplanted area. In the other five animals, fibrocartilage was the predominant tissue. In contrast to previous experimental studies using a rabbit model, we did not achieve hyaline cartilage resurfacing.     

Improvements to a method for determining leg length following total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Discrepancy in leg length does frequently occur as a side effect of total hip arthroplasty and may lead to reduced patient satisfaction as well as injury in the sequalae. It is consequently important to reduce leg length discrepancy where-ever technically possible. This may be achieved by recording precise intraoperative measurements and using different sized implanted components. The aim of the given study was to improve the accuracy of a previously validated optic measurement system (OMS) to reduce leg length discrepancy. This pre-existing OMS was first trialled and based on these preliminary findings developed further. Using this improved system, measurements were taken in models and cadavers. Inter observer reliability of the improved OMS was assessed. The system is introduced in the given technical feasibility study. Its accuracy was greater in the model setup (swivel joint: 772.7?±?1.5?mm; ball joint: 770.0?±?3.7?mm; reference: 772?mm) compared to the trial using cadaveric tissues (588.8?±?5.7?mm; reference: 586?mm). Results of two examiners were similar. The third one measured significantly shorter values (p=.011). The results of the measurements with the OMS indicate that a significant increase in accuracy (p?=?2.076×¹⁰?⁶) has been achieved compared to the previously reported system, however, a further improvement to measurement accuracy is necessary for this to be applied clinically.     

Does a torn anterior cruciate ligament lead to change in the central nervous drive of the knee extensors?

Summary Integrated surface electromyograms of the three superficial parts of the quadriceps and isokinetic knee extensor maximum torque and power production were recorded simultaneously and at different angular velocities in both legs in 11 male subjects with unilateral tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh and its muscular components were measured by computerized tomography. The principal findings were a small but significant decrease in quadriceps CSA on the affected side; a decreased active, but not passive, range of movement; decreased mechanical output, whether or not corrected for differences in CSA; and decreased electrornyographic activity — particularly in rectus femoris. These findings suggest that the reason for the decreased maximum and total knee extensor performance seen in these patients is a change in knee joint receptor afferent inflow.     

Expression of candidate tumor markers in ovarian carcinoma and benign ovary: evidence for a link between epithelial phenotype and neoplasia

EpCAM, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)-mucin 1 (MUC1), mesothelin, and CD9 have been reported to be overexpressed at the RNA level in ovarian carcinomas. By using immunohistochemistry, we profiled the protein expression of these gene products in ovarian carcinoma tissues and compared them with benign ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and cortical inclusion cysts (CICs). Immunoreactivity for EMA and calretinin were used to define epithelial and mesothelial differentiation in nontumor tissues, respectively. Papillary serous (n = 16) and endometrioid (n = 10) tumors were immunopositive for EMA/MUC1 (100%), mesothelin (75% and 30%, respectively), CD9 (88% and 90%, respectively), and EpCAM (100%). All ovarian carcinomas and carcinoma cell lines tested were negative for calretinin. In nonneoplastic ovary, both OSE and CICs ranged from flat-to-cuboidal to stratified and ciliated in appearance. OSE with a cuboidal morphology had a similar immunoreactivity as omental peritoneum, expressing calretinin, mesothelin, and CD9. In contrast, CICs with stratified and ciliated epithelium show expression patterns similar to those in fallopian tubes. They frequently expressed EMA, EpCAM, mesothelin, and CD9. This immunophenotype is preserved in ovarian carcinomas, suggesting that Müllerian metaplasia signals the acquisition of these markers and that their expression is maintained in ovarian carcinomas that originate from this epithelium.     

Inflammation and the Association of Vitamin D and Depressive Symptomatology

Depression and vitamin D deficiency are major public health problems. The existing literature indicates the complex relationship between depression and vitamin D. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this relationship is moderated or mediated by inflammation. A community sample (n = 7162) from the LIFE-Adult-Study was investigated, for whom depressive symptoms were assessed via the German version of CES-D scale and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP levels, WBC count) were quantified. Mediation analyses were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro and regression analyses were conducted to test moderation effects. There was a significant negative correlation between CES-D and 25(OH)D, and positive associations between inflammatory markers and CES-D scores. Only WBC partially mediated the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms both in a simple mediation model (ab: −0.0042) and a model including covariates (ab: −0.0011). None of the inflammatory markers showed a moderation effect on the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms. This present work highlighted the complex relationship between vitamin D, depressive symptoms and inflammation. Future studies are needed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation and depressive symptomatology for causality assessment.     

Erratum zu: Durchimpfung von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland: Aktuelle Daten aus KiGGS Welle 2 und Trends aus der KiGGS-Studie

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Ein Erratum zu dieser Publikation wurde veröffentlicht: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-019-02901-5     

The effect of a single visit to a health coach on perceived health in 50-year old residents in a high-income country – a randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the one-year-effect of a single visit to a health coach on perceived health and exercise level in 50-year-old citizens.DesignOne factor design randomised controlled trial.SettingParticipants were randomly selected from the Swedish Population Register.Subjects50-year-old residents of the town of Alingsås, Sweden (n = 105).InterventionThe intervention group (n = 52) received a single one-hour visit to a health coach. The control group (n = 53) received no intervention.Main outcome measuresChange over 12 months in the SF-36 dimensions physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, physical component summary and mental component summary. Reported health transition at follow-up. Change in exercise level.ResultsThe control group changed their perceived health more favourable than the intervention group in the following dimensions of the SF-36; general health (p = 0.0055–0.025), role-emotional (p = 0.034–0.040) and mental component summary (p = 0.033–0.073).ConclusionA single visit to a health coach does not improve perceived health or exercise-level in 50-year-old citizens. On the contrary it may make perceived health worse.

Key points

• Research on health coaching has emerged in the last 20 years, but is diverse and the characteristics of a successful health coaching intervention are still unknown.
• There is a lack of randomised controlled trials evaluating long-term effectiveness of health coaching.
• This randomised controlled trial concludes that a single visit to a health coach does not improve, but rather impairs, perceived health in 50-year olds.

     

A technical concept of a computer game for patients with Parkinson's disease – a new form of PC-based physiotherapy

Background: At present, there are no meaningful and sophisticated computer games that simultaneously allow the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's syndrome. In particular, there are no systems to consider the severity of the disease and the physical skills of the patient.

Methods: A computer game using the Microsoft Kinect as markerless sensor for the 3?D recognition of the patient’s movement was developed to support the rehabilitation. The scenario of a basketball game was created after determining that the movement like throwing a ball and the correct posture of the body are important. A study based on system usability was performed with 15 patients to evaluate the system.

Results: The technical feasibility of a computer-assisted training system for supporting patients with Parkinson‘s disease has been demonstrated. No markers on the patient are required for movement detection and allow a user-friendly handling. Regarding the usability study, the patients were accepting of such a system and its at-home use and symptoms like ‘freezing’ and the Pisa syndrome can be treated.

Conclusions: The physiotherapist can be assisted by the developed rehabilitation system. An objective measurement of the patient’s training progress delivers valuable information to adjust the training sessions for every patient individually. Due to its modular character, the system can also be applied to other diseases or sports injuries and offers the basis for further development.