Adaptation and transcultural translation into Spanish of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire to Spanish language and evaluate its reliability and validity. The translation and cultural adaptation into Spanish was done in accordance with the published guidelines. One-hundred fifty Spanish-speaking patients with unilateral chronic lateral epicondylalgia competed the questionnaire. Test-retest reliability was established by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Internal consistency was established with Cronbach's α. To establish convergent validity, we used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Error estimation in the measurements was calculated with the standard error of measurement. Our results showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .96) and high test-retest reliability (intraclass coefficient = .9; .89-.94; P < .001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient (r = .765; P < .001) showed a good relationship between the Spanish version of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire. The standard error of measurement (11.9%) showed little variability of measurements. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to assess lateral epicondylalgia in Spanish-speaking individuals in order to implement the best treatment and reduce time with pain and disability.     

Upregulation of Systemic Inflammatory Pathways Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Relates to Both Cartilage and Muscular Changes: A Pilot Study

In conjunction with cartilage breakdown, muscle maladaptation including atrophy and increased fibrosis have been observed in the quadriceps following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Previously observed upregulated muscle-related proteins in the synovial fluid following ACL rupture allude to cellular communication between the joint and muscle. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether muscle-related analytes are differentially expressed in the serum. Sixteen patients with an acute ACL tear participated in this IRB-approved study. Serum was obtained at two different time points at a mean of 6 and 14 days post-injury, and serum was analyzed by a highly multiplexed assay of 1,300 proteins. Pathway analysis using DAVID was performed; genes included met three criteria: significant change between the two study time points using a paired t test, significant change between the two study time points using a Mann–Whitney non-parametric test, and significant Benjamini post hoc analysis. Twelve analytes significantly increased between time points. Proteins chitinase-3-like protein 1 (p = 0.01), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (p = 0.01), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (p = 0.02), renin (p = 0.004), and lymphotoxin alpha 1: beta 2 (p = 0.03) were significantly upregulated in serum following acute ACL injury. The current results confirm the inflammatory pattern previously seen in the synovial fluid thought to play a role in the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after ACL injury, and this data also provides further insights into important communication between the joint and quadriceps group, whose function is important in long term health. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:387-392, 2020     

Stable impulsive zone model predictive control for type 1 diabetic patients based on a long-term model

In this work, the problem of regulating blood glucose (glycemia) in type I diabetic patients is studied by means of an impulsive zone model predictive control (iZMPC), which bases its predictions on a novel long-term glucose-insulin model. Taking advantage of the impulsive version of the model—which features real-life properties of diabetes patients that some other popular models do not—the given control guarantees the stability under moderate-to-severe plant-model mismatch and disturbances. Long-term scenarios—including meals and physiological parameter variations—are simulated and the results are satisfactory as every hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic episodes are suitably controlled.     

Expanded home hemodialysis: case reports

Among the different hemodialysis (HD) strategies, the short daily hemodialysis performed at home (SDHHD) provides clinical benefits to the patient. Expanded hemodialysis (HDx) employs cutoff medium membranes that exhibit greater clearance capacity of uremic toxins of medium–high molecular weight. This case series study reported the results of seven patients who were transferred to expanded hemodialysis at home (HHDx), from December 2017 to March 2019, over a 12-month follow-up period. The AK-98 monitor and Theranova 400 membrane (Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL, USA) were used. The main outcome measures were blood analytical values and drug consumption. The blood levels of β2-microglobulin were significantly reduced (p?=?0.0082), while maintaining albumin levels with less use of phosphorus binders. Regarding the safety profile, technique-related adverse events were not reported. According to the results of the current study, HHDx was a safe technique, which additionally had the ability to provide benefits to patients due to its greater purification capacity. Further studies, especially multicenter ones, with a greater number of patients are needed to confirm these results.