In-Room Ultraviolet Air Filtration Units Reduce Airborne Particles During Total Joint Arthroplasty

Reducing airborne bioburden in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is of critical importance. The efficacy of crystalline ultraviolet-C (C-UVC) filtration in reducing bioburden in a dynamic operating room (OR) environment has not been evaluated. We assessed whether C-UVC filtration reduced (i) total particle counts (TPC); (ii) viable particle counts (VPC); and (iii) colony-forming units (CFUs). Fifty primary TJA cases were performed in a positive-pressure OR; 25 cases with the C-UVC unit and 25 cases without. The air was sampled by a particle counter and an impact air sampler to measure particle counts and CFUs, respectively. To compare TPC, VPC, and CFU/m³ between groups, independent t tests and multivariate regression, adjusted for number of OR staff and door openings, were performed. The C-UVC group had significantly lower TPC (2.6 × 10⁶ vs. 4.7 × 10⁶ particles, p = 0.001) and VPC (18,605 vs. 27,516 particles, p = 0.001). There were fewer CFUs in the C-UVC group (10.9 CFU/m³ vs. 13.7 CFU/m³, p = 0.163). Multivariate analysis identified C-UVC filtration as a significant predictor of decreased TPC (β = −0.44, p = 0.002) and VPC (β = −0.47, p = 0.001) after accounting for door openings and number of OR staff. The reduction in CFUs was not significant on multivariate analysis. In this prospective pilot study, a C-UVC air disinfection and recirculation unit led to a significant reduction in both TPC and VPC and a non-significant reduction in CFU. Statement of clinical significance: Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of C-UVC filtration units on surgical-site infection rates. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:431-437, 2020     

Long-term results of systemic thrombolysis therapy in aorto-iliac occlusive disease

BACKGROUND: Long term results of systemic lysis therapy with ultrahigh-dose urokinase (UHUK) in reopening aorto-iliac occlusive disease have not yet been evaluated. This prospective trial investigates the long-term primary patency rate, the rate of complications and assesses the role of different expected influence parameters on the primary patency rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 72 patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease received daily intravenous infusions of UHUK either until reperfusion or--after at least 3 cycles--no progress in recanalization could be stated on two consecutive days by duplex scanning. RESULTS: Systemic lysis therapy was morphological at least partially successful in 44 patients (61.1%). Concomitant percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 41 patients (56.9%), surgery in 7 patients (9.7%) and both in further 5 patients (6.9%). In patients without surgery hemodynamical success could be achieved in 39 patients (54.2%) and even more important clinical success in 51 patients (70.8%). Compared to baseline results patients improved significantly in ankle/brachial pressure index and in Fontaine stages (p < 0.001), the same results could be seen after a mean follow-up period of 62 months. Thrombolysis was complicated in 4 patients (5.6%) by macroembolizations but no major bleedings or deaths occurred. Primary patency was 76%, 64%, and 43% after 1, 5 and 10 years. Male sex and distal localization were significantly correlated with lower primary clinical patency. CONCLUSION: Systemic lysis therapy is an alternative to surgical intervention in acute and subacute aorto-iliac occlusive disease, because it offers acceptable long-term results with a low rate of complications.     

Effect of purslane seed supplementation on inflammatory cytokines,oxidative stress and muscle damage in response to high-intensity intermittent exercise in national athlete runners

Sport Sciences for Health - Purslane supplementation has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, skeletal muscle-relaxant activities. However, it is unknown if the ingestion of purslane will affect the...     

Connectivity Defects and Collective Assemblies in Model Metallo‐Supramolecular Dual‐Network Hydrogels

Double network hydrogels are composed of chemical and physical bonds, whose influences on the macroscopic material properties are convoluted. To decouple these, a model dually crosslinked network with independently tunable permanent and reversible crosslinks is introduced. This is realized by interlinking linear and tetra‐arm poly(ethylenegycol) (PEG) precursors with complementary reactive terminal groups. The former also carries a terpyridine ligand at each end, which forms reversible metallo‐supramolecular bonds upon addition of metal ions. These dual networks display different types and amounts of network defects, as studied by light scattering and proton double‐quantum (DQ) NMR. Dynamic light scattering suggests that the network mesh size decreases upon introduction of metal ions, as supported by a decrease of the residual dipolar coupling constant in NMR. Static light scattering indicates larger static inhomogeneities in those networks composed of stronger ions. This is complemented by a fast solid‐like component in the DQ buildup in NMR, attributed to the formation of nanoscopic clusters of charged complexes. The DQ buildup curves also suggest that the presence of strong physical bonds increases the fraction of mobile segments, like loops and dangling ends. This combined study unveils the interplay of chemical and physical bonds toward the formation of a hierarchical structure.     

Mental and personality disorders in infertile women with polycystic ovary: a case-control study

BackgroundPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.ObjectiveThe current study investigated mental and personality disorders in infertile women with and without PCOS.MethodsThis case-control study evaluated 400 infertile women who referred to the Infertility Center in Babol city (North of Iran). Participants were categorized into the case group (201 PCOS) and the control group (199 without PCOS). All of the participants completed the Millon Clinical Multi-axial Inventory-III (MCMI-III).ResultsThe mean scores for clinical personality patterns were significantly higher for six personality disorders (schizoid, avoidant, antisocial, depressive, sadistic, and negativistic) and for three classes of severe personality disorder patterns (schizotypal, borderline, and paranoid) in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. The mean scores for eight clinical disorders (somatoform, manic disorder, dysthymia, alcohol-dependence, drug-dependence, post-trauma stress disorder, major depression, and delusion disorder) were also higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS.ConclusionThe scores of many mental and personality disorders are higher in infertile women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. Thus, clinicians should prioritize recognizing and treating psychological problems of infertile women with PCOS.