Bone impregnated hip screw in femoral neck fracture: Clinicoradiological results

Background:

Femoral neck fractures are treated either by internal fixation or arthroplasty. Usually, cannulated cancellous screws are used for osteosynthesis of fracture neck of femur. The bone impregnated hip screw (BIHS) is an alternative implant, where osteosyntehsis is required in femoral neck fracture.

Materials and Methods:

The BIHS is a hollow screw with thread diameter 8.3 mm, shank diameter 6.5 mm and wall thickness 2.2 mm and holes in the shaft of the screw with diameter 2 mm, placed in a staggered fashion. Biomechanical and animal experimental studies were done. Clinical study was done in two phases: Phase 1 in a group of volunteers, only with BIHS was used in a pilot study and phase 2 comparative study was done in a group with AO cannulated screws and the other group treated with BIHS.

Results:

In the phase 1 study, out of 15 patients, only one patient had delayed union. In phase 2, there were 78 patients, 44 patients in BIHS showed early union, compared to the rest 34 cases of AO cannulated screws Out of 44 patients with BIHS, 41 patients had an excellent outcome, 2 had nonunions and one implant breakage was noted.

Conclusions:

Bone impregnated hip screw has shown to provide early solid union since it incorporates the biomechanical principles and also increases the osteogenic potential and hence, found superior to conventional cannulated cancellous screw.     

Sudden cardiac death associated with isolated congenital coronary artery anomalies.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND. Congenital coronary anomalies are associated with sudden death and exercise-related death. Clarification of the risk and mechanisms of sudden death in patients with coronary anomalies may aid in decisions on intervention. METHODS. The clinicopathologic records of 242 patients with isolated coronary artery anomalies were reviewed for information on mode of death and abnormalities of the initial segment (acute angle takeoff, valvelike ridges or aortic intramural segments) and course of the anomalous coronary artery. RESULTS. Cardiac death occurred in 142 patients (59%); 78 (32%) of these deaths occurred suddenly. Of sudden deaths, 45% occurred with exercise. Sudden death (28 of 49, 57%) and exercise-related death (18 of 28, 64%) were most common with origin of the left main coronary artery from the right coronary sinus. Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus was also commonly associated with exercise-related sudden death (6 of 13 sudden deaths, 46%). High risk anatomy involved abnormalities of the initial coronary artery segment or coursing of the anomalous artery between the pulmonary artery and aorta. Younger patients (less than or equal to 30 years old) were significantly more likely than older patients (greater than or equal to 30 years old) to die suddenly (62% vs. 12%, p = 0.0001) or during exercise (40% vs. 2%, p = 0.00001) despite their low frequency of significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (1% vs. 40%, p = 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS. Younger patients (less than or equal to 30 years old) with an isolated coronary artery anomaly are at risk of dying suddenly and with exercise. Therefore, greater effort for early detection and surgical repair of these lesions is warranted.     

Single‐port surgery: Current applications and limitations

Introduction: In an attempt to further enhance the benefits of cosmesis and reduced morbidity of minimally invasive surgery, single‐port (incision) laparoscopic surgery (SPS) has emerged as a bridge between conventional laparoscopy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. As the expertise and instrumentation required are an extension of standard laparoscopic techniques, SPS has been adapted for a variety of procedures and specialties in a short span of time. Discussion: In this article, we discuss the various SPS techniques, as well as the new devices and instrumentation available for facilitating SPS. We also review current applications reported for SPS in various surgical specialties. We present a comprehensive review of the potential benefits, limitations and risks of these novel techniques. Conclusion: Initial reports have demonstrated the technical feasibility and safety of SPS for a wide range of surgical applications. With specialized instrumentation and refinement of technique, its role will increase in coming years. Future work is necessary to improve existing instrumentation, to increase clinical experience and to assess the benefits of this surgical approach.     

Health risks and benefits of bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT)

DDT (bis[4-chlorophenyl]-1,1,1-trichloroethane) is a persistent insecticide that was used worldwide from the mid 1940s until its ban in the USA and other countries in the 1970s. When a global ban on DDT was proposed in 2001, several countries in sub-Saharan Africa claimed that DDT was still needed as a cheap and effective means for vector control. Although DDT is generally not toxic to human beings and was banned mainly for ecological reasons, subsequent research has shown that exposure to DDT at amounts that would be needed in malaria control might cause preterm birth and early weaning, abrogating the benefit of reducing infant mortality from malaria. Historically, DDT has had mixed success in Africa; only the countries that are able to find and devote substantial resources towards malaria control have made major advances. DDT might be useful in controlling malaria, but the evidence of its adverse effects on human health needs appropriate research on whether it achieves a favourable balance of risk versus benefit.     

Role of human cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, and 3A4 in the 2-, 4-, and 16alpha-hydroxylation of 17beta-estradiol

The steady-state kinetics and specific activity of 2-, 4-, and 16alpha-hydroxylation of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) were evaluated for human cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, 1A2, 1B1, and 3A4 enzymes, using complementary DNA-expressed CYP isoforms. CYP1A2 showed the highest 2-hydroxylation activity, followed by CYP1A1, 1B1, and 3A4. CYP1B1 had the highest 4-hydroxylation activity, followed by CYP1A2, 1A1, and 3A4. The 16alpha-hydroxylation reaction was catalyzed mainly by CYP1A2 and, to a similar, slightly lower extent, CYP3A4 and 1A1, with a lesser contribution by CYP1B1. The E(2) 2-, 4-, and 16alpha-hydroxylation activities of human liver microsomes were 1.3 +/- 0.3, 0.5 +/- 0.06, and 0.3 +/- 0.05 nmol metabolite/min/nmol P450, respectively. The contribution of CYP1A1 and 1B1 (mainly extrahepatic) to the E(2) hydroxylation reactions, relative to CYP1A2 and 3A4 (predominantly hepatic), may be relevant to understanding the process of hormonal carcinogenesis both in liver and in extrahepatic tissues.     

老年人心脏自主神经活动时相的生物学特征

目的本研究旨在以心率变异性(HRV)为手段,探讨老年人心脏自主神经活动时相的生物学特征. 方法共入选2组健康受试者观察组33例,年龄65～82岁,平均(72±10)岁;对照组31例,26～35岁,平均(30±4)岁.对2组对象进行24h动态心电图监测,记录每小时HRV的频域指标(总功率TP,低频成分LF,高频成分HF,及LF/HF).采用余弦拟合法对所得数据进行处理. 结果 HRV的频域指标呈典型的昼夜节律分布;与年轻组相比,老年人TP,LF及HF的均值及振幅明显减低;LF/HF的振幅也减低,但其均值无显著变化.2组间各指标的相位无明显变化. 结论老年人HRV的24h均值及昼夜波动振幅渐低,而其相位不变.提示该人群中心脏自主神经兴奋水平及其对心血管功能的调节能力减低.     

Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in renal patients

Toxoplasmosis is an important parasitic disease in immunosuppressed patients. This prospective study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence, associated risk factors and the incidence of clinically confirmed toxoplasmosis among renal patients at the University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We interviewed 247 renal patients, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Overall seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis was observed in 126 (51%) renal patients. Race (Malays), marital status (married) and primary level of education, were all factors associated with a greater chance of Toxoplasma infection. A case of clinically confirned toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a renal transplant recipient as a result of immunosuppression. Based on the findings obtained, this preliminary study shows a high prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in renal patients. Risk factors may have significantly contributed to Toxoplasma acquisition in these patients. We recommend further studies be carried out to monitor for trends in toxoplasmosis among immunosuppressed patients.     

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator intracellular processing, trafficking, and opportunities for mutation-specific treatment

Recent advances in basic science have greatly expanded our understanding of the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the chloride and bicarbonate channel that is encoded by the gene, which is mutated in patients with CF. We review the structure, function, biosynthetic processing, and intracellular trafficking of CFTR and discuss the five classes of mutations and their impact on the CF phenotype. The therapeutic discussion is focused on the significant progress toward CFTR mutation-specific therapies. We review the results of encouraging clinical trials examining orally administered therapeutics, including agents that promote read-through of class I mutations (premature termination codons); correctors, which overcome the CFTR misfolding that characterizes the common class II mutation F508del; and potentiators, which enhance the function of class III or IV mutated CFTR at the plasma membrane. Long-term outcomes from successful mutation-specific treatments could finally answer the question that has been lingering since and even before the CFTR gene discovery: Will therapies that specifically restore CFTR-mediated chloride secretion slow or arrest the deleterious cascade of events leading to chronic infection, bronchiectasis, and end-stage lung disease?     

应用简明健康测量量表评估美沙酮维持治疗患者生活质量

目的:对比接受与未接近美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者健康相关生活质量。方法:①选择2004-04/05在云南省个旧市美沙酮维持治疗门诊接受美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者作为治疗组(95例)。纳入标准:符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版中海洛因依赖诊断标准;至2004-11时尚未脱失;采用滚雪球方法,于2004-11在该市社区内寻找从未接受过美沙酮维持治疗的海洛因依赖者作为对照组(37例),均符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版中海洛因依赖诊断标准。纳入对象均对调查项目知情同意。②根据患者的日常海洛因使用量、使用方式、末次使用量决定美沙酮首次剂量,一般<40mg;导入期则根据患者的戒断症状控制情况逐渐加量。维持期的剂量差异较大,5～160mg/d,多超过60mg/d。同时根据治疗组患者的需求,每月定期开展心理干预小组活动。对照组患者未接受美沙酮维持治疗或任何戒毒措施、干预活动,评估期间时仍然在使用海洛因。③治疗组于治疗刚开始及治疗8个月后,对照组于治疗组治疗8个月后同期采用简明健康测量量表对两组对象进行健康相关生活质量评估。该量表包括躯体功能、躯体角色、肌体疼痛、总健康状况、生命力、社会功能、情绪角色及心理健康8个维度,评分越高表明生活质量越好。④计量和计数资料差异比较分别采用t检验和χ2检验。结果:治疗组95例和对照组37例均进入结果分析。参加美沙酮维持治疗8个月后,治疗组简明健康测量量表中6个维度躯体角色、总健康状况、生命力、社会功能、情绪角色及心理健康的评分分别为(6.59±1.48),(15.54±3.97),(16.20±3.91),(8.39±2.29),(4.72±1.17),(20.19±2.68)分,高于治疗刚开始时和对照组[(5.54±1.51),(13.37±3.58),(13.19±3.81),(7.17±2.21),(3.94±1.11),(17.05±4.24)分;(5.43±1.29),(11.83±3.84),(12.89±3.79),(6.71±2.12),(4.06±1.08),(15.77±4.45)分,t=3.02～7.03,P<0.01];躯体功能得分也较治疗前有了明显提高[(27.16±3.24),(26.48±3.34)分,t=1.96,P<0.05],但与对照组比较,差异不明显[(26.31±2.78)分,P>0.05]。治疗组肌体疼痛评分与治疗刚开始时和对照组相近(P>0.05)。结论:美沙酮维持治疗可有效提高海洛因依赖者的健康相关生活质量,但短期的维持治疗对肌体疼痛改善不明显。