A Comparison of Stability and Clinical Outcomes in Single-Radius Versus Multi-Radius Femoral Design for Total Knee Arthroplasty

We compared the intraoperative varus-valgus stability from 0° to 90° of flexion and postoperative clinical outcomes in patients receiving TKA via either a single-radius femoral design (50 TKA, SR group) or multi-radius femoral design (50 TKA, MR group). We measured stabilities at 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° of flexion using a navigation system. The clinical outcomes including HSS scores, WOMAC scores and VAS score during stair climbing were compared after a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The single-radius femoral designs in TKA showed better intra-operative stability at 30° of flexion (7.6 vs. 8.3) compared with the multi-radius femoral design, but not at other angles. However, the clinical outcomes revealed no other significant differences in terms of HSS scores, WOMAC scores and VAS score between two groups.     

Novel transparent collagen film patch derived from duck’s feet for tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract

To increase healing rate of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, patching procedure has been commonly conducted. Biocompatible, biodegradable patching materials which is not limited across cultures is needed. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of novel transparent duck’s feet collagen film (DCF) patch in acute traumatic TM perforation. This procedure was compared with spontaneous healing and paper patching. Cell proliferation features were observed in paper and DCF patches. Forty-eight TMs of 24 rats were used for animal experiment, perforations were made on each TMs, and divided into three groups according to treatment modality. Sixteen were spontaneously healed, 16 were paper patched and 16 were DCF patched. The gross and histological healing results were analyzed. Both paper and DCF patch showed no cytotoxicity, but cell proliferations were more active in DCF than paper in early stage. In animal study, the healing of TM perforations were completed within 14 days in all three groups, but found to be faster in DCF patch group than paper patch or spontaneous healing group. The DCF patches were transparent and size of DCF patches were gradually decreased, so there were no need to remove the DCF patches to check the wound status or after the completion of healing. According to this result, authors concluded that DCF patch is transparent, biocompatible and biodegradable material, and can induce fast healing in acute traumatic TM perforations.     

Momilactone B,an Allelochemical of Rice Hulls,Induces Apoptosis on Human Lymphoma Cells (Jurkat) in a Micromolar Concentration

Although momilactone B has been studied as an allelochemical of rice (Oryza sativa L.), to date we have no report showing the effect of momilactone B on mammalian cells. This study was undertaken to examine whether this allelochemical has anticancer activity on cancer cells. We show here that momilactone B at micromolar doses has antitumor efficacy by inducing apoptosis in several blood cancer cells including human leukemic T cells. In addition, our study elucidated that anticancer activity of momilactone B on human leukemic T cells resulted from the induction of apoptosis via caspase and mitochondria. From these results, momilactone B can be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human leukemic T cells from its direct apoptosis-inducing activity.     

Peliosis Hepatis Shows Isometabolism on 18F-FDG PET/CT: Two Case Reports

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare benign disease that is characterized by multiple blood-filled cystic spaces in the hepatic parenchyma. It is also characterized by a range of radiologic findings that might mimic various diseases, including metastatic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings of PH on ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) are not well reported. We here report two cases of biopsy-proven PH. Both patients had been treated for cancer (advanced gastric carcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma), and follow-up CT of both cases revealed hepatic lesions with the possibility of metastasis. Examination of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images suggested that the lesions were isometabolic, having metabolism similar to that of adjacent hepatic parenchyma. The outcomes of hepatic core-needle biopsies were consistent with peliosis hepatis.     

Excessive TV watching in patients with frontotemporal dementia

The “environmental dependency syndrome” refers to a loss of personal autonomy such that a person’s environment almost entirely controls their actions. The goal of this study is to learn if patients with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) exhibit prolonged TV watching, a behavior which may be a symptom of environmental dependency. We recruited 40 patients with FTD and 48 patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and asked these participants’ caregivers about TV watching behaviors including total viewing time and channel/show preference, along with other behaviors indicative of environmental dependency. Compared to AD patients, FTD patients watched TV for a longer time. In addition, the patients who watched more TV showed more signs of environmental dependency. Increased TV watching may be a sign of environmental dependency, however further research is needed to explore other hypotheses.