Use of an indwelling rectal tube in colonic anastomoses

An indwelling rectal tube that extends from the anus through a colonic anastomosis and well into the proximal limb of bowel has proved to be an excellent stent as well as an effective vent for maintaining bowel decompression after colonic resection.     

Evaluation of retroperitoneal hemorrhage by computed tomography before and after translumbar aortography.

Twenty patients were prospectively studied by computed tomography (CT) before and after undergoing translumbar aortography (TLA). Changes indicative of retroperitoneal bleeding were depicted by CT in all 20 patients despite the predominantly small size of the hematomas. CT scans obtained within two hours after TLA demonstrated: (a) thickening of the diaphragmatic crura, (b) enlargement of the left psoas muscle, and (c) obscuration of the aortic outline by soft-tissue density. Follow-up scans at 24 hours (10 patients) and one week (3 patients) revealed marked decrease in abnormalities, suggesting rapid resorption of the hematoma.     

The role of arthroscopy in the management of fractures about the ankle

Anatomic restoration of the joint is the goal of management in fractures about the ankle. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the standard of care for unstable ankle fractures; however, arthroscopic management has been proposed. The use of arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) is surgeon-dependent. Reported indications for ARIF include transchondral talar dome fracture, talar fracture, low-grade fracture of the distal tibia, syndesmotic disruption, malleolar fracture, and chronic pain following definitive management of fracture about the ankle. Among the potential benefits are less extensive exposure, preservation of blood supply, and improved visualization of the pathology. Although arthroscopy is increasingly used in the setting of trauma, the effectiveness of ARIF compared with ORIF for management of fractures of the distal tibia, malleolus, displaced talar neck, and talar body has yet to be determined. Most of these fractures are effectively managed with open procedures.     

Serum transforming growth factor ��1 during diabetes development in non-obese diabetic mice and humans

Recent data show that regulatory cells with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1‐dependent activity are able to restore self‐tolerance in overtly diabetic non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Thus, TGF‐β1 seems to have a relevant role in protection from autoimmune diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the possible significance of serum TGF‐β1 measurement in the natural history of diabetes in NOD mice, as well as in children positive for at least one islet‐related antibody. Serum TGF‐β1 (both total and active) was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay at monthly intervals in 26 NOD mice during the spontaneous development of diabetes and, on a yearly basis, in nine siblings of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with a follow‐up of 4 years. Diabetes appeared between the 12th week of age and the end of the study period (36 weeks) in 17 mice. TGF‐β1 serum level variations occurred in the prediabetic period in both NOD mice and humans and diabetes diagnosis followed a continuing reduction of active TGF‐β1 (aTGF‐β1) serum levels. In mice, aTGF‐β1 serum levels measured at 4 weeks of age correlated positively with severity of insulitis, and negatively with percentage of insulin‐positive cells. Our findings suggest that in NOD mice serum TGF‐β1 levels during the natural history of the diabetes reflect the course of islet inflammation. The measurement of aTGF‐β1 in islet‐related antibody‐positive subjects may provide insights into the natural history of prediabetic phase of T1D.     

Social support networks for elderly patients attended by Family Health teams

The aging process has specific aspects marked by the class of individuals and social groups as well as cultural, political, socio-economic and sanitary conditions of the collective groups. Social support systems are essential for meeting the specific needs of the elderly. The aim of this paper is to describe the socio-demographic profile and the social support networks of elderly patients served by the Family Health Strategy. It's a cross-sectional study with elderly patients living in Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire and a Minimum Relationships Map for the Elderly (MMRI). Of the 503 elderly patients interviewed, 69% were female, 53.1% were illiterate, 58.3% earned less than one minimum salary and 82.9% lived with others. The MMRI showed that the family was the most important provider of care in all the dimensions assessed, but the elderly have their own small social networks. Elderly patients attended by the Family Health teams have low incomes and little formal education, and social support networks that are too small to meet their needs.     

Cementing Constrained Liners Into Secure Cementless Shells: A Minimum 15-Year Follow-Up Study

Background

The authors and others have previously described the technique of cementing constrained liners into secure cementless acetabular shells and reported the short-term, average 3.9-year follow-up, using that technique. The purpose of the present study was to report the minimum 15-year follow-up of this same cohort.

Composites based on carbon fibers and liquid crystalline epoxy resins, 1 Monomer synthesis and matrix curing

The synthesis and physical characterization of a novel liquid crystalline epoxy resin, used as a matrix for carbon fiber‐reinforced composites is presented in this paper. The curing reaction was monitored by means of calorimetric and rheological measurements. Calorimetric analysis indicates that the presence of carbon fibers does not affect the reaction rate. A conventional isotropic epoxy resin is used as a model compound in the rheological analysis. According to the patent literature, two different formulations of the model compound were used, characterized by a stoichiometric ratio of epoxy and an epoxy excess, respectively, with respect to the curing agent.