The ‘Sequence of Prevention’ for musculoskeletal injuries among recreational basketballers: a systematic review of the scientific literature

Objective: Currently, there is no overview of the incidence and (basketball-specific) risk factors of musculoskeletal injuries among recreational basketball players, nor any insight into the effect of preventive measures on the incidence of basketball injuries. This study aimed to gather systematically the scientific evidence on the incidence, prevalence, aetiology and preventive measures for musculoskeletal injuries among recreational basketball players.

Methods: Highly sensitive search strategies were built based on three groups of keywords (and related search terms). Two electronic databases were searched, namely Medline (biomedical literature) via Pubmed, and SPORTDiscus (sports and sports medicine literature) via EBSCOhost.

Results: The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among recreational basketball players ranged from 0.0047 injuries per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AE) for dental injuries to 10.1 injuries per 1000 AE for overall injuries during match play. Significant risk factors for injuries were defending, postural sway, high vertical ground reaction force during jumping and weight >75 kg. All prevention studies have shown to have a significant effect on reducing the risk of injury ranging from an odds ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 0.175 (0.049–0.626) for training injuries and a relative risk (95% CI) of 0.83 (0.57–1.19) achieved with FIFA 11+ prevention exercises and sport-specific balance training, relatively.

Conclusion: In order to gain insight in the aetiology of basketball-specific injuries and consequently facilitate the development of preventive strategies, more high quality basketball-specific and injury-specific studies among recreational basketball players are needed.     

Transcranial Doppler assessment of cerebral blood flow velocity in term newborns

Using the transcranial Doppler technique to assess postnatal changes in cerebral blood flow velocity, we studied the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and internal carotid artery of 31 healthy, term newborn infants. Normative values for the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days of life were determined. Cerebral blood flow velocity values in all three arteries examined correlated well with each other and we observed a statistically significant increase only in middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity between the 1st and 3rd, and 1st and 5th postnatal days. Thus, if we assume that flow velocities in various cerebral arteries undergo similar change, only one representative artery need be examined. The middle cerebral artery appears to be the vessel of choice. This choice simplifies the recording procedure, particularly in repeated examinations.     

Treatment modalities for post-burn axillary contractures and the versatility of the scapular flap

Inappropriate treatment of axillary burns frequently results in adduction contractures. In this clinical study we have reviewed 32 patients with different types of axillary post-burn adduction contractures.We have used a variety of surgical treatments for reconstruction of axillary contracture releasing defects such as simple grafting, Z-plasties and locally pedicled flaps. Among these alternatives, we preferred to use scapular island flap most frequently. In addition to conventional harvest of this flap, extension of its pedicle up to the subscapular ramification by passing it through the triangular space allowed its transfer even to the anterior axillary line defects in a vertical orientation without pedicle kinking.In conclusion, the island scapular flap is a good choice for reconstruction of all types of axillary contracture, releasing defects with satisfactory results in terms of function and cosmesis.     

Stimulated salivary flow rate in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Reduced salivary flow has been reported in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Our aim was to investigate the most important factors associated with stimulated salivary flow rate (ssfr) in chronic HD patients. METHODS: Fifty HD patients (27 F, 23 M, mean age 46. 7 +/- 13.2 years) were divided into two groups according to the duration of HD treatment as those receiving HD therapy less than or equal to (group I) or those more than (group II) 24 months. Fasting blood samples were obtained to determine hepatitis B and C serology, and biochemical and hematological parameters before a HD session. After prestimulation with a standard weight paraffin wax, stimulated saliva was collected in the HD patients and control group (23 F, 25 M, mean age 45.7 +/- 19.1 years) and the flow rate was expressed as ml/min. RESULTS: Both HD groups consisted of 25 patients. There was no significant difference between the two HD groups other than serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and presence of HCV. The ssfr was decreased than controls in both groups (0.8 +/- 0.6 and 0.7 +/- 0.4, respectively, vs. 1.5 +/- 0.5 ml/min) and it did not correlate with any parameter. Smoking had a positive effect on ssfr in all groups. CONCLUSION: Although the salivary flow rate decreased significantly in chronic HD patients, the duration of therapy displayed no effect on the salivary changes in HD patients, but smoking increased ssfr.     

Comparison of microdilution and disc diffusion methods in assessing the in vitro activity of fluconazole and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil against vaginal Candida isolates

The in vitro activity of fluconazole and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil was evaluated against 99 vaginal Candida strains by the broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods. The microdilution method was performed in accordance with NCCLS-M27A guidelines. An investigational method was used for the disc diffusion test. Fluconazole and tea tree oil minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) obtained at 48 h tended to increase 1- to 2-fold or remain the same compared to 24 h readings for most of the isolates tested. C. krusei and C. norvegensis had significantly higher MICs and smaller inhibition zones for fluconazole compared to other species. Tea tree oil MICs were found to be similar, in general, for all Candida spp. tested. The geometric mean MIC of tea tree oil for all isolates was 2.2% (range, 0.25-4%) at 24 h and 3.0% (range, 1-8%) at 48 h. Tea tree oil mean inhibition zone diameter was 24 mm (range, 14-42 mm) at 24 h and 15.8 mm (range, 10-35 mm) at 48 h. In vitro activity of tea tree oil against fluconazole-resistant Candida strains was of particular interest. The isolates had similar tea tree oil MICs and inhibition zone diameters regardless of their fluconazole susceptibility profile. Tea tree oil MIC ranges (inhibition zone diameter ranges) were 2-4% (12-21 mm) and 2% (35 mm) at 48 h for C. krusei and C. norvegensis, respectively. These results suggest that tea tree oil MICs of the fluconazole-resistant isolates are comparable to those of fluconazole-susceptible isolates. This in vitro finding is promising for potential use of topical tea tree oil formulations in the treatment of candidiasis due to fluconazole-resistant strains.