Shoulder hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of three and four part fractures of the proximal humerus using Comprehensive? Fracture stem

We looked at the functional outcome of 32 consecutive patients with proximal humeral fractures that required hemiarthroplasty. Functional status was assessed using University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder end result assessment, simple shoulder test (SST) and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) shoulder index. Mean age of the patients was 72.2 years and the mean follow-up was 25.3 months. The mean score on UCLA shoulder end result assessment was 24.8, the mean SST score was 7.4 and the mean ASES shoulder index was 67.2. Mean active forward elevation was 85.1°. Patient satisfaction was around 81%. Radiologically, no dislocation, loosening or greater tuberosity pull off was seen. Superior migration of the humeral head was seen in 11 patients (34%). There was no significant difference seen in functional outcome among different genders, age and those who had radiological superior migration of the prosthesis. However, there was a significant statistical difference seen in the functional outcome between patients who had a deficient or a good quality cuff showing that quality of the rotator cuff is an important predicator of functional outcome.     

Large antigenic skin load in total abdominal wall transplants permits chimerism induction

The application of composite tissue allograft (CTA) transplants in clinical reconstruction is parallel with extended knowledge of anatomy, microsurgical skills and development of transplantation immunology. CTAs are composed of multiple tissues, some of which such as skin are highly immunogenic and cause strong immunologic responses. Strong antigenic nature of skin may be related to Langerhans cells, which are powerful antigen-presenting cells. They are leukocytes found in the epidermis as members of immunologic cascade. Large skin components of CTA transplant may cause higher antigenic load as a result of increased surface area of transplanted skin correlating with increased load of Langerhans cells. In clinical abdominal wall transplants, increased rejection episodes were reported compared with other CTA transplant. This complication may correlate to large skin component of these transplants. To evaluate correlation between large skin island flaps and immunologic responses, CTA models with large skin components should be tested in experimental studies. Here we propose a total abdominal wall (TAW) transplant model in rat to test the feasibility of TAW transplantation in 2 groups: the anatomic study and experimental transplantation group. In anatomic study, TAW flaps were elevated bilaterally on superficial epigastric vessels and replaced. The entire TAW skin islands of all flaps were viable at postoperative day 21. Dye study confirmed that TAW flap was supplied by 2 vascular pedicles. Data in this group demonstrated that this flap is composed of the largest skin island when compared with other CTA transplant models such as full face, hemiface, limb, and groin flap. In experimental group, isograft transplantations were performed between Lewis rats (RT1(1)) while allograft transplantations were performed Lewis (RT1(1)) donors and LBN (RT(1+n)) recipients. All TAW transplants showed viable islands at posttransplant day 200 under cyclosporine A monotherapy protocol. Microangiography of the transplant demonstrated entire skin island was supplied bilaterally by superficial epigastric vessels pedicle. Dye studies with India ink demonstrated dye uptake in all flap components. Histologic examination also demonstrated the viability of flap tissues. High chimerism levels in peripheral blood was determined at the 7th, 21st, 35th, 63rd, and 100th posttransplant days was compared with full face, hemiface, groin flap data. It was found that TAW transplant had higher chimerism level compared with groin flap but lower chimerism than full face and hemiface allografts. TAW transplant may serve as a new experimental model with large skin component and may be useful to determine immunologic responses to tissues with high antigenic load under different immunosuppressive protocols.     

In vitro evaluation of Capiox FX05 and RX05 oxygenators in neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuits with varying venous reservoir and vacuum-assisted venous drainage levels

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic properties and microemboli capture associated with different vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) vacuum levels and venous reservoir levels in a neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Trials were conducted in 2 parallel circuits to compare the performance of Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator with separate AF02 arterial filter to Capiox FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter. Arterial cannula flow rate to the patient was held at 500 mL/min and temperature maintained at 32°C, while VAVD vacuum levels (0 mm Hg, −15 mm Hg, −30 mm Hg, −45 mm Hg, −60 mm Hg) and venous reservoir levels (50 mL, 200 mL) were evaluated in both oxygenators. Hemodynamic parameters measuring flow, pressure, and total hemodynamic energy were made in real time using a custom-made data acquisition system and Labview software. Nearly 10 cc bolus of air was injected into the venous line and gaseous microemboli detected using an Emboli Detection and Classification Quantifier. Diverted blood flow via the arterial filter’s purge line and mean pressures increased with increasing VAVD levels (P < 0.01). Mean pressures were lower with lower venous reservoir levels and were greater in RX05 groups compared to FX05 (P < 0.01). Microemboli detected at the preoxygenator site increased with higher VAVD vacuum levels and lower venous reservoir levels (P < 0.01). The amount of microemboli captured by the FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter was greater than by the RX05 oxygenator alone, although both oxygenators were able to clear microemboli before reaching the pseudo-patient.     

Life's Simple 7 and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BackgroundThe American Heart Association (AHA) has defined Life's Simple 7 (LS7) as a measure of overall cardiovascular health . Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been involved as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the association between LS7 and NAFLD.MethodsWe evaluated participants form the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort. Cardiovascular health score was calculated from the Life's Simple 7 metrics. A score of 0-8 was considered inadequate, 9-10 average, and 11-14 optimal. NAFLD was defined using noncontrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) and a liver/spleen attenuation ratio (L/S) < 1. Multivariable regression were performed to evaluate the association.ResultsOur cross-sectional analysis of 3901 participants showed 19% (n = 747) had optimal cardiovascular health, 33% (n = 1270) had average, and 48% (n = 1884) had inadequate. White participants were most likely to have an optimal score (51%, n = 378), whereas African American participants had the lowest proportion with optimal scores (16%, n = 120; P < 0.001). The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 18% with a distribution of 7%, 14%, and 25% in the optimal, average, and inadequate score categories, respectively (P < 0.001). Adjusted for risk factors, average and optimal health categories had lower odds of NAFLD compared to those with inadequate scores: odds ratio for average, 0.44 (95% confidence interval 0.36-0.54); optimal, odds ratio 0.19 (95% confidence interval 0.14-0.26). This association was similar across gender, race and age groups.ConclusionA more favorable cardiovascular health score was associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD. This study may suggest a potential of Life's Simple 7 in the prevention of liver disease.     

Identification of hemoglobin Q India (α 1–64 Asp–His) through ARMS-PCR. First report from Pakistan

Various hemoglobinopathies have been reported from Pakistan excepting the rare ones like hemoglobin Q India. Our purpose of study was to identify the mutation (α 1 64 aspartate to histidine) through amplification restriction mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) in patients where hemoglobin Q has been detected via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and also to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the two technologies. All patients irrespective of age and gender who underwent HPLC for identification of their hemoglobin variant during January 1, 2006 to January 30, 2007 were studied. The blood samples with unknown peak at a retention time of 4.7 min were evaluated at the molecular level. Analysis of HPLC tracings of 11,008 subjects over a thirteen-month period identified ten individuals with hemoglobin Q. Male to female ratio was 1:1.5 and their age was variable ranging from 1 to 49 (mean 22.8) years. The mean hemoglobin level was 11.3 g/dl while MCV (fl) and MCH (pg) were 73.0 and 20.8 respectively. HPLC showed an unknown peak of 17.7% which was detected as Hb Q. ARMS based PCR showed Hb Q specific product of 370 bp and also an amplified product of 766 bp as the control fragment in these samples. This is the first ever report that documents the presence of Hb Q India (α 64 Asp to His) in Pakistani population. We recommend that HPLC be used as a useful screening tool especially in developing countries where PCR facilities may not be accessible.     

Combined stress myocardial CT perfusion and coronary CT angiography as a feasible strategy among patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department

BackgroundA combined approach of myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) with coronary CT angiography (CTA) was shown to have better diagnostic accuracy than coronary CTA alone. However, data on cost benefits and length of stay when compared to other perfusion imaging modalities has not been evaluated. Therefore, we aim to perform a feasibility study to assess direct costs and length of stay of a combined stress CTP/CTA and use SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) as a benchmark, among chest pain patients at intermediate-risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting to the emergency department (ED).MethodsThis is a prospective two-arm clinical trial (NCT02538861) with 43 patients enrolled in stress CTP/CTA arm (General Electric Revolution CT) and 102 in SPECT-MPI arm. Mean age of the study population was 65 ?± ?12 years; 56% were men. We used multivariable linear regression analysis to compare length of stay and direct costs between the two modalities.ResultsOverall, 9 out of the 43 patients (21%) with CTP/CTA testing had an abnormal test. Of these 9 patients, 7 patients underwent invasive coronary angiography and 6 patients were found to have obstructive coronary artery disease. Normal CTP/CTA test was found in 34 patients (79%), who were discharged home and all patients were free of major adverse cardiac events at 30 days. The mean length of stay was significantly shorter by 28% (mean difference: 14.7 ?h; 95% CI: 0.7, 21) among stress CTP/CTA (20 ?h [IQR: 16, 37]) compared to SPECT-MPI (30 ?h [IQR: 19, 44.5]). Mean direct costs were significantly lower by 44% (mean difference: $1535; 95% CI: 987, 2082) among stress CTA/CTP ($1750 [IQR: 1474, 2114] compared to SPECT-MPI ($2837 [IQR: 2491, 3554]).ConclusionCombined stress CTP/CTA is a feasible strategy for evaluation of chest pain patients presenting to ED at intermediate-risk for ACS and has the potential to lead to shorter length of stay and lower direct costs.