Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty : Comparison Between Cefuroxime and Two Specific Antistaphylococcal Agents

This is a prospective randomized study comparing cefuroxime to 2 antistaphylococal agents (fusidic acid and vancomycin), for prophylaxis in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in an institute, where methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) prevalence exceeds 25% of orthopedic infections. There were 3 patient groups. Group A included the patients who received cefuroxime, group B those who received fusidic acid, and group C those who received vancomycin. Patients were evaluated for the presence of superficial and/or deep infection at the surgical site. Statistical analysis did not reveal any substantial difference between the 3 groups. We do not recommend the use of specific antistaphylococcal agents for prophylactic use in primary THA and TKA, even in institution where MRSA and MRSE exceed 25% of orthopedic infections.     

Bronchodilation and bronchoprotection by deep inspiration and their relationship to bronchial hyperresponsiveness

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is a cardinal feature of asthma. Airway inflammation and BHR are probably linked, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain elusive. BHR is closely associated with defects in the beneficial responses to lung inflation. These responses, which become apparent by the fact that healthy individuals can develop severe airway obstruction if they are exposed to methacholine in the absence of deep inspirations, include bronchodilation and bronchoprotection. Bronchodilation refers to the effect of lung inflation after the induction of airway smooth muscle tone, while bronchoprotection is used to indicate the effect prior to inhalation of a spasmogen. Mild asthmatics who manifest BHR lack bronchoprotection by lung inflation. In contrast, many of them are able to bronchodilate. In more severe disease, both functions are impaired. The lack of bronchoprotection is also found in individuals with rhinitis and BHR, but no asthma. These and other observations suggest that the mechanisms of bronchodilation and bronchoprotection may be distinct, although overlap is possible. We believe that the loss of bronchoprotection is pertinent to the phenomenon of hyperresponsiveness, but that both the bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective functions of deep inspiration interact to produce the asthmatic phenotype. In this review, we describe the phenomena of lung inflation-induced bronchodilation and bronchoprotection and detail potential mechanical and neurohumoral mechanisms accounting for these physiologic functions. In addition, possible mechanisms leading to the impairment of these functions in subjects with BHR are discussed.     

Confocal scanning laser microscopy evidence of biofilms in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVES: The recent detection of bacterial biofilms on the sinus mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has implicated biofilms in the pathogenesis of this condition. Electron microscopy has been the main modality used to document the presence of biofilms on sinus tissue, however, it has inherent problems associated with tissue preparation and sampling. Recently, Confocal Scanning Laser Micrsocopy (CSLM) has emerged as a noninvasive, nondestructive technique for the analysis of biofilms. This study used CSLM as the means of investigating biofilm presence in CRS patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective study comparing the presence of bacterial biofilms on the sinus mucosa of CRS and control patients was conducted using CSLM. Thirty eight CRS patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery and nine control patients were enrolled in this study. Demographic and clinical information was recorded from each patient and intraoperatively, sinus culture specimens and mucosal samples were obtained for microbiologic and microscopic examination. RESULTS: Using previously documented CSLM criteria, bacterial biofilms were found in 17 (44%) of the 38 CRS patients. No biofilm structures were evident in any of the controls. Patients having undergone previous sinus surgery seemed to have a higher incidence of biofilms compared with the incidence for those undergoing their first procedure. The difference however was not statistically significant. No correlation between positive bacterial cultures and biofilm presence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The CSLM detection of biofilms in CRS patients and their absence in controls further supports the hypothesis that biofilms may play a role in the pathogenesis of CRS. This study's lower reported incidence of biofilms compared with that of previous studies might reflect the increased accuracy of biofilm detection with CSLM.     

Effects of different intracoronal bleaching methods on shear bond strengths of orthodontic brackets

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of different intracoronal bleaching methods on the shear bond strengths (SBS) of orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted mandibular incisors were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15 per group). After filling the root canals, root fillings were removed 2?mm apical to the cementoenamel junction, and a 2-mm-thick layer of zinc-phosphate cement base was applied. Group 1 served as the control. Intracoronal bleaching was performed with hydrogen peroxide (Opalacence Endo, Ultradent products Inc, South Jordan, Utah) in group 2, sodium perborate (Sultan Healthcare, Englewood, NJ) in group 3, and 37% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness Super Endo, Dentscare, ltda, Joinville, Brazil) in group 4. Orthodontic brackets were bonded with a light cure composite resin and cured with an LED light. After bonding, the SBS of the brackets was tested with a Universal testing machine. Results: Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between groups (P < .001). The highest values for SBS were measured in group 1 (10.15 ± 1.15?MPa). The SBS was significantly lower in groups 2, 3, and 4 than in group 1 (P < .001). The lowest values for SBS were measured in group 3 (6.17 ± 0.85?MPa). SBS was significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3 (P < .05). Conclusions: Intracoronal bleaching significantly affected the SBS of orthodontic brackets on human enamel. Bleaching with sodium perborate affects SBS more adversely than does bleaching with other agents.     

Rituximab as a new therapeutic option in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a report of two cases

Findings of several reports suggest that rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody causing B-lymphocyte depletion, might represent a treatment option for people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (former Wegener's granulomatosis). This study presents the results of rituximab treatment in two patients with treatment-refractory GPA. First patient received rituximab for a granulomatous posterior orbital mass lesion, and eye symptoms were resolved after three courses of treatment. The second patient had eye and paranasal sinus involvement and benefited from two courses of rituximab treatment, with significant clinical improvement. Rituximab may represent an effective novel treatment for remission induction in GPA.     

Anti-ovine interleukin-1beta monoclonal antibody immunotherapy in an ovine model of gram-negative septic shock

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of an anti-ovine interleukin-1beta monoclonal antibody to ameliorate pathophysiological derangements and improve survival in an ovine model of gram-negative septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective, placebo-controlled, interventional study (24-hr study period). SETTING: University hospital animal research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Ten awake, mature female sheep. INTERVENTIONS: Seven milligrams per kilogram of intravenous anti-ovine interleukin-1beta immunoglobin G1 monoclonal antibody (anti-interleukin-1beta group, n = 5) or equivalent amount of protein (5% human albumin; control group, n = 5) was infused over 1 hr (time-zero minus 1 hr to time-zero) and followed by an intravenous LD100 live Escherichia coli infusion (time-zero to time-zero plus 1 hr). Normal saline, maintenance and boluses to maintain baseline filling pressures, and gentamicin, 3 mg/kg intravenous, at time-zero plus 2 and time-zero plus 13 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic and oxygen transport indexes as well as hematological, biochemical, cytokine (interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and endotoxin measurements were performed at baseline (time-zero minus 1 hr), on completion of the monoclonal antibody/placebo (time-zero) and E. coli (time-zero plus 1 hr) infusions, and at multiple time points thereafter (time-zero plus 1.5 hrs to time-zero plus 24 hrs). Baseline data were not different between the treatment groups. From time-zero plus 1.5 hrs onward, in the anti-interleukin-1beta group, there was a sustained increase in mean arterial pressure, decreased peripheral vasodilation, and an attenuated metabolic acidosis, relative to the control group (p < or = .01, repeated-measures analysis of variance). Predicted percentage increases in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance index relative to the control group were 35% and 40%, respectively. Resuscitation fluid requirements were also decreased: anti-interleukin-1beta group, 4.1 +/- 2.9 mL x kg(-1) x hr(-1); control group, 10.6 +/- 1.8 mL x kg(-1) x hr(-1) (p < or = .01, Student's t-test). Survival was not different (anti-interleukin-1beta group, 40%; control group, 0%; p > .01, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive therapy with anti-ovine interleukin-1beta monoclonal antibody in ovine gram-negative septic shock was associated with improved hemodynamic performance. However, the beneficial effects were incomplete and survival was not significantly improved.