Membrane-seeded autologous chondrocytes: cell viability and characterization at surgery

The implantation of chondrocytes, seeded on matrices such as hyaluronic acid or collagen membranes, is a method that is being widely used for the treatment of chondral defects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution, viability and phenotype expression of the cells seeded on a collagen membrane just at the time of the implantation. Twelve patients who were suffering from articular cartilage lesions were treated by the MACI^® procedure. The residual part of each membrane was tested by colorimetric assay (MTT) and histochemical and ultrastructural analyses were carried out. In all of the samples a large number of viable cells, quite homogenously distributed, was detected. The cells expressed the markers of the differentiated hyaline chondrocytes. These data reassure in that the MACI procedure provides a suitable engineered tissue for cartilage repair, in line with the clinical evidences emerging in the literature.     

上海地区汉族优秀游泳运动员ACE基因I/D多态性研究

目的:探讨上海地区汉族不同水平优秀游泳运动员ACE(血管紧张素转化酶)基因I/D多态性的分布特点。方法:采用PCR方法,对上海地区85名汉族优秀游泳运动员和90名汉族普通人的ACE基因I/D多态性进行检测。结果显示,上海地区汉族优秀游泳运动员的ACE基因的基因型和等位基因频率与上海和成都地区汉族普通人无明显差异(P>0.05);上海地区汉族游泳运动员和普通人以及成都地区汉族普通人的基因型和等位基因频率均与高加索人群存在高度显著性差异(P<0.0001),表现出明显的种族差异性。7名上海地区汉族国际健将ACE基因均为II型,运动水平越高的组别,II基因型和I等位基因频率越高,提示具有II基因型或I等位基因频率高的运动员经过多年运动训练,具有成为优秀运动员的可能,特别是II基因型的运动员可能性更大。     

Giant cell tumor of the rib

We experienced a rare case of giant cell tumor (GCT) arising in the 5^th rib involving the 5^th vertebral body and transverse process. A 57-year-old man presented with a well-defined mass in the left thoracic cavity on chest x ray examination. Chest computed tomography showed a heterogeneous 7cm-diameter mass originating in the posterior segment of the left 5^th rib. The tumor had spread to the 5^th thoracic vertebra destroying the left half of the body and transverse process. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous-intensity mass involving the 4^th to 6^th ribs. A radical excision of the tumor followed by a 50 Gy radiotherapy was performed after embolization of the feeding arteries. The pathological diagnosis was a GCT. The patient remains well without evidence of recurrence for 6 years following surgery. The present case is only the 14^th case of GCT arising in the rib to have been reported in Japan.     

Validity and reliability of the Bengali version of the Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire

Purpose  

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Bangladesh, and the quality of life (QoL) of these patients remains unknown as there is no instrument available in the native language. In this study, we translated the 56-item Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (HQLQ) into Bengali and evaluated its validity and reliability.     

Health Information System Implementation: A Qualitative Meta-analysis

Healthcare information systems (HISs) are often implemented to enhance the quality of care and the degree to which it is patient-centered, as well as to improve the efficiency and safety of services. However, the outcomes of HIS implementations have not met expectations. We set out to organize the knowledge gained in qualitative studies performed in association with HIS implementations and to use this knowledge to outline an updated structure for implementation planning. A multi-disciplinary team performed the analyses in order to cover as many aspects of the primary studies as possible. We found that merely implementing an HIS will not automatically increase organizational efficiency. Strategic, tactical, and operational actions have to be taken into consideration, including management involvement, integration in healthcare workflow, establishing compatibility between software and hardware and, most importantly, user involvement, education and training. The results should be interpreted as a high-order scheme, and not a predictive theory.     

Multiple pilocytic astrocytomas of the cerebellum in a 17-year-old patient with neurofibromatosis type I

Objective Approximately 10% of patients with neurofibromatosis I (NFI) patients will have central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The most common of these are hypothalamic–optic gliomas, followed by brainstem and cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas. While isolated pilocytic astrocytomas in NFI are well described, the appearance of multiple pilocytic astrocytomas in an individual patient is less common. The most frequent combination in NFI patients with more than one pilocytic astrocytoma is optic tract/hypothalamic and brainstem. Other combinations are exceedingly rare; multiple pilocytic astrocytomas have only been reported once in the cerebral hemispheres in a patient with NFI. This report presents the first documented case, to our knowledge, of multiple pilocytic astrocytomas in the cerebellum of a patient with NF1. Methods Case report. Conclusion The finding of multiple cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas in a patient with NF1 is important because it expands the spectrum of presentations for patients with NF1 and also highlights specific diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced by the treating physicians. The genetic and molecular basis of NF1 is reviewed. Strategies of diagnosis and treatment outlined here are relevant to both patients with NF1 and all patients with multiple posterior fossa tumors.     

Liver Transplantation Across Rh Blood Group Barriers Increases the Risk of Biliary Complications

Background Cold ischemia time and the presence of postoperative hepatic arterial thrombosis have been associated with biliary complications (BC) after liver transplantation. An ABO-incompatible blood group has also been suggested as a factor for predisposal towards BC. However, the influence of Rh nonidentity has not been studied previously. Materials Three hundred fifty six liver transplants were performed from 1995 to 2000 at our hospital. BC incidence and risk factors were studied in 345 patients. Results Seventy patients (20%) presented BC after liver transplantation. Bile leakage (24/45%) and stenotic anastomosis (21/30%) were the most frequent complications. Presence of BC in Rh-nonidentical graft–host cases (23/76, 30%) was higher than in Rh-identical grafts (47/269, 17%) (P = 0.01). BC was also more frequent in grafts with arterial thrombosis (9/25, 36% vs 60/319, 19%; P = 0.03) and grafts with cold ischemia time longer than 430 min (26/174, 15% vs 44/171, 26%; P = 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that Rh graft–host nonidentical blood groups [RR = 2(1.1–3.6); P = 0.02], arterial thrombosis [RR = 2.6(1.1–6.4); P = 0.02] and cold ischemia time longer than 430 min [RR = 1.8(1–3.2); P = 0.02] were risk factors for presenting BC. Conclusion Liver transplantation using Rh graft–host nonidentical blood groups leads to a greater incidence of BC.     

Association of Hypoalbuminemia on the First Postoperative Day and Complications Following Esophagectomy

Objective Changes in serum albumin may reflect systemic immunoinflammation and hypermetabolism in response to insults such as trauma and sepsis. Esophagectomy is associated with a major metabolic stress, and the aim of this study was to determine if the absolute albumin level on the first postoperative day was of value in predicting in-hospital complications. Methods A retrospective study of 200 patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignant disease at St. James Hospital between 1999 and 2005 was performed. Patients who had pre and postoperative (days 1, 3, and 7) serum albumin levels measured were included in the study. Patients were subdivided into three postoperative albumin categories <20 g/l, 20–25 g/l, >25 g/l. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds of morbidity and mortality according to the day 1 albumin level. Results Patients with an albumin of less than 20 g/l on the first postoperative day were twice as likely to develop postoperative complications than those with an albumin of greater than 20 g/l (54 vs 28% respectively, p < 0.011). Correspondingly, these patients also had a significantly higher rate of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (22 vs 5%, p < 0.001), respiratory failure (27 vs 8%, p < 0.01) and in-hospital mortality (27 vs 6% (p < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, day 1 albumin level was independently related to postoperative complications (odds ratios, 0.89: 95%; confidence intervals, 0.83–0.96; p < 0.005). In addition, albumin <20 g/l on the first postoperative day was associated with the need for further surgery and a return to ICU. Conclusion Serum albumin concentration on the first postoperative day is a better predictor of surgical outcome than many other preoperative risk factors. It is a low cost test that may be used as a prognostic tool to detect the risk of adverse surgical outcomes.     

Factors affecting aseptic loosening of 4750 total hip arthroplasties: multivariate survival analysis

Background  

Total hip arthroplasty is a successful surgery, that fails at a rate of approximately 10% at ten years from surgery. Causes for failure are mainly aseptic loosening of one or both components partially due to wear of articular surfaces and partially to design. The present analysis aimed to identify risk factors and quantify their effects on aseptic failure.