Primary Hemiarthroplasty for Proximal Humeral Fractures in the Elderly: Long-Term Functional Outcome and Social Implications

Abstract Background: Primary shoulder hemiarthroplasty is an established treatment modality for complex fractures of the proximal humerus. Long-term functional outcome is often disappointing. However, little is known about social implications particularly in the elderly. Methods: A single-institution case series of consecutive geriatric patients (age > 70 years) treated with shoulder hemiarthroplasty for complex fractures of the proximal humerus between 1994 and 1997 was analysed. Postoperative morbidity, long-term function, radiological outcome and social implications were evaluated. Results: Seventy-seven patients fulfilled the study criteria. Median age at the time of operation was 80 years (range 70–93 years). Systemic and local postoperative complications were observed in 8% including 2 patients (3%) with revision surgery. Postoperative mortality was 1%. Forty-eight patients (62%) were available for follow-up (median 49 months, range 25–80 months), 22 (29%) died from causes unrelated to hemiarthroplasty before follow-up and 7 patients (9%) did not attend follow-up examination. Median Constant-Murley score was 41 points (range 17–77 points). Long-term results concerning pain were satisfying. The Oxford shoulder score ranged from 14 to 40 (median 30). Forty-one patients (85%) still lived in their original environment and managed their daily life independently despite poor shoulder function. Four patients (8%) lived in a retirement home and 3 (6%) in a nursery home. Eighty percent of our patients were still able to use public transportation, do the daily shopping and wash their whole body by themselves. Conclusion: Most patients managed their daily life independently despite poor shoulder function.     

输尿管上段结石的微创手术治疗

目的：探讨输尿管上段结石的治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石(URSL），后腹腔镜输尿管切开取石(RLU)、经皮肾穿刺取石(PCNL)治疗输尿管上段结石患者的临床资料。其中URSL组25例，RLU组20例。PCNL组9例。结果：URSL组碎石成功18例；7例不成功，其中3例改为开放手术，1例改为后腹腔镜取石。2例行ESWL术，1例仅留置双J管。术后1个月拔管后自行排出。2例并发输尿管穿孔。RLU组取石成功18例，2例滑入肾内，经配合输尿管镜和腹腔镜直视下经皮肾穿刺取石成功，术后15例有伤口漏尿。PCNL组成功9例，无并发症。结论：USRL创伤小。术后恢复快。是治疗输尿管上段结石的较为满意的治疗方法。PCNL创伤小，取石成功率高，在结石靠近肾盂、儿童输尿管上段结石并同侧肾结石和结石以下输尿管狭窄时应优先考虑。但技术难度较大。RLU可作为URSL不成功后的辅助治疗方法。     

In vitro reversal MDR of human carcinoma cell line by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-doxorubicin conjugate.

A conjugate of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN) covalently linked with deoxorubicin (DOX) was synthesized. Its properties and antitumour activity in human carcinoma DOX resistant cells (KB-A-1) were investigated in vitro. The results showed that the conjugate was strongly stable both in Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) and in culture medium. The intracellular concentration of the conjugate was higher than that of the AS DON by HPLC analysis. The conjugate showed potent dose-dependent inhibition to the growth of KB-A-1 cells. Chemosensitivity of KB-A-1 cells to DOX was also investigated in vitro. When the cells were first exposed to the conjugate (0.5 microM) and then exposed to DOX for 24 h, the IC50 value of DOX decreased from 21.5 to 2.2 microM. In contrast, when treated with the mixture of the same concentration of the AS ODN with equivalent DOX, the IC50 value of DOX was 16.8 microM. Intracellular DOX concentration was detected in KB-A-1 treatment with the conjugate in vitro by HPLC. The results showed that the intracellular DOX concentration was 6.4-fold increased in KB-A-1 cells treated with the conjugate compared to treatment with DOX alone. In contrast, 1.8-fold increasing was observed when treated with the AS ODN. Western blot analysis showed a significantly decrease in the amount of P-glycoprotein in KB-A-1 cells. These results suggest that the conjugate is effective in reversing multidrug resistance. Certainly, further studies are conducting to explore the antitumour effect of the conjugate in vivo.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bcl11b</Emphasis>mutations identified in murine lymphomas increase the proliferation rate of hematopoietic progenitor cells

Background  

The telomeric region of mouse chromosome 12 has previously shown frequent allelic loss in murine lymphoma. The Bcl11b gene has been identified and suggested as a candidate tumor suppressor gene within this region. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether Bcl11b is mutated in lymphomas with allelic loss, and whether the mutations we detected conferred any effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis.     

Biology and Biomechanics in Osteosynthesis of Proximal Humerus Fractures

Abstract Surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures still remains a challenge. This is primarily due to the fact that sufficient implant fixation in humeral head fractures is often not achieved due to substantial bone tissue loss with increasing age. In the last few years the locking plates and locking nails have been introduced into clinical practice with varying results. The biomechanical studies have focused on locking plate osteosynthesis as well. The following paper focuses on bone quality, biomechanical studies and biology of proper osteosynthesis and reviews the most recent literature.