Bone cement with reduced proportion of monomer in total hip arthroplasty: Preclinical evaluation and randomized study of 47 cases with 5 years' follow-up

Bone cement with reduced amount of monomer and low curing temperature may improve implant fixation due to reduced toxicity. We analyzed the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of such a cement (Cemex Rx) using Palacos R as control. The in vivo performance of the 2 cements was also evaluated in a prospective randomized study of 47 hips, where either of the cement types was used to fixate Lubinus SP2 prostheses with the stem made of titanium alloy. Cemex Rx had a reduced tensile strength, probably because this cement was manually mixed, as recommended by the manufacturer. A standardized laboratory test showed lower curing temperature for Cemex, but measurements at 37° and with prechilled Palacos R and Cemex Rx, as in clinical work, showed no difference. In the clinical study radiostereometric measurements of cup and stem migration showed similar values in the 2 groups up to 5 years after the operation. The cement mantle was stable in both groups, but the stems migrated similarly inside the cement mantle regardless of the type of cement used. Proximal wear was low (0.04-0.05 mm/year) and tended to be lower in the Cemex group (p = 0.02). Aluminum and vanadium levels in serum increased 5 years after the operation, but no difference was noted between the 2 groups. Collagen markers (PICP, ICTP) showed similar increases in bone turnover 6 weeks and 6 months after operation in both groups.     

Tripled semitendinosus anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with Endobutton fixation: A 2-3-year follow-up study of 35 patients

We evaluated the clinical outcome of tripled semitendinosus tendon ACL reconstruction with femoral Endobutton (Acufex, Smith&Nephew, Andover, MA) and tibial Suture Washer (Acufex, Smith&Nephew, Andover, MA) (n 29) or post screw fixation (n 6) in 35 patients on an average of 28 (20-37) months after surgery. On the basis of IKDC criteria, 22 patients showed a normal or nearly normal knee function and 25 patients had a KT 1000 maximal manual side-to-side difference of &#104 5 mm at follow-up. Subjectively, 28 patients graded their knee function as normal or nearly normal. The average Lysholm score was 88 points, average OAK score 90 points and average modified HSS score 93 points. 19 patients reached their preinjury level of activity at follow-up. The postoperative Lachman test was &#104 1+ in 24 patients and 24 patients also showed an absent pivot shift. Significant bone tunnel enlargement occurred in 26 patients on the femoral side and in 23 patients on the tibial side. We found no correlation between bone tunnel enlargement and clinical outcome. The clinical outcome of tripled semitendinosus tendon ACL reconstruction with Endobutton fixation on the femoral side was not entirely satisfactory. The procedure was associated with a high incidence of bone tunnel enlargement in this series.     

Epicondylopathia humeri radialis et ulnaris

Tennis or golfer elbow (epicondylopathia humeri radialis et ulnaris) are painful disorders of the tendon insertion tissues of the extensor or flexor groups that can be attributed to an overload due to sports or labour activity of the wrist extensor or flexor muscles. Pathomorphologically the tendon of the musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis is characterized by edematous changes and even partial or complete ruptures. Non-surgical procedures are still the therapeutic mainstay for all forms of epicondylitis. Recently presented methods such as the injection of botulinum toxin (good evidence), administration of platelet-rich plasma (moderate level of evidence) and the extracorporal shock wave therapy (low level of evidence) have been included in the therapeutic algorithms with varying degrees of clinical success. Established surgical procedures are recommended after failed conservative treatment. Operative techniques have been expanded to arthroscopic techniques with the advantage of improved diagnostics and therapy of intraarticular pathologies.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a semi-finished occlusal appliance – a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Introduction

Painful temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are usually treated with physiotherapy, self-exercises, medication-based therapy and splint therapy. For splint therapy different types of splints are available. Therefore this randomized controlled study compared the effectiveness of a semi-finished occlusal appliance (SB) with a laboratory-made occlusal appliance (SS) in myofascial pain patients.

Method

The trial subjects allocated to the experimental groups with the (SB) occlusal appliance and those provided with a laboratory-made occlusal appliance (SS) did, in addition, receive conservative treatment (self-exercises, drug-based and manual therapy). The control group was given conservative therapy (CO) only. Overall, a total of 63 patients participated in the study with each group consisting of 21 subjects.

Results

When the first follow-up examination took place (14 days after splint insertion) mouth opening within the SB group was significantly enlarged. When the second examination was conducted (2.5 months after splint insertion) mouth opening was significantly enlarged in both splint groups when compared with the initial value. In the control group, no significant enlargement of mouth opening was detected. At no point there was a significant reduction in the number of pressure-sensitive areas of the TMJ. On palpation of the masticatory muscles however, a significant reduction in the number of pressure-sensitive areas could be observed within the CO group and the SS group after 2.5 months. When comparing pain reduction (muscle/joint pain) and mouth opening, no significant differences could be detected between the treatments.

Conclusion

The results suggest that TMD should be treated conservatively. In cases of restricted mouth opening, the additional use of occlusal appliances can eliminate the patient’s discomfort more quickly. In this context, the tested, semi-finished occlusal appliance appears to offer an immediately available, temporary alternative to laboratory-made splints.     

Proteomic and metabolomic profiling reveals time-dependent changes in hippocampal metabolism upon paroxetine treatment and biomarker candidates

Most of the commonly used antidepressants block monoamine reuptake transporters to enhance serotonergic or noradrenergic neurotransmission. Effects besides or downstream of monoamine reuptake inhibition are poorly understood and yet presumably important for the drugs' mode of action. In the present study we aimed at identifying hippocampal cellular pathway alterations in DBA/2 mice using paroxetine as a representative Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). Furthermore we identified biomarker candidates for the assessment of antidepressant treatment effects in plasma. Hippocampal protein levels were compared between chronic paroxetine- and vehicle-treated animals using in vivo¹⁵N metabolic labeling combined with mass spectrometry. We also studied the time course of metabolite level changes in hippocampus and plasma using a targeted polar metabolomics profiling platform. In silico pathway analyses revealed profound alterations related to hippocampal energy metabolism. Glycolytic metabolite levels acutely increased while Krebs cycle metabolite levels decreased upon chronic treatment. Changes in energy metabolism were influenced by altered glycogen metabolism rather than by altered glycolytic or Krebs cycle enzyme levels. Increased energy levels were reflected by an increased ATP/ADP ratio and by increased ratios of high-to-low energy purines and pyrimidines. In the course of our analyses we also identified myo-inositol as a biomarker candidate for the assessment of antidepressant treatment effects in the periphery. This study defines the cellular response to paroxetine treatment at the proteome and metabolome levels in the hippocampus of DBA/2 mice and suggests novel SSRI modes of action that warrant consideration in antidepressant development efforts.     

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the upper lip misdiagnosed benign desmoplastic trichoepithelioma

Background

Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DT) is a benign appendageal tumour predominately localized on the facial skin. The histological diagnosis can be difficult in some cases. Partial malignant transformation of a DT is a rarity and a complete transformation has never been described in literature.

Case report

A DT of the upper lip was diagnosed histologically by a small biopsy 4 years previously. At presentation, the tumour had enlarged and had partly infiltrated the left side of the upper lip and subnasal region. Histological evaluation confirmed a microcystic adnexal carcinoma but without evidence of malignant transformation of the DT. It appeared that a too-small initial biopsy had led to the incorrect histological diagnosis of a benign tumour. Thus, it was necessary to perform a tumour resection and reconstruction using a two-flap technique including a rotation flap and an Abbé flap. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were good after 6 months. There were no recurrences during a 12-month follow-up.

Conclusion

A facial DT should be resected completely. Patients should be attended for follow-ups, keeping in mind the difficulty of making a proper histological diagnosis from small biopsies or excisions and the consequences of ablative facial surgery. However, in particular cases, subtotal defects of the upper lip region are amenable to reconstruction without gross functional or aesthetic deficits.     

Electrical impedance myography in the diagnosis of radiculopathy

Introduction: We sought to determine whether electrical impedance myography (EIM) could serve as a diagnostic procedure for evaluation of radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty‐seven patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy who met a “gold standard” definition underwent EIM and standard needle electromyography (EMG) of multiple upper or lower extremity muscles. Results: EIM reactance values revealed consistent reductions in the radiculopathy‐affected myotomal muscles as compared with those on the unaffected side; the degree of asymmetry was associated strongly with the degree of EMG abnormality (P < 0.001). EIM had a sensitivity of 64.5% and a specificity of 77.0%; in comparison, EMG had a sensitivity of 79.7% but a specificity of 69.7%. Conclusions: These findings support the potential for EIM to serve as a new non‐invasive tool to assist in diagnosis of radiculopathy; however, further refinement of the technique is needed for this specific application. Muscle Nerve 48:800–805, 2013     

The validity of patient- and clinician-rated measures of needs and the therapeutic relationship in psychosis: A pooled analysis

Measuring outcomes of treatments for psychosis such as needs and the quality of the therapeutic relationship is important in research and routine care. However, evidence on the validity of existing outcome measures is limited. We aimed to test the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of two widely used patient- and clinician-rated measures of needs and the therapeutic relationship. Multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis was conducted on the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule (CANSAS) and the Helping Alliance Scale (HAS), both the clinician (CANSAS-C, HAS-C) and patient (CANSAS-P, HAS-P) versions, in a pooled sample of 605 psychotic patients and their clinicians. CANSAS-C and CANSAS-P items loaded substantially into one common unmet needs factor. By comparison, substantial factor loadings were found for HAS-C and HAS-P items on two separate clinician- and patient-rated therapeutic relationship factors. Common unmet needs and clinician-rated therapeutic relationship factors significantly predicted reduced psychiatric in-patient days. Our findings support the convergent validity of the CANSAS, discriminant validity of the HAS, and predictive validity of CANSAS and HAS-C. The findings may inform the use of CANSAS and HAS as psychosis outcome measures in research and routine care.     

Discriminating value of total minor physical anomaly score on the Waldrop scale between patients with bipolar I disorder and normal controls

Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are slight structural aberrations indicative of abnormal neurodevelopment. Most studies of MPAs in bipolar disorder have yielded limited results. We attempted to assess the potential value of MPAs as a classifying test in the status bipolar I patients vs. normal controls. Sixty one bipolar I patients and 103 controls were evaluated for MPAs using a slightly modified version of the Waldrop scale. The specificity, sensitivity and predictive value of different total MPA (MPA-T) scores were determined. The cut-off MPA-T scores that optimally discriminated patients from controls (exhibiting the most balanced sets of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) were MPA-T≥4 and MPA-T≥5. These values set a “border zone” in which bipolar I patients began to prevail significantly over controls. The latter presented most frequently with MPA-T ≤3 and rarely with MPA-T ≥6. Bipolar I patients prevailed among outliers (subjects with significantly higher MPA-T scores). Our data establish MPA-T score as a reliable index in distinguishing between bipolar I patients and normal controls and are consistent with the hypothesis of abnormal neurodevelopment in bipolar disorder.