Restoration of Labral Function in Primary Hip Arthroscopy From Labral Repair to Labral Reconstruction

The function and importance of the labrum in hip biomechanics has been established. A labral tear is the most common pathology in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, and adequate management is critical for favorable outcomes. Although labral debridement was initially performed for arthroscopic labral tear management, there has been a shift toward labral restoration techniques. Currently, restoration with labral repair remains the gold standard for labral tear treatment, particularly in the primary setting. When compared to labral debridement, the literature has shown that labral repair has more favorable outcomes.Irreparable labral tears, although unusual in the primary setting, present a challenge. Labral reconstruction and augmentation are recent advancements in this scenario of hip arthroscopy that can help restore labral function.Two alternatives of labral reconstruction have been described: segmental and circumferential. Clinical data for segmental labral reconstruction has reported good outcomes at short-, mid-, and long-term follow-up. Similarly, arthroscopic circumferential reconstruction has shown good to excellent results at short-term follow-up. As the name suggests, only a segment of the labrum is reconstructed during segmental reconstruction. In a circumferential reconstruction, the entire labrum is taken down from the most anterior to the most posterior aspect of the transverse acetabular ligament and is reconstructed using an auto or allograft. A benefit of circumferential labral reconstruction is the removal of the entire damaged labral tissue, a potential source of pain. However, there is no clear evidence that demonstrates the superiority of one method over the other.Labral graft reinforcement via tissue augmentation or labral augmentation is an interesting option because it preserves the native chondrolabral junction. Labral augmentation can also be used for hypoplastic labrum that intraoperatively demonstrates a deficient suction-seal.     

The impact of different doses of antithymocyte globulin conditioning on immune reconstitution upon hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

IntroductionAnti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is used prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Two different ATG doses (7.5 or 10 mg/kg) were evaluated in comparison with a group without ATG therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 132 patients who were transplanted with HSCT without ATG (non-ATG), or who received 7.5 mg/kg ATG (ATG-7.5) or 10 mg/kg ATG (ATG-10) prior to transplantation. The immune cells (CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, CD19⁺ B cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells) were examined in peripheral blood every three months post-HSCT for 12 months.ResultsCompared with non-ATG group, combined ATG-7.5/ATG-10 groups had significantly lower CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells and higher CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells at 3, 6, 9, 12 months post-HSCT; thus, displaying a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in the ATG groups compared to non-ATG group. The ratio of CD19⁺ B cells was statistically lower (at 3rd month, p = .014; at 6th month, p = .025) in combined ATG-7.5/ATG-10 groups at 3 and 6 months post-HSCT, but not at 9 and 12 months after HSCT. The ratios of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ T cells, CD19⁺ B cells and CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells were similar between the ATG-7.5 and ATG-10 groups at all examined time points. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), relapse and acute GVHD (aGVHD) were comparable among recipients without ATG therapy and with ATG-7.5 or/and ATG-10 therapies. Multivariate analysis revealed that immune cells ratios were not independent factors affecting prognosis.ConclusionThe ATG therapy at higher and lower doses led to a delayed reconstitution of T cells and the inversion of CD4/CD8 ratio for at least one year after HSCT.     

Patella fracture fixation with a non-locked anterior plating technique: A biomechanical study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical attributes of patella fracture fixation with either anterior plating utilizing two parallel, longitudinal 2.0 mm plates technique versus a cannulated screw tension band technique.MethodsFive matched pairs (ten specimens) of fresh frozen cadavers were utilized. A transverse patella fracture (OTA 34C1.1) was fixed using either two 4.0 mm cannulated screw anterior tension band (CATB) or with two 2.0 mm stainless steel non-locking plates along the anterior cortex secured with 2.4 mm cortical screws traversing the fracture site. Specimens underwent 1000 cycles of simulated active knee range of motion before load to failure destructive testing.ResultsDuring cyclic loading there were no failures in the plate fixation group, and 2 out of 5 specimens catastrophically failed in the CATB group (p = 0.22). Average fracture displacement at the end of fatigue testing was 0.96 mm in the plate fixation group and 2.72 mm in the CATB group (p = 0.18). The specimens that withstood cyclic testing underwent a destructive load. Mean load to failure for the plate fixation specimens was 1286 N, which was not significantly different from the CATB group mean of 1175 N (p = 0.48). The mechanism of failure in the plate fixation cohort was uniformly via a secondary vertical patella fracture around the plates in all five specimens. In the CATB group, the mechanism of failure was via wire elongation and backing out of the screws.ConclusionsPatella fixation with anterior plating technique statistically performed equivalent to cannulated screw anterior tension band in ultimate load to failure strength and fatigue endurance under cyclical loading. No failures were observed cyclic simulated active range of motion in the anterior plate group. There was a trend towards improved fatigue endurance in the plate fixation group, however this did not reach statistical significance. We believe plate fixation technique represents a low-profile implant option for treatment of transverse patella fractures, which may allow for early active range of motion, and these data support biomechanical equivalency to standard of care.     

Cross-Calibration of Prodigy and Horizon A Densitometers and Precision of the Horizon A Densitometer

We performed this study to enable a reliable transition for clinical study participants and patients from a GE Lunar Prodigy to a Hologic Horizon A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner and to assess the reproducibility of measurements made on the new DXA scanner. Forty-five older adults had one spine, hip, and total body scan on a Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner and 2 spine, hip, and total body scans, with repositioning, on a new Hologic Horizon A DXA scanner. Linear regression models were used to derive cross calibration equations for each measure on the 2 scanners. Precision (group root-mean-square average coefficient of variation) of bone mineral density (BMD) of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine (L1-L4), and total body fat, bone, and lean mass, appendicular lean mass, and trabecular bone score (TBS) was assessed using the International Society of Clinical Densitometry's (ISCD's) Advanced Precision Calculation Tool. Correlation coefficients for the BMD and body composition measures on the 2 scanners ranged from 0.94 to 0.99 (p<0.001). When compared with values on the Prodigy, mean BMD on the Horizon A was lower at each skeletal site (0.136 g/cm² lower at the femoral neck and 0.169 g/cm² lower at the lumbar spine (L1-4)), fat mass was 0.47 kg lower, and lean mass was 4.50 kg higher. Precision of the Horizon A scans was 1.60% for total hip, 1.94% for femoral neck, and 1.25% for spine (L1-4) BMD. Precision of TBS was 1.67%. Precision of total body fat mass was 2.16%, total body lean mass was 1.26%, appendicular lean mass was 1.97%, and total body bone mass was 1.12%. The differences in BMD and body composition values on the 2 scanners illustrate the importance of cross-calibration to account for these differences when transitioning clinical study participants and patients from one scanner to another.     

Empire-CF study: A phase 2 clinical trial of leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor acebilustat in adult subjects with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by neutrophilic inflammation in the airways. Leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) is a neutrophil chemoattractant and has been implicated in CF pathogenesis. Acebilustat, a novel, synthetic, small-molecule leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor, reduces LTB₄ production. We report findings from a randomized placebo-controlled trial of acebilustat in adult subjects with mild-to-moderate lung disease.MethodsSubjects were randomized (1:1:1) to once-daily acebilustat 50 mg, 100 mg or placebo for 48 weeks, concomitantly with their current therapeutic regimen. Subjects were stratified by use of concomitant CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, baseline percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (ppFEV₁) 50-75 and >75, and number of pulmonary exacerbations in the past year (1 or >1). Primary endpoints were the change from baseline in ppFEV₁ and safety. Secondary endpoints included the rate of pulmonary exacerbations.ResultsOverall, 199 subjects were randomized and dosed (acebilustat 50 mg, n=67; acebilustat 100 mg, n=66; placebo, n=66). Baseline demographics and disease profile were well balanced among treatment groups. Acebilustat had no statistically significant effect on the primary endpoint of change in ppFEV₁ at week 48 or the secondary endpoint pulmonary exacerbations. There was a trend towards reduced pulmonary exacerbations in subjects receiving acebilustat in pre-specified populations with ppFEV₁>75 (35% rate reduction) and those on concomitant CFTR modulator therapy (20% rate reduction). Acebilustat was well tolerated.ConclusionsAcebilustat did not improve lung function. A trend towards reduced pulmonary exacerbations in subjects with an earlier stage of lung disease suggests a potential effect in this population.     

Impact of bone-active drugs and underlying disease on bone health after lung transplantation: A longitudinal study

Introductionthe effect of bone-active drugs on the risk of fragility fractures (Fx), bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) changes in patients receiving lung transplantation (LTx) is largely unknown. This study assessed the bone-active drugs effect in patients undergoing LTx both with (CF) and without (nCF) cystic-fibrosis.MethodsWe evaluated incident Fx, both clinical and morphometric vertebral Fx by spinal X-ray, BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS) in 117 patients (CF=50, nCF n = 67) before and 24-months after LTx. A bone-active therapy was proposed to all LTx candidates.Results83.8% of patients started a bone-active drug. Lumbar-spine (LS) T-score improved significantly only in treated patients (-1.4 ± 1.0 vs -2.0±1.0, p = 0.0001), whereas femur BMD and TBS remained stable in treated and not treated subjects. The rate of incident Fx was 15.3%, with no difference between treated and not treated patients. After LTx, LS T-score improved significantly only in nCF group (-1.3 ± 1.0 vs -1.8 ± 1.1, p = 0.0001), while femur remained stable in both nCF and CF groups. Patients with CF showed a significant Z-TBS increase (-3.6 ± 1.7 vs -3.0 ± 1.7, p = 0.019) and a lower Fx incidence as compared with nCF patients (4.1% vs 24.2%, p  =0.003). Incident Fx were associated with nCF diagnosis (OR 7.300, CI95% 1.385–38.461, p = 0.019) regardless of prevalent Fx, previous glucocorticoid therapy and bone-active therapy introduced at least 6 months before LTx.ConclusionsA prompt medical intervention helps in preventing BMD loss after LTx. As compared with nCF patients, CF patients show a TBS increase and a lower Fx risk after LTx.     

Saltwater fish but not freshwater fish consumption is positively related to handgrip strength: The TCLSIH Cohort Study

Fish contain many important nutrients and are primarily known for high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) content. Studies have shown that supplementation of fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA improves muscle mass and strength. Here, we hypothesized that fish consumption might improve muscle strength. To test this hypothesis, we performed this cross-sectional study (n = 29,084) in Tianjin, China. The frequency of fish consumption was assessed using a valid self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Handgrip strength (HGS) was used as the indicator of muscle strength, and was measured using a handheld digital dynamometer. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the relationship between fish consumption and HGS. In men, after adjusted potential confounding factors, the least square means (95% confidence intervals) of HGS across saltwater fish consumption categories were 41.5 (41.1, 43.7) kg for <1 time/week, 44.6 (43.2, 45.8) kg for 1 time/week, and 44.7 (43.3, 46.1) kg for ≥2 to 3 times/week (P for trend <0.001). In men, the least square means (95% confidence intervals) of HGS across the ascending quartiles of dietary n-3 PUFA intake were 43.6 (43.2, 44.4) kg, 43.7 (43.2, 44.6) kg, 44.4 (43.0, 45.8) kg, and 44.6 (43.1, 46.0) kg (P for trend <0.01). The results showed that saltwater fish consumption was positively related to HGS in men, but not in women, suggesting that saltwater fish contain nutrients that may be used to improve HGS.