The influence of local bone quality on fracture pattern in proximal humerus fractures

IntroductionBone mineral density and fracture morphology are widely discussed and relevant factors when considering the different treatment options for proximal humerus fractures. It was the aim of this study to investigate the influence of local bone quality on fracture patterns of the Neer classification as well as on fracture impaction angle in these injuries.Materials and methodsAll acute, isolated and non-pathological proximal humerus fractures admitted to our emergency department were included. The fractures were classified according to Neer and the humeral head impaction angle was measured. Local bone quality was assessed using the Deltoid Tuberosity Index (DTI). The distribution between DTI and fracture pattern was analysed.Results191 proximal humerus fractures were included (61 men, mean age 59 years; 130 women, mean age 69.5). 77 fractures (40%) were classified as one-part, 72 (38%) were two-part, 24 (13%) were three- and four-part and 18 (9%) were fracture dislocations. 30 fractures (16%) were varus impacted, whereas 45 fractures (24%) were classified as valgus impacted. The mean DTI was 1.48. Valgus impaction significantly correlated with good bone quality (DTI ≥ 1.4; p = 0.047) whereas no such statistical significance was found for the Neer fracture types.DiscussionWe found that valgus impaction significantly depended on good bone quality. However, neither varus impaction nor any of the Neer fracture types correlated with bone quality. We conclude that the better bone quality of valgus impacted fractures may be a reason for their historically benign amenability to ORIF. On the other hand, good local bone quality does not prevent fracture comminution.     

Evaluation of depression in patients with alzheimer's disease according to the location of medical care

The objective of the study was to assess the severity of depression and to assess the level of self-sufficiency of patients with Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on the place of residence and level of education. The study covered 90 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. All respondents were persons over 65?years of age and residents of cities with a population over one-hundred thousand. The research method based on this work is the author's own questionnaire, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) about depression and the Karnofsky Performance Scale Index (KPSI) for assessment of a patient's self-sufficiency. Regardless of residence, patients with Alzheimer's disease displayed signs of mild or moderate depression (100% in social welfare homes and hospital patients and 60% in those with caregivers at home). Patients with Alzheimer's disease have an unsatisfactory salary in social-economic terms. In those with Alzheimer's disease, quality of life is best for those in family homes under the care of their immediate family. People with a vocational education were the largest group of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Patients at home and in the hospital had a higher level of physical activity, but most patients in the hospital needed regular medical care, as did patients in social welfare homes.     

Estimating the predictive validity of diabetic animal models in rosiglitazone studies

For therapeutic studies, predictive validity of animal models – arguably the most important feature of animal models in terms of human relevance – can be calculated retrospectively by obtaining data on treatment efficacy from human and animal trials. Using rosiglitazone as a case study, we aim to determine the predictive validity of animal models of diabetes, by analysing which models perform most similarly to humans during rosiglitazone treatment in terms of changes in standard diabetes diagnosis parameters (glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] and fasting glucose levels). A further objective of this paper was to explore the impact of four covariates on the predictive capacity: (i) diabetes induction method; (ii) drug administration route; (iii) sex of animals and (iv) diet during the experiments. Despite the variable consistency of animal species‐based models with the human reference for glucose and HbA1c treatment effects, our results show that glucose and HbA1c treatment effects in rats agreed better with the expected values based on human data than in other species. Induction method was also found to be a substantial factor affecting animal model performance. The study concluded that regular reassessment of animal models can help to identify human relevance of each model and adapt research design for actual research goals.     

Oral hygiene and dental status as factors related to asthma in high school and college students

Objective: Considering that oral microbiota might modulate immune responses, we explored if customary oral care procedures might influence immune-driven diseases such as asthma. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of responses to a self-completion medical questionnaire applied to subjects entering into college and high school programs during 2006–2011. Results: Responses from 329?780 students aged 14–24 years (97.6% of the original population) were analyzed. The prevalence of lifetime asthma was 4.01%. Subjects with asthma were slightly older, taller and heavier than subjects without asthma, and these differences were equally present in males and females. Subjects currently having two or more decayed teeth had asthma less frequently than those with one or none decayed tooth, with an odds ratio (OR)?=?0.86 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.83–0.89. In contrast, asthma was reported more frequently among students having two or more missing or filled teeth [OR?=?1.1 (95% CI 1.04–1.17) and OR?=?1.05 (95% CI 1.01–1.09), respectively]. From 2008 onwards, subjects also responded questions about oral hygiene incorporated into the core questionnaire. In these subjects, the use of toothpaste as well as the frequency and duration of toothbrushing were unrelated to asthma; regular use of mouthwash was associated with asthma in women [OR?=?1.16 (95% CI 1.07–1.25)], but not in men [OR?=?1.04 (95% CI 0.96–1.13)]. Results of multiple logistic regressions were in line with these findings. Conclusions: Our results suggested that oral hygiene and dental status could be novel factors influencing asthma development, and thus further studies to confirm and clarify this association are warranted.     

痤疮患者相关知识问卷的信效度研究

目的研究能够客观评价痤疮患者相关知识的问卷,并进行信效度检验。方法通过回顾相关文献回顾、半结构化访谈、专家访谈和专家评议法,形成初始问卷。选取403例痤疮患者进行调查。对问卷信效度进行评价,形成问卷终稿。结果最终形成的痤疮相关知识问卷包括5个维度、24个条目。通过探索性因子分析提取5个公因子。累计方差贡献率为53.907%,问卷内容效度为0.961,Cronbach’sα系数为0.829,重测信度0.897。结论该问卷具有良好的信效度,可作为评价痤疮患者痤疮相关知识了解程度的工具。