Comparison of screw fixation versus non-fixation in dorsal opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy of adult acquired flatfoot

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the radiographic and functional results between fixation and non-fixation in the Cotton osteotomy for the treatment of adult acquired flatfoot.MethodsA retrospective, case-controlled study of consecutive stage IIB posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) patients treated with the same bony reconstructive surgery including cotton osteotomy between 2013 and 2017. Meary’s angle, the medial arch sag angle (MASA), and medial cuneiform cobb angle (MCCA) were evaluated pre-operation, at first weight bearing after surgery, and 12 months post operation.ResultsForty feet were included in the study. The cotton osteotomy utilized screw fixation (n = 20) or non-fixation technique (n = 20). No significant differences between groups were found in pre-operative and follow-up radiographic parameters, union rate, and functional results.ConclusionThe non-fixation with press fit technique is a reliable procedure for Cotton osteotomy and as effective as screw fixation.Level of evidenceLevel III, case control study     

不伴红细胞增多的慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者并发肺栓塞的影响因素研究

背景　慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者肺栓塞（PE）发生率显著高于常人，但目前不伴红细胞增多的COPD患者并发PE的机制尚不明确。目的　探讨不伴红细胞增多的COPD患者并发PE的影响因素。方法　本研究为回顾性病例对照研究。收集2017年1-12月在新疆医科大学第一附属医院呼吸与呼吸危重症中心住院治疗的血红蛋白（Hb）≤140 g/L的COPD患者。依据肺多层螺旋CT肺血管成像（CTPA）检查结果将患者分为并发PE组和单纯COPD组。记录患者的年龄、性别、合并症、服用抗血小板或抗凝药物史。采用倾向性评分匹配（PSM）方法，通过二元Logistic回归分析估计倾向性评分值，采用1∶1最邻近原则匹配，卡钳值为0.05，筛选出基线相同的两组病例。记录患者的D-二聚体、血常规检查结果，比较两组间差异；分析不伴红细胞增多的COPD患者并发PE的影响因素，红细胞分布宽度（RDW）与中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）的相关性。结果　共纳入病例339例，其中单纯COPD组289例，并发PE组50例。采用PSM方法筛选两组患者，最终得到单纯COPD组、并发PE组各50例进行后续研究。并发PE组患者D-二聚体、中性粒细胞计数（N）、RDW、NLR高于单纯COPD组，淋巴细胞计数（L）低于单纯COPD组（P<0.05）。二元Logistic回归分析结果显示，RDW是不伴红细胞增多的COPD患者并发PE的影响因素〔OR=1.561，95%CI（1.096，2.225），P<0.05〕。Spearman秩相关分析结果显示，不伴红细胞增多的COPD患者RDW与NLR呈正相关（rs=0.225，P<0.05）。结论　RDW升高是Hb≤140 g/L的COPD患者并发PE的危险因素，且RDW与NLR呈正相关。     

Management of Valvular Heart Disease in Adults: Implications for Nurse Practitioner Practice

Valvular heart disease affects patients of all ages, with the highest incidence in patients older than 75 years. The nurse practitioner, whether in the primary or acute care setting, plays a vital role in the detection, monitoring, and shared decisions in treatment options. Assessment skills in conjunction with appropriate testing can identify patients early in the trajectory of the disease. The purpose of this article is to provide tips for history-taking and physical exam techniques, identify appropriate diagnostic testing, and review treatment options for adults with valvular heart disease.     

The effect of Origanum majorana tea on motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled pilot study

AimsThe effect of Origanum majorana tea consumption on motor and non-motor symptoms was investigated in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, measured by validated tools.MethodsSixty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and under conventional medication were enrolled voluntarily in the study. All participants were randomized on double-blind to placebo or Origanum majorana. Clinical assessment with validated tools (UPDRSIII, NMSS, and BDI) was done before Origanum majorana or placebo consumption (Day 0) and at the end of the experiment (Day 30).ResultsThe treatment groups were similar at baseline on demographic and clinical variables. During the course of study, nine participants withdrew for reasons of noncompliance and inability to follow-up. Fifty-one participants completed the study. Upon completion of 30 days of treatment, Origanum majorana tea consumption did not decrease the UPDRSIII score ([UPDRSIII^] D0 = 18.76 ± 8.58, D30 = 16.52 ± 7.96, p = 0.069) at the p value was 0.07. However, a statistically significant improvement was noted in NMSS and BDI scores (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Assessment of the UPDRSIII, NMSS and BDI scores of the patients did not reflect any improvement with placebo. No side effect was detected during the study^.ConclusionThese findings show improvement of depressive and non-motor signs in patients with Parkinson's disease in the group that consumed Origanum majorana tea in combination with conventional therapy. Improvement of motor signs may need an extended treatment period. However, more research with a large number of participants and lasting longer than 1 month is needed to argue these findings.     

Event-related potential changes due to early-onset Parkinson’s disease in parkin (PARK2) gene mutation carriers and non-carriers

ObjectiveTo investigate cognitive functions in non-demented patients with early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD), and to compare PARK2 gene mutation carriers and non-carriers by means of event-related brain potentials (ERPs).MethodsThe participants comprised patients with early-onset PD (EOPD) and healthy controls (HC). Patients with EOPD were divided into two groups as carriers of known pathogenic variants of PARK2 gene (EOPD-PC) and non-carriers of genes involved in familial PD (EOPD-NC). ERP data were collected during auditory oddball and visual continuous performance test (CPT).ResultsBoth EOPD groups (EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC) displayed reduced and delayed P3 in response to oddball target and CPT NoGo. CPT Go P3 was reduced in EOPD-NC but not in EOPD-PC. Oddball target N1 was reduced and P2 was enhanced in both EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC. In both cognitive tasks, RTs were prolonged and accuracy was lower in EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC.ConclusionsWe found several EOPD-related neurophysiologic changes, implying impairments in cognitive functions. Pairwise comparisons between EOPD-PC and EOPD-NC revealed no significant ERP marker.SignificanceIn this study, the confounding effect of normative aging was somewhat excluded compared with many previous studies. In contrast with the many oddball studies in non-demented PD, we clearly observed reduced and prolonged P3 in early-onset PD. Our NoGo P3 findings also contribute to the limited ERP research concerning response inhibition.