Conversion of Fused Hip to Total Hip Arthroplasty: Long-Term Clinical and Radiological Outcomes

BackgroundDespite promising results at the mid-term followup, several aspects of conversion of the fused hip to total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes with a minimum 5-year followup in patients who underwent conversion of the fused hip to THA.MethodsFifty-seven patients (59 hips) were evaluated. The Harris Hip Score (HHS), range of motion (ROM), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess hip function and low back pain. Subjective satisfaction with surgery and the presence of the Trendelenburg sign was also evaluated. Radiological assessment was performed pre- and postoperatively to evaluate loosening and heterotopic ossification (HO).ResultsAfter a mean followup of 13.0 ± 6.2 years, HHS and VAS significantly improved from 46.0 ± 16.7 to 80.8 ± 18.8 and from 4.4 ± 1.5 to 2.1 ± 1.4 (both P < .001), respectively. Twenty-three patients (40.4%) had a positive Trendelenburg sign, and HOs were found in 29 cases (49.1%). An overall 29.8% complication rate was noted. Smoking habits and rheumatoid arthritis were predictive of Trendelenburg sign (P = .046 and P = .038, respectively). Implant survival rate as the end point was 98.7 ± 1.3% at 5 years, 92.4 ± 3.3% at 10 years, 82.1 ± 5.7% at 15 years, and 73.4 ± 8.0% at 20 and 25 years. A worse cumulative implant survival rate was noted in patients who underwent previous hip surgery, defined as any hip operation before fusion (P = .005).ConclusionConversion of the fused hip to hip arthroplasty provides high levels of hip functionality and satisfaction with surgery at long-term followup. An implant survival rate higher than 70% can be expected 25 years postoperatively.     

中药材及饮片质量等级标准研究思路和方法

中药质量评价作为保障中药材及饮片质量安全有效的有力手段,对维护人民群众身心健康、促进中药产业高质量发展具有重要意义。长久以来,中药质量多以法定检验标准为准入门槛进行低限控制,质量等级标准缺乏,致使中药质量仅能满足基本要求,而“优质优价”未能得到充分体现,导致“劣币驱逐良币”,市场公平严重受损,这很大程度影响了中药产业高质量发展。因此,开展中药质量优劣评价研究,构建中药质量等级标准体系对于全面落实“四个最严”要求、促进中医药传承创新发展、规范市场秩序、引导产业健康发展具有深远而重大的意义。对中药材质量评价现状进行概述,针对目前中药材质量评价的瓶颈问题,提出符合中医药特点的质量等级标准研究思路,包括关键质量控制指标确立、综合质量评价方法建立、质量等级标准验证等内容,以期为建立中药质量等级评价体系提供参考,助力中药产业高质量发展。     

Narrative review of prostate cancer grading systems: will the Gleason scores be replaced by the Grade Groups?

The Gleason grading system, proposed by Dr. Donald F. Gleason in 1966, is one of the most important prognostic factors in men with prostate cancer (PCa). At consensus conferences held in 2005 and 2014, organized by the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), the system was modified to reflect the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In particular, in the 2014 Conference, it was recognized that there were weaknesses with the original and the 2005 ISUP modified Gleason systems. Based on the results of a research conducted by Prof. JI Epstein and his group, a new grading system was proposed by the ISUP in order to address some of such deficiencies: i.e., the five distinct Grade Groups (GGs). Since 2014, results of studies have been published by different groups and societies, including the Genitourinary Pathology Society (GUPS), giving additional support to the prognostic role of the architectural Gleason patterns and, in particular, of the GGs. A revised GG system, taking into account the percentage of Gleason pattern (GP) 4, cribriform and intraductal carcinoma, tertiary GP 5, and reactive stroma grade, has shown to have some advantages, however not ready for adoption in the current practice. The aim of this contribution was to review the major updates and recommendations regarding the GPs and GSs, as well as the GGs, trying to give an answer to the following questions: “How has the grade group system been used in the routine?” and “will the Gleason scoring system be replace by the grade groups?” We also discussed the potential implementation in the future of molecular pathology and artificial intelligence in grading to further define risk groups in patients with PCa.     

Dual antibiotic loaded bone cement in patients at high infection risks in arthroplasty: Rationale of use for prophylaxis and scientific evidence

In view of the demographic changes and projected increase of arthroplasty procedures worldwide, the number of prosthetic joint infection cases will naturally grow. Therefore, in order to counteract this trend more rigid rules and a stricter implementation of effective preventive strategies is of highest importance. In the absence of a "miracle weapon" priorities should lie in evidence-based measures including preoperative optimization of patients at higher infection risks, the fulfilment of strict hygiene rules in the operating theatre and an effective antibiotic prophylaxis regimen. Instead of a "one size fits all" philosophy, it has been proposed to adjust the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol to major infection risks taking into account important patient-and procedure-related risk factors. A stronger focus on the local application mode via use of high dose dual antibioticloaded bone cement in such risk situations may have its advantages and is easy to apply in the theatre. The more potent antimicrobial growth inhibition in vitro and the strong reduction of the prosthetic joint infection rate in risk for infection patients with aid of dual antibiotic-loaded bone cement in clinical studies align with this hypothesis.     

Inequities in access to VA’S aid and attendance enhanced pension benefit to help Veterans pay for long‐term care

ObjectiveTo examine characteristics that are associated with receipt of Aid and Attendance (A&A), an enhanced pension benefit for Veterans who qualify on the basis of needing daily assistance, among Veterans who receive pensions.Data sourcesSecondary data analysis of 2016‐2017 national VA administrative data linked with Medicare claims.Study designObservational study examining sociodemographic, medical, and healthcare utilization characteristics associated with receipt of A&A among Veterans receiving pension.Principal findingsIn 2017, 9.7% of Veterans with pension newly received the A&A benefit. The probability of receiving A&A among black and Hispanic pensioners was 4.6 percentage points lower than for white pensioners (95%CI = −0.051, −0.042). Married Veterans receiving pension had a 4.4‐percentage point higher probability of receiving A&A (95%CI = 0.039, 0.048). Most indicators of need for assistance (eg, home health utilization, dementia, stroke) were associated with significantly higher probabilities of receiving A&A, with notable exceptions: pensioners with a diagnosis of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (marginal effect = −0.029 95%CI = −0.037, −0.021) or enrolled in Medicaid (marginal effect = −0.053, 95%CI = −0.057, −0.050) had lower probabilities of receiving A&A. Unadjusted and adjusted rates of receiving A&A among Veterans receiving pension varied by VA medical center.ConclusionsThis study identified potential inequities in receipt of the A&A enhanced pension among a sample of Veterans receiving pension. Increased Veteran outreach, provider education, and VA office coordination can potentially reduce inequities in access to this benefit.     

Issues in adherence with pediatric regimens

Adherence to recommendations for health care is an area of serious concern for pediatric psychologists. The present article highlights several key issues affecting research and clinical work in this area. They include: difficulties defining and measuring adherence; developmental aspects of adherence; special concerns with low income populations; and limitations of intervention research. In addition, several directions for future investigation in the area of pediatric adherence are addressed.     

Disodium cromoglycate versus diet in the treatment and prevention of nickel-positive pompholyx

In some cases that have been diagnosed as contact allergy to nickel, there are repeated cutaneous eruptions of pompholyx, even in areas with no direct contact with the metal. The possible alimentary origin of dyshidrotic eczema should be considered when deciding on therapy. We have collected the clinical data for 24 patients with dyshidrotic eczema caused by nickel, to evaluate the benefit of a low-nickel diet versus treatment with oral disodium cromoglycate, comparing both objective and subjective symptoms. A low-nickel diet does not improve these patients but those treated with DSCG reacted better, from both objective and subjective point of view, than either the controls or the patients treated by diet. We next did intestinal permeability tests before therapy and after 15 days of treatment. We found that nickel uptake diminishes simultaneously with the reduction of absorption through the smaller aqueous "pores". This phenomenon was greatest after DSCG. We suggest that DSCG can help selected cases of pompholyx.     

国产吻缝合器在超低位直肠癌根治术中的应用

目的：探讨国产吻、缝合器在超低位直肠前切除术中的应用。方法：对27例直肠癌患者行超低位直肠前切除,应用上海产金钟牌缝合器、吻合器,进行结肠－直肠吻合。结果：本组根治性切除25例（92．6％）;1例发生吻合口瘘,发生率为3．7％;吻合口狭窄3例,发生率为11．1％,均经保守治疗治愈。结论：合理使用国产缝合器、吻合器可完成超低位直肠癌的保肛手术,可达保肛、根治、降低费用、减少并发症的目的。     

低剂量电离辐射对小鼠免疫器官Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响

目的 :研究低剂量电离辐射对小鼠胸腺、脾和肠系膜淋巴结 Bcl- 2蛋白表达的影响 ,以揭示辐射诱导细胞凋亡 J型曲线的分子机理。方法 :采用免疫组织化学及图像分析定量方法。结果 :假照组各免疫器官存在 Bcl- 2蛋白的基础表达 ;而照射组随着照射后时间的推移 ,Bcl- 2蛋白表达逐渐增高 ,2 4 h达峰值 ,且差异显著 ;72 h回复至假照水平。结论 :上述结果为揭示低剂量辐射免疫兴奋效应和辐射诱导细胞凋亡 J型曲线的分子机理提供了有意义的数据     

阿魏酸钠对人脐静脉内皮细胞产生一氧化氮的影响

目的研究阿魏酸钠(SF)对人脐静脉内皮细胞产生一氧化氮(NO)的影响。方法用NO试剂盒分别测定氧化低密度脂蛋白(OX-LDL)、VitE以及SF对培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞产生NO的影响。结果OX-LDL对培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞NO有明显的抑制作用,并且随着浓度的增加及作用时间的延长,抑制作用逐渐增强;SF和抗氧化剂VitE可明显减弱OX-LDL对内皮细胞NO产生的抑制作用。结论SF具有与抗氧化剂VitE相似的保护内皮细胞释放NO的作用。