Bone Microarchitecture Phenotypes Identified in Older Adults Are Associated With Different Levels of Osteoporotic Fracture Risk

Prevalence of osteoporosis is more than 50% in older adults, yet current clinical methods for diagnosis that rely on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) fail to detect most individuals who have a fragility fracture. Bone fragility can manifest in different forms, and a “one-size-fits-all” approach to diagnosis and management of osteoporosis may not be suitable. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) provides additive information by capturing information about volumetric density and microarchitecture, but interpretation is challenging because of the complex interactions between the numerous properties measured. In this study, we propose that there are common combinations of bone properties, referred to as phenotypes, that are predisposed to different levels of fracture risk. Using HR-pQCT data from a multinational cohort (n = 5873, 71% female) between 40 and 96 years of age, we employed fuzzy c-means clustering, an unsupervised machine-learning method, to identify phenotypes of bone microarchitecture. Three clusters were identified, and using partial correlation analysis of HR-pQCT parameters, we characterized the clusters as low density, low volume, and healthy bone phenotypes. Most males were associated with the healthy bone phenotype, whereas females were more often associated with the low volume or low density bone phenotypes. Each phenotype had a significantly different cumulative hazard of major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and of any incident osteoporotic fracture (p < 0.05). After adjustment for covariates (cohort, sex, and age), the low density followed by the low volume phenotype had the highest association with MOF (hazard ratio = 2.96 and 2.35, respectively), and significant associations were maintained when additionally adjusted for femoral neck aBMD (hazard ratio = 1.69 and 1.90, respectively). Further, within each phenotype, different imaging biomarkers of fracture were identified. These findings suggest that osteoporotic fracture risk is associated with bone phenotypes that capture key features of bone deterioration that are not distinguishable by aBMD. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Serum bone-gla protein after fracture

Serum bone Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (bone-gla) protein (BGP), a marker of bone formation, was measured in serial blood samples drawn from 14 patients who had fractured at least one of their tibial or femoral diaphyses and from two other patients who had sustained major trauma without fracture but who had been immobilized. A total of 85 samples were taken and analyzed during the first three months after the fractures occurred. Serum BGP significantly increased and positively correlated with the time that had elapsed after the fracture, with an average twofold increase after two months. The fracture site and the duration of immobilization had no influence on the serum BGP levels. Serum BGP levels from the two non-fractured cases increased in the first two weeks with no subsequent consistent trend. These data suggest that serum BGP increases one to two months after a major fracture, possibly as a manifestation of bone repair. Further studies are required to determine the potential clinical value of serum BGP in the management of such patients.     

Radial artery infections and aneurysms after catheterization

Twelve patients in whom radial artery infections developed after catheterization in an intensive care unit over a 2-year period were reviewed. The incidence of local infection was 0.4%. An increased risk of infection was associated with prolonged catheterization (greater than 4 days). Aneurysms developed in five patients. Signs of septic emboli were present in two patients, including Osler's nodes, Janeway's lesions, and fingertip infarcts. In 6 of the 12 patients, the radial artery infection resolved with antibiotic treatment alone. The five patients with infected aneurysms were treated successfully with antibiotics and surgical excision. The radial artery was reconstructed by use of a vein graft in one patient. We believe that patients not responding promptly to antibiotics or patients with infected aneurysms are best treated by surgical excision.     

Effect of in vivo desensitization to leukotriene B4 on eosinophil infiltration in response to C5a in guinea-pig skin.

1. The effect of in vivo desensitization to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on eosinophil infiltration in response to recombinant C5a was examined in guinea-pig skin. 2. LTB4 (10-300 ng) and C5a (1-10 micrograms) caused a dose-dependent increase in the levels of eosinophil peroxidase activity (a measure of eosinophil infiltration) 4 h after injection into guinea-pig skin. Leukotriene B4 and C5a were approximately equipotent on a molar basis. Platelet activating factor (0.01-10 micrograms) also caused eosinophil accumulation but was much less active than LTB4 or C5a. 3. 20-Hydroxy-LTB4 caused a dose-dependent desensitization of eosinophil responses to LTB4 (ED50 = 1.6 micrograms kg-1, s.c.) and partially reduced responses to C5a. At a dose of 20-hydroxy-LTB4 (10 micrograms) which inhibited responses to LTB4 completely, responses to C5a were reduced by 56.5 +/- 1.8% (n = 5). The structurally related metabolite of 20-hydroxy-LTB4, 20-carboxy-LTB4, which does not cause desensitization to the effects of LTB4, did not inhibit eosinophil infiltration in response to C5a. 4. The LTB4 receptor antagonist, SC-41,930 (10 mg kg-1, p.o.), also inhibited eosinophil accumulation in response to C5a by 63.0 +/- 3.9% (n = 5) at a dose which inhibited responses to LTB4 by 86.5 +/- 1.9% (n = 5). 5. These data indicate that eosinophil infiltration in response to C5a may, in part, be mediated by the generation of secondary chemotactic factors such as LTB4.     

Tightly clustered outbreak of group A streptococcal disease at a long-term care facility.

OBJECTIVE: To describe investigation of a tightly clustered outbreak of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease associated with a high mortality rate in a long-term care facility (LTCF). DESIGN: Cross-sectional carriage survey and epidemiologic investigation of LTCF resident and employee cohorts. SETTING: A 104-bed community LTCF between March 1 and April 7, 2004. PATIENTS: A cohort of LTCF residents with assigned beds at the time of the outbreak. INTERVENTIONS: Reinforcement of standard infection control measures and receipt of chemoprophylaxis by GAS carriers. RESULTS: Four confirmed and 2 probable GAS cases occurred between March 16 and April 1, 2004. Four case patients died. The final case occurred during the investigation, before the patient was determined to be a GAS carrier. No case occurred during the 6 months after the intervention. Disease was caused by type emm3 GAS; 16.5% of residents and 2.4% of employees carried the outbreak strain. Disease was clustered in 1 quadrant of the LTCF and associated with nonintact skin. GAS disease or carriage was associated with having frequent personal visitors. CONCLUSIONS: Widespread carriage of a virulent GAS strain likely resulted from inadequate infection control measures. Enhanced infection control and targeted prophylaxis for GAS carriers appeared to end the outbreak. In addition to employees, regular visitors to LTCFs should be trained in hand hygiene and infection control because of the potential for extended relationships over time, leading to interaction with multiple residents, and disease transmission in such residential settings. Specific attention to prevention of skin breaks and proper wound care may prevent disease. The occurrence of a sixth case during the investigation suggests urgency in addressing severe, large, or tightly clustered outbreaks of GAS infection in LTCFs.     

Neuroblastoma of the Anterior Mediastinum in an 80-Year-Old Woman

A 7-cm anterior mediastinal tumor in an 80-year-old woman was found by light and electron microscopy to be a neuroblastoma. Immunoreactivity for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and chromogranin supported the diagnosis. Neuroblastoma is an uncommon tumor in adults and we are not aware of a previous report of such a tumor in a patient of this age.     

Critical care elements in a rehabilitation nursing course.

This article describes a specialized rehabilitation education program, based on adult learning theory, that was developed to promote retention of rehabilitation nurses at MetroHealth Center for Rehabilitation in Cleveland. The curriculum encompasses the skills required to care for rehabilitation patients needing both advanced rehabilitation nursing and critical care nursing. Critical care and rehabilitation nurses collaborated in the presentation of topics and were guided by the course coordinators. Learners were chosen based on experience in rehabilitation, with priority given to those certified in rehabilitation nursing. A variety of evaluation methods elicited positive responses. A 6-month postcourse survey also was completed to assess the long-term effects of the course.     

Direct and reverse dorsal metacarpal flaps.

We reviewed the anatomy of vascular systems used for both direct and reverse dorsal metacarpal flaps. The three-dimensional arrangement of the dorsal arterial network of the hand was examined. The collateral and terminal branches of this dorsal arterial network are described as a potential source of blood supply for composite flaps. Three types of dorsal-palmar anastomotic network were identified at the first and second metacarpal spaces, in the web space area. They could provide blood supply to reverse metacarpal flaps. Results of a series of 12 cases of reverse metacarpal flaps are given.