Evaluating the effects of age on the long-term functional outcomes following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty

Methods@#Among the patients who underwent TSA, 119 shoulders were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome data were collected. Linear regression analysis (univariate and multivariate) was conducted to evaluate the associations of clinical outcomes with age. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate implant survival. @*Results@#At final follow-up, patients of all ages undergoing aTSA experienced significant and sustained improvements in all primary outcome measures compared with preoperative values. Based on multivariate analysis, age at the time of surgery was a significant predictor of postoperative outcomes. Excellent implant survival was observed over the course of this study, and Cox regression survival analysis indicated age and sex to not be associated with an increased risk of implant failure. @*Conclusions@#When controlling for sex and follow-up duration, older age was associated with significantly better patient-reported outcome measures. Despite this difference, we noted no significant effects on range of motion or implant survival.Level of evidence: IV.

Does humeral fixation technique affect long-term outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty?

Background@#For anatomic total arthroscopic repair, cementless humeral fixation has recently gained popularity. However, few studies have compared clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes between cemented and press-fit humeral fixation, and none have performed follow-up for longer than 5 years. In this study, we compared long-term postoperative outcomes in patients receiving a cemented versus press-fit humeral stem anatomic arthroscopic repair. @*Methods@#This study retrospectively analyzed 169 shoulders that required primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). Shoulders were stratified by humeral stem fixation technique: cementation or press-fit. Data were collected pre- and postoperatively. Primary outcome measures included range of motion, patient reported outcomes, and radiographic measures. @*Results@#One hundred thirty-eight cemented humeral stems and 31 press-fit stems were included. Significant improvements in range of motion were seen in all aTSA patients with no significant differences between final cemented and press-fit stems (forward elevation: P=0.12, external rotation: P=0.60, and internal rotation: P=0.77). Patient reported outcome metrics also exhibited sustained improvement through final follow-up. However, at final follow-up, the press-fit stem cohort had significantly better overall scores when compared to the cemented cohort (visual analog score: P=0.04, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon Score: P<0.01, Simple Shoulder Test score: P=0.03). Humeral radiolucency was noted in two cemented implants and one press-fit implant. No significant differences in implant survival were observed between the two cohorts (P=0.75). @*Conclusions@#In this series, we found that irrespective of humeral fixation technique, aTSA significantly improves shoulder function. However, within this cohort, press-fit stems provided significantly better outcomes than cemented stems in terms of patient reported outcome scores.Level of evidence: III.

Hematological and biochemical reference intervals of wild‑caught and inhouse adult Indian rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Nonhuman primates are used for research purposes such as studying diseases and drug discovery and development programs. Various clinical pathology parameters are used as biomarkers of disease conditions in biomedical research. Detailed reports of these parameters are not available for Indian-origin rhesus macaques. To meet the increasing need for information, we conducted this study on 121 adult Indian rhesus macaques (57 wild-sourced and 64 inhouse animals, aged 3–7 years). A total of 18 hematology and 18 biochemistry parameters were evaluated and reported in this study. Data from these parameters were statistically evaluated for significance amongst inhouse and wild-born animals and for differences amongst sexes. The reference range was calculated according to C28-A3 guidelines for reporting reference intervals of clinical laboratory parameters. @*Results@#Source of the animals and sex appeared to have statistically significant effects on reference values and range. Wild-born animals reported higher WBC, platelets, neutrophils, RBC, hemoglobin, HCT, MCV, and total protein values in comparison to inhouse monkeys. Sex-based differences were observed for parameters such as RBCs, hemoglobin, HCT, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, and total protein amongst others. @*Conclusions@#Through this study, we have established a comprehensive data set of reference values and intervals for certain hematological and biochemical parameters which will help researchers in planning, conducting, and interpreting various aspects of biomedical research employing Indian-origin rhesus monkeys.

Factors for nonadherence to first line art therapy in a cohort of Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive adult patients

Background: Antiretroviral therapy is one of the reasons for falling trend of HIV epidemic at present. The clinical efficacy, toxicity and reasons for failure of first line ART is understudied. This study aimed to determine the frequency rates and reasons for discontinuation of first line ART in a cohort of HIV positive adult patients.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted on 11,968 patients of HIV registered at Victoria Hospital ART centre from 2011 to 2017. Using a structured proforma, relevant information was collected from patients taking first line ART. Descriptive statistics was used for analysing the results obtained.Results: Total 11,968 HIV patients were registered at ART centre during our study period of which only 4,008 patients were taking ART among them, 167 patients were referred for initiation of 2nd line ART. After evaluation 28 were continued on First line,1 opted out, 20 were transferred out,1 discontinued treatment, 17 died, 14 were lost to follow up, 5 were excluded from the study and only 81 patients were started on second line ART. Failure rate of first line ART in our study was 2.02%. Immunological failure followed by clinical failure were the most common reasons for changeover in this study. Tuberculosis was the most common comorbid disease in this study.Conclusions: First line ART is very effective and well tolerated and has a low failure rate. Low CD4 count, anaemia, raised ALP, low albumin were among the factors associated with treatment failure. WHO staging did not correlate with the treatment failure, recommended routine viral load monitoring for assessing treatment failure.

Informing mental health policies and services in the EMR: cost-effective deployment of human resources to deliver integrated community-based care

For EMR countries to deliver the expectations of the Global Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 and the ongoing move towards universal health coverage, all health and social care providers need to innovate and transform their services to provide evidence-based health care that is accessible, cost-effective and with the best patient outcomes. For the primary and community workforce, this includes general medical practitioners, practice and community nurses, community social workers, housing officers, lay health workers, nongovernmental organizations and civil society, including community spiritual leaders/healers. This paper brings together the current best evidence to support transformation and discusses key approaches to achieve this, including skill mix and/or task shifting and integrated care. The important factors that need to be in place to support skill mix/task shifting and good integrated care are outlined with reference to EMR countries

Mental health research: developing priorities and promoting its utilization to inform policies and services

Investment in research on the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders is disproportionately low in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR] relative to the disease burden. Scaling-up mental health research in the EMR could generate enormous returns in terms of reducing disability, improving outcomes and preventing premature death, through early diagnosis, better management and community-based rehabilitation. EMR countries must therefore work to identify research priorities, mobilize resources, develop human and infrastructure capacities and institutionalize use of research findings to guide development of policies and service delivery models. Several key strategic interventions for EMR Member States are recommended: adopt a prioritized national mental health research agenda; systematically map national and international research funding to identify and secure resources to support the implementation of the agenda; strengthen national capacity to undertake prioritized research; periodically map research output in mental health; and foster dialogue between researchers and policy-makers/programme managers

Study on validity of a rapid diagnostic test kit versus light microscopy for malaria diagnosis in Ahmedabad city, India

Light microscopy of blood smears for diagnosis of malaria in the field has several limitations, notably delays in diagnosis. This study in Ahmedabad in Gujarat State, India, evaluated the diagnostic performance of a rapid diagnostic test for malaria [SD Bioline Malaria Ag P.f/Pan] versus blood smear examination as the gold standard. All fever cases presenting at 13 urban health centres were subjected to rapid diagnostic testing and thick and thin blood smears. A total of 677 cases with fever were examined; 135 [20.0%] tested positive by rapid diagnostic test and 86 [12.7%] by blood smear. The sensitivity of the rapid diagnostic test for malaria was 98.8%, specificity was 91.5%, positive predictive value 63.0% and negative predictive value 99.8%. For detection of Plasmodium falciparum the sensitivity of rapid diagnostic test was 100% and specificity was 97.3%. The results show the acceptability of the rapid test as an alternative to light microscopy in the field setting

Calciphylaxis in a renal allograft recipient -an uncommon entity, need for vigilance: a case report

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy [CUA] is characterized by small vessel medial calcification, panniculitis and dermal necrosis producing exquisitely painful and difficult to heal wounds. It is seen primarily in patients with end-stage renal disease [ESRD]. It is infrequently reported in post-transplant patients. In this report, we describe a case of CUA in a 46-year-old gentleman suffering from ESRD due to diabetes. He had undergone renal transplantation two years back and had subsequently developed chronic allograft nephropathy. The patient was on conservative management. He presented with a painful, non-healing skin ulcer on right lower limb. His biochemical markers were suggestive of altered calciumphosphorous status and secondary hyperparathyroidism. A skin biopsy from the ulcer was consistent with calciphylaxis. He was treated with intensified hemodialysis, antimicrobials, meticulous wound care with subsequent skin grafting which however, proved unsuccessful. A high index of suspicion needs to be exercised while dealing with non-healing ulcers in chronic renal failure including post-renal transplant patients

Neuroform-EZ Stent Modification for Facilitated Delivery during Intracranial Aneurysm Embosurgery / 신경중재치료의학

The Neuroform EZ Stent System is a fourth generation intracranial aneurysm stent that utilizes an integrated navigation guidewire. While designed to facilitate stent delivery, the guidewire can rarely impede proper positioning of the stent. In this technical case report, severing the guidewire from the stent delivery system with surgical scissors was required for successful stent implantation.

Shigella flexneri bacteremia in a child

We report an unusual and lethal case of Shigella flexneri septicemia in an 8-year-old Saudi handicapped child from a social home presenting with severe toxic megacolon and acute abdomen secondary to fulminant necrotizing enterocolitis