Diminutive Incision Acromioplasty Assisted with Arthroscopy in the Treatment of Chinese Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome / Acromioplastia de Incisión Diminuta Asistida con Artroscopia en el Tratamiento de Pacientes Chinos con Síndrome de Pinzamiento Subacromial

ABSTRACT Background: Many causes can lead to shoulder pain and subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most frequently recorded disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy for the treatment of Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Subject and Methods: Twenty-two patients with 24-painful shoulders subacromial impingement syndrome were enrolled. All painful shoulders were in Grades II (8) and III (16) according to Neer's classification. Detailed physical examination was performed. Conventional radiography and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder region of all patients were done. The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) score system was used for all patients to evaluate their satisfaction after surgery. The preoperative recordings of the UCLA scores were collected and all enrolled cases including 24-painful shoulders were available for follow-up in 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Results: According to the UCLA scoring system, the symptom of all painful shoulders were improved after one year postoperatively. The average score before surgery from 15.4 points increased to 31.2 points postoperatively, showing a statistical difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy is a reliable approach to treat Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. All painful shoulders were obviously improved in one year after surgery.

ABSTRACT Antecedentes: Muchas causas pueden provocar dolor de hombro y síndrome de compresión subacromial (SIS) es el trastorno más frecuentemente registrado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la clínica. Efectos de la acromioplastia con incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia para el tratamiento de Pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Sujeto y métodos: Se incluyeron veintidós pacientes con síndrome de afectación subacromial de 24-hombros dolorosos. Todos los hombros dolorosos estaban en Grados II (8) y III (16) de acuerdo con la clasificación de Neer. Se realizó examen físico detallado. Se realizaron radiografías convencionales y, posteriormente, imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) de la región del hombro de todos los pacientes. El sistema de puntuación de la Universidad de California en Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) se utilizó para que todos los pacientes evaluaran su satisfacción después de la cirugía. Los registros preoperatorios de las puntuaciones de UCLA se recopilaron y todos los casos incluidos, incluidos 24-hombros dolorosos, estaban disponibles para el seguimiento en 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. Resultados: De acuerdo con el sistema de puntuación de UCLA, el síntoma de todos los hombros dolorosos mejoró después de un año después de la operación. La puntuación promedio antes de la cirugía de 15.4 puntos aumentó a 31.2 puntos después de la operación, mostrando una diferencia estadística (p < 0.05) Conclusiones: Una acromioplastia de incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia es un enfoque confiable para tratar a pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Todas las lesiones dolorosas se mejoraron obviamente en un año después de la cirugía.

Contact force-guided catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Contact force (CF) sensing technology allows real-time monitoring during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effect of CF sensing technology on procedural parameters and clinical outcomes still needs clarification. Because of the inconsistent results thus far in this area, we performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CF sensing technology can improve procedural parameters and clinical outcomes for the treatment of AF. Studies examining the benefits of CF sensing technology were identified in English-language articles by searching the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (inception to May 2015). Ten randomized, controlled trials involving 1834 patients (1263 males, 571 females) were included in the meta-analysis (681 in the CF group, 1153 in the control group). Overall, the ablation time was significantly decreased by 7.34 min (95%CI=-12.21 to -2.46; P=0.003, Z test) in the CF group compared with the control group. CF sensing technology was associated with significantly improved freedom from AF after 12 months (OR=1.55, 95%CI=1.20 to 1.99; P=0.0007) and complications were significantly lower in the CF group than in the control group (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.29 to 0.87; P=0.01). However, fluoroscopy time analysis showed no significantly decreased trend associated with CF-guided catheter ablation (weighted mean difference: -2.59; 95%CI=-9.06 to 3.88; P=0.43). The present meta-analysis shows improvement in ablation time and freedom from AF after 12 months in AF patients treated with CF-guided catheter ablation. However, CF-guided catheter ablation does not decrease fluoroscopy time.

HLA-DR3 antigen in the resistance to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) has been hypothesized as a multifactorial disorder initiated by an environment trigger in individuals with predisposing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Published data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and IDC risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Studies were identified by searching the PUBMED and Embase database (starting from June 2015). A total of 19 case-control studies including 1378 cases and 10383 controls provided data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and genetic susceptibility to IDC. Overall, significantly decreased frequency of HLA-DR3 allele (OR=0.72; 95%CI=0.58-0.90; P=0.004) was found in patients with IDC compared with controls. When stratified by myocardial biopsy or non-biopsy cases, statistically decreased risk was found for IDC in myocardial biopsy cases (OR=0.69; 95%CI=0.57-0.84; P=0.0003). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, borderline statistically significantly decreased risk was found among Europeans from 12 case-control studies (OR=0.76; 95%CI=0.58-1.00; P=0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that individuals with HLA-DR3 antigen may have a protective effect against IDC.

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution decreases mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease: an 11-year experience from a single institution

Cardioplegic reperfusion during a long term ischemic period interrupts cardiac surgery and also increases cellular edema due to repeated solution administration. We reviewed the clinical experiences on myocardial protection of a single perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) for high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease. This retrospective study included 101 high-risk patients undergoing arterial switch operation between March 2001 and July 2012. We divided the cohort into two groups: HTK group, myocardial protection was carried out with one single perfusion with HTK solution; and St group, myocardial protection with conventional St. Thomas' crystalloid cardioplegic solution. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between the two groups. The mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, post-operative hospitalization time, and number of transfusions in HTK group were lower than those in St group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that HTK is a statistically significant independent predictor of decreased early mortality and morbidity (P<0.05). In conclusion, HTK solution seems to be an effective and safe alternative to St. Thomas' solution for cardioplegic reperfusion in high-risk patients with complex congenital heart disease.

High levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C further increase platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic patients

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) enhance platelet activation, whereas high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) exert a cardioprotective effect. However, the effects on platelet activation of high levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C (HLC) have not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the platelet activation marker of HLC patients and investigate the antiplatelet effect of atorvastatin on this population. Forty-eight patients with high levels of LDL-C were enrolled. Among these, 23 had HLC and the other 25 had high levels of LDL-C combined with normal levels of HDL-C (HNC). A total of 35 normocholesterolemic (NOMC) volunteers were included as controls. Whole blood flow cytometry and platelet aggregation measurements were performed on all participants to detect the following platelet activation markers: CD62p (P-selectin), PAC-1 (GPIIb/IIIa), and maximal platelet aggregation (MPAG). A daily dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was administered to patients with high levels of LDL-C, and the above assessments were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. The expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was increased in HNC patients compared to NOMC volunteers (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Furthermore, the surface expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was greater among HLC patients than among HNC patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Although the expression of CD62p and PAC-1 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment, it remained higher in the HLC group than in the HNC group (P<0.05 and P=0.116). The reduction of HDL-C further increased platelet activation in patients with high levels of LDL-C. Platelet activation remained higher among HLC patients regardless of atorvastatin treatment.

A spheroid-based 3-D culture model for pancreatic cancer drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay

Current therapy for pancreatic cancer is multimodal, involving surgery and chemotherapy. However, development of pancreatic cancer therapies requires a thorough evaluation of drug efficacy in vitro before animal testing and subsequent clinical trials. Compared to two-dimensional culture of cell monolayer, three-dimensional (3-D) models more closely mimic native tissues, since the tumor microenvironment established in 3-D models often plays a significant role in cancer progression and cellular responses to the drugs. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the benefits of 3-D in vitro models of various cancers. In the present study, we have developed a spheroid-based, 3-D culture of pancreatic cancer cell lines MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1 for pancreatic drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay. Drug efficacy testing showed that spheroids had much higher drug resistance than monolayers. This model, which is characteristically reproducible and easy and offers rapid handling, is the preferred choice for filling the gap between monolayer cell cultures and in vivo models in the process of drug development and testing for pancreatic cancer.

Effect of caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide on heartbeat and VEGF expression of zebrafish larvae.

The use of pharmaceuticals during pregnancy may causes abnormalities to the embryo. Sometime the drug also effect to the new born if the drug transferred through lactation. We have used zebrafish model to see the effect of some pharmaceuticals on embryos and larvae. Three drugs, caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide, were used for this study to see the effect mainly the hatching rate of eggs, heart beat rate and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of the larvae. VEGF is an important signaling protein that involved generating the new blood vessels during embryonic development. We have used 10, 20, 50, 100 Ag ml-1 concentrations of all the drugs to see the effect. No significant mortality or malformations were observed in zebrafish embryos. Hatching was stared from 60 hr. In control group, 91% hatching rate was observed. Lowest hatching rate was observed using highest concentration of norfloxacin (100 Ag ml-1) and nimesulide (100 Ag ml-1) i.e. 55 and 56% respectively. In control group, 110 to 115 heart beat rate was counted per minute. Significantly higher heart beat was observed in caffeine treated group which is 125 to140 min-1. Lower heart beat was noted in nimesulide treated group which is 100 min-1. We have tried to observe the possible effect of VEGF of the larvae by these three drugs. Expression of VEGF was very low in caffeine treated group. Almost no VGF expression was observe in 100 Ag ml-1 caffeine treated group. These studies suggest that there is a possibility that high dosage of caffeine can harm the unborn baby or new born babies, if the mothers use caffeine.

Skin testing in patients with high risk of anaphylactic reactions to penicillin.

Sequential skin testing including immediate patch test (IPT), skin prick test (SPT), and intradermal test (IT) with sodium benzylpenicillin G (Pen G), and SPT with benzylpenicilloyl human serum albumin (BPO-HSA) was done in 58 subjects with a history of probable anaphylactic reaction or shock of unknown cause. Based on positive skin tests, the diagnosis of penicillin anaphylaxis was confirmed in 30 patients. The average age of onset of penicillin allergy was 42 years ranging from 20-70 years. The sex ratio was 2:28 with marked female predominance. Anaphylactic shock, wheezing and urticaria occurred in 21, 20, 19 patients, respectively. Most symptoms were induced by skin tests and inhalation. The results of skin tests in these patients showed that IPT with 500 U/ml of Pen G was not only reliable but also safe. It is suggested that patients suspected of penicillin anaphylaxis should received IPT with 500 U/ml of Pen G as the initial diagnostic step; if a negative reaction occurred, then SPT and IT should be applied with the same concentration of Pen G, until a positive reaction developed or all the skin testing showed negative results. SPT to BPO-HSA was safe, but its positive rate was only 47.8% in our study; it seems to be less important than skin test to Pen G. As a whole, the skin testing procedure we recommend is relatively reliable, safe and practical even in individuals extremely sensitive to penicillin. In addition, once the patient develops a positive IPT, Pen G residue on the testing site should be wiped away rapidly and washed out with cool water thoroughly to disrupt further violent reaction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)