Avulsive Achilles Tendon Rupture in a Patient With Alkaptonuria: A Case Report.

Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutation in the homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGO) gene, leading to the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA). HGA polymerizes to form a black pigment that accumulates in connective tissue and joints (ochronosis), causing their destruction. In this work, we report a case of Achilles tendon rupture in a patient with a prior diagnosis of alkaptonuria. A 71-year-old man presented to the emergency department reporting pain in his posterior right ankle and dysfunction, evolving over three weeks after falling down a short flight of stairs. He had previously been diagnosed with alkaptonuria and had undergone five joint prostheses and an aortic valve replacement. A physical examination revealed right ankle edema, pain upon palpation, a palpable gap at the insertion of the tendon, and a positive Thompson test. An MRI confirmed an avulsive rupture at the insertion of the Achilles tendon. During surgical exploration, black pigmentation was observed in the tendon, which was reinserted using a double-row system reinforced with a percutaneous Bunnel stitch. The patient was discharged the following day with a cast splint, maintaining the foot in physiological plantar flexion for two weeks. In the subsequent two weeks, he used a non-weight-bearing walker boot, and finally, in the following two weeks, he began weight-bearing. Two months post-operation, he was walking without support. Twelve months after the intervention, the patient regained their previous functional status, being able to walk on tiptoes without difficulty. Spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture without associated trauma in patients with ochronosis is rare, with limited literature demonstrating successful outcomes post-surgery. Since the tendon becomes more fragile due to pigment accumulation, it was reinserted using a double-row system, increasing the contact area and more effectively distributing the load. There is no standard technique for treating these patients, but the patient's previous functional capacity was restored, with no new ruptures to date. The significant morbidity of alkaptonuria and potential complications, such as tendon ruptures, warrant future studies to discover and develop new prophylactic and therapeutic treatments.

Heat-related changes in the velocity and kinetic energy of flowing blood influence the human heart's output during hyperthermia.

Passive whole-body hyperthermia increases limb blood flow and cardiac output ( Q ̇ $\dot Q$ ), but the interplay between peripheral and central thermo-haemodynamic mechanisms remains unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that local hyperthermia-induced alterations in peripheral blood flow and blood kinetic energy modulate flow to the heart and Q ̇ $\dot Q$ . Body temperatures, regional (leg, arm, head) and systemic haemodynamics, and left ventricular (LV) volumes and functions were assessed in eight healthy males during: (1) 3 h control (normothermic condition); (2) 3 h of single-leg heating; (3) 3 h of two-leg heating; and (4) 2.5 h of whole-body heating. Leg, forearm, and extracranial blood flow increased in close association with local rises in temperature while brain perfusion remained unchanged. Increases in blood velocity with small to no changes in the conduit artery diameter underpinned the augmented limb and extracranial perfusion. In all heating conditions, Q ̇ $\dot Q$ increased in association with proportional elevations in systemic vascular conductance, related to enhanced blood flow, blood velocity, vascular conductance and kinetic energy in the limbs and head (all R2 ≥ 0.803; P < 0.001), but not in the brain. LV systolic (end-systolic elastance and twist) and diastolic functional profiles (untwisting rate), pulmonary ventilation and systemic aerobic metabolism were only altered in whole-body heating. These findings substantiate the idea that local hyperthermia-induced selective alterations in peripheral blood flow modulate the magnitude of flow to the heart and Q ̇ $\dot Q$ through changes in blood velocity and kinetic energy. Localised heat-activated events in the peripheral circulation therefore affect the human heart's output. KEY POINTS: Local and whole-body hyperthermia increases limb and systemic perfusion, but the underlying peripheral and central heat-sensitive mechanisms are not fully established. Here we investigated the regional (leg, arm and head) and systemic haemodynamics (cardiac output: Q ̇ $\dot Q$ ) during passive single-leg, two-leg and whole-body hyperthermia to determine the contribution of peripheral and central thermosensitive factors in the control of human circulation. Single-leg, two-leg, and whole-body hyperthermia induced graded increases in leg blood flow and Q ̇ $\dot Q$ . Brain blood flow, however, remained unchanged in all conditions. Ventilation, extracranial blood flow and cardiac systolic and diastolic functions only increased during whole-body hyperthermia. The augmented Q ̇ $\dot Q$ with hyperthermia was tightly related to increased limb and head blood velocity, flow and kinetic energy. The findings indicate that local thermosensitive mechanisms modulate regional blood velocity, flow and kinetic energy, thereby controlling the magnitude of flow to the heart and thus the coupling of peripheral and central circulation during hyperthermia.

Thermo-haemodynamic coupling during regional thigh heating: Insight into the importance of local thermosensitive mechanisms in blood circulation.

A positive relationship between local tissue temperature and perfusion exists, with isolated limb-segment hyperthermia stimulating hyperaemia in the heated region without affecting the adjacent, non-heated limb segment. However, whether partial-limb segment heating evokes a heightened tissue perfusion in the heated region without directly or reflexly affecting the non-heated tissues of the same limb segment remains unknown. This study investigated, in 11 healthy young adults, the lower limb temperature and haemodynamic responses to three levels of 1 h upper-leg heating, none of which alter core temperature: (1) whole-thigh (WTH; water-perfused garment), (2) quadriceps (QH; water-perfused garment) and (3) partial-quadriceps (PQH; pulsed shortwave diathermy) heating. It was hypothesised that perfusion would only increase in the heated regions. WTH, QH and PQH increased local heated tissue temperature by 2.9 ± 0.6, 2.0 ± 0.7 and 2.9 ± 1.3°C (P < 0.0001), respectively, whilst remaining unchanged in the non-heated hamstrings and quadriceps tissues during QH and PQH. WTH induced a two-fold increase in common femoral artery blood flow (P < 0.0001) whereas QH and PQH evoked a similar ∼1.4-fold elevation (P ≤ 0.0018). During QH and PQH, however, tissue oxygen saturation and laser-Doppler skin blood flow in the adjacent non-heated hamstrings or quadriceps tissues remained stable (P > 0.5000). These findings in healthy young humans demonstrate a tight thermo-haemodynamic coupling during regional thigh heating, providing further evidence of the importance of local heat-activated mechanisms on the control of blood circulation.

Lower limb hyperthermia augments functional hyperaemia during small muscle mass exercise similarly in trained elderly and young humans.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of the study? Ageing is postulated to lead to underperfusion of human limb tissues during passive and exertional hyperthermia, but findings to date have been equivocal. Thus, does age have an independent adverse effect on local haemodynamics during passive single-leg hyperthermia, single-leg knee-extensor exercise and their combination? What is the main finding and its importance? Local hyperthermia increased leg blood flow over three-fold and had an additive effect during knee-extensor exercise with no absolute differences in leg perfusion between the healthy, exercise-trained elderly and the young groups. Our findings indicate that age per se does not compromise lower limb hyperaemia during local hyperthermia and/or small muscle mass exercise. ABSTRACT: Heat and exercise therapies are recommended to improve vascular health across the lifespan. However, the haemodynamic effects of hyperthermia, exercise and their combination are inconsistent in young and elderly people. Here we investigated the acute effects of local-limb hyperthermia and exercise on limb haemodynamics in nine healthy, trained elderly (69 ± 5 years) and 10 young (26 ± 7 years) adults, hypothesising that the combination of local hyperthermia and exercise interact to increase leg perfusion, albeit to a lesser extent in the elderly. Participants underwent 90 min of single whole-leg heating, with the contralateral leg remaining as control, followed by 10 min of low-intensity incremental single-leg knee-extensor exercise with both the heated and control legs. Temperature profiles and leg haemodynamics at the femoral and popliteal arteries were measured. In both groups, heating increased whole-leg skin temperature and blood flow by 9.5 ± 1.2°C and 0.7 ± 0.2 L min-1 (>3-fold), respectively (P < 0.0001). Blood flow in the heated leg remained 0.7 ± 0.6 and 1.0 ± 0.8 L min-1 higher during exercise at 6 and 12 W, respectively (P < 0.0001). However, there were no differences in limb haemodynamics between cohorts, other than the elderly group exhibiting a 16 ± 6% larger arterial diameter and a 51 ± 6% lower blood velocity following heating (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, local hyperthermia-induced limb hyperperfusion and/or small muscle mass exercise hyperaemia are preserved in trained older people despite evident age-related structural and functional alterations in their leg conduit arteries.

Family Satisfaction With Critical Care: Before and After the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Introduction Family satisfaction with intensive care units (ICU) is recognized as a key component of the quality of care. As a result, family members are now more involved in the care process, and their needs are recognized throughout the ICU stay. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed healthcare worldwide, due to the several restrictions imposed; the communication patterns changed drastically, and institutions were forced to adapt to create a balance between security and the needs of relatives. The aim of this study was to assess family members' satisfaction with the ICU and determine if the COVID-19 restructuring affected family satisfaction. Methods A prospective observational study was performed among the designated family members (DFM) of ICU patients over two time periods, a pre-pandemic period from December 2019 to February 2020 and a pandemic period from May 2020 to February 2021. The Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit 24 (FS-ICU 24) questionnaire, which was given to the DFM, was the instrument used to determine family satisfaction. Results The study involved 290 DFM, 175 during the pre-pandemic phase and 115 during the pandemic period. The overall and domain-specific family satisfaction scores were high (score > 80) in both the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. The greatest satisfaction levels were related with symptom management and how nurses and doctors cared for the patient. No statistical differences were found between the two time periods. Lastly, a positive association between the two domains explored by FS-ICU 24, satisfaction with care and satisfaction with decision-making process, was verified in both time frames. Conclusion The data obtained revealed very good outcomes on the different FS-ICU 24 domains, in line with other studies in literature. No significant differences were found between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, suggesting that the measures implemented during the COVID-19 were successful. The importance of involving families in the decision-making process, providing them with accurate information, and active listening, as well as using better communication skills, is emphasized throughout all these results. The relevance of measuring family satisfaction should be brought to the attention of family members and healthcare professionals so that additional research may be conducted.

A cultura organizacional em tempos de pandemia pela COVID-19: repercussões nos enfermeiros especialistas e gestores / The organizational culture in times of COVID-19 pandemic: repercussions on specialist nurses and nurse managers

Objetivo:refletir sobre a cultura organizacional, em contexto de pandemia pela COVID-19, e as repercussões no exercício profissional dos enfermeiros especialistas e enfermeiros gestores.Método: estudo teórico-reflexivo, elaborado entre outubro e novembrode 2020, a partir da revisão da literatura e experiência dos autores. Resultados: perante uma adversidade, nunca antes vivida, as instituições de saúde são confrontadas com inúmeros desafios. A existência de uma cultura organizacional consistente torna-sefundamental, mostrando a dinâmica da instituição para a sociedade e o objetivo comum de todos os seus profissionais de saúde. Os enfermeiros especialistas e enfermeiros gestores desempenham um papel de destaque junto dasequipes, através de estratégias deliderança e de gestão de cuidados, recorrendo à reflexão sobre a prática e à capacitação dos enfermeiros de cuidados gerais.Conclusão: os enfermeiros especialistas e gestores em contexto depandemia poderão ser elementos promotores da cultura organizacional, garantindo a qualidade da assistência em saúde

Objective: to reflect on the organizational culture, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the repercussions on the professional practice of specialistnursesand nurse managers. Method:theoretical-reflective study, carried out between October and November 2020, based on a review of the literature and the authors'experience. Results:in the face of difficulties, never experienced before, health institutions are dealingwith severalchallenges. Havingan established organizational culture is highly relevant,showing the institution's dynamics to society and the common objective of all its health professionals.Specialistnurses and nurse managersplay a prominent role with the teams, through leadership and care management strategies, employing reflection on the practice and training of general care nurses. Conclusion:specialistnurses and nurse managersin a pandemic context may be elements that promote organizational culture, ensuring the quality of health care.

Regional thermal hyperemia in the human leg: Evidence of the importance of thermosensitive mechanisms in the control of the peripheral circulation.

Hyperthermia is thought to increase limb blood flow through the activation of thermosensitive mechanisms within the limb vasculature, but the precise vascular locus in which hyperthermia modulates perfusion remains elusive. We tested the hypothesis that local temperature-sensitive mechanisms alter limb hemodynamics by regulating microvascular blood flow. Temperature and oxygenation profiles and leg hemodynamics of the common (CFA), superficial (SFA) and profunda (PFA) femoral arteries, and popliteal artery (POA) of the experimental and control legs were measured in healthy participants during: (1) 3 h of whole leg heating (WLH) followed by 3 h of recovery (n = 9); (2) 1 h of upper leg heating (ULH) followed by 30 min of cooling and 1 h ULH bout (n = 8); and (3) 1 h of lower leg heating (LLH) (n = 8). WLH increased experimental leg temperature by 4.2 ± 1.2ºC and blood flow in CFA, SFA, PFA, and POA by ≥3-fold, while the core temperature essentially remained stable. Upper and lower leg blood flow increased exponentially in response to leg temperature and then declined during recovery. ULH and LLH similarly increased the corresponding segmental leg temperature, blood flow, and tissue oxygenation without affecting these responses in the non-heated leg segment, or perfusion pressure and conduit artery diameter across all vessels. Findings demonstrate that whole leg hyperthermia induces profound and sustained elevations in upper and lower limb blood flow and that segmental hyperthermia matches the regional thermal hyperemia without causing thermal or hemodynamic alterations in the non-heated limb segment. These observations support the notion that heat-activated thermosensitive mechanisms in microcirculation regulate limb tissue perfusion during hyperthermia.

Traditional distance "tip-apex" vs. new calcar referenced "tip-apex" - which one is the best peritrochanteric osteosynthesis failure predictor?

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of trochanteric fractures, the distance between the tip of the screw and the apex of the femoral head or tip-to-apex distance (TAD) was popularized by Baumgaertner about 20 years ago as an important predictor of failure. Recently, a new reference point for determining the apex has been advocated. In this new calcar tip-to-apex (calTAD) the femoral head apex is referenced to the femoral calcar and not the center of the neck. The aim of this study is to evaluate which of these two indexes is better in predicting failure of pertrochanteric fracture fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study focusing on pertrochanteric fractures operated in our institution between 2010-2013. Radiographic measurement of both indexes was performed. Demographic information, as well as several variables with recognized influence on the rate of failure, were collected. Finally, logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with fixation failure. RESULTS: A total of 463 pertrochanteric fractures were operated during this time period. One hundred and seventy cases were excluded because of early loss of follow-up (n = 143) or inadequate fluroscopic imaging (n = 27) control precluding accurate measurements. Two hundred and ninety-three fractures were included. Traditional TAD and calTAD were significantly different in the failure group: 24.9 vs. 18.0 mm (p < 0.001) and 29.2 vs. 22.6 mm (p < 0.001) respectively. No other registered variable was significantly different. Multivariate analysis confirms traditional TAD (p = 0.003; OR = 1.10) and calTAD (p = 0.002; OR = 1.12) as independent risk factors for failure. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Both the traditional TAD and the new calTAD have shown to be relevant indexes and independently predictive of the likelihood of failure of pertrochanteric fracture fixation. Interestingly, we found the optimal threshold for the traditional TAD to be lower (<20 mm) than the traditional cutoff (<25 mm). Our study did not confirm calTAD to be superior to the traditional TAD. From the surgical practice point of view, the authors argue that the ideal position of the screw is the central region of the femoral head (minimal traditional TAD). In case of deviation, it must be infero-central in order to maintain a low calTAD thus minimizing the risk of fixation failure.

Identificação do paciente como estratégia de segurança / Patient identification as a safety strategy

Objetivo: relatar a experiência na construção de um projeto de melhoria contínua da qualidade para a identificação inequívoca do paciente. Método: trata-se de um descritivo, tipo relato de experiência, que compartilha a construção de um projeto que tem como finalidade a identificação inequívoca do paciente, no contexto hospitalar, segundo o referencial da Ordem dos Enfermeiros de Portugal. Resultados: apresentaram-se em oito etapas: identificação e descrição do problema; percepção do problema e suas causas; formulação de objetivos; definição do público-alvo e critérios de inclusão/exclusão; planejamento e execução das atividades; verificação dos resultados; proposta de medidas corretivas; uniformização e capacitação da equipe e, finalmente, reconhecimento e compartilhamento do sucesso. Conclusão: conclui-se que a identificação inequívoca do paciente se torna fundamental para diminuir os incidentes no decorrer da prestação de cuidados. Sugere-se, assim, criar estratégias para sensibilizar os profissionais para a implementação do procedimento de modo a garantir a qualidade e segurança dos cuidados prestados.

Objective: to report the experience in the construction of a project of continuous quality improvement for the unequivocal identification of the patient. Method: it is a descriptive, type of experience report, which shares the construction of a project that aims to unequivocally identify the patient, in the hospital context, according to the framework of the Order of Nurses of Portugal. Results: presented in eight stages: identification and description of the problem; perception of the problem and its causes; formulation of objectives; definition of the target audience and inclusion / exclusion criteria; planning and execution of activities; verification of results; corrective measures proposal; uniformity and training of the team and, finally, recognition and sharing of success. Conclusion: it is concluded that the unequivocal identification of the patient becomes essential to reduce the incidents during the provision of care. It is suggested, therefore, to create strategies to sensitize professionals to the implementation of the procedure in order to guarantee the quality and safety of the care provided.

Objetivo: reportar la experiencia en la construcción de un proyecto de mejora continua de la calidad para la identificación inequívoca del paciente. Método: es un informe descriptivo, de tipo de experiencia, que comparte la construcción de un proyecto que tiene como objetivo identificar inequívocamente al paciente, en el contexto hospitalario, de acuerdo con el marco de la Orden de Enfermeros de Portugal. Resultados: presentados en ocho etapas: identificación y descripción del problema; percepción del problema y sus causas; formulación de objetivos; definición del público objetivo y criterios de inclusión / exclusión; planificación y ejecución de actividades; verificación de resultados; propuesta de medidas correctivas; uniformidad y formación del equipo y, finalmente, reconocimiento y reparto del éxito. Conclusión: se concluye que la identificación inequívoca del paciente se vuelve esencial para reducir los incidentes durante la prestación de la atención. Se sugiere, por lo tanto, crear estrategias para sensibilizar a los profesionales sobre la implementación del procedimiento a fin de garantizar la calidad y seguridad de la atención brindada.

Determinación del área ventilatoria interumbral en individuos con diferentes capacidades de resistencia / Determining the ventilatory inter-threshold area in individuals with different endurance capacities

Existe un consenso general de que hay dos puntos de ruptura de la ventilación durante el ejercicio incremental, el umbral ventilatorio 1 (VT1) y el umbral ventilatorio 2 (VT2), que marcan los límites de la transición aeróbica-anaeróbica. El área interumbral se ha definido como un parámetro que relaciona los umbrales ventilatorios. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue examinar el área entre los umbrales (ITA), es decir, el área entre VT1 y VT2 para la función ventilación/absorción de oxigeno. Seiscientos seis varones con diferentes estados de condición física, desarrollaron una prueba de esfuerzo incremental y se registraron los umbrales ventilatorios. EL ITA es un trapecio cuya área se calcula como la suma del área del triángulo y rectángulo que lo forman, tal como se muestra en la figura entre VT1 y VT2 y que permanecen por debajo de la función VO2/VE. La media de ITA para la función VO2-VE fue mayor en los ciclistas, como representantes de deportistas de resistencia, frente al área correspondiente a los estudiantes de educación física con menores niveles de resistencia (120±34 vs. 86±40L2/min2). Estos resultados sugieren que la determinación del ITA puede reflejar adecuadamente el estado metabólico durante el proceso de transición aeróbico-anaeróbico durante las pruebas de esfuerzo incrementales

There is a general consensus in the literature regarding the existence of two ventilation break points during incremental exercise, i.e., Ventilatory Threshold 1 (VT1) and Ventilatory Threshold 2 (VT2), which mark the boundaries of the aerobic-anaerobic transition. The Inter-Threshold Area (ITA) has been defined as a parameter that connects the ventilatory thresholds. The main aim of the present study was to examine the ITA i.e., the expressed area between VT1 and VT2 for the function: ventilation÷oxygen uptake (VE/VO2 in L2min2) in individuals with various endurance capacities. Six hundred and six men with different levels of endurance completed an incremental exercise test and their ventilatory thresholds were recorded. The ITA is a trapezoid whose area is calculated as the sum of the area of the triangle and rectangle that form it between VT1 and VT2 below the VO2/VE function. The mean ITA for the function VO2-VE was greater in cyclists, as the main representatives for endurance athletes, than the mean corresponding to physical education students, who averaged a lower endurance level (120±34 vs. 86±40L2/min2). The results suggest that the determination of the ITA can reflect metabolic status throughout the aerobic-anaerobic transition during maximal incremental exercise tests

Copper(II) Triflate As a Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of trans-4,5-Diamino-cyclopent-2-enones in Water.

trans-4,5-Diamino-cyclopent-2-enones (CP) are usually prepared by Lewis acid-catalyzed condensation of furfural and a secondary amine in an organic solvent. The reaction proceeds through the formation of a Stenhouse salt (SS) intermediate followed by an electrocyclization reaction to afford the desired CP. Herein, we described the use of Cu(OTf)2 as a very efficient catalyst for the synthesis of CP in water at room temperature. Furthermore, the mild reaction conditions, catalyst reusability, and outstanding functional group tolerance suggest that this CP platform can be further used in chemical biology.

Intrinsic catch-up growth of hypoplastic fetal lungs is mediated by interleukin-6.

Fetal lung hypoplasia is a common finding in several fetal conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Interestingly, previous studies have demonstrated that hypoplastic lungs have the ability to recover to normal size, when relieved from mechanical factors. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recently, interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been involved in catch-up growth phenomenon in children. Thus, we hypothesized that IL-6 could mediate fetal growth recover from hypoplastic lungs. Control and nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lung explants were cultured either in normal conditions or with IL-6 neutralizing antibodies. The total number of peripheral airway buds, epithelial perimeter, and total explant area were analyzed and daily branching rates were calculated. Additionally, IL-6 mRNA and protein expression was assessed both in qualitative (by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry) and in quantitative (by real-time PCR and Western blot) approaches, in control and hypoplastic lungs (nitrofen and CDH groups). Nitrofen-induced hypoplastic lungs showed in vitro, out of systemic environment, the ability to recover from hypoplasia and presented daily branching rates significantly higher than controls. Blocking IL-6 activity significantly diminished the intrinsic capacity of hypoplastic fetal lungs to recover from hypoplasia and attenuated their daily branching rates. Although more exacerbated in CDH, both nitrofen-exposed lungs presented significant IL-6 mRNA and protein over-expression throughout all studied gestational ages. The present study suggests, for the first time, that fetal lung is able to recover from growth retardation through a way that resembles the catch-up growth phenomenon, and it seems to be, at least partially, orchestrated by intrinsic mechanisms implicating IL-6.