[Clinical results in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the modified Mason-Allen technique]. / Resultados clínicos en la reparación artroscópica de manguito rotador con la técnica de Mason-Allen modificada.

INTRODUCTION: rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries. The treatment of choice is arthroscopic repair with the use of anchors. The modified Mason-Allen technique, which combines the benefits of suture bridge and mattress sutures, has shown satisfactory results. This study aims to report and analyze the clinical results using these suture techniques in rotator cuff tears. RESULTS: preoperative mean active flexion 126o, 169o at three months, 175o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), active abduction 98o, 159o at three months and 167o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), internal rotation preoperative value 4.4 ± 3, at three months 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) and 12 months 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant score 45.76 ± 16.35 (p < 0.0001) at three months 87.27 ± 10.94 and 12 months 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, three months 81.43 ± 18.31 and 12 months 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). Initial mean VAS 6.6 ± 1.6 and 12 months 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: in rotator cuff tears, using a single row with the modified Mason-Allen technique is a recommended and replicable option with satisfactory results and statistically significant clinical improvement at three and 12 months post-surgery.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la lesión del manguito de los rotadores es una de las lesiones más comunes del hombro. El tratamiento por elección es la reparación artroscópica con uso de anclas. La técnica Mason-Allen modificada, que integra los beneficios de las suturas puente y colchonero, ha demostrado resultados satisfactorios. El propósito de este estudio es reportar y analizar los resultados clínicos del uso de dicha sutura en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores. RESULTADOS: flexión activa media 126o inicial, 169o a tres meses, 175o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), abducción activa 98o, tres meses 159o y 167o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), rotación interna valor prequirúrgico 4.4 ± 3, a los tres meses 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) y 12 meses 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant Score 45.76 ± 16.35 con un valor de p < 0.0001, a tres meses 87.27 ± 10.94 y 12 meses 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, tres meses 81.43 ± 18.31 y 12 meses 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). EVA media inicial 6.6 ± 1.6 y 12 meses 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIÓN: en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores, el uso de hilera simple con técnica Mason-Allen modificada es una opción recomendada y replicable con resultados satisfactorios y mejoría clínica estadísticamente significativa a los tres y 12 meses postquirúrgicos.

Nickel reduces calcium dependent dimerization in neural cadherin.

Cadherins are the transmembrane component in adherens junctions, structures that link the actin cytoskeletons in adjacent cells within solid tissues including neurological synapses, epithelium and endothelium. Cell-cell adhesion by cadherins requires the binding of calcium ions to specific sites in the extracellular region. Given the complexity of the cell adhesion microenvironment, we are investigating whether other divalent cations might affect calcium-dependent dimerization of neural (N) cadherin. The studies reported herein characterize the impact of binding physiological magnesium(ii) or neurotoxic nickel(ii) on calcium-dependent N-cadherin function. Physiological levels of magnesium have only a small effect on the calcium-binding affinity and calcium-induced dimerization of N-cadherin. However, a tenfold lower concentration of nickel decreases the apparent calcium-binding affinity and calcium-induced dimerization of N-cadherin. Competitive binding studies indicate that the apparent dissociation constants for nickel and magnesium are 0.2 mM and 2.5 mM, respectively. These Kd values are consistent with concentrations observed for a range of divalent cations in the extracellular space. Results from these studies indicate that calcium-induced dimerization by N-cadherin is attenuated by natural and non-physiological divalent cations in the extracellular microenvironment.

Comparación de la respuesta clínica a la aplicación de hilano G-F 20 y colágeno-PVP en pacientes con artrosis de rodilla / Comparison of the clinical response to the application of Hylan G-F 20 and collagen-PVP in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Resumen: Antecedentes: La osteoartritis de rodilla es una enfermedad articular caracterizada por degeneración, pérdida del cartílago y alteración del hueso subcondral asociadas a cambios en los tejidos blandos. En una muestra de 2,500 individuos se encontró una prevalencia de artrosis de 2.3% (IC 95% 1.7 a 2.9) en adultos. En nuestro hospital representa la segunda causa de consulta. Material y métodos: Se tomaron dos grupos de pacientes: el primero, de 70 pacientes a los que se les aplicó hilano G-F 20 en tres infiltraciones; al otro grupo, de 40 pacientes, se le aplicó colágeno-PVP en cuatro aplicaciones. Se les realizó un interrogatorio basado en el cuestionario de WOMAC, con el cual pudimos valorar dolor, rigidez y capacidad funcional antes y después de la aplicación de los medicamentos. Resultados: Nuestro estudio presentó que en ambos grupos hubo mejora de la calidad de vida al disminuir los síntomas tales como dolor, rigidez y limitación funcional; el colágeno fue más eficiente para la disminución del dolor y el hialino G-F 20, para la disminución de la rigidez y la limitación funcional. Conclusiones: Ambos tratamientos mostraron seguridad y eficacia. Su uso en nuestro instituto para los pacientes fuera de tratamiento quirúrgico puede disminuir de manera importante los internamientos por dolor, con lo que podemos hacer un uso más eficiente de los recursos con que contamos.

Abstract: Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a joint disease characterized by degeneration, loss of cartilage and subchondral bone alteration associated with changes in the soft tissues. In a sample of 2,500 individuals, the prevalence of osteoarthritis was found in 2.3% (IC 95% 1.7 a 2.9) in adults; it represents the second cause of consultation in our hospital. Material and methods: Two groups of patients were studied: the first included 70 patients who received hylan G-F 20 in three infiltrations; the other group, of 40 patients, received collagen-PVP in four applications. A subjective questionnaire based on the WOMAC evaluation was applied, with which we could assess pain, stiffness and functional capacity before and after the application. Results: Both hylan G-F 20 and collagen-PVP improved the quality of life of our patients by reducing symptoms such as pain, stiffness and functional limitation, collagen being more efficient for reducing pain and hylan G-F 20 for reducing stiffness and functional limitation. Conclusions: Both treatments were safe and effective; they can be used in our institute as a conservative treatment to decrease hospitalizations for pain management.

[Comparison of the clinical response to the application of Hylan G-F 20 and collagen-PVP in patients with knee osteoarthritis]. / Comparación de la respuesta clínica a la aplicación de hilano G-F 20 y colágeno-PVP en pacientes con artrosis de rodilla.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis is a joint disease characterized by degeneration, loss of cartilage and subchondral bone alteration associated with changes in the soft tissues. In a sample of 2,500 individuals, the prevalence of osteoarthritis was found in 2.3% (IC 95% 1.7 a 2.9) in adults; it represents the second cause of consultation in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of patients were studied: the first included 70 patients who received hylan G-F 20 in three infiltrations; the other group, of 40 patients, received collagen-PVP in four applications. A subjective questionnaire based on the WOMAC evaluation was applied, with which we could assess pain, stiffness and functional capacity before and after the application. RESULTS: Both hylan G-F 20 and collagen-PVP improved the quality of life of our patients by reducing symptoms such as pain, stiffness and functional limitation, collagen being more efficient for reducing pain and hylan G-F 20 for reducing stiffness and functional limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments were safe and effective; they can be used in our institute as a conservative treatment to decrease hospitalizations for pain management.

ANTECEDENTES: La osteoartritis de rodilla es una enfermedad articular caracterizada por degeneración, pérdida del cartílago y alteración del hueso subcondral asociadas a cambios en los tejidos blandos. En una muestra de 2,500 individuos se encontró una prevalencia de artrosis de 2.3% (IC 95% 1.7 a 2.9) en adultos. En nuestro hospital representa la segunda causa de consulta. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se tomaron dos grupos de pacientes: el primero, de 70 pacientes a los que se les aplicó hilano G-F 20 en tres infiltraciones; al otro grupo, de 40 pacientes, se le aplicó colágeno-PVP en cuatro aplicaciones. Se les realizó un interrogatorio basado en el cuestionario de WOMAC, con el cual pudimos valorar dolor, rigidez y capacidad funcional antes y después de la aplicación de los medicamentos. RESULTADOS: Nuestro estudio presentó que en ambos grupos hubo mejora de la calidad de vida al disminuir los síntomas tales como dolor, rigidez y limitación funcional; el colágeno fue más eficiente para la disminución del dolor y el hialino G-F 20, para la disminución de la rigidez y la limitación funcional. CONCLUSIONES: Ambos tratamientos mostraron seguridad y eficacia. Su uso en nuestro instituto para los pacientes fuera de tratamiento quirúrgico puede disminuir de manera importante los internamientos por dolor, con lo que podemos hacer un uso más eficiente de los recursos con que contamos.

Beneficial use of industrial by-products for phytoremediation of an arsenic-rich soil from a gold mining area.

This study investigated two industrial by-products - red mud (RM) and its mixture with phosphogypsum (RMG), as amendments in an As((5+))-contaminated soil from a gold mining area in Brazil in order to grow three plant species: Brachiaria decumbens, Crotalaria spectabilis, and Stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande. These amendments were applied to reach a soil pH of 6.0. Using RM and RMG increased shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM) of most plants, with RMG being more effective. Adding RMG increased the SDM of Brachiaria and Crotalaria by 18 and 25% and the RDM by 25 and 12%, respectively. Stylosanthes was sensitive to As toxicity and grew poorly in all treatments. Arsenic concentration in shoots of Brachiaria and Crotalaria decreased by 26% with the use of RMG while As in roots reduced by 11 and 30%, respectively. Also, the activities of the plant oxidative stress enzymes varied following treatments with the by-products. The plants grew in the As-contaminated soil from the gold mining area. Thus, they might be employed for phytoremediation purposes, especially with the use of RMG due to its potential advantage in terms of nutrient supply (Ca(2+) and SO4(2-) from phosphogypsum).