Evaluation of burned hand function after enzymatic debridement.

Hand burns are common injuries that can result in long-term impairment of hand function. Enzymatic debridement (ED) prevents damage to the viable dermis due to the procedure's selectivity and has become an option for obtaining an accurate depth assessment and enabling wound re-epithelialization with less skin graft use. We conducted a prospective study from July 2015 to July 2018, which enrolled patients with deep partial-thickness hand burns and treated them with ED using bromelain. After a specified period, we assessed the patients' hand function, using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHOQ) to assess their disabilities and activities of daily life, respectively. We assessed the hand joint range of motion using a goniometer and assessed scar quality with the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). We analyzed 72 patients with 90 burned hands at 3 months and, at the final assessment, 69 patients with 86 burned hands. Fire was the most common cause of the burns. Bromelain allowed for early debridement (73.6% during the first 24 h). At the 3-month evaluation, the mean DASH and MHOQ scores were 2.35 and 97.9%, respectively, with a high inverse correlation between the 2 types of scores (Spearman's rho, -0.78; p < .001). The mean wrist flexion and extension were 85.7 and 80°, respectively, the mean metacarpophalangeal flexion was 88.3°, the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion was 112.9°, and the thumb opposition was 77°. The mean VSS score was 2.87. At the final evaluation, with a minimum follow-up of 391 days, the mean DASH and MHOQ scores were 0.18 and 99.71%, respectively. ED with bromelain in deep partial-thickness hand burns resulted in normal values at 3 months and at over 1 year of follow-up, with complete restoration of function and quality of life and good scar results.

Selective Secretase Targeting for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with marked atrophy of the cerebral cortex and accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques are formed by oligomers of amyloid-ß (Aß) in the brain, with a length of 42 and 40 amino acids. α-secretase cleaves amyloid-ß protein precursor (AßPP) producing the membrane-bound fragment CTFα and the soluble fragment sAßPPα with neuroprotective activity; ß-secretase produces membrane-bound fragment CTFß and a soluble fragment sAßPPß. After α-secretase cleavage of AßPP, γ-secretase cleaves CTFα to produce the cytoplasmic fragment AICD and P3 in the non-amyloidogenic pathway. CTFß is cleaved by γ-secretase producing AICD as well as Aß in amyloidogenic pathways. In the last years, the study of natural products and synthetic compounds, such as α-secretase activity enhancers, ß-secretase inhibitors (BACE-1), and γ-secretase activity modulators, have been the focus of pharmaceuticals and researchers. Drugs were improved regarding solubility, blood-brain barrier penetration, selectivity, and potency decreasing Aß42. In this regard, BACE-1 inhibitors, such as Atabecestat, NB-360, Umibecestat, PF-06751979 Verubecestat, LY2886721, Lanabecestat, LY2811376 and Elenbecestat, were submitted to phase I-III clinical trials. However, inhibition of Aß production did not recover cognitive functions or reverse disease progress. Novel strategies are being developed, aiming at a partial reduction of Aß production, such as the development of γ-secretase modulators or α-secretase activity enhancers. Such therapeutic tools shall focus on slowing down or minimizing the progression of neuronal damage. Here, we summarize structures and activities of the latest compounds designed for AD treatment, with remarkable in vitro, in vivo, and clinical phase activities.

Effects of lithium on the electronic properties of porous Ge as anode material for batteries.

Recently, the need of improvement of energy storage has led to the development of Lithium batteries with porous materials as electrodes. Porous Germanium (pGe) has shown promise for the development of new generation Li-ion batteries due to its excellent electronic, and chemical properties, however, the effect of lithium in its properties has not been studied extensively. In this contribution, the effect of surface and interstitial Li on the electronic properties of pGe was studied using a first-principles density functional theory scheme. The porous structures were modeled by removing columns of atoms in the [001] direction and the surface dangling bonds were passivated with H atoms, and then replaced with Li atoms. Also, the effect of a single interstitial Li in the Ge was analyzed. The transition state and the diffusion barrier of the Li in the Ge structure were studied using a quadratic synchronous transit scheme.

Perspectiva quirúrgica de los resultados del desbridamiento enzimático en grandes quemados / Surgical perspective of enzymatic debridement outcomes in major burns

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVO: El desbridamiento enzimático ha demostrado ser eficaz y rápido en su aplicación sobre quemaduras, a la vez que conservador con el tejido sano. Su uso sobre quemaduras inferiores al 15% ha mostrado reducir la cantidad de injertos, el sangrado y las escarotomías quirúrgicas. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar 2 grupos de pacientes grandes quemados, uno tratado mediante desbridamiento enzimático frente a otro tratado mediante tratamiento estándar, y su impacto en la estancia hospitalaria, necesidades de escarotomías, tiempo hasta desbridamiento, uso de hemoderivados y cantidad de cirugías durante el ingreso. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivas con 197 pacientes (SCQ 20-50%), mayores de 18 años, tratados entre 2012 y 2017, con 2 grupos: 32 pacientes tratados con Nexobrid® para el desbridamiento enzimático, y 165 pacientes en el grupo control con desbridamiento tangencial convencional. Ambos homogéneos para SCQ, edad, sexo, mecanismo de lesión y comorbilidades. RESULTADOS: La edad media fue de 48.4 ± 19.4 años, con una SCQ media de 29.5 ± 9.4%. Observamos disminución del tiempo hasta el inicio del desbridamiento de la quemadura (5.1 ± 4.9 días en el grupo control frente a 0.8±0.9 en el grupo de desbridamiento enzimático, p < 0.05). El grupo de Nexobrid® presentó una reducción de la cantidad de tiempos quirúrgicos durante su ingreso, siendo de 1.9±2.0 frente a 2.6±2.1 en el grupo control. El uso de hemoderivados se redujo en un 95% durante el desbridamiento. La necesidad de escarotomías se redujo un 60%. Finalmente, el grupo de Nexobrid® tuvo un 36% menos de estancia en la Unidad de Quemados Críticos, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas. CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación precoz del desbridamiento enzimático en grandes quemados (20-50% SCQ), permite la escarectomía completa del paciente reduciendo la necesidad de hemoderivados, el número de tiempos quirúrgicos, las escarotomías y la estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Use of enzymatic debridement has demonstrated be fast and efficient after its application over burn wounds, being more delicate over healthy tissue. Its use in burns under 15% TBSA has shown less grafting procedures, bleeding and surgical escharotomies. The aim of this study was compare 2 groups of major burns; one treated by enzymatic debridement and other treated by standard of care. Length of stay, escharotomies, time until debridement, use of blood packs and number of surgeries during hospitalization were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed with 197 patients (TBSA 20-50%), older than 18 years old, treated between 2012 and 2017, and divided in 2 groups: 32 patients were debrided using Nexobrid®, and 165 patients were included in the control group. Both groups were homogeneous for TBSA, age, gender, mechanism and comorbidities index. RESULTS: Mean age was 48.4±19.4 years, with a 29.5±9.4% of TBSA. A reduction of the number of days until the burns debridement were found, with 5.1±4.9 in the control group and 0.8±0.9 days in the enzymatic debridement group (p < 0.05). The number of surgeries during the hospitalization were less in the Nexobrid® group, with a reduction of 2.6±2.1 surgeries to 1.9±2.0. The number of blood packs was a 95% lower in the enzymatic debridement, and a 60% less escharotomies were observed. Finally, a shorter length of stay in the intensive care unit were found in the Nexobrid® group, with 36% less days, this difference were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Early application of enzymatic debridement in major burns (20-50% TBSA) allows a complete removal of eschar reducing the blood packs use, number of surgeries, escharotomies and length of stay in the intensive care unit

Scoliosis induced by costotransversectomy in minipigs model.

Aim To validate surgical costotransversectomy as a technique for creating a scoliosis model in minipigs and to assess whether differences in approach (posterior medial approach, posterior paramedial approach and anterior approach by video-assisted thoracoscopy) lead to differences in the production of spinal deformity. Creation of disease models in experimental animals, specifically in minipigs, is controversial, as no appropriate technique has been reported. Methods Surgical costotransversectomy was performed in 11 minipigs using 3 different approaches: posterior medial approach (4 animals, group I), posterior paramedial approach (3 animals, group II) and anterior approach by videothoracoscopy (4 animals, group III). A conventional x-ray study was performed in the immediate postoperative period. Follow-up lasted for 4 months. Specimens were humanely killed according to current protocols, and a second x-ray study was performed. A deformation was measured using the Cobb angle and direct observation of the rotational component. Results Data from group I revealed a scoliosis deformation of 27º-41º (mean 34.5º) with a macroscopic rotational component. No deformity (<10º) or rotational component was observed in groups II and III. Only a posterior medial costotransversectomy produced a significant deformity in minipigs and established a valid model for studying scoliosis in these animals. Conclusion Only a posterior medial costotransversectomy produces a significant deformity in minipigs and establish a valid model for studying scoliosis in these animals. A tensegrity model would elucidate such results and harmonize disparate conclusions. Further investigation is needed to demonstrate the reliability of tensegrity principles for spinal biomechanics.

Estudio económico del tratamiento de las quemaduras térmicas mediante desbridamiento enzimático; papel determinante de la estancia hospitalaria / Economics of thermal burns treatment by enzymatic debridement; the pivotal role of hospital length-of-stay

Introducción y Objetivo: El desbridamiento enzimático con Nexo-brid(R), concentrado de enzimas proteolíticas enriquecidas en bromelaína, supone un avance terapéutico importante. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar un análisis económico del tratamiento de quemaduras térmicas con Nexobrid(R), investigando los determinantes del coste. Material y Método: Analizamos retrospectivamente los recursos utilizados en el tratamiento mediante desbridamiento enzimático con Nexobrid(R) de las heridas por quemadura térmica de espesor parcial superficial/profundo y completo, de los pacientes adultos ingresados consecutivamente en nuestro hospital entre 2014 y 2016. Investigamos la participación de cada recurso en el coste total para algunos subgrupos de pacientes. Resultados: Estudiamos a 71 pacientes con edad media de 45.4 años; el 73.2% varones. Las lesiones fueron en un 64.8% por llama el 77.5% fueron quemaduras dérmicas profundas y la superficie corporal total afectada fue ≤10% en el 70.4%. El coste medio estimado por paciente fue de 20.844€ (rango: 2.192€ - 145.198€), correspondiendo el 68,1% a la estancia en la Unidad de Quemados Críticos y en hospitalización convencional y el 13.9% al uso de Nexobrid(R). El coste medio de las quemaduras subdérmicas fue significativamente superior al de las dérmicas profundas (p=0.0004) y dérmicas superficiales (p=0.013). El porcentaje de superficie corporal total quemada marcó una diferencia significativa del coste (p<0.0001), observando una correlación importante (R2 = 0.77) con la estancia hospitalaria total. Conclusiones: La estancia hospitalaria en Unidad de Quemados Críticos y en hospitalización convencional constituye el principal determinante del coste del tratamiento de las quemaduras térmicas de espesor parcial superficial/profundo y completo mediante desbridamiento enzimático (48,7% y 19,4% del total, respectivamente); Nexobrid(R)contribuye sólo con un 13,9% del total. Asimismo, el porcentaje de superficie corporal total quemada muestra una fuerte correlación con la estancia hospitalaria

Background and Objective: Enzymatic debridement with Nexo-brid(R), a concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched in bromelain, represents an important therapeutic breakthrough. Our aim is to carry out an economic analysis of the treatment of thermal burns with Nexobrid(R), researching the cost determinants. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the resources used in the treatment by enzymatic debridement with Nexobrid(R) of wounds by thermal burn of superficial/deep partial and full-thickness, of the adult patients admitted consecutively in our hospital (2014-2016). Participation of each resource in total cost was analyzed for some patient subgroups. Results: Seventy one patients were analyzed: age: 45.4 years; men: 73.2%; flame wound: 64.8%; full-thickness burn: 77.5%; Total Body Surface Area ≤10%: 70.4%. Average cost per patient was estimated in €20.844 (range: €2.192-€145.198); 68.1% was associated to length of Critical Burn Unit and conventional hospital stay. Cost of full-thickness burns was significantly higher than that of the superficial (p=0.013) and deep partial ones (p=0.0004). Total Body Surface Area leaded a significant cost difference (p<0.0001), showing a high correlation (R2=0.77) with the total hospital length of stay. Conclusions: Hospital length of stay (Critical Burn Unit and conventional hospital) is the main cost determinant of the treatment of thermal burns of superficial/deep partial and full-thickness with enzymatic debridement (48.7% and 19.4%, respectively); Nexobrid(R) contributes only with 13.9% of total cost. Likewise, total body surface area shows a strong correlation with length of stay

Bidimensional perovskite systems for spintronic applications.

The half-metallic behavior of the perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) suggests that this material could be used in spintronic applications. Indeed, SFMO could be an attractive material for multiple applications due to the possibility that its electronic properties could be changed by modifying its spatial confinement or the relative contents of its constituent transition metals. However, there are no reports of theoretical studies on the properties of confined SFMOs with different transition metal contents. In this work, we studied the electronic properties of SFMO slabs using spin-polarized first-principles density functional theory along with the Hubbard-corrected local density approximation and a supercell scheme. We modeled three insulated SFMO slabs with Fe:Mo atomic ratios of 1:1, 1:0, and 0:1; all with free surfaces parallel to the (001) crystal plane. The results show that the half-metallicity of the SFMO is lost upon confinement and the material becomes a conductor, regardless of the ratio of Fe to Mo. It was also observed that the magnetic moment of the slab is strongly influenced by the oxygen atoms. These results could prove useful in attempts to apply SFMOs in fields other than spintronics. Graphical abstract Losing the metallic behaviour: density of states changes, around the Fermi level, due to the Fe/Mo ratio for bidimensional perovskite systems.

Band-gap engineering of halogenated silicon nanowires through molecular doping.

In this work, we address the effects of molecular doping on the electronic properties of fluorinated and chlorinated silicon nanowires (SiNWs), in comparison with those corresponding to hydrogen-passivated SiNWs. Adsorption of n-type dopant molecules on hydrogenated and halogenated SiNWs and their chemisorption energies, formation energies, and electronic band gap are studied by using density functional theory calculations. The results show that there are considerable charge transfers and strong covalent interactions between the dopant molecules and the SiNWs. Moreover, the results show that the energy band gap of SiNWs changes due to chemical surface doping and it can be further tuned by surface passivation. We conclude that a molecular based ex-situ doping, where molecules are adsorbed on the surface of the SiNW, can be an alternative path to conventional doping. Graphical abstract Molecular doping of halogenated silicon nanowires.

Evaluación de tiempos quirúrgicos y transfusiones en pacientes quemados tratados con desbridamiento enzimático / Evaluation of surgical times and transfusions in burn patients treated with enzymatic debridement

Introducción y Objetivo. En los últimos años se han publicado resultados que demuestran un desbridamiento enzimático rápido, eficaz y específico de tejidos quemados con el uso de Nexobrid(R) (Mediwound, Alemania), producto compuesto por un concentrado de enzimas proteolíticas enriquecidas con bromelaína. En este estudio comparamos el uso de Nexobrid(R) como desbridante enzimático frente a un Grupo Control con tratamiento estándar, con el objetivo de evaluar; en función de la superficie corporal quemada (SCQ), la cantidad de intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas, la colonización del lecho quirúrgico, la necesidad de escarotomías, así como los requerimientos transfusionales de los pacientes tratados. Material y Método. Estudio retrospectivo con 65 pacientes, edad media de 46.87 años, tratados con Nexobrid(R) entre septiembre de 2015 y diciembre de 2016. Comparamos con un grupo control de 177 pacientes, edad media de 48.24 años, intervenidos mediante desbridamiento tangencial desde enero a diciembre de 2014. El Grupo Control presenta unas características homogéneas a las del Grupo Nexobrid(R). Ambos grupos fueron estratificados en función de su SCQ mayor o menor del 15%. Resultados. Encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p <0.01) con un menor número de días desde la quemadura y el ingreso hasta la cirugía para el Grupo Nexobrid(R) independientemente de la SCQ. Obtuvimos diferencias estadísticamente significativas para la cantidad de cirugías (p <0.01) en el subgrupo de SCQ <15%. Evaluamos la colonización sin obtener diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. El número de escarotomías en el Grupo Nexobrid(R) fue significativamente menor que en el Grupo Control para las poblaciones con SCQ ≥15%. Los requerimientos transfusionales fueron menores en el Grupo Nexobrid(R) frente al Grupo Control en los pacientes con SCQ ≥ 15% (p <0.05). Conclusiones. Nexobrid(R) permite reducir el número de cirugías y el tiempo hasta el primer desbridamiento sin aumentar la tasa de colonización respecto al Grupo Control. El desbridamiento enzimático precoz reduce la necesidad de escarotomías en pacientes con SCQ ≥15%. Finalmente, reduce la necesidad de transfusión sanguínea en pacientes con SCQ mayor del 15% (AU)

Background and Objective. During the last years, results have been published demonstrating fast, efficient and specific enzymatic debridement of burned tissues with the use of a concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched with bromelain (Nexobrid(R), Mediwound, Germany). In this study we compare the use of Nexobrid(R) against a Control Group with standard treatment, in order to evaluate; the number of surgical procedures performed, the colonization of the surgical bed, the need for scarotomies, as well as the number of transfusions of the treated patients according to the total burned surface area (TBSA). Methods. We conduct a retrospective study evaluating 65 patients (mean age 46.87 years) treated with Nexobrid(R) between September 2015 and December 2016. We compare this population with a control group of 177 patients (mean age 48.24 years) treated with tangential excision from January to December 2014. The Control Group was homogeneous to Nexobrid(R) Group. Both groups were stratified according to their TBSA in 2 groups: more or less than 15%. Results. We found lesser number of days from burn and hospital admission to the first debridement for the Nexobrid(R) Group regardless of the burned body surface. Statistically significant differences were obtained for the number of surgeries (p <0.01) in the subgroup with <15% TBSA. We evaluated the colonization without obtaining statistically significant differences between the groups. The number of scarotomies carried out in the Nexobrid(R) Group was significantly lower than in the Control Group when comparing the populations with ≥15% TSBA. The transfusion requirements were lower in the Nexobrid(R) Group compared to the Control Group in patients with ≥15% TBSA (p <0.05). Conclusions. The use of Nexobrid(R) allows reducing the number of surgeries and the time elapsed to first debridement without increasing the rate of colonization when compared to the Control Group. Early enzymatic debridement reduces the need for scarotomies in ≥15% TBSA patients. The use of Nexobrid (R) reduces the need for blood transfusion in patients with ≥15% TBSA (AU)

Disminución de la necesidad de cobertura con injertos y baja tasa de cicatrización hipertrófica en quemaduras tras desbridamiento enzimático / Reduced need for grafting and low incidence of hypertrophic scarring in burns after enzymatic debridement

Introducción y Objetivo. El tratamiento clásico de las quemaduras se basa en la eliminación precoz de la escara; sin embargo, el desbridamiento tangencial de las quemaduras mixtas y profundas retira tejidos dérmicos viables, obligando a la cobertura con autoinjertos. El desbridamiento enzimático con enzimas proteolíticos enriquecidos con Bromelaína (Nexobrid®) mantiene restos dérmicos que pueden permitir la reepitelización por sí misma de la quemadura. Evaluamos el uso en nuestra unidad de Nexobrid® (MediWound Ltd., Israel) en quemaduras mixtas y dérmicas profundas, valorando la capacidad de reepitelización tras su uso, la tasa de injerto en los pacientes tratados, y la aparición de cicatrización hipertrófica. Pacientes y Método. Evaluamos retrospectivamente 36 pacientes tratados con Nexobrid® entre enero de 2015 y febrero de 2016, 11 mujeres y 25 varones con una media de edad de 42.89 años. La superficie corporal quemada media fue del 7.47% y la diagnosticada como profunda del 6.42%.Todos los pacientes presentaron quemaduras profundas con necesidad de cirugía para su desbridamiento y cobertura con injertos. Resultados. Tras el desbridamiento enzimático solo el 36.1% de los pacientes (13 de 36) requirió cobertura con injertos (p < 0.001).La superficie injertada fue tan solo del 2.67% frente al 4.98% que fue desbridada enzimáticamente (p < 0.001). A pesar de que el tiempo hasta la epitelización total de las quemaduras se alargó hasta los 25.69 días, tan solo un 11.1% de los pacientes desarrolló cicatriz hipertrófica. Conclusiones. Nexobrid® permite el desbridamiento completo de las quemaduras mixtas y dérmicas profundas disminuyendo el porcentaje de pacientes que requieren autoinjertos y la superficie injertada, con bajas tasas de cicatrización hipertrófica (AU)

Background and Objective. Early burn scar removal is the standard of care for burn patients; excisional debridement, however, often leads to excision of dermal remnants, making autografting unavoidable. Enzymatic debridement with proteolytic enzymes enriched in Bromelain (Nexobrid®) leaves these dermal remnants to allow spontaneous healing of partial thickness burns. This study evaluates if Nexobrid® (MediWound Ltd., Israel) reduces the need for surgery and autografting in intermediate and deepdermal burns, the reduction in the excised and grafted area, and the development of hypertrophic scarring. Patients and Methods. We conduct a prospective study between January 2015 and February 2016 evaluating 36 patients (11 females, 25 males) whose mean age was 42.89, with burns covering a mean of 7.47% of their total body surface area (6.42% deep burns). All patients would need excision and autografting as their previous standard of care. Results. After enzymatic debridement, only 13 patients (36.1%) needed surgery (p < 0.001). The area of burns excised and grafted was reduced (2.67% vs. 4.98% p < 0.001). Since wound closure was delayed until 25.69 days, only 11.1% of the patients developed hypertrophic scars. Conclusions. Nexobrid® allows scar removal in deep-dermal and intermediate burns, reducing the need of surgery and the grafted body surface area, while achieving good scars (AU)

Algorithmic surgical enhancement of function after finger revascularisation.

Secondary surgical procedures can improve the function of revascularised and replanted digits. We describe the case of a patient who underwent multidigit revascularisation and replantation following a saw injury at flexor tendon Zone II. To achieve maximal functional improvement after finger revascularisation, we performed secondary surgical procedures in an order that was determined by following a reconstructive decision procedure that covered late revascularisation, nerve reconstruction, pedicled vascularised joint transfer, staged flexor tendon reconstruction and skin revision. Performing the procedures in this manner ensured overall safety. The patient's disabilities of the arm, hand and shoulder questionnaire score improved by 45 points, and the patient was able to return to work with an almost complete range of motion.

Debt trajectories and mental health.

In the last few decades, there was a marked increase in consumer debt in the United States, Latin America and other emerging countries, spurring a debate about the real costs and benefits of household credit. Using a unique longitudinal dataset with detailed health and balance sheet information from a large sample of 10,900 Chilean households we study the relationship between debt trajectories in a three-year time window and mental health. We find that depressive symptoms are higher for those who have been persistently over-indebted, followed by those who transit from moderate to high debt levels. We also find that those who transition from over-indebtedness to moderate debt levels have no additional depressive symptoms compared to those with trajectories of moderate debt throughout (never over-indebted). This suggests that the debt-related contribution to depressive symptoms vanishes as debt levels fall. The association between debt and depressive symptoms seems to be driven by non-mortgage debt -primarily consumer credit- or late mortgage payments; secured debt (secured by collateral) per se is not associated with depressive symptoms. Policy interventions to reduce the negative association of over-indebtedness on mental health are discussed.

Uso de toxina botulínica paravertebral para detener la progresión de escoliosis en pollos pinealectomizados: la columna vertebral como sistema de tensegridad / Use of paravertebral injection of botulinum toxin to control scoliosis progression in pinealectomized chicken: the spine as a tensegrity system

Antecedentes y Objetivos. La escoliosis idiopática infantil no tiene un tratamiento satisfactorio que permita reducir la importante morbilidad y mortalidad asociada a los casos más severos y progresivos de la enfermedad. El desarrollo de procedimientos que puedan ralentizar la progresión de la enfermedad durante el desarrollo del niño puede influir favorablemente en el crecimiento y retrasar el tratamiento definitivo de la deformidad al momento de la madurez músculoesquelética. Presentamos un estudio sobre la influencia de la toxina botulínica en el desarrollo de deformidad en un modelo animal de escoliosis progresiva. Material y Método. Utilizamos 52 pollos Broiler hembra, en los que se practicó pinealectomía para producir escoliosis. Comparamos la evolución de la deformidad entre un grupo control y un grupo intervención asignado a recibir toxina botulínica paravertebral en la concavidad de la curva, bajo control electromiográfico. Realizamos estudios radiográficos y anatomopatológicos de los animales para evaluar los resultados. El grado de escoliosis se midió utilizando el método del ángulo de Cobb. Resultados. Cinco animales no sobrevivieron al estudio (1 en el grupo control y 4 en el de intervención). En el grupo control observamos una deformidad media de 32.9º (n= 25) y en el grupo intervención de 18.8º (n=22), encontrando diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05). Por tanto, la aplicación de toxina botulínica en la concavidad de la deformidad de pollos pinealectomizados frena la progresión de escoliosis. Conclusiones. La consideración de la columna vertebral y sus tejidos blandos asociados como una estructura de tensegridad puede explicar el fenómeno mediante el desequilibrio generado entre los componentes de tensión (músculos y ligamentos) y compresión (vértebras) que conforman el sistema. Estos resultados justifican nuevos estudios en investigación clínica para explorar una nueva alternativa para el tratamiento de la escoliosis idiopática infantil (AU)

Background and Objectives. Severe and progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has no satisfactory treatment since high rates of morbidity and mortality are associated. Development of procedures that might slow down the progression of the deformity in the growing children may postpone definitive surgery to the end of musculoskeletal maturity period. A study about the influence of botulinum toxin in the development of deformity in a progressive scoliosis animal model is reported. Methods. Surgical pinealectomy was performed in 52 Broiler chickens to induce progressive scoliosis. Scoliosis progression among a control group and an intervention group assigned to paravertebral injection of botulinum toxin in curve´s concavity electromyographycally assisted is compared. Conventional x-ray and anatomopathologic studies were conducted to evaluate results. Cobb angle method was used to measure spine deformation. Results. Five animals died (1 in the control group and 4 in the intervention group). Mean scoliosis values observed were 32.9 degrees (n= 25) and 18.8 degrees (n= 22) for control and intervention groups respectively (p<0.05). Therefore, the use of botulinum toxin in the deformity´s concavity restrains scoliosis progression in pinealectomized chickens. Conclusions. The assumption of the spine and its associated soft tissues as a tensegrity structure may explain these results, through the induced imbalance between the tension (muscles and ligaments) and compression (vertebrae) components that shape the system. Further studies are necessary to determine clinical applications of this therapy in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AU)

Income Inequality or Performance Gap? A Multilevel Study of School Violence in 52 Countries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between income inequality and school violence and between the performance inequality and school violence in two international samples. METHODS: The study used data from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2011 and from the Central Intelligence Agency of United States which combined information about academic performance and students' victimization (physical and social) for 269,456 fourth-grade students and 261,747 eighth-grade students, with gross domestic product and income inequality data in 52 countries. Ecological correlations tested associations between income inequality and victimization and between school performance inequality and victimization among countries. Multilevel ordinal regression and multilevel regression analyses tested the strength of these associations when controlling for socioeconomic and academic performance inequality at school level and family socioeconomic status and academic achievement at student level. RESULTS: Income inequality was associated with victimization rates in both fourth and eighth grade (r ≈ .60). Performance inequality shows stronger association with victimization among eighth graders (r ≈ .46) compared with fourth graders (r ≈ .30). Multilevel analyses indicate that both an increase in the income inequality in the country and school corresponds with more frequent physical and social victimization. On the other hand, an increase in the performance inequality at the system level shows no consistent association to victimization. However, school performance inequality seems related to an increase in both types of victimizations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results contribute to the finding that income inequality is a determinant of school violence. This result holds regardless of the national performance inequality between students.

NH3 molecular doping of silicon nanowires grown along the [112], [110], [001], and [111] orientations.

: The possibility that an adsorbed molecule could provide shallow electronic states that could be thermally excited has received less attention than substitutional impurities and could potentially have a high impact in the doping of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). We show that molecular-based ex-situ doping, where NH3 is adsorbed at the sidewall of the SiNW, can be an alternative path to n-type doping. By means of first-principle electronic structure calculations, we show that NH3 is a shallow donor regardless of the growth orientation of the SiNWs. Also, we discuss quantum confinement and its relation with the depth of the NH3 doping state, showing that the widening of the bandgap makes the molecular donor level deeper, thus more difficult to activate.

Tratamento das fraturas complexas da diáfise do fêmur com a haste intramedular de Kuntscher e cerclagem / Complex diaphyseal femur fractures treatment with intramedullar Kuntscher' shaft and cerclage

No período de fevereiro de 1990 a fevereiro de 1994, 218 fraturas diafisárias do fêmur foram tratadas no Centro Hospitalar de Camaragibe, PE. Os autores fizeram uma análise retrospectiva das fraturas dos graus III e IV, fixadas com a haste intramedular de Küntscher e complementadas com cerclagem empregando arame de aço. Tecem consideraçoes quanto ao tempo médio de conslidaçao, tempo de permanência hospitalar, dificuldades e cuidados especiais durante o ato cirúrgico. Avaliam os resultados com relaçao ao arco de movimento do joelho, qualidade da musculatura e aptidao física. Concluem que o método é seguro, eficiente e especialmente válido para hospitais de pequeno e de médio porte, que nao dispoem de intensificador de imagens.