Dysregulated healing response participates in the pathophysiology of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

This study aimed to characterize samples from patients diagnosed with TMJ ankylosis, using both clinical and histological data. Both clinical and histological analyses of retrieved tissue samples from patients with primary TMJ ankyloses were performed retrospectively (1980-2012). All patients had been subjected to primary arthroplasty. Our study analyzed connective tissue differentiation, ossification patterns, and bone resorption, using histology and immunohistochemistry. Fifteen case records, with a sex ratio of 4:1 (men:woman) and a median age of 8 years, were collected. Six patient samples reported a previous inflammatory event. Histologically, 15 samples exhibited fibrous tissue. Among these, 13 displayed bone at different stages of maturity (fibrous/bony ankylosis). Eleven samples showed aberrant cartilage, characterized by hypertrophic chondrocyte-like cells at the bone/cartilage interface. Four samples revealed inflammatory infiltrate; in one case, this was organized as a lymphoid follicle. Eleven samples showed bone resorption by attached osteoclasts. Interestingly, non-attached osteoclasts were detected, suggesting locally impaired bone remodeling. An association between the presence of mature/lamellar bone and the presence of osteoclasts was observed (p = 0.03). No association was found between previous history of either trauma or infection and the histological type of ankylosis (p = 0.74). There was no association between the histological presence of inflammation or infection and the type of ankylosis (p = 0.63 and p = 0.87, respectively). Retrieved TMJ ankylosis tissues displayed both aberrant ossification and reduced focal bone resorption, suggesting a dysregulated healing response.

Frailty and reduced gait speed are independently related to mortality of cirrhotic patients in long-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Frailty is characterized by a poor restoration of homeostasis after a stressor event. Although it is not usually diagnosed, it has been associated with decreased survival in cirrhotic patients. We aimed to evaluate the impact of frailty and decreased gait speed over survival in cirrhotic patients at long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included stable cirrhotic patients Child-Pugh B-C or MELD ≥12, ≥50 years old. We performed a clinical evaluation, anthropometry, and laboratory tests. Frailty was diagnosed using Fried Frailty Index. We evaluated survival at a 4-year follow-up. RESULTS: We included 126 patients; mean age 64±8.3 years, median MELD-Na 15[12-17], median follow-up was 881 [349-1277] days. The main etiology was MAFLD (31.4%). Frailty was diagnosed in 65.1% of patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics per frailty condition. Mortality was higher in frail patients than non-frail patients (68.2% versus 20.6% at 48 months, respectively; p-value <0.001). The mean gait speed in frail and non-frail patients was 0.86±0.3m/s and 1.16±0.2m/s, respectively (p-value <0.001). Interestingly, 26.9% of patients presented a reduced gait speed (≤0.8m/s). Patients with decreased gait speed also had higher mortality than patients with normal gait speed (79.9% versus 40.8%, respectively; p-value <0.001). A multivariate-adjusted model showed that decreased gait speed (HR=3.27, 95%CI:1.74-6.14; p<0.001) and frailty (HR=4.24, 95%CI:1.89-9.51; p<0.001) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is independently associated with decreased survival at long-term follow-up. Reduced gait speed is strongly associated with mortality and could be a surrogate marker of frailty in clinical practice.

Caracterización de los pacientes con hernia inguinal operados por la técnica de Lichtenstein / Characterization of Patients with Inguinal Hernia Operated on Using the Lichtenstein Technique

RESUMEN Introducción: En la provincia de Mayabeque se emplea la técnica de Lichtenstein en la reparación de la hernia inguinal, con una recidiva inferior al 3 por ciento. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes con diagnóstico de hernia inguinal operados por la técnica de hernioplastia de Lichtenstein. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal y retrospectivo en pacientes operados de hernia inguinal en el Hospital "Leopoldito Martínez" de enero-2013 a diciembre-2017. El universo estuvo constituido por 218 y una muestra probabilística sistemática de 128 casos. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas. Las variables cuantitativas se resumieron mediante media aritmética y desviación estándar y las variables cualitativas mediante los por cientos. La comparación de proporciones se realizó a través del chi-cuadrado y la dócima de Duncan, considerándose un nivel de significación para p < 0,05. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino (94,54 por ciento), la edad entre 41 - 60 años (42,96 por ciento), tipo de hernia III A (60,15 por ciento) y evolución media de la misma 42,3 meses; el tiempo quirúrgico fue de 1-2 horas (65,62 por ciento) con media de 1 h, 26 minutos. Prevalecieron las complicaciones dolor agudo (13,28 por ciento) e infección del sitio quirúrgico (3,12 por ciento) y estadía hospitalaria < 24 horas (79,68 por ciento) con una recidiva de 2,34 por ciento. Conclusiones: La técnica de Lichtenstein es efectiva en la reparación de la hernia inguinal en la provincia de Mayabeque. La media del tiempo quirúrgico se estima en 1 hora y 26 minutos como máximo y la estadía hospitalaria a expensas de las complicaciones de 24-72 horas. El por ciento de recidivas es alto y debe mejorar depurando la técnica(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: In Mayabeque Province, the Lichtenstein technique is used to repair inguinal hernia, with a recurrence below 3 percent. Objective: To characterize patients with a diagnosis of inguinal hernia operated on by the Lichtenstein hernioplasty technique. Methods: A longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out in patients operated on for inguinal hernia at Leopoldito Martínez Hospital, from January-2013 to December-2017. The universe consisted of 218, with a systematic probabilistic sample of 128 cases. The data were obtained from medical records. Quantitative variables were summarized by arithmetic mean and standard deviation, while qualitative variables were summarized by percentages. The comparison of proportions was carried out through the chi-square and Duncan's test, considering a level of significance of P< 0.05. Results: There was a predominance of the male sex predominated (94.54 percent), the age between 41 and 60 years (42.96 percent), and the hernia type III A (60.15 percent), with mean evolution of 42.3 month. Surgical time was 1-2 hours (65.62 percent), with a mean of one hour and 26 minutes. There was predominance of acute pain complications (13.28 percent), surgical-site infection (3.12 percent) and hospital stay below 24 hours (79.68 percent), with a recurrence of 2.34 percent. Conclusions: The Lichtenstein technique is effective for inguinal hernia repair in the Mayabeque Province. Mean surgical time is estimated to be a maximum of one hour and 26 minutes, while hospital stay, at the expense of complications, was 24-72 hours. The percentage of recurrences is high and should improve by refining the technique(AU)

Clinical practice guidelines: Oral health care for children and adults living with epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features. AIMS: To provide (a) a complete review of the oral manifestations in those living with each type of inherited EB, (b) the current best practices for managing oral health care of people living with EB, (c) the current best practices on dental implant-based oral rehabilitation for patients with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), and (d) the current best practice for managing local anesthesia, principles of sedation, and general anesthesia for children and adults with EB undergoing dental treatment. METHODS: Systematic literature search, panel discussion including clinical experts and patient representatives from different centers around the world, external review, and guideline piloting. RESULTS: This article has been divided into five chapters: (i) general information on EB for the oral health care professional, (ii) systematic literature review on the oral manifestations of EB, (iii) oral health care and dental treatment for children and adults living with EB-clinical practice guidelines, (iv) dental implants in patients with RDEB-clinical practice guidelines, and (v) sedation and anesthesia for adults and children with EB undergoing dental treatment-clinical practice guidelines. Each chapter provides recommendations on the management of the different clinical procedures within dental practice, highlighting the importance of patient-clinician partnership, impact on quality of life, and the importance of follow-up appointments. Guidance on the use on nonadhesive wound care products and emollients to reduce friction during patient care is provided. CONCLUSIONS: Oral soft and hard tissue manifestations of inherited EB have unique patterns of involvement associated with each subtype of the condition. Understanding each subtype individually will help the professionals plan long-term treatment approaches.