Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome for Male Patient Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release.

INTRODUCTION: Although the major cause of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains idiopathic, many male CTS patients are clinically different from female patients and often have specific risk factors associated with their conditions. An accurate analysis of such propensity has yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to compare male and female patients by analyzing the risk factors associated with CTS patients who underwent surgical treatment, with focus on their occupation. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective chart review of 818 patients with CTS was performed to identify the associated risk factors. Patients were stratified by gender: female (n = 707, 86.4 %) and male (n = 111, 13.6 %). The mean patient age was 54.5 (range: 16-85 yr.) for all groups. The medical history and risk factors of each patient was thoroughly reviewed by medical charts and telephone survey. We categorized the risk factors of CTS into 7 categories: anatomic, neuropathic, inflammatory, alteration of fluid balance, distal radius fracture associated, occupational risk factor related, and idiopathic. Occupations of CTS patients were divided into high risk occupations (vibratory tools, assembly jobs, and food processing and packaging jobs, and other occupations of repetitive wrist motion and forceful gripping) and nonrisk occupations. All variables were analyzed with chi-square or Fisher's exact test for differences between men and women. RESULTS: The number of individuals with known risk factors of CTS was greater in male, compared to that of female patients; 97 (87.4 %) male patients had the risk factors of CTS, while 361 (51.1 %) female patients (p < 0.001) did. In subgroup analysis of risk factors, male patients had frequent risk factors in neuropathic, inflammatory, and alteration of fluid balance (p < 0.001). Occupational risk was strongly associated with male gender (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Male CTS patients who underwent surgery are more likely to have a reason and have many occupational risk factors than women.

Gap healing after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy using injectable beta-tricalcium phosphate.

PURPOSE: The study aim was to evaluate gap healing after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) using novel injectable beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) as gap filler. We also aimed to evaluate radiographic and clinical outcome of MOWHTO using injectable ß-TCP. METHODS: Consecutive 28 patients underwent MOWHTO using anatomical locking plate fixation, and ß-TCP was injected as gap filler. Serial radiographs and computed tomography were taken at postoperative 3 and 12 months, and gap healing was assessed. Lower extremity alignment was measured on radiographs, and clinical outcome was evaluated by determining International Knee Documentation Committee, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, and visual analogue scales for pain scores. RESULTS: Progress of bone union was found on plain radiographs, and the mean ratio (ß-TCP/host bone) of computed tomography attenuation values significantly changed from postoperative 3 months to 12 months, which indicates maturation of ß-TCP. The average mechanical femoro-tibial angle changed from 4.1° varus (preoperative) to 4.8° valgus (3 months) and maintained until 12 months (4.3° valgus). All clinical outcome scores were significantly improved and no significant complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Using injectable ß-TCP as gap filler for MOWHTO resulted in satisfactory gap healing without complication. Radiographic and clinical results were satisfactory. The injectable ß-TCP can be a safe and effective option for gap filling after MOWHTO.

Two quantitative real-time PCR assays for the detection of penaeid shrimp and blue crab, crustacean shellfish allergens.

Food allergen detection methods must be able to specifically detect minute quantities of an allergenic food in a complex food matrix. One technique that can be used is real-time PCR. For the work described here, real-time PCR assays were developed to detect penaeid shrimp and blue crab, crustacean shellfish allergens. The method was tested using shrimp meat and crab meat spiked into several types of foods, including canned soups, deli foods, meat, seafood, and prepared seafood products. Foods were spiked with either shrimp or crab at levels ranging from 0.1 to 106 parts per million (ppm) and analyzed either raw or cooked by a variety of methods. Real-time PCR data were used to generate linear standard curves, and assays were evaluated with respect to linear range and reaction efficiency. Results indicate that both assays performed well in a variety of food types. High reaction efficiencies were achieved across a linear range of 6-8 orders of magnitude. Limits of detection were generally between 0.1 and 1 ppm. Cooking methods used to simulate thermal processing of foods had little effect on assay performance. This work demonstrates that real-time PCR can be a valuable tool in the detection of crustacean shellfish.

GMDD: a database of GMO detection methods.

BACKGROUND: Since more than one hundred events of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been developed and approved for commercialization in global area, the GMO analysis methods are essential for the enforcement of GMO labelling regulations. Protein and nucleic acid-based detection techniques have been developed and utilized for GMOs identification and quantification. However, the information for harmonization and standardization of GMO analysis methods at global level is needed. RESULTS: GMO Detection method Database (GMDD) has collected almost all the previous developed and reported GMOs detection methods, which have been grouped by different strategies (screen-, gene-, construct-, and event-specific), and also provide a user-friendly search service of the detection methods by GMO event name, exogenous gene, or protein information, etc. In this database, users can obtain the sequences of exogenous integration, which will facilitate PCR primers and probes design. Also the information on endogenous genes, certified reference materials, reference molecules, and the validation status of developed methods is included in this database. Furthermore, registered users can also submit new detection methods and sequences to this database, and the newly submitted information will be released soon after being checked. CONCLUSION: GMDD contains comprehensive information of GMO detection methods. The database will make the GMOs analysis much easier.

Combined effect of electron-beam (beta) irradiation and organic acids on shelf life of pork loins during cold storage.

The combined effects of organic acids and irradiation on shelf life of pork loins were examined. Fresh pork loins were sprayed with organic acids (lactic, citric, and acetic) at 2%, packaged aerobically, and irradiated with an electron beam at 1, 2, and 3 kGy. During 14 days of storage, total plate count, coliform number, pH, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured. Combinations of organic acid and irradiation were more effective in reducing and maintaining low total plate counts and coliform levels during storage than either treatment alone. Higher lipid oxidations were observed in all combination treatments at 1 day of storage than in the irradiation-only group. However, lower lipid oxidations were the result after 14 days of storage when combination treatments were used with irradiations of 2 and 3 kGy. Combined treatments involving lower irradiation doses than those required for irradiation alone could be used to extend the shelf life of pork loins during postirradiation storage without increasing lipid oxidation.

Naringenin derivatives as anti-atherogenic agents.

Two classes of naringenin derivatives were evaluated for anti-atherogenic activity. Naringenin 7-O-oleic ester (2) and naringenin 7-O-cetyl ether (3) inhibited the formation of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in high cholesterol-fed rabbits.