Surgical Site Infection Risk Factors in Hip Arthroplasty for Transcervical Femoral Neck Fractures.

Background Hip fracture patients often experience surgical site infections (SSIs) as a major infectious complication after undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), which can lead to extended hospital stays, increased mortality, and higher healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine the incidence of SSI and identify the risk factors associated with it after THA. Objective This study aimed to explore the correlation between blood transfusion along with other factors and the occurrence of SSIs in postoperative patients who underwent THA for transcervical femoral neck fractures. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis by reviewing the medical records of patients aged 60-80 years who underwent surgery for hip fractures at the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia No. 21 in Monterrey, Mexico, between January 2020 and January 2021. We analyzed potential risk factors such as age, sex, transfusion necessity, preoperative hemoglobin levels, history of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and end-stage chronic disease. Data are presented as numbers and percentages, and statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0 (Released 2021; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The study included 87 patients, of whom 55 (63%) were women with an average age of 73 years. SSIs were identified in 12 (13.8%) patients. Among those with infections, nine (75%) had a history of blood transfusion (p=0.05). Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease also increased the risk for infection. There was no association with gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk, and preoperative hemoglobin. Conclusions We found a heightened risk of SSI in patients with a history of blood transfusions, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and monitoring during the perioperative period. Additionally, patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease were more susceptible to SSI, underscoring the importance of preoperative assessment and targeted preventive measures. Further research and collaboration are needed to refine strategies for mitigating SSI risk factors and optimizing healthcare resource utilization.

Familial hypercholesterolemia in Mexico: Initial insights from the national registry.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. OBJECTIVE: Report the results of the first years (2017-2019) of the Mexican FH registry. METHODS: There are 60 investigators, representing 28 federal states, participating in the registry. The variables included are in accordance with the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) FH recommendations. RESULTS: To date, 709 patients have been registered, only 336 patients with complete data fields are presented. The mean age is 50 (36-62) years and the average time since diagnosis is 4 (IQR: 2-16) years. Genetic testing is recorded in 26.9%. Tendon xanthomas are present in 43.2%. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is 11.3% and that of premature CAD is 9.8%. Index cases, male gender, hypertension and smoking were associated with premature CAD. The median lipoprotein (a) level is 30.5 (IQR 10.8-80.7) mg/dl. Statins and co-administration with ezetimibe were recorded in 88.1% and 35.7% respectively. A combined treatment target (50% reduction in LDL-C and an LDL-C <100 mg/dl) was achieved by 13.7%. Associated factors were index case (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.69-8.73, P = .002), combination therapy (OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.23-4.90, P = .011), type 2 diabetes (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.03-7.59, P = .036) and age (OR 1.023, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, P = .033). CONCLUSION: The results confirm late diagnosis, a lower than expected prevalence and risk of ASCVD, a higher than expected prevalence of type 2 diabetes and undertreatment, with relatively few patients reaching goals. Recommendations include, the use of combination lipid lowering therapy, control of comorbid conditions and more frequent genetic testing in the future.

Successful pharmaceutical-grade streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia in a conscious tethered baboon (Papio hamadryas) model.

BACKGROUND: Non-human primate (NHP) diabetic models using chemical ablation of ß-cells with STZ have been achieved by several research groups. Chemotherapeutic STZ could lead to serious adverse events including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and mortality. METHODS: We implemented a comprehensive therapeutic strategy that included the tether system, permanent indwelling catheter implants, an aggressive hydration protocol, management for pain with IV nubain and anxiety with IV midazolam, moment-by-moment monitoring of glucose levels post-STZ administration, and continuous intravenous insulin therapy. RESULTS: A triphasic response in blood glucose after STZ administration was fully characterized. A dangerous hypoglycemic phase was also detected in all baboons. Other significant findings were hyperglycemia associated with low levels of plasma leptin, insulin and C-peptide concentrations, hyperglucagonemia, and elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully induced frank diabetes by IV administering a single dose of pharmaceutical-grade STZ safely and without adverse events in conscious tethered baboons.

Successful ß cells islet regeneration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic baboons using ultrasound-targeted microbubble gene therapy with cyclinD2/CDK4/GLP1.

Both major forms of diabetes mellitus (DM) involve ß-cell destruction and dysfunction. New treatment strategies have focused on replenishing the deficiency of ß-cell mass common to both major forms of diabetes by islet transplantation or ß-cell regeneration. The pancreas, not the liver, is the ideal organ for islet regeneration, because it is the natural milieu for islets. Since islet mass is known to increase during obesity and pregnancy, the concept of stimulating pancreatic islet regeneration in vivo is both rational and physiologic. This paper proposes a novel approach in which non-viral gene therapy is targeted to pancreatic islets using ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) in a non-human primate model (NHP), the baboon. Treated baboons received a gene cocktail comprised of cyclinD2, CDK, and GLP1, which in rats results in robust and durable islet regeneration with normalization of blood glucose, insulin, and C-peptide levels. We were able to generate important preliminary data indicating that gene therapy by UTMD can achieve in vivo normalization of the intravenous (IV) glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) curves in STZ hyperglycemic-induced conscious tethered baboons. Immunohistochemistry clearly demonstrated evidence of islet regeneration and restoration of ß-cell mass.