Effectiveness of zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio and ferritin for assessing iron status in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Since iron is crucial for many tissue processes, we, therefore, aimed to assess ferritin and the zinc protoporphyrin to heme ratio (ZnPP/H) as indicators of iron status in preterm newborns, particularly during certain inflammatory episodes. METHODS: From 170 preterm babies, paired ferritin and ZnPP/H measurements were collected twice (on the first postnatal day and six weeks later). To compare these measures and assess the impact of anemia, sepsis, and packed red blood cell transfusion (PRBT), three different scenarios were considered. RESULTS: Compared to the non-anemic group, the anemic patients' serum ferritin level was considerably lower (p = 0.044), whereas the anemic patients' ZPP/H ratio was significantly greater (p < 0.001). In neonates with sepsis, ferritin levels were considerably greater in both anemic and non-anemic septic neonates compared to neonates without sepsis (p < 0.001 for each). Regarding ZPP/H ratio, no appreciable variations were found between the two groups. In addition, serum ferritin significantly increased following each PRBT (p < 0.001 for each). As a result of each PRBT, the ZPP/H ratio considerably decreased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a measure of iron status during particular inflammatory processes like infection and PRBT, ZnPP/H may be more accurate.

Optimization of the knot configuration for early accelerated rehabilitation after Achilles tendon rupture.

Background Panda Rope Bridge Technique (PRBT) was an new minimally invasive technique consisted of two bridge anchors (proximal anchors at calcaneus and distal anchors at myotendinous junction) and strong ropes (threads of the suture anchors) stretched between them, which was suitable for early accelerated rehabilitation of Achilles tendon rupture. However, the optimal knot configuration with PRBT was unknow. The purpose of this study was identify minimum number of half hitches necessary to maintain knot security for PRBT. Methods Using an Instron device we tested the effect of different knot configuration in two kinds of suture threads (Ethibond™ #5 and Ultrabraid™ #2). According to the result of it, we put the optimal knot configuration into Part 1 with PRBT test model and Part 2 with modified PRBT test model, to evaluate whether the optimal knot configuration could complete the cyclic loading test simulated early rehabilitation. Findings In the first part of the study, the optimal knot configuration of Ethibond™ #5 suture thread was the combination of three half hitches and one double throw half knot, and the optimal knot configuration of Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread was the combination of five half hitches and one double throw half knot. In the second part of the study, only Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread with optimal knot configuration had finished all test in Part 1. Interpretation The Ultrabraid™ #2 suture thread with optimal knot configuration was suitable for PRBT with early accelerated rehabilitation after Achilles tendon repair.