Long-term results after treatment of pertrochanteric femoral fractures with percutaneous compression plate (PCCP).

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the long-term osteosynthesis results for AO/OTA 31.A1-A2 pertrochanteric fractures treated with the percutaneous compression plate (PCCP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This investigation was a retrospective observational descriptive study of 335 patients, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years and a maximum follow-up of 8 years (2004-2011). RESULTS: The average post-operative hospital stay was 6.2 days, and the average decrease in haemoglobin levels after the intervention was 2.7 mg/dL, with transfusion required for one-third of the patients. Complications related to the implant were observed in 4.2 % of patients; the most notable complication was cut-out (2.4 % of patients), and 3 cases involved pseudarthrosis with breakage of the implant (0.9 % of patients). CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained in this study and an analysis of previously published work, we believe that the PCCP may be the implant of choice for AO/OTA 31.A1-A2 fractures.

Self-perception of dual career barriers and athletic identity in student-athletes with disabilities according to disability type and level of professionalization.

The objective of this study was to analyze the perceived barriers to dual career success and athletic identity of student-athletes according to disability type and level of professionalization. The final sample consisted of 203 student-athletes with disabilities from five European countries. The questionnaires used were ESTPORT, EBBS and AIMS. Depending on disability type, it was found that student-athletes with hearing and physical impairment showed the highest difficulty in reconciling sports and studies (p = 0.001); that student-athletes with a hearing impairment showed the highest score in the barrier 'the cost of education is high' (p = 0.023); that student-athletes with a physical impairment had the highest scores in the barrier 'Exercise tires me' (p = 0.013); that student-athletes with cerebral palsy showed the highest scores in the barrier 'I do not have enough university/educational institution support' (p = 0.014) and 'Exercise facilities do not have convenient timetables for me' (p = 0.001). Depending on sports professionalization level, semi-professional student-athletes showed the highest values in the barrier 'the university/educational institution is far from my training center' (p = 0.040); while professional student-athletes had the highest score in the barrier 'exercise takes too much time from family responsibilities' (p = 0.034). In most of the variables related to identity as athletes, professional student-athletes showed the highest values, followed by semi-professional athletes (p = 0.043- < 0.001). In conclusion, the self-perception of barriers is quite relevant, with differences arising from disability type and level of professionalization, whereas the identity as an athlete is only different according to the level of professionalization.

Genetic variation in the beta-3-adrenergic receptor in essential hypertension.

We investigated the role of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor polymorphism in membrane lipid composition and erythrocyte membrane sodium transport in essential hypertensive patients. We studied 87 essential hypertensive patients determining: The Trp64Arg mutation of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor by PCR, lipoprotein profile by standard laboratory methods, membrane lipid composition by IATROSCAN and erythrocyte sodium lithium countertransport by Canessa technique. Patients with the mutation as compared with those without it showed lower membrane cholesterol, membrane cholesterol phospholipids ratio and erythrocyte sodium lithium countertransport, however blood pressure and the other studied variables were similar in both groups of patients. After adjusting by sex sodium lithium countertransport activity remained significant. These data suggest that although the Trp64Arg mutation of the beta-3-adrenergic receptor is related with a different membrane lipid composition and erythrocyte sodium lithium countertransport values it does not contribute to blood pressure levels in essential hypertensive patients.

Mesenteric actinomycosis with retroperitoneal involvement.

Mesenteric or retroperitoneal actinomycosis is an extremely rare disease. The international databases have revealed only 10 cases affecting the mesenterium and another 52 cases affecting the retroperitoneum. We report a 78-year-old female who was admitted with complaints of abdominal pain. Laboratory examination revealed anemia and the clinical examination revealed an irregular mass in the abdomen. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans showed a solid mass in the mesenteric-retroperitoneal region. Biopsy of the nonresectable mass revealed the presence of chronic inflammation in the mesenteric area with Actinomyces colonies. The patient was treated with oral amoxicillin, 500 mg every 6 hours for 6 months. The symptoms disappeared, but the mesenteric-retroperitoneal mass remains, but smaller in size. Based on the review of the literature and the case reported here, we conclude that mesenteric-retroperitoneal actinomycosis is difficult to diagnose by means of noninvasive techniques as it can masquerade as a malignant process. An accurate diagnosis is always obtained in a histological or microbiological examination, often requiring surgical intervention. Treatment with penicillin has proven to be effective.

[Secondary production and condition index in Arca zebra (Mollusca: Vivaldia) in the Gulf of Cariaco, Venezuela]. / Producción secundaria e índice de condición en Arca zebra (Mollusca: Bivalvia) del Golfo de Cariaco, Venezuela.

Production and condition index of a turkeywing (Arca zebra) population were studied from August 1984 to August 1985 in Pariche, Cariaco Gulf, Venezuela. Production was studied through bimonthly collections using a method designed for populations with continuous reproduction and indistinguishable age classes. The population distribution was stable with a mean density of 37 ind.m-2. A production of 131.61 g dry weight m-2 year-1 was calculated from data on density, biomass and weight increase along the year. Highest production was between February 1985 and August 1985 (65%) and concentrated in individuals 60.00-79.95 mm long (45.73%). There was large seasonal variation in the mean monthly condition index (IC = (Ps/Ph) x 100) in the two size classes examined: it reached a maximum in July 1985 (26.84%) and a minimum in January 1985 (16.31%).

Continuous mandibular distraction osteogenesis using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA).

Distraction osteogenesis is a well-established method of endogenous tissue engineering. It is a biological process of bone neo-formation between segments subjected to tension. The concept of this study was to investigate the distraction osteogenesis with a device capable of creating a permanent and constant force during the whole process as if a very large number of small elongations were applied constantly. The mechanical testing of the device used to produce the constant force and the in vivo analysis of the bone growth after it was implanted in rabbits are presented on this work. The device consists of a NiTi coil spring, superelastic at body temperature, in order to have a stress plateau during the austenitic retransformation during the unloading. The in vivo analysis was made on six female rabbits of 12 months old. A segmental mandibulectomy at the horizontal arm of the mandible and a corticotomy at 5mm distant from the gap were made. Next, following a latency period of five days, the SMA springs were implanted to induce the bone neo-formation. The displacement at the unloading plateau shows that it is necessary to have longer springs or to use several (available commercially) in series in order to fulfil the requirements of a human distraction. The temperature variations induced changes in the spring force. However, when the temperature returns to 37 degrees C the distraction force recovers near the initial level and does so completely when the distraction process continues. For the in vivo study, all six rabbits successfully completed the distraction. The radiographies showed the gap as distraction advanced. A continuity in the newly formed bone with similar transversal and horizontal dimensions than the original bone can be observed on the histologies. In conclusion, the application of a constant force on distraction osteogenesis, using SMA springs, may be a successful alternative to the conventional gradual distraction.

Heritability of running economy: a study made on twin brothers.

Running economy (RE), defined as the steady-state of oxygen uptake (VO2) for a given running velocity, is a factor of sports performance the genetic component of which has seldom been reported to date. We studied this component using a heritability index (HI) in a group of 32 male twins, 8 monozygotic (MZ) and 8 dizygotic (DZ) pairs, all sportsmen with similar perinatal and environmental backgrounds. Zygocity was determined by the identity of erythrocytic antigenic, protein and enzymatic polymorphism, and human leucocyte antigen serologic types between co-twins. The subjects exercised twice on a treadmill, once until exhaustion and again at submaximal intensities. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured continuously using an automatic analyser system during both tests. Blood samples were obtained during the recovery period to determine lactate concentrations. No significant differences were observed between MZ and DZ, in respect of RE at any speed or in maximal VO2 relative to body mass. Nevertheless, significant HI (P < 0.05) was found in maximal lactate concentrations (HI=0.75) and in respiratory equivalent for oxygen at two speeds, 7 km x h(-1) HI=0.71) and 8 km x h(-1) (HI=0.79), differences which probably suggest that there are differences in RE. In conclusion, we did not detect a genetic component in RE or in maximal oxygen uptake, but a genetic component for markers of anaerobic metabolism was present.