The role of cadaveric simulation in talus fracture research: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Talus fractures are rare (<1% of all fractures), and their rarity limits the number of studies available to guide management. In instances such as this, cadaveric studies can play an important role. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and describe the current body of literature on cadaveric studies of fractures of the talus. METHODS: Through multiple electronic database searches (Medline, Embase, Scopus) we identified a broad body of cadaveric research into talus fractures, and these were classified into 4 main themes. Study characteristics were summarised along with any descriptive results and conclusions. RESULTS: The search yielded 484 articles of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. They provide valuable insights into benefits and drawbacks of surgical approaches to the talus, particularly with regard to direct visualisation of anatomic reduction, and risks of neurovascular or tendon compromise. For talar neck fractures it is clear that cannulated screws offer superior fixation over plates, however, are inferior when considering anatomic reduction of the fracture. Direct visualisation of fracture reduction is far superior to intraoperative radiographic assessment, and mal-reduction leads to reduced subtalar joint range of motion, midfoot deformity, and increased joint contact pressures. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a summary of the existing literature surrounding the use of cadaver studies in fractures of the talus. We have identified gaps in the literature, particularly surrounding strength of fixation of new locking plate fixation techniques.

Longitudinal Preterm Cerebellar Volume: Perinatal and Neurodevelopmental Outcome Associations.

Impaired cerebellar development is an important determinant of adverse motor and cognitive outcomes in very preterm (VPT) infants. However, longitudinal MRI studies investigating cerebellar maturation from birth through childhood and associated neurodevelopmental outcomes are lacking. We aimed to compare cerebellar volume and growth from term-equivalent age (TEA) to 7 years between VPT (< 30 weeks' gestation or < 1250 g) and full-term children; and to assess the association between these measures, perinatal factors, and 7-year outcomes in VPT children, and whether these relationships varied by sex. In a prospective cohort study of 224 VPT and 46 full-term infants, cerebellar volumes were measured on MRI at TEA and 7 years. Useable data at either time-point were collected for 207 VPT and 43 full-term children. Cerebellar growth from TEA to 7 years was compared between VPT and full-term children. Associations with perinatal factors and 7-year outcomes were investigated in VPT children. VPT children had smaller TEA and 7-year volumes and reduced growth. Perinatal factors were associated with smaller cerebellar volume and growth between TEA and 7 years, namely, postnatal corticosteroids for TEA volume, and female sex, earlier birth gestation, white and deep nuclear gray matter injury for 7-year volume and growth. Smaller TEA and 7-year volumes, and reduced growth were associated with poorer 7-year IQ, language, and motor function, with differential relationships observed for male and female children. Our findings indicate that cerebellar growth from TEA to 7 years is impaired in VPT children and relates to early perinatal factors and 7-year outcomes.

Depressive disorder moderates the effect of the FTO gene on body mass index.

There is evidence that obesity-related disorders are increased among people with depression. Variation in the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene has been shown to contribute to common forms of human obesity. This study aimed to investigate the genetic influence of polymorphisms in FTO in relation to body mass index (BMI) in two independent samples of major depressive disorder (MDD) cases and controls. We analysed 88 polymorphisms in the FTO gene in a clinically ascertained sample of 2442 MDD cases and 809 controls (Radiant Study). In all, 8 of the top 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing the strongest associations with BMI were followed-up in a population-based cohort (PsyCoLaus Study) consisting of 1292 depression cases and 1690 controls. Linear regression analyses of the FTO variants and BMI yielded 10 SNPs significantly associated with increased BMI in the depressive group but not the control group in the Radiant sample. The same pattern was found in the PsyCoLaus sample. We found a significant interaction between genotype and affected status in relation to BMI for seven SNPs in Radiant (P<0.0057), with PsyCoLaus giving supportive evidence for five SNPs (P-values between 0.03 and 0.06), which increased in significance when the data were combined in a meta-analysis. This is the first study investigating FTO and BMI within the context of MDD, and the results indicate that having a history of depression moderates the effect of FTO on BMI. This finding suggests that FTO is involved in the mechanism underlying the association between mood disorders and obesity.

Profile of Live-born Infants of In-vitro Fertilisation.

INTRODUCTION: The Army Hospital (R&R) is the only service hospital providing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) facility. Neonatal characteristics of live-born infants at this centre over a two-year period are analyzed in this study. METHODS: Data on 504 consecutive live-born IVF infants over a two-year period (01 Feb 2007 to 31 Jan 2009) were analysed. RESULT: Of the 504 neonates, 190 (37.7%) were born by vaginal delivery, 156 (30.9%) by elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) and 127 (25.19%) following emergency LSCS. Maternal illness posing specific risk to the neonate was present in 165 out of 504 (32.7%). There were 239 (47.4%) preterm neonates. Males formed 51.8% of the cohort. Singletons accounted for 51.2%, while the rest (48.8%) were products of twin pregnancies. Small for gestational age neonates formed 22.6% (n = 114). A total of 20 (3.9%) infants had congenital malformations. There were 242 (48.1%) low birth weight neonates. A total of 128 (25.4%) neonates needed neonatal intensive care. Of the 504, there were 474 (94.1%) survivors while 30 (5.9%) did not survive. Twenty-nine (6.1%) neonates required readmission during the neonatal period. CONCLUSION: In our setting, neonates born following IVF appeared to be at increased risk of prematurity, multiple births and low birth weight. Proper obstetric and neonatal management can result in good neonatal outcomes.

Factors associated with treatment delays in pediatric refractory convulsive status epilepticus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with treatment delays in pediatric patients with convulsive refractory status epilepticus (rSE). METHODS: This prospective, observational study was performed from June 2011 to March 2017 on pediatric patients (1 month to 21 years of age) with rSE. We evaluated potential factors associated with increased treatment delays in a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: We studied 219 patients (53% males) with a median (25th-75th percentiles [p25-p75]) age of 3.9 (1.2-9.5) years in whom rSE started out of hospital (141 [64.4%]) or in hospital (78 [35.6%]). The median (p25-p75) time from seizure onset to treatment was 16 (5-45) minutes to first benzodiazepine (BZD), 63 (33-146) minutes to first non-BZD antiepileptic drug (AED), and 170 (107-539) minutes to first continuous infusion. Factors associated with more delays to administration of the first BZD were intermittent rSE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.09; p = 0.0467) and out-of-hospital rSE onset (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.11-2.04; p = 0.0467). Factors associated with more delays to administration of the first non-BZD AED were intermittent rSE (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.4; p = 0.001) and out-of-hospital rSE onset (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.67-3.02; p < 0.0001). None of the studied factors were associated with a delayed administration of continuous infusion. CONCLUSION: Intermittent rSE and out-of-hospital rSE onset are independently associated with longer delays to administration of the first BZD and the first non-BZD AED in pediatric rSE. These factors identify potential targets for intervention to reduce time to treatment.

Uterine Balloon Therapy : An Alternative Therapy for Menorrhagia.

BACKGROUND: Menorrhagia is a common problem in women of reproductive age. Its aetiology in the absence of organic pathology, hormonal or haematological disorders remains largely unknown. Traditional medical therapy may not be beneficial in the long run. Hysterectomy for this condition is an invasive over treatment. First generation endometrium ablation techniques aimed at destroying the endometrium, were associated with life threatening complications. The second generation endometrial ablation techniques like uterine thermal balloon therapy have reduced these problems. METHODS: Fifty patients were selected for the procedure between 2002 and 2005. The patients qualified for the procedure if they had completed their family, had normal pelvic ultrasound findings, benign endometrial histology, normal PAP smear and clinically a normal size or bulky uterus. RESULTS: 50% patients were in the age group of 35-45 years. 28(56%) procedures were done under local anaesthesia and 22(44%) under general anaesthesia. The patients were followed up for a period of 3 to 29 months (median 16 months). Seven(14%) had amenorrhoea and 40(80%) had normal periods or hypomenorrhoea. Three(6%) patients continued to have menorrhagia and were considered failures. 94% patients were satisfied with the procedure and there were no complications in this series. Conclusions : Uterine balloon therapy is a simple, safe and effective method for the treatment of menorrhagia in selected patients.

Medical Abortion-An Alternative to Surgical Abortion.

BACKGROUND: Termination of early pregnancy has traditionally been done surgically, but agents are now available which can terminate pregnancy if taken orally, vaginally or parenterally. We have used a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty patients having amenorrhoea of upto 56 days with confirmed intrauterine pregnancy, were selected for medical termination of pregnancy. The patients were given tablet mifepristone (200mg) on day 1 and tablet misoprostol (400mcg) on day 3. On day 14, an ultrasound was done to confirm complete abortion. RESULT: Majority 35 (70%) patients had amenorrhoea between 40 - 50 days. The duration of bleeding was less than 5 days in 12%, between 5 -10 days in 56%, 10 -13 days in 16% and greater than 14 days in 16%. In all patients with bleeding of more than 14 days ultrasonography confirmed intrauterine products & a suction evacuation was done. In this series there were no failures. CONCLUSION: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is an effective method for termination of early pregnancy up to 56 days of amenorrhoea.

Simulation for transthoracic echocardiography of aortic valve.

Simulation allows interactive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) learning using a virtual three-dimensional model of the heart and may aid in the acquisition of the cognitive and technical skills needed to perform TTE. The ability to link probe manipulation, cardiac anatomy, and echocardiographic images using a simulator has been shown to be an effective model for training anesthesiology residents in transesophageal echocardiography. A proposed alternative to real-time reality patient-based learning is simulation-based training that allows anesthesiologists to learn complex concepts and procedures, especially for specific structures such as aortic valve.

Changing trends in the UK management of upper GI bleeding: is there evidence of reduced UK training experience?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate UK trainee experience in endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB). METHODS: Data was prospectively collected from all patients presenting to South Yorkshire Hospitals with AUGIB from September 2011 to December 2011 and compared with data from 1996. Concurrently, all gastroenterology trainees registered with the British Society of Gastroenterology were invited to respond to a web-based questionnaire regarding their experience in AUGIB management. RESULTS: 77% (589/766) of the patient cohort underwent endoscopy for AUGIB; 15% (90/589) were performed by trainees. 7.2% (9/125) of the out of hours endoscopy case load was performed by trainees; all were low-risk or medium-risk cases (pre-endoscopy Rockall score ≤4). During the study period, dual therapy was delivered by a trainee on only four occasions. Comparison with the 1996 cohort demonstrated a marked reduction in the number of trainee performed endoscopies (76% vs 15%; p<0.001). Questionnaires were returned by 51% (245/478) of British Society of Gastroenterology trainees. 81% (198/245) thought that <10% of the gastroscopies they had performed involved therapeutic intervention. 23% (57/245) felt they would not be competent in AUGIB endoscopy by completion of specialty training. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the decline over time in trainee experience in AUGIB endoscopy. It also highlights a lack of trainee exposure to more challenging cases, out of hours endoscopy and therapeutic procedures. Furthermore, trainees are concerned that a level of competency may not be attained during specialty training. We advocate reviewing UK endoscopic training provision for AUGIB to ensure that experienced endoscopists are produced to meet future service needs.

Color-guided Doppler echocardiographic assessment of aortic valve stenosis.

The severity of valvular aortic stenosis was assessed by Doppler color flow mapping in 100 consecutive patients who underwent successful cardiac catheterization within 2 weeks of the Doppler study. The maximal width of the aortic stenosis jet seen in 61 of these patients (Group A) was measured at the aortic valve. Color-guided continuous wave Doppler examination was used to measure the mean transaortic pressure gradient, and the aortic valve area was estimated using the simplified continuity equation. The aortic stenosis jet was not seen in 39 patients (Group B), and the mean pressure gradient and aortic valve area in these patients were assessed by conventional Doppler echocardiography alone. The mean pressure gradient obtained by continuous wave Doppler study and cardiac catheterization in the 61 Group A patients correlated well (r = 0.90); the correlation was lower in the 39 Group B patients (r = 0.70). The overall correlation for the combined Groups A and B was good (r = 0.82). The aortic valve area estimated by continuous wave Doppler study and cardiac catheterization in 54 Group A patients correlated well (r = 0.92); the correlation in 22 Group B patients was lower (r = 0.71). The correlation for all 76 patients (Groups A and B) was good (r = 0.80). The maximal aortic stenosis jet width also correlated well with the aortic valve area estimated at catheterization in 54 patients (r = 0.90). Group C represented an additional 14 patients in whom the left ventricle could not be entered during cardiac catheterization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Can two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler color flow mapping identify the need for tricuspid valve repair?

Tricuspid regurgitation severity was assessed preoperatively with Doppler color flow mapping and these assessments were compared with surgical findings in 90 patients undergoing mitral or aortic valve replacement, or both. Group I (n = 52) required tricuspid valve annuloplasty because tricuspid regurgitation was judged intraoperatively to be severe; in Group II (n = 38), tricuspid valve annuloplasty was not performed because tricuspid regurgitation was judged intraoperatively not to be severe. With use of the apical four chamber and parasternal short-axis imaging planes, the severity of tricuspid regurgitation by Doppler color flow mapping was assessed by comparing the maximal area of tricuspid regurgitant signals with the right atrial area taken in the same frame in which the maximal tricuspid regurgitant signals were noted. This ratio was found to be greater than or equal to 34% (mean 50.2 +/- 11.8%) in 50 (96%) of 52 patients in Group I and less than 34% (mean 27.5 +/- 6.9%) in 36 (95%) of 38 patients in Group II (p less than 0.001). The maximal diastolic tricuspid anulus diameter measured with the same two-dimensional imaging planes was greater than or equal to mm/m2 body surface area (mean 26.7 +/- 5.2 mm/m2) in 46 patients (88%) in Group I and less than 21 mm/m2 (mean 17.8 +/- 2.5 mm/m2) in 36 patients (95%) in Group II (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Doppler color flow mapping in the evaluation of prosthetic mitral and aortic valve function.

Doppler color flow mapping and color-guided conventional Doppler studies were performed on 119 patients with 126 prosthetic valves (mitral alone in 60, aortic alone in 52 and both mitral and aortic in 7 patients) within 2 weeks of the catheterization study or surgery, or both. The mean pressure gradients derived by color-guided continuous wave Doppler ultrasound correlated well with those obtained at catheterization for both the tissue and mechanical mitral and aortic prostheses (r = 0.85 to 0.87). For the effective prosthetic orifice areas, better correlation with catheterization results were obtained with the tissue mitral (r = 0.94) and tissue aortic (r = 0.87) prostheses than with the mechanical mitral (r = 0.79) and mechanical aortic (r = 0.76) prostheses. The maximal width of the color flow signals at their origin from the tissue mitral prostheses also correlated well with the effective prosthetic orifice area at catheterization (r = 0.81). Doppler color flow mapping identified prosthetic valvular regurgitation with a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 100%, respectively, for the mitral and 92% and 83% for the aortic prostheses. There was complete agreement between the Doppler color flow mapping and angiographic grading of the severity of prosthetic valvular regurgitation in 90% of mitral and 73.5% of the aortic regurgitant prostheses with under- or overestimation by greater than 1 grade in only two cases. Valvular and paravalvular regurgitation was correctly categorized by Doppler color flow mapping in relation to the surgical findings in 94% of the mitral and 80.5% of the aortic prostheses.

Relative accretion of 99mTc-polyphosphate by forming and resorbing bone systems in rats: its significance in the pathologic basis of bone scanning.

The relative roles of osteogenesis andd osteolysis in the production of positive radionuclide images of skeletal lesions were investigated. The uptake of 99mTc-polyphosphate (Tc-PP) by each process was measured in an animal model that permitted bone formation and resorption to be studied independently. Ten rats received intramuscular implants of bone-forming demineralized matrix (DM) and resorbing devitalized bone (DV). Radiographs and Tc-PP scintiscans were made each week thereafter. At 6-10 weeks, the implants and normal bone samples were removed, counted for 99mTc, and examined histologically. The uptake of Tc-PP BY DM implants was first detected on images made 3 weeks after implanatation, and by DV implants, 1-2 weeks later. Serial radiography showed progressive calcification of DM an resorption of DV implants. Microscopic examinations of undecalcified sections, stained with a modified Goldner preparation, revealed vital-bone formation in the DM implants and osteoclastic resorption in the DV. Activity counts per gram of DM and DV implants were, respectively, 200% and 90% that of normal bone. Since only the bone-forming system (DM) accumulated Tc-PP at greater than normal concentrations, this study indicates that positive bone images of osteolytic lesions solely reflect compensatory osteogenic responses.

Once versus divided daily dosing with delayed-release mesalazine: a study of tissue drug concentrations and standard pharmacokinetic parameters.

BACKGROUND: Delayed-release mesalazine is traditionally taken as three divided doses. However, it is well-recognized that dosing frequency has a significant impact on compliance and that once daily dosing is preferable. METHODS: We measured serum, urinary, faecal and rectal tissue concentrations of 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid in 24 healthy volunteers following dosing with delayed-release mesalazine, 1.2 g or 2.4 g daily, given as either a single daily dose at 08:00 hours or in three divided doses at 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00 hours. RESULTS: Urinary and faecal excretion and rectal tissue concentrations of 5-aminosalicylic acid and N-acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid were similar following single or divided daily dosing, at both doses studied. Peak serum concentrations were found at 06:00-09:00 following divided dosing and at 17:00-20:00 following once daily dosing. However, peak and trough serum levels and serum area under curve values (AUC) were similar with both regimens and at both doses. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary, faecal and rectal tissue concentrations are similar following single or divided daily dosing. Minor differences in serum levels were apparent but maximum, minimum and AUC values were similar. Clinical trials should examine the efficacy and toxicity of once daily dosing in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Aging and mastication: changes in performance and in the swallowing threshold with natural dentition.

Few comprehensive studies of oral function have been conducted on adult populations. A "Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study of Oral Health in Healthy Veterans" was activated at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Boston in 1969; it included general oral and dental examinations as well as tests of masticatory performance and the swallowing threshold. The current investigation involved 863 subjects from the "Dental Study" who had either their natural teeth or a fixed replacement for missing teeth. Masticatory performance as measured by the subject's ability to reduce a test portion of cut carrot by a mandatory number of chewing stroked remained constant for persons with complete or partially compromised natural dentition. Swallowing threshold performance as measured by the particle size acceptable for swallowing remained constant for persons with complete dentition. Tooth loss significantly decreased the swallowing threshold performance and increased the particle size which the subject was willing to swallow. Older subjects increased the number of chewing strokes and the time required for this test, an observation not related to performance as measured by final particle size. Only with compromised dentition, however, did this increased effort result in increased performance.

Mechanisms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in the lateral decubitus positions.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is more common in the right than in the left lateral position but the reasons why are not well understood. We have therefore studied the mechanisms underlying reflux in the lateral decubitus positions in patients with reflux disease. Fifteen patients with symptomatic reflux and excessive oesophageal acid exposure were studied (nine male, age 25-63 years). Each was intubated with a perfused manometric assembly, incorporating a Dent sleeve, and a pH probe. Following a 30-min basal period, a 400-kCal meal was infused into the stomach and patients were studied for 60 min in each lateral position. Following infusion of the meal, lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure fell and transient LOS relaxation (TLOSR) frequency increased. Acid reflux episodes were more common in the postprandial period (fasting 0 (0-6) h, first postprandial hour 1 (0-9) h, P = 0.0002, second postprandial hour 1 (0-22) h, P = 0.02) and occurred more than twice as often in the right lateral position (right 3 (0-22) h, left 0 (0-10) h, P = 0.01). However, TLOSRs, swallow-related relaxations and low basal LOS pressures were equally common in both lateral positions. In patients with reflux disease, postprandial reflux is twice as common in the right lateral position. This does not relate to differences in gastro-oesophageal junctional pressure, suggesting that other aspects of barrier function or differences in the intragastric distribution of chyme may be important.

Expenditures for physician services under alternative models of managed care.

This study compares expenditures for physician services in a closed panel gatekeeper health maintenance organization (HMO) and an open panel point of service HMO that share the same physician network. The study uses administrative files of the two study HMOs for 1994-1995 to assess differences in spending for primary care physicians' (PCPs') services, specialists' services, and total physician services. When the copayments for PCP visits and PCP-referred specialist visits were $0, total physician expenditures were 4 percent higher in the gatekeeper HMO than in the point of service plan (p < .05). When the copayments for PCP visits and PCP-referred specialist visits were $10, total physician expenditures ranged from equal in both HMOs to 7 percent higher in the gatekeeper HMO (p < .01), depending on the copayment for self-referred visits. Expenditures for specialists' services were not higher in the point of service plan. The authors conclude that direct patient access to specialists does not necessarily result in higher physician or specialist expenditures in HMOs.

Medical care expenditures under gatekeeper and point-of-service arrangements.

OBJECTIVE: To compare expenditures for medical care in a closed-panel gatekeeper HMO and an open-panel point-of-service (POS) plan that share the same provider network. DATA SOURCE/STUDY SETTING: The two study HMOs are distinct product lines of a single managed care organization; both plans are commercial products. We used administrative data files from the study plans for 1994-95 to assess differences in total medical care expenditures and spending for five categories of services: physician services, inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, prescription drugs, and other services. STUDY DESIGN: Multivariate analyses were based on the two-part model of the demand for medical care. The dependent variables in these models were expenditures in each of the five categories of services, and the independent variables were indicator variables for plan type and visit copayments, prescription drug copayment, distance to the nearest primary care physician (PCP), demographic characteristics, chronic conditions, area characteristics, and entry/exit indicator variables. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Total expenditures for medical care ranged from equal in both plans to 7 percent higher in the gatekeeper HMO (p < .10), depending on the copayments for physician visits. Expenditures were not higher in the POS plan for any of the five categories of services. These findings were robust to a wide range of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Direct patient access to specialists in POS plans does not necessarily result in higher medical care expenditures. When POS enrollees are required to choose PCPs, patient cost sharing, physician financial incentives, and utilization review may control expenditures without constraining direct patient access to providers.

Visits to primary care physicians and to specialists under gatekeeper and point-of-service arrangements.

OBJECTIVE: To assess utilization of ambulatory visits to primary care physicians (PCPs) and to specialists in 2 different managed care models: a closed panel gatekeeper health maintenance organization (HMO) and an open panel point-of-service HMO. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients enrolled in a single managed care organization with 2 distinct product lines: a gatekeeper HMO and a point-of-service HMO. Both plans shared the same physician network. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample included 16,192 working-age members of the gatekeeper HMO and 36,819 working-age members of the point-of-service HMO. We estimated the number of PCP and specialist visits using negative binomial regression models and predicted the number of visits per year for each person under each HMO type and copayment option. RESULTS: There were more annual visits to PCPs and a greater number of total physician visits in the gatekeeper HMO than in the point-of-service plan. However, we did not observe higher rates of specialist visits in the point-of-service HMO. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that direct patient access to specialists leads to higher rates of specialty visits in plans with modest cost-sharing arrangements.