Systematic mapping review of interventions to prevent blood loss, infection and relapse in orthognathic surgery.

BACKGROUND: This systematic mapping review aims to identify, describe, and organize the currently available evidence in systematic reviews (SR) and primary studies regarding orthognathic surgery (OS) co-interventions and surgical modalities, focusing on the outcomes blood loss, infection and relapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was performed to identify all SRs, randomized controlled trials and observational studies that evaluate surgical modalities and perioperative co-interventions in OS that evaluate the outcomes blood loss, infection and relapse, regardless of language or publication date. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, Web of Science, and CENTRAL. In addition, grey literature was screened. RESULTS: 27 SRs and 150 primary studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 91 from SRs, and 59 from our search strategy. Overall, the quality of the SRs was graded as "Critically low," and only two SRs were rated as "High" quality. 11 PICO questions were extracted from SRs and 31 from primary studies, which focused on osteosynthesis methods, surgical cutting devices, use of antibiotics, and induced hypotension. In addition, evidence bubble maps for each outcome were created to analyze in a visual manner the existing evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Future primary and secondary high-quality research should be addressed focused on the eight knowledge gaps identified in this mapping review. We concluded that the evidence mapping approach is a practical methodology for organizing the current evidence and identifying knowledge gaps in OS, helping to reduce research waste and canalize future efforts in developing studies for unsolved questions.

Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications following impacted mandibular third molar surgery. A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing postoperative infections after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Parallel-group, randomized, blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed. 154 patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups; experimental (n=77) receiving 2g amoxicillin 1 hour prior to surgery and control (n=77) receiving placebo. Primary outcome was postoperative infections and secondary outcome was the need for rescue analgesia. RESULTS: 4.5% of patients developed postoperative infections, five patients of the control group (4 alveolar osteitis, 1 surgical site infection) and two of the experimental group (1 alveolar osteitis, 1 surgical site infection). Difference between groups was not statistically significant, RR=0.4 (95%CI 0.08-1.99, 𝘱=0.41) NNTB=26. Rescue analgesia intake was significantly higher in the control group (41 vs 18 patients of experimental group) RR=0.49 (95%CI 0.32-0.75, 𝘱<0.05) NNTB=3. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 2g amoxicillin 1 hour before surgery was not effective in significantly reducing the risk of postoperative infections from impacted mandibular third molars extraction, when compared to placebo. Nevertheless, antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a reduced need for rescue analgesia.

[Development of a predictive model for hospital mortality and re-admission in a cohort of infected patients that require hospitalization]. / Desarrollo de un modelo predictivo para mortalidad y otro para reingreso hospitalario en una cohorte de paciente con infección que requieren hospitalización.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were: to develop a predictive model for hospital mortality and another for hospital re-admission, to identify the impact of antibiotic delay in the mortality rate and, to report the rate of inappropriate antibiotic therapy. METHODS: A cohort and retrospective study was conducted at the HM Sanchinarro University Hospital during the period September 1st, 2012 to March 31th, 2013. The inclusion criteria were: age> 18 years, hospital admission from the ED with a diagnosis of bacterial infection. The exclusion criteria were: suspected viral infection, negative bacteriological cultures, life expectancy less than 6 months, lack of clinical information, assistance exclusively by the trauma emergency department. Two logistic models were made (hospital mortality and hospital re-admission). RESULTS: A total of 517 patients were included. The final mortality model (30 deaths) include the following variables: respiratory rate (OR 1.12; IC95% 1.02; 1.22), oxygen saturation (OR 0.92; IC95% 0.87; 0.98), creatinine (OR 2.33; IC95% 1.62; 3.36), COPD (OR 3.02; IC95% 1.06; 8.21), cancer (OR 3.34; IC95% 1.07; 9.98) and chemotherapy in the last 3 months (OR 4.83; IC95% 1.54; 16.41). The final model for hospital re-admission (28 re-admissions) include the following variables: hepatopathy (OR 5.51; IC95% 1.57; 16.88), GPT (OR 1.005; IC95% 1.003; 1.008), history of stroke (OR 5.06; IC95% 1.04; 18.80) and arterial hypertension (OR 3.15; IC95% 1.38; 7.56). The antibiotic therapy delays not influenced the mortality or re-admission rate. In 24.3% the causative microorganism was identified and antibiotic treatment was inappropriate 19.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital mortality rate was 5.8% and readmission rate was 5.7%. Variables associated with mortality differ from those associated with re-admission. The delay in the antibiotic initiation was not associated with a deleterious effect. Antibiotic therapy was inadequate in almost 20% of patients.

Atypical presentation of transthyretin amyloidosis in a non-endemic area. / Presentación atípica de amiloidosis por transtiretina en un área no endémica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are 2 types of amyloidosis caused by transthyretin deposits: the wild type (wt-ATTR) and the mutant type (m-ATTR), transmitted by autosomal dominant inheritance with variable penetrance, manifesting with neurological and/or cardiac symptoms. We report on 3 families affected by m-ATTR diagnosed in a nonendemic area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 63 patients with a high suspicion of ATTR. The diagnosis was subsequently performed by magnification through polymerase chain reaction of DNA. For the positive cases, we studied the first-degree relatives. RESULTS: We detected 7 positive cases of m-ATTR, distributed among 3 families (Glu74Gln, Val142Ile in heterozygosity and Val142Ile in homozygosity), and 3 cases of nonpathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS: Hereditary ATTR is a rare disease but is present in nonendemic areas and should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with polyneuropathy and/or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing oral surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients under antiplatelet therapy (APT) continues to raise as current recommendations foster this practice. Although some recommendations to manage this treatment during oral surgery procedures exist, these have methodological shortcomings that preclude them from being conclusive. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the best current evidence was carried out; The Cochrane Library, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) concerning patients undergoing oral surgery with APT, other relevant sources were searched manually. RESULTS: 5 RCTs met the Inclusion criteria. No clear tendency was observed (RR= 0.97 CI 95%: 0,41-2,34; p=0,09; I2= 51%), moreover, they weren't clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: According to these findings and as bleeding is a manageable complication it seems unreasonable to undermine the APT, putting the patient in danger of a thrombotic event and its high inherent morbidity, which isn't comparable in severity and manageability to the former."

Fracturas complejas del tercio lateral de la clavícula / Complex fractures of the clavicle's lateral third

Resumen: Antecedentes: Las fracturas del tercio lateral de la clavícula representan 18% de todas las fracturas de clavícula. A pesar de que las fracturas no desplazadas pueden manejarse conservadoramente, las desplazadas tienen un porcentaje de no unión de 30%. Múltiples manejos han sido propuestos para las fracturas desplazadas. El objetivo de este estudio fue registrar la prevalencia de fracturas del tercio lateral de la clavícula con afectación de la articulación acromioclavicular, así como hacer una revisión breve del tratamiento realizado en nuestro centro y compararlo con la literatura actual. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, transversal, descriptivo y observacional, que consistió en una revisión de los expedientes de los pacientes con diagnóstico de fractura del tercio lateral de la clavícula con lesión de la articulación acromioclavicular. Resultados: Las fracturas del tercio lateral representaron 24% de todas las fracturas de clavícula. Distribución por sexos: 10:2, hombres:mujeres. Predominio: hombro izquierdo, 8:4. Los manejos predominantes fueron placa anatómica para tercio lateral de la clavícula (50% de los casos), técnica de cerclaje coracoclavicular más resección del tercio lateral de la clavícula (25%), placa gancho (8.3%), Mumford combinado con Waever/Dunn (8.3%), ancla más varillas Kirschner (8.3%). Discusión: La elección del tratamiento adecuado dependerá del tipo de fractura y las características específicas de cada paciente. Sugerimos el uso de la técnica de cerclaje coracoclavicular en los casos en que el fragmento lateral sea multifragmentado, irreductible o de tamaño menor al que permitiría su osteosíntesis, realizando plastía de ligamentos acromioclaviculares y coracoclaviculares.

Abstract: Background: Fractures of the lateral third of the clavicle represent 18% of all clavicle fractures. Even though non-displaced fractures can be managed conservatively, displaced fractures have a non-union percentage of 30%. Multiple approaches have been proposed to manage the displaced fractures. The objective of this study was to record the prevalence of fractures of the lateral third of the clavicle with involvement of the clavicular-acromial joint, as well as to briefly review the treatment performed in our center and compare it with the current literature. Material and methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, which consisted in a review of the records of patients with a diagnosis of fracture of the lateral third of the clavicle with an injury to the clavicular-acromial joint. Results: Lateral third fractures accounted for 24% of all clavicle fractures. Distribution by sex: 10: 2, men: women. Left shoulder predominance, 8:4. The predominant maneuvers were anatomical plate for the lateral third of the clavicle (50% of the cases), coracoclavicular cerclage technique plus resection of the lateral third of the clavicle (25%), plate hook (8.3%), Mumford combined with Waever/Dunn (8.3%), anchor plus Kirschner rods (8.3%). Discussion: The choice of the appropriate treatment will depend on the type of fracture and specific characteristics of each patient. We suggest the use of the coracoclavicular cerclage technique in cases in which the lateral fragment is multifragmented, irreducible or smaller in size than its osteosynthesis would allow, performing plasty of clavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments.

Laparoscopic adenomectomy: 10 years of experience. / Adenomectomía laparoscópica: 10 años de experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to increased prostate volume are associated with ageing and are becoming more prevalent due to increased life expectancy. We present our experience with transperitoneal laparoscopic adenomectomy for the management of bladder outlet obstruction caused by benign prostatic enlargement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic adenomectomy between 2005 and 2015. We recorded age, maximum flow and postvoid residual urine (preoperative and postoperative), surgical time, operative bleeding, weight and pathology, complications and duration of catheterisation and hospitalisation. RESULTS: We included 80 patients with a mean age of 70 years. The mean preoperative and postoperative Qmax was 8.21mL/s and 22.52mL/s, respectively. The mean preoperative and postoperative postvoid residual urine was 91.4mL and 14.2mL, respectively. The mean surgical time was 137.7min. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in one case due to intestinal injury. The mean intraoperative bleeding was 227.6mL. The mean hospital stay was 5.46 days, and the catheterisation time was 4.86 days. There were 13 complications, which were recorded according to the Clavien-Dindo system, 3 of which were severe. The mean weight of the surgical specimen was 80.02g. Pathology showed benign hyperplasia in 75 cases and prostate cancer in the remaining 5. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adenomectomy is a safe, reproducible technique with the same functional results as open surgery. Our series shows that this approach is useful and safe and has a low rate of complications.

Tratamiento quirúrgico o conservador para fracturas de cóndilo mandibular / Surgical or conservative treatment for mandibular condyle fractures

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las fracturas maxilofaciales se asocian a importante morbilidad, pérdida de función y secuelas estéticas, entre otros. Dentro de las fracturas mandibulares, las fracturas de cóndilo mandibular son las más frecuentes. Estas pueden ser tratadas mediante un tratamiento quirúrgico (reducción abierta más estabilización con miniplacas de titanio) o un tratamiento conservador (ortopédico). MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos ocho revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 66 estudios primarios, de los cuales, seis corresponden a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que, en comparación con el tratamiento conservador, el tratamiento quirúrgico en fracturas de cóndilo mandibular probablemente se asocia a menor dolor articular, menor maloclusión y menor desviación lateral en apertura bucal.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillofacial fractures are associated with significant morbidity, loss of function and aesthetic sequelae, among others. Within mandibular fractures, mandibular condylar fractures are the most frequent. These can be treated by surgical treatment or conservative treatment (orthopedic). METHODS: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight systematic reviews including 66 primary studies overall, of which six were randomized trials. We concluded surgical treatment of mandibular condyle fractures, compared to conservative treatment, is probably associated with less joint pain, less malocclusion and less lateral deviation in buccal opening.

Effects of meiotic inhibitors and gonadotrophins on porcine oocytes in vitro maturation, fertilization and development.

This study evaluated the effect of three reversible meiotic inhibitors (MINs) and their interaction with gonadotrophins (Gns) on the meiotic maturation and developmental competence of porcine oocytes. In experiment 1, the oocytes were matured for 22 hr in the presence or absence of dbcAMP (1 mM), cycloheximide (7 µM) or cilostamide (20 µM) with or without Gns, and for an additional 22 hr in the absence of MINs and Gns. At 22 hr of maturation, regardless of the presence of Gns, a higher proportion (p < .001) of oocytes cultured in the presence of MINs were effectively arrested at the germinal vesicle stage compared with the oocytes cultured without MINs. At 44 hr of maturation, the proportion of oocytes that reached MII was higher (p < .05) in groups with Gns compared with groups without Gns. In experiment 2, oocytes that were matured as in experiment 1 were inseminated and cultured for 7 days to evaluate fertilization parameters and blastocyst formation. Only oocytes from the dbcAMP + Gns group had higher (p < .05) efficiency of fertilization compared with the other treatment groups. The presence of dbcAMP during maturation also increased (p < .05) blastocyst formation and efficiency of blastocyst formation in both the presence and absence of Gns. These results indicate that the interaction of Gns with the tested MINs improved meiotic progression. In addition, regardless of supplementation with Gns, the presence of dbcAMP during the first maturation period increased and even doubled the capacity of oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage.

Contribution of early SPECT/CT to 99mTc-MIBI double phase scintigraphy in primary hyperparathyroidism: Diagnostic value and correlation between uptake and biological parameters.

AIM: To evaluate the value of 99mTc-MIBI double-phase scintigraphy (DPS) and early SPECT/CT in the pre-surgical assessment of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Also, to calculate the correlation between uptake and some biological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with PHPT were included: 37 solitary adenomas, 1 hyperplasia, and 2 double adenomas. Fifteen patients had ectopic glands. DPS and early SPECT/CT were acquired in all patients. Ultrasound was performed in 31/40. All patients underwent surgery, intra-operative iPTH measurements, and histopathological examinations. Qualitative DPS uptake was assessed and correlated to pre-surgical calcium, iPTH levels, gland weight, and maximum diameter. RESULTS: In the planar study, there were 23 positive cases, 8 doubtful, and 9 negatives. With the SPECT/CT, 8/9 negatives cases were located. All doubtful cases were confirmed as positives. Gland location improved in 16 cases (12 ectopic). DPS+SPECT/CT failed to detect a solitary adenoma and at least one gland in three cases of multiglandular disease (MGD). The sensitivity by patient was: DPS 72.5%, DPS+SPECT/CT 90%, and ultrasound 42%. Ultrasound and scintigraphy (DPS+SPECT/CT) were concordant in 16/31 patients. For the rest of them, scintigraphy proved correct in 14/15, and both techniques failed in one case. There was a significant correlation between level of uptake and iPTH level, gland weight, and maximum diameter. CONCLUSION: Early SPECT/CT improves sensitivity and the locating of parathyroid pathological glands and increases diagnostic confidence. iPTH level, glandular size, and weight are related to the qualitative assessment of 99mTc-MIBI uptake in early DPS.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la luxación acromioclavicular aguda: Reporte preliminar / Surgical treatment of acute acromioclavicular dislocation: Preliminary report

Introducción: El manejo ideal de las lesiones tipo III en agudo es controversial, dentro del manejo quirúrgico de estas lesiones es fundamental la reconstrucción de los ligamentos coracoclaviculares. Material y métodos: Se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes con luxación acromioclavicular aguda, tratadas mediante reducción abierta y fijación con suturas de alta resistencia evaluando los resultados de manera preliminar a tres meses de evolución. Resultados: Fueron 12 pacientes; todos del sexo masculino, con una edad media de 28 años; tres de grado III, uno grado IV y ocho grado V de la clasificación de Rockwood. El tiempo promedio entre la lesión y la intervención quirúrgica fue de nueve días. En la escala de Constant 11 pacientes presentaron resultados excelentes y 1 bueno. Sólo un paciente desarrolló un seroma. La reducción radiográfica se mantuvo en todos los pacientes. Conclusiones: La reconstrucción anatómica de los ligamentos coracoclaviculares disminuye notablemente las complicaciones, más aún cuando dicha reconstrucción es provista por materiales que tengan una fuerza tensil semejante a los ligamentos nativos.

Introduction: Determining what is the ideal acute management of type III lesions is controversial. The reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligaments is a fundamental part of the surgical management of these lesions. Material and methods: The records of patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation treated with open reduction and fixation with highly resistant sutures were reviewed. The preliminary results were assessed at the 3-month follow-up. Results: Twelve patients were included, all of them males; mean age was 28 years. Three were Rockwood grade III, one grade IV, and 8 grade V. The mean time elapsed between the injury and the surgery was 9 days. According to the Constant scale 11 patients had excellent results and one had good results. Only one patient developed a seroma. Radiographic reduction was maintained in all patients. Conclusions: The anatomical reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligaments reduces complications considerably, especially when such reconstruction is made using materials with a grip strength similar to the one offered by native ligaments.

[Surgical treatment of acute acromioclavicular dislocation. Preliminary report]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la luxación acromioclavicular aguda. Reporte preliminar.

INTRODUCTION: Determining what is the ideal acute management of type III lesions is controversial. The reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligaments is a fundamental part of the surgical management of these lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation treated with open reduction and fixation with highly resistant sutures were reviewed. The preliminary results were assessed at the 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included, all of them males; mean age was 28 years. Three were Rockwood grade III, one grade IV, and 8 grade V. The mean time elapsed between the injury and the surgery was 9 days. According to the Constant scale 11 patients had excellent results and one had good results. Only one patient developed a seroma. Radiographic reduction was maintained in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligaments reduces complications considerably, especially when such reconstruction is made using materials with a grip strength similar to the one offered by native ligaments.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El manejo ideal de las lesiones tipo III en agudo es controversial, dentro del manejo quirúrgico de estas lesiones es fundamental la reconstrucción de los ligamentos coracoclaviculares. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes con luxación acromioclavicular aguda, tratadas mediante reducción abierta y fijación con suturas de alta resistencia evaluando los resultados de manera preliminar a tres meses de evolución. RESULTADOS: Fueron 12 pacientes; todos del sexo masculino, con una edad media de 28 años; tres de grado III, uno grado IV y ocho grado V de la clasificación de Rockwood. El tiempo promedio entre la lesión y la intervención quirúrgica fue de nueve días. En la escala de Constant 11 pacientes presentaron resultados excelentes y 1 bueno. Sólo un paciente desarrolló un seroma. La reducción radiográfica se mantuvo en todos los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: La reconstrucción anatómica de los ligamentos coracoclaviculares disminuye notablemente las complicaciones, más aún cuando dicha reconstrucción es provista por materiales que tengan una fuerza tensil semejante a los ligamentos nativos.

MEK inhibition affects STAT3 signaling and invasion in human melanoma cell lines.

Elevated activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade is found in the majority of human melanomas and is known to regulate proliferation, survival and invasion. Current targeted therapies focus on decreasing the activity of this pathway; however, we do not fully understand how these therapies impact tumor biology, especially given that melanoma is a heterogeneous disease. Using a three-dimensional (3D), collagen-embedded spheroid melanoma model, we observed that MEK and BRAF inhibitors can increase the invasive potential of ∼20% of human melanoma cell lines. The invasive cell lines displayed increased receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity and activation of the Src/FAK/signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling axis, also associated with increased cell-to-cell adhesion and cadherin engagement following MEK inhibition. Targeting various RTKs, Src, FAK and STAT3 with small molecule inhibitors in combination with a MEK inhibitor prevented the invasive phenotype, but only STAT3 inhibition caused cell death in the 3D context. We further show that STAT3 signaling is induced in BRAF-inhibitor-resistant cells. Our findings suggest that MEK and BRAF inhibitors can induce STAT3 signaling, causing potential adverse effects such as increased invasion. We also provide the rationale for the combined targeting of the MAPK pathway along with inhibitors of RTKs, SRC or STAT3 to counteract STAT3-mediated resistance phenotypes.

Intercomparison exercise on external gamma dose rate under field conditions at the laboratory of natural radiation (Saelices el Chico, Spain).

The last nuclear accident in Fukushima nuclear power plant has increased the necessity for measuring radiation in the environment. Therefore, radiation monitors providing results traceable throughout the country become essential and it is very important to test them under the same environmental conditions. The first intercomparison of natural radioactivity under field conditions was held in Saelices el Chico (Salamanca, Spain) in May 2011, including an exercise on environmental dose rate. This article presents the results achieved by 19 instruments belonging to 12 institutions from 7 different countries. The tested detectors are proportional counters, ionisation chambers, Geiger-Müller and scintillators measuring dose rate in three stations with reference values from 110 to 1800 nGy h(-1). All the results were given in terms of air kerma (nGy h(-1)) and the measurements show agreement within 25 % in all the sites. Evaluation criteria based on accuracy and statistical uncertainty were also carried out and 25 % of participants passed the test in all sites.

The Burch-Schneider antiprotrusio cage: medium follow-up results.

With the development of hip prosthesis, younger patients may need more than one revision surgery, with less bone stock available in each subsequent surgery. We retrospectively reviewed the hip revision surgeries in which a Burch-Schneider device has been used. Patients were classified according to the Paprosky score. Functional and clinical evaluation was assessed by the Merlé-Daubigné score. Radiolucencies were assessed by Gill's criteria. Sixteen patients with a mean age of 66.1 years were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 60.7 months. According to Paprosky classification, 18.7% were grade IIb, 56.3% grade IIIa and 25% grade IIIb. The mean Merlé-Daubigné score improved from 10 to 15 points. Radiologically, 12 patients had no radiolucencies, two had grade I radiolucencies and two had grade III radiolucencies. In greater than 50% of acetabular defects, the Burch-Schneider seems to be useful providing clinical and functional improvement. Immediately, non-progressive radiolucencies are not associated with implant loosening at the end of follow-up. The ischial flap should be inserted inside the ischial portion of the acetabulum.

Thermal drift reduction with multiple bias current for MOSFET dosimeters.

New thermal compensation methods suitable for p-channel MOSFET (pMOS) dosimeters with the usual dose readout procedure based on a constant drain current are presented. Measuring the source-drain voltage shifts for two or three different drain currents and knowing the value of the zero-temperature coefficient drain current, I(ZTC), the thermal drift of source-drain or threshold voltages can be significantly reduced. Analytical expressions for the thermal compensation have been theoretically deduced on the basis of a linear dependence on temperature of the parameters involved. The proposed thermal modelling has been experimentally proven. These methods have been applied to a group of ten commercial pMOS transistors (3N163). The thermal coefficients of the source-drain voltage and the threshold voltage were reduced from -3.0 mV °C(-1), in the worst case, down to -70 µV °C(-1). This means a thermal drift of -2.4 mGy °C(-1) for the dosimeter. When analysing the thermal drifts of all the studied transistors, in the temperature range from 19 to 36 °C, uncertainty was obtained in the threshold voltage due to a thermal drift of ±9 mGy (2 SD), a commonly acceptable value in most radiotherapy treatments. The procedures described herein provide thermal drift reduction comparable to that of other technological or numerical strategies, but can be used in a very simple and low-cost dosimetry sensor.

Ossifying lesion of the rotator interval.

We report a case of a 15-year-old girl who presented with pain and swelling in the right shoulder. Imaging studies showed an inflammatory process well limited at the rotator interval. Open biopsy showed an osteogenic process that was evident in the postoperative X-rays. Two-year follow-up showed a mature ossification at the rotator interval.

Bortezomib decreases Rb phosphorylation and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in Imatinib-sensitive and -resistant Bcr-Abl1-expressing cells.

The use of c-abl-specific inhibitors such as Imatinib (IM) or Dasatinib has revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, a significant percentage of patients become resistant to IM. In this report, we have analyzed the possibility of using the proteasome as a molecular target in CML. Our results show that cells that express Bcr-Abl1 are more sensitive to the inhibition of the proteasome with Bortezomib (Btz) than control cells. This treatment reduces the proliferation of Bcr-Abl1-expressing cells, by inactivating NF-kappaB2 and decreasing the phosphorylation of Rb, eventually leading to an increase in caspase-dependent apoptosis. Furthermore, we show that Btz also induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in cells expressing Bcr-Abl1 mutants that are resistant to IM. These results unravel a new molecular target of Btz, that is the Rb pathway, and open new possibilities in the treatment of CML especially for patients that become resistant to IM because of the presence of the T315I mutation.