Whole-Body Vibration Effects on Flexibility in Artistic Gymnastics-A Systematic Review.

It is well documented that whole body-vibration training has effects on muscle strength and flexibility, blood circulation, decreases pain perception and strengthens bone and tendon. Although whole body-vibration has benefits in athletes' flexibility, we are not sure what its actual effects are in artistic gymnastics (since they already have stunning flexibility). Hence, the aim of this study was to analyse the studies on whole-body vibration in artistic gymnastics and to present the effects on flexibility. The search and analysis were carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The databases search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, EBSCOhost and Science Direct) yielded 18,057 potential studies. By the given inclusion criteria (studies from 2005 to 2022; full-text published in English; the study included male and female gymnasts as samples, and that participants were tested for evaluation of flexibility by whole-body vibration method), a total of 9 full-text studies were included, with a total of 210 participants, both male and female. As far as the measured flexibility tests conducted, front split, sit and reach and bridge were evaluated, while obtained results were 9.1-39.1%, 2.79-6.7%, 6.43-7.45%, respectively. All studies have conducted same vibration frequency (30 Hz) with same amplitude of displacements (2 mm), except for the one study who did not show the information of implemented amplitude. After analysing the obtained results, it can be concluded that the usage of whole-body vibration platform shows flexibility improvements in artistic gymnasts, both male and female. In addition, a combination of whole-body vibration and traditional static stretching may enhance the flexibility in artistic gymnasts. However, these results should be taken with caution. Since this review did not reveal the optimal vibrational protocol, it is necessary to invest time during the implementation of various vibrational experimental protocols, so future research is required.

USE OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

This study aimed to determine whether patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) regularly take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and to clarify whether their decision to take NSAIDs depends on disease activity, intensity of pain, or functional status. The study also aimed to identify the risk factors for gastrointestinal side effects. Over 6 months, we conducted a cross-sectional single-center study of consecutively hospitalized patients with confirmed RA. Activities of daily living, pain intensity, and disease activity were evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale, and disease activity score, respectively, in 28 joints. Of 73 patients diagnosed with RA, 48 (66%) regularly took NSAIDs. Compared to non-users, NSAID users used glucocorticoids less frequently. The decision to use NSAIDs was independent of disease activity, pain intensity, degree of functional impairment, or presence of gastrointestinal risk factors. However, a higher degree of functional impairment was associated with a longer duration of continuous NSAID and glucocorticoid use. NSAIDs are still relevant for RA treatment. The decision to use them is not necessarily affected by disease activity or pain intensity, but their prolonged use is required in patients with a higher degree of functional disability. NSAIDs enable exclusion of glucocorticoid use, sparing patients of glucocorticoid-related side effects.

Dose- and time-dependent effects of clodronate on orthodontic tooth movement.

Orthodontic tooth movement is the result of bone remodeling that occurs in periodontal ligament and alveolar bone tissue as a response to mechanical loading of the tooth. The aim of this study is to investigate the time- and dose-response effects of locally administered clodronate on tooth movement. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 15 specimens: E1 - application of 10 mMol of clodronate in 3-day intervals; E2 - application of 2.5 mMol of clodronate in 3-day intervals; E3 - application of 10 mMol of clodronate in 7-day intervals; E4 - application of 2.5 mMol of clodronate in 7-day intervals. A 50 µL clodronate solution was injected into a subperiosteal area to the right maxillary incisor. The left maxillary incisor served as a control, with an injection of saline solution. In 3-day interval application regime, there was no effect of clodronate dosing on tooth movement. In 7-day interval application regime, decreased tooth movement was observed with 10 mMol compared with 2.5 mMol clodronate concentration. However, decreased tooth movement was also observed when 2.5 mMol of clodronate was applied in 7-versus 3-day intervals. Conversely, no difference was observed when 10 mMol concentration was applied in 3- versus 7-day intervals. When clodronate is applied subperiosteally in the root area, it decreases the tooth movement. Tooth movement is impeded by the higher clodronate dosing, as well as by shorter application interval even with lower dosing. The purpose of future trials should, therefore, be to determine a safe therapeutic dose/interval application of clodronate in humans and their potential side effects.

FACET ORIENTATION AND TROPISM: ASSOCIATION WITH ACCELERATED DEGENERATION OF STABILIZING STRUCTURES IN LOWER LUMBAR SPINE.

The influence of facet orientation and tropism on the process of spinal degeneration has been extensively studied during the last few decades, but there are still many controversies and conflicting results in this field of research. The biomechanical cause of accelerated degeneration of stabilizing structures in lower lumbar spine lies within the combination of several factors, but two most important ones are compressive load and more coronal facet orientation that offers less resistance against torsional loading. Axial rotation of lower lumbar spine is undoubtedly associated with higher strain in disc annulus, and enhanced range of secondary rotational movements may be even more significant for the progression of annular degeneration. Accordingly, more pronounced facet tropism could be having part in faster progression of disc degeneration in lower lumbar spine, as indicated by a number of recent studies. More sagittal facet orientation in patients with a higher facet osteoarthritis score at lower lumbar segments is very likely related to arthritic remodeling commonly seen in other synovial joints. There is also a possibility that it could be associated with the adaptation to partial loss of lumbar lordosis, as both coincide with advanced age.

Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Disease of the Vertebral Column

Spinal metastatic disease is a rather common occurrence and definitely warrants attention and treatment due to the high likelihood of leaving cancer patients severely disabled in their final months of life. Recent developments in the understanding of the behavior of different tumor types, as well as advances in surgical treatment, are allowing for the evolution of treatment algorithms, especially when surgical treatment is to be considered. This paper gives an overview of the decision-making process and the array of surgical options currently available.

Large chondrosarcoma of the lumbar spine--a rare yet important cause of lower back pain.

We report a case of a large chondrosarcoma of an L4 vertebral body causing iliac vein thrombosis. The slow-growing tumor eluded definitive diagnosis early in its development since the main symptom it caused was only lower back pain. Five years after onset of the disease, the patient presented with fever, tenderness and swelling in the leg, the tumor was diagnosed and found to be exerting a mass effect causing further pain and compressing the left common iliac vein. Due to inoperability of the tumor, a multidisciplinary surgical approach was used to resect the majority of the tumor as apalliative measure and rid the patient of her symptoms. Due to the chemoresistance and relative radioresistance of these tumors, prompt full surgical resection before the tumor invades vital structures remains the mainstay of successful treatment of chondrosarcoma of the spine.

Adverse drug reactions in elderly patients following discharge from an internal medicine clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and type of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and identify risk factors for ADRs in elderly patients within 30 days following discharge from an internal medicine clinic. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia, between September 1(st) and November 30(th) 2012. Patients aged ≥ 65 years discharged from the clinic during the study period were eligible for inclusion in the study. The follow-up visit was scheduled ~ 30 days after discharge. During the visit, the patients were assessed for the occurrence of ADRs. Two independent physicians evaluated each possible ADR by using the Naranjo ADR probability scale. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predisposing factors for ADRs. RESULTS: There were 209 patients included in this study. A total of 72 ADRs were detected in 63 (30.1%) patients. The most frequent ADRs were bleeding disorders associated with warfarin therapy, followed by hypoglycemia associated with antidiabetics. Five (6.9%) ADRs, which resulted in hospital admission, were classified as serious. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated number of prescribed drugs ≥4 and prescription of furosemide and warfarin to be associated with increased risk of ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that ADRs are an important cause of morbidity in elderly patients after hospital discharge. Judicious prescription of drugs and careful and frequent monitoring of drug therapy are necessary to reduce the risk of ADRs.

Actual drug-drug interactions in elderly patients discharged from internal medicine clinic: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and type of actual drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) or diminished therapeutic effect in elderly patients within 30 days of discharge from an internal medicine clinic. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia, between October and December 2011. Patients aged ≥ 65 years discharged from the Internal Medicine Clinic during the study period with a prescription for two or more medications were eligible for inclusion in the study. A total of 222 patients were ultimately enrolled in the study. For each patient, potential DDIs were identified using Lexi-Interact software. The follow-up visit was scheduled approximately 30 days after discharge. Causality between DDIs and ADRs or diminished therapeutic effect of drugs was assessed by two independent clinicians. RESULTS: Potential DDIs were identified in 190 (85.6 %) patients. Actual DDIs were detected in 21 (9.5 %) patients. In 19 patients, DDIs resulted in an ADR. Diminished therapeutic effect resulting from DDIs was detected in two patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were the drug class most frequently associated with DDI-related ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: A significant incidence of actual DDIs suggests that DDIs play an important role in patient safety. Drug therapy should be initiated if absolutely necessary, and the number of drugs used to treat elderly patients should be minimized to reduce the incidence of DDI-related adverse patient outcomes.

The effect of pharmacotherapeutic counseling on readmissions and emergency department visits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of pharmacotherapeutic counseling on the rates and causes of 30-day post-discharge hospital readmissions and emergency department visits. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Medical Clinic of University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia. METHODS: The study included elderly patients prescribed with two or more medications for the treatment of chronic diseases. The patients randomized into the intervention group received pre-discharge counseling by the clinical pharmacologist about each prescribed medication. The control group received no counseling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rates and causes of 30-day postdischarge hospital readmissions and emergency department visits. Medication compliance was also evaluated, using the pill count method. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients were randomly selected for the study. No significant difference was found in the readmission and emergency department visit rates between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.224). There were 34.9 % more compliant patients in the intervention group. Significantly more non-compliant patients in the control group were readmitted or visited emergency department because of the disease progression (p = 0.031). In the intervention group, significantly more patients were readmitted or visited emergency department because of an adverse drug reaction (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Pharmacotherapeutic counseling can reduce readmission and emergency department visit rates for disease progression. Improved patient knowledge about adverse drug reactions could be the reason for increased rates of readmissions and emergency department visits due to adverse drug reactions in the intervention group.

Enhanced anticoagulant effect of warfarin in a patient treated with cloxacillin.

OBJECTIVE: To present the case of warfarin-cloxacillin interaction that resulted in an increased international normalized ratio (INR). CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old man had been treated with warfarin for atrial fibrillation. He was hospitalized because of superficial thrombophlebitis of the left median cubital vein, which developed after venipuncture. An antibiotic therapy with cloxacillin was initiated immediately after the admission. Two days later, INR value increased from baseline 1.9 to 4.6. Anticoagulation therapy was discontinued and INR value was measured daily. His INR remained high for the entire duration of antibiotic therapy. Three days after the cloxacillin therapy was discontinued, the INR decreased to the baseline value. DISCUSSION: In the presented case, the temporal relationship between the administration of cloxacillin and increased INR suggests that the cloxacillin was responsible for the enhanced warfarin activity. According to the Drug Interaction Probability Scale, a causal relationship between the warfarin-cloxacillin interaction and increased INR value was rated "probable". CONCLUSION: Interactions between warfarin and cloxacillin can result in serious adverse reactions. INR value should be closely monitored when patients are prescribed this combination of drugs.

Steps in the undertaking of a systematic review in orthopaedic surgery.

In the last decades of the twentieth century it became obvious that modern medical care is replete with data and information, but in need of reliable evidence. This has led to an increased effort to systematically synthesise medical research and make it more useful for practitioners. Systematic reviews use an approach to research synthesis that minimises the risk of misinterpreting a body of evidence due to incomprehensive search or subjective opinion. Carrying out a systematic review is a rigorous procedure which corresponds to standard methodological steps in primary research studies. It involves posing a well-defined question, developing a robust search strategy, screening for relevant primary studies, critical appraisal of included studies, data extraction and processing, analysis and interpretation of results. In some, but not all systematic reviews it is appropriate to conduct a meta-analysis, which is a statistical procedure that integrates the results of several independent studies. Results of meta-analysis are graphically presented in forest plots, with pooled point estimate and its confidence interval represented as a rhombus, usually called a "diamond". Methodological quality of systematic reviews should not be judged by the quality of primary studies included, but by a distinct set of criteria specified in assessment tools such as AMSTAR. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should be reported according to the PRISMA checklist. A major contribution to the development of methodological standards has been given by The Cochrane Collaboration, whose Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the primary reference for all authors and referees of systematic reviews in health care.

Oxidative stress markers in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recent study data support the role of oxidative stress in diverse psychiatric disorders. Oxidative stress results from an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, an excess of oxidants and/or a depletion of antioxidants. There are numerous studies that indicate that free radicals (FRs) damage neurons, and then play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and depression. Active oxygen can cause considerable damage and disrupt the important physiological functions of proteins, lipids, enzymes and DNA. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible differences in the concentration of tromboxane B2, 8-OHdG and protein carbonyls, as significant markers of oxidative damage, and urate, albumin and total protein concentrations as antioxidative molecules in PTSD patients in comparison to the healthy control group. The study included 74 male participants who were active soldiers in the Croatian armed forces from 1991 to 1995. 46 subjects with chronic and current PTSD were recruited from the Department of Psychiatry of Dubrava University Hospital during 2010, 28 healthy subjects were recruited in the same period during the regular medical examination at the Dubrava University Hospital. Study results have shown that there is no statistically significant difference in urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG, serum thromboxane B2, and serum urates between two studied groups. Statistically significant difference of the protein carbonyl concentrations was examined. Concentrations were significantly lower in the PTSD group than in the control group. The clinical significance of these results was examined using ROC analysis. The obtained ROC curves did not separate the groups in a satisfactory manner.

Overuse injuries in female athletes.

The last three decades have witnessed a tremendous increase in female sports participation at all levels. However, increased sports participation of female athletes has also increased the incidence of sport-related injuries, which can be either acute trauma or overuse injuries. Overuse injuries may be defined as an imbalance caused by overly intensive training and inadequate recovery, which subsequently leads to a breakdown in tissue reparative mechanisms. This article will review the most frequent overuse injuries in female athletes in the context of anatomical, physiological, and psychological differences between genders.

[Arthroscopic surgery of the ankle]. / Artroskopska kirurgija gleznja.

Arthroscopic surgery of the ankle has become indispensable method in the armamentarium of the modern orthopaedic surgeon. Technological advancement and thorough understanding of the anatomy have resulted in improved ability to perform arthroscopy of the ankle. The method is minimally invasive and it allows the direct visualization of intra-articular structures without arthrotomy or malleolar osteotomy. Anterior or posterior approach may be used, and various indications have become generally accepted: anterior soft tissue or bony impingement, loose bodies, osteochondral defects, synovitis (rheumatoid arthritis, infective arthritis, and hemophilic arthropathy), posterior impingement syndrome, posttraumatic conditions, osteoarthritis (arthrosis), ankle arthrodesis, tumor-like lesions (synovial osteochondromatosis, pigmented villonodular synovitis) and many combinations of these pathological entities. In this paper we will discuss technique, indications, complications and future perspective of the ankle arthroscopy. In addition we will review the most recent literature data regarding this appealing technique.

Anterior instrumentation for correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis: historic prospective study.

AIM: To compare the results of anterior instrumentation and standard posterior procedure for correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis who underwent corrective spinal surgery. Anterior spinal fusion by use of modified Zielke ventral derotation system (anterior approach to spine through thorax) was performed in 25 patients, whereas posterior approach was used in 25 patients. The average preoperative thoracic curve in coronal plane was 66.7 +/- 9.9 degrees and 65.0 +/- 11.7 degrees in the anterior and posterior correction groups, respectively. The median age of patients before surgery was 14 years (range, 12-18) in the anterior and 16 years (range, 13-18) in the posterior correction group. Women-to-men ratio was 22 to 3 in each group. Coronal and sagittal correction, apical vertebral body rotation, rib hump, and rib depression correction were measured before surgery and at the first (30 days after surgery) and at the second follow-up visit (at least 2 years after surgery). Posteroanterior and laterolateral radiographs of the erect spine were used (according to the method of Cobb and Nash-Moe) to assess coronal, sagittal, and horizontal plane corrections. Rib hump and rib depression were measured with Thulbourne-Gillespie measuring device. The differences in scoliosis correction parameters in the two groups were tested with Student two-tailed t test. RESULTS: In the coronal plane, the thoracic curve of 66.7 +/- 9.9 degrees before surgery in the anterior correction group was reduced to 14.8 +/- 8.7 degrees after surgery (78.1 +/- 12.4% relative correction), and the curve of 65.0 +/- 11.7 degrees in the posterior correction group was corrected to 29.2 +/- 7.8 degrees after surgery (55.1 +/- 8.6% relative correction) (P<0.001). Apical vertebral body rotation correction according to the Nash-Moe classification from 2.0 +/- 0.4 degrees to 0.8 +/- 0.6 degrees was achieved in the anterior correction group (62.0 +/- 26.6% relative correction) and from 1.7 +/- 0.5 degrees to 1.4 +/- 0.5 degrees in the posterior correction group (12.0 +/- 21.8% relative correction) (P<0.001). Rib hump correction from 22.4 +/- 15.5 mm to 5.4 +/- 5.2 mm was found in the anterior correction group (70.9 +/- 26.0% relative correction) and from 25.3 +/- 7.0 mm to 13.6 +/- 6.8 mm (48.4 +/- 16.5% relative correction) in the posterior correction group (P = 0.084). CONCLUSION: Compared with the standard posterior approach, the anterior approach resulted in better three-dimensional correction of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis.