Current status of biopsy markers for the breast in clinical settings.

INTRODUCTION: A breast biopsy marker is a very small object that is introduced into the breast to serve as a tissue marker. The placement of a breast marker following a biopsy or to mark an abnormality in the breast has become standard practice in the clinical setting. Breast biopsy markers offer a wide range of benefits which includes the prevention of re-biopsy of a benign tumor, differentiating multiple lesions within the breast, evaluation of the extent of a tumor, and increased precision during surgery. AREAS COVERED: This review article presents a range of breast biopsy markers used in clinical practice. First, an overview of the necessity of breast markers in healthy breast management. Second, it summarizes the diversity in composition, shape, unique properties and features, and bio-absorbable carriers of breast biopsy markers. Finally, it also discusses the possible use of clinically approved breast biopsy markers in various scenarios and their implications. EXPERT OPINION: This review serves as a guide in the selection of an appropriate breast marker. We believe that some of the common drawbacks associated with current breast biopsy markers can be overcome by developing novel polymer-metal and composite-based breast biopsy markers.

Comparison of the flexural strength of sheets manufactured in three types of zirconium dioxide with two sintering times / Comparación de la resistencia flexural de láminas elaboradas en tres tipos de dióxido de zirconio con dos tiempos de sinterización

Abstract Introduction: yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide (zirconia) has been used to manufacture fixed partial prosthesis due to its high flexural strength. However, there are no available studies comparing the effect of two sintering techniques on flexural strength. This study aims to compare the flexural strength of zirconia sheets manufactured with two sintering techniques. Method: for this in vitro study, three zirconia disks were used (Upcera: Super Translucent (ST): 1200 MPa, Multi-Layer (ML): 600 MPa and High Translucent (HT): 1200 MPa), using an Isomet® cutter to prepare 60 sheets 2 mm thick, 5 mm wide and 37 mm long. These sheets were randomly distributed into two groups of 30: the first group was sintered for 8 hours at 1,530°C and the second group was subjected to fast sintering for 3 hours at 1,530°C. The flexural strength in Newton was measured on an Instrom® 3366 Universal Testing Machine. The results were converted from N to MPa and compared by ANOVA and t test. Results: no statistically significant difference was found in the flexural strength of the two groups (p>0,05). Conclusion: the two compared sintering procedures do not affect the flexural strength of zirconia sheets.

Resumen Introducción: las restauraciones de dióxido de zirconio estabilizadas con ytrio para prótesis parciales fijas e implantosoportadas se han utilizado por su alta resistencia flexional. En la revisión bibliográfica no se encontraron estudios que comparen la resistencia flexional del dióxido de zirconio con 2 tiempos de sinterización diferentes. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en comparar la resistencia flexional de láminas elaboradas en 3 tipos de dióxido de zirconio con 2 tiempos de sinterización. Método: en este estudio in vitro, se recolectaron 3 discos de dióxido de zirconio (Upcera: Súper translúcido (ST): 1200 MPa, Multicapa (ML): 600 MPa y Alta translucidez (HT): 1200 MPa), y en un aparato de corte Isomet® se recortaron 60 láminas de 2 mm de espesor, ancho de 5 mm y longitud de 37 mm. Estas láminas se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en dos grupos de 30: el grupo uno se sinterizó por 8 horas a 1.530°C y el otro grupo se sometió a sinterización rápida por 3 horas a 1.530°C. La resistencia flexional se midió en una máquina universal Instrom® 3366. Los resultados fueron convertidos de N a MPa y se compararon mediante análisis de varianza y prueba t. Resultados: no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa al comparar la resistencia flexional después de dos tiempos de sinterización diferentes (p>0,05). Conclusiones: no se presentaron diferencias significativas en la resistencia flexional del dióxido de zirconio al comparar los promedios obtenidos con dos técnicas de tiempo de sinterización diferente.

An Analysis of Knee Injuries in Rugby League: The Experience at the Newcastle Knights Professional Rugby League Team.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic data in professional sport is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in identifying frequently occurring injuries and developing strategies to reduce their occurrence. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on the epidemiology of knee injuries in professional male rugby league players. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records from a single male professional rugby league team (Newcastle Knights), competing in Australia, and evaluated knee injuries and time to return to play. RESULTS: In total, 89 knee injuries occurred, with an injury incidence of 616.7 injuries per 1000 players. The most frequently occurring knee injuries were medial collateral ligament (416.7 injuries per 1000 players) and chondral/meniscal injuries (416.7 injuries per 1000 players). For all injury types, being tackled was the most common mechanism of injury, and the median time to return to play was 1 day. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries accounted for the longest time to return to play (median 236.0 days). CONCLUSION: Medial collateral ligament and chondral/meniscal injury types were the most frequent injuries; however, anterior cruciate ligament injuries accounted for the most time missed from sport despite being less common. Professional male rugby league players incur similar knee injury types compared to rugby union based upon our study and other similar studies.

Safety and feasibility of high speed resistance training with and without balance exercises for knee osteoarthritis: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: People with knee osteoarthritis (OA) have increased risk of falling with impaired ability to rapidly respond and generate lower limb muscle power to arrest a fall. We examined the feasibility and safety of a high speed resistance training program with and without balance exercises. DESIGN: A randomised controlled pilot trial comparing pre and post 8 weeks intervention within 3 groups: control, high speed resistance training (HSRT), high speed resistance training plus balance exercises (HSRTB). SETTING: Exercise rehabilitation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight participants (67.8 ±â€¯6.5 yr) with knee OA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility and safety - adherence, drop-out rate, adverse events, pain during and post-exercise. Secondary measures - strength, mobility, functional tests, pain, executive function, satisfaction. RESULTS: High adherence (99.3% HRST, 96.8% HRSTB), high satisfaction (92% HRST, 91% HRSTB), no drop-outs or serious adverse events, and reduced overall pain were reported. Almost 1 in 5 sessions resulted in substantial pain incidents, although these typically settled quickly. Significant improvements occurred in function, strength and mobility following the 8 weeks for intervention groups. CONCLUSION: Both exercise groups were feasible and safe and improved physical function and strength. Further study is required to examine the optimal combination of high speed resistance and balance exercises and its effect on falls in people with knee OA.

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis in a hepatitis C-infected individual.

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is a rare manifestation of this fungal infection, typically identified in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS. Here, we report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis with gastrointestinal involvement in a Hepatitis C-infected patient. The fungal agent was confirmed to be Histoplasma capsulatum by a DNA probe assay performed on a bone marrow sample. We propose that this fungal disease should be kept on the differential of patients infected with the Hepatitis C virus, as it has been reported to have numerous damaging effects on the adaptive immune system.

A Unique Case of Eosinophilic Pancreatitis and Anencephaly in the Fetus of a Type I Diabetic Mother.

Pancreatic infiltration with eosinophils is an uncommon finding with numerous etiologies. While two rare cases of eosinophilic pancreatitis in infants born to Type I diabetic mothers have been reported once in the English literature and once in the French literature, we present the additional finding of anencephaly in a 34 week old fetus. Although the pancreas was grossly unremarkable, histological inspection demonstrated an eosinophilic infiltrate in the fibrous septae and islets of Langerhans along with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets.