LOXL1 promotes tumor cell malignancy and restricts CD8 + T cell infiltration in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally. Lymph node metastasis and immunosuppression are main factors of poor prognosis in CRC patients. Lysyl oxidase like 1 (LOXL1), part of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, plays a yet unclear role in CRC. This study aimed to identify effective biomarkers predictive of prognosis and efficacy of immunotherapy in CRC patients, and to elucidate the prognostic value, clinical relevance, functional and molecular features, and immunotherapy predictive role of LOXL1 in CRC and pan-cancer. METHODS: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore gene modules related to tumor metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. LOXL1 emerged as a hub gene through differential gene expression and survival analysis. The molecular signatures, functional roles, and immunological characteristics affected by LOXL1 were analyzed in multiple CRC cohorts, cell lines and clinical specimens. Additionally, LOXL1's potential as an immunotherapy response indicator was assessed, along with its role in pan-cancer. RESULTS: Turquoise module in WGCNA analysis was identified as the hub module associated with lymph node metastasis and CD8 + T cell infiltration. Aberrant elevated LOXL1 expression was observed in CRC and correlated with poorer differentiation status and prognosis. Molecular and immunological characterization found that LOXL1 might mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and immunosuppressive phenotypes of CRC. Functional study found that LOXL1 enhanced tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, high LOXL1 levels corresponded to reduced CD8 + T cell infiltration and predicted poor clinical outcomes of immunotherapy. Similar trends were also observed at the pan-cancer level. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the critical role of LOXL1 in modulating both malignancy and immunosuppression in CRC. This positions LOXL1 as a promising biomarker for predicting prognosis and the response to immunotherapy in CRC patients.

The current status of tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells in sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous and aggressive liver cancer that presents limited treatment options. Despite being the standard therapy for advanced HCC, sorafenib frequently encounters resistance, emphasizing the need to uncover the underlying mechanisms and develop effective treatments. This comprehensive review highlights the crucial interplay between the tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the context of sorafenib resistance. The tumor microenvironment, encompassing hypoxia, immune cells, stromal cells, and exosomes, exerts a significant impact on HCC progression and therapy response. Hypoxic conditions and immune cell infiltration create an immunosuppressive milieu, shielding tumor cells from immune surveillance and hindering therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, the presence of CSCs emerges as a prominent contributor to sorafenib resistance, with CD133+ CSCs implicated in drug resistance and tumor initiation. Moreover, CSCs undergo EMT, a process intimately linked to tumor progression, CSC activation, and further promotion of sorafenib resistance, metastasis, and tumor-initiating capacity. Elucidating the correlation between the tumor microenvironment, CSCs, and sorafenib resistance holds paramount importance in the quest to develop reliable biomarkers capable of predicting therapeutic response. Novel therapeutic strategies must consider the influence of the tumor microenvironment and CSC activation to effectively overcome sorafenib resistance in HCC.

Gravity-driven membrane coupled with oxidation technology to modify the surface properties and biofilm formation: Biofouling mitigation.

Biofilms caused by biological fouling play an essential role in gravity-driven membranes' (GDMs) flux decline and rejection rate. The effects of ozone, permanganate, and ferrate (VI) in-situ pretreatment on membrane properties and biofilm formation were systematically studied. Due to the selective retention and adsorption of algal organic matter by biofilms and oxidative degradation, the rejection efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in algae-laden water pretreated with permanganate by GDM was up to 23.63%. Pre-oxidation extraordinarily postponed flux decline and biofilm formation of GDM and reduced membrane fouling. The total membrane resistance decreased by 87.22%-90.30% within 72 h after pre-ozonation. Permanganate was more effective than ozone and ferrate (VI) in alleviating secondary membrane fouling caused by algal cells destroyed by pre-oxidation. Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory revealed that the distribution of electrostatic force (EL), acid-base (AB), and Lifshitz-van der Waals forces (LW) interactions between M. aeruginosa and the released intracellular algogenic organic matter (IOM) and ceramic membrane surface was similar. The membrane and foulants are always attracted to each other by LW interaction at different separation distances. The dominant fouling mechanism of GDM combined with pre-oxidation technology shifts from complete pore blocking to cake layer filtration during operation. After pre-oxidation of algae-laden water by ozone, permanganate, and ferrate (VI), GDM can treat at least 131.8%, 37.0%, and 61.5% more feed solution before forming a complete cake layer. This study provides new insights into the biological fouling control strategies and mechanisms for GDM coupled with oxidation technology, which is expected to alleviate membrane fouling and optimize the feed liquid pretreatment procedure.

Drip irrigation in agricultural saline-alkali land controls soil salinity and improves crop yield: Evidence from a global meta-analysis.

Saline-alkali land, a precious candidate arable land resources, plays a critical role in achieving agricultural sustainability. Drip irrigation (DI) is an effective method for rationalizing of saline-alkali land. Nevertheless, the inapposite application of DI increases the risk of secondary salinization, significantly leading to severe soil degradation and yield decline. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the impacts of DI on soil salinity and crop yield to determine the appropriate DI management strategies for an irrigated agricultural system in saline-alkali land. The results showed that DI generally decreased soil salinity in the root zone by 37.7 % and increased crop yield by 37.4 % relative to flooding irrigation (FI). Drip emitters with a flow rate of 2-4 L h-1 were recommended to obtain positive effects on soil salinity control and agricultural production when an irrigation quota was below 50 % crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and the salinity of irrigation water was between 0.7 and 2 dS m-1. Further, we also found that drip-irrigated cotton had a higher yield on fine-textured saline soils. Our study provides scientific recommendations for applying DI technology worldwide in the saline-alkali land.

Effects of Fu Fang Yi Mu Cao capsules combined with Yiqi Xiaoyu decoction on lochia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Fu Fang Yi Mu Cao (FFYMC) capsules combined with Yiqi Xiaoyu (YX) decoction on persistent lochia after birth. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, 120 patients with lochia treated in our hospital from January 2014 to October 2020 were enrolled as study subjects. Sixty of each were randomly allocated into the study group (60 cases, treated with FFYMC capsules and YX decoction) and the control group (60 cases, treated with YX decoction). The two groups were compared in terms of efficacy, volume of lochia and changes in Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Score (TCMSS) before and after intervention, and the incidence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: (1) The total effective rate in the study group was 100.00%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); (2) The difference in volume of lochia between two groups before the intervention was not statistically significant (P>0.05), and was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group at day 4 and day 7 of the intervention (P<0.05); (3) The difference in TCMSS between two groups before the treatment was not statistically significant (P>0.05). TCMSS was lower in the study group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05); (4) The decreased height of uterine fundus in the study group was higher than that in the control group at 5 d after treatment (P<0.05); (5) The plasma viscosity in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05); (6) The total incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 8.33%, which was not significantly different from the control group which was 11.67% (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: FFYMC capsule and YX decoction could improve the treatment effect for primiparas with lochia in terms of reducing volume of lochia and improving clinical symptoms with high safety.

The value of LncRNA SNHG5 as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the value of serum lncRNA SNHG5 as a marker for the diagnosis and prognosis in gastric cancer. METHODS: From January 2017 to January 2018, serum samples were collected from 50 cases of gastric cancer patients and 50 cases of benign gastrosia who underwent operations in our hospital, and 50 cases of healthy person. We detected the expression level of serum lncRNA SNHG5 in all research targets and the expression levels of LncRNA SNHG5 in the cancer adjacent tissues and cancer tissues of gastric cancer patients to analyze the relationship between serum LncRNA SNHG5 level and clinicopathological parameters. ROC curve was used to analyze its prognostic value of patients with gastric cancer, while Cox regression model was used to analyze the survival predictors of short-term adverse events. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA SNHG5 in the serum of gastric cancer was down-regulated, lower than that in the benign gastrosia group and healthy group (P < 0.05). The relative expression of lncRNA SNHG5 in cancer tissues was down-regulated compared with that in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). lncRNA SNHG5 was correlated with drinking history and TNM stage (P < 0.05). The difference of serum lncRNA SNHG5 15 days and 1 month after operation was significant (P3 = 0.0001, P4 = 0.0135). The relative expression of serum lncRNA SNHG5 in the death group was noticeably lower than that in the survival group (P < 0.05). lncRNA SNHG5 is a survival predictor of short-term adverse events in patients with gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: The expression of lncRNA SNHG5 in gastric cancer patients before operation and those with poor prognosis decreased. Therefore, it is of high diagnostic value in prognosis prediction and is expected to become a new molecular marker for early diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Hemin-doped metal-organic frameworks based nanozyme electrochemical sensor with high stability and sensitivity for dopamine detection.

This study reports a new type of artificial nanozyme based on Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 (HKUST-1, also referred to as MOF-199; a face-centered-cubic MOF containing nanochannels) as a redox mediator for the detection of dopamine (DA). Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 was successfully synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method, which was combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to construct a sensor (Hemin-doped HKUST-1/rGO/GCE). The morphology and structure of Hemin-doped-HKUST-1 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and infrared spectra (IR) techniques. The Hemin-doped HKUST-1/rGO nanozyme showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for DA oxidation, which is due to the enhanced Hemin activity through the formation of a metal-organic framework (MOFs) and the synergy between the Hemin-doped HKUST-1 and rGO in nanozyme. The resulted sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 1.224 µA µM-1, with a lower detection limit of 3.27 × 10-8 M (S/N = 3) and a wide linear range of 0.03-10 µM for DA detection. In addition, due to the stabilizing effect of MOFs on heme, the sensor showed satisfactory stability and has been successfully applied to the detection of DA in serum samples, indicating that this work has potential value in clinical work.

Differences and prediction of imaging characteristics of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia: A multicenter study.

To study the differences in imaging characteristics and prediction of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia through chest CT.Chest CT data of 128 cases of COVID-19 and 47 cases of non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia confirmed by several hospitals were retrospectively collected, the imaging performance was evaluated and recorded, different imaging features were statistically analyzed, and a prediction model and independent predicted imaging features were obtained by multivariable analysis.COVID-19 was more likely than non-COVID-19 pneumonia to have a high-grade ground glass opacities (P = .01), extensive lesion distribution (P < .001), mixed lesions of varying sizes (27.7% vs 57.0%, P = .001), subpleural prominence (23.4% vs 86.7%, P < .001), and lower lobe prominence (48.9% vs 82.0%, P < .001). However, peribronchial interstitial thickening was more likely to occur in non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia (36.2% vs 19.5%, P = .022). The statistically significant differences from multivariable analysis were the degree of ground glass opacities (P = .001), lesion distribution (P = .045), lesion size (P = .020), subpleural prominence (P < .001), and lower lobe prominence (P = .041). The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 94.5% and 76.6%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.91.The imaging characteristics of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia are different, and the prediction model can further improve the specificity of chest CT diagnosis.

Neuroimaging diagnosis of intraventricular Central neurocytoma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the CT and MRI imaging manifestations of central and intraventricular central neurocytoma in the ventricle. METHODS: In this paper, 39 patients with central nervous cell tumour treated in our hospital from August 2015 to June 2018 were selected. All patients were performed plain CT scans using GE Highspeed CT; GE signa Twin speed 1.5 T superconducting magnet Resonance scanners were used to perform MRI plain scans on all patients. Observe the specific location, size, and morphology of tumours in the supra- and sub-ventricular ventricles of 39 central nervous cell tumour patients, and compare the performance of CT examination with the performance of MRI examination. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients with central neurocytoma, 13 were in the right lateral ventricle, 9 were in the left lateral ventricle, 11 patients had tumours in both lateral ventricles, and 6 patients had bilateral ventricles and bilateral ventricles. There were tumours in the third ventricle; 39 patients had an average tumour size of 52 mm; 36 patients had irregular lobes, and 3 patients had blurred tumour boundaries; some tumours had different degrees of calcification. CONCLUSIONS: The location and characteristics of the imaging manifestations of central nervous cell tumours are typical. Both CT scans and MRI scans can effectively detect central neuroblastomas, and MRI imaging examinations can effectively improve the diagnosis accuracy of tumour is better than that of CT.

Withdrawal Notice: STK33-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation of SFTA3 Induces Cisplatin-Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma

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Correlation of Interleukin-18 and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Perioperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Ankle Fracture.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we aimed to inspect the correlation of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), if any present, with the occurrence of perioperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients suffering from an ankle fracture (AF). METHODS: Sixty-seven AF patients with complicated DVT (DVT group) and 448 AF patients without DVT (non-DVT group) were enrolled in the present study. To begin with, hemorheological indexes were detected. Turbidimetric immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for the determination of the expressions of hs-CRP and IL-18, respectively. Coagulation method was used to detect prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for DVT occurrence in AF patients after operation. RESULTS: The results revealed that the DVT group presented an increased expression of hs-CRP and IL-18 1 day before operation and 1, 3, and 7 days after operation in comparison with the non-DVT group. The DVT group also had increased levels of PT, APTT, and prolonged TT and fibrinogen at 3 and 7 days after operation compared to the non-DVT group. After operation, it was observed that the patients in the DVT group had increased plasma viscosity, whole blood reduced viscosity, red blood cell (RBC) aggregation index, RBC deformation index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and declined erythrocrit. The independent risk factors for the occurrence of DVT were identified to be high-energy injury, TT, fibrinogen, hs-CRP, and IL-18 in AF patients after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained from the study, it was concluded that AF patients with DVT have higher levels of IL-18 and hs-CRP expressions, which is associated with the occurrence and development of DVT. These results may be particularly useful for diagnosis and treatment on DVT occurrence in AF patients.

[3.0 T MRI observe the ears and sinus damage degree of patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: Through 3.0 T MRI study the ear and sinus lesions of patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. METHOD: From 2012 to 2015 collected the MRI images of the 45 patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning, observe their changes of middle ear and mastoid and sinus imaging. RESULT: The middle ear injury of mastoid 41 cases (91.1%), 22 cases (48.9%) of maxillary sinus injury, ethmoid sinus injury in 20 cases (44.4%), sphenoid sinus 9 cases (20.0%), 5 cases (11.1%) of frontal sinus injury. Carbon monoxide poisoning patients according to clinical symptoms can be divided into light, medium and heavy 3 groups, observing the ear sinus damage degree for comparison between groups, found to have significant differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The patients with acute carbon monoxide poisoning ear and sinus injury should cause the attention of the medical staff, MRI can reflect people's ears from the details and the damage degree of the sinuses.

Superior alignment but no difference in clinical outcome after minimally invasive computer-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (MICA-UKA).

PURPOSE: Variety of clinical trials have been published comparing the alignment of MICA-UKA with MI-UKA. However, to the best of our knowledge, no published study has showed whether radiological alignment by MICA-UKA has influence on the clinical results. The present study was conducted to compare the short-term results of MICA-UKA with MI-UKA. It was hypothesized that better alignment as well as clinical results was achieved by MICA-UKA as compared to MI-UKA. METHODS: The clinical and radiological results of 87 subjects who underwent primary UKA using either minimally invasive and computer-assisted technique (45 patients Group A) or minimally invasive technique (42 patients, Group B) were reported. Knee Society scores (KSSs), Knee Society functional scores (KSFSs), range of motion (ROM), and radiographic results were assessed and reported preoperatively and at 24-month follow-up. Total blood loss, operative time, and length of skin incision were compared. RESULTS: The accuracy of the implantations in relation to the coronal mechanical axis in Group A was significantly superior to that of Group B (P = 0.033). The femoral rotational profile revealed the prosthesis in Group A that was implanted with significantly less internal rotation than Group B (P = 0.025). Clinical results, with regard to ROMs and KSSs, as well as KSFSs were equally good in both the groups. The average blood loss in patients of Group A was significantly reduced as compared to patients of Group B. No significant difference was detected in terms of operative time or length of skin incision. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that MICA-UKA improves the implant alignment without increasing clinical results versus MI-UKA. We advocate that computer navigation should be considered when minimally invasive unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is performed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level II.

Efficacy of celecoxib for acute pain management following total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients: A prospective, randomized, placebo-control trial.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether celecoxib is able to ameliorate pain intensity, provide a narcotic-sparing effect, achieve early ambulation and improve rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients. Peri- and post-operative oral celecoxib was administered to verify the efficacy of celecoxib for acute pain management in a multimodal analgesic strategy. All 64 eligible patients were randomly allocated to either the celecoxib group, who took an oral 400 mg capsule of celecoxib peri-operatively and 200 mg per 12 h post-operatively for the first 5 days, or the control group, who were orally treated with a placebo capsule having the same appearance. A multimodal analgesic technique was used in which oral celecoxib or placebo capsule was combined with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine pump for peri- and post-operative pain management. Pain assessments were recorded at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, and 7 and 14 days after THA using the visual analog scale (VAS). PCA morphine consumption; 6, 12, 24 and 48-h post-operative Harris hip score (HHS); time interval until initial ambulation; rates of urinary retention and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) within 72 h; and intra- and post-operative blood loss were also documented. The celecoxib and control groups comprised 34 and 30 patients, respectively. Baseline demographics were comparable between the two groups. The post-operative VAS in the celecoxib group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after THA. The post-operative HHS had no significant difference between the two groups, while the time interval until initial ambulation in the celecoxib group (4.5±1.2 days) was significantly less than that in the control group (5.83±2.04 days; P<0.05). Morphine consumption was significantly decreased in the celecoxib group when compared with the control group at 6, 12, 24 and 24 h. Although the 72-h post-operative rates of urinary retention and PONV were lower in the celecoxib group than in the control group, there were no significant differences in these rates between the two groups. The intra- or post-operative blood loss was not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, pre-and post-operative oral celecoxib in a multimodal analgesic strategy can achieve favorable pain relief, reduce opioid consumption, and provide earlier ambulation and improved rehabilitation when compared with PCA morphine alone following THA in elderly patients.

Biased Brownian motion as a mechanism to facilitate nanometer-scale exploration of the microtubule plus end by a kinesin-8.

Kinesin-8s are plus-end-directed motors that negatively regulate microtubule (MT) length. Well-characterized members of this subfamily (Kip3, Kif18A) exhibit two important properties: (i) They are "ultraprocessive," a feature enabled by a second MT-binding site that tethers the motors to a MT track, and (ii) they dissociate infrequently from the plus end. Together, these characteristics combined with their plus-end motility cause Kip3 and Kif18A to enrich preferentially at the plus ends of long MTs, promoting MT catastrophes or pausing. Kif18B, an understudied human kinesin-8, also limits MT growth during mitosis. In contrast to Kif18A and Kip3, localization of Kif18B to plus ends relies on binding to the plus-end tracking protein EB1, making the relationship between its potential plus-end-directed motility and plus-end accumulation unclear. Using single-molecule assays, we show that Kif18B is only modestly processive and that the motor switches frequently between directed and diffusive modes of motility. Diffusion is promoted by the tail domain, which also contains a second MT-binding site that decreases the off rate of the motor from the MT lattice. In cells, Kif18B concentrates at the extreme tip of a subset of MTs, superseding EB1. Our data demonstrate that kinesin-8 motors use diverse design principles to target MT plus ends, which likely target them to the plus ends of distinct MT subpopulations in the mitotic spindle.

Comparison of Bryan versus ProDisc-C total disk replacement as treatment for single-level cervical symptomatic degenerative disk disease.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective trial was to compare the role of the Bryan with ProDisc-C total disk replacement (TDR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected before surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Disability and pain were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Visual Analog Scale of the neck and of the arm pain. SF-36 outcome measures were obtained including the physical component score as well as the mental component score. Functional spinal unit (FSU) was examined on lateral radiographs at 24-month follow-up. Occurrences of heterotopic ossification (HO) were detected from 24-month follow-up X-rays. RESULTS: The mean NDI, mean VAS, and mean SF-36 scores were not statistically different between groups before surgery and at 24-month follow-up. At 24 months: Bryan 49 and ProDisc-C 53 (P > 0.05). The FSU angle increased slightly for the Bryan group (from 0.7 to 0.8°, P > 0.05), while for the ProDisc-C group, it increased significantly (from 0.5 to 2.3°, P < 0.05). There were 2 additional operations in this series: 1 in the Bryan group and 1 in the ProDisc-C group. There were no intraoperative complications, no vascular or neurologic complications, no spontaneous fusions, and no device failures or explantation. No significant difference was noted in terms of HO formation. CONCLUSION: Both the Bryan and the ProDisc-C TDR resulted in satisfactory clinical outcome. Moreover, Bryan TDR can maintain the lordosis of FSU, whereas ProDisc-C TDR can restore the lordosis of FSU, whether or not this radiographic evidence leads to more favorable clinical outcome for ProDisc-C TDR requires further investigation.

Arthroscopic single-bundle versus triple-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the clinical results of arthroscopic single-bundle (SB) and triple-bundle (TB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: The study included 105 patients who underwent arthroscopic SB ACL and TB ACL reconstruction. Anterior stress radiographs and the maximal manual muscle test using a KT-2000 arthrometer were used to assess anteroposterior stability and rotational stability was investigated using the lateral pivot shift test at the 24th month follow-up. Clinical results were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Orthopädische Arbeitsgruppe Knie (OAK) scores preoperatively and at the 24th month follow-up. Postoperative thigh circumference, strength and range of motion (ROM) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Rotational stability was significantly superior in the TB group than in the SB group. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to residual anteroposterior laxity determined at the 24th month follow-up. No significant difference in terms of IKDC score, OAK score, thigh circumference, strength and ROM was detected between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both arthroscopic SB and TB ACL reconstruction resulted in satisfactory subjective outcome and objective stability. Rotational stability was significantly superior in the TB group.

Midterm outcomes of total cervical total disc replacement with Bryan prosthesis.

Short-term results have indicated that the Bryan cervical total disc replacement (TDR) favorably compares to anterior cervical decompression and fusion, while it is associated with fewer complications and higher levels of satisfaction. The aim of the present work was to assess the safety and efficacy of the device in the treatment for cervical degenerative disc disease, at 6-year follow-up. Fifty-eighty patients have performed their 6-year follow-up visit and have been analyzed clinically and radiologically. Clinical evaluation was based on neck disability index (NDI), visual analog scale (VAS), SF-36, and range of motion (ROM) at index levels. Each measurement was taken preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 6 years postoperatively. Complications and re-operations were also investigated. Occurrences of heterotopic ossifications (HO) and of adjacent level degeneration were detected by radiographs at 6-year follow-up. The mean NDI and VAS scores for arm and neck were significantly reduced for all postoperative periods compared with the average preoperative values. Motion was preserved at index levels (mean ROM = 8.6° ± 0.2° at 6 years), and 81.3 % of the segments were mobile at 6 years. HO was evident in 12/64 operated segments and not restricting the movement of the prosthesis in any case at 6-year follow-up. Six of sixty-four upper adjacent levels and 4/64 lower adjacent levels showed a slight degradation. There was 2 case of posterior migration of the prosthesis, which did not cause any clinical symptoms. No case showed evidence of subsidence, wear of the implant. At a 6-year follow-up, the cervical TDR using Bryan prosthesis displayed satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes without any significant complication. However, future efforts need to be directed toward the evaluation of a larger number of patients with longer follow-up.

Minimal invasive and computer-assisted total knee replacement compared with the minimal invasive technique: a prospective, randomized trial with short-term outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Up to now, no prospective, randomized comparisons between minimal invasive and computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (MICA-TKA), and minimal invasive technique (MI-TKA) has been documented to evaluate not only clinical, but also radiologic results of the MICA-TKA. This prospective, randomized study was performed to compare the short-term results of MICA-TKA with minimal invasive technique MI-TKA for 6-month follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reported the clinical and radiological results of 80 subjects who had cruciate-substituting, TKA-implanted primary total knee arthroplasties using either minimal invasive and computer-assisted technique (40 patients Group I) or minimal invasive technique (40 patients, Group II). Tourniquet time, length of skin incision, and total blood loss were compared. Knee society scores (KSSs), knee society functional scores (KSFSs), range of motion (ROM), and radiographic results were assessed and reported preoperatively and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The accuracy of the implantations in relation to the coronal mechanical axis in Group I was superior to that of Group II (P < 0.05). The femoral rotational profile revealed the prosthesis in Group I that was implanted with significantly less internal rotation than in Group II. The average blood loss in patients of Group I was significantly reduced as compared to patients of Group II. No significant difference was detected in terms of tourniquet time or length of skin incision. Clinical results, with regard to ROMs and KSSs, as well as KSFSs were equally good in both the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Better alignment and similarity of good clinical results at short-term follow-up may provide subjects who receive MICA-TKA with long-term endurance of their implants. Further studies on longer-term outcomes and functional improvements are required to validate these possibilities.

Efficacy of celecoxib for pain management after arthroscopic surgery of hip: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study.

The present work was conducted to examine whether celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, 200 mg administered 1 h preoperatively to patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery reduces postoperative pain. Fifty-three patients undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either 200 mg of celecoxib (Group I) or 200 mg of placebo (Group II) 1 h preoperatively. Narcotic use was monitored for 24 h, and time in recovery room was determined. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Short-Form 12 (SF-12), including a physical composite score (PCS) and a mental composite score (MCS), documented pain in recovery, 12 h postoperatively, and 24 h postoperatively. Moreover, time in recovery room was also investigated. We enrolled 27 patients in Group I and 26 patients in Group II. Groups were comparable for patient characteristics. No significant difference was detected in terms of VAS scores and SF-12 in recovery room. Statistically, patients in Group I showed significantly lower pain VAS scores at 12 and 24 h postoperatively. Patients taking celecoxib had significantly higher PCS at 12 and 24 h postoperatively. No difference occurred between groups for the MCS. Patients taking celecoxib also showed a significant reduction in postoperative narcotic consumption. The obtained results from the current study indicate that patients who took celecoxib 200 mg 1 h before arthroscopic hip surgery had a less painful and more rapid recovery. Celecoxib 200 mg as a single preoperative dose could be considered as part of a perioperative analgesic plan in arthroscopic hip surgery.