Assessment of the risk factors determining the prognosis of major and minor limb amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global health problem, and its incidence is growing. Depending on this increase, the number of diabetes-related complications will also rise. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with major and minor amputations resulting from diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with diabetic foot complications (n = 371) and hospitalized between January 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively evaluated using information obtained from the database of Diabetic Foot Wound Clinic. Examination of the data identified 165 patients for inclusion in the study, who were stratified into major amputation (group 1, n = 32), minor amputation (group 2, n = 66) and non-amputation (group 3, n = 67) groups. RESULTS: Of the 32 patients who underwent major amputations, 84% had a below-knee amputation, 13% had an above-knee amputation and 3% had knee disarticulation. At the same time, 73% of 66 patients who underwent minor amputation had a single-finger amputation, 17% had a multiple-finger amputation, 8% had a transmetatarsal amputation, and 2% had Lisfranc amputation. Laboratory results showed high acute phase protein and low albumin (ALB) levels in patients from group 1 (p < 0.05). Although Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common infectious agent, Gram-negative pathogens were dominant (p < 0.05). Also, there was a significant cost difference between the groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, those aged over 65 had a high Wagner score, high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), long diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) duration, and high white blood cell (WBC) count, all of which were risk factors for major amputation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an increased Wagner staging and incidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in major amputation patients. In addition, the rate of distal vessel involvement was high in major amputation patients, with elevated acute phase proteins and low ALB levels crucial in laboratory findings.

Quality control-driven deep ensemble for accountable automated segmentation of cardiac magnetic resonance LGE and VNE images.

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the gold standard for non-invasive myocardial tissue characterisation. However, accurate segmentation of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium remains a challenge due to limited training data and lack of quality control. This study addresses these issues by leveraging generative adversarial networks (GAN)-generated virtual native enhancement (VNE) images to expand the training set and incorporating an automated quality control-driven (QCD) framework to improve segmentation reliability. Methods: A dataset comprising 4,716 LGE images (from 1,363 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and myocardial infarction) was used for development. To generate additional clinically validated data, LGE data were augmented with a GAN-based generator to produce VNE images. LV was contoured on these images manually by clinical observers. To create diverse candidate segmentations, the QCD framework involved multiple U-Nets, which were combined using statistical rank filters. The framework predicted the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) for each candidate segmentation, with the highest predicted DSC indicating the most accurate and reliable result. The performance of the QCD ensemble framework was evaluated on both LGE and VNE test datasets (309 LGE/VNE images from 103 patients), assessing segmentation accuracy (DSC) and quality prediction (mean absolute error (MAE) and binary classification accuracy). Results: The QCD framework effectively and rapidly segmented the LV myocardium (<1 s per image) on both LGE and VNE images, demonstrating robust performance on both test datasets with similar mean DSC (LGE: 0.845±0.075; VNE: 0.845±0.071; p=ns). Incorporating GAN-generated VNE data into the training process consistently led to enhanced performance for both individual models and the overall framework. The quality control mechanism yielded a high performance (MAE=0.043, accuracy=0.951) emphasising the accuracy of the quality control-driven strategy in predicting segmentation quality in clinical settings. Overall, no statistical difference (p=ns) was found when comparing the LGE and VNE test sets across all experiments. Conclusions: The QCD ensemble framework, leveraging GAN-generated VNE data and an automated quality control mechanism, significantly improved the accuracy and reliability of LGE segmentation, paving the way for enhanced and accountable diagnostic imaging in routine clinical use.

A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between the Winograd and Modified Winograd Methods for Ingrown Toenails: A Retrospective Study of the Importance of Suturing Techniques.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effects of the Winograd and modified Winograd methods for nail bed suturing on clinical outcomes in patients with nail ingrown. METHODS: In total, 45 patients who underwent surgery for ingrown toenails between December 2019 and December 2020 were randomised retrospectively. In this study, different methods applied by the authors were studied, and the methods applied by each author were divided into two separate groups. All patients had partial germinal matrix and nail bed excisions. Thirty (53.6%) of the nails were dressed in gauze, leaving the excised area of ​​the nail unsutured (group 1). Then, the remaining 26 nails (group 2) were sutured with the mattress suturing technique to ensure that the skin was under the nail. Clinical outcomes, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and verbal satisfaction status were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: In our study, 56 nails of 45 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were followed up for an average of 13 (10-19) months. The mean age was 27.13 (15--48) years. In total, 31 (68.9%) of the patients were men, and 14 (31.1%) were women. The incidence of postoperative bleeding and granulation tissue development decreased in the sutured group. In group 1, the development of hypertrophic granulation tissue after surgery had a significantly negative impact on VAS score and recovery time. In the sutured group, patients returned to work or performed activities of daily living for a shorter period. Approximately 95% of patients were satisfied or extremely satisfied. CONCLUSION: Partial matrix excision using the appropriate suturing technique is associated with a fast recovery, low recurrence rate, high patient satisfaction, and earlier return to work activities of daily life among patients treated for ingrown toenails.

Associations of non-HDL-C and triglyceride/HDL-C ratio with coronary plaque burden and plaque characteristics in young adults.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncommon in young adult patients. However, these patients have different risk factor profiles and high-risk coronary plaques are more common. The aim of this study was to examine the relations between the coronary plaque burden, plaque composition, serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio in young adults. We analyzed a total of 551 patients under age 45 who had undergone coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Coronary plaque characteristics were analyzed using CCTA. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of non-calcified plaque (NCB) and calcified plaque (CB) burdens. Serum non-HDL-C levels and TG/HDL-C ratio were higher in the coronary atherosclerosis patient group. Serum non-HDL-C levels and the TG/HDL-C ratio were higher in the obstructive CAD patient group. The plaque burden was positively correlated with non-HDL-C (r = 0.30; p < 0.001), and TG/HDL-C ratio (r = 0.18; p < 0.001).  NCB was positively correlated with age, gender, smoking status, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum triglycerides, hbA1c, non-HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C ratio. Non-HDL-C (ß coefficient = 0.13; p = 0.023) and TG/HDL-C ratio (ß = 0.10;  p = 0.042) were independent predictors of NCB. Serum non-HDL-C levels and TG/HDL-C were significantly associated with the presence and burden of coronary plaques. Serum non-HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios were independently associated with NCB, suggesting their use as easy-to-compute markers for identifying high-risk groups in young adults.

The Influence of Component Rotational Malalignment on Early Clinical Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background The most important cause of patient dissatisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is pain. Component rotation is an important factor in the clinical success of TKA. This study aims to determine component rotational errors in patients with mobile- and fixed-bearing polyethylene inserts after TKA and also to evaluate the effect of possible malrotations on clinical outcomes. Methods Seventy-five knees from sixty-six patients who underwent TKA were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received a mobile-bearing polyethylene insert (group 1, n = 48) or a fixed-bearing polyethylene insert (group 2, n = 27). The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and the Oxford Knee Score were used for the clinical evaluation of the patients. The rotational state of the components was evaluated by computed tomography. Results The HSS, WOMAC, Lysholm, and Oxford clinical scores were not significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). The effect of femoral versus tibial component rotational deviation on clinical scores was not significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). Component rotational differences did not have a significant effect on the degree of knee flexion and extension between groups (p > 0.05). When the combined rotations of the components were compared with the clinical scores of function, no significant difference was detected between groups (p > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference between the operated sides of the patients and the combined component internal rotations was found (p > 0.05). Conclusion Although component rotation is an important factor in the clinical success of TKA, the current study did not find a clear association between the clinical results after TKA and the internal rotation of components. Component internal rotation alone is not an important predisposing factor for pain development after TKA. We believe that this may be attributed to the significant effects of patient expectation, which is often ignored, on clinical scores.

Ceramic femoral head in highly cross-linked polyethylene cup. 5 year results of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Although few methods are used to estimate polyethylene liner wear from radiographs of total hip replacements, there is no consensus with regard to the accuracy of these methods. Highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) is reported to have low rates of linear wear in the literature. However, there are not reports about wear rate of ceramic head in hxple cup at 5 years postoperatively, evaluated by Dorr method. We evaluated the wear rate of HXPLE, within the first five years after implantation using manual techniques of Dorr. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 143 patients (93 males and 50 females) with one design of uncemented acetabular component, a 40-mm (77 hips) or 44-mm (66 hips) ceramic femoral head and the annealed highly cross-linked crossfire polyethylene (X3) insert used in combination with Secur-Fit Advanced stems at a mean follow-up of 5 years. Selection of these femoral heads was based on several factors, including the perceived risk of dislocation, the outer diameter size of the acetabular component, and liner availability. Measurements of linear wear were performed by experienced surgeons with Dorr method and analyzed using the first-to-last method. Standard radiographs were used to detect periprosthetic osteolysis. Clinical records were used to determine all demographic data (age, height, weight, gender, months of follow-up, etc.). RESULTS: For the entire cohort, the median linear wear rate was 0.0438 mm per year at 5 years and there was no any revision due to loosening, no liner fracture, and no patient with symptomatic corrosion. The head size was selected intraoperatively based on the size of the acetabular component and presumed risk of dislocation. There was no hip with pelvic or femoral osteolysis. The median linear wear rate was 0.0461 mm (±0.0183) and 0.0409mm (±0.0118), respectively, at head diameters of 40 and 44 mm. We found no association between femoral head size and the linear wear rate. This sentence can be excluded from here CONCLUSIONS: This acetabular component and HXLPEs with large ceramic heads had low rates of linear wear. Large ceramic femoral heads did not lead to liner fracture, loosening, or symptomatic trunnion corrosion in this patient population. However, we recommend longer clinical follow-up studies and caution in the routine use of larger ceramic femoral heads in other, younger patient populations. KEY WORDS: Ceramic femoral heads, Highly cross-linked polyethylene, Large heads, Total hip arthroplasty.

Evaluation of coronary flow with computed tomography derived FFR: Advantages and pitfalls.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is an excellent noninvasive, anatomic imaging modality for direct visualization of coronary arteries and for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). CCTA has high sensitivity and high negative-predictive value for the identification of obstructive CAD; however, its specificity and positive-predictive value are low. After more than a decade of using CCTA to assess the anatomic severity of CAD, novel modalities of obtaining functional information from CCTA have been developed to increase its specificity and accuracy. These modalities use computational fluid dynamics to calculate fractional flow reserve (FFR) from CCTA datasets. Computed tomography-derived FFR (FFRCT) predicts virtual hyperemia for computation. Therefore, no additional image acquisition, medication, radiation exposure, or pharmacologic stress agent during CCTA examination are necessary for the calculation of FFRCT. Multiple, prospective single or multicenter studies have shown that FFRCT is poised to become a gate-keeper for catheterization laboratory. In this article, we aim to review the principles, diagnostic accuracy, advantages, limitations, and pitfalls of FFRCT.

Failure of Major Upper Extremity Replantation Due to COVID-19-Related Arterial Thrombosis.

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in Wuhan, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 has many different clinical manifestations. One of them is arterial hypercoagulopathy. Although its mechanism is not fully explained, acute thrombosis and thromboembolism can be seen in patients. In this study, we present a case who was amputated due to the development of arterial thrombosis on the 10th day following infection with coronavirus, despite successful replantation after traumatic above-elbow amputation. After replantation on the seventh day, it was learned that the patient's husband was positive for COVID-19 and had come to visit the patient. For this reason, we performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the patient's COVID-19 status. We found that the patient, who was asymptomatic, was positive by RT-PCR for COVID-19. On the 10th day after the operation, it was observed that the blood circulation of the replanted extremity was impaired, although it had been perfect until that day. Emergency embolectomy and vascular reanastomosis were planned for the patient. Although we generally observe thrombosis at an end-to-end anastomosis site, massive axillary arterial thrombosis was detected at the proximal end of the vascular anastomosis. Upon development of tachycardia, hypotension, and metabolic acidosis after embolectomy and vascular reanastomosis, the decision was made to amputate the replanted limb to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. To our knowledge, this is the first such COVID-19-related complication on upper extremity replantation in the literature.

Can NLR, PLR and LMR be used as prognostic indicators in patients with pulmonary embolism? Author's reply on commentary.

We appreciate the comments made by Dr Bedel and colleagues. NLR, PLR and LMR are affected by various diseases such as oncological, collagen tissue, inflammatory, or severe renal/liver diseases [1]. Because of this, we have listed some of the above-mentioned disorders in the tables. Hematological diseases, collagen tissue disease, inflammatory diseases, congenital heart disease, or severe renal/liver disease were therefore excluded from the study. However, the presence of malignancy did not affect our results in regression analysis. Platelets swell until 120 minutes in ethylene diamine tetra acetic (EDTA) and until 60 minutes in citrate [2]. Authors suggest that optimal measuring time should not exceed 120 minutes. The blood samples of the patients were taken within 1 hour after their emergency admission. All blood samples in our study were tested within 1 hour of collection [3]. We used EDTA for whole blood anticoagulation. The mean duration of symptoms prior to admission was 5.04 ± 6.9 days. The drugs such as corticosteroids affect inflammatory parameters. Therefore, we excluded inflammatory diseases without emphasizing corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory drugs.