Repeat measurements of uterine artery pulsatility index, mean arterial pressure and serum placental growth factor at 12, 22 and 32 weeks in prediction of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential value of repeat measurements of uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and serum placental growth factor (PlGF) at 12, 22 and 32 weeks' gestation in the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE) developing after 32 weeks. METHODS: Data were derived from prospective screening for adverse obstetric outcomes in women attending their routine hospital visit at 11-13, 19-24 and/or 30-34 weeks' gestation in two maternity hospitals in England. UtA-PI, MAP and PlGF were measured. Bayes' theorem was used to combine the a-priori risk from maternal factors with UtA-PI, MAP and PlGF multiples of the median values. The performance of screening for PE developing after the 30-34-week visit by UtA-PI, MAP and PlGF measured at 11-13, 19-24 and 30-34 weeks and their combinations was examined. RESULTS: Screening at 30-34 weeks by UtA-PI, MAP and PlGF detected, at a 10% false-positive rate, 79%, 86% and 92% of preterm PE and 42%, 50% and 56% of term PE. The addition of biomarker values at 11-13 and/or 19-24 weeks was not associated with any improvement in the detection rate of preterm PE; in the case of term PE, there was a marginal (< 2%) improvement in detection for UtA-PI and MAP and a modest improvement of about 5% for PlGF. CONCLUSION: Measurements of UtA-PI, MAP and PlGF in the first and/or second trimester have a small or no effect on improving the prediction of PE provided by screening in the early third trimester. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The vertebral biomechanic previous and after kyphoplasty.

The biomechanical understanding of increasing anterior column load with progressing kyphosis leading to subsequent vertebral compression fracture (VCF) established the basic rationale for kyphoplasty. The lumbar spine can support an effort of 500 kg in the axis of the vertebral body, and a bending moment of 20 Nm in flexion. Consequently, if this effort is forward deviated of only 10 cm, the acceptable effort will be reduced to 20 kg so it is important to restore the vertebral anterior wall after a VCF: the authors describe the biomechanical modifications in the spine after kyphoplasty.

Prognostic dilemmas for SIDS in idiopathic fetal right atrium dilatation: Case report and review literature.

The authors describe a case of fetal isolated right atrial enlargement or IDRA (idiopathic dilatations of the right atrium) evident in third trimester, complicated by arrhythmia in the female infant during the 1° month of life with ECG diagnosis of Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). The eldest sister died at 6 years because of an arrhythmia with the same diagnosis of WPW. The review of the literature on IDRA frequently shows a familial genetic aggregation. The pathogenetic mechanism underlying the dilation of the right atrium could consist of a myopathy or electrical conduction disorder. The exclusive involvement of the right atrium may be due to the increased pressure in the fetal right atrium. On the basis of our case and after review of the literature, we must be careful in defining as physiological the enlargement of the right fetal atrium in the third trimester of pregnancy. The ultrasound sign of IDRA may be a fetal prodrome of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Syndesmosis injury associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures: Case series of a misdiagnosis rupture. / Rotura de la sindesmosis asociada a fracturas diafisarias de tibia de alta energía: serie de casos de una lesión habitualmente inadvertida.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle syndesmosis injuries can be associated with a spiral mechanism on tibial shaft fractures. We are not aware if there is evidence of the incidence of ipsilateral syndesmotic lesson associated to high-energy tibial shaft fracture mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures. METHODS: 233 diaphyseal tibial fractures operated between January 2007 and January 2017, the fracture patterns were analyzed, they were classified according to AO, the talocrural angle was measured, they analyzed failures and reoperations and described a novel failure method. RESULTS: From a total of 234 fractures that met the inclusion criteria, 159 (64.96%) suffered closed fractures and 75 (32.05%) where open fractures. According to the AO classification system: 152 (64.10%) were simple patterns 42.A; 49 (20.94%) wedge type patterns 42.B and 33 (14.10%) complex patterns 42.C. Ten patients, a 4.27% of the sample, shown an increased talocrural angle in the postoperative radiographs, evidencing shortening of the fibula. Nine patients underwent surgery, the remaining patient was lost to follow-up. All the treated patients presented restoration of the normal talocrural angle. CONCLUSION: The incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures reaches 4.27%. We think that is necessary to evaluate the ankle and syndesmosis in all tibial shaft fractures, even with high-energy patterns, not only in spiral patterns.

Percutaneous hallux valgus surgery: comparison between mini-invasive Chevron and Bosch osteotomies. / Cirugía percutánea para hallux valgus: comparación entre osteotomía en chevron y de Bosch.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Through percutaneous approaches, hallux valgus corrections can be performed with minimal soft tissue injury, less postoperative pain and good cosmetic results. Bosch osteotomy and MICA (Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin) have shown to be effective techniques for the correction of hallux valgus, although there are currently no publications comparing each other. The aim of this study is to compare the radiological and functional results of both techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, comparative study was carried out on patients with moderate hallux valgus. They were divided into two groups according to the percutaneous technique performed: Chevron osteotomy and Bosch osteotomy with screw fixation. The metatarsophalangeal, intermetatarsal, and distal articular veneer declination angles of the first metatarsal and the bone consolidation time were evaluated radiologically. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score was used for functional assessment. Complications were registered during the first year. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients in each group were included for the study. In each of the groups, the radiological angles were compared preoperatively and at final follow-up, showing statistically significant changes in the three variables considered; but no differences were obtained by comparing them with each other. The time of consolidation was also similar in both groups. As for the AOFAS scale, an improvement was obtained with both techniques, but the difference was not significant when comparing them. CONCLUSIONS: Both Bosch and MICA techniques showed comparable results at the end of the follow-up. Further work is needed to determine the advantages of each in the immediate postoperative time.

Rotura de la sindesmosis asociada a fracturas diafisarias de tibia de alta energía: serie de casos de una lesión habitualmente inadvertida / Syndesmosis injury associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures: Case series of a misdiagnosis rupture

Introducción: Las fracturas diafisarias espiroideas de tibia pueden asociarse a lesiones sindesmales del tobillo. No tenemos conocimiento de que exista evidencia sobre la incidencia de lesiones sindesmales ipsilaterales asociadas a los mecanismos de fractura de tibia de alta energía con patrones oblicuos y transversos. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar retrospectivamente una serie de pacientes que presentaron rotura de la sindesmosis asociada a fracturas diafisarias de tibia con patrones oblicuos y transversos y evaluar la incidencia en nuestro medio. Métodos: Del total de 233 fracturas diafisarias de tibia operadas entre enero de 2007 y enero de 2017, se analizaron los patrones de fractura, se clasificaron según AO, se midió el ángulo talocrural, se analizaron los fracasos y reoperaciones y se describe un método poco conocido de fracaso. Resultados: De 234 fracturas que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 159 (64,96%) sufrieron fracturas cerradas y 75 (32,05%) expuestas. Según el sistema AO: 152 (64,10%) fueron patrones simples 42.A; 49 (20,94%) patrones tipo cuña 42.B, y 33 (14,10%) en patrones complejos 42.C. Diez pacientes presentaron acortamiento del peroné, evidenciado por el aumento del ángulo talocrural en las radiografías postoperatorias, suponiendo un 4,27% de la muestra. Nueve pacientes requirieron cirugía; el paciente restante se perdió en el seguimiento. Todos los pacientes presentaron restauración del ángulo talocrural normal. Conclusión: La incidencia de lesiones sindesmales inadvertidas asociadas a fracturas diafisarias de tibia oblicuas y transversas llega al 4,27% en nuestra serie. Consideramos necesaria la evaluación del tobillo y la sindesmosis en todas las fracturas diafisarias de tibia, aun con patrones de alta energía y no solo en patrones espiroideos, a fin de lograr mejores resultados y evitar secuelas e intervenciones futuras.(AU)

Introduction: Ankle syndesmosis injuries can be associated with a spiral mechanism on tibial shaft fractures. We are not aware if there is evidence of the incidence of ipsilateral syndesmotic lesson associated to high-energy tibial shaft fracture mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures. Methods: 233 diaphyseal tibial fractures operated between January 2007 and January 2017, the fracture patterns were analyzed, they were classified according to AO, the talocrural angle was measured, they analyzed failures and reoperations and described a novel failure method. Results: From a total of 234 fractures that met the inclusion criteria, 159 (64.96%) suffered closed fractures and 75 (32.05%) where open fractures. According to the AO classification system: 152 (64.10%) were simple patterns 42.A; 49 (20.94%) wedge type patterns 42.B and 33 (14.10%) complex patterns 42.C. Ten patients, a 4.27% of the sample, shown an increased talocrural angle in the postoperative radiographs, evidencing shortening of the fibula. Nine patients underwent surgery, the remaining patient was lost to follow-up. All the treated patients presented restoration of the normal talocrural angle. Conclusion: The incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures reaches 4.27%. We think that is necessary to evaluate the ankle and syndesmosis in all tibial shaft fractures, even with high-energy patterns, not only in spiral patterns.(AU)

Syndesmosis injury associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures: Case series of a misdiagnosis rupture / Ruptura de la sindesmosis asociada a fracturas diafisarias de tibia de alta energía: serie de casos de una lesión habitualmente inadvertida

Introduction: Ankle syndesmosis injuries can be associated with a spiral mechanism on tibial shaft fractures. We are not aware if there is evidence of the incidence of ipsilateral syndesmotic lesson associated to high-energy tibial shaft fracture mechanisms. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures. Methods: 233 diaphyseal tibial fractures operated between January 2007 and January 2017, the fracture patterns were analyzed, they were classified according to AO, the talocrural angle was measured, they analyzed failures and reoperations and described a novel failure method. Results: From a total of 234 fractures that met the inclusion criteria, 159 (64.96%) suffered closed fractures and 75 (32.05%) where open fractures. According to the AO classification system: 152 (64.10%) were simple patterns 42.A; 49 (20.94%) wedge type patterns 42.B and 33 (14.10%) complex patterns 42.C. Ten patients, a 4.27% of the sample, shown an increased talocrural angle in the postoperative radiographs, evidencing shortening of the fibula. Nine patients underwent surgery, the remaining patient was lost to follow-up. All the treated patients presented restoration of the normal talocrural angle. Conclusion: The incidence of syndesmotic injuries associated with high-energy tibial shaft fractures reaches 4.27%. We think that is necessary to evaluate the ankle and syndesmosis in all tibial shaft fractures, even with high-energy patterns, not only in spiral patterns.(AU)

Introducción: Las fracturas diafisarias espiroideas de tibia pueden asociarse a lesiones sindesmales del tobillo. No tenemos conocimiento de que exista evidencia sobre la incidencia de lesiones sindesmales ipsilaterales asociadas a los mecanismos de fractura de tibia de alta energía con patrones oblicuos y transversos. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar retrospectivamente una serie de pacientes que presentaron rotura de la sindesmosis asociada a fracturas diafisarias de tibia con patrones oblicuos y transversos y evaluar la incidencia en nuestro medio. Métodos: Del total de 233 fracturas diafisarias de tibia operadas entre enero de 2007 y enero de 2017, se analizaron los patrones de fractura, se clasificaron según AO, se midió el ángulo talocrural, se analizaron los fracasos y reoperaciones y se describe un método poco conocido de fracaso. Resultados: De 234 fracturas que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 159 (64,96%) sufrieron fracturas cerradas y 75 (32,05%) expuestas. Según el sistema AO: 152 (64,10%) fueron patrones simples 42.A; 49 (20,94%) patrones tipo cuña 42.B, y 33 (14,10%) en patrones complejos 42.C. Diez pacientes presentaron acortamiento del peroné, evidenciado por el aumento del ángulo talocrural en las radiografías postoperatorias, suponiendo un 4,27% de la muestra. Nueve pacientes requirieron cirugía; el paciente restante se perdió en el seguimiento. Todos los pacientes presentaron restauración del ángulo talocrural normal. Conclusión: La incidencia de lesiones sindesmales inadvertidas asociadas a fracturas diafisarias de tibia oblicuas y transversas llega al 4,27% en nuestra serie. Consideramos necesaria la evaluación del tobillo y la sindesmosis en todas las fracturas diafisarias de tibia, aun con patrones de alta energía y no solo en patrones espiroideos, a fin de lograr mejores resultados y evitar secuelas e intervenciones futuras.(AU)

Cirugía percutánea para hallux valgus: comparación entre osteotomía en Chevron y de Bosch / Percutaneous hallux valgus surgery: comparison between mini-invasive Chevron and Bosch osteotomies

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: A través de abordajes percutáneos se pueden realizar correcciones del hallux valgus con mínima lesión de partes blandas, dolor postoperatorio y buenos resultados cosméticos. La osteotomía de Bosch y la MICA (Minimally Invasive Chevron and Akin) han demostrado ser técnicas efectivas para la corrección del hallux valgus, si bien actualmente no existen publicaciones que comparen técnicas percutáneas entre sí. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar los resultados radiológicos y funcionales de ambas técnicas. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, comparativo, en pacientes con hallux valgus moderado, se dividieron en dos grupos según técnica percutánea utilizada: osteotomía en chevron y osteotomía de Bosch con fijación con un tornillo. Se evaluaron radiológicamente ángulos metatarsofalángico, intermetatarsiano, de declinación de la carilla articular distal del 1er metatarsiano y el tiempo de consolidación ósea. Para la evaluación funcional se utilizó la escala de la American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS). Se recogieron las complicaciones durante el primer año. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron para el estudio 38 pacientes en cada grupo. En cada uno de los grupos se compararon los ángulos radiológicos en el preoperatorio y al final del seguimiento, mostrando cambios estadísticamente significativos en las tres variables consideradas; pero no se obtuvieron diferencias comparándolas entre sí. El tiempo de consolidación también fue similar en ambos grupos. Y en cuanto a la escala AOFAS se obtuvo mejoría de la misma con ambas técnicas, no siendo significativa la diferencia a la comparación. CONCLUSIONES: Tanto de la técnica de Bosch como la MICA mostraron resultados comparables al final del seguimiento. Nuevos trabajos son necesarios para determinar las ventajas de cada una en el postoperatorio inmediato

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Through percutaneous approaches, hallux valgus corrections can be performed with minimal soft tissue injury, less postoperative pain and good cosmetic results. Bosch osteotomy and MICA (Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin) have shown to be effective techniques for the correction of hallux valgus, although there are currently no publications comparing each other. The aim of this study is to compare the radiological and functional results of both techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, comparative study was carried out on patients with moderate hallux valgus. They were divided into two groups according to the percutaneous technique performed: Chevron osteotomy and Bosch osteotomy with screw fixation. The metatarsophalangeal, intermetatarsal, and distal articular veneer declination angles of the first metatarsal and the bone consolidation time were evaluated radiologically. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score was used for functional assessment. Complications were registered during the first year. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients in each group were included for the study. In each of the groups, the radiological angles were compared preoperatively and at final follow-up, showing statistically significant changes in the three variables considered; but no differences were obtained by comparing them with each other. The time of consolidation was also similar in both groups. As for the AOFAS scale, an improvement was obtained with both techniques, but the difference was not significant when comparing them. CONCLUSIONS: Both Bosch and MICA techniques showed comparable results at the end of the follow-up. Further work is needed to determine the advantages of each in the immediate postoperative time

Oral vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress, vitamin and antioxidant status in intensely exercised horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Vitamin E is the most commonly supplemented antioxidant in horses; however, previous research is not conclusive as to the recommended level for exercising horses. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 3 levels of vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress and vitamin/antioxidant status in intensely exercised horses to determine the optimal level of vitamin E supplementation. METHODS: Twelve unfit Standardbreds were divided into 3 groups, supplemented orally with 0 (CON), 5000 (MOD), or 10,000 (HI) iu/day of DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. The 3 x 3 Latin square design consisted of three 4 week supplementation periods with 4 week wash out periods between. After each period, horses underwent a treadmill interval exercise test. Blood samples were collected and heart rate (HR) measured before, during and after exercise. Data were analysed using ANOVA with repeated measures in SAS. RESULTS: The CON group had lower HR throughout the test compared to the MOD and HI groups (P<0.05). There was an increase in plasma retinol (RET), beta-carotene (BC), red blood cell total glutathione and glutathione peroxidase with exercise (P<0.05), but all groups returned to baseline after 24 h. Plasma alpha-tocopherol (TOC) increased from baseline with exercise (P<0.0001) in all groups; treatment differences were observed at 24 h (P<0.05). The HI and CON groups had lower BC compared to the MOD group (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Horses supplemented with vitamin E, at nearly 10-times the 1989 NRC recommended level, did not experience lower oxidative stress compared to control horses. Additionally, lower plasma BC levels observed in the HI group, which may indicate that vitamin E has an inhibitory effect on BC metabolism. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Supplementation above control levels is not more beneficial to oxidative stress and antioxidant status in intensely exercising horses; indeed, levels 10 times in excess may be detrimental to BC and should be avoided.

Mycobacterial antigen complex A60-specific T-cell repertoire during the course of pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Mycobacterium bovis antigen complex A60 is known to be immunodominant in tuberculosis and to have a protective effect against experimental infection in vitro and in vivo. To identify immunodominant and possibly protective antigens in pulmonary tuberculosis, the T-cell repertoire directed to nitrocellulose-bound fractions of A60 antigen was analyzed in active tuberculosis patients during the course of the infection and after recovery. The results show that patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis acquired complete A60-T-cell reactivity only in the late phases of infection. At disease onset, patients with active tuberculosis were characterized by (i) T-cell unresponsiveness to most A60 fractions, (ii) high tumor necrosis factor alpha production, and (iii) low gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release. Several weeks after chemotherapy, the unresponsive state disappeared and the following reverse situation was observed: (i) high blastogenic response to almost all A60 fractions, (ii) low tumor necrosis factor alpha release, and (iii) high IFN-gamma production. In addition, 60% of these patients significantly responded against seven A60 fractions (61 to 58, 56 to 53, 49 to 46, 46 to 44, 35 to 33, 33 to 30, and 30 to 28 kDa), indicating that they included immunodominant antigens. Furthermore, only the fractions within the molecular mass ranges of 56 to 44 and 35 to 28 kDa induced IFN-gamma synthesis. One year after complete recovery from infection, more than 60% of past-active tuberculosis subjects had memory T cells specific for the immunodominant fractions of 61 to 58, 56 to 53, 49 to 46, and 33 to 30 kDa. Since the same fractions induced the strongest IFN-gamma production, known to exhibit antimycobacterial effects, it is suggested that these may represent the inducers of a protective immune response.