The potential of spring distraction to dynamically correct complex spinal deformities in the growing child.

PURPOSE: Current treatment of progressive early onset scoliosis involves growth-friendly instrumentation if conservative treatment fails. These implants guide growth by passive sliding or repeated lengthenings. None of these techniques provide dynamic correction after implantation. We developed the spring distraction system (SDS), by using one or multiple compressed springs positioned around a standard sliding rod, to provide active continuous distraction of the spine to stimulate growth and further correction. The purpose of this study was to determine feasibility and proof of concept of the SDS. METHODS: We developed a versatile, dynamic spring distraction system for patients who would benefit from active continuous distraction. This prospective case series evaluates four patients with exceptional and progressive congenital spine deformities. RESULTS: Four patients had a mean age of 6.8 years at surgery with a mean follow-up of 36 months (range 25-45). The mean progressive thoracic lordosis, which was the reason for initiating surgical treatment in two patients, changed from 32° lordosis preoperatively to 1° kyphosis post-operatively. During follow-up, this further improved to 32° thoracic kyphosis. In the two other patients, with cervicothorcacic scoliosis, the main coronal curve improved from 79° pre-operatively to 56° post-operatively and further improved to 42°. The mean T1-S1 spine growth during follow-up for all patients was 1.3 cm/year. There was one reoperation because of skin problems and no device-failures. CONCLUSION: These early results show the feasibility and the proof of concept of spring-based distraction as a dynamic growth-enhancing system with the potential of further correction of the deformity after implantation.

Application of the "3-2-1" body surface localization method in intertrochanteric femoral fractures: a technical note.

In femoral intertrochanteric fractures, poor incision positioning may result in inaccurate intramedullary nail placement direction, which increases the difficulty of reduction and thus the size and number of incisions. Repeated intraoperative fluoroscopy not only increases the radiation exposure of the surgeon but also affects the operative outcomes. This technical note proposes a method of identifying incision positioning preoperatively using the "3-2-1" body surface localization method. This auxiliary positioning technique uses a body surface locator and the lower limb force axis. It can predict the incisions for the needle insertion point, spiral blade, and locking nails, create minimally invasive incisions, avoid incorrect incision position, facilitate accurate intraoperative intramedullary nail placement, reduce the incision size, intraoperative bleeding, and radiation exposure, and improve surgical efficiency and reduction quality.

Tailored fluorophore design: Enhancing selectivity for cyanide ion sensing in water and food samples, and innovative device development.

A rigid fluorophore unit of Julolidine/coumarin fused with an indolium-conjugated system was built for the immediate and effective recognition of cyanide ions in a 90 % aq. DMSO solution. The probes are capable of displaying better sensitivity/selectivity for the cyanide ion over a wide range of other interfering ions. The probe JI showed an instant colorimetric variation, whereas the modified probe JCI showed both colorimetric and fluorimetric variation with cyanide ion. The observed detection limit values indicated excellent sensitivity of the probe to the cyanide ion. HRMS and 1H NMR studies confirmed that the mechanism of detection of CN- is via the nucleophilic attack on the electron-deficient indolium moiety of the molecule. Moreover, the probes are well proficient in selective recognition of cyanide in various real time applications (test strips, electronic sensor kit, food and water sample analysis).

[Ecos among nursing students]. / Les Ecos chez les étudiants en soins infirmiers.

Objective, structured clinical examinations provide an adaptive, harmonized and egalitarian device for standardized assessment of health care students. This method is structured around several thematic stations, with a rhythmic and timed passage. All future professionals in the field, including nursing students, could benefit from this method.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Lipogems, a Reverse Story: from Clinical Practice to Basic Science.

The idea that basic science should be the starting point for modern clinical approaches has been consolidated over the years, and emerged as the cornerstone of Molecular Medicine. Nevertheless, there is increasing concern over the low efficiency and inherent costs related to the translation of achievements from the bench to the bedside. These burdens are also perceived with respect to the effectiveness of translating basic discoveries in stem cell biology to the newly developing field of advanced cell therapy or Regenerative Medicine. As an alternative paradigm, past and recent history in Medical Science provides remarkable reverse stories in which clinical observations at the patient's bedside have fed major advances in basic research which, in turn, led to consistent progression in clinical practice. Within this context, we discuss our recently developed method and device, which forms the core of a system (Lipogems) for processing of human adipose tissue solely with the aid of mild mechanical forces to yield a microfractured tissue product.

Designing innovative retractors and devices to facilitate mitral valve repair surgery.

Various devices have been developed to facilitate mitral valve surgery, including those that improve mitral valve exposure and assist surgeons with associated procedures. Choosing appropriate supporting devices when performing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) through a minithoracotomy with endoscopic assistance is critical. Depending on the surgeon's preference, trans-thoracic or trans-working-port left atrial retractors can be utilized. Although the trans-thoracic retractors provide a simple and orderly working space around the minithoracotomy working port, the positioning of the shaft is difficult and there is an implicit risk of chest wall bleeding. On the other hand, the trans-working-port type provides excellent exposure, is easily handled and manipulated, and facilitates surgeries involving various anatomical structures without special training. A great deal of understanding and knowledge about retractors is necessary to achieve the optimal exposure required to facilitate surgical techniques, and to maintain a reproducible and safe surgical system during mitral valve surgery.