Side Comparison Research Articles

Muscle strength evaluation of limb dominance in prepubescent swimmers boys and girls

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the lower limb muscle strength in terms of gender and limb dominancy in prepubescent swimmers. Material and Methods: Seventy-four prepubescent swimmers (mean age: 11.01±1.58 years; 42 boys; 32 girls) who were training for at least 8 hours a week and without current lower limb pain participated in the study. Isometric muscle strength of lower limb was measured by hand-held dynamometry. Independent samples-t test was used to determine the difference between genders, while paired samples-t test was used for dominant-nondominant side comparison. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Knee flexion (p<0.001), extension (p<0.001) and ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.003) muscle strength were stronger on the dominant side than on the non-dominant side. Knee flexion/extension strength ratio was similar (p=0.957); while ankle plantar flexion/dorsiflexion strength ratio was significantly different (p=0.011). Boys swimmers had stronger isometric muscle strength in the dominant side together with knee flexion (p=0.018) and knee flexion extension strength ratio (p=0.007) than girls swimmers. Conclusion: Boys swimmers had higher dominant side knee flexion muscle strength compared to female peers. Gender and lower limb dominancy might be important for lower limb muscle strength to show varieties in prepubescent swimmers before planning a training program.

Comparison of Perioperative High-Sensitive Troponin T and Troponin I Assays in Cardiac Surgery

Troponin measurements are among the standard parameters for monitoring perioperative myocardial ischaemia after cardiosurgical procedures. As high-sensitive assays continue to replace older analytic parameters with lower sensitivity, this study aimed to compare perioperative profiles of a high-sensitive troponin T assay (hsTnT, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) with a troponin I assay (sTnI, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Eschborn, Germany). A total of 287 consecutive patients undergoing a typical spectrum of cardiac procedures from August 2017 to March 2018 monitored with the hsTnT assay were compared with a propensity-matched collective analysed with the sTnI assay. For side-by side comparison, the peak troponin (Tmax) values were scaled to a z-score distribution before comparison. Despite absolute postoperative hsTnT and sTnI values differing by an order of magnitude, parameters could be scaled to a common distribution with kernel density curves overlapping 92%. Both parameters showed equal behaviour in subgroup analyses regarding relevant perioperative factors, such as type of procedure, cross-clamping time, and type of cardioplegic solution. However, there were some differences regarding pre-existing renal impairment between both parameters. In both groups, renal failure patients with chronic kidney disease stages IV or V as well as patients on haemodialysis exhibited a marked Tmax increase of >100% compared with normal kidney function (hsTnT,+121%; 2,383.5 vs 1,078.8 ng/L; p=0.0006; and sTnI,+149%; 27.3 ng/mL vs 11.0 ng/mL; p=0.009). However, in patients with moderately impaired renal function, those in the hsTnT group, but not in the sTnI cohort, showed significantly increased Tmax values (CKD stages II or III, 1,233.5 ng/L [+14%] and 1,314.1 ng/L [+22%] vs 1,078.8 ng/L; p=0.01 and p=0.03). In these patients, the postoperative interval until Tmax was reached was also significantly increased (14.4 and 19.0 hrs vs 12.4 hrs for chronic kidney disease stages II and III; p=0.0038 and p<0.001), indicating a higher rate of accumulation in the hsTnT parameter. In the context of cardiac surgery, this study found that both parameters behaved in a similar manner under most relevant circumstances. Despite significant difference in the absolute serum concentration, hsTnT and sTnI can be scaled to virtually identical distributions. However, renal impairment did affect both parameters differently with troponin T but not troponin I, showing evidence of accumulation in moderately impaired renal disease.

P176 Patient preferences in steroid resistant ulcerative colitis – a discrete choice experiment survey

Abstract Background Understanding patient preferences in those who are not responding to steroids for ulcerative colitis is important in informing treatment choices. This study aimed to understand the relative importance of treatment characteristics to patients by conducting a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Methods Patients completed a two-part online survey. Participants were shown 12 DCE tasks – a series of side by side comparison of competing, hypothetical treatment characteristics describing effectiveness, remission, speed of response, route of administration and safety and asked to select a preferred treatment. Disease control was assessed by the IBD-control-8 questionnaire (poor control &amp;lt; 13). Participants also completed a ranking exercise where patients were asked to rank four commonly used treatments (Adalimumab, Infliximab, Tofacitinib, and Vedolizumab,) in order of preference. Survey responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Results 115 patients completed the survey (mean age 45 years; 52% female; median time since diagnosis 10 years). 107 (93%) had previously received steroids; 81 (70%) thiopurines and 81 (70%) biological therapies or tofacitinib. 51 (45%) reported poor control of ulcerative colitis. Figure 1 shows the results of the regression analyses where all treatment characteristics had a significant influence on patients’ treatment choice. Patient preferences were strongest for lower side effects, for example, compared to a treatment that had very common side effects, patients were more likely to take a treatment that had very rare side effects (ß 2.937, p&amp;lt;0.01) even if very rare side effects are usually more severe. Patients preferred a treatment with higher likelihood of induction of response, but they were unable to differentiate between 50% success rate and 60% success rate. Higher levels of remission (ß 0.065, p&amp;lt;0.01) and faster acting treatments were preferred (ß -0.145, p&amp;lt;0.01). Taking a pill daily at home (ß 0.848, p&amp;lt;0.01) or injections at home every 8 weeks (ß0.541, p&amp;lt;0.01) were preferable compared to infusions every 8 weeks. Notably, there was no significant difference between infusion, every 8 weeks at hospital compared to injection, every 2 weeks, at home (ß -0.029, p= 0.85). When asked to rank four commonly used biologics, the most preferred treatment was Infliximab (38%) and Tofacitinib (38%), followed by Vedolizumab (17%) and Adalimumab (6%). Conclusion Quantifying preferences through DCEs helps to identify and prioritise treatment characteristics that are important to patients. The results could be used to improve discussions between patients and clinicians when reviewing treatment options.

Computer-assisted contralateral side comparison of the ankle joint using flat panel technology

PurposeReduction and osteosynthesis of ankle fractures is a challenging surgical procedure when it comes to the verification of the reduction result. Evaluation is conducted using intra-operative imaging of the injured ankle and depends on the expertise of the surgeon. Studies suggest that intra-individual variance of the ankle bone shape and pose is considerably lower than the inter-individual variance. It stands to reason that the information gain from the healthy contralateral side can help to improve the evaluation.MethodIn this paper, an assistance system is proposed that provides a side-to-side view of the two ankle joints for visual comparison and instant evaluation using only one 3D C-arm image. Two convolutional neural networks (CNN) are employed to extract the relevant image regions and pose information of each ankle so that they can be aligned with each other. A first U-Net uses a sliding window to predict the location of each ankle. The standard plane estimation is formulated as segmentation problem so that a second U-Net predicts the three viewing planes for alignment.ResultsExperiments were conducted to assess the accuracy of the individual steps on 218 unilateral ankle datasets as well as the overall performance on 7 bilateral ankle datasets. The experiments on unilateral ankles yield a median position-to-plane error of 0.73pm 1.36 mm and a median angular error between 2.98^circ and 3.71^circ for the plane normals.ConclusionStandard plane estimation via segmentation outperforms direct pose regression. Furthermore, the complete pipeline was evaluated including ankle detection and subsequent plane estimation on bilateral datasets. The proposed pipeline enables a direct contralateral side comparison without additional radiation. This has the potential to ease and improve the intra-operative evaluation for the surgeons in the future and reduce the need for revision surgery.

Effect of Subcision and Microneedling in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars in Ten Patients: A Case Series

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common condition with a prevalence of over 90% among adolescents and post- acne scarring is a well known sequelae. Different types of scars (ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars) warrant a customized approach of treatment for each type. We propose a novel treatment of atrophic acne scars using combination of subcision and microneedling. &#x0D; Methods: Ten consecutive patients of skin types III - IV with moderate and severe facial acne scarring received three sequential subcision and microneedling treatments after informed consent over a period of three months with an interval of 4 weeks between each session. Goodman and Baron’s qualitative and quantitative acne scar grading systems along with side by side comparison of pre operative and post operative photographs were used for assessment at the end of three sessions of the combination procedure. &#x0D; Results: Estimation of improvement with Goodman and Baron’s Global qualitative acne scarring system , we found good results in patients with Grades 3 and 4 acne scars. Out of 7 patients with grade 4 scars, 29% showed improvement by 2 grades and 71% showed improvement by 1 grade and all the 3 patients with grade 3 scars showed improvement by 1 grade. Quantitative assessment showed 30% patients had minimal improvement, 50% had moderate improvement and 20% had good improvement in scars. Adverse effects were transient pain, erythema and oedema.&#x0D; Conclusion: Subcision and microneedling are simple and inexpensive office procedures which in combination are well tolerated and are efficacious in treatment of moderate and severe acne scars.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Side by Side Comparison of Standard to Address Prison Rape: National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Standards and Proposed Standard of U.S. Department of Justice for Juvenile Facilities

This is a side by side comparison chart of the National Prison Rape Elimination Standards and the newly revised U.S. Department of Justice Standards.This comparison chart was developed as an analytical tool and to assist individuals and organizations in understanding and commenting on the standards. Each chart contains: (1) the initial National Prison Rape Elimination Commission (NPREC) standard; (2) the revised DOJ standard; (3) DOJ’s reasoning for the change to the extent they provided one; (4) questions DOJ posed in relation to that specific standard; and (5) an area for analysis.

Application of piezoelectric transducers in photoacoustic spectroscopy for trace gas analysis

AbstractPhotoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is a boomingly developed spectroscopic method for trace gas analysis in the past decades. Unlike traditional laser absorption spectroscopy, an acoustic transducer is employed to detect the acoustic waves instead of optical waves. Microphone is a commonly used transducer to convert the acoustic signal into electrical signal, which is related to the gas concentration. In recent years, piezoelectric materials are playing important roles in the acoustic‐to‐electrical conversion process of photoacoustic system. In this article, recently used transducers in PAS such as quartz tuning fork, polyvinylidene fluoride, lead zirconate titanate, electromechanical film and LiNbO3, BiB3O6, NbCOB crystals are summarized and discussed in detail. The different spectrophone configuration, schematic diagram, and experimental system are reported. Side by side comparison is carried out to show the gas sensing performance of these piezoelectric transducers.

Flux Shorting Mitigation on Semiconductor BGA Device through Process Design Enhancement

With the new and upcoming technologies in semiconductor industry, packages like the ball grid array (BGA) are getting more challenging to process due to inherent issues that come along. Process improvement through modification in the design of indirect material is one key direction to improve the productivity during assembly manufacturing. In this paper, an enhanced design of dipping plate is presented to solve the issue of flux shorting due to out-of-specs dipping plate at ball attach process. The study used a side by side comparison to prove that the new design is better than that of the out-of-specs indirect material. With the new enhanced design of dipping plate and the optimized flux depth parameter, flux shorting occurrence was successfully mitigated.

Efficacy of Carragelose® Nasal Spray Impregnated Versus Mupirocin Ointment Impregnated Nasal Packs on Mucosal Healing after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Double-Blind, Non-Randomized, Right-Left Side Comparison

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the efficacy of carragelose® nasal spray versus mupirocin ointment impregnated nasal packs on postoperative mucosal healing among chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) patients after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).&#x0D; Methods:Design: Double-Blind, Non-Randomized, Right-Left Side ComparisonSetting: Tertiary Government Training HospitalParticipants: Fifteen (15) patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) who had ESS were included in the study. Nasal packs (Netcell®) impregnated with carragelose® nasal spray or mupirocin ointment were respectively applied in right and left nostrils. Postoperative mucosal healing was graded by a blinded consultant using the Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Scoring System and Perioperative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) scoring system.&#x0D; Results: Six patients (12 nasal sides) completed the study. Comparing nasal packs impregnated with carragelose® nasal spray mupirocin ointment, the carragelose® group had lower Lund- Kennedy median scores than the mupirocin group on the 7th post-operative day; and this was statistically significant (p = .027). There were no significant differences in Lund-Kennedy postoperative scores on days 4 (p = .217), 14 (p = .171) and 28 (p = .151).&#x0D; Conclusion: Carragelose® nasal spray impregnated nasal packs may be comparable with, and may be an alternative to mupirocin ointment impregnated nasal packs in terms of postoperative mucosal healing among ESS patients with CRSwNP.

Are We Being Fooled by Fluoroscopy? Distortion May Affect Limb-Length Measurements in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundDistortion is an intrinsic phenomenon associated with image-intensified fluoroscopy that is both poorly understood and infrequently appreciated by orthopedic surgeons. Little information exists regarding its potential influence on intraoperative parameters during orthopedic surgery, let alone during direct anterior (DA) total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of potential error caused by fluoroscopic distortion during DA THA. MethodsIntra-operative fluoroscopic pelvic images from 74 DA THAs were reviewed by two independent readers. All images were obtained using the same fluoroscopic C-arm unit with a radiopaque grid attached to the image intensifier. The vertical distortion from a straight central horizontal line at the peripheries of images were measured and summed to yield the combined vertical distortion similar to how a surgeon calculates a side to side comparison of limb lengths. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate associations between total distortion and patient demographics, operating theaters, and various operative parameters. ResultsThe average combined distortion was 10.0mm (range 2.0-20.0mm). There was a significant difference in the average distortion observed in different theaters (P < .001). There was no association between distortion and patient demographics or fluoroscopic time (all, P > .05). ConclusionFluoroscopic distortion is unpredictable and can cause a substantial amount of error when comparing limb lengths during DA THA. This is a critical finding as this amount of inaccuracy could lead to unintended implant positioning and limb-length discrepancies if unaccounted for.

In vivo vaccination with cell line-derived whole tumor lysates: neoantigen quality, not quantity matters

BackgroundCancer vaccines provide a complex source of neoantigens. Still, increasing evidence reveals that the neoantigen quality rather than the quantity is predictive for treatment outcome.MethodsUsing the preclinical Mlh1−/− tumor model, we performed a side-by side comparison of two autologous cell-line derived tumor lysates (namely 328 and A7450 T1 M1) harboring different tumor mutational burden (TMB; i.e. ultra-high: 328; moderate-high: A7450 T1 M1). Mice received repetitive prophylactic or therapeutic applications of the vaccine. Tumor incidence, immune responses and tumor microenvironment was examined.ResultsBoth tumor cell lysates delayed tumor formation in the prophylactic setting, with the A7450 T1 M1 lysate being more effective in decelerating tumor growth than the 328 lysate (median overall survival: 37 vs. 25 weeks). Comparable results were achieved in therapeutic setting and could be traced back to antigen-driven immune stimulation. Reactive T cells isolated from A7450 T1 M1-treated mice recognized autologous Mlh1−/− tumor cells in IFNγ ELISpot, but likewise YAC-1 cells, indicative for stimulation of both arms of the immune system. By deciphering local effects, vaccines shaped the tumor microenvironment differently. While A7450 T1 M1 prophylactically vaccinated tumors harbored low numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and elevated CD8-T cell infiltrates, vaccination with the 328 lysate evoked MDSC infiltration. Similar effects were seen in the therapeutic setting with stable disease induction only upon A7450 T1 M1 vaccination. Untangling individual response profiles revealed strong infiltration with LAG3+ and PD-L1+ immune cells when treatments failed, but almost complete exclusion of checkpoint-expressing lymphocytes in long-term survivors.ConclusionsBy applying two tumor cell lysates we demonstrate that neoantigen quality outranks quantity. This should be considered prior to designing cancer vaccine-based combination approaches.

How Does a Unilateral Temporomandibular Joint Replacement Affect Bilateral Masseter and Temporalis Muscle Activity?—A Prospective Study

Total alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR) requires the detachment of the masseter muscle (MM) at its insertion to the lateral ramus and often the resection of the coronoid process (insertion of the temporalis muscle). There is little literature on how a detachment affects the muscles. The present study evaluates the long-term masticatory muscle activities and maximum voluntary bite force (MVC) in patients with unilateral TMJR. Surface electromyography of the MM and anterior temporalis muscle during bite force testing and MVC were evaluated bilateral preoperatively (T0), 1 (T3), 2 (T4), 3 (T5), and 4years (T6) postoperatively. The percentage overlapping coefficient (index of the symmetric distribution of muscular activity) was calculated. Differences between stock or custom devices were evaluated. Fourteen patients were enrolled, 4 males and 10 females, age 47.3±14.3years at TMJR placement. In 11 patients, the coronoid process was resected, 5 patients received stock, and 9 custom prostheses. After surgery, a trend in the improvement of bilateral surface electromyography activities and MVC was found without statistical significance for the side comparison or the time of the investigation. The percentage overlapping coefficient values showed postoperatively relative (>72%) symmetry in both muscles. Up to T5 on the TMJR side, MM showed higher activity when custom prostheses were used. There was no significant difference between stock and custom prostheses. The vertical (anterior) fibers of the temporalis muscle are preserved despite the resection of the coronoid process. The anterior temporalis muscle, as a synergist of the MM on the TMJR side, postoperatively partially assumes its abduction function. The detached MM appears to reattach. Generally, the bilateral increase in muscle activity and MVC of both muscles suggests regeneration of the investigated muscles. Custom prostheses seem to have an initial advantage for the reattachment of the MM compared with stock prostheses.

Factors that Influence the Electronic-based Development Planning Process in Makassar City

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the electronic-based development planning process in Makassar City. This research method uses a mixed-method approach or mixing method, namely quantitative and qualitative. In this study, several types of data collection techniques were used, including interviews, observations, document tracking, and notes. The data analysis technique in the mixed convergent method is side by side comparison. The results of this study indicate that regulations that are used as guidelines for development planning are often released late, there is a tendency to be inconsistent with differences in performance indicators, the main ideas of DPRD are not verified, the concern of regional officials in compiling documents Development planning is limited to rhetoric, maximizing big data, optimizing the SIPPD, the results of research and surveys that have been conducted by the Makassar City Regional Research and Development Agency cannot be utilized optimally by the Makassar City Development Planning Agency as analysis material to be considered in development planning. There is a need for development to improve the quality of an electronic-based development planning system so that transparency and speed of completion can be optimized.

Ultraconserved Non-coding DNA Within Diptera and Hymenoptera.

This study has taken advantage of the availability of the assembled genomic sequence of flies, mosquitos, ants and bees to explore the presence of ultraconserved sequence elements in these phylogenetic groups. We compared non-coding sequences found within and flanking Drosophila developmental genes to homologous sequences in Ceratitis capitata and Musca domestica. Many of the conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) that constitute Drosophila cis-regulatory DNA, recognized by EvoPrinter alignment protocols, are also conserved in Ceratitis and Musca. Also conserved is the position but not necessarily the orientation of many of these ultraconserved CSBs (uCSBs) with respect to flanking genes. Using the mosquito EvoPrint algorithm, we have also identified uCSBs shared among distantly related mosquito species. Side by side comparison of bee and ant EvoPrints of selected developmental genes identify uCSBs shared between these two Hymenoptera, as well as less conserved CSBs in either one or the other taxon but not in both. Analysis of uCSBs in these dipterans and Hymenoptera will lead to a greater understanding of their evolutionary origin and function of their conserved non-coding sequences and aid in discovery of core elements of enhancers.This study applies the phylogenetic footprinting program EvoPrinter to detection of ultraconserved non-coding sequence elements in Diptera, including flies and mosquitos, and Hymenoptera, including ants and bees. EvoPrinter outputs an interspecies comparison as a single sequence in terms of the input reference sequence. Ultraconserved sequences flanking known developmental genes were detected in Ceratitis and Musca when compared with Drosophila species, in Aedes and Culex when compared with Anopheles, and between ants and bees. Our methods are useful in detecting and understanding the core evolutionarily hardened sequences required for gene regulation.

Geophysical monitoring using active seismic techniques at the Citronelle Alabama CO2 storage demonstration site

Between August 2012 and September 2014, about 114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 was captured from the coal-fired Plant Barry Power Station at Bucks Alabama and injected into the Paluxy Formation above the oil pool in the southeast unit of the Citronelle Oilfield. Various monitoring methods were deployed at land surface and in project wells to measure system performance, comply with permit requirements and test new and innovative monitoring tools. The monitoring program relied heavily on active seismic methods for subsurface imaging of geologic structure and time-lapse seismic techniques to track the CO2 migration in the injection interval. Both conventional geophone/hydrophone and fiber-optic based Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) arrays were deployed and tested, allowing a side by side comparison of the equipment and techniques.Geophysical imaging of the subsurface was successful using DAS in the offset vertical seismic profile (OVSP) survey configuration. A high resolution OVSP image of the subsurface was obtained in 2014 with DAS, which exceeded project expectations in comparison to a lower resolution image obtained in 2012 using a conventional 80-level geophone array. A time-lapse image of the redistribution of CO2 after injection ended in September 2014 was obtained with two DAS OVSP surveys from June 2014 and December 2015, thus successfully demonstrating its proof-of-concept. Unfortunately, a pre-injection baseline survey with DAS, which was in its initial stage of technology development in 2012, did not have sufficient quality for use, making it difficult to interpret the acquired DAS time-lapse difference. Additional research in this area has since demonstrated the utility of time-lapse DAS OVSP. DAS data were also acquired during a cross-well seismic survey conducted in 2014. Unfortunately, the DAS technique was not success in the cross-well survey configuration because the system noise level was too high in the crosswell frequency output range (100–1200 Hz) of the piezoelectric source (increasing by a factor of ten compared to VSP frequency band). Additionally, the cross-well geometry causes sub-horizontal (broadside) incidence on the vertical DAS fiber cable, which is known to be problematic. Current research is focused on improving the DAS cable response to broadside acoustic energy.Time-lapse seismic surveys using commercially available conventional arrays were also acquired. In contrast to the DAS acquired data, the cross-well seismic results obtained with the conventional array was highly successful and clearly showed the CO2 remained in zone at the end of injection. Time-lapse differencing of the OSVP surveys acquired with the conventional arrays proved to be inconclusive. Changes in wellbore conditions between surveys and unavoidable changes in equipment (the array used for the baseline survey was retired) affected data quality, making it difficult to interpret the OVSP results.

Comparative evaluation of field samples using 2 in-clinic assays for heartworm antigen detection in dogs

Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) antigen testing is routinely performed in veterinary practices to detect canine heartworm infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of two in-clinic assays to detect heartworm antigen on field samples from practices in heartworm endemic regions. Veterinary staff in 3 practices located in the Southern United States performed a side by side comparison of the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus Test (IDEXX) and the VETSCAN FLEX4® Test (Zoetis) on samples from canine patients presented for vector-borne disease screening. Assays were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The remaining plasma sample was submitted for confirmatory testing using the PetChek® Heartworm Test (IDEXX) including immune complex dissociation (ICD) by heat treatment. A total of 232 samples were evaluated by the two in-clinic assays and PetChek Test. SNAP 4Dx Plus was significantly more sensitive for the detection of heartworm antigen in this study; sensitivity was 97.4 % for the SNAP 4Dx Plus test and 76.9 % for VETSCAN FLEX4 test (p < 0.01). The specificity of both tests was 99.5 %. This study reveals significant difference in detecting canine heartworm antigen in field samples.

Évaluation biomécanique d’une nouvelle technique de stabilisation acromio-claviculaire par réparation directe

BackgroundThe most commonly used repair techniques to treat an acromioclavicular dislocation imply a suspension mechanism by substituting the supero-inferior oriented coracoclavicular structures with a tight rope mechanism or allograft. Recently, the importance of restoring the antero-posterior stability by addressing the acromioclavicular structures has also been demonstrated. If an in situ repair at the acromioclavicular joint itself could achieve a reposition and would be strong enough, the suspension of the CC structures might become obsolete. Possible advantages would be minimal dissection, lower risk in damaging neurovascular structures, greater stability, reduction of the surgical time and even the possibility of locoregional anesthesia. HypothesisIn this biomechanical study, the feasibility of different in situ repair techniques is explored, thereby testing both compression and translation characteristics. Our hypothesis is that an in situ repair technique results in an adequate repair for the AC joint. Methods and materialsPolyurethane foam blocks will be used as a model for the acromioclavicular joint and the repair techniques will be done by using a combination of sutures and bone anchors or using a transosseous technique. Compression will be measured by means of a Tekscan pressure sensor and translation will be tested in three orthogonal directions using a tensile testing machine. Four different knot anchor configurations (nice knot, surgical knot in two different configurations, nicky's knot) will be tested for compression. The strongest knot anchor configuration will then be compared side to side with a transosseous configuration for translation. ResultsThe nice knot in combination with bone anchors provides the strongest compression. In the side to side comparison of a nice knot anchor configuration versus a transosseous nice knot configuration, the transosseous technique shows more resistance to translation. DiscussionAn in situ repair by a combination of the nice knot with an anchor or a transosseous nice knot configuration can theoretically be used as a repair technique for an acromioclavicular dislocation. In comparison with existing techniques, this model shows favorable results for translation. Level of evidenceIII, controlled laboratory study.

Characterization and Comparison of Human and Ovine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Three Corresponding Sources.

Currently, there is an increasing focus on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) as therapeutic option in bone pathologies as well as in general regenerative medicine. Although human MSCs have been extensively characterized and standardized, ovine MSCs are poorly understood. This limitation hampers clinical progress, as sheep are an excellent large animal model for orthopedic studies. Our report describes a direct comparison of human and ovine MSCs from three corresponding sources under the same conditions. All MSCs presented solid growth behavior and potent immunomodulatory capacities. Additionally, we were able to identify common positive (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166) and negative (CD14, CD34, CD45, HLA-DR) surface markers. Although both human and ovine MSCs showed strong osteogenic potential, direct comparison revealed a slower mineralization process in ovine MSCs. Regarding gene expression level, both human and ovine MSCs presented a comparable up-regulation of Runx2 and a trend toward down-regulation of Col1A during osteogenic differentiation. In summary, this side by side comparison defined phenotypic similarities and differences of human and ovine MSCs from three different sources, thereby contributing to a better characterization and standardization of ovine MSCs. The key findings shown in this report demonstrate the utility of ovine MSCs in preclinical studies for MSC-based therapies.

Promising clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results after internal bracing of acute posterior cruciate ligament lesions in multiple injured knees.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of acute posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) lesions in multiple injured knees that were surgically treated with internal bracing. Acute complete PCL lesions in multiple injured knees with subsequent internal-bracing treatment within 21days between 2014 and 2016 were eligible for inclusion. At final follow-up, patients were assessed with Tegner, Lysholm, and IKDC scores. PCL stability and healing were verified with KT-2000, stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen patients [mean age 37.4 (± 17.8; SD) years] were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 19.9 (± 7.7; SD) months. Thirteen patients suffered complete lesions of the PCL with concomitant ligamentous injuries (Schenck I: six cases, Schenck III M: five cases, Schenck IV N: one case, Schenck V: one case). Median Tegner, mean Lysholm and mean IKDC scores at follow-up were 4 (2-7; interquartile range), 69.1 (± 16.6; SD) and 68.9 (± 18.1; SD) respectively. Posterior translation averaged 5.8 (± 2.2; SD) mm with the KT 2000 and stress radiography showed a mean posterior tibial translation of 5.5 (± 4.1; SD) mm in the side to side comparison. MRI showed adequate PCL healing. Internal bracing as treatment for acute PCL ruptures in multiple injured knees showed adequate restoration of posterior tibial translation in a single-centre study including 14 cases. IV.

Chemopreventive efficacy of stampidine in a murine breast cancer model

ABSTRACTBackground: The purpose of the present study was to examine the chemopreventive effect of stampidine, an aryl phosphate derivative of stavudine, in side by side comparison with the standard anti-breast cancer drug paclitaxel in the well-established 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced murine breast cancer model.Methods: Groups of 20 female mice were challenged with the DMBA. DMBA-challenged mice were assigned to various chemoprevention treatments, including stampidine, paclitaxel, and stampidine plus paclitaxel according to the same treatment schedules for 25 weeks.Results: Stampidine resulted in substantially reduced numbers of tumors, tumor weight as well as tumor size in DMBA-treated mice. Stampidine was as effective as paclitaxel in the model and their combination exhibited greater chemopreventive activity, as measured by reduced tumor incidence and improved tumor-free survival as well as overall survival of DMBA-treated mice. The length of time for the initial tumor to appear in DMBA-challenged mice treated with stampidine was longer than that of mice treated DMBA-challenged control mice. Tumors from mice treated with stampidine or stampidine plus paclitaxel displayed unique changes of a signature protein cassette comprised BRCA1, p21, Bax, and Bcl-2.Conclusion: Stampidine has potent chemopreventive activity and is as effective as the standard chemotherapy drug paclitaxel in the chemical carcinogenesis.