Lower Extremity Splinting: A Head-to-Head Comparison of A Novel One-Step Spray-on Splint Versus Standard Splinting

ABSTRACT Introduction Splinting is an essential component of treating many lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries; however, little development has been made in splinting technology. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of current immobilization equipment for lower extremity fractures by testing a novel one-step spray-on foam splint (Fast Cast) against structural aluminum malleable (SAM) lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries and 6-inch ACE (3M Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) bandage splints. Materials and Methods Six orthopedic surgical residents and two medical students participated in a prospective analysis of austere splinting techniques and equipment that utilized a cadaveric model with a distal third tibia-fibula shaft fracture. Each participant was observed and scored by three fellowship trained attending orthopedic surgeons. All scoring was independent using a 5-point Likert scale based on 10 splinting criteria (50 total points possible), including quality of radiographic reduction, time to completion, safety, and sustain longitudinal traction. The Likert scale is a set of questions that reflects the respondent’s degree of agreement or disagreement with a statement. Each of the 10 questions has a range of 1-5. A score of 50 means the splint performed perfectly. The lowest possible score is a 10. The participants utilized standard equipment that included SAM splints and 6-inch ACE wraps (3M Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) in their first attempt. A second immobilization attempt was done with a one-step spray-on foam splint (Fast Cast). After each splinting attempt, the reduction was verified with radiographic imaging. Data analysis was performed using standard descriptive statistics, Student’s t-tests, and inter-rater reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha scores. This project is Institutional Review Board (IRB) exempt. Results The one-step spray-on foam splinting technique was superior (P < .05) in all parameters of the Likert scale, yielding a mean overall score of 45.1 points (±3.8), safety 4.7 points, longitudinal traction 4.5 points, and time 136 seconds (±23). The SAM resulted in a mean overall score of 33.8 points (±7.3), safety 2.8 points, longitudinal traction 4.1 points, and time 170 seconds (±52). Radiographic rating was 4.1 points (±0.7) for the SAM splint and 4.5 (±0.6) for Fast Cast. The differences in time to completion and radiograph rating did not reach statistical significance (P = .12 and P = .07, respectively). Conclusion A one-step spray-on foam splinting technique demonstrated consistent superiority in reducing fracture motion, potential soft-tissue damage, and sustained longitudinal traction as compared to the standard technique.

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Effective processing and evaluation of chemical imaging data with respect to morphological features of the zebrafish embryo

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ◽

10.1007/s00216-020-03131-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Katharina Halbach ◽

Timothy Holbrook ◽

Thorsten Reemtsma ◽

Stephan Wagner

Keyword(s):

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Zebrafish Embryo ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Software Tool ◽

Chemical Imaging ◽

Imaging Data ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Spatially Resolved ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Plasma Mass Spectrometry

AbstractA workflow was developed and implemented in a software tool for the automated combination of spatially resolved laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data and data on the morphology of the biological tissue. Making use of a recently published biological annotation software, FishImager automatically assigns the biological feature as regions of interest (ROIs) and overlays them with the quantitative LA-ICP-MS data. Furthermore, statistical tools including cluster algorithms can be applied to the elemental intensity data and directly compared with the ROIs. This is effectively visualized in heatmaps. This allows gaining statistical significance on distribution and co-localization patterns. Finally, the biological functions of the assigned ROIs can then be easily linked with elemental distributions. We demonstrate the versatility of FishImager with quantitative LA-ICP-MS data of the zebrafish embryo tissue. The distribution of natural elements and xenobiotics is analyzed and discussed. With the help of FishImager, it was possible to identify compartments affected by toxicity effects or biological mechanisms to eliminate the xenobiotic. The presented workflow can be used for clinical and ecotoxicological testing, for example. Ultimately, it is a tool to simplify and reproduce interpretations of imaging LA-ICP-MS data in many applications. Graphical abstract

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Single Step 2-Port Device De-Embedding Algorithm for Fixture-DUT-Fixture Network Assembly

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10111275 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1275

Author(s):

Simone Scafati ◽

Enza Pellegrino ◽

Francesco de Paulis ◽

Carlo Olivieri ◽

James Drewniak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Technique ◽

Single Step ◽

Scattering Parameters ◽

Linear Set ◽

S Parameter ◽

Parameter Conversion ◽

Before And After ◽

One Step ◽

Typical Measurement

The de-embedding of measurement fixtures is relevant for an accurate experimental characterization of radio frequency and digital electronic devices. The standard technique consists in removing the effects of the measurement fixtures by the calculation of the transfer scattering parameters (T-parameters) from the available measured (or simulated) global scattering parameters (S-parameters). The standard de-embedding is achieved by a multiple steps process, involving the S-to-T and subsequent T-to-S parameter conversion. In a typical measurement setup, two fixtures are usually placed before and after the device under test (DUT) allowing the connection of the device to the calibrated vector network analyzer coaxial ports. An alternative method is proposed in this paper: it is based on the newly developed multi-network cascading algorithm. The matrices involved in the fixture-DUT-fixture cascading gives rise to a non-linear set of equations that is in one step analytically solved in closed form, obtaining a unique solution. The method is shown to be effective and at least as accurate as the standard multi-step de-embedding one.

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Outcome Analysis of End-to-End and End-to-Side Anastomoses in 131 Patients Undergoing Microsurgical Free Flap Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery Open ◽

10.1055/s-0036-1593815 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 02 (01) ◽

pp. e7-e14

Author(s):

Sören Könneker ◽

G.F. Broelsch ◽

J.W. Kuhbier ◽

T. Framke ◽

N. Neubert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Free Flap ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Group Versus ◽

Outcome Analysis ◽

Flap Reconstruction ◽

Free Flap Reconstruction ◽

Flap Survival ◽

Anastomotic Technique ◽

End To End

Background End-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses remain the most common techniques in microsurgical free flap reconstruction. Still, there is an ongoing effort to optimize established techniques and develop novel techniques. Numerous comparative studies have investigated flow dynamics and patency rates of microvascular anastomoses and their impact on flap survival. In contrast, few studies have investigated whether the type of anastomosis influences the outcome of microvascular free flap reconstruction of a lower extremity. Patients and Methods Retrospectively, we investigated the outcome of 131 consecutive free flaps for lower extremity reconstruction related to the anastomotic technique. Results No statistical significance between arterial or venous anastomoses were found regarding the anastomotic techniques (p = 0.5470). However, evaluated separately by vessel type, a trend toward statistical significance for anastomotic technique was observed in the arterial (p = 0.0690) and venous (p = 0.1700) vessels. No thromboses were found in arterial end-to-end anastomoses and venous end-to-side anastomoses. More venous (n = 18) than arterial thromboses (n = 9) occurred in primary anastomoses undergoing microsurgical free flap reconstruction (p = 0.0098). Flap survival rate was 97.37% in the end-to-end arterial group versus 86.36% in the end-to-side group. No thromboses were found in five arterial anastomoses using T-patch technique. Conclusion For lower extremities, there is a connate higher risk for venous thrombosis in anastomotic regions compared with arterial thrombosis. We observed divergent rates for thromboses between end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses.However, if thrombotic events are explained by anastomotic technique and vessel type, the latter carries more importance.

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Influence of Difference of Dynamic Alignment in the Lower Extremity on Ground Reaction Force during One Step Movement

Rigakuryoho Kagaku ◽

10.1589/rika.19.317 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 317-322

Author(s):

Hitomi AWAI ◽

Goro KIMURA ◽

Hiroaki KONNO ◽

Hitomi TOKUMOTO ◽

Yumiko MATSUBARA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Ground Reaction Force ◽

Reaction Force ◽

Step Movement ◽

One Step ◽

Dynamic Alignment

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Prediction of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries for Naval Special Warfare Operators

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000538422.06299.76 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (5S) ◽

pp. 735

Author(s):

Kim Beals ◽

Karen A. Keenan ◽

Nicholas J. Kissel ◽

Lucas Mentch ◽

Wuxin Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Musculoskeletal Injuries

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Effects of Problem-Oriented Willed-Movement Therapy on Motor Abilities for People With Poststroke Cognitive Deficits

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/85.10.1020 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (10) ◽

pp. 1020-1033 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Qing Ping Tang ◽

Qi Dong Yang ◽

Ying Hua Wu ◽

Gai Qing Wang ◽

Zhi Ling Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Reference Group ◽

Block Design ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Motor Ability ◽

Motor Abilities ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background and Purpose. Cognitive deficits after stroke are common and interfere with recovery. One purpose of this study was to determine whether the motor abilities of subjects who have poststroke cognitive deficits and who have received problem-oriented willed-movement (POWM) therapy will improve more than the motor abilities of subjects in the reference group who have received neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT). Another purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between cognitive function and motor abilities for both groups. Subjects. The subjects recruited for this study were 36 men and 11 women with various degrees of poststroke cognitive deficits. Methods. A randomized block design was used to assign the subjects to 2 groups. Cognitive function and motor ability were evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM). Both groups received physical therapy 5 or 6 times per week in 50-minute sessions. Results. The STREAM scores improved after treatment in both groups. Main group effects were found for the lower-extremity (F=4.58, P<.05) and basic mobility (F=27.49, P<.01) subscales of the STREAM. Pretest cognitive function showed a positive relationship with posttest motor ability in the NDT group (r=.446, P<.05). However, the relationship between pretest cognitive function and posttest motor ability had no statistical significance in the POWM group (r=.101, P=.630). Discussion and Conclusion. These findings suggest that, regardless of a person's cognitive function, POWM intervention is effective in improving lower-extremity and basic mobilities and indicates the need to use relatively intact cognitive function or perceptual function, or both, to improve motor rehabilitation for people with cognitive function deficits.

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Developing predictive models for return to work using the Military Power, Performance and Prevention (MP3) musculoskeletal injury risk algorithm: a study protocol for an injury risk assessment programme

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042234 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 81-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Daniel I Rhon ◽

Deydre S Teyhen ◽

Scott W Shaffer ◽

Stephen L Goffar ◽

Kyle Kiesel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Return To Work ◽

Injury Risk ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Primary Source ◽

Musculoskeletal Injury ◽

Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽

Power Performance ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Risk Algorithm

BackgroundMusculoskeletal injuries are a primary source of disability in the US Military, and low back pain and lower extremity injuries account for over 44% of limited work days annually. History of prior musculoskeletal injury increases the risk for future injury. This study aims to determine the risk of injury after returning to work from a previous injury. The objective is to identify criteria that can help predict likelihood for future injury or re-injury.MethodsThere will be 480 active duty soldiers recruited from across four medical centres. These will be patients who have sustained a musculoskeletal injury in the lower extremity or lumbar/thoracic spine, and have now been cleared to return back to work without any limitations. Subjects will undergo a battery of physical performance tests and fill out sociodemographic surveys. They will be followed for a year to identify any musculoskeletal injuries that occur. Prediction algorithms will be derived using regression analysis from performance and sociodemographic variables found to be significantly different between injured and non-injured subjects.DiscussionDue to the high rates of injuries, injury prevention and prediction initiatives are growing. This is the first study looking at predicting re-injury rates after an initial musculoskeletal injury. In addition, multivariate prediction models appear to have move value than models based on only one variable. This approach aims to validate a multivariate model used in healthy non-injured individuals to help improve variables that best predict the ability to return to work with lower risk of injury, after a recent musculoskeletal injury.Trial registration numberNCT02776930.

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ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN MANAGEMENT OF HIV-POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF NIGERIA

Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research ◽

10.22270/ujpr.v6i1.533 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mgbahurike A. Amaka ◽

Amadi Nwadiuto Cecilia

Keyword(s):

Peer Review ◽

Community Pharmacist ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Community Pharmacists ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Southern Region ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Hiv Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rivers State

Background: The long- recognized challenges to HIV care remained relevant as newer challenges emerge. Pharmacists’ role has evolved and expanded to help patients and other healthcare providers to achieve the core goals of HIV management. Objectives: this study assessed the role/services community pharmacists play/offer in the management of HIV patients in Rivers State, Southern region of Nigeria, and evaluated the perception of community pharmacists towards management of HIV infected patients. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among three hundred and seventy- four community pharmacist- owned pharmacies spread across Rivers State. Data were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire. The structure comprises (1) demographic information (2) services offered to HIV infected patients (3) perception towards community pharmacists’ involvement in management of HIV. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 and statistical significance taken at p<0.05. Results: Out of 374 (100%) community pharmacist-owned pharmacies only 30 (8%) were involved in the management of HIV patients. 22(73.3%) were male and 8(26.7%) were female. While 23(76.7%) had B.Pharm degree; 2(6.7%) had Pharm D. 18(70%) had 11 – 20yrs practice experience as 7(23%) had over 20 yrs experience. 23(76.6%) had special HIV training program while 3(10%) self-acquired information on HIV. The Likert scale to measure perception is biased towards agreement, Likert scale 3.89, that community pharmacists are knowledgeable and well positioned to play role in the management of HIV infected patients. Conclusion: Very few 30(8%) of registered community pharmacists are involved in the management of HIV patients. Although the services offered cut across the guidelines for management of HIV infected patients, there is still need for improvement and regular update on HIV training for community pharmacists. These steps would help to involve more community pharmacists, decongest hospitals and reduce workload on hospital pharmacists. Peer Review History: Received 23 January 2021; Revised 5 February; Accepted 26 February, Available online 15 March 2021 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file: Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, [email protected] Dr. Bilge Ahsen KARA, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Hospital, Turkey, [email protected] Similar Articles: AWARENESS OF PHARMACISTS TOWARDS ASPARTAME SIDE EFFECTS IN KHARTOUM CITY, SUDAN SUDANESE PHARMACY STUDENTS: CAREER INTENTIONS, EXPECTATIONS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR CHOICES

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