Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in The Treatment of Spinal Aneurysmal Bone Cyst

Abstract Purpose: We retrospectively analysed a cohort of patients treated at our Centre with bone marrow concentrated (BMC) injection for aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the spine, in order to propose this treatment as a valid alternative for the management of ABCs.Methods: Fourteen patients (6 male, 8 female) were treated between June 2014 to December 2019 with BMC injection for ABC of the spine. The mean age was 17.85 years. The mean follow up was 37.4 months (range 12- 60 months). The dimension of the cyst and the degree of ossification were measured by Computed Tomography (CT) scans before the treatment and during follow-up visits. Results: Six patients received a single dose of BMC, five patients received two doses and in three patients three doses of BMC were administered. The mean ossification of the cyst (expressed in Hounsfield units) increased statistically from 43.48±2.36 HU to 161.71±23.48 HU during follow-up time and the ossification was associated to an improvement of the clinical outcomes. The mean ossification over time was significantly higher in patients treated with a single injection compared to patients treated with multiple injections. No significant difference in ossification was found between cervical and non-cervical localization of the cyst. Moreover, the initial size of the cyst was not statistically associated with the degree of ossification during follow-up Conclusions: Results of this paper reinforce our previous evidence on the use of BMC as a valid alternative for spinal ABC management when SAE treatment is contraindicated or ineffective.

Download Full-text

The Follow up of the Anxiety Levels of Elderlies During the ‘COVID-19’ Pandemic: A Prospective Primary Care Study

10.22541/au.162257531.11274816/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Öznur Odabaş ◽

Ezgi Ağadayı ◽

Duygu Ayhan Başer

Keyword(s):

The Elderly ◽

Anxiety Scale ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Gender Education ◽

The Mean ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Care Study ◽

Over Time

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak quickly spread to hundreds of countries and became the first pandemic caused by coronaviruses. As the epidemic spread rate gradually increased in Turkey, curfews were imposed on individuals aged 65 and over as of March 21, 2020. We thought that both the pandemic and the curfew caused anxiety in the elderly. This study investigated the prevalence of anxiety symptoms by using Geriatric anxiety scale in the elderly during curfew. The change in anxiety level was measured over time. The second purpose of the study is to determine the factors affecting anxiety. Method: We evaluated older people’s anxiety status with an interval of 15 days and 6 months during Covid-19 pandemic by using Geriatric anxiety scale. People aged 65 and over among the enrolled population of the FHC were contacted by telephone. Results: 250 people aged 65 and over were called by phone, 213 people were reached.150 people volunteered to participate in the study. While the mean scores of the first Geriatric anxiety scale were 1.0 ± 2.4, second score applied at the 15th days was 0.5 ± 2.1, the third score applied at the sixth month was 0.3 ± 1.8. There was a significant difference between the three measurements (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Total anxiety scores of our sample were low and there was a significant difference between the three measurements performed 15th days and sixth month was a decrease in anxiety. Contrary to what we expected, the elderly were not affected by curfew, and anxiety levels were found to be significantly decreased over time. Gender, education level, living alone, house type were found related with changes in anxiety scores.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of VNS for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Structural Brain Lesions

The Open Neurology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874205x02014010085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 85-92

Author(s):

Hanin Al-Gethami ◽

Ashwaq AlShahrani ◽

Mubarak Aldosari ◽

Majed AlHameed

Keyword(s):

Surgical Intervention ◽

Intractable Epilepsy ◽

Brain Lesions ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Drug Resistant Epilepsy ◽

Over Time ◽

Structural Brain

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in patients who are not candidates for surgical intervention. In fact, it was approved by the US FDA in 1997 as an adjunctive treatment for medically intractable epilepsy. Objective: In this study, we investigated the efficacy of VNS in drug-resistant epilepsy associated with structural brain lesions (SBLs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the effect of VNS on 25 patients diagnosed with intractable epilepsy-associated SBL, and compared the results to 19 patients with intractable epilepsy and normal neuroimaging. All patients underwent VNS insertion at the National Neurosciences Institute, King Fahad Medical City (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) between 2008 and 2018. Results: The response rate (RR) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy-associated SBL was 24% after 3 months, 36% after 6 months, and 48% after 1 year, reaching 76% over time. The mean follow-up period was 63.3 months. For non-SBL patients, the RR was 10.5% after 3 months, 36.8% after 6 months, and 47.4% after 1 year, reaching 73.7% over time. The mean follow-up period was 59.2 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding RR, VNS settings, and other parameters, including anti-epileptic drug use and demographics data. Conclusion: VNS is strongly considered for intractable epilepsy in SBL patients, especially if they are not candidates for surgical intervention. Over time, those patients will receive increased benefits from VNS therapy.

Download Full-text

A New Multiplatform Model for Outpatient Prenatal and Postpartum Care in a Cohort of COVID-19-Affected Obstetric Patients

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105144 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5144

Author(s):

Mar Muñoz-Chápuli Gutiérrez ◽

Ana Durán-Vila ◽

Javier Ruiz-Labarta ◽

Pilar Payá-Martínez ◽

Pilar Pintado Recarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Good Adherence ◽

Major Morbidity ◽

Reference Hospital ◽

The Mean ◽

Discharge From Hospital ◽

Over Time

Spain was one of the epicenters of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe in this article the design and results of a new telephone-and-telematic multiplatform model of systematic prenatal and postpartum follow-up for COVID-19-affected women implemented in a tertiary reference hospital in Madrid. We included patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 during pregnancy or delivery from 10 March 2020 to 15 December 2020. We had a total of 211 obstetric patients: 148 (70.1%) were tested at the onset of suspicious clinical manifestations and 62 (29.4%) were tested in the context of routine screening. Of all the patients, 60 women (28.4%) were asymptomatic and 97 (46%) presented mild symptoms. Fifty-one women (24.2%) were admitted to our hospital for specific treatment because of moderate or severe symptoms. We had no missed cases and a good adherence. The mean number of calls per patient was 2.3. We performed 55 in-person visits. We analyzed the complexity of our program over time, showing a two-wave-like pattern. One patient was identified as needing hospitalization and we did not record major morbidity. Telemedicine programs are a strong and reproducible tool to reach to pregnant population affected by COVID-19, to assess its symptoms and severity, and to record for pregnancy-related symptoms both in an outpatient regime and after discharge from hospital.

Download Full-text

THU0517 THE ROLE OF ULTRASOUND-DEFINED SYNOVITIS GRADE I IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRALGIA, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4886 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 497.2-497

Author(s):

J. Arroyo Palomo ◽

M. Arce Benavente ◽

C. Pijoan Moratalla ◽

B. A. Blanco Cáceres ◽

A. Rodriguez

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Inflammatory Arthritis ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Median Number ◽

Painful Joint ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Specialized Unit

Background:Musculoeskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is frequently used in several rheumatology units to detect subclinical inflammation in patients with joint symptoms suspected for progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA). Synovitis grade I (EULAR-OMERACT combined score) is known to be a casual finding in healthy individuals, but studies headed to unravel its possible role on rheumatic diseases are sparse.Objectives:To investigate the correlation between synovitis grade I, and the diagnosis of IA made after a year follow-up period since MSUS findings, in patients of an MSUS-specialized unit of a Rheumatology Department.Methods:We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and unicentric study. 30 patients were selected from the MSUS-specialized unit of our Rheumatology Department from July-18 to January-19. Patients presenting synovitis grade 0 (exclusively), 2 and/or 3 on combined score were excluded. Data collection at baseline included age, sex, immunological profile and previous physical examination to the MSUS findings, as well as the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist in 1-year visit follow-up: dividing the patient sample into two groups: those who were diagnosed with IA and those not. Non-parametric statistical tests for comparing means were used.Results:The mean age was 51,6 years and 70% were females. 6 (20%) patients were diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis after a year follow-up: 2 (4,8%) psoriatic arthritis, 1 (3,3%) undifferentiated arthritis, 1 (3,3%) rheumatoid arthritis, 1 (3,3%) Sjögren’s syndrome. Non-inflammatory arthropathies were also found 24 (80%), of which, 12 (40%) were non-specific arthralgias and 8 (19%) osteoarthritis.In the group of patients who did not developed an IA the mean C-reactive protein (CPR) value was 3,12 mg/L and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 8,2 mm; all of them were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and ACPA-negative except one patient. 5 (31,3%) patients presented low antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) levels. In those who HLA B-27 and Cw6 were tested (4,25%); both were negative except for one that was HLA B-27 positive. The median number of swollen and painful joint count was 0, and the mean of joints with MSUS involvement was 3,5; the mean involved metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was 1,83; proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was 1,48 and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints 0,21.Among the group of patients that developed an IA the mean of CPR and ESR was 9,27 mg/L and 14,17 mm respectively; 2 (33%) patients were RF- positive, and 1 ACPA-positive. ANAs were positive in 3 cases (50%). The median of swollen joint count was 2 and for painful joint count was 0, the median of joints with MSUS involvement was 4,5. The mean of MSUS involvement was for MCP, PIP and DIP joints: 1,67, 2 and 0. Comparing the means of CPR values in the two groups with Student’s t-test we obtained a statistically significant difference (p=0,023). No other significant differences were found.Conclusion:Despite the limitations and possible statistical bias, the presence of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I and elevated CRP levels could be related to further diagnoses of inflammatory arthropathy. Besides, the absence of synovitis in DIP joints might have a diagnostic role. Normal physical exploration and normal levels of CRP might suggest low MSUS value. However, further research is needed to clarify the role of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I.References:[1]D’Agostino MA et al. Scoring ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a EULAR-OMERACT ultrasound taskforce-Part 1: definition and development of a standardized, consensus-based scoring system. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000428.[2]Van den Berg R et al. What is the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients presenting with arthralgia to predict inflammatory arthritis development? A systematic literature review. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2018) 20:228.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Download Full-text

Adaptors and Innovators: Selection versus Induction

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1991.68.3c.1283 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1283-1290 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

P. A. Holland ◽

I. Bowskill ◽

A. Bailey

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Style ◽

Past Research ◽

Significant Shift ◽

Occupational Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

New Entrants ◽

Innovative Cognitive Style ◽

Over Time ◽

Established Group

The hypothesis that predictable differences would exist between the mean cognitive style of new entrants and those of the longer serving “established” employees in certain departments while not in others was tested. Data from 99 employees from four departments of a large British pharmaceuticals company who completed the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory provided results broadly in line with the expectations of adaption-innovation theory and past research. The mean innovative cognitive style of new entrants to adaptive departments regressed towards the mean of the establishment and the occupational mean over time. In departments where there was no initial significant difference between the mean cognitive style of the new entrants and the established group, no significant shift was shown over time. Implications of these findings are suggested. The data also indicated norms for two occupational groups where previously they did not exist.

Download Full-text

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Current Practice Management and Referral Trends in a Closed Healthcare System

Osteology ◽

10.3390/osteology1010004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 39-47

Author(s):

Connor Zale ◽

Joshua Hansen ◽

Paul Ryan

Keyword(s):

Pain Management ◽

Pain Score ◽

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Occupational Outcomes ◽

Mean Delay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Over Time

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neurologic condition that can present with severe pain and dysfunction. Delay in treatment adversely affects outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient outcomes as they relate to the time from diagnosis to pain management referral once the diagnosis of CRPS has been made in a closed healthcare system. Methods: A retrospective record review from a closed healthcare system was utilized for CRPS cases from 2010–2019. Demographics, injury pattern, surgeries, pain score, treatment modalities, occupational outcomes, and time to pain management referral were recorded. Results: There were 26 cases of CRPS that met inclusion criteria. The mean time from diagnosis to treatment was 55 days. 16/26 (61.5%) were medically discharged from the military. 23/26 (88.5%) were unable to return to full duty due to CRPS. There was no significant difference in the reported pain scores over time regardless of treatment (p = 0.76). A linear regression demonstrated a significantly higher Visual Analog Scale Pain Score (VAS) over time in patients that were medically discharged (p = 0.022). Conclusions: The mean delay in referral to the pain service was 55 days. The majority of patients (88.5%) did not return to full duty secondary to the diagnosis of CRPS, and 61.5% of patients required medical separation from active duty. Due to the negative impact that the diagnosis of CRPS has on occupational outcomes with a mean delay in referral of 55 days, clinics and providers should set up referral criteria and establish early pain pathways for patients diagnosed with CRPS.

Download Full-text

Importance of a Follow-Up Ultrasound Protocol in Monitoring Posttraumatic Spleen Complications in Children Treated with a Non-Operative Management

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57080734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (8) ◽

pp. 734

Author(s):

Ivona Djordjevic ◽

Dragoljub Zivanovic ◽

Ivana Budic ◽

Ana Kostic ◽

Danijela Djeric

Keyword(s):

Splenic Abscess ◽

Operative Management ◽

High Energy ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Injury Grade ◽

Grade Ii ◽

The Mean ◽

Non Operative Management ◽

Grade Iii

Background and objectives: For the last three decades, non-operative management (NOM) has been the standard in the treatment of clinically stable patients with blunt spleen injury, with a success rate of up to 95%. However, there are no prospective issues in the literature dealing with the incidence and type of splenic complications after NOM. Materials and methods: This study analyzed 76 pediatric patients, up to the age of 18, with blunt splenic injury who were treated non-operatively. All patients were included in a posttraumatic follow-up protocol with ultrasound examinations 4 and 12 weeks after injury. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.58 ± 3.97 years (range 1.98 to 17.75 years), with no statistically significant difference between the genders. The severity of the injury was determined according to the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification: 7 patients had grade I injuries (89.21%), 21 patients had grade II injuries (27.63%), 33 patients had grade III injuries (43.42%), and 15 patients had grade IV injuries (19.73%). The majority of the injuries were so-called high-energy ones, which were recorded in 45 patients (59.21%). According to a previously created posttraumatic follow-up protocol, complications were detected in 16 patients (21.05%). Hematomas had the highest incidence and were detected in 11 patients (14.47%), while pseudocysts were detected in 3 (3.94%), and a splenic abscess and pseudoaneurysm were detected in 1 patient (1.31%), respectively. The complications were in a direct correlation with injury grade: seven occurred in patients with grade IV injuries (9.21%), five occurred in children with grade III injuries (6.57%), three occurred in patients with grade II injuries (3.94%), and one occurred in a patient with a grade I injury (1.31%). Conclusion: Based on the severity of the spleen injury, it is difficult to predict the further course of developing complications, but complications are more common in high-grade injuries. The implementation of a follow-up ultrasound protocol is mandatory in all patients with NOM of spleen injuries for the early detection of potentially dangerous and fatal complications.

Download Full-text

Partial pulpotomy without age restriction: a retrospective assessment of permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure

Clinical Oral Investigations ◽

10.1007/s00784-021-04007-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Florin Eggmann ◽

Thomas J. W. Gasser ◽

Hanjo Hecker ◽

Mauro Amato ◽

Roland Weiger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Age Groups ◽

Permanent Teeth ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Presumptive Diagnosis ◽

Tooth Discoloration ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pulp Exposure ◽

The Mean

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes of partial pulpotomy performed in permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure. Materials and methods Records of patients undergoing treatment at an undergraduate dental clinic between 2010 and 2019 were screened for partial pulpotomies in teeth with a presumptive diagnosis of normal pulp or reversible pulpitis. The follow-up had to be ≥ 1 year. Patient data were retrieved and analyzed using Mantel-Cox chi square tests and Kaplan–Meier statistics. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. Results Partial pulpotomy was performed in 111 cases, of which 64 (58%) fulfilled the eligibility criteria. At the time of partial pulpotomy, the mean age was 37.3 (± 13.5) years (age range 18–85). The mean observation period was 3.1 (± 2.0) years. Two early failures (3.1%) and five late failures (7.7%) were recorded. The overall success rate of maintaining pulp vitality was 89.1%, with 98.4% tooth survival. The cumulative pulp survival rates of partial pulpotomy in patients aged < 30 years, between 30 and 40 years, and > 40 years were 100%, 75.5%, and 90.5%, respectively, with no significant difference between the age groups (p = 0.225). At follow-up, narrowing of the pulp canal space and tooth discoloration were observed in 10.9% and 3.1% of cases, respectively. Conclusions Across age groups, partial pulpotomy achieved favorable short and medium-term outcomes in teeth with carious pulp exposure. Clinical relevance Adequate case selection provided, partial pulpotomy is a viable operative approach to treat permanent teeth with deep carious lesions irrespective of patients’ age.

Download Full-text

Kidney function decline is associated with an accelerated increase in plasma homocysteine in older adults: a longitudinal study

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114521001690 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Hui Zhang ◽

Yi Li ◽

Meng Hao ◽

Xiaoyan Jiang ◽

Jiucun Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Function ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Pronounced Increase ◽

Crude Model ◽

The Mean ◽

Kidney Function Decline ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the association of kidney function decline with the trajectories of homocysteine (Hcy) over time, using repeated measurements. We aimed to investigate the association of kidney function with changes in plasma Hcy levels over time. Methods: Data were collected from the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study. In detail, plasma Hcy and creatinine levels were measured in both waves (waves 2, 3 and 4) during the 3.5-year follow-up (N = 1135). Wave 2 was regarded as the baseline survey. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on creatinine. Subjects were categorized into four groups according to quartiles of eGFR at baseline. Linear mixed-effect models were used to investigate the association of eGFR with subsequent plasma Hcy levels. Results: The mean eGFR at baseline was 90.84 (11.42) mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean plasma Hcy level was 14.09 (6.82) at baseline and increased to 16.28 (8.27) and 17.36 (10.39) μmol/L during follow-ups. In the crude model, the interaction between time and eGFR at baseline was significant (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant relationship remained (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.003), suggesting that kidney function decline at baseline was associated with a faster increase in Hcy levels. Conclusion: Kidney function decline is associated with a more pronounced increase in plasma Hcy levels. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are needed to validate our findings.

Download Full-text

No Difference in Outcomes Following Osteochondral Allograft with Fresh Precut Cores Compared to Hemi-Condylar Allografts

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/19476035211021911 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194760352110219

Author(s):

Danielle H. Markus ◽

Anna M. Blaeser ◽

Eoghan T. Hurley ◽

Brian J. Mannino ◽

Kirk A. Campbell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Knee Injury ◽

Lesion Size ◽

Osteochondral Allograft ◽

Osteochondral Lesions ◽

Radiographic Outcomes ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Mean

Objective The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes at early to midterm follow-up between fresh precut cores versus hemi-condylar osteochondral allograft (OCAs) in the treatment of symptomatic osteochondral lesions. Design A retrospective review of patients who underwent an OCA was performed. Patient matching between those with OCA harvested from an allograft condyle/patella or a fresh precut allograft core was performed to generate 2 comparable groups. The cartilage at the graft site was assessed with use of a modified Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) scoring system and patient-reported outcomes were collected. Results Overall, 52 total patients who underwent OCA with either fresh precut OCA cores ( n = 26) and hemi-condylar OCA ( n = 26) were pair matched at a mean follow-up of 34.0 months (range 12 months to 99 months). The mean ages were 31.5 ± 10.7 for fresh precut cores and 30.9 ± 9.8 for hemi-condylar ( P = 0.673). Males accounted for 36.4% of the overall cohort, and the mean lesion size for fresh precut OCA core was 19.6 mm2 compared to 21.2 mm2 for whole condyle ( P = 0.178). There was no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes including Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, and Tegner ( P > 0.5 for each), or in MOCART score (69.2 vs. 68.3, P = 0.93). Conclusions This study found that there was no difference in patient-reported clinical outcomes or MOCART scores following OCA implantation using fresh precut OCA cores or size matched condylar grafts at early to midterm follow-up.

Download Full-text