Degree of coronal alignment correction can’t predict knee function in total knee replacement

Background Whether neutral alignment brings better clinical outcomes is controversial. Consideration of the preoperative knee condition of patients and some limitations of previous studies, we suggested that other index may be more important than a generic target of 0° ± 3° of a neutral axis to reflect changes in coronal alignment after total knee replacement (TKR). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between alignment and functional outcome with a new grouping method and the concept of correction rate. Methods The study included 358 knees, the mean follow-up period was 3.62 years. A new grouping method was adopted to divide patients into three groups based on the degree of correction of mechanical femoral—tibial angle (MFTA): under-correction (n = 128), neutral (n = 209) and over-correction (n = 21). Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were compared among the 3 groups (ANOVA with or without LSD t-test). In addition, we also attempt to further explore whether the concept of correction rate can predict postoperative functional score (Simple linear correlation analysis). Results HSS score showed significant improvement in all groups. There was no difference in HSS score (88.27 vs 88 vs 85.62) (p = 0.88) or incremental scores (26.23 vs 25.22 vs 22.88) (p = 0.25) based on the postoperative alignment category for the degree of correction of MFTA at the last follow-up. The correlational analyses also didn’t show any positive results (r = -0.01 p = 0.95, r = -0.01 p = 0.97, r = 0.11 p = 0.15, r = 0.01 p = 0.90). Conclusion Categorization of optimal coronal alignment after TKR may be impractical. But we still believe that the concept of correction rate and new grouping method are worthy of research which can reflects the preoperative knee condition and the change of coronal alignment. Perhaps it can be better used in TKR in the future. Level of evidence: III.

Congenital dysplasia involving both medial and inferior recti: clinical features and surgical outcomes

AIM: To investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of congenital dysplasia involving both inferior recti (IR) and medial recti (MR) muscles. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted including cases of simultaneous congenital dysplasia of IR and MR that were diagnosed and surgically treated at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, China, from July 2009 to November 2019. Ocular motility, ocular alignment at distance (6 m) and near (33 cm) by prism alternating cover test and stereoacuity were assessed in all patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: A total of five patients (four males and one female; three with right eye and two with left eye congenital dysplasia) were included in this review. The patients ranged in age from 10 to 42y (21±13.4y). The main clinical findings were hypertropia and exotropia of the affected eye, along with motility limitations in adduction and depression. Lateral rectus (LR) recession/transposition combined with IR resection was performed in one case. Two scheduled surgeries were performed in four cases, with one involving superior rectus recession and IR resection and the others LR recession and MR resection. Mean±SD pre-surgical exotropia of 51.0±31.11 prism diopter (PD) and hypertropia of 29.20±7.12 PD in the primary position were decreased to 3.6±12.90 and 3.2±10.09 PD, respectively, at two years after surgery, with a success rate of 60% and an under-correction rate of 40%. CONCLUSION: The main clinical features associated with simultaneous MR/IR congenital dysplasia are hypertropia and exotropia of the affected eye along with motility limitations in adduction and depression. Scheduled two-stage surgeries achieved a success rate of 60%.

An assertion and alignment correction framework for large scale knowledge bases

Various knowledge bases (KBs) have been constructed via information extraction from encyclopedias, text and tables, as well as alignment of multiple sources. Their usefulness and usability is often limited by quality issues. One common issue is the presence of erroneous assertions and alignments, often caused by lexical or semantic confusion. We study the problem of correcting such assertions and alignments, and present a general correction framework which combines lexical matching, context-aware sub-KB extraction, semantic embedding, soft constraint mining and semantic consistency checking. The framework is evaluated with one set of literal assertions from DBpedia, one set of entity assertions from an enterprise medical KB, and one set of mapping assertions from a music KB constructed by integrating Wikidata, Discogs and MusicBrainz. It has achieved promising results, with a correction rate (i.e., the ratio of the target assertions/alignments that are corrected with right substitutes) of 70.1 %, 60.9 % and 71.8 %, respectively.

What is the impact of scoliotic correction on postoperative shoulder imbalance in severe and rigid scoliosis

Background Although recent studies have investigated the risk factors for PSI, few studies have focused on the impact of scoliotic correction on postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI), especially in severe and rigid scoliosis (SRS). The purpose of the study was to study the effect of scoliotic correction on PSI in SRS. Methods The preoperative, postoperative, and minimum 2-year follow-up radiographs of 48 consecutive patients with SRS who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery were evaluated. We regarded radiographic shoulder height (RSH) as a shoulder balance parameter and divided the patients into improved and aggravated groups of PSI from pre- to post-operation and from post-operation to last follow-up, respectively. In addition, patients were divided into nine groups based on the observed changes in PSI after surgery and at follow-up, and the correction rate ratios were calculated among the groups. Independent samples T test and Chi-squared test were performed between the improved and aggravated groups of PSI. Results After surgery, the proximal thoracic curve (PTC) flexibility (P = 0.040), correction rate of the main thoracic curve (MTC) (P = 0.010), and Cobb angle of the lumbar curve (LC) (P = 0.037) were significantly higher, while the ratio of the correction rate of the PTC to the MTC (P = 0.042) was smaller in the aggravated group. At follow-up, the improved group had significantly larger PTC flexibility (P = 0.006), larger ratio of the correction rate of PTC to MTC (P = 0.046), a larger ratio correction rate of PTC to LC (P = 0.027), and a smaller correction rate of LC (P = 0.030). The correction rate ratios of the groups after surgery were as follows: negative to negative (N-N) (1.08) > negative to balance (N-B) (0.96) > negative to positive (N-P) (0.67), B-N (1.26) > B-B (0.94) > B-P (0.89), and P-N (0.34) > P-P (0.83). The order of the correction rate ratio at follow-up was as follows: N-N (0.96) > N-B (0.51), B-B (0.97) > B-P (0.90), and P-B (0.87) > P-P (0.84). Conclusion Harmonizing the correction rate ratio of the PTC, MTC, and LC should be recommended for intraoperative correction and postoperative compensation of PSI. In addition, greater PTC flexibility plays an important role in the spontaneous correction and compensation of PSI in SRS.

Efficacy Comparison of Three Kinds of Distal Tibial Hemiepiphyseal Implants in the Treatment of Postoperative Ankle Valgus of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia

Background: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia is a complex and serious disease in orthopedics which often requires multiple operations for treatment. Postoperative ankle valgus deformity is easily seen after the operation of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the safety of three different implants for treating postoperative ankle valgus after congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.Methods: A total of 41 patients with postoperative ankle valgus after congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia from December 2010 to July 2019 were selected. Out of these 41 patients, 23 patients were treated with “U”-shaped tension screw, 10 patients were treated with hollow screw and 8 patients were treated with cortical bone screw. The evaluation index was tibiotalar angle. The general data, preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up imaging data were recorded, and the deformity correction rate and complications were compared. Results: all the patients were performed with postoperative follow-up visit for at least 12 months (31 months on average). In the “U”-shaped tension screw group, the preoperative tibiotalar angle was (74.8±4.8°), the tibiotalar angle was (85.8±4.5°) when the internal fixation was removed; in the hollow screw group, the average preoperative tibiotalar angle was (72.2±6.1°), the average tibiotalar angle was (88.4±5.1°) when the internal fixation was removed; in the cortical bone screw group, the average preoperative tibiotalar angle was (75.1±4.2°), the average tibiotalar angle was (88.4±5.1°) when the internal fixation was removed. The correction effect of the “U”-shaped tension screw group was better than that of the other two groups, but the difference was not significant (the correction rate of the “U”-shaped tension screw group was 0.71°/month, with that of in the hollow screw group and cortical bone screw group being 0.64°/month and 0.61°/month respectively, P＞0.05). One case of internal fixation complication was reported in the hollow screw group; two cases of missing correction effect were reported, one in cortical bone screw group and one in hollow screw group; and two cases showing symptom of wound pain were reported in the “U”-shaped screw group. Conclusion: Ankle valgus is a common postoperative complication of congenital tibial pseudarthrosis. Temporary hemiepiphyseal is an effective treatment for postoperative ankle valgus deformity of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children. Through comparison, the "U"-shaped tension screw provides relatively better orthopedic results and has a lower rate of internal fixation complications.

Evaluation of Vertebral derotation in the correction of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) represents a complex three-dimensional deformity. The rotation of the apical vertebrae is primarily responsible for the rib hump that represents the main cosmetic problem for adolescent patients. Correcting rotational deformity and maintaining the normal sagittal profile of the spine is more important than onlycorrecting coronal deformity. Aim of the Work to evaluate the efficacy of vertebral derotation using Single Concave Rod Rotation (SCRR) maneuver in the treatment of patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) by clinical and radiological follow up for 1 year. Patients and Methods This prospective analysis was done on 30 patients with AIS, who underwent one stage posterior only corrective surgery with SCRR maneuver between 2016 and 2019 at Ain Shams University Hospitals in order to correct their deformities. All patients included in this study had idiopathic curve between 40 and 80 degrees, with flexibility index < 50%, and their ages were between 10 and skeletal maturity. Results Compared to the results obtained by other studies using the same technique, our study included patients with relatively large curve magnitude and the lowest flexibility index, had average coronal correction rate by about 65.5% and minimal correction loss during follow up (-1°). Furthermore, our study included the largest mean preoperative RA. The axial correction rate was average (32.7%) and has the lowest complication rate and better clinical outcome and patient satisfaction among other studies that used SCRR maneuver. However, the mean operating time in our series in the present study was longer than the mean operating time in the literature. The mean amount of blood loss in our study was more than the mean amount in other studies. Conclusion Simple concave rod rotation is a good option for correction of the deformed curve in AIS. We can state that simple concave rod rotation with pedicle screw instrumentation and without the use of DVD maneuver could successfully correct both coronal and axial deformity with minimal complication. Adding DVD technique offers a better correction of apical vertebra rotation.

A Study for Composition and Comparison of the Music Perception Tests for Normal Hearing and Cochlear Implant Users

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compose the test for music perception and analyze the characteristic of cochlear implant users’ music perception.Methods: The test was made up with the pitch, melody, and timbre factors, using three low and high frequencies, six music genres, and four types of musical instruments correspondingly. The tests were conducted to 10 normal-hearing (NH) young adults and 10 young cochlear-implant (CI) users.Results: All the music perception tests showed significant differences between NH and CI group [F(1, 4) = 0.018, p = 0.019]. In the pitch test, CI group showed significantly lower correction rate(51.3%) than NH group (82.7%) did with higher correction rates in low frequencies. In the melody test, CI group showed significantly lower correction rate (29.7%) than NH group (95.8%) did with the highest performance in folk songs (51.7%). In the timbre test, CI group showed significantly reduced performance (22.5%) than NH group (65.8%) did. For both CI and NH groups, the pitched percussion showed the highest scores (45% and 100%) while the woodwind showed the lowest scores (13.3% and 48.3%).Conclusion: Out of three tests, CI group showed better performance in pitch perception than melody and timber perception. CI group showed better performances in low pitch sounds, melodies of familiar genre, and sound of pitched percussion instruments’ timber showing complicated music perception ability. To enhance the music perception ability for CI users by aural rehabilitation, more specified and systematic music perception test material should be developed.

Neural correlates of the improvement of cognitive performance resulting from enhanced sense of competence: A magnetoencephalography study

The alterations in neural activity related to the improvement of cognitive performance, which would be leading to better academic performance, remain poorly understood. In the present study, we assessed neural activity related to the improvement of task performance resulting from academic rewards. Twenty healthy male volunteers participated in this study. All participants performed four sessions of a 1-back-Stroop task under both target and control conditions. An image indicating that the task performance of each participant was above average and categorized as being at almost the highest level was presented immediately after each session under the target condition, whereas a control image did not indicate task performance. Neural activity during the 1-back-Stroop task was recorded by magnetoencephalography. The correction rate of the 1-back-Stroop task in the final session relative to that in the first under the target condition was increased compared with the control condition. Correlation analysis revealed that the decreases in alpha band power in right Brodmann’s area (BA) 47 and left BA 7 were positively associated with the increased correction rate caused by the target condition. These findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the improvement of cognitive performance.

Alternate In-Brace and Out-of-Brace Radiographs Are Recommended to Assess Brace Fitting and Curve Progression With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Follow-Up

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To determine the prevalence of missed curve progression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing brace treatment with only in-brace follow-up radiographs, and to provide recommendations on when in-brace and out-of-brace should be obtained during follow-up. Methods: 133 patients who had documented clinically significant curve progression during brace treatment or only when an out-of-brace radiograph were studied. Of these, 95 patients (71.4%) had curve progression noted on in-brace radiographs while 38 patients (28.6%) showed curve progression only after brace removal. We analyzed differences in age, sex, curve types, Risser stage, months after menarche, standing out-of-brace Cobb angle, correction rate, and flexibility rate between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors contributing to curve progression missed during brace treatment. Results: There were no differences in initial Cobb angle between out-of-brace and in-brace deterioration groups. However, the correction rate was higher (32.7% vs 25.0%; P = .004) in the in-brace deterioration group as compared to the out-of-brace deterioration group. A lower correction rate was more likely to result in out-of-brace deterioration (OR 0.970; P = .019). For thoracic curves, higher flexibility in the curves was more likely to result in out-of-brace deterioration (OR 1.055; P = .045). For double/triple curves, patients with in-brace deterioration had higher correction rate (OR 0.944; P = .034). Conclusions: Patients may develop curve progression despite good correction on in-brace radiographs. Those with higher flexibility and suboptimal brace fitting are at-risk. In-brace and out-of-brace radiographs should be taken alternately for brace treatment follow-up.