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Entire Follow-up Period (entire + follow-up_period)
Selected AbstractsTissue response to polyglycolide, polydioxanone, polylevolactide, and metallic pins in cancellous bone: An experimental study on rabbitsJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 8 2006Harri Pihlajamäki Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate, qualitatively and histoquantitatively, the tissue response of rabbit femur cancellous bone to polyglycolide (PGA), polydioxanone (PDS), polylevolactide (PLLA), and stainless steel pins under identical conditions. Eighty knees in 50 rabbits were operated on by inserting bioabsorbable pins (PGA, PDS, or PLLA) together with metallic Kirschner wire in 60, and two metallic Kirschner wires alone in 20 knees, while 20 knees served as intact controls. Follow-up times were 3, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks. Cancellous bone tissue response to implants was studied using histological, histomorphometrical, microradiographical, and oxytetracycline fluorescence methods. Residual fragments of PGA and PDS were seen at 24 weeks. Complete degradation of these polymers had taken place before 52 weeks. No signs of degradation of the PLLA pins were observed within the entire follow-up period. The osteoid formation surfaces at tissue implant-interface were statistically larger in all test groups as compared to intact controls. The number of macrophages at tissue implant-interfaces increased in all bioabsorbable implant specimens until 6 weeks, and with PGA until 12 weeks. No differences in the osseous response emerged when comparing groups of bioabsorbable implants with each other or with stainless steel group. Bioabsorbable pins and metallic Kirschner wires evoked an osteoconductive response in the cancellous bone surrounding implant, but the response intensity between implants displayed no differences. This suggests a simple, nonspecific walling-off new-bone front type of response. Consequently, the polymers possessed no specific osteostimulatory or osteoinhibitory properties. Within the follow-up, no significant differences in biocompatibility between the implants appeared, and no frank inflammatory foreign-body reactions occurred. The small-volume pins obviously did not exceed the local tissue tolerance and clearing capacity of the bone. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1597,1606, 2006 [source] Clinical significance and evolution of core promoter and precore mutations in HBeAg-positive patients with HBV genotype B and C: a longitudinal studyLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2007Chien-Hung Chen Abstract Background/Aims: The aims of this longitudinal study were to investigate whether the clinical outcome and evolution of core promoter and precore mutations were different during hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes B and C in HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients and Methods: The core promoter and precore sequences were determined from serial sera of 156 HBeAg-positive patients with chronic HBV infection. Results: In HBV genotype C, the T1762/A1764 mutant was detected earlier than the A1896 mutant, and the frequency was significantly higher than in HBV genotype Ba over the entire follow-up period. In HBV genotype Ba, A1896 was found earlier than the T1762/A1764 mutant, and the frequency was significantly higher than in genotype C only before HBeAg seroconversion, and the A1896 mutant played an important role in HBeAg seroconversion in HBV genotype Ba. In addition, the T1846 variant was an independent factor associated with HBeAg seroconversion. Furthermore, HBV genotype C was associated with the development of G or C1753 and T1766/A1768 mutations, and the reactivation of hepatitis after HBeAg seroconversion. Based on Cox's regression analysis, the significant risk factors of liver cirrhosis were older age at entry [hazard ratio (HR)=1.085, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.036,1.136, P=0.001], alanine transaminase (ALT) >80 U/l (HR=3.48, 95% CI=1.37,8.86, P=0.009), and the T1762/A1764 mutant (HR=5.54, 95% CI=2.18,14.08, P<0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed that different HBV genotypes were associated with various mutations in the core promoter and precore regions during HBeAg seroconversion. T1762/A1764 mutation could be useful in predicting clinical outcomes in HBeAg-positive patients with HBV infection. [source] Clinical evaluation of a hyaluronan-based gel following microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves of the hand,MICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2007Andrea Atzei M.D. A controlled clinical trial was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the hyaluronate-based gel polymer Hyaloglide® after microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves of the hand. Thirty patients were randomized to receive either no postsurgical treatment (n = 16) or Hyaloglide® (n = 14) and were clinically evaluated at various intervals for 1 year. The application of Hyaloglide® posed no safety concerns. Efficacy was assessed by the recovery of sensitivity, measurement of pain, and progression of Tinel's sign. The Hyaloglide®-treated group showed better improvement in recovery from pain, approaching statistical significance during the first 3 months postsurgery. Likewise, recovery of sensitivity was also higher in the Hyaloglide®-treated group throughout the entire follow-up period, and the distance of Tinel's sign was longer in the Hyaloglide®-treated group (P < 0.05 at day 30). The application of Hyaloglide® may improve recovery of sensitivity and decrease pain following microsurgical repair of the peripheral nerves of the hand. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 27, 2007. [source] Postpartum mood disorders and maternal perceptions of infant patterns in well-child follow-up visitsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2007Filiz Simsek Orhon Abstract Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate the associations between postpartum depressive symptoms and maternal perceptions of infant patterns with 1-year follow-up examinations, and to assess the impacts of treatment on these perceptions. Methods: One hundred three mother-infant pairs were evaluated. Data on maternal reports of infant feeding, sleeping and temperament patterns were collected at each well-child visit. The Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. A psychiatrist interviewed the mothers with depressive symptoms, and psychiatric treatments were administered accordingly. The associations between depressive symptoms and maternal perceptions at each visit were analyzed by taking into account the entire follow-up period. Results: Thirty-five mothers (34%) scored within the clinical range of the EPDS during the follow-up period. Mothers with elevated depressive symptoms were more inclined to report infant cry-fuss, sleeping and temperamental problems through the follow-up. Such complains on infant cry-fuss and temperament problems and maternal sleeping problems improved after treatment in compliant mothers. The dropout rate was high (58.3%) in noncompliant mothers. Conclusion: Postpartum depressive symptoms may lead to negative maternal perceptions of infant patterns. Earlier management of these disorders and maternal compliance to psychiatric suggestions may provide a better care for the mother-infant pairs. [source] HLA-DR expression on lymphocyte subsets as a marker of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosusCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2001J. F. Viallard A major problem in the management of SLE patients is to predict a flare or to distinguish between active and quiescent disease. Serological markers are widely used to assess disease activity, but many patients have close to or normal values for these parameters while exhibiting obvious disease-related signs and symptoms. This study aimed to determine which serological parameters, among ESR, ANA and anti-dsDNA antibody titres, CH50 and the HLA-DR expression on circulating T-lymphocyte subsets, best reflected the development of SLE flares. Sixty SLE patients were included, 34 with quiescent disease throughout the entire follow-up period and 26 who experienced an SLE flare defined as having active disease. According to univariate analysis, all parameters were significantly higher for patients with active disease, with the percentage of CD8+DR+ cells being the most significant parameter (P = 10,7). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent variables enabling the identification of a lupus flare: CH50, the CD8+DR+ and CD4+DR+ cell percentages among total lymphocytes. The CD8+DR+ cell percentage is the biological parameter most significantly associated with a flare (P < 0·001), even more powerful than CH50 (P < 0·01). HLA-DR expression on CD8+ lymphocytes clearly coincided with disease evolution in seven patients enrolled as having quiescent disease, but who experienced one flare during follow-up that subsequently resolved. The percentage of circulating CD8+DR+ lymphocytes appears to be a biological marker which accurately reflects disease activity. A larger prospective study is needed to demonstrate the real efficacy of this marker in predicting an exacerbation in SLE patients. [source] | ||||||||||