Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Fibrin Scaffold as a Carrier for Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Growth Factors in Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair

With an increase in the aging population, rotator cuff tears are becoming more common. High failure rates with shoulder rotator cuff repair surgery have been persistent, prompting the introduction of biologic methods to promote healing. The aim of the present technique is to deliver stem cells and growth factors to the footprint of the repair site. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fibrin clot is used as a scaffold for the delivery of stem cells, by using PRP, to provide a source of growth factors, and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) as a source for fibrinogen for the matrix for the scaffold. In the second step, bone marrow is harvested from the proximal humerus, concentrated, and combined with the PRP and PPP. Using a customized device, we then activate the clotting process and transfer the scaffold containing the stem cells using a suture anchor onto the shoulder rotator cuff footprint. In an effort to promote healing, this technique reimplants autologous stem cells and growth factors into the operative site. This technique may serve as an alternative for typically used scaffolds such as collagen matrices or decellularized human dermis patches

A new global strategy for the elimination of schistosomiasis

Mass drug administration utilising a single oral dose of 40 mg/kg of praziquantel (PZQ) has been endorsed and advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the global control and elimination of schistosomiasis. However, this strategy is failing primarily because the drugs are not getting to the people who need them the most. The current global coverage is 20%, the drug compliance rate is less than 50%, and the drug efficacy is approximately 50%. Thus in reality, only about 5% of the reservoir human population is actually receiving intermittent chemotherapy. Despite claims that more of the drug will soon be made available the current strategy is inherently flawed and will not lead to disease elimination. We discuss the many practical issues related to this global strategy, and advocate for an integrated control strategy targeting the life cycle and the most at-risk. Moreover, we discuss how an integrated control package for schistosomiasis should fit within a larger integrated health package for rural and remote villages in the developing world. A holistic health system approach is required to achieve sustainable control and ultimately disease elimination

The BaBar detector: Upgrades, operation and performance

Contains fulltext : 121729.pdf (preprint version ) (Open Access

Search for heavy neutrinos or third-generation leptoquarks in final states with two hadronically decaying tau leptons and two jets in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe