Post-traumatic malunion of the proximal phalanx of the finger. Medium-term results in 24 cases treated by "in situ" osteotomy

We report the clinical and radiographic medium-term results obtained for 20 patients (24 fingers) treated surgically for post-traumatic malunion of the proximal phalanx of the finger. In all cases we performed a corrective osteoclasia or osteotomy at the site of malunion, followed by miniplate and screw fixation or by screw fixation only. The corrective osteoclasia was performed when malalignment was addressed within six weeks after injury. Two patients who had two fractures underwent additional surgery (tenolysis and/or capsulolysis) to improve function and ROM. At the final follow-up, at a mean of 24 months after corrective surgery, good or excellent clinical and radiographic results were obtained in all the patients. The pseudoclaw deformity disappeared in all cases in which a volar angulation deformity was present. An average improvement of about 30% in the range of motion of the MP and PIP joints was observed; only 4 patients complained of mild pain at the maximum degrees of articular excursion of the MP and PIP joints. All the patients presented an improvement in grip strength. The mean DASH score in our series was 5 points. In two of the four cases treated by an intra-articular corrective osteotomy, mild radiographic signs of osteoarthritis at the MP joint were present. The data for this study confirm that "in situ" osteotomy stabilized by miniplates and/or screws is an effective procedure to correct post-traumatic malunions of the proximal phalanges of the fingers

Multiple congenital bilateral trigger digits in a 2-year-old child: case report

Trigger finger is a rare condition in children. In this paper, we report on a 2-year-old boy with multiple congenital bilateral trigger digits. The patient had no history of perinatal trauma, viral or bacterial infections, or metabolic disorders. The patient was treated with physiotherapy for one year. At the one-year follow-up, the boy presented with six trigger fingers (3 on the right hand, 3 on the left hand). Neither thumb was involved. The six trigger fingers were treated surgically: first, the right-hand trigger fingers and, six months later, those of the left hand. After each operation, a 4-week brace in extension was applied to the operated hand. The symptoms were completely resolved after surgical treatment. Many authors have recommended surgical release for the treatment of trigger finger in children; empirical treatment with physiotherapy may be an option when symptoms present or appear at an older age

Effect of temperature, pH and NaCl on nisin activity against <i>Lactobacillus fructivorans</i>

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of pH, sodium chloride concentration and the combination of different temperatures and periods of exposure on the antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus fructivorans. Turbidity of the different system conditions was monitored in order to establish the microorganism growth. The effect of temperatures ranging from 60 to 120ºC during periods of 10 to 60 minutes was evaluated. Nisin activity was only changed by temperatures ranging from 100 to 120ºC, in several exposure times. A pH range between 3.5 and 7 was tested. The highest inhibitory effect was recorded for neutral pH and lightly acidic conditions. Sodium chloride concentrations studied were 1 and 2 % w/v. The latter value helped to enhance the inhibitory effect of the bacteriocin. These results show the influence that the studied factors exert on nisin activity against L. fructivorans and suggest that they have to be taken into account when nisin is to be used as a biopreservative in food.El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar la influencia del pH, concentración de cloruro de sodio y la combinación de diferentes temperaturas y períodos de exposición sobre la actividad antimicrobiana de nisina s obre una bacteria alterante Lactobacillus fructivorans. El crecimiento del microorganismo bajo diferentes condiciones fue determinado por la presencia de turbidez. Se evaluó el efecto de la temperatura en un rango de 60 a 120ºC durante períodos de 10 a 60 minutos. La actividad de la nisina fue afectada solamente por temperaturas de 100 y 120ºC, a cualquier tiempo de exposición considerado. Los ensayos se realizaron con un rango de pH entre 3,5 y 7. El mayor efecto inhibitorio fue a pH neutro y levemente ácido. Las concentraciones de cloruro de sodio fueron de 1 y 2% p/v. Sólo a la mayor concentración se ve un incremento en la actividad inhibitoria de la bacteriocina. Estos resultados muestran la influencia que los factores estudiados ejercen sobre la actividad de la bacteriocina frente a L. fructivorans e indican que tales factores deben ser tenidos en cuenta cuando la nisina sea usada en la preservación de alimentos.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Introduction of Aedes albopictus into a La Crosse virus--enzootic site in Illinois.

In late summer and fall 1997, Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were found in Peoria, Illinois, a long recognized focus of La Crosse virus transmission. Larvae were found in tires and other artificial containers, biting adults were recovered, and eggs were collected in oviposition traps within a 25-ha area. One chipmunk trapped < 0.25 km from the infested area tested positive for neutralizing antibodies against La Crosse virus

The burden of mild cognitive impairment attributable to physical inactivity in Colombia

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment often precedes dementia. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the population attributable fraction for physical activity in Colombia, which is the reduction in cases that would occur if all participants were physically active. METHODS: The sample included 20,174 men and women aged 70.04 +/- 7.68 years (mean +/- SD) from the National Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Ageing. Trained interviewers administered a shorter version of the mini-mental state examination and mild cognitive impairment was defined as a score of 12 or less out of 19. Logistic regression models were fitted and population attributable fractions for physical activity were calculated. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, height, education, income, civil status, smoking, and alcohol drinking. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical activity was approximately 50% when defined as walking between 9 and 20 blocks at least three times per week. Theoretically, 19% of cases of mild cognitive impairment would be eliminated if all adults were to walk (95% confidence interval: 16%, 22%). The prevalence was approximately 20% when defined as taking part in vigorous sport or exercise at least three times per week. Theoretically, 23% of cases of mild cognitive impairment would be eliminated if all adults were to take part in vigorous sport or exercise (16%, 30%). Similar results were observed after removing those who reported mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Physical activity, whether walking or vigorous sport and exercise, has the potential to substantially reduce the burden of mild cognitive impairment in Colombia

El Modelo de Atención Centrada en la Persona aplicado al Servicio de Apoyo a la Vida Independiente

En los últimos años, las personas en situación de dependencia –ya sea por causa de la edad, enfermedad o discapacidad– demandan nuevas medidas que respeten sus derechos. Reclaman que los servicios que ofrece la sociedad garanticen una calidad de vida digna, garantizando su derecho a elegir, a llevar una vida lo más independiente posible o, en el caso de existir limitaciones para ello, que los servicios y los profesionales que les rodean respeten sus decisiones, sus intereses, su personalidad y su trayectoria vital. En definitiva, que promuevan su autodeterminación. La Atención Centrada en la Persona es un nuevo enfoque de atención que se ajusta a estas demandas y está siendo introducido principalmente en el ámbito gerontológico –Modelo de Atención Centrada en la Persona (MACP)– y en el ámbito de la discapacidad –Modelo de Planificación Centrada en al Persona (MPCP)–. Teniendo en cuenta los beneficios que esta nueva propuesta está teniendo en la atención a estas personas, resulta interesante reflejar su posible aplicación a proyectos innovadores de vida independiente que se están llevando a cabo en la actualidad y que comparten principios con este enfoque como son: la autodeterminación, la libertad personal, la atención a la persona y la calidad de vida

Digital pathology evaluation of complement C4d component deposition in the kidney allograft biopsies is a useful tool to improve reproducibility of the scoring

Complement C4d component deposition in kidney allograft biopsies is an established marker of antibody-mediated rejection. In the Banff 07 classification of renal allograft pathology, semi-quantitative evaluation of the proportion of C4d-positive peritubular capilaries (PTC) is used. We aimed to explore the potential of digital pathology tools to obtain quantitative and reproducible measure of C4d deposition in the renal allograft tissue