SCARF Osteotomy for Correction of Hallux Valgus

Aim: Hallux valgus deformity surgical treatment has improved during last years. The authors present and report their experience with a modified SCARF osteotomy with three years follow-up, with patients diagnosed and operated in the Universitary Clinic of Orthopaedic and Traumatology of Mother Teresa Hospital,from January 2011-March 2014. The presented technique provides predictable correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus deformities. Methods: Correction of hallux valgus deformities was achieved using a Z step osteotomy cut to realign the first metatarsal bone. A retrospective analysis was undertaken in 38 patients (54 feet). Results were analyzed by clinical examination, a questionnaire including the AOFAS forefoot score, modified, and plain roentgenograms. Results: Hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angle improved at mean 19.6° and 6.9°, respectively. Mean forefoot score improved from 50.1 to 91 points out of 100 possible points. Satisfactory healing time was expressed by an average return back to their atitude of 6 weeks, without including phisiotherapy. Persistence or recurrence of hallux valgus was seen in 3 patients (8%). The complication rate was 5.4% including post operative pain, superficial wound infection, atrophy of the muscles, traumatic dislocation of the distal fragment. Conclusion: The presented technique provides predictable correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus deformities

Bristow-Latarjet Technique: Still a Very Successful Surgery for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability - A Forty Year One Clinic Experience

AIM: To evaluate the functional outcomes of the Bristow-Latarjet procedure in patients with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Personal clinical records of 42 patients with 45 operated shoulders were reviewed retrospectively. Patient age at time of first dislocation, injury mechanism, and number of recurring dislocations before surgery were recorded. The overall function and stability of the shoulder was evaluated.RESULTS: Thirty five (78%) of the scapulohumeral humeral instabilities were caused by trauma. The mean number of recurring dislocations was 9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0–18); one patient had had 17 recurrences. Mean follow-up 46 months (95% CI, 16-88). No dislocation happened postoperatively. Four patients have fibrous union (9%). Only two had clinical sign of pain and discomfort. One of them was reoperated for screw removal with very good post-operative result. The overall functional outcome was good, with a mean Rowe score of 88 points (95% CI, 78–100). Scores of 27 (64%) of the patients were excellent, 9 (22%) were good, 4 (9.5%) were fair, and 2 (4.5%) were poor.CONCLUSION: The Bristow-Latarjet procedure is a very good surgical treatment for recurrent anterior-inferior instability of the glenohumeral joint. It must not be used for multidirectional instability or psychogenic habitual dislocations

Versatility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 41CM in the Brewery Sector: Use as a Starter for “Ale” and “Lager” Craft Beer Production

Craft breweries tend to use special raw materials and also special ingredients (spices, herbs, fruits) to typify beers, but the metabolic activities of yeasts play a primary role in defining the sensory characteristics of this beverage. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces pastorianus are yeast species usually used for ale and lager beer production. The selection and use of new yeast starters with peculiar technological and enzymatic characteristics could represent the key point for the production of beers with good and distinctive organoleptic properties. In this study, the fermentative performance of S. cerevisiae 41CM yeast isolated from the vineyard environment for ale and lager craft beer production on a laboratory scale was evaluated. The commercial yeast S. cerevisiae Fermentis S-04 and S. pastorianus Weihenstephan 34/70 were used as reference strains. S. cerevisiae 41CM showed fermentative kinetics similar to commercial starters, both in lager (12 °C) and ale (20 °C) brewing. In all beers brewed, the largest percentage of volatile compounds synthesized during the fermentation were alcohols, followed by esters, terpenes, and aldehydes. In particular, S. cerevisiae 41CM starter contributed a higher relative percentage of esters in the ale beer than that detected in the lager beer, without ever synthesizing unwanted volatile compounds

The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery

After a three-year quarantine from the deadliest global pandemic of the last century, ASTES is organizing to gather all health professionals in Tirana, The 6th Albanian Congress of Trauma and Emergency Surgery(ACTES 2022) on 11-12 November 2022, with the topic Trauma & Emergency Surgery and not only...with the aim of providing high quality, the best standards, and the best results, for our patients ...ACTES 2022 is the largest event that ASTES (Albanian Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery) has organized so far with 230 presentations, and 67 foreign lecturers with enviable geography, making it the largest national and wider scientific event.The scientific program is as strong as ever, thanks to the inclusiveness, where all the participants with a mix of foreign and local lecturers, select the best of the moment in medical science, innovation, and observation.The scientific committee has selected all the presentations so that the participants of each medical discipline will have something to learn, discuss, debate, and agree with updated methods, techniques, and protocols.I hope you will join us on Friday morning, and continue the journey of our two-day event together

The representative COVID-19 cohort Munich (KoCo19): from the beginning of the pandemic to the Delta virus variant

Le Gleut R, Plank M, Pütz P, et al. The representative COVID-19 cohort Munich (KoCo19): from the beginning of the pandemic to the Delta virus variant. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2023;23(1): 466.**Background** Population-based serological studies allow to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections despite a substantial number of mild or asymptomatic disease courses. This became even more relevant for decision making after vaccination started. The KoCo19 cohort tracks the pandemic progress in the Munich general population for over two years, setting it apart in Europe. **Methods** Recruitment occurred during the initial pandemic wave, including 5313 participants above 13 years from private households in Munich. Four follow-ups were held at crucial times of the pandemic, with response rates of at least 70%. Participants filled questionnaires on socio-demographics and potential risk factors of infection. From Follow-up 2, information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was added. SARS-CoV-2 antibody status was measured using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-N assay (indicating previous infection) and the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-S assay (indicating previous infection and/or vaccination). This allowed us to distinguish between sources of acquired antibodies. **Results** The SARS-CoV-2 estimated cumulative sero-prevalence increased from 1.6% (1.1-2.1%) in May 2020 to 14.5% (12.7-16.2%) in November 2021. Underreporting with respect to official numbers fluctuated with testing policies and capacities, becoming a factor of more than two during the second half of 2021. Simultaneously, the vaccination campaign against the SARS-CoV-2 virus increased the percentage of the Munich population having antibodies, with 86.8% (85.5-87.9%) having developed anti-S and/or anti-N in November 2021. Incidence rates for infections after (BTI) and without previous vaccination (INS) differed (ratio INS/BTI of 2.1, 0.7-3.6). However, the prevalence of infections was higher in the non-vaccinated population than in the vaccinated one. Considering the whole follow-up time, being born outside Germany, working in a high-risk job and living area per inhabitant were identified as risk factors for infection, while other socio-demographic and health-related variables were not. Although we obtained significant within-household clustering of SARS-CoV-2 cases, no further geospatial clustering was found. **Conclusions** Vaccination increased the coverage of the Munich population presenting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but breakthrough infections contribute to community spread. As underreporting stays relevant over time, infections can go undetected, so non-pharmaceutical measures are crucial, particularly for highly contagious strains like Omicron