Neurological and neurourological complications of electrical injuries

Electrical injury can affect any system and organ. Central nervous system (CNS) complications are especially well recognised, causing an increased risk of morbidity, while peripheral nervous system (PNS) complications, neurourological and cognitive and psychological abnormalities are less predictable after electrical injuries.PubMed was searched for English language clinical observational, retrospective, review and case studies published in the last 30 years using the key words: electrical injury, electrocution, complications, sequelae, neurological, cognitive, psychological, urological, neuropsychological, neurourological, neurogenic, and bladder.In this review, the broad spectrum of neurological, cognitive, psychological and neurourological consequences of electrical trauma are discussed, and clinical features characteristic of an underlying neurological, psychological or neurourological disorder are identified. The latest information about the most recently discovered forms of nervous system disorders secondary to electrical trauma, such as the presentation of neurological sequelae years after electrocution, in other words long-term sequelae, are presented. Unexpected central nervous system or muscular complications such as hydrocephalus, brain venous thrombosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are described. Common and uncommon neuropsychological syndromes after electrical trauma are defined. Neurourological sequelae secondary to spinal cord or brain trauma or as independent consequences of electrical shock are also highlighted

Custom stems for femoral deformity in patients less than 40 years of age: 70 hips followed for an average of 14 years

Background and purpose Femoral deformity associated with osteoarthritis is a challenge for both the surgeon and the implant. Many of the patients with these deformities are young. Standard implants can be difficult to fit into these femurs. We prospectively evaluated the outcome of custom uncemented femoral stems in young patients

Variation in cytokine genes can contribute to severity of acetabular osteolysis and risk for revision in patients with ABG 1 total hip arthroplasty: a genetic association study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The differences in total hip arthroplasty (THA) survivorship may be influenced by individual susceptibility to periprosthetic osteolysis. This may be driven by functional polymorphisms in the genes for cytokines and cytokine receptors involved in the development of osteolysis in THA, thereby having an effect on the individual's phenotype.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed a study on 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 11 cytokines and two cytokine receptor candidate genes for association with severity of acetabular osteolysis and risk to failure in THA. Samples from 205 unrelated Caucasian patients with cementless type THA (ABG 1) were investigated. Distribution of investigated SNP variants between the groups of mild and severe acetabular osteolysis was determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Time-dependent output variables were analyzed by the Cox hazards model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Univariate analysis showed: 1) <it>TNF</it>-238*A allele was associated with severe osteolysis (odds ratio, OR = 6.59, <it>p </it>= 0.005, population attributable risk, PAR 5.2%); 2) carriers of the <it>IL6</it>-174*G allele were 2.5 times more prone to develop severe osteolysis than non-carriers (OR = 2.51, <it>p </it>= 0.007, PAR = 31.5%); 3) the carriage of <it>IL2</it>-330*G allele was associated with protection from severe osteolysis (OR = 0.55, <it>p </it>= 0.043). Based on logistic regression, the alleles <it>TNF</it>-238*A and <it>IL6</it>-174*G were independent predictors for the development of severe acetabular osteolysis. Carriers of <it>TNF</it>-238*A had increased cumulative hazard of THA failure according to Cox model (<it>p </it>= 0.024). In contrast, <it>IL2</it>-330*G allele predicted lower cumulative hazard of THA failure (<it>p </it>= 0.019).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Genetic variants of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 confer susceptibility to severe OL. In this way, presence of the minor <it>TNF </it>allele could increase the cumulative risk of THA failure. Conversely, SNP in the <it>IL2 </it>gene may protect carriers from the above THA complications.</p

The adjunctive benefits of mirror cross education on kinetic chain exercise approach in volleyball athletes with scapular dyskinesis

BACKGROUND: Volleyball players as overhead athletes have the highest risk of developing scapular dyskinesis. The kinetic chain exercise-approach has gained a lot of attention because of its claims to provide an improved motor control and scapular kinematics. A form of cross exercise, known as mirror therapy, may enhance the effects of a kinetic-chain-approach on scapular posture, upper and lower limb performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the adjunctive benefits of mirror cross education in a kinetic chain approach, in volleyball athletes with SD. METHODS: Thirty-nine professional volleyball athletes were randomly assigned to three groups of 13 each, two experimental, the mirror cross education and kinetic chain approach, and one control. Both experimental groups performed a kinetic chain approach program, however, the mirror cross education group performed the exercise program with the addition of two mirrors that allowed athletes to observe their opposite non-dyskinetic scapula. Scapular posture asymmetries in cm, the Y-Balance and the Upper-Quarter Y-Balance after normalizing by limb length the reach distance in each direction, were assessed before and after performing each intervention for 6 weeks. RESULTS: 3×2 two-way Mixed ANOVAs detected significant interactions on scapular posture (P=0.001) on both experimental groups when compared with the control. The Y-Balance and the Upper Quarter Y-Balance scores at both mirror cross education and kinetic chain approach groups showed significant differences when compared with the control (P&lt;0.05). Overall, variables showed significant superiority of the mirror cross education group. CONCLUSIONS: The Mirror-Cross-Education demonstrated significant effects in scapular posture and in the functional balance tests of volleyball athletes with scapular dyskinesis

Lateral versus medial approach for intra-articular knee injections

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the medial or the lateral mid-patellar approach is the most reliable for intra-articular knee injections. Methods: The study included 76 knees of 76 patients divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 38 patients with a knee injury and resultant knee effusion. The second group included 38 patients without any known knee pathology. Patients were matched according to age and gender. The medial joint opening (medial patellofemoral angle) was calculated on a T1-weighted transverse image by measuring the anatomic angle between the femur and the patella. The lateral joint opening (lateral patellofemoral angle) was calculated in a similar way. Results: The medial patellofemoral angle was significantly higher than the lateral patellofemoral angle in both groups (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The medial patellofemoral angle is significantly higher than the lateral patellofemoral angle in both healthy knees and knees with effusion. Therefore, the medial approach appears to be more accurate for intra-articular knee injection due to the medial joint&apos;s larger opening. © 2015 Turkish Association of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Remote learning for children with Special Education Needs in the era of COVID-19: Beyond tele-conferencing sessions

The unprecedented situation of Covid-19 which resulted in the closure of schools, enforced the educational community worldwide to find alternative ways to design the learning process. In special education the challenges are greater due to the need of individualized learning in 1:1 base, physical prompt, visual support and direct reinforcement. Nowadays, the internet services, like remote learning and teletherapy, could be an alternative and effective method of providing virtual intervention services using either well known video conferencing platforms, or more specialized ones. However, while such platforms hold great promise, there are few research studies that discuss the design decisions of the remote learning services and the most effective learning model that could be offered to children with Special Education Needs (SEN). The goal of this paper is to present a case study where SEN teachers and therapists applied a remote learning approach using an innovative online education gaming platform in combination with a video conferencing platform during the period of school closures due to Covid-19. Thirteen (13) children from three special schools participated in the study, with the majority having the autism diagnosis. The positive effects of this remote learning approach are discussed with the focus remaining on autism population. © 2021 International Council for Educational Media

The effect of gender, age and sports specialisation on isometric trunk strength in Greek high level young athletes

Aim of the study was to compare the isometric strength of flexors and extensors trunk muscles between male and female elite adolescent athletes of different age and training experience. Absolute and relative trunk muscle isometric peak extension (PTE) and flexion (PTF) torque, as well as flexion/extension (F/E) ratio were evaluated in 388 elite adolescent athletes 188 males (Age: 15.4±1.8 years, Body height: 175.5±11.2 cm, Body mass: 68.8±14.5 kg, BMI: 22.1±0.3 kg/m2) and 207 females (Age: 15.1±1.6 years, Body height: 166.8±7.8 cm, Body mass: 60.8±8.4 kg and BMI: 21.8±0.4 kg/m2). Participants were assigned into seven different groups according to their sport specialisation (oars-paddle, swimming, contact–combat, team, racket, winter and mixed other sports). Significant effect of age (η2: 0.077–0.112, p &amp;lt; 0.05), gender (η2: 0.020–0.077; p &amp;lt; 0.05) and sport category factors (η2: 0.057–0.154. p &amp;lt; 0.005) for absolute/relative PTE, PTF and F/E ratio was found. The highest values were observed in contact–combat and the lowest in mixed other sports groups. F/E ratio significantly differs between the age groups, especially in female athletes. The present data suggest that TMSs and F/E ratio are highly affected by age, gender and sports specialisation in high level trained adolescents. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor &amp; Francis Group