Presentation type, perceived credibility, and perceived validity : a document usability analysis

This descriptive research investigated usability measures reported by subjects who reviewed procedures formatted as decision tables and numbered lists taken from a microchip product specification document. The research subjects (n = 15) are employees of Agere Systems (headquartered in Allentown Pennsylvania, United States) where this researcher also worked as a technical writer. Subjects represented various national origins and were stratified into two groups of six Eastern and nine Western. The independent variables, presentation type, perceived credibility, and perceived validity were studied for their interaction with the dependent variable, usability. The variable model was queried between the two groups. Three findings included the following: 1. Subjects from Western cultures reported higher scores for perceived credibility and perceived validity when reviewing procedures formatted as tables than those formatted as numbered lists (t = 2.226, p = 0.027). 2. Subjects from Eastern cultures reported higher scores than subjects from Western cultures on measures of perceived credibility when reviewing procedures formatted as both tables and numbered lists (t = 2.822, p = 0.005). 3. Subjects from Eastern cultures reported lower scores than subjects from Western cultures on measures of perceived validity when reviewing procedures formatted as both tables and numbered lists (t = -2.120, p = 0.035). These are preliminary findings; the research was an exploratory effort to derive testable hypotheses for a future study designed to enroll larger populations under more strictly controlled experimental settings

Indications for implant removal after fracture healing: a review of the literature

Introduction: The aim of this review was to collect and summarize published data on the indications for implant removal after fracture healing, since these are not well defined and guidelines hardly exist. Methods: A literature search was performed. Results: Though there are several presumed benefits of implant removal, such as functional improvement and pain relief, the surgical procedure can be very challenging and may lead to complications or even worsening of the complaints. Research has focused on the safety of metal implants (e.g., risk of corrosion, allergy, and carcinogenesis). For these reasons, implants have been removed routinely for decades. Along with the introduction of titanium alloy implants, the need for implant removal became a subject of debate in view of potential (dis)advantages since, in general, implants made of titanium alloys are more difficult to remove. Currently, the main indications for removal from both the upper and lower extremity are mostly 'relative' and patient-driven, such as pain, prominent material, or simply the request for removal. True medical indications like infection or intra-articular material are minor reasons. Conclusion: This review illustrates the great variety of view points in the literature, with large differences in opinions and practices about the indications for implant removal after fracture healing. Since some studies have described asymptomatic patients developing complaints after removal, the general advice nowadays is to remove implants after fracture healing only in symptomatic patients and after a proper informed consent. Well-designed prospective studies on this subject are urgently needed in order to form guidelines based on scientific evidence

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

This report describes a case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee that presented 4 weeks after total knee arthroplasty. Femoral arteriography showed a false aneurysm of a branch of the inferior lateral geniculate artery. Therapeutic embolization of the arterial branch was performed using three platinum coils with good clinical result and good knee joint function. Hemarthrosis has not recurred since embolization

Participação esportiva entre adolescentes e crianças brasileiras: revisão sistemática

The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of sports participation in Brazilian children and adolescents through a systematic literature review. A search was carried out in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, BIREME, SCIELO, and SCOPUS for manuscripts published until 2020, combining the keywords: “children”, “adolescents”, “prevalence”, and “sports participation”, in Portuguese and English. Twenty-six articles published between 2003 and 2020 were included in the review, with the aim of estimating the prevalence of participation in organized sports in Brazilian children and adolescents. Considering the regions where the studies were carried out, the majority were developed in the south (57.7%; n=15), followed by the southeast (19.2%; n=05), and northeast (15.4%; n=04), in addition to 7.7% (n=02) in all regions of the country. The data showed prevalence of sports participation ranging from 15.0% to 73.2% (mean of 44.8%) among children and adolescents, being higher in males (63.1%). From the results found, the need to develop public policies is evident, in order to favor adherence and maintenance of young people to sports practice, especially among those of the female sex.O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência de participação esportiva em crianças e adolescentes brasileiros por meio de uma revisão sistemática de literatura. A busca foi realizada nas seguintes bases de dados eletrônicas: MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE, BIREME, SCIELO e SCOPUS de manuscritos publicados até o ano de 2020, por meio da combinação das palavras-chave: “crianças”, “adolescentes”, “prevalência” e “participação esportiva”, em português e inglês. Foram incluídos na revisão 26 artigos publicados no período de 2003 a 2020, com objetivo de estimar a prevalência de crianças e adolescentes brasileiros acerca da participação em esportes organizados. Quanto a região de realização do estudo, a maioria foi desenvolvido no sul (57.7%; n=15), seguido do sudeste (19.2%; n=05) e nordeste (15.4; n=04), além de 7.7% (n=02) em todas as regiões do país. Os dados mostraram prevalências de participação esportiva que variaram entre 15.0% a 73.2% (média de 44.8%) entre crianças e adolescentes, sendo superior no sexo masculino (63.1%). A partir dos resultados encontrados evidencia-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de políticas públicas para favorecera aderência e manutenção de jovens para a prática esportiva, principalmente entre aqueles do sexo feminino

Treatment of diaphyseal non-unions of the ulna and radius

Non-unions of the forearm often cause severe dysfunction of the forearm as they affect the interosseus membrane, elbow and wrist. Treatment of these non-unions can be challenging due to poor bone stock, broken hardware, scarring and stiffness due to long-term immobilisation. We retrospectively reviewed a large cohort of forearm non-unions treated by using a uniform surgical approach during a period of 33 years (1975-2008) in a single trauma centre. All non-unions were managed following the AO-principles of compression plate fixation and autologous bone grafting if needed. The study cohort consisted of 47 patients with 51 non-unions of the radius and/or ulna. The initial injury was a fracture of the diaphyseal radius and ulna in 22 patients, an isolated fracture of the diaphyseal ulna in 13, an isolated fracture of the diaphyseal radius in 5, a Monteggia fracture in 5, and a Galeazzi fracture-dislocation of the forearm in 2 patients. Index surgery for non-union consisted of open reduction and plate fixation in combination with a graft in 30 cases (59%), open reduction and plate fixation alone in 14 cases (27%), and only a graft in 7 cases (14%). The functional result was assessed in accordance to the system used by Anderson and colleagues. Average follow-up time was 75 months (range 12-315 months). All non-unions healed within a median of 7 months. According to the system of Anderson and colleagues, 29 patients (62%) had an excellent result, 8 (17%) had a satisfactory result, and 10 (21%) had an unsatisfactory result. Complications were seen in six patients (13%). Our results show that treatment of diaphyseal forearm non-unions using classic techniques of compression plating osteosynthesis and autologous bone grafting if needed will lead to a high union rate (100% in our series). Despite clinical and radiographic bone healing, however, a substantial subset of patients will have a less than optimal functional outcom