Human vomeronasal epithelium development: An immunohistochemical overview

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is the receptor structure of the vomeronasal system (VNS) in vertebrates. It is found bilaterally in the submucosa of the inferior part of the nasal septum. There are ongoing controversies regarding the functionality of this organ in humans. In this study we propose the immunohistochemical evaluation of changes in components of the human vomeronasal epithelium during foetal development. We used 45 foetuses of different age, which were included in three age groups. After VNO identification immunohistochemical reactions were performed using primary antibodies against the following: neuron specific enolase, calretinin, neurofilament, chromogranin, synaptophysin, cytokeratin 7, pan-cytokeratin and S100 protein. Digital slides were obtained and following colorimetric segmentation, surface area measurements were performed. The VNO was found in less than half of the studied specimens (42.2%). Neuron specific enolase and calretinin immunoexpression showed a decreasing trend with foetal age, while the other neural/neuroendocrine markers were negative in all specimens. Cytokeratin 7 expression increased with age, while Pan-Ctk had no significant variations. S100 protein immunoexpression also decreased around the VNO. The results of the present work uphold the theory of regression of the neuroepithelium that is present during initial stages of foetal development

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER HIP REVISION ARTHROPLASTY

Nowadays the number of primary arthroplasties is growing and revision arthroplasty is becoming increasingly necessary. In this study we intend to examine the effectiveness of arthroplasties and assess the quality of life. We included 35 patients with revision arthroplasty and 35 primary hip arthroplasty patients who had surgery between 2011 and 2012 in the study. To examine the results we used the modified Harris hip score and the Rosser matrix, which was completed before surgery and 2-3 years after the procedure. We observed a statistically significant improvement: from 34 preoperative Harris hip score 75 at the 2 years postsurgery assessment and 72 at the 3 years postoperative assessment (p <0.0001). Significant improvements were also registered when assessing the health state with the Rosser matrix. The effect for the Harris score had a value of 2.06 which testifies the revision surgery has a high effectiveness. This means that with this kind of procedures dramatic improvement in quality of life can be achieved

ILIOPSOAS IMPINGEMENT AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Aim of this paper. Is to study the iliopsoas impingement with threedimensional modeling (3D) after total hip arthroplasty in extended position of the hip in case of 28 and 36 mm diameter prosthetic heads and the acetabular component in malposition (retroversion). Material and methods. We performed a 3D reconstruction of the pelvic bone, the left femur and left iliopsoas muscle of a 27 year old male based on CT images. After that we created a solid body that we used for the arthroplasty performed in the variants mentioned above and we used the finite element method for the analyses. Results. There were no traces of impingement with the 28 mm and 36 mm diameter femoral head, when the joint is in extension. When the acetabular component was in malposition, we found a stress aerie on the iliopsoas muscle and acetabular component meeting point. Conclusion. In our research, we demonstrated by 3D modeling and finite element analysis that after total hip arthroplasty using a large diameter femoral head, with the hip in extension, there is no pressure on the surface of iliopsoas muscle, contrary with the case of the acetabular component in retroversion. We can avoid this placing the acetabular component in angle of 45o inclination and 10o anteversion

ILIOPSOAS IMPINGEMENT AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Aim of this paper. Is to study the iliopsoas impingement with threedimensional modeling (3D) after total hip arthroplasty in extended position of the hip in case of 28 and 36 mm diameter prosthetic heads and the acetabular component in malposition (retroversion). Material and methods. We performed a 3D reconstruction of the pelvic bone, the left femur and left iliopsoas muscle of a 27 year old male based on CT images. After that we created a solid body that we used for the arthroplasty performed in the variants mentioned above and we used the finite element method for the analyses. Results. There were no traces of impingement with the 28 mm and 36 mm diameter femoral head, when the joint is in extension. When the acetabular component was in malposition, we found a stress aerie on the iliopsoas muscle and acetabular component meeting point. Conclusion. In our research, we demonstrated by 3D modeling and finite element analysis that after total hip arthroplasty using a large diameter femoral head, with the hip in extension, there is no pressure on the surface of iliopsoas muscle, contrary with the case of the acetabular component in retroversion. We can avoid this placing the acetabular component in angle of 45o inclination and 10o anteversion

Opinions on Medical Education, Options and Career Choices of 4th Year Medical Students

AbstractThe University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureş is the only medical university in Romania that offers Hungarian-language education. We aimed to find out the opinions of 4th year Romanian and Hungarian-language students regarding education in our University, their learning habits, options, and future career choices. We found significant differences between the two student groups both in terms of learning habits and career choices. One of our most important finding was that the majority of Hungarian students considered that university education does not properly prepare them for the practice of medicine – a fact that should be given further consideration

CERAMIC-ON-CERAMIC TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY IN YOUNG PATIENTS WITH FEMORAL-HEAD OSTEONECROSIS - SHORTTERM RESULTS

Aim: the increasing number of total hip arthroplasties in case of young, physically active patients means an increasing number of revision surgeries as well. For these patients the use of ceramic bearings could be an appropriate solution because of its reduced wear and a predicted longer lifetime. In this paper we would like to present our short experiences with non-cemented, ceramic-on-ceramic total hip prosthesis, in case of young patients. Materials and Methods: between January 2011 and December 2012, 32 hip arthroplasties were performed in case of 31 young patients diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The clinical and radiological follow-up of these patients was carried out for an average of 1,5 year. The average age was 47 years (25-51) in the moment of the surgery. The clinical assessment of the patients were carried out by the Harris Hip Score and Visual Analog Scale, performed before and 3, 6, 12 month after surgery. The radiological evaluation was based on the anteroposterior and axial radiographs performed at the above mentioned time points. Results: in each cases the bony ingrowth of the prosthesis took place. No stressshielding phenomenon was observed at the proximal part of the femur. In one case at six month control X-ray we noticed the damage of the ceramic insert and no further complications were observed. The patient refused the revision surgery for now. Conclusions: the fourth-generation ceramic component for non-cemented endoprosthesis used in case of young patients has very good early clinical and radiological results

MANAGEMENT OF SEPTIC SHOCKAND HYPOXIA INDUCED CONJUGATED HYPERBILIRUBINAEMIA IN CASE OF MAJOR CHEST TRAUMA – CASE REPORT

This case report describes a 50-year-old male trauma patient with multiple crushed thoracic lesions: flail chest, bilateral hemopneumothorax, myocardial infarction and pulmonary contusion. In the ICU he developed ARDS and pulmonary infection which lead to septic shock. Hypoxia due to inadequate ventilation and reduced visceral perfusion due to shock induced elevated levels of conjugated bilirubin. Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) sessions in combination with CytoSorb® filters and MARS® were needed. After surgical fixation of the flail segment ventilatory parameters improved significantly

Obesity and Knee Arthroscopy – a Review

Obesity is currently a global epidemic, often referred to as “globesity”, impacting the life of millions worldwide. A risk factor for many diseases, obesity can also be linked to developing intra-articular lesions of the knee, affecting the menisci, ligaments and cartilage. Furthermore, obesity has been shown to influence the outcome of surgical interventions, including those of the musculoskeletal system. Although many studies addressed the relationship of obesity and joint replacement, articles relating to arthroscopy and obesity, and knee arthroscopy in particular, are a bit scarcer. The majority of data suggest that an increase in BMI leads to a similar increase in the rates of intra- and postoperative complications, and most authors agree that a higher body mass index can influence both the procedure itself and its outcomes, including the subjective results reported by the patients. Still, some studies show different results, especially in patients that are overweight or with low-grade obesity, where the outcomes are comparable to those of the non-obese population. Thus, it can be concluded that obesity is an important patient characteristic that needs to be taken into consideration when planning, performing, and assessing the results of knee arthroscopy

The Impact of Living Arrangements on the Prevalence of Falls after Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comparison between Institutionalized and General Geriatric Population

Due to population aging, there is an increasing need for orthopedic surgery, especially total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). In geriatric patients, postoperative falls are common events which can compromise the success of these expensive procedures. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of living arrangements on the prevalence of postoperative falls following joint replacement. We included 441 patients after TKA or THA, living in nursing homes, alone or with family. The prevalence of falls in the first 2 years (15.2%) was significantly influenced by living arrangements: patients with TKA or THA living alone had three times higher odds of falling compared to those living with family, and institutionalized patients with THA had four times higher odds of falling compared to those living with family. Of 67 patients who fell, 6 (8.9%) needed reintervention. For TKA patients, the fall rates were not significantly different between institutions and family, indicating the interest of nursing homes in offering proper care. However, for the THA group, the results were poorer, emphasizing the need for improvement in postoperative rehabilitation. Further multi-centric studies are required for generalizing the impact of living arrangements on fall prevalence after joint replacement