Complications and reoperations of the SB Charité lumbar disc prosthesis: experience in 75 patients

Artificial disc prosthesis show fair to good short- and mid-term results. Long-term results are becoming apparent now, however, the incidence of late complications with this procedure remain poorly understood. In this report we will analyse late complications and discuss our experiences with salvage operations in patients with persistent pain after SB Charité disc prosthesis implantation. Seventy-five patients with persistent leg and back pain after insertion of an artificial disc prosthesis were enrolled in the study. In this negative selection frequently occurring late-complications were subsidence, wear, adjacent disc degeneration, facet joint degeneration and migration. In 15 patients we performed a posterior fusion without disc removal, and in 22 patients we removed 26 prostheses and performed a posterior and anterior fusion. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry were examined before the salvage operation and after a follow-up period of at least 1 year, which is not yet available in all patients. The VAS and Oswestry decreased in the posterior group (n = 10) respectively from 8.0 (SD 0.9) to 6.3 (SD 2.1) and from 57.0 (SD 17.0) to 44.6 (SD 20.4); and in the disc removal group (n = 14) respectively from 8.0 (SD 0.9) to 5.6 (SD 2.7) and from 56.3 (SD 14.0) to 43.0 (SD 20.7). Serious late complications may occur following total disc replacement. Removal of the SB Charité artificial disc is feasible but with inherent risks. Removal of the disc prosthesis gives slightly better results than posterior fusion alone after a follow-up of at least 1 year

Insulin resistance and its association with the components of the metabolic syndrome among obese children and adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insulin resistance is the primary metabolic disorder associated with obesity; yet little is known about its role as a determinant of the metabolic syndrome in obese children. The aim of this study is to assess the association between the degree of insulin resistance and the different components of the metabolic syndrome among obese children and adolescents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An analytical, cross-sectional and population-based study was performed in forty-four public primary schools in Campeche City, Mexico. A total of 466 obese children and adolescents between 11-13 years of age were recruited. Fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured; insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome were also evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of the total population studied, 69% presented low values of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, 49% suffered from abdominal obesity, 29% had hypertriglyceridemia, 8% presented high systolic and 13% high diastolic blood pressure, 4% showed impaired fasting glucose, 51% presented insulin resistance and 20% metabolic syndrome. In spite of being obese, 13% of the investigated population did not present any metabolic disorder. For each one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, when insulin resistance increased so did odds ratios as cardiometabolic risk factors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Regardless of age and gender an increased degree of insulin resistance is associated with a higher prevalence of disorders in each of the components of the metabolic syndrome and with a heightened risk of suffering metabolic syndrome among obese children and adolescents.</p

Discordances in the application of different criteria for quantification of paediatric abdominal obesity: an analysis of two Swiss studies

Several definitions of paediatric abdominal obesity have been proposed but it is unclear whether they lead to similar results. We assessed the prevalence of abdominal obesity using five different waist circumference-based definitions and their agreement with total body fat (TBF) and abdominal fat (AF). Data from 190 girls and 162 boys (Ballabeina), and from 134 girls and 113 boys (Kinder-Sportstudie, KISS) aged 5-11 years were used. TBF was assessed by bioimpedance (Ballabeina) or dual energy X-ray absorption (KISS). On the basis of the definition used, the prevalence of abdominal obesity varied between 3.1 and 49.4% in boys, and 4.7 and 55.5% in girls (Ballabeina), and between 1.8 and 36.3% in boys and 4.5 and 37.3% in girls (KISS). Among children considered as abdominally obese by at least one definition, 32.0 (Ballabeina) and 44.7% (KISS) were considered as such by at least two (out of five possible) definitions. Using excess TBF or AF as reference, the areas under the receiver operating curve varied between 0.577 and 0.762 (Ballabeina), and 0.583 and 0.818 (KISS). We conclude that current definitions of abdominal obesity in children lead to wide prevalence estimates and should not be used until a standard definition can be proposed

Complete Automation of Metro Stations through Artificial Intelligence

Metrostationshavebecomeaninvaluabletransportationresourceandwillbespreadingoutofthemetropolitancitiessoon.Ithasreducedtraveltimeandtravelcost.Weintendtoresearchthepossibilityofunmannedmetrostationsthroughtheapplicationofartificialintelligence,oneofwhichisexpertsystems.Expertsystems–thatareabletoholdtheaccumulatedknowledgeofdifferentdomainexpertscanbeimplementedtoguidethecommuterabouttheoptimumtravelroute.Inthiswaythemetrostationscanbeturnedintoself-sustainablestructures

Complete Automation of Metro Stations through Artificial Intelligence

Metro stations have become an invaluable transportation resource and will be spreading out of the metropolitan cities soon. It has reduced travel time and travel cost. We intend to research the possibility of unmanned metro stations through the application of artificial intelligence, one of which is expert systems. Expert systems —that are able to hold the accumulated knowledge of different domain experts can be implemented to guide the commuter about the optimum travel route. In this way the metro stations can be turned into self-sustainable structures.</jats:p

Primary Angiosarcoma of breast- A case report with review of literature

Angiosarcoma is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all malignant mammary lesions. The prognosis is usually poor due to high rates of local recurrence and early development of metastases. We report a 40 year old woman with a highly vascular mass on radiology, she presented with bony metastases at presentation. Core biopsy of the breast mass performed twice showed only haemorrhage and necrosis. Due to biopsy she developed ulceration and presented with nipple discharge. Frozen section done from the base of the ulcer was haemorrhagic and inflammatory. Cytology of nipple discharge too showed inflammation &amp; haemorrhage. Finally mastectomy was done and histopathology showed angiosarcoma of intermediate grade. Immunohistochemically the tumor showed positivity for CD31, multifocal substantial positivity for CD34,FLi-1 diffusely positive and negative for cytokeratin. Ki 67 proliferation index – upto 60-70% in foci, IHC confirmed Angiosarcoma intermediate to high grade. Angiosarcoma is a rare tumor which is difficult to diagnose on core biopsy of breast. A highly vascular breast mass should always be considered malignant until proven otherwise. Surgical treatment seems to be the best course of action

Band saw injury in a butcher

Background While treating an unusual amputation caused by a meat band saw in a 35-year-old butcher, we sought information from the medical literature that would be useful to other physicians who might encounter similar occupational injuries. Methods Using the Medline database and relevant search terms, we reviewed the literature concerning occupational saw blade injuries and porcine microbiology as they related to this injury. Results Among meat workers using powered cutting equipment, hand injuries and distal fingertip amputations appear to be common. The greatest risk for a wound infection after open exposure to raw pork meat appears primarily related to environmental flora rather than enteric-borne porcine pathogens. Conclusions Decision-making strategy when formulating a treatment plan for debridement or reconstruction of saw blade amputations should rely on a detailed understanding of the injury and occupational environment to achieve an optimal patient outcome. When considering operative and antibiotic treatment for porcine meat-related amputation injury, surgeons should adhere to open fracture-related guidelines, since porcine-borne illnesses are most often caused by ingestion rather than transcutaneous inoculation