Comparison of tibial anatomical-mechanical axis angle between predisposed dogs and dogs at low risk for cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

The purpose of this prospective, radiographic, descriptive study was to compare measurements of tibial anatomical-mechanical axis angle (AMA-angle), tibial plateau angle (TPA), relative tibial tuberosity width (rTTW) and Z-angle from mediolateral radiographs of the tibia between two canine breeds (72 dogs) not predisposed to cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and those from a consecutive series of 185 large dogs and 17 West Highland white terriers (WHWT) diagnosed with unilateral, surgically confirmed CCLR. Correlations among these measurements were determined, and levels of inter- and intra-observer variability among and within three observers for each measurement were established using Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Breed had a significant effect on AMA-angle.

Pressure ulcers prevention efficacy of an alternating pressure air mattress in elderly patients: E²MAO a randomised study.

Objective: Our aim was to compare Axtair One, an alternating pressure air mattress (APAM), with a viscoelastic foam mattress (VFM) in elderly patients at moderate to high risk of developing pressure ulcers (PUs).

Method: A randomised, controlled, superiority, parallel-group, open-label, multicentre study, was conducted, between February 2012 and March 2015, in nine French, medium- and long-term stay facilities. Eligible patients were aged 70 and over, had no PUs on enrolment, were bedridden for at least 15 hours per day, had reduced mobility, an absent or minimal positioning capability, a Braden score <14, a nutritional status score >12 and a Karnofsky score <40%.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in a long-term care facility: hypothesis about selection and transmission.

Background: many studies have identified long-term care facilities (LTCFs) as reservoirs of patients carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, few data about the mechanisms of MRSA diffusion in these settings are available.

Objectives: the purpose of our study was to suggest hypothesis on the possible ways of MRSA transmission to residents in or outside a LTCF.

Optimizing wound care with a new lipido-colloid dressing (Urgotul Duo).

This non-comparative, multicentre clinical trial includes 43 patients whose acute or chronic wounds were treated with a new lipido-colloid dressing, Urgotul Duo, for at most 4 weeks, or until healing first occurred. The efficacy, tolerance and acceptability results obtained from this 'ready-for-use' dressing were similar to those reported for the Urgotul dressing in numerous previous clinical trials, and for all the different types of acute and chronic wounds. This well-tolerated new dressing greatly facilitates care operations in terms of execution (reduced use of supplementary gauzes for the secondary dressing) and duration (shorter nursing time), while improving patient comfort.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and aging.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans and can readily be converted to its parent steroid DHEA by tissue sulfatases. Yet, a biologic function for these steroids has not been defined. The link between DHEA and aging has been raised by: (1) its well documented age-related decline, and (2) a preventive effect of DHEA on numerous age-related illnesses: ischemic heart-disease, cognitive impairment, immunodeficiency, malignancies, osteoporosis.

[Actions of dehydroepiandrosterone: possible links with aging].

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfo-conjugated derivative (SDHEA), secreted by the adrenal glands, are the most abundant circulating steroids in the human organism. The well-established fact that levels decrease progressively with age suggests a role in the aging process. They could also play a preventive role via an antitumoral action, stimulation of the immune system, an antiosteoporotic effect, a neuropsychologic action and cardiovascular protection.