A comparative surface topographical analysis of explanted total knee replacement prostheses: Oxidised zirconium vs cobalt chromium femoral components.

It has been proposed that an increased surface roughness of the femoral components of Total Knee Replacements (TKRs) may be a contributing factor to the accelerated wear of the polyethylene (PE) bearing and ultimately prosthesis failure. Oxidised Zirconium was introduced to the orthopaedic market in an attempt to reduce PE wear associated failures and increase the longevity of the prosthesis. In this study, non-contacting profilometry was used to measure the surface roughness of the femoral components of 6 retrieved TKRs (3 Oxidised Zirconium (OxZr) and 3 Cobalt Chromium alloy (CoCr) femoral components) and 2 as-manufactured femoral components (1 OxZr and 1 CoCr).

Clinical Profile, Etiology, and Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis in North American Women: Analysis of a Large Multicenter Cohort.

Objective: Historically, chronic pancreatitis (CP) was considered a disease of alcoholic males, but recent data suggest its etiology to be complex. To better understand CP in women, we compared data on women and men with CP in a large, prospectively ascertained multicenter US cohort.

Methods: Patients with CP enrolled in the NAPS2 Continuation and Validation study were studied.

A Preliminary Comparison of Laryngeal Manipulation and Postural Treatment on Voice Quality in a Prospective Randomized Crossover Study.

Background: This crossover study compared the effects of two osteopathic treatments specific laryngeal manipulation (SLM) and postural manual therapy (PMT) on voice quality and pitch.

Methods: Twelve asymptomatic singers were measured acoustically immediately before and immediately after each intervention using a laryngograph. Fundamental frequency and the glottal closing quotient were used to determine any differences between groups before and after.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation Is Cost-Effective in Reducing Hospital Costs in Refractory Angina Patients.

Background: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is effective in the treatment of refractory angina, a condition suffered by 1.7 million Americans. Declining cardiovascular mortality and appropriate use criteria may further increase this number.

Spectrum of use and effectiveness of endoscopic and surgical therapies for chronic pancreatitis in the United States.

Objective: This study aims to describe the frequency of use and reported effectiveness of endoscopic and surgical therapies in patients with chronic pancreatitis treated at US referral centers.

Methods: Five hundred fifteen patients were enrolled prospectively in the North American Pancreatitis Study 2, where patients and treating physicians reported previous therapeutic interventions and their perceived effectiveness. We evaluated the frequency and effectiveness of endoscopic (biliary or pancreatic sphincterotomy, biliary or pancreatic stent placement) and surgical (pancreatic cyst removal, pancreatic drainage procedure, pancreatic resection, surgical sphincterotomy) therapies.