Should Proximal Femoral Implants be Removed Prophylactically or Reactively in Children With Cerebral Palsy?

Background: Implants are commonly used to stabilize proximal femoral osteotomies in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Removal of implants is common practice and believed to avoid infection, fracture, or pain that might be associated with retained hardware. There is little evidence to support a prophylactic strategy over a reactive approach based on symptoms.

Patients' perspectives on allocation of publicly funded in vitro fertilization in Ontario: a qualitative study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine consumers' perspectives on fair allocation of publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the recently implemented Ontario Fertility Program (OFP). The research questions were as follows: 1) What factors do those who require IVF think are important to consider when distributing funded IVF? and 2) What are the barriers to accessing publicly funded IVF?

Methods: We approached this qualitative study with a social constructivist interpretative framework with grounded theory methodology. Data were obtained via focus group.

Three dimensional analysis of brace biomechanical efficacy for patients with AIS.

Purpose: Corrective three dimensional (3D) effect of different braces is debatable. We evaluated differences in in-brace radiographic correction comparing a custom thoracic-lumbo-sacral-orthosis (TLSO) (T) brace to a Chêneau type TLSO (C) brace using 3D EOS reconstruction technology. Our primary research question was the 3D effect of brace on the spine and in particularly the apical vertebra rotation (AVR).

Mini-incision vasectomy reversal using no-scalpel vasectomy principles: efficacy and postoperative pain compared with traditional approaches to vasectomy reversal.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and postoperative morbidity of a mini-incision vasectomy reversal (MIVR) using no-scalpel vasectomy principles compared with traditional incisional approaches to vasectomy reversal (VR).

Methods: Of 164 patients undergoing consecutive VR, 139 underwent bilateral vasovasostomy (55% bilateral MIVR, 24% mixed MIVR/traditional incision VR, and 21% bilateral traditional incision VR). The MIVRs were performed using a subcentimeter incision after the vas deferens was captured and delivered through the skin using the no-scalpel vasectomy principles and instruments.

Postoperative pulmonary edema secondary to rapid fluid injection into the corporal bodies during surgical correction of penile curvature: a rare consequence of artificial erection.

Some experts contend that occlusion of the proximal corpora cavernosal bodies of the penis with a tourniquet or manual compression during induction of an artificial erection distorts the penile anatomy and potentially masks proximal curvatures. The current report highlights a rare, but potentially morbid, case of postoperative pulmonary edema as a consequence of rapid fluid injection into the corporal bodies during surgical correction of penile curvature, in a 48-year-old male with a high-risk cardiac history.

Intraoperative assessment of technical skills on live patients using economy of hand motion: establishing learning curves of surgical competence.

Background: On surgical simulators, measures of economy of hand motion have been shown to be reliable, valid, and objective measures of technical competence. Our goal was to validate hand-motion analysis (HMA) as an objective measure of surgical skill on real patients.

Methods: HMA (hand movement frequency, hand travel distance) was evaluated serially on 2 standardized, live patient surgeries (vasectomy, vasectomy reversal) for both a novice and experienced surgeon.

Leptin attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rat H9c2 cells.

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a component of cardiac remodeling that can contribute to heart failure in obesity. A role for leptin in mediating this process has been suggested and the objective of this work was to investigate the effect of leptin on apoptosis and associated mechanisms in H9c2 cells which were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) to mimic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Qualitative immunofluorescent and quantitative laser scanning cytometry approaches demonstrated that exposure of cells to HR increased DNA fragmentation (TUNEL staining) which was attenuated by leptin (6 nM, 1 h) pretreatment.

Leptin protects H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes from H2O2-induced apoptosis.

Obesity is a known risk factor for induction of myocardial infarction, but, paradoxically, may also confer a protective effect against subsequent remodeling leading to heart failure. In this study, we investigated the effect of leptin, the product of the obese (ob) gene, on cardiomyocyte apoptosis, a well-characterized component of cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. Exposing H9c2 cells to H(2)O(2) decreased cell viability, and this was attenuated by pretreating cells with leptin for 1 h, but not 24 h.

MYH mutations are rare in prostate cancer.

Purpose: Oxidative stress is considered a risk factor for prostate cancer development and is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The base excision repair gene MYH protects against ROS-mediated damage to DNA. Inherited MYH mutations predispose to colorectal adenomas and cancer.