The patients' experience of neuroimaging of primary brain tumors: a cross-sectional survey study.

Purpose: To gain insight into how patients with primary brain tumors experience MRI, follow-up protocols, and gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) use.

Methods: Primary brain tumor patients answered a survey after their MRI exam. Questions were analyzed to determine trends in patients' experience regarding the scan itself, follow-up frequency, and the use of GBCAs.

Tick Saliva Protein Evasin-3 Allows for Visualization of Inflammation in Arteries through Interactions with CXC-Type Chemokines Deposited on Activated Endothelium.

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality in developed and developing countries. The onset of atherosclerosis development is accompanied by overexpression of several inflammatory chemokines. Neutralization of these chemokines by chemokine-binding agents attenuates atherosclerosis progression.

Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks as Analgesia for Nonoperative Management of Distal Radius Fractures-Two Consecutive Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objectives: To investigate whether a conventional fracture hematoma block (FHB) or an ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block has more superior analgesic effect during nonoperative management of distal radius fractures in an emergency department setting. Two peripheral nerve block types were investigated, one at the level of the elbow, or cubital nerve block (CNB), and another an axillary nerve block (ANB).

Design: Two prospective randomized controlled studies were performed to compare the difference in pain intensity during closed reduction of a distal radius fracture between FHB-, CNB-, and, ANB-treated patients.

Xiphoidectomy: A Surgical Intervention for an Underdocumented Disorder.

Two patients who presented with nonspecific thoracic and upper abdominal symptoms and tenderness of the xiphoid process are discussed. Both patients had undergone extensive examinations, but no source for their symptoms could be found. Plain chest radiographs revealed an anterior displacement of the xiphoid process in both patients.

Delivering therapeutics in peripheral artery disease: challenges and future perspectives.

Targeted and sustained delivery of biologicals to improve neovascularization has been focused on stimulation angiogenesis. The formation of collaterals however is hemodynamically much more efficient, but as a target of therapy has been under-utilized. Although there is good understanding of the molecular processes involving collateral formation and there are interesting drugable candidates, the need for targeting and sustained delivery is still an obstacle towards safe and effective treatment.

Comparison of LDPI to SPECT perfusion imaging using (99m)Tc-sestamibi and (99m)Tc-pyrophosphate in a murine ischemic hind limb model of neovascularization.

Background: We aimed to determine the accuracy of laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) in an animal model for hind limb ischemia.

Methods: We used a murine (C57Bl/6 mice) ischemic hind limb model in which we compared LDPI with the clinically used (99m)Tc-sestamibi SPECT perfusion imaging (n = 7). In addition, we used the SPECT tracer (99m)Tc-pyrophosphate ((99m)Tc-PyP) to image muscular damage (n = 6).

Multiple carpometacarpal dislocations and an associated fracture of the hamate: an uncommon injury.

Dislocation of the four ulnar carpometacarpal (CMC) joints with a concurrent fracture of the hamate is a rare injury, with a paucity of published cases. A great force is required to dislocate a CMC joint. Diagnosis can easily be missed, due to other serious associated injuries.

CXCL1 microspheres: a novel tool to stimulate arteriogenesis.

Context: After arterial occlusion, diametrical growth of pre-existing natural bypasses around the obstruction, i.e. arteriogenesis, is the body's main coping mechanism.

Case report of nail bed injury after blunt trauma; what lies beneath the nail?

Introduction: A stable, mobile and sensate fingertip is of paramount importance to perform daily tasks and sense dangerous situations. Unfortunately, fingertips are easily injured with various extents of soft tissue damage. Delayed and inadequate treatment of nail bed injuries may cause substantial clinical problems.

Wound Infections Following Implant removal below the knee: the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis; the WIFI-trial, a multi-centre randomized controlled trial.

Background: In the Netherlands about 18,000 procedures with implant removal are performed annually following open or closed reduction and fixation of fractures, of which 30-80% concern the foot, ankle and lower leg region. For clean surgical procedures, the rate of postoperative wound infections (POWI) should be less than ~2%. However, rates of 10-12% following implant removal have been reported, specifically after foot, ankle and lower leg fractures.

CXCL1 promotes arteriogenesis through enhanced monocyte recruitment into the peri-collateral space.

Aims: The mechanisms of monocyte recruitment to arteriogenic collaterals are largely unknown. We investigated the role of chemokine (C-X-C-motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) and its cognate receptor, chemokine (C-X-C-motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) in arteriogenesis.

Methods And Results: After femoral artery ligation in Sprague-Dawley rats, either native collaterals were harvested or placebo, CXCL1 or CXCR2 blocker was administered via an osmopump.

Angular malalignment as cause of limitation of forearm rotation: an analysis of prospectively collected data of both-bone forearm fractures in children.

Introduction: Although limitation of pronation/supination following both-bone forearm fractures in children is often attributed to an angular malunion, no clinical study has compared pronation/supination and angular malalignment of the same child by analysis of prospectively collected clinical data.

Aim: The purpose of this trial is to explore whether limitation of pronation/supination can be predicted by the degree of angular malalignment in children who sustained a both-bone forearm fracture.

Methods: In four Dutch hospitals, children aged ≤16 years with a both-bone forearm fracture were prospectively followed up consecutive children for 6-9 months.

Which factors affect limitation of pronation/supination after forearm fractures in children? A prospective multicentre study.

Introduction: Both-bone forearm fractures in children frequently result in a limitation of pronation/supination, which hinders daily activities. The purpose of this prospective multicentre study was to investigate which clinical factors are related to the limitation of pronation/supination in children with a both-bone forearm fracture.

Methods: In four Dutch hospitals, consecutive children (<16 years) who sustained a both-bone forearm fracture were included.

Conversion to below-elbow cast after 3 weeks is safe for diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children.

Background: It is unclear whether it is safe to convert above-elbow cast (AEC) to below-elbow cast (BEC) in a child who has sustained a displaced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fracture that is stable after reduction. In this multicenter study, we wanted to answer the question: does early conversion to BEC cause similar forearm rotation to that after treatment with AEC alone?

Children And Methods: Children were randomly allocated to 6 weeks of AEC, or 3 weeks of AEC followed by 3 weeks of BEC. The primary outcome was limitation of pronation/supination after 6 months.

Sputter growth and characterization of metamagnetic B2-ordered FeRh epilayers.

Chemically ordered alloys are useful in a variety of magnetic nanotechnologies. They are most conveniently prepared at an industrial scale using sputtering techniques. Here we describe a method for preparing epitaxial thin films of B2-ordered FeRh by sputter deposition onto single crystal MgO substrates.

Early conversion to below-elbow cast for non-reduced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children is safe: preliminary results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: This multicentre randomised controlled trial was designed to explore whether 6 weeks above-elbow cast (AEC) or 3 weeks AEC followed by 3 weeks below-elbow cast (BEC) cause similar limitation of pronation and supination in non-reduced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children.

Materials And Methods: Children were randomly allocated to 6 weeks AEC or to 3 weeks AEC followed by 3 weeks BEC. The primary outcome was limitation of pronation and supination after 6 months.

Single-bone intramedullary fixation of unstable both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children leads to increased re-displacement: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Both-bone diaphyseal forearm fractures in children can be stabilised without cast by a flexible intramedullary nail in both the radius and the ulna. Adequate results with single-bone fixation combined with a complementary cast are also reported. However, because those results are based on a selection of children, this trial investigates whether single-bone intramedullary fixation, compared with both-bone intramedullary fixation, results in similar pronation and supination in children with an unstable diaphyseal both-bone forearm fracture.

The timing of ankle fracture surgery and the effect on infectious complications; a case series and systematic review of the literature.

Purpose: Information about the influence of delayed surgery on infectious wound complications is ambiguous. A clinical audit was performed to test the hypothesis that early surgery lowers the rate of infectious wound complications. Secondly we looked at the influence of surgical delay and complications on patient reported functional outcome.

Re-displacement of stable distal both-bone forearm fractures in children: a randomised controlled multicentre trial.

Introduction: Displaced metaphyseal both-bone fractures of the distal forearm are generally reduced and stabilised by an above-elbow cast (AEC) with or without additional pinning. The purpose of this study was to find out if re-displacement of a reduced stable metaphyseal both-bone fracture of the distal forearm in a child could be prevented by stabilisation with Kirschner wires.

Methods: Consecutive children aged <16 years with a displaced metaphyseal both-bone fracture of the distal forearm (n = 128) that was stable after reduction were randomised to AEC with or without percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires.

More than half of hip fracture patients do not regain mobility in the first postoperative year.

Aim: To measure functional recovery and determine risk factors for failure to return to the prefracture level of mobility of hip fracture patients 1 year postoperatively.

Methods: A prospective cohort follow-up study of 390 hip fracture patients aged 65 years and older was carried out. Patients were stratified in categories based on prefracture mobility: mobile without aid, with aid in- and outdoors, or only mobile indoors.

Do clinical characteristics and outcome in nonagenarians with a hip fracture differ from younger patients?

Aim: To compare clinical characteristics and outcome of nonagenarian hip fracture patients with younger patients aged 65-89 years.

Methods: This was a cohort follow-up study of admissions for a hip fracture between 2005-2010 (mean follow up of 3.5 years) in two teaching hospitals in The Netherlands; 230 nonagenarians and 1014 patients aged 65-89 years were included.

Contralateral hip fractures and other osteoporosis-related fractures in hip fracture patients: incidence and risk factors. An observational cohort study of 1,229 patients.

Purpose: To report risk factors, 1-year and overall risk for a contralateral hip and other osteoporosis-related fractures in a hip fracture population.

Methods: An observational study on 1,229 consecutive patients of 50 years and older, who sustained a hip fracture between January 2005 and June 2009. Fractures were scored retrospectively for 2005-2008 and prospectively for 2008-2009.

Below-elbow cast for metaphyseal both-bone fractures of the distal forearm in children: a randomised multicentre study.

Introduction: Minimally displaced metaphyseal both-bone fractures of the distal forearm in children are often treated with an above-elbow cast (AEC). Treatment with a below-elbow cast (BEC) could give more comfort, but might lead to fracture displacement reducing pronation and supination. Because this has not been systematically investigated, we set up a randomised multicentre study.