The prevalence and impact of microaggressions within orthopaedics in the United States of America: A systematic review.

Background: Microaggressions are being increasingly documented within the medical community. With their rising prevalence, there is concern that microaggressions can lead to suboptimal working environments, victim burnout, and compromised patient safety. Orthopaedics, known for macroaggressions like bullying and sexual discrimination, remains the least diverse specialty, potentially predisposing its staff to microaggressions.

On the relationship between Bitcoin and other assets during the outbreak of coronavirus: Evidence from fractional cointegration analysis.

This article tries to investigate the connectedness between Bitcoin and Crude Oil, S&P500 and Natural Gas with the health crisis. That is why one might apply fractional cointegration analysis on daily data over the period 01/09/2019-30/04/2020. Our results indicate the presence of fractional integration in residual series, implying the existence of a fractional cointegration relationship.

A short-and long-term analysis of the nexus between Bitcoin, social media and Covid-19 outbreak.

In this paper, we attempt to analyze the dynamic interplay between Bitcoin, social media, and the Covid-19 health crisis. For this end, we apply the fractional autoregressive vector model, fractional error correction model and impulse response functions on daily data over the period 31/12/2019-30/10/2020. Our results clearly show the short- and long-term evidence of the nexus between the Bitcoin price, social media metrics (Tweets and Google Trends) and the intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment of dorsal root ganglion for treatment of lumbar facet syndrome.

Objectives: Percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of the medial dorsal branch is often used for treatment of chronic low back pain originating from intervertebral facets, which is sometimes associated with a low success rate and a higher incidence of recurrence of pain. We theorized that implementing pulsed radiofrequency treatment to dorsal root ganglion would increase the probability of successful pain relief.

Patients And Methods: 150 patients diagnosed with CLBP of a confirmed facet origin were included in a prospective randomized controlled trial and were randomly divided into three equal groups, the first was submitted to percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment of the dorsal root ganglia, the second underwent percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of the medial dorsal branch and the third was a control group that did not receive any radiofrequency treatment.

Predictive Factors for Seizures Accompanying Intracranial Meningiomas.

Objective: Seizures represent a common manifestation of intracranial meningiomas. Their predictive factors before and after excision merit studying.

Materials And Methods: Patients having intracranial meningioma were prospectively studied.

Prognostic significance of hematoma thickness to midline shift ratio in patients with acute intracranial subdural hematoma: a retrospective study.

Acute intracranial subdural hematoma (ASDH) is commonly associated with a grave prognosis citing a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. The parameters to decide on surgical evacuation of the hematoma are sometimes controversial. In this study, we theorized that the ratio between maximal hematoma thickness and midline shift would be varied by associated intrinsic brain pathology emanating from the trauma and would thus objectively evaluates the prognosis in ASDH.

Percutaneous radiofrequency facet capsule denervation as an alternative target in lumbar facet syndrome.

Objectives: Percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of the medial dorsal branch is often used in chronic low back pain of intervertebral facet etiology, which is sometimes difficult to perform and recurrence of pain often ensues. We theorized that shifting the target of RF coagulation to the facet joint capsule would provide an easier target and a longer-lived pain relieving response.

Patients And Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial where 120 patients diagnosed with CLBP of a confirmed facet origin were randomly divided into three equal groups, the first was submitted to percutaneous radiofrequency coagulation of the facet joint capsule, the second underwent percuataneous denervation of the medial dorsal branch and the third did not receive radiofrequency lesioning.

Operative treatment of calcaneal fractures: improved outcomes and low complications rates with a strict management protocol.

This is a retrospective review of 80 intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation by a specialist team under supervision of a single surgeon in a tertiary centre between 2005 and 2014. The fractures were evaluated with plain radiography and computed tomography, and graded using the Eastwood-Atkins classification. A lateral approach was used and all fractures were fixed with calcaneal plates.

Decompressive craniectomy and expansive duraplasty with evacuation of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma, a randomized controlled trial.

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has high morbidity and mortality rates. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is generally used for the treatment of cases associated with refractory increased intracranial pressure (ICP). In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of adding DC and expansive duraplasty (ED) to hematoma evacuation in patients who underwent surgery for large hypertensive ICH.

Management and outcome of low velocity penetrating head injury caused by impacted foreign bodies.

Background: Penetrating head injuries with impacted foreign bodies are rare, associated with a high incidence of morbidity and potentially life-threatening. In this study, we aimed at investigating the outcome of these cases as well as analyzing the factors affecting the prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective study in which the records of 16 patients who had penetrating head injuries caused by low-velocity impacted foreign bodies were revised.

Prophylactic use of anticoagulation and hemodilution for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events following meningioma surgery.

Objectives: Brain tumors may be associated with postoperative venous thromboembolic (VTE) events with possible devastating consequences. Meningioma has the highest incidence of postoperative VTE events among all brain tumors. Hemodilution and anticoagulation both proved efficacy in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis that is why we theorized that this regimen would be beneficial for VTE prophylaxis in operated intracranial meningioma patients without added risk to the patients.

Efficacy of postoperative antibiotic injection in and around ventriculoperitoneal shunt in reduction of shunt infection: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Infection is a common complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery. The incidence of shunt infection is still high despite routine administration of perioperative antibiotics. A lower incidence of shunt infection was observed when antibiotic-impregnated shunts (AIS) were used to treat hydrocephalus and a rapid cure was reported in cases of ventriculitis when antibiotics were injected into external ventricular drain (EVD).

Combined thrombin and autologous blood for repair of lumbar durotomy.

Lumbar durotomy can be intended or unintended and can result in persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Several methods are used to manage this complication including bed rest and CSF diversion. In this study, we theorize that the use of thrombin-soaked gel foam together with autologous blood laid on the sutured dural tear can prevent persistent CSF leak.

Neck incision planning for total laryngectomy: A finite element analysis.

Post-operative complications can be attributed to technical aspects of surgery, yet no studies have investigated the mechanics behind commonly used incisions for total laryngopharyngectomies (TLP). This procedure, seen in head and neck cancer patients, necessitates free tissue transfer to construct a neo-pharynx, creating an inherently greater risk of complications. We sought to investigate the impact of neck incision location on these post-operative complications for TLP using finite element analysis (FEA).

Microfabrication and integration of a sol-gel PZT folded spring energy harvester.

This paper presents the methodology and challenges experienced in the microfabrication, packaging, and integration of a fixed-fixed folded spring piezoelectric energy harvester. A variety of challenges were overcome in the fabrication of the energy harvesters, such as the diagnosis and rectification of sol-gel PZT film quality and adhesion issues. A packaging and integration methodology was developed to allow for the characterizing the harvesters under a base vibration.

A study of the effect of the fringe fields on the electrostatic force in vertical comb drives.

The equation that describes the relationship between the applied voltage and the resulting electrostatic force within comb drives is often used to assist in choosing the dimensions for their design. This paper re-examines how some of these dimensions-particularly the cross-sectional dimensions of the comb teeth-affect this relationship in vertical comb drives. The electrostatic forces in several vertical comb drives fabricated for this study were measured and compared to predictions made with four different mathematical models in order to explore the amount of complexity required within a model to accurately predict the electrostatic forces in the comb drives.

Numerical characterization of quasi-static ultrasound elastography for the detection of deep tissue injuries.

Deep tissue injuries are subcutaneous regions of tissue breakdown associated with excessive mechanical pressure for extended period of time. These wounds are currently clinically undetectable in their early stages and result in severe burdens on not only the patients who suffer from them, but the health care system as well. The goal of this work was to numerically characterize the use of quasi-static ultrasound elastography for detecting formative and progressive deep tissue injuries.

Top-orthogonal-to-bottom-electrode (TOBE) CMUT arrays for 3-D ultrasound imaging.

Two-dimensional ultrasound arrays hold great promise for 3-D imaging; however, wiring of each channel becomes impractical for large arrays or for small-footprint catheter probes for which the number of wires must be limited. Capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers offer a promising solution for such 2-D array applications, but channel routing is still non-trivial. A top-orthogonal-to-bottom-electrode (TOBE) 2-D CMUT array architecture is presented along with row-column addressing schemes for low-channel-count 3-D ultrasound imaging.

Molecular characterization and antigenic properties of a novel Babesia gibsoni glutamic acid-rich protein (BgGARP).

Identification and molecular characterization of Babesia gibsoni proteins with potential antigenic properties are crucial for the development and validation of the serodiagnostic method. In this study, we isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel B. gibsoni 76-kDa protein by immunoscreening of the parasite cDNA library.

High-performance piezoresistive MEMS strain sensor with low thermal sensitivity.

This paper presents the experimental evaluation of a new piezoresistive MEMS strain sensor. Geometric characteristics of the sensor silicon carrier have been employed to improve the sensor sensitivity. Surface features or trenches have been introduced in the vicinity of the sensing elements.

MEMS-based power generation techniques for implantable biosensing applications.

Implantable biosensing is attractive for both medical monitoring and diagnostic applications. It is possible to monitor phenomena such as physical loads on joints or implants, vital signs, or osseointegration in vivo and in real time. Microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based generation techniques can allow for the autonomous operation of implantable biosensors by generating electrical power to replace or supplement existing battery-based power systems.

Evaluation of diagnosis techniques used for spinal injury related back pain.

Back pain is a prevalent condition affecting much of the population at one time or the other. Complications, including neurological ones, can result from missed or mismanaged spinal abnormalities. These complications often result in serious patient injury and require more medical treatment.