The Benefits of Early versus Late Therapeutic Intervention in Fabry Disease.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by pathogenic variants of the gene. Heterozygous female patients may show much more variability in clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic to full-blown disease. Because of this heterogeneous clinical picture in women, the diagnosis of FD has typically been delayed for more than a decade, and the optimal time to initiate treatment remains controversial.

A Comparative Study Using Fluorescent Confocal Microscopy and Flow Cytometry to Evaluate Chondrocyte Viability in Human Osteochondral Allografts.

The preservation conditions of fresh osteochondral allografts for clinical applications are critical due their objective: to transplant mature hyaline cartilage containing viable chondrocytes, maintaining their metabolic activity and also preserving the structural and functional characteristics of the extracellular matrix. The aim of the present study was to compare fluorescence confocal microscopy and flow cytometry techniques to evaluate the viability of the chondrocytes present in the osteochondral tissue, in order to determine their effectiveness and thus ensure reproducibility and robustness of the analysis. To this end, osteochondral allografts from human cadaveric donors were preserved at 4 °C for 3 weeks in a preservation medium supplemented with antibiotic and antifungal agents.

Breath analysis using electronic nose and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: A pilot study on bronchial infections in bronchiectasis.

Background And Aims: In this work, breath samples from clinically stable bronchiectasis patients with and without bronchial infections by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa- PA) were collected and chemically analysed to determine if they have clinical value in the monitoring of these patients.

Materials And Methods: A cohort was recruited inviting bronchiectasis patients (25) and controls (9). Among the former group, 12 members were suffering PA infection.

Improvement in Atrial Fibrillation-Related Symptoms After Cardioversion: Role of NYHA Functional Class and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm.

Background: The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score is a proven and validated tool for assessing the symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF). Little is known about the variables related to this score and how it changes after cardioversion.

Methods: We analyzed 744 patients undergoing elective cardioversion in whom AF-related symptoms were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up using the EHRA score.

Pharmacological Cardioversion after Pre-Treatment with Antiarrythmic Drugs Prior to Electrical Cardioversion in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Impact on Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm.

Background: Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) are frequently initiated in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) prior to electrical cardioversion (ECV), achieving pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) in some cases. Little is known about the mode of cardioversion and the effect of the type of AAD used in the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR).

Methods: From three national surveys of patients with persistent AF referred for ECV, we selected those who were pre-treated with AADs (amiodarone or group Ic AADs).

Isolated reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament with an elastic femoral fixation leads to excellent clinical results.

Purpose: The primary objective was to compare the functional outcomes after an isolated MPFL reconstruction using either a quasi-anatomical technique (group A) or an anatomical MPFL reconstruction (group B). The secondary objectives were to compare the rates of redislocation, range-of-motion and subjective patellar instability (Smillie test).

Methods: A multicenter longitudinal prospective comparative study was performed.

Molecular and clinicopathologic characterization of intravenous leiomyomatosis.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is an unusual uterine smooth muscle proliferation that can be associated with aggressive clinical behavior despite a histologically benign appearance. It has some overlapping molecular characteristics with both uterine leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma based on limited genetic data. In this study, we assessed the clinical and morphological characteristics of 28 IVL and their correlation with molecular features and protein expression, using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and Cyclin D1, p16, phosphorylated-Rb, SMARCB1, SOX10, CAIX, SDHB and FH immunohistochemistry.

Utility of Amiodarone Pre-Treatment as a Facilitator of the Acute Success of Electrical Cardioversion in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose: The usefulness and mechanisms of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) pre-treatment as a facilitator of the acute success of electrical cardioversion (ECV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remain controversial. We sought to analyze the role of AAD treatment with this purpose, differentiating its possible utility either facilitating the restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) or reducing immediate AF recurrences (IAFR).

Methods: We analyzed 2962 consecutive patients with persistent AF undergoing ECV prospectively included in 3 national registries.

Evaluating for Tunnel Convergence in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Modified Lemaire Tenodesis: What Is the Best Tunnel Angle to Decrease Risk?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan evaluations of patients who had undergone a combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and modified Lemaire anterolateral tenodesis (ALT) with femoral fixation through a bony tunnel.

Methods: Postoperative CT scans of 52 patients who had undergone combined ACL and ALT were prospectively evaluated. ACL femoral tunnels were drilled through an anteromedial portal in the center of the native footprint.

Internal Fixation of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee Leads to Good Long-Term Outcomes and High Degree of Healing without Differences between Fixation Devices.

The aim of the present study is to describe results at long-term follow-up of internal fixation of unstable Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) achieved with three different fixation devices in skeletally mature knees. A retrospective cohort study was performed at 5 to 19 years follow-up. Patient-reported questionnaires were collected at the final follow-up.

Selective bundle reconstruction in partial ACL tears leads to excellent long-term functional outcomes and a low percentage of failures.

Background: The optimal treatment of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears continues to be debatable. Short-term results of selective bundle reconstruction have already been widely shown. The purpose of this study was to assess functional outcomes, subjective satisfaction and the failure rate of selective bundle reconstructions for partial ACL tears over a five to nine year follow-up period.

Biplane opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with a distal tuberosity osteotomy, radiological and clinical analysis with minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Background: High tibial osteotomy is an established and helpful treatment for unicompatimental osteoarthritis associated with varus deformity. However, asupratubercle high tibial osteotomy leads to a decrease in patellar height making the technique not suitable in case of concomitant patella baja. Moreover, this kind of osteotomy can change in situ forces at patellofemoral joint and the lateral patellar tilt.

Posterolateral corner of the knee: an expert consensus statement on diagnosis, classification, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Purpose: To develop a statement on the diagnosis, classification, treatment, and rehabilitation concepts of posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries of the knee using a modified Delphi technique.

Methods: A working group of three individuals generated a list of statements relating to the diagnosis, classification, treatment, and rehabilitation of PLC injuries to form the basis of an initial survey for rating by an international group of experts. The PLC expert group (composed of 27 experts throughout the world) was surveyed on three occasions to establish consensus on the inclusion/exclusion of each item.

Fresh Osteochondral and Meniscus Allografting for Post-traumatic Tibial Plateau Defects.

Large post-traumatic osteochondral defects of the proximal tibia in young active patients can be challenging because total or partial arthroplasties are to be avoided. The use of a fresh osteochondral allograft including its meniscus is one of the few options to biologically treat these injuries. Although the use of a fresh allograft is not easily accessible in some places and carries considerable logistical limitations, it is an alternative that provides viable chondrocytes to the defect.

Fresh Osteochondral Patellar Allograft Resurfacing.

The treatment of articular cartilage lesions in young patients is certainly a complex matter and subject of continuous research, particularly for those located at the patellofemoral joint, given its peculiar biomechanical characteristics. Osteochondral grafts can be of relatively small size when the defect is focal and in an area that allows good stability and consequently the graft's integration. In case of large or multifocal lesions, it is possible to consider an osteochondral transplantation of the entire articular surface of the patella.

Anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer: Social and clinical determinants and influence of the social network and social support (DAMA cohort).

Background: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental health pathologies among women with breast cancer. Social, clinical and contextual variables may influence emotional stress among women with breast cancer. The aim of this work is to study anxiety and depression in a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2003 and 2013 in Barcelona.

Capsulodesis Versus Bone Trough Technique in Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Graft Extrusion and Functional Results.

Purpose: To compare the radiographic results (in terms of graft extrusion) and the functional results of lateral meniscus allograft transplantations (MAT) performed with a bony fixation technique or with a soft tissue fixation technique after capsulodesis.

Methods: A prospective series of 29 consecutive lateral MAT was analyzed. The inclusion criterion for MAT was lateral joint line pain due to a previous meniscectomy.

Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament.

Patellar instability has been shown to be associated with different major factors. However, studies have demonstrated that soft tissue reconstructions are adequate enough to reestablish patellar constraint. In recent years, the medial patellofemoral ligament has been recognized as the primary passive restraint for lateral translation of the patella.

Open-Wedge Valgus High Tibial Osteotomy Technique With Inverted L-Shaped Configuration.

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a useful alternative in the treatment of symptomatic varus malalignment. However, among its drawbacks is the tendency to decrease patellar height and increase the posterior tibial slope. The increased tibial slope increases anterior cruciate ligament tension and may compromise its function.

Scar Characterization to Predict Life-Threatening Arrhythmic Events and Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The GAUDI-CRT Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze whether scar characterization could improve the risk stratification for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Background: Among patients with a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) indication, appropriate defibrillator (CRT-D) therapy rates are low.

Methods: Primary prevention patients with a class I indication for CRT were prospectively enrolled and assigned to CRT-D or CRT pacemaker according to physician's criteria.