Introduction: Perioperative management of female patients undergoing breast surgeries differs from other patients due to chronic pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting. The anesthesia could consist of opioid-free general anesthesia (OFA) or non-opioid-free general anesthesia (NOFA). OFA relies on multimodal analgesia preoperatively and postoperatively. However, it is not yet established whether OFA could replace NOFA as a standard regimen for the management of breast surgeries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OFA for breast surgeries in female patients. Materials and methods: Patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy were retrospectively recruited. Two groups were defined: group 1, consisting of treated patients using OFA and group 2, consisting of treated patients using NOFA. Mean time to extubate and mean dose of morphine after recovery were computed. Postoperative morphine and antiemetic use were assessed for up to 24 h. A comparison of the computed data was conducted between both groups. Results: A total of 116 patients were included with a mean age of 53±13 years. Group 1 consisted of 56 (mean age was 54±14 years). Group 2 consisted of 60 patients (mean age was 51±12 years). Demographic parameters and time to extubate did not yield significant differences. We noticed morphine sparing at T0 and T12 with statistically significant differences P =0.043 and P =0.006, respectively. Conclusion: OFA could be considered in modified radical mastectomy management in female patients; nerve block seemed to act as morphine sparing in operative and postoperative settings by providing significantly less time to extubate with less postoperative morphine requirement.

Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) may present as alterations in the skeletal morphology of the hip. Repercussions of FAI can be witnessed in self-selected speed walking as well as physical exercise such as running or fast speed walking. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in kinematics at different gait speeds in subjects presenting with radiological findings invoking FAI. One hundred thirty asymptomatic adults underwent biplanar X-rays with a calculation of 3D hip parameters: acetabular anteversion, abduction and tilt, vertical center edge angle (VCE), femoral anteversion, neck-shaft angle, acetabular coverage of the femoral head, femoral head diameter and neck length. Parameters were classified according to FAI clinical thresholds. Two groups were created: Control group (63 subjects having up to one subnormal hip parameter in favour of FAI) and Radiographic FAI group (67 subjects having ≥2 subnormal hip parameters that might cause FAI). All subjects underwent 3D gait analysis at self-selected and fast speed, from which kinematic parameters were generated. Arithmetic differences between fast and self-selected speed gait were considered as gait changes. Subjects in the Radiographic FAI group had decreased acetabular tilt (24 vs. 19˚), anteversion (19 vs. 16˚), abduction (55 vs. 53˚), femoral anteversion (18 vs. 14˚) and increased VCE (29 vs. 33˚, all p<0.05), compared to controls. Changes from self-selected to fast speed showed that subjects in the Radiographic FAI group had lower range of motion (ROM) pelvic rotation (7 vs. 4˚) and ROM hip flexion/extension (10 vs. 7˚), reduced hip extension (-4 vs. -2˚) and step length (16 vs. 13 cm; all p<0.05). The Radiographic FAI group had decreased acetabular abduction, anteversion and femoral anteversion in favour of FAI. When adapting from self-selected to fast speed gait, the Radiographic FAI group seemed to limit pelvic rotation and hip flexion/extension resulting in a decrease in step length. These kinematic limitations were previously reported in subjects with symptomatic FAI. Gait analysis could be considered as a functional diagnostic tool to assess FAI along with radiological assessment.

Background Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections following vaccination against COVID-19 are of international concern. Patients with cancer have been observed to have worse outcomes associated with COVID-19 during the pandemic. We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer who developed breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections after 2 or 3 doses of mRNA vaccines. Methods We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with cancer who developed breakthrough infections using data from the multi-institutional COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19; NCT04354701). Analysis was restricted to patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed in 2021 or 2022, to allow for a contemporary unvaccinated control population; potential differences were evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model after inverse probability of treatment weighting to adjust for potential baseline confounding variables. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality, with key secondary endpoints of hospitalization and ICU and/or mechanical ventilation (ICU/MV). Findings The analysis included 2486 patients, of which 564 and 385 had received 2 or 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine prior to infection, respectively. Hematologic malignancies and recent receipt of systemic anti-neoplastic therapy were more frequent among vaccinated patients. Vaccination was associated with improved outcomes: in the primary analysis, 2 doses (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44-0.88) and 3 doses (aOR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.11-0.36) were associated with decreased 30 -day mortality. There were similar findings for the key secondary endpoints of ICU/MV (aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45-0.82 and 0.37, 95% CI: 0.24-0.58) and hospitalization (aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.48-0.75 and 0.35, 95% CI: 0.26-0.46) for 2 and 3 doses, respectively. Importantly, Black patients had higher rates of hospitalization (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.12-1.92), and Hispanic patients presented with higher rates of ICU/MV (aOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06-2.44). Interpretation Vaccination against COVID-19, especially with additional doses, is a fundamental strategy in the prevention of adverse outcomes including death, among patients with cancer.

Purpose: This paper evaluates the outcomes of parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism with negative localization studies. Methods: All patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with negative preoperative ultrasound and MIBI scan who underwent parathyroidectomy were retrospectively included. Three groups were defined. Group 1 included the patients with negative ultrasound and MIBI. Group 2 included the patients with negative ultrasound and positive MIBI. Group 3 included the patients with positive ultrasound and negative MIBI. Results: In Group 1, 51% and 86% of patients had one adenoma and atypical localizations respectively. Unique adenoma and atypical localizations were showed in 87% and 93% of patients in Group 2 respectively. In Group 3, 83% and 17% of patients had one adenoma and atypical localizations respectively. No cervical hematoma was noted. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 2 patients. Seven patients required postoperative calcium supplementation for 2 to 5 months, and one had recurrent hypercalcemia at follow-up. Cure rate was 98,3%. Conclusion: When US and MIBI were negative, multiple lesions and atypical localizations were frequent. The success rate and postoperative complications were not affected with this event.

Abstract Background The worldwide epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is changing. Increasing Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) incidence and prevalence have been recorded. In Lebanon, the current status of IBD is not well known. Methods The aim is to report patients’ characteristics newly diagnosed with IBD in Lebanon based on Montreal classification and to report the prevalence and the incidence of IBD in the Lebanese population during a period of 20 years. This is a retrospective study conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Pathology, from January 2001 till December 2020 were reviewed. Patients were characterized based on: sex, age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, location and extension of the disease. Results A total of 3101 new IBD cases were identified (1504 UC, 1597 CD), mean age for UC and CD was 41.05 years and 36.5 years, respectively. sex ratio (M/F) of 1.15 and 1.29 in UC and CD, respectively. In UC, the 3 age groups distribution, ≤ 16 years, 17–40 years and > 40 years were 5.72%, 47.83% and 40.45%, respectively. Regarding the location distribution, E3 was the most prevalent (55.6%), followed by E1 (24.6%) and E2 (19.8%); with no difference between male and female. Similar pattern of location distribution was noted in the 3 age groups. There was no difference in age of diagnosis but a significant increase of E3 from 40% (2001–2010) to 60% (2011–2020) was noted. In CD, 5.54%, 58.93% and 35.53% of patients were aged ≤ 16 years, 17–40 years and > 40 years, respectively. L1, L2, L3 and L4 represented 57.8%, 16.72%, 23.42% and 1.88% of the location distribution, respectively; without difference between male and female. L1 is significantly higher in the young age groups (≤ 16 years: 68.75% and 17–40 years: 67.72%) compared to the older age group (> 40 years: 39.06%) whereas L2 and L3 were higher in the older age group. When divided into two 10-year periods, there was a significant increase of L1 (63%) in the last 10 years (2010–2020) compared to the 10 years before (40%) and an increase of the disease incidence in the age group 17–40 years. Based on all these data, we calculated the incidence of UC and CD and their progression during this period of 20 years. We noted a progressive increase of the incidence of IBD, especially for CD in the last 3 years. The cumulative incidence of UC and CD were 4.686 and 4.582, respectively. The prevalence of UC and CD were 69.9 par 100000 and 68.35 per 100000, respectively. Conclusion The mean age of IBD in Lebanon is higher than that described in Europe and North America. Pancolitis in UC and ileal involvement in CD remain the most common forms found. There was an increase of the incidence of IBD during the last 20 years and especially of CD during the last 3 years

Introduction: Postural alignment is altered with spine deformities that might occur with age. Alteration of spinopelvic and postural alignment parameters are known to affect daily life activities such as gait. It is still unknown how spino-pelvic and postural alignment parameters are related to gait kinematics. Research question: To assess the relationships between spino-pelvic/postural alignment parameters and gait kinematics in asymptomatic adults. Methods: 134 asymptomatic subjects (aged 18-59 years) underwent 3D gait analysis, from which kinematics of the pelvis and lower limbs were extracted in the 3 planes. Subjects then underwent full-body biplanar X-rays, from which skeletal 3D reconstructions and spino-pelvic and postural alignment parameters were obtained such as sagittal vertical axis (SVA), center of auditory meatus to hip axis plumbline (CAM-HA), thoracic kyphosis (TK) and radiologic pelvic tilt (rPT). In order to assess the influence of spino-pelvic and postural alignment parameters on gait kinematics a univariate followed by a multivariate analysis were performed. Results: SVA was related to knee flexion during loading response (beta = 0.268); CAM-HA to ROM pelvic obliquity (beta = - 0.19); rPT to mean pelvic tilt (beta = - 0.185) and ROM pelvic obliquity (beta = - 0.297); TK to ROM hip flexion/extension in stance (13 = - 0.17), mean foot progression in stance (beta = - 0.329), walking speed (beta = - 0.19), foot off (beta = 0.223) and step length (beta = - 0.181). Significance: This study showed that increasing SVA, CAM-HA, TK and rPT, which is known to occur in adults with spinal deformities, could alter gait kinematics. Increases in these parameters, even in asymptomatic subjects, were related to a retroverted pelvis during gait, a reduced pelvic obliquity and hip flexion/extension mobility, an increased knee flexion during loading response as well as an increase in external foot progression angle. This was associated with a decrease in the walking pace: reduced speed, step length and longer stance phase.

Introduction Perioperative management of elderly patients differ from young patients due to physiologic and pharmacologic differences related to aging. Moreover, assessment for perioperative parameters and risks between age-matched elderly patients should be discerned while planning for the anaesthesia regimen. The latter could consist of opioid-free general anaesthesia (OFA) or non-opioid-free general anaesthesia (NOFA). Among the parameters for assessing the regimen’s efficacy, time to extubate and pain control should be included. However, it is not yet established whether OFA could replace NOFA as a standard regimen for management of hip fracture. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OFA for hip surgeries in elderly patients. Methods This is a retrospective study consisting of patients undergoing hip surgeries under opioid-free or opioid-induced general anaesthesia. Two groups were defined: Group 1 consisting of treated patients using OFA and Group 2 consisting of treated patients using NOFA. Patient demographics (age, sex, and weight), mean time to extubate and mean dose of morphine after recovery were computed. Postoperative morphine use was assessed for up to 24 hours. Comparison of the computed data was conducted between both groups. Mean postoperative morphine use was compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The remainder of the means were compared using independent t-test. Qualitative data were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results A total of 73 patients were included. Group 1 consisted of 37 patients (12 were males with mean age 77±14 years) who underwent hip fracture procedure whereas Group 2 consisted of 36 patients (18 were males with mean age 73±17). There were significant differences when comparing sex, weight, and time to extubate (6.8±3 and 10±5 minutes in Groups 1 and 2, respectively; p<0.05). There were six patients in Group 1 and 17 patients in Group 2 that required postoperative morphine administration. Mann-Whitney U comparison of postoperative morphine use yielded significant differences (4.8±3 and 14.65±13 mg in Groups 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.001). Discussion This is the first study that assessed the efficacy of OFA compared to NOFA in the management of hip fractures. Non-significant differences in age might suggest that both groups are age matched. In addition, significant differences in time to extubate might help in reducing impact on ventilation, maintaining safe anaesthesia while minimizing intraoperative work overflow. Patients in Group 1 required less morphine in the postoperative setting than in Group 2. This might be explained by the sensation of paraesthesia which might have been confused with pain. Conclusions OFA could be considered in hip management in elderly patients; femoral and lateral cutaneous block seemed to act as morphine sparing in operative and postoperative settings by providing significantly less time to extubate with less postoperative morphine requirement.

Introduction: Maintaining balance during gait allows subjects to minimize energy expenditure and avoid falls. Gait balance can be measured by assessing the relationship between the center of mass (COM) and center of pressure (COP) during gait. Demographics, skeletal and postural parameters are known to influence gait balance. Purpose: What are the determinants of dynamic balance during gait in asymptomatic adults among skeletal and demographic parameters? Methods: 115 adults underwent 3D gait analysis and full-body biplanar X-rays. Angles between the COM-COP line and the vertical were calculated in frontal and sagittal planes during gait maxima, minima, and ROM were evaluated. Full-body 3D reconstructions were obtained; skeletal and postural parameters of the spine (lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, sagittal vertical axis SVA), pelvis (pelvic tilt and incidence, acetabular orientation in the 3 planes) and lower limbs (neck shaft angle femoral and tibial torsions) were calculated. A univariate followed by a multivariate analysis were computed between the COM-COP parameters and skeletal and demographic parameters. Results: The univariate analysis showed that in the frontal plane, maximum (4.6 degrees) of the COM-COP angle was significantly correlated with weight (r = 0.53), age (r = 0.28), height (r = 0.35), SVA (r = 0.23), T1T12 (r = 0.24) and pelvic width (r = 0.25),In the sagittal plane, maximum COM-COP (19.7 +/- 2.8 degrees) angle was significantly correlated to acetabular tilt (r = 0.25) and acetabular anteversion (r = 0.21). The multivariate analysis showed that, in the frontal plane, an increase in the maximum of the COM-COP angle was determined by a decreasing height (beta = - 0.28), an increasing weight (beta = 0.48), being a male (beta = - 0.42), and an increasing posterior acetabular coverage (beta = 0.22). In the sagittal plane, an increasing maximum COMCOP angle was determined by a decreasing height (beta = -0.38) and an increasing SVA (beta = 0.19). Conclusion: Frontal imbalance appeared to be mainly correlated to demographic parameters. Sagittal imbalance was found to be correlated with weight, height, acetabular parameters and SVA. These results suggest that in addition to demographic parameters, acetabular parameters and SVA are important determinants of balance during gait.

Objectives Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is managed with multimodality therapy. We aim to evaluate the outcome of single-modality radiation therapy for LAPC. Methods Locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients were identified between 2004 and 2013 using the National Cancer Database excluding patients who received chemotherapy or surgery. Results A total of 6590 patients were included. The mean age was 73.5 (range, 28–90) years, 83.2% were white, and 54.4% were female. Tumors of 4 cm or greater (>T3 stage) accounted for 52.7%. The median radiation dose was 39.6 Gy. Stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) delivered to 64 patients and external-beam/intensity modulated radiotherapy in 416 patients. Radiation therapy was associated with improved overall survival (OS) compared with no treatment in univariate and multivariable analyses. The medians OS for patients who received SBRT, external-beam/intensity modulated radiotherapy, or no radiation were 8.6, 6.7, and 3.4 months, respectively (P < 0.001). There is a significant difference in 12-month OS for the SBRT cohort (31.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 20.9%–43.5%) compared with patients who received no radiation (15.1%; 95% CI, 14.2%–16.0%), and on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.38–0.65; P < 0.001). Conclusions The current study suggests potential benefit for radiation therapy alone in comparison with no treatment in LAPC.

Introduction: There is a lack of studies on the optimal anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent for postoperative prophylaxis of Crohn's disease (CD) recurrence. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of prospective trials to compare the efficacy of anti-TNF agents in the prevention of postoperative endoscopic and clinical recurrence of CD following ileocolonic resection. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and recent American gastroenterology association (AGA) meeting abstracts through August 2017. We selected prospective studies comparing anti-TNF agents among each other or to other agents in the setting of postoperative prevention of CD recurrence. We performed a NMA using a frequentist approach with generalized pairwise modeling and inverse variance heterogeneity method. Results: We identified 9 studies, including 571 patients and 5 treatment agents, among which 2 anti-TNF drugs (adalimumab and infliximab). Compared with infliximab, our NMA yielded the following results for endoscopic recurrence: adalimumab [odds ratio (OR), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.18-4.75], thiopurines (OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 0.68-24.78), placebo (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 0.70-27.68), and Mesalamine (OR, 37.84; 95% CI, 3.77-379.42). For clinical recurrence: adalimumab (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.17-6.03), thiopurines (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.20-10.02), placebo (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.01-3.10), and mesalamine (OR, 16.54; 95% CI, 1.55-176.24). Conclusions: On the basis of a NMA combining direct and indirect evidence either adalimumab or infliximab may be used in the postoperative prophylaxis of CD recurrence. There is currently a lack of evidence on the use of other anti-TNF agents in this setting.

Introduction: There is a lack of studies on the optimal anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent for postoperative prophylaxis of Crohn’s disease (CD) recurrence. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) of prospective trials to compare the efficacy of anti-TNF agents in the prevention of postoperative endoscopic and clinical recurrence of CD following ileocolonic resection. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and recent American gastroenterology association (AGA) meeting abstracts through August 2017. We selected prospective studies comparing anti-TNF agents among each other or to other agents in the setting of postoperative prevention of CD recurrence. We performed a NMA using a frequentist approach with generalized pairwise modeling and inverse variance heterogeneity method. Results: We identified 9 studies, including 571 patients and 5 treatment agents, among which 2 anti-TNF drugs (adalimumab and infliximab). Compared with infliximab, our NMA yielded the following results for endoscopic recurrence: adalimumab [odds ratio (OR), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.18-4.75], thiopurines (OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 0.68-24.78), placebo (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 0.70-27.68), and Mesalamine (OR, 37.84; 95% CI, 3.77-379.42). For clinical recurrence: adalimumab (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.17-6.03), thiopurines (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.20-10.02), placebo (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.01-3.10), and mesalamine (OR, 16.54; 95% CI, 1.55-176.24). Conclusions: On the basis of a NMA combining direct and indirect evidence either adalimumab or infliximab may be used in the postoperative prophylaxis of CD recurrence. There is currently a lack of evidence on the use of other anti-TNF agents in this setting.

Aim: The rationale for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is that both the platelet and lymphocyte counts are affected by the CLL pathogenesis and could influence treatment decision-making. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of CLL patients diagnosed at our institution between 1989 and 2013 were collected. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the role of PLR in the duration of watchful waiting, postdiagnosis survival and postchemotherapy survival. Results: The data of 100 patients with CLL were reviewed for this study. The PLR correlated only to watchful waiting in the univariable analysis (Hazard ratio 0.48 [0.32-0.73); p = 0.018). In the multivariable analysis, the duration of watchful waiting was determined by Binet staging and lymphocyte count (p < 0.001). The postdiagnosis survival was determined by age (p = 0.002) and lymphocyte count (p = 0.010). Conclusion: The PLR did not seem to act as a prognostic biomarker for CLL. Lay abstract: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an incurable but often indolent hematological cancer, often have increased lymphocytes and decreased platelets. We investigated whether the ratio of platelet-to-lymphocyte count can be used as a biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with CLL. An increase in the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was found to be related to a decrease in the duration of watchful waiting (the duration between the diagnosis of CLL and the administration of chemotherapy to the patient). However, the ratio was not found to be related to patient survival and therefore, based on this study, it cannot be considered as a biomarker for the prognosis of CLL.

We compared classic ECG-derived versus a mobile approach to heart rate variability (HRV) measurement.29 young adult healthy volunteers underwent a simultaneous recording of heart rate using an ECG and a chest heart rate monitor at supine rest, during mental stress and active standing. Mean RR interval, Standard Deviation of Normal-to-Normal (SDNN) of RR intervals, and Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) between RR intervals were computed in 168 pairs of 5-minute epochs by in-house software on a PC (only sinus beats) and by mobile application “ELITEHRV” on a smartphone (no beat type identification). ECG analysis showed that 33.9% of the recordings contained at least one non-sinus beat or artefact, the mobile app did not report this. The mean RR intervals were significantly longer (p = 0.0378), while SDNN (p = 0.0001) and RMSSD (p = 0.0199) were smaller for the mobile approach.Measures of identical HRV parameters by ECG-based and mobile approaches are not equivalent.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have unveiled a new era in the treatment of cancer with unprecedented survival data in multiple tumours [ [1] Thallinger C. Füreder T. Preusser M. Heller G. Müllauer L. Höller C. et al. Review of cancer treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors : current concepts, expectations, limitations and pitfalls. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2018; 130: 85-91https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-017-1285-9 Crossref PubMed Scopus (72) Google Scholar ]. However, there remain a number of patients with only mediocre responses to ICIs, which prompted the investigation of ICI-based combinations to circumvent treatment resistance [ [2] Flynn M.J. Larkin J.M.G. Novel combination strategies for enhancing efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic solid malignancies. Expet Opin Pharmacother. 2017; 18: 1477-1490https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2017.1369956 Crossref PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar ]. Recent studies have shown that ICI-based combinations caused an increased risk of adverse events namely renal adverse events (rAEs) [ 3 Abdel-Rahman O. Fouad M. A network meta-analysis of the risk of immune-related renal toxicity in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immunotherapy. 2016; 8: 665-674https://doi.org/10.2217/imt-2015-0020 Crossref PubMed Scopus (33) Google Scholar , 4 Wanchoo R. Karam S. Uppal N.N. Barta V.S. Deray G. Devoe C. et al. Adverse renal effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors: a narrative review. Am J Nephrol. 2017; 45: 160-169https://doi.org/10.1159/000455014 Crossref PubMed Scopus (216) Google Scholar ], which seem overall to be rare compared with the more common liver, gastrointestinal, skin and pulmonary toxicities [ [5] De Velasco G. Je Y. Bossé D. Awad M.M. Ott P.A. Moreira R.B. et al. Comprehensive meta-analysis of key immune-related adverse events from CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Res. 2017; 5: 312-318https://doi.org/10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-16-0237 Crossref PubMed Scopus (297) Google Scholar ]. Despite being relatively rare, the detection and appropriate management of rAEs should be emphasised because the prognosis of cancer patients with kidney dysfunction has been previously shown to be poor [ [6] Kitai Y. Matsubara T. Yanagita M. Onco-nephrology: current concepts and future perspectives. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2015; 45: 617-628https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyv035 Crossref PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar ]. Because the characteristics of rAEs remain largely unknown, we detail a selected pooled analysis of rAEs reported in the melanoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) trials of ICI-based combinations.

In total hip arthroplasty, the minimum host bone coverage required on the cup for stable fixation has been previously reported; however, the coverage was generally evaluated on a 2-dimensional (2D) image and 3-dimensional (3D) coverage has not been well described.We used postoperative computed tomography images to retrospectively measure 3D cup coverage in 151 hips with developmental dysplasia of the hip that underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. The aims were to (1) determine the minimum requirement of the 3D coverage for stable cup fixation; (2) evaluate the relationship between 2D and 3D coverage; and (3) identify the factors associated with 2D-3D discrepancy, defined as follows: 2D-3D discrepancy = 2D coverage−3D coverage.All cups showed stable fixation as demonstrated by bone ingrowth with an average postoperative period of 48 months. The minimum 3D coverage was 61.2%, with a mean value of 77.1% ± 6.7% and maximum value of 97.6%. We found a significant positive but poor relationship between 3D and 2D coverage (bone coverage index; r = 0.30). Consequently, the 2D-3D discrepancy varied greatly, with a mean value of −1.6% ± 12.3% (range, −36.5% to 32.2%). Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed that lower cup center and anterior tilt of the pelvis relative to the computed tomography table were independent factors associated with increasing 2D-3D discrepancy.This study showed that 2D coverage, measured on a projected image, carries a risk of overestimation, especially in hips with the aforementioned features.

Les valeurs normatives d’alignement sagittal sont utilisées comme références pour le diagnostic et le traitement des pathologies rachidiennes. Il n’existe actuellement pas de valeurs de références définissant l’alignement sagittal normatif des sujets libanais. L’objectif de cette étude est d’établir des valeurs de références pour l’alignement sagittal normatif du corps entier chez les adultes libanais asymptomatiques et de comparer l’alignement sagittal de cette population à ceux des populations d’origines différentes. Les sujets inclus étaient âgés entre 18 et 28 ans. Chaque sujet a subi des radiographies bi-planaires du corps entier suivi de mesures de paramètres d’alignement sagittal du rachis, bassin et des membres inférieurs. L’alignement sagittal de la population libanaise a ensuite été comparé à ceux des populations d’autres ethnicités, précédemment rapportés dans la littérature, en utilisant un test d’ANOVA. Quatre-vingt-douze jeunes adultes asymptomatiques libanais (48 hommes, 44 femmes, âge = 21,5 ± 2,2 ans) ont été recruté pour cette étude. La courbure moyenne du rachis cervical était cyphotique (−4,3°) chez les femmes, alors qu’elle était lordotique chez les hommes (5,4°). Les hommes étaient significativement plus cyphotiques que les femmes (−58,3° vs. −53,0° ; p < 0,01) mais les deux sexes avaient une lordose lombaire (61,6°) et une incidence pelvienne (52,0°) similaires. Les sujets libanais avaient une incidence pelvienne intermédiaire comparée à celles d’autres ethnicités mais avaient une cyphose thoracique (p < 0,01) et une lordose lombaire (p < 0,01) plus grandes comparées aux autres ethnicités. Cette étude a établi des valeurs normatives de références pour l’alignement sagittal du corps entier des adultes jeunes libanais. La plupart des femmes présentaient une cyphose cervicale. L’alignement sagittal des sujets libanais était significativement différent par rapport à ceux d’autres ethnicités. Niveau IV – étude transversale.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the spinopelvic alignment of subjects with Down syndrome (DS). Summary of Background Data: Subjects with DS are known to suffer from a large prevalence of scoliosis. While scoliosis is known to significantly affect postural alignment, there are currently no studies on the spinopelvic alignment of subjects with DS. Materials and Methods: In total, 41 subjects (28 female subjects and 13 male subjects) with DS, age and sex-matched to 41 asymptomatic subjects, underwent biplanar x-rays with 3-dimensional reconstructions of their spines and pelvises, followed by measurement of commonly used spinopelvic sagittal and coronal alignment parameters. Subjects were then classified into one of Roussouly’s 4 types of sagittal alignment. Alignment parameters and prevalence of alignment patterns were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Subjects with DS were found to be relatively hypokyphotic (T4–T12=−29.0 vs. −37.5 degrees; P<0.001) and hyperlordotic (L1–L5=53.8 vs. 44.3 degrees; P<0.001) with larger pelvic incidence (53.2 vs. 45.1 degrees; P<0.001), sacral slope (47.7 vs. 36.8 degrees; P<0.001), Cobb angle (10.2 vs. 8.0 degrees; P=0.005), and axial rotation of the apical vertebra (6.6 vs. 3.7 degrees; P<0.001) but had smaller pelvic tilt (4.9 vs. 8.1 degrees; P<0.001) compared with control subjects. Roussouly’s type 4 was found to be the most frequent pattern in DS subjects (68.3% vs. 14.6%; P<0.001). Conclusions: Subjects with DS were found to have a peculiar pattern of hypokyphosis, hyperlordosis, large pelvic incidence, and small pelvic tilt. The altered spinopelvic alignment found in DS could predispose these subjects to hip instability and osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: Level III.

BACKGROUND:Hip instability is frequent in patients with Down syndrome. Recent studies have suggested that skeletal hip alterations are responsible for this instability; however, there are currently no studies simultaneously assessing femoral and acetabular anatomy in subjects with Down syndrome in the standing position. The aim was to analyze the three-dimensional anatomy of the Down syndrome hip in standing position. METHODS:Down syndrome subjects were age and sex-matched to asymptomatic controls. All subjects underwent full body biplanar X-rays with three-dimensional reconstructions of their pelvises and lower limbs. Parameter means and distributions were compared between the two groups. FINDINGS:Forty-one Down syndrome and 41 control subjects were recruited. Acetabular abduction (mean = 52° [SD = 9°] vs. mean = 56° [SD = 8°]) and anteversion (mean = 14° [SD = 8°] vs. mean = 17.5° [SD = 5°]) as well as posterior acetabular sector angle (mean = 91° [SD = 7°] vs. mean = 94° [SD = 7°]) were significantly lower in Down syndrome subjects compared to controls (P < 0.01). Anterior acetabular sector angle (mean = 62° [SD = 10°] vs. mean = 59° [SD = 7°]; P < 0.01) was significantly higher in Down syndrome compared to controls. The distributions of acetabular anteversion (P = 0.002;V = 0.325), femoral anteversion (P = 0.004;V = 0.309) and the instability index (P < 0.001;V = 0.383) were significantly different between the two groups, with subjects with Down syndrome having both increased anteversion and retroversion for each of these parameters. INTERPRETATION:Subjects with Down syndrome were found to have a significantly altered and more heterogeneous anatomy of their proximal hips compared to controls. This heterogeneity suggests that treatment strategies of hip instability in Down syndrome should be subject-specific and should rely on the understanding of the underlying three-dimensional anatomy of each patient.

Forces can be applied to people while they are walking on a treadmill in different ways that aid individuals to walk at faster walking speeds with potentially less effort. Forward-directed aiding forces (FAF) are a special class of aiding forces where “push” or “pull” forces are mechanically applied to the person’s pelvis in the forward direction.To determine if FAF, applied by a robotic interface, can be effective in providing assistance to walk at a faster walking speed with reduced kinetic requirements.Twenty non-neurologically impaired physical active young adults were recruited and biomechanical gait mechanics were measured during walking at two constant treadmill belt speeds (1.0 m/s and 1.6 m/s), with the robotic device in aiding mode to provide FAF (FAF), and also outside of the robotic device (no-FAF). The spatiotemporal gait parameters, anterior-posterior force, sagittal impulse, and hip, knee and ankle power and net work were calculated from kinematic and kinetic data, comparing changes in parameters from slower to faster speeds within each mode, and then, comparing values between each mode.The spatiotemporal gait parameters were not different between conditions, but in FAF condition, the propulsive force impulse change was not increased, there was smaller propulsion increase, and smaller maximal power generation and ankle work done at the faster speed, whereas all of these parameters were appropriately increased in the no-FAF condition.These results indicate that providing FAF at the pelvis is an effective means for reducing the amount of mechanical effort required to walk faster and thus could be used as a training tool to improve walking ability.

Pacemaker implantation in infants is limited to epicardial lead placement and an abdominal generator pocket. We propose a minimally invasive solution using a prototype miniature pacemaker with a steroid-eluting leadlet that can affix against the epicardium under thoracoscopy.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of acute implantation of a prototype miniature pacemaker in an infant porcine model.A self-anchoring 2-channel access port was inserted into a 1-cm incision left of the subxiphoid space. A rigid thoracoscope with variable viewing angle was inserted through the main channel to visualize the heart under insufflation. An 18-G needle through the second channel accessed the pericardial space, which was secured with a 7-F sheath. The leadlet was affixed against the epicardium using a distal helical side-biting electrode. The sheath, thoracoscope, and port were removed, and the pacemaker was tucked into the incision. Ventricular sensing, lead impedances, and capture thresholds were measured.Twelve piglets (weight 4.8 ± 1.9 kg) had successful device implantation. The median time from incision to leadlet fixation was 21 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 18–31 minutes). The median lead impedance was 510 Ω (IQR 495–620 Ω). The median R-wave amplitude was 5.7 mV (IQR 4.2–7.0 mV). The median capture threshold was 1.63 V (IQR 1.32–2.97 V) at 0.4 ms pulse width and 1.50 V (IQR 1.16–2.38 V) at 1.0 ms pulse width. There were no complications.Minimally invasive epicardial placement of a prototype miniature pacemaker under thoracoscopy was safe and avoided open chest surgery and creation of an abdominal generator pocket.