Persistent Wound Drainage After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review

Background

Persistent wound drainage after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is an important complication with potential substantial adverse consequences, in particular periprosthetic joint infection.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni bioactive effects: From in vivo to clinical trials towards future therapeutic approaches

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant from South America and indigenous of Paraguay, has shown several biological effects and healthy properties, although it is especially used in South America and some Asiatic regions. In addition, it is a natural sweetener, almost 300 times sweeter than sucrose, being attributed to its phytoconstituents prominent antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic (antihyperglycemic, insulinotropic, and glucagonostatic), antiplatelet, anticariogenic, and antitumor effects. In this sense, this work aims to provide an extensive overview on the historical practices of stevia and its effects in human health based on its chemical composition and applications for both food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Randomized contralateral comparison of visual outcomes following implantation of two monofocal aspherical intraocular lenses after cataract surgery

International Ophthalmology - To compare optical and visual performances of two one-piece aspherical implanted intraocular lenses (IOLs) following phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a...     

Suspected Methadone Toxicity: from Hospital to Autopsy Bed

High mortality rates have been reported for methadone in both adults and children. We aimed to determine the pattern of toxicity, possible underlying diseases and treatment challenges in patients referred to our centre with early diagnosis of methadone toxicity and who later died. Medical files of all methadone‐poisoned patients who had been admitted to a referral centre of toxicology between March 2011 and March 2016, died during the hospital stay and sent for autopsy to Legal Medicine Organization were retrospectively evaluated. In a total of 94 patients, autopsy findings and laboratory evaluations showed that cause of death was pure methadone toxicity in 57 (60.6%). Other causes of death were ischaemic heart disease in ten, co‐ingestions (toxicities including methadone) in eight, brain haemorrhage, multi‐organ failure and pneumosepsis (each in four), meningitis/encephalitis in three and head trauma and other toxicities (other than methadone but including an opioid, each in two) patients. Time of cardiopulmonary arrest was significantly different between those with pure methadone toxicity and those who died due to other causes (p = 0.01). Patients who had died due to co‐ingestions and other toxicities were younger (p = 0.029) and took more bolus doses of naloxone (p = 0.042). In methadone users, especially in older ages and those with trivial response to naloxone administration, loss of consciousness should not be strictly attributed to methadone toxicity. In such patients, thorough evaluation for other possible causes of loss of consciousness is mandatory.     

Hip Dysplasia Compromises the Outcome of Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery

Background

The optimal treatment for patients with symptomatic hip dysplasia presenting with labral tear is unknown. Although femoroacetabular osteoplasty (FAO) has excellent outcome for most femoroacetabular impingement patients, the presence of concomitant hip dysplasia has been implicated as an adverse prognostic factor. This study evaluated the outcome of FAO in a group of dysplastic hips and compared the outcome to a cohort of patients without dysplasia.

Subclinical copper poisoning in asymptomatic people in residential area near copper smelting complex

ObjectiveDuring an outbreak of industrial chronic copper poisoning at least 10 000 sheep died in Kerman, Iran in 2009. Therefore present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical copper toxicosis in asymptomatic people in residential area near copper smelting complex.MethodsA total of 120 serum samples were collected from randomly selected individuals during June to December, 2011.ResultsThe data obtained revealed that serum levels of AST, ALT and ALP were significantly increased in 7.50%, 4.16% and 5.84% of cases respectively. Results showed that serum levels of copper and ceruloplasmin were significantly increased in 4.16% and 5% of cases as well.ConclusionsFindings of the study revealed that health hazards increased with closeness to the copper mine and smelting complex.