A self-management measurement: Validity of the Partners in Health Scale (PHS) instrument in Peruvian elderly population

The Partners and Health Scale Instrument has been validated in several countries, however, it has just been applied in Spanishspeaking countries to people with chronic conditions, allowing a self-management evaluation with wide clinical application and research. It is the first time it has been applied in elderly patients (60 or older) in Spanish-speaking countries. This study shows the instrument validity in this population - users of health services of the Ministry of Health in Lima-Peru. An intentional non-probabilistic sample of 152 subjects with Construction Validity was performed: 1) Factor Analysis and 2) Confirmatory with structural equations and Reliability: Cronbach’s Alpha presents construct validity in three factors with an explained variance of 0.597. From the results of the goodness of fit model measures obtained by AMOS 24.0 and FACTOR 10.10, it can be seen that 6 of the 7 measures obtained are acceptable. The reliability with the Cronbach Alpha coefficient was 0.845. Although the model may have high-quality goodness of fit, the possibility of another alternative model that meets a better fit cannot be rejected; the results allow us to conclude that this Instrument presents validity and reliability in the evaluation of self-management within three factors.

Non-pharmacological Treatment of Refractory Angina and Microvascular Angina

Refractory angina (RA) is defined as debilitating anginal symptoms despite the optimal guideline-directed combination of medical, percutaneous, and surgical therapies. Often referred to as “no option”, these patients represent a significant unmet clinical need for healthcare institutions. Due to the ageing of the population, and increased survival from coronary artery disease, the number of patients with RA is expected to rise exponentially. Despite the developments of novel technologies for the treatment of RA, none of them found wide clinical application (to date). Microvascular dysfunction, alone or in combination with epicardial coronary disease, is thought to contribute significantly to refractory angina. However, most of the techniques developed to improve RA symptoms have not been tested specifically on patients with microvascular dysfunction. This review discusses the recent developments in the treatment of RA, and gives some perspectives on the future of these techniques.

Organ-Protective Effects and the Underlying Mechanism of Dexmedetomidine

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2 adrenergic receptor (α2AR) agonist currently used in clinical settings. Because DEX has dose-dependent advantages of sedation, analgesia, antianxiety, inhibition of sympathetic nervous system activity, cardiovascular stabilization, and significant reduction of postoperative delirium and agitation, but does not produce respiratory depression and agitation, it is widely used in clinical anesthesia and ICU departments. In recent years, much clinical study and basic research has confirmed that DEX has a protective effect on a variety of organs, including the nervous system, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and small intestine. It acts by reducing the inflammatory response in these organs, activating antiapoptotic signaling pathways which protect cells from damage. Therefore, based on wide clinical application and safety, DEX may become a promising clinical multiorgan protection drug in the future. In this article, we review the physiological effects related to organ protection in α2AR agonists along with the organ-protective effects and mechanisms of DEX to understand their combined application value.

Reliability and application of the new morphological classification system for chronic symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture

ObjectiveThis study proposed a new classification system for Chronic Symptomatic Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Fracture (CSOTF) based on fracture morphology. Research on CSOTF has increased in recent years. However, the lack of a standard classification system has resulted in inconveniences regarding communication, research and treatment. Previous studies of CSOTF classification exhibit different defects, and none of these studies are widely accepted.MethodsWe collected 368 cases of CSOTF in our hospital from January 2010 to June 2017 and systematically analyzed the imaging data of all patients to develop a classification system. Imaging examinations included dynamic radiography, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging. Ten investigators systematically studied and fully understood the classification system grading 40 cases on two occasions, examined 1 month apart. Kappa coefficients (κ) were calculated to determine intraobserver and interobserver reliability.ResultsThe new classification system for CSOTF was divided into types I-V according to whether the CSOTF exhibited dynamic instability, spinal stenosis or kyphosis deformity. Intra- and interobserver reliability were excellent for all types (κ = 0.83 and 0.85, respectively).ConclusionsThe new classification system for CSOTF demonstrated excellent reliability in this initial assessment. The system is convenient for communication and research, but wide clinical application are needed to confirm its effectiveness and guide clinical treatment.

Principles of Spine Instrumentation

Introduction : Spinal implants were initially, and are still, used for the supplementation of bony fusion. However, bony fusion operations were initially performed without implants.1 In the US, Wire and screw fixation of the unstable spine techniques remained to use until the pre-World War II years. 20 years after World War II, there were two major breakthroughs in spine surgery: the Harrington system for spine stabilization and deformity correction and the interspinous wiring technique of Rogers. Rogers described the technique of cervical interspinous wiring in the early 1940s. Harrington introduced his instrumentation system in 1962. Discussion : Since then, modifications of both techniques have been devised to increase their security of fixation. The next significant advance in dorsal spinal stabilization was the development of multisegmental spinal instrumentation. Multisegmental instrumentation permits sharing of the load applied to the instrumentation construct with multiple vertebrae, so that decreasing the chance of failure at the metal–bone interface.The Luque segmental wiring technique, developed in the early 1970s, was the first of this class of implants to achieve wide clinical application. Subsequent modifications have been used. Conclusion : Further modifications were the forerunners of more complex, currently used systems of universal spinal instrumentation (USI).

Engineering extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy: recent advances and challenges in clinical translation

Extracellular vesicles have shown great advantages in cancer therapy, but there are still huge challenges to be overcome to implement their wide clinical application.

Anatomical Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Retrosigmoid Approach

Introduction Neurosurgical anatomy is traditionally taught via anatomic and operative atlases; however, these resources present the skull base using views that emphasize three-dimensional (3D) relationships rather than operative perspectives, and are frequently written above a typical resident's understanding. Our objective is to describe, step-by-step, a retrosigmoid approach dissection, in a way that is educationally valuable for trainees at numerous levels. Methods Six sides of three formalin-fixed latex-injected specimens were dissected under microscopic magnification. A retrosigmoid was performed by each of three neurosurgery residents, under supervision by the senior authors (C.L.W.D. and M.J.L.) and a graduated skull base fellow, neurosurgeon, and neuroanatomist (M.P.C.). Dissections were supplemented with representative case applications. Results The retrosigmoid craniotomy (aka lateral suboccipital approach) affords excellent access to cranial nerve (CN) IV to XII, with corresponding applicability to numerous posterior fossa operations. Key steps include positioning and skin incision, scalp and muscle flaps, burr hole and parasigmoid trough, craniotomy flap elevation, initial durotomy and deep cistern access, completion durotomy, and final exposure. Conclusion The retrosigmoid craniotomy is a workhorse skull base exposure, particularly for lesions located predominantly in the cerebellopontine angle. Operatively oriented neuroanatomy dissections provide trainees with a critical foundation for learning this fundamental skull base technique. We outline a comprehensive approach for neurosurgery residents to develop their familiarity with the retrosigmoid craniotomy in the cadaver laboratory in a way that simultaneously informs rapid learning in the operating room, and an understanding of its potential for wide clinical application to skull base diseases.

Clinical Capabilities and Limitations in the Use of Modern Technologies in Echocardiography

Transthoracic echocardiography is the most frequently used method for detection of impaired contractility of the left ventricle. In most cases, assessment of contractility is carried out visually “by eye”, what increases its subjectivity, is operator-dependent in nature and requires a high level of clinical training and experience of the researcher. Currently in the arsenal of a specialist in echocardiography for quantification of left ventricular contractility sometimes is used tissue Doppler echocardiography, however, this method requires special settings of the image (high frame rate, the allocation of zones of interest), depends on the scanning angle and on operator qualification, has high intra – and inter-operator variability, and significantly increases the duration of the study. Therefore, this method has not received wide clinical application. In the 2000s years an innovative technique of speckle tracking emerged, which, unlike tissue Doppler echocardiography is efficient, does not burden a researcher with time costs, has a low intra – and inter- operator variability, does not depend on scan angle. In recent years, this technology is actively implemented in clinical practice for detection of subclinical impairment of the functional state of the myocardium in different diseases and syndromes: arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, valvular defects, and congenital heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy of different etiology.

Complex prophylaxis of postoperative complications in colorectal surgery

Objective. To improve the immediate results of surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, using more effective prophylaxis of morbidity. Маterials and methods. The treatment efficacy of the Program of complex prophylaxis of postoperative complications in colorectal surgery, elaborated in the Clinic was studied up, using comparative analysis of the morbidity, occurred in 1253 patients, radically operated for cancer recti. In 2005 - 2010 yrs, when some elements of the elaborated Program have begun introduced into clinical practice, 361 patients were operated on (Group I). In 2011 - 2017 yrs, when the Program for prophylaxis of postoperative complications was applied in full volume, 892 patients, presenting the main group (Group II) were operated on. Results. Сomparative analysis of the elaborated program for complex prophylaxis of postoperative complications and of the «fast track» concept have shown several essential differences between them. Introduction of the Program elaborated into clinical practice have improved the immediate results of surgical treatment of cancer recti due to essential lowering of rate of different morbidities from 14.9 tо 9.2% and mortality - from 3.0 tо 1.8%. Conclusion. The Program for complex prophylaxis of postoperative complications in colorectal surgery, elaborated in the Clinic, guarantees the results improvement while surgical treatment of cancer recti and may be recommended for wide clinical application.

“Step-by-Step” technology as minimally invasive ambulatory method of treating chronic hemorrhoid

Aim. To carry out the comparative analysis of the results of ambulatory treatment of patients with chronic hemorrhoid using “Step-by-Step” technology and surgeries in hospital conditions. Materials and methods. The results of treatment were analyzed in 4 representative groups: 31 patients of the main group underwent a staged “Step-by-Step” hemorrhoidectomy in ambulatory conditions, 29 patients of the first group of comparison – Longo operation, 32 patients of the second group of comparison – laser hemorrhoidectomy, 29 patients of the third group of comparison – Milligan-Morgan operation. Results. In the main group, the rate of complications was noted in 1.4 %, after Longo operation – 9.8 %, after laser hemorrhoidectomy – 6.6 %, after Milligan-Morgan – 11.2 %. Relapse of disease was registered in 0.6 % of patients of the main group, 6.1 % – first group of comparison, 3.8 % – second group and 3.5 % – third groups. Conclusions. The best treatment results were obtained in patients after using the technology “Step-by-Step” at the expense of a minimum rate of complications and less number of relapses that permits to recommend this technique for a wide clinical application.