Injury
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Respiratory neuromuscular impairment severity is known to predict weaning outcome among patients with cervical spinal cord injury; however, the impact of non-neuromuscular complications remains unexplored. This study was to evaluate possible neuromuscular and non-neuromuscular factors that may negatively impact weaning outcome. ⋯ The presence of acute kidney injury during the intensive care unit stay and high level of cervical spinal injury are two independent risk factors that synergistically work together producing a negative impact on weaning outcome.
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Multiple trauma patients frequently suffer eye injuries, especially those patients with head traumas. We evaluated the accuracy of physical findings to determine the priorities of emergency ophthalmologic intervention in these patients. ⋯ Defining specific criteria of ophthalmologic examinations can clarify the necessity of emergency ophthalmologic examination and intervention.
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More than five million deaths occur each year from injury with the vast majority occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Africa bears the highest road traffic related mortality rates in the world. Despite this, formal training in trauma management is not widely adopted in these countries. We report our results of 10 consecutive Primary Trauma Care (PTC) courses delivered in seven East and Central African countries, as part of the COSECSA Oxford Orthopaedic Link (COOL) initiative. ⋯ Our work demonstrates that COOL-funded PTC courses in the COSECSA region delivered to front-line health staff have helped improve their knowledge and confidence in trauma management, irrespective of their job-roles and gender. Further follow-up is needed to establish the long-term impact of PTC courses in this region.
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The indication of biomaterials has increased substantially in the regenerative therapy of bone defects. However, in addition to evaluating the physicochemical properties of biomaterials, the quality of the recipient tissue is also essential for the osseointegration of implants, as abnormalities in bone metabolism, such as gonadal hormone deficiency, can influence bone healing. This study evaluated the osteoregenerative capacity of collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa in the repair of cranial defects in ovariectomised rats. ⋯ The volume of newly formed bone was significantly higher in the non-ovariectomised groups (G1: 7.83%±1.32; G2: 21.33%±1.96; and G3: 22.83%±0.98) compared to the respective ovariectomised subgroups (G4: 3.16%±0.75; G5: 16.83%±0.98; and G6: 16.16%±0.75), thus demonstrating the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on bone homeostasis. Higher volumes of newly formed bone were observed in the groups receiving the membrane grafts (G2, G3, G5, and G6) compared to the control groups (G1 and G4). In conclusion, the bilateral ovariectomy compromises the ability to repair bone lesions grafted with osteoconductive biomaterials as in the case of collagen membranes derived from both bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa.
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Meta Analysis
Predictors for moderate to severe paediatric head injury derived from a surveillance registry in the emergency department.
Head injuries are a common complaint among children presenting to the emergency department (ED). This study is part of an ongoing prospective surveillance of head injured children presenting to a paediatric ED. We aim to derive predictors for moderate to severe head injury in our population. ⋯ Involvement in road traffic accident, difficult arousal, base of skull fracture and vomiting are independent predictors for moderate to severe head injury in our paediatric population.