Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Antibiotic beads have been used as a drug delivery system for the treatment of various surgical infections. In this study, the copolymer 50:50 poly(DL-lactide):co-glycolide was mixed with vancomycin powder and hot compressing molded at 55 degrees C to form five types of biodegradable antibiotic beads. The beads were placed in 1 mL of phosphate buffered saline and incubated at 37 degrees C. ⋯ Copolymers with low heat of formation temperatures are required for making a controlled release system to prevent antibiotic decomposition, which occurs when using the hot compressing molded method. The rate and duration of release from the antibiotic beads can be adjusted by varying the diameter of the beads. This offers a convenient method to adjust the release rate to meet the specific antibiotic requirements for different patients.
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The rapidly growing population of the United States is becoming more diversified in its ethnicity. Conversely, the orthopaedic profession has not kept pace with this increase. Although 1/3 of the total population is comprised of Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans, only 7% of all orthopaedic surgeons represent these minorities. ⋯ Misconceptions on the part of the minority students, medical school admissions committees, and directors of orthopaedic residency training programs may lead to negative impressions and results. The purpose of this paper is to make the orthopaedic community aware of this disparity and the barriers that underrepresented minority students encounter. Hopefully an appropriate positive response by those who have the ability to make a difference will result, thus facilitating the pathway for the minority student to become an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · May 1999
Current diversity in orthopaedics. Issues of race, ethnicity, and gender.
The size and diversity of the United States orthopaedic workforce continues to interest academic graduate medical education analysts. Numerous medical groups have expressed the need for diversity in orthopaedics and in general medicine. The Association of American Medical Colleges has had two policies since the early 1970s concerning minorities in medicine. ⋯ The percentage of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican American orthopaedic residents essentially has remained unchanged. The percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander women has remained unchanged whereas the percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander men has quadrupled (2.2% in 1983 to 9.8% in 1995) during the 12 years of the study. The percentage of white women has remained virtually unchanged whereas that of white men has declined in direct relation to the increase in Asian or Pacific Islander men.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · May 1999
Biography Historical Article Classical ArticleThe black in American medicine. 1981.