Sodium periodate/TEMPO as a selective and efficient system for amine oxidation

A new metal-free protocol for promoting oxidation of amines in aqueous-organic medium was developed. NaIO₄ and TEMPO as the catalyst emerged as the most efficient and selective system for oxidation of differently substituted benzyl amines to the corresponding benzaldehydes without overoxidation. Unsymmetrical secondary amines underwent selective oxidation only at the benzylic position thus realising an oxidative deprotection of a benzylic group with an easy amine recovery.

NaIO₄/TEMPO efficiently allowed a metal-free oxidation of benzylamines to benzaldehydes with complete selectivity for N-benzyl residues in secondary amines.

Bone grafts and bone graft substitutes in prosthetic hip surgery replacement

The need for bone grafting procedures to replace skeletal defects has become more considerable because of increased opportunities to save major bone loss. We report our experience and a critical analysis about the role of bone grafts and bone graft substitutes in prosthetic hip surgery replacement.

Effects of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on postural control and muscle activity of head, neck and trunk muscles

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects that an anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee has on postural control and activity of neck, head and trunk muscles to investigate the existence of connections between the masticatory system and body posture. Surface electromyographic activity of the muscles at mandibular rest position, and during maximal voluntary clenching and posturometric and stabilometric measurements of 25 adult patients having pathology on the left knee were compared with a control non-pathological group. At rest, the patients showed a higher muscular activity of anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid and lower trapezius, compared with the control subjects (P < 0.05). At maximal voluntary clenching, the patients showed a lower muscular activity of the right anterior temporalis and masseter and a higher muscular activity of the lower trapezius, compared with the control subjects. For the stabilometric measurements, all the subjects showed a significant reduction in the postural centre of pressure path length during the test with eyes open and cotton rolls, compared with the test with eyes closed and mandibular rest position (P < 0.05). In addition, the patients showed a significant displacement of the postural centre of pressure in a forward direction (P < 0.05) and into the right side (P < 0.05), compared with the control subjects. Anterior cruciate ligament injury appears to be associated to a change in the activity of head, neck and trunk muscles and to a change in the position of the postural centre of pressure. Cotton rolls seem to improve the stability of the subject.

Arthroscopic treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness

AIM

The treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness has seen many important changes over the years, particularly through the development of arthroscopy, greater knowledge of anatomy and improvements in operative techniques, that reduce the incidence of complications and facilitate postoperative recovery. In this study mid-term clinical results of arthroscopy for post-traumatic elbow stiffness are evaluated in 15 sporting patients, with an average age of 32 years.

METHODS

Eight patients reported post-traumatic stiffness due to fracture of the radial head, 3 to fracture-dislocation, 1 to fracture of the radial diaphysis complicated by osteosynthesis, and the remaining 3 patients to stress syndromes with osteochondral detachment. Surgical treatment consists in debridement, arthroscopic capsular release, and removal of bone fragments by arthroscopy. Patients were followed up from 4 up to 36 months, with a mean follow-up time of 18 months.

RESULTS

Results obtained have been good to excellent in 84% of cases with an average range in postoperative movement of 13 degrees-137 degrees and reduction in pain symptomatology. The statistic results obtained from this study, under the same conditions and with a confidence interval = 0.01, show that the treatment will have favorable outcomes in 63% of patients of entire population (0.6285<P<1).

CONCLUSIONS

In light of our mid-term clinical results on a small series of cases, arthroscopic surgical treatment would appear to be an acceptable option in management of the post-traumatic stiff elbow.

Influence of knee pathology on body posture and muscle activity of head, neck and trunk muscles

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects that an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of the knee has on postural control and activity of neck, head and trunk muscles in order to investigate the existence of connections between the masticatory system and body posture.

METHODS

Surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the muscles and their asymmetry index, at mandibular rest position, and during maximal voluntary clenching (MVC), and posturometric and stabilometric measurements of 25 patients (mean age 28+/-9 years) having undergone ACL injury of the left knee were compared with a control non-pathologic group.

RESULTS

At rest, the patients showed a higher sEMG activity of the anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid and lower trapezius, compared with the control subjects (P<0.05). At MVC, the patients showed a lower sEMG activity of the right anterior temporalis and masseter and a higher sEMG activity of the lower trapezius, compared with the control subjects. For the stabilometric measurements, all the subjects showed a significant reduction in the Center of Pressure (CoP) path length during the test with eyes open and cotton rolls, compared with the test with eyes closed and mandibular rest position (P<0.05). In addition, the patients showed a significant displacement of the CoP in a forward direction (P<0.05) and to the righ side (P<0.05), compared with the control-subjects during each test.

CONCLUSIONS

ACL injury appears to be associated to a change in the sEMG activity of head, neck and trunk muscles and to a change in the position of the CoP of the body. Cotton rolls seem to improve the stability of the subject.

Implement the medical group revenue function. Create competitive advantage

This article shows medical groups how they can employ new financial management and information technology techniques to safeguard their revenue and income streams. These managerial techniques stem from the application of the medical group revenue function, which is defined herein. This article also describes how the medical group revenue function can be used to create value by employing a database and a decision support system. Finally, the article describes how the decision support system can be used to create competitive advantage. Through the wise use of internally generated information, medical groups can negotiate better contract terms, improve their operations, cut their costs, embark on capital investment programs and improve market share. As medical groups gain market power by improving in these areas, they will be more attractive to potential strategic allies, payers and investment bankers.