Achilles tendinopathy and rupture of the Achilles tendon (AT) are frequent pathologies. Even though they may be associated with the twisted morphology of the AT, quantitative data on the extent of the twist of the entire AT are not available. The aim of this study was to investigate the torsion of the AT based on its individual parts and to evaluate a possible correlation with the torsion of the long bones of the lower extremity. Forty embalmed lower extremities were included in this study. The lateral deviation of the AT and its torsional angle as well as the angles of the individual parts in trans-section were measured. Thereafter, the torsions of femur and tibia were evaluated. Measuring the lateral deviation of the fibers resulted in an average torsion of the AT of 34.59° (SD 16.8°). The angles of the different parts of the AT in trans-section resulted in a median AT torsion of 15.73°, showing various patterns of rotations of the individual muscles. A statistically significant correlation between the torsions of the lower extremity and the AT (P =0.0242, r = 0.40) as well as a correlation between the femoral torsion and the AT torsion (P = 0.0127, r = 0.44) were found. This study adds to the morphological understanding of the torsion of the AT and its correlation with the torsions of the long bones of the lower extremity. Especially, the torsion of the femur seems to be connected to the torsion of the tendon. Clin. Anat. 31:1085-1091, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.

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BackgroundInterventional diagnostic procedures are established for several diseases in medicine. Despite the KDOQI guideline recommendation for histological diagnosis of kidney disease to enable risk stratification, its optimal time point has not been evaluated. We have therefore analyzed whether histological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis (GN) at an early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with different outcome compared to diagnosis at a more advanced stage.MethodsA cohort of 424 consecutive patients with histological diagnosis of GN were included in a retrospective data analysis. Kidney function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation at the time point of kidney biopsy and after consecutive immunosuppressive therapy. Censored events were death, initiation of dialysis or kidney transplantation, or progression of disease, defined as deterioration of CKD stage ≥1 from kidney biopsy to last available kidney function measurement.ResultsOccurrence of death, dialysis/transplantation or progression of disease were associated with GFR and CKD stage at the time of kidney biopsy (p < 0.001 for all). Patients with CKD stage 1 and 2 at kidney biopsy had fewer endpoints compared to patients with a GFR of <60 ml/min (p < 0.001).ConclusionKidney function at the time point of histological GN diagnosis is associated with clinical outcome, likely due to early initiation of specific drug treatment. This suggests that selection of therapy yields greatest benefit before renal function is impaired in GN.

Background Capsaicin 8% patch reduces peripheral neuropathic pain. Based on the concept of neuropathic pain (NeP) in mixed low back pain (LBP) it is hypothesized, that an exclusively lumbar capsaicin 8% patch is an effective treatment of mixed LBP. The aim is a proof of this concept and to identify predictors of responsiveness. Methods This prospective stratified study included 54 chronic, mixed, LBP patients with spontaneous pain >3/10 on the NRS (0-10) and a painDETECT Questionnaire (PDQ) score >12 meaning possible or likely (>18) NeP. Pain intensity, PDQ, and quantitative sensory testing (QST) were assessed at baseline. After a one-hour capsaicin 8% treatment on the low back, follow-up was carried out regularly over three months. Response was determined at one month (≥30% pain reduction) and predictors were compared accordingly. Results The average change in pain intensity at week four was -1.1 (-0.50;-1.71, 95%CI, p < 0.001). Twenty-one (39%) patients responded at one month with a mean pain reduction of -3.1 (-4.0;-2.3, 95%CI) and even 10 of the 21 responders showed a ≥ 50% pain reduction. No pain reduction was seen in 33 (61%) patients (p = 0.42). Responders and non-responders did not differ at any baseline parameter: NRS (p = 0.85), PDQ score (p = 0.47), duration of pain (median of 48 and 36 months) nor QST profiles. Conclusions Lumbar capsaicin 8% patch is an effective treatment in about 40% of chronic patients with mixed neuropathic LBP. However, predictors for response could not be identified.

BACKGROUND: Few and inconsistent data exist describing the effect of storage duration on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations of red blood cells (RBCs), impeding interpretation of HbA1c values in transfused diabetic patients. Hence the aim of this study was to evaluate to what extent HbA1c concentrations of RBCs change during the maximum allowed storage period of 42 days. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Blood was drawn from 16 volunteers, leukofiltered, and stored under standard blood banking conditions. HbA1c concentrations of RBCs were measured on Days 1 and 42 of storage using three different validated devices (ionexchange high-performance liquid chromatography Method A1 and A2, turbidimetric immunoassay Method B). RESULTS: Mean HbA1c concentrations of RBCs onDay 1 were 5.3 AE 0.3% (Method A1), 5.4 AE 0.4% (Method A2), and 5.1 AE 0.4% (Method B). HbA1c concentrations increased to 5.6 AE 0.3% (A1, p < 0.0001), 5.7 AE 0.3% (A2, p = 0.004), and 5.5 AE 0.4% (B, p < 0.0001) on Day 42, respectively, corresponding to a 1.06-fold increase across all methods. Glucose concentrations in the storage solution of RBCs decreased from 495 AE 27 to 225 AE 55 mg/dL (p < 0.0001), confirming that stored RBCs were metabolically active. CONCLUSION:These results suggest a significant, albeit minor, and most likely clinically insignificant increase in HbA1c concentrations during storage of RBCs for 42 days.

Background/Aims: Endosonography is associated with a long learning curve. We aimed to assess variables that may influence the diagnostic outcomes in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/B) of solid pancreatic tumors regarding the level of endoscopists' experience.Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing EUS-guided puncture of solid pancreatic tumors (eight endosonographers, including six trainees) were prospectively enrolled. An experienced endosonographer was defined as having performed at least 250 EUS examinations, including 75 FNA/Bs. The final diagnosis was determined by cytopathology, histopathology, or clinical followup. Results:In total, 283 EUS-FNA/Bs of solid pancreatic tumors (75.6% malignant) in 239 patients (median age 69 years, 57.6% males) were enrolled. Trainees performed 149/283 (52.7%) of the interventions. Accuracy and sensitivity for detecting malignancy were significantly higher in the expert group than in the trainee group (85.8% vs 73.2%, p=0.01 and 82.5% vs 68.4%, p=0.02). Solid lesions evaluated by an expert using FNB needles showed the best odds for a correct diagnosis (odds ratio, 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 8.23; p=0.02). More experienced endoscopists achieved better accuracy in sampling via the transduodenal approach (86.7% vs 68.5%, p<0.001), in the sampling of malignant lesions (82.5 vs 68.4, p=0.02), and in the sampling of lesions located in the pancreatic head (86.1 vs 69.1, p=0.02). In cases involving these factors, we observed a moderate improvement in the diagnostic accuracy after 40 attempts. Conclusions:Transduodenal approach, pancreatic head lesions, and malignancy were recognized as the most important clinical factors affecting the learning curve in EUS-FNA/B of solid pancreatic lesions.

Trusted evidence. Informed decisions. Better health. Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsImpact of active placebo controls on estimated drug e ects in randomised trials: a systematic review of trials with both active placebo and standard placebo (Review)

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