Objective To evaluate the rate and others factors related with the publication of free papers presented at a national orthopedic meeting. Methods Using virtual databases we reviewed the studies presented at the 2004 Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology that were published, as well as related factors such as institution, sub-specialty, year, level of evidence, results and comparison between abstract presented and published. Results There were 58 studies published from 267 presented (21.73%). Seven (12.1%) were published in international and 51 (87.9%) in national journals, mainly RBO (55%). The publication rate was higher in the year of the event and the following year (37.9%). The sub-specialties of spine and knee showed the best correlation between the numbers of papers presented and published (respectively 40.9% and 37.9%). Most of the studies were cohort (65%) and experimental studies have been 34.5%. There was a tendency to publish positive results or statistically significant. Three institutions were responsible for most of the publications (53.4%). Works with higher level of evidence showed the highest rate of publication. The abstract published was modified in 68.5% of the form the presentation. Conclusions This study presents data that compromises the quality of scientific of the abstracts presented at orthopedic meeting: most have a lower level of evidence and nearly 80% are not published.

Objective Achilles tendon pathologies occur frequently and have a significant socioeconomic impact. Currently, there is no evidence on the best treatment for these pathologies. Cell therapy has been studied in several animal models, and encouraging results have been observed with respect to tissue regeneration. This study is aimed at evaluating the functional and histological effects of bone marrow stem cell or platelet-rich plasma implantation compared to eccentric training in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy in rats. Methods Fourty-one male Wistar rats received collagenase injections into their bilateral Achilles tendons (collagenase-induced tendinopathy model). The rats were randomly divided into four groups: stem cells (SC), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells+platelet-rich plasma (SC+PRP), and control (eccentric training (ET)). After 4 weeks, the Achilles tendons were excised and subjected to biomechanical and histological analyses (Sirius red and hematoxylin-eosin staining). Results Biomechanical assessments revealed no differences among the groups in ultimate tensile strength or yield strength of the tendons (p = 0.157), but there were significant differences in the elastic modulus (MPa; p = 0.044) and maximum tensile deformation (p = 0.005). The PRP group showed the greatest maximum deformation, and the SC group showed the highest Young's modulus (elasticity) measurement. In histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin and Sirius red staining), there were no differences among the groups. Conclusion PRP and SC+PRP yielded better biomechanical results than eccentric training, showing that these treatments offer better tend function outcomes. This theoretical rationale for the belief that cell therapies can serve as viable alternatives to current treatments chronic fibrotic opens the door for opportunities to continue this research.

No abstract

Consumption of food products enriched with plant sterols and the use of ezetimibe reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine and effectively reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plasma levels. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of the ezetimibe+plant sterol association in patients with coronary artery disease still not reaching recommended lipid levels despite the use of statins. We performed a prospective open-label study with 41 patients with stable coronary disease and LDL >70 mg/dL. Patients were randomized into four groups for a 6-week treatment: the control (CT) group remained on the same statin therapy, the ezetimibe (EZ) group received 10 mg/day of ezetimibe, the plant sterol (PS) group received spread enriched with 2 g of plant sterols, and the ezetimibe+PS (EZ+PS) group received 10 mg/day EZ +2 g PS. Initial mean LDL level was 97.4 ± 31.1 mg/dL in control group, 105.1 ± 23.1 mg/dL in EZ group, 95.4 ± 27.7 mg/dL in PS group, and 97.0 ± 8.3 mg/dL in EZ+PS group (P > .05). After 6 weeks of treatment, LDL of patients slightly increased in the control group (+8.9%; P > .05) and dropped in EZ group (-19.1%; P = .06), PS group (-16.6%; P = .01), and EZ+PS group (-27.3%; P < .01). Mean LDL levels after treatment were 70.5 ± 17.9 mg/dL in EZ+PS group, lower than the other groups (control was 106.1 ± 34.9 mg/dL, EZ group was 85.0 ± 35.6 mg/dL, and PS was 79.6 ± 29.7 mg/dL) (P = .05 variance analysis factor [ANOVA]). Body weight, body-mass index, and glucose plasma levels did not change significantly after intervention. The combination of PS+ezetimibe was associated with lower LDL levels and suggests beneficial therapeutic effect against major cardiovascular events.

No abstract

This is the case report involving a 14-year-old male patient with Proteus syndrome. In an outpatient consultation, the patient complained of pain in the right foot on exertion. On physical examination, the findings were gigantism observed through lateral growth of the right foot, hemangioma on the back, and lipomas on the forearm. Clinical follow-up and orthotic measures were introduced after clinical and baropodometric analyses, achieving total relief of complaints. The minimal form of Proteus syndrome is rare and its diagnosis is hard. Its diverse manifestations constitute an obstacle to a systematic approach, hence its treatment must be individualized for each particular patient. Level of Evidence V; Therapeutic Study; Expert Opinion.