Technology and Health Care - Volume 25, issue 1

Authors: Janz, Viktor | Wassilew, Georgi I. | Perka, Carsten F. | Bartek, Benjamin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is currently unclear if an isolated exchange of the mobile components, in cases of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), leads to a complete eradication of all bacteria or if residual bacteria remain attached to the retained components? OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate if bacteria only adhere to certain components or materials, or if they are ubiquitously distributed throughout the joint. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-four patients undergoing revision total hip or total knee arthroplasty surgery were included in this retrospective cohort study. Synovial fluid cultures, periprosthetic tissue …cultures, histological samples and sonicate fluid cultures (SFC) from the individual endoprosthetic components were acquired. The isolated bacterial species were recorded according to their endoprosthetic component of origin. RESULTS: In 72% of all cases with multiple SFC, the cultures were concordant with all samples being either homogenously negative or showing positive bacterial growth. The polyethylene (PE) components showed a significantly higher rate of bacterial isolation than the non-mobile components. All components and materials showed bacterial colonization, however between all other components or materials were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PE-components show a higher rate of bacterial isolation than other components. If an isolated bearing exchange is performed this should be supplemented by adequate antimicrobial therapy. Show more

Keywords: Sonication, bacterial colonization, endoprosthetic components, PJI, total joint arthroplasty

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161257

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 137-142, 2017

Authors: Noll, Christine | Steitz, Vanessa | Daentzer, Dorothea

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Proprioceptive insoles are known to influence the functions of posture and gait by modulations of the sensory structures at the sole of the foot. Literature has shown that they could improve the position of the upper-body in patients with postural complaints of the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of proprioceptive insoles on the spinal curvature in patients with slight idiopathic scoliosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were included in this prospective, single-centre, randomized study. All patients needed to have a relevant growth potential and suffered from a slight …idiopathic scoliosis. Two groups were used, where group 1 performed physiotherapy twice a week, whereas group 2 was additionally supplied with proprioceptive insoles. Patients underwent three-dimensional rasterstereography for back-shape analysis. Furthermore, a conventional x-ray imaging of the spine was performed at the beginning and 1 year later to document the curvatures. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the Cobb angles, and in almost all parameters of the rasterstereography, there was no statistically significant change between and within both groups. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, there was no evidence of any statistical significant effect of proprioceptive insoles on spinal curvature in patients with slight idiopathic scoliosis. Show more

Keywords: Idiopathic scoliosis, proprioceptive insoles, rasterstereography, spinal curvature, surface analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161271

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 143-151, 2017

Authors: Zhang, Melvyn W.B. | Ho, Roger C.M.

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: Dementia is known to be an illness which brings forth marked disability amongst the elderly individuals. At times, patients living with dementia do also experience non-cognitive symptoms, and these symptoms include that of hallucinations, delusional beliefs as well as emotional liability, sexualized behaviours and aggression. According to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, non-pharmacological techniques are typically the first-line option prior to the consideration of adjuvant pharmacological options. Reminiscence and music therapy are thus viable options. Lazar et al. [3] previously performed a systematic review with regards to the utilization of technology to delivery reminiscence based therapy to …individuals who are living with dementia and has highlighted that technology does have benefits in the delivery of reminiscence therapy. However, to date, there has been a paucity of M-health innovations in this area. In addition, most of the current innovations are not personalized for each of the person living with Dementia. Prior research has highlighted the utility for open source repository in bioinformatics study. The authors hoped to explain how they managed to tap upon and make use of open source repository in the development of a personalized M-health reminiscence therapy innovation for patients living with dementia. The availability of open source code repository has changed the way healthcare professionals and developers develop smartphone applications today. Conventionally, a long iterative process is needed in the development of native application, mainly because of the need for native programming and coding, especially so if the application needs to have interactive features or features that could be personalized. Such repository enables the rapid and cost effective development of application. Moreover, developers are also able to further innovate, as less time is spend in the iterative process. Show more

Keywords: M-health, smartphones, cross-platform, dementia, reminiscence therapy, open Source respository

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161253

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 153-156, 2017

Authors: Guo, Jianming | Gu, Yongquan | Guo, Lianrui | Tong, Zhu | Gao, Xixiang

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is associated with a high rate of mortality, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension leads to ongoing morbidity among many survivors. Here we report a case of a MPE successfully treated by Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy combined with catheter fragmentation. This is the first report of the use of these two methods together for MPE treatment.

Keywords: Massive pulmonary embolism, Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy, catheter fragmentation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161262

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 157-161, 2017

Authors: Zhang, Melvyn W.B. | Ho, Roger C.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: Learning management system, moodle, cognitive behavioural therapy, cost-effectiveness, web solutions, E-health

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161261

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 163-165, 2017

Authors: Haghi, Mehdi

Article Type: Letter

DOI: 10.3233/THC-161291

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 167-169, 2017