ObjectiveThis analysis critically compares publications discussing complications and functional outcomes of plate fixation (PF) versus intramedullary fixation (IF) for midshaft clavicle fractures.MethodsRelevant studies published between January 1990 and October 2014, without language restrictions, were identified in database searches of PubMed®, Medline®, Embase and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Studies that compared postoperative complications and functional outcomes between PF and IF for midshaft clavicle fractures, and provided sufficient data for analysis, were included in this meta-analysis.ResultsAfter strict evaluation, 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Studies encompassed 462 participants in the PF group and 440 in the IF group. Study participants were followed up for ≥1 year. Outcomes were superior with IF compared with PF in terms of shoulder constant score at 6-month follow-up, fewer symptomatic hardware complications, lower rate of refracture after hardware removal and less hypertrophic scarring. In other aspects, such as functional recovery at 12-months and 24-months, Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire results at 12-month follow-up, shoulder motion range, rates of superficial infection, temporary brachial plexus lesion, nonunion, malunion, delayed union, implant failure and need for major revision, both techniques were similar.ConclusionsFindings of this meta-analysis suggest that, in many respects, IF was superior to PF for the management of midshaft clavicle fractures. This finding could aid surgeons in making decisions on the optimum internal fixation pattern for midshaft clavicular fractures.

Objective To investigate the effects of parenteral nutrition (PN) including ω-3 fish-oil emulsion on nutritional state, inflammatory response, and prognosis in patients with acute paraquat poisoning. Methods Patients randomized to receive medium chain triglycerides (MCT)/long chain triglycerides (LCT)-based PN (control group) or MCT/LCT-based PN containing ω-3 fish-oil emulsion (intervention group) were compared for 90-day survival and short-term treatment efficacy. Results Tumour necrosis factor-α levels were significantly lower in the intervention group ( n = 101) versus controls ( n = 73) on treatment days 4 and 7. Intervention group C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly increased on day 4, decreased to baseline (day 1) levels on day 7, and were significantly lower than baseline on day 10. Control group CRP levels were significantly increased on days 4 and 7 versus baseline, and returned to baseline levels on day 10. On day 7, retinol binding protein had recovered to baseline levels in the intervention group only. Intervention group mortality rate (36.6%) was significantly lower than controls (57.5%). ω-3 fish-oil PN was associated with reduced risk of death (hazard ratio 0.52; 95% confidence interval 0.33, 0.82). Conclusion In patients with acute paraquat poisoning, MCT/LCT with ω-3 fish-oil emulsion PN plus combination treatment advantageously attenuated the inflammatory response, modified the nutritional state, and was associated with significantly improved 90-day survival versus treatment without ω-3 fish oil.

Abstract. The present study aimed to investigate the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and interleukin (IL)-6 in the lung tissue of a rat model of acute pulmonary edema induced by acute hypoxia, and its pathophysiological significance. A total of 48 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into group A, a normal group; group B, a model of acute pulmonary edema induced by hypoxia for 24 h; group C, a model of acute pulmonary edema induced by hypoxia for 48 h; and group D, a model of acute pulmonary edema induced by hypoxia for 72 h. The rats in groups B-D were intraperitoneally injected with 6% ammonium chloride to establish the model of acute pulmonary edema, and were subsequently sacrificed following successful modeling for 24, 48 and 72 h. The plasma of rats was isolated and the lungs of the rats were removed. Subsequently, a 10% lung homogenate was prepared and the contents and the activities of MDA, SOD and IL-6 in the lung tissue and IL-6 in the plasma were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MDA and IL-6 expression levels increased and SOD activity decreased in the lung tissue in group B as compared with group A; however the difference did not reach significance (P>0.05). MDA, IL-6 and SOD levels in the lung tissue of rats were significantly altered following the increased duration of pulmonary edema in groups C and D, as compared group A (P<0.05). The plasma IL-6 levels of the rats in groups B-D significantly increased, as compared with those in group A (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the incidence of acute pulmonary edema may be associated with oxidative stress. Furthermore, decreased antioxidant capacity and increased free radical levels may be associated with pulmonary edema, as in the present study the levels of IL-6, SOD and MDA in the lung tissue were observed to be associated with the pathological changes of the disease.