Edwin O. Chaharbakhshi

Broad-complex, tramtrack, and bric-à-brac (BTB) proteins: Critical regulators of development.

Broad‐complex, Tramtrack, and Bric‐à‐brac/poxvirus and zinc finger (BTB/POZ) family proteins are a diverse family of proteins that are characterized by the presence of a common protein‐protein interaction domain, known as the BTB domain. BTB proteins have been identified in poxviruses and many eukaryotes, and have diverse functions, ranging from transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling to protein degradation and cytoskeletal regulation. Specificity of function is determined in part by additional domains present in BTB family proteins, as well as by interaction partners. Studies of BTB proteins in Drosophila and mammalian systems have revealed the importance of these genes in multiple developmental contexts, as well as in cancer and neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. In this review, we discuss the functions of BTB/POZ proteins during development with an emphasis on BTB‐zinc finger (BTB‐ZF) proteins, which play critical roles in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling.

Implementing a Protocol Using Glucose Gel to Treat Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a leading cause of admission of neonates to the NICU. Typical treatment for neonatal hypoglycemia includes supplementation with formula or, in some cases, intravenous glucose administration. These treatments, though effective at treating hypoglycemia, interrupt exclusive breastfeeding and interfere with mother-infant bonding. Our institution developed a treatment algorithm for newborns at risk for neonatal hypoglycemia. The new algorithm called for the oral administration of 40% glucose gel. This intervention resulted in a 73% decreasein admission rates to the NICU for hypoglycemia, and it supported exclusive breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and mother-infant bonding.

Hip Arthroscopic Surgery With Labral Preservation and Capsular Plication in Patients With Borderline Hip Dysplasia: Minimum 5-Year Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background: The arthroscopic management of hip dysplasia has been controversial and has historically demonstrated mixed results. Studies on patients with borderline dysplasia, emphasizing the importance of the labrum and capsule as secondary stabilizers, have shown improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to assess whether the results of hip arthroscopic surgery with labral preservation and concurrent capsular plication in patients with borderline hip dysplasia have lasting, positive outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up. It was hypothesized that with careful patient selection, outcomes would be favorable. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed for patients aged <40 years who underwent hip arthroscopic surgery for intra-articular abnormalities. Inclusion criteria included lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) between 18° and 25°, concurrent capsular plication and labral preservation, and minimum 5-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria were severe dysplasia (LCEA ≤18°), Tönnis grade ≥2, pre-existing childhood hip conditions, or prior hip surgery. PRO scores including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and Hip Outcome Score Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS) and the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain were collected preoperatively, at 3 months, and annually thereafter. Complications and revisions were recorded. Results: Twenty-five hips (24 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one hips (19 patients, 84%) were available for follow-up. The mean age at surgery was 22.9 years. The mean preoperative LCEA and Tönnis angle were 21.7° (range, 18° to 24°) and 6.9° (range, –1° to 16°), respectively. The mean follow-up was 68.8 months. The mean mHHS increased from 70.3 to 85.9 (P < .0001), the mean NAHS from 68.3 to 87.3 (P < .0001), and the mean HOS-SSS from 52.1 to 70.8 (P = .0002). The mean VAS score improved from 5.6 to 1.8 (P < .0001). Four hips (19%) required secondary arthroscopic procedures, all of which resulted in improved PRO scores at latest follow-up. No patient required conversion to total hip arthroplasty. Conclusion: While periacetabular osteotomy remains the standard for treating true acetabular dysplasia, hip arthroscopy may provide a safe and durable means of managing intra-articular abnormalities in the setting of borderline acetabular dysplasia at midterm follow-up. These procedures should be performed by surgeons with expertise in advanced arthroscopic techniques, using strict patient selection criteria, with emphasis on labral preservation and capsular plication.

Circumferential Labral Reconstruction Using the Knotless Pull-Through Technique—Surgical Technique

Arthroscopic labral reconstruction is an alternative procedure for an irreparable hip labrum in the nonarthritic hip population. Although labral reconstruction is a relatively new procedure, data in the literature show favorable outcomes. Patients have shown beneficial outcomes from labral reconstructive surgery as well as when compared with labral repair and debridement patients. However, one of the challenges in performing labral reconstruction has been correctly measuring the graft to perfectly fit the area of labral deficiency. We propose a labral reconstruction technique that will eliminate inaccuracies in graft measurement while incorporating beneficial characteristics of the knotless suture. The advantages of this technique will increase procedural accuracy and brevity.

Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopic Surgery in Patients With Tönnis Grade 1 Osteoarthritis at a Minimum 5-Year Follow-up: A Matched-Pair Comparison With a Tönnis Grade 0 Control Group

Background: Studies on midterm outcomes of the arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears with mild osteoarthritis (OA) are limited. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of the arthroscopic treatment of FAI and labral tears in patients with mild preoperative OA (Tönnis grade 1) at a minimum 5-year follow-up, and to perform a matched-pair comparison to a control group with Tönnis grade 0. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected on patients who underwent hip arthroscopic surgery between February 2008 and April 2011. Inclusion criteria were arthroscopic treatment for FAI and labral tears and having preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, including the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain. Exclusion criteria were workers’ compensation claims, preoperative Tönnis grade ≥2, and previous hip conditions (ipsilateral surgery, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, avascular necrosis, and dysplasia). Patients with minimum 5-year outcomes were eligible for matching on a 1:1 ratio (Tönnis grade 0 vs 1) based on age ±5 years, body mass index ±5 kg/m2, sex, labral treatment, and capsular treatment. Results: Of 356 eligible hips, 292 hips had minimum 5-year outcomes (82%). Eighty-five hips with Tönnis grade 1 were evaluated. At 5-year follow-up, patients with Tönnis grade 1 had significant improvements in all PRO and VAS scores (P < .0001). The overall satisfaction score was 8.2. The survivorship rate with respect to conversion to total hip arthroplasty for the Tönnis grade 1 group was 69.4% at 5 years, while in the Tönnis grade 0 group, it was 88.4% (P = .0002). Sixty-two hips with Tönnis grade 0 were matched to 62 hips with Tönnis grade 1. Both groups demonstrated improvements in all PRO and VAS scores from preoperatively to postoperatively (P < .0001). No significant differences existed between preoperative or postoperative scores or survivorship between the groups. Conclusion: The arthroscopic treatment of FAI and labral tears in patients with Tönnis grade 1 had good results at 5-year follow-up. After controlling for other variables using a matched-pair comparison, patients with Tönnis grade 1 had similar, durable improvements to those with Tönnis grade 0. While strict surgical indications and appropriate expectations are recommended for patients with mild OA, Tönnis grade 1 alone should not be considered a contraindication to hip arthroscopic surgery.

Regulation of Gonad Morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster by BTB Family Transcription Factors

During embryogenesis, primordial germ cells (PGCs) and somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs) migrate and coalesce to form the early gonad. A failure of the PGCs and SGPs to form a gonad with the proper architecture not only affects germ cell development, but can also lead to infertility. Therefore, it is critical to identify the molecular mechanisms that function within both the PGCs and SGPs to promote gonad morphogenesis. We have characterized the phenotypes of two genes, longitudinals lacking (lola) and ribbon (rib), that are required for the coalescence and compaction of the embryonic gonad in Drosophila melanogaster. rib and lola are expressed in the SGPs of the developing gonad, and genetic interaction analysis suggests these proteins cooperate to regulate gonad development. Both genes encode proteins with DNA binding motifs and a conserved protein-protein interaction domain, known as the Broad complex, Tramtrack, Bric-à-brac (BTB) domain. Through molecular modeling and yeast-two hybrid studies, we demonstrate that Rib and Lola homo- and heterodimerize via their BTB domains. In addition, analysis of the colocalization of Rib and Lola with marks of transcriptional activation and repression on polytene chromosomes reveals that Rib and Lola colocalize with both repressive and activating marks and with each other. While previous studies have identified Rib and Lola targets in other tissues, we find that Rib and Lola are likely to function via different downstream targets in the gonad. These results suggest that Rib and Lola act as dual-function transcription factors to cooperatively regulate embryonic gonad morphogenesis.

Minimum 2-Year Outcomes of Hip Arthroscopic Surgery in Patients With Acetabular Overcoverage and Profunda Acetabulae Compared With Matched Controls With Normal Acetabular Coverage

Background: Advancements in instrumentation and techniques have extended the scope of hip arthroscopic surgery to treat complex osseous deformities that were previously best addressed with an open approach. Global pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement is an example of an abnormality requiring osseous correction with a technically challenging access point. Purpose: To report on the patterns of clinical presentation and intra-articular derangements, radiological associations, and minimum 2-year outcomes after hip arthroscopic surgery in patients with a lateral center edge angle (LCEA) >40° and profunda acetabulae in comparison with matched controls with normal acetabular coverage. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were collected on all patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery during the study period from April 2008 to April 2013. All patients who had undergone hip arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic labral tears not responsive to a minimum of 3 months of physical therapy with both an LCEA >40° and profunda acetabulae, as defined by the ilioischial line lateral to the medial border of the teardrop, and without a history of hip surgery or hip conditions were included. This group was matched in a 1-to-1 ratio with a control group that had also undergone the arthroscopic management of symptomatic labral tears refractory to a minimum of 3 months of physical therapy with an LCEA between 25° and 40° according to age within 3 years, sex, body mass index category, Tönnis grade, labral treatment, and capsular treatment. Range of motion, impingement signs, and radiographic indices of coverage and version were recorded for each group. Four patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, patient satisfaction, revision hip arthroscopic surgery, and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) were also recorded. Results: Thirty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria for the study (overcoverage) group, of which 36 (92.3%) patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up; 215 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the control (normal coverage) group, of which 183 (85.1%) had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Thirty-six patients were matched in each group using the above criteria. There was no difference with respect to range of motion and impingement signs between the groups. The study group had significantly higher radiological markers of overcoverage but not retroversion compared with the control group. The study group had a significantly higher incidence of Seldes type 2 tears compared with the control group: 50.0% versus 19.4%, respectively (P = .013). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the mean scores of all PROs, but the study group had a lower magnitude of improvement for all the PROs compared with the control group, with the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) achieving statistical significance: 13.5 versus 21.7 points, respectively (P = .032). The study group had a significantly lower mean patient satisfaction score compared with the control group: 6.61 versus 7.91, respectively (P = .019). The study group also had a significantly higher incidence of conversion to THA compared with the control group: 4 versus 0, respectively (P = .040). Conclusion: Hip arthroscopic surgery for the management of symptomatic labral tears in patients with combined overcoverage and coxa profunda is associated with improvements in patient outcomes and pain at a minimum 2-year follow-up. However, the degree of improvement is of lower magnitude compared with a matched cohort with normal coverage undergoing the arthroscopic management of symptomatic labral tears. While hips with lateral overcoverage combined with coxa profunda may have a smaller potential for improvement compared with hips with normal coverage, this type of osseous morphology is still repairable with arthroscopic treatment.

Improvement in Quality of Life Following Operative Correction of Midtarsal Charcot Foot Deformity

Background: Patients with Charcot foot arthropathy report a poor quality of life following the development of deformity. Their quality of life is often not improved with “successful” historic accommodative treatment. There is increased current interest in operative correction of the acquired deformity with the stated goals of achieving both the traditional goals of resolution of infection and limb salvage as well as the desire to improve quality of life. The Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA) outcomes instrument appears to be a valid tool for evaluating this complex patient population. Methods: Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing operative reconstruction for nonplantigrade midtarsal Charcot foot arthropathy completed the SMFA patient-reported outcomes instrument prior to surgery, with 24 completing it at 1 year following the surgery. One patient died during the year following surgery from unrelated causes. Results: There was an 11.5-point (95% confidence interval [CI]: –19.7 to −3.2) decrease in the standardized functional index (P = .01). Similarly, there was a 12.4-point (95% CI: –22.5 to −2.3) decrease in the standardized bother index (P = .02). The standardized daily activity index demonstrated a 19.6-point decrease (95% CI: –30.5 to −8.6, P = .002), and there was a 14.7-point (95% CI: –24.1 to −5.3) decrease in the standardized emotion index (P = .004). There was no meaningful change in the standardized arm/hand index (P = .81). Conclusion: The results of this investigation demonstrate that successful operative reconstruction of midtarsal Charcot foot arthropathy improved quality of life. This supports the modern paradigm shift from immobilization during the active phase of the disease process followed by simple accommodation of the acquired deformity to the modern interest in operative correction to allow the use of commercially available therapeutic footwear. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Arthroscopic Technique for Iliopsoas Fractional Lengthening for Symptomatic Internal Snapping of the Hip, Iliopsoas Impingement Lesion, or Both

Pathology of the iliopsoas may cause painful internal snapping of the hip or labral damage from soft impingement. Favorable outcomes have been reported after arthroscopic release or fractional lengthening of the iliopsoas. In patients with risk factors for instability, restoration of other soft-tissue constraints such as the labrum and capsule should be performed if iliopsoas fractional lengthening is undertaken. The purpose of this article is to detail the step-by-step surgical technique of arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening, in addition to the indications, pearls, and pitfalls of the technique.

Outcomes of Femoral Head Marrow Stimulation Techniques at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

This study compared patients who underwent femoral head microfracture with a control group of patients who did not require microfracture. Patients had more than 2 years of follow-up. The patient groups had similar demographic and radiographic features, including sex, age within 5 years, body mass index within 5 points, equal Tönnis grade, lateral center edge angle within 5°, labral treatment, and capsular closure vs release. Inclusion criteria were a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, Outerbridge grade IV cartilage damage, and femoral head marrow stimulation technique performed at the time of arthroscopy. Exclusion criteria were revision surgery, dysplasia, Tönnis grade of greater than 1, protrusio or profunda acetabuli, Perthes disease of the hip, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, abductor tear, and avascular necrosis of the hip. Patient-reported outcomes included modified Harris hip score, nonarthritic hip score, hip outcome score-activity of daily living subscale, hip outcome score-sports subscale, and visual analog scale score for pain. Fifteen patients had femoral head microfracture with more than 2 years of follow-up. Mean improvements in modified Harris hip score, nonarthritic hip score, hip outcome score-sports subscale, and visual analog scale score were 17.1, 19.4, 30.5, and 2.8, respectively, for the microfracture group compared with 11.8, 18.5, 22.2, and 3.0, respectively, for the control group. Both groups showed statistically significant improvement (P<.05) for all patient-reported outcomes, and no significant difference was found between the 2 patient groups at latest follow-up. Two patients in the microfracture group vs 3 patients in the control required hip arthroplasty. Femoral head microfracture is a technically difficult procedure, but when performed correctly, the results are similar to those of patients who do not require microfracture. Further study of femoral head microfracture is necessary to confirm these encouraging short-term outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(1):e70-e76.].