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Sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy using colloidal particles has become common practice at many institutions. The ideal particle size for colloids such as filtered 99mTc-sulfur colloid (99mTc-FSC) in sentinel node studies is 15-100 nm. It is reported that the use of a reduced heating time during the reconstitution process results in an increased number of smaller particles (<30 nm). However, it is unclear whether these smaller particles (>15 nm) would be of benefit in sentinel node studies. This study sought to better define particle size by using electron microscopy, as well as to evaluate the radiochemical purity (RCP) of 99mTc-FSC at various time points after filtration. Methods: One group of 99mTc-sulfur colloid (99mTc-SC) preparations was reconstituted using the standard heating time of 5 min, and another group was prepared using a reduced heating time of 3 min. The 99mTc-SC preparations were passed through a 0.2-μm filter, and retained filter activity was measured. RCP values were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 6 h after filtration, and the particle sizes were measured at 0 and 6 h after filtration. Results: Average RCP values (± SD) for 99mTc-FSC with 5-min heating were 98.4% ± 3.0% and 98.3% ± 1.8% for 0 h and 6 h, respectively (n = 6). Average RCP values for 99mTc-FSC with 3-min heating were 98.4% ± 4.1% and 96.9% ± 3.1% for 0 h and 6 h, respectively (n = 6). Electron microscopy data showed that median particle sizes for the 3-min heating at 0 and 6 h were 24 and 35 nm, respectively. Median particle sizes for the 5-min heating at 0 and 6 h were 29 and 27 nm, respectively. The proportion of particles within the ideal range for sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy was similar between the heating methods (91.1% for 3-min heating at 0 h and 88.8% for 5-min heating at 0 h, P = 0.1851). Conclusion: Our results indicate that although there are slight significant differences in RCP value, particle size, and particle number for 99mTc-FSC prepared using either a standard or a reduced heating time, both methods produce particles within the optimum range for sentinel node studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent changes in reproductive health care policy have now led to state-specific differences in abortion care access across the United States. Members of the medical community in particular have issued concerns regarding these new policies and their potential impact on graduate medical training.  Objectives: The purpose of this study was to sample orthopaedic surgery residency programs to gauge their perceptions of the Dobbs decision and its impact on residency training.  Materials and methods: A 25-item questionnaire was developed to assess the attitudes of orthopaedic surgery residency programs on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Our survey-based study was first endorsed by and then distributed amongst members of the Collaborative Orthopaedic Education Research Group (COERG). A total of 24 representatives from 24 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs agreed to participate in the study.  Results: Twenty-four of 24 program correspondents completed the survey (100%). Of the 15 programs (68.2%) who reported that their institution does not have a contingency plan in place, only five (33.3%) see a need for one. Eighteen programs (75.0%) agreed that the ACGME should have a policy protecting residents or significant others needing reproductive care. Ten (41.7%) respondents indicated that the Dobbs decision will impact how students rank residency programs; however, none (0%) believe it will impact their ability to attract a diverse applicant pool.  Conclusion: Although some programs surveyed have a contingency plan in place, the majority believe the ACGME should develop a policy that addresses the reproductive needs of residents. Given the higher rate of pregnancy complications experienced by women training in orthopaedic surgery it is paramount to have policies that protect residents seeking reproductive care., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Northwell Health Feinstein Institute for Medical Research issued approval 22-0625-LIJ-VS. This study received IRB approval for anonymous survey distribution and reporting. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Bartlett et al.)

Purpose: To assess the future publication rates of abstracts presented at AANA annual meetings between 2015 and 2019., Methods: Abstracts presented at the 2015-2019 AANA annual meetings were identified. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for a corresponding manuscript for each abstract using the name of the first author, abstract title, and keywords. A level of evidence and anatomic category were assigned to each abstract. For each corresponding manuscript identified, the authors, journal of publication, journal impact factor (IF), time to publication, and number of citations were recorded., Results: Overall, 70.5% of abstracts presented at the 2015-2019 AANA annual meetings (275 of 390) went on to future publication, with 63.6% (248 of 390) achieving publication within 3 years. The median time to publication from presentation was 12.8 months. Arthroscopy (29.8%) was the most frequent journal of publication. The average IF of publishing journals was 4.92 ± 3.41, with 61.8% of manuscripts (170 of 275) published in journals with an IF of at least 4.00. Published manuscripts received an average of 36.30 ± 47.6 citations per manuscript. A stronger level of evidence was associated with an increased likelihood of future publication ( P  = .008)., Conclusions: Pre-publication literature presented at the AANA annual meetings has continued to be associated with a strong likelihood of future publication in Arthroscopy and Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation , as well as other respected peer-reviewed journals., Clinical Relevance: Exposure to pre-publication literature may have an impact on clinical management. It is important to understand the quality of research presented in abstracts from AANA annual meetings. Knowing how many abstracts are ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals provides an indicator of the quality and reliability of the research., Competing Interests: The authors report the following potential conflicts of interest or sources of funding: N.A.S. reports a relationship with 10.13039/100008542Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) that includes board membership. N.A.S. served as 2012-2013 AANA president and served on the AANA Board of Directors beginning in 2008. N.A.S. serves on the AANA Education Foundation and is the current foundation chair. N.A.S. has served on the Arthroscopy Board of Trustees and is the board’s current chairperson. All other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online, as supplementary material., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Unlabelled: Sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy using colloidal particles has become common practice at many institutions. The ideal particle size for colloids such as filtered (99m)Tc-sulfur colloid ((99m)Tc-FSC) in sentinel node studies is 15-100 nm. It is reported that the use of a reduced heating time during the reconstitution process results in an increased number of smaller particles (<30 nm). However, it is unclear whether these smaller particles (>15 nm) would be of benefit in sentinel node studies. This study sought to better define particle size by using electron microscopy, as well as to evaluate the radiochemical purity (RCP) of (99m)Tc-FSC at various time points after filtration., Methods: One group of (99m)Tc-sulfur colloid ((99m)Tc-SC) preparations was reconstituted using the standard heating time of 5 min, and another group was prepared using a reduced heating time of 3 min. The (99m)Tc-SC preparations were passed through a 0.2-μm filter, and retained filter activity was measured. RCP values were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 6 h after filtration, and the particle sizes were measured at 0 and 6 h after filtration., Results: Average RCP values (± SD) for (99m)Tc-FSC with 5-min heating were 98.4% ± 3.0% and 98.3% ± 1.8% for 0 h and 6 h, respectively (n = 6). Average RCP values for (99m)Tc-FSC with 3-min heating were 98.4% ± 4.1% and 96.9% ± 3.1% for 0 h and 6 h, respectively (n = 6). Electron microscopy data showed that median particle sizes for the 3-min heating at 0 and 6 h were 24 and 35 nm, respectively. Median particle sizes for the 5-min heating at 0 and 6 h were 29 and 27 nm, respectively. The proportion of particles within the ideal range for sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy was similar between the heating methods (91.1% for 3-min heating at 0 h and 88.8% for 5-min heating at 0 h, P = 0.1851)., Conclusion: Our results indicate that although there are slight significant differences in RCP value, particle size, and particle number for (99m)Tc-FSC prepared using either a standard or a reduced heating time, both methods produce particles within the optimum range for sentinel node studies., (© 2014 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.)