Choice of Vein‐Harvest Technique for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Rationale and Design of the REGROUP Trial

The Randomized Endo‐vein Graft Prospective (REGROUP) trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov  NCT01850082) is a randomized, intent‐to‐treat, 2‐arm, parallel‐design, multicenter study funded by the Cooperative Studies Program (CSP No. 588) of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Cardiac surgeons at 16 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers with technical expertise in performing both endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) and open vein harvesting (OVH) were recruited as the REGROUP surgeon participants. Subjects requiring elective or urgent coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass with use of ≥1 saphenous vein graft will be screened for enrollment using pre‐established inclusion/exclusion criteria. Enrolled subjects (planned N = 1150) will be randomized to 1 of the 2 arms (EVH or OVH) after an experienced vein harvester has been assigned. The primary outcomes measure is the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization. Subject assessments will be performed at multiple times, including at baseline, intraoperatively, postoperatively, and at discharge (or 30 days after surgery, if still hospitalized). Assessment of leg‐wound complications will be completed at 6 weeks after surgery. Telephone follow‐ups will occur at 3‐month intervals after surgery until the participating sites are decommissioned after the trial's completion (approximately 4.5 years after the full study startup). To assess long‐term outcomes, centralized follow‐up of MACE for 2 additional years will be centrally performed using VA and non‐VA clinical and administrative databases. The primary MACE outcome will be compared between the 2 arms, EVH and OVH, at the end of the trial duration.     

Possible Alpha-Adrenergic Involvement in Nicotine Induced Alteration of Spermatogenesis in Rat

Mögliche α-adrenerge Beteiligung bei nikotin-induzierter Veränderung der Spermatogenese der Ratte
Nikotin verursacht in einem Experiment an Ratten (die Dosis lag höher als beim Menschen üblich) einen Abfall der primären Spermatocyten und eine Retardierung der Entwicklung der Spermatocyten in Spermatiden. Dieser Effekt des Nikotins war möglicherweise zweitrangig für die gesteigerte Aktivität der adrenomedullären Catecholamine, seitdem der antispermatogenetische Effekt des Nikotins durch Phentolamine, einen bekannten Blocker der Catecholamin-Aktion auf den α-Rezeptor-Wert, verhindert wurde.     

Histochemical Studies of Testicular δ5 -3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase after Chronic Indomethacin Administration in Rats Pretreated with Clomiphene-Citrate

Histochemical studies of testicular delta5-3beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 17beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in sexually immature rats treated chronically with simultaneous Indomethacin and Clomiphene revealed greater inhibition in the enzyme activities when compared to Clomiphene treated animals alone. This suggests prostaglandin-inhibitors may be directly inhibitory to NAD-requiring enzymes involved in testicular steroid biosynthesis.     

TENSOR FASCIA LATA/GLUTEUS MEDIUS MUSCLE PEDICLE BONE GRAFT FOR NON-UNION OF FEMORAL NECK FRACTURES

Twelve male patients with non-union of fracture neck femur of 6-12 months duration were managed by open reduction and internal fixation and tensor fascia lata or gluteus medius muscle pedicle bone grafting through the anterior route. Internal fixation was done with Knowles pins and Asinis screws or combination of both. Union could be achieved in 11 out of the 12 cases. Functional recovery of hip was good in 9, fair in 2 and poor in one.KEY WORDS: Bone transplantation, Femur neck, Fractures, ununited, Fracture fixation, Tensor fascia lata