Clinical evaluation of ulnar nerve repair at wrist level

Introduction In this study, the results of ulnar nerve repair were analyzed. The relation between the functional outcome scores and clinical findings were investigated to find out whether any clinical finding could be predictive of the outcome.Materials and methods Seventeen patients who underwent ulnar nerve repair formed the study group. Average follow-up lasted 45.5 months (range 39–48 months), and average age of the study group was 31.7 years (range 26–42 years). The same operative technique was applied to all patients by one of the authors (HG). Follow-up checks were done at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The patients who did not attend the last follow-up were excluded from the study group. The Seddon classification was used as the functional scoring system. Wound healing, Tinel sign, interosseous atrophy, atrophy of the first web space, clawing, and protective sensation were the clinical findings examined at the follow-ups. Wound healing was classified as either normal scar formation or hypertrophic scar-keloid (HsC) formation.Results Good results in 4 and fair results in 13 were obtained according to the Seddon classification. Statistically, there was no difference between the clinical findings at the 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups.Conclusion Presence of HsC and clawing can be regarded as a predictive sign for fair results in nerve repairs.     

Translational regulation of gene expression by omega-3 fatty acids

The incidence of some cancers shows dramatic variations around the world that cannot be explained by ethnic or racial differences. Observational studies point to a negative correlation between consumption of fish and incidence of breast and prostate cancer. In vitro and animal model studies indicate that (omega-3) PUFAs present at high concentrations in marine animals inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and growth of tumors. However, how these fatty acids inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth is a matter of considerable debate. In this review we summarize our recent work indicating that Ca(++) depletion mediated phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2 and subsequent inhibition of translation initiation account for the anti-cancer activity of (omega-3) PUFAs.     

3,3-diaryl-1,3-dihydroindol-2-ones as antiproliferatives mediated by translation initiation inhibition

A series of substituted 3,3-diphenyl-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-ones was synthesized from the corresponding isatins. The compounds were studied for cell growth inhibition mediated by partial depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores that leads to phosphorylation of eIF2alpha. The diphenyloxindole (1) showed mechanism-specific antiproliferative activity that was comparable to known translation initiation inhibitors such as clotrimazole or troglitazone. SAR studies identified m'-tert-butyl and o-hydroxy substituted diphenyloxindole (25) as a lead compound for Ca2+-depletion-mediated inhibition of translation initiation.     

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica: a case report

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disorder with unknown aetiology. In this paper, a case with TO was presented. A 77 year-old-man was admitted with cough for 2 years. Chest X-ray showed interstitial changes. Computed tomography of thorax demonstrated calcific density lesion in the trachea and in the left and right main bronchi. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed numerous white, hard, irregular nodules on the anterior and lateral walls of trachea and on main bronchi. Pathologic diagnosis of bronchoscopic biopsy was TO.     

The Effects of Serum Potassium and Magnesium Levels in a Patient with Gitelman's Syndrome on the Timing of Ventricular Wall Motion and the Pattern of Ventricular Strain and Torsion

Gitelman's syndrome is a primary renal tubular hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis. Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can cause cardiac tissue excitability and conduction. Global ventricular mechanical function is directly related to the contractile properties of cardiac myocytes, which are largely dependent on the flow of ions such as potassium and magnesium. Here, we show that increased levels of potassium, in addition to magnesium, in a patient with Gitelman's syndrome significantly impacts the timing of ventricular wall motion and the pattern of ventricular strain and torsion. Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was used for evaluation of the hypokalemic–hypomagnesemic period (first day) and third day after potassium chloride and magnesium replacement therapy. The transthoracic echocardiography showed that the percent ejection fraction was similar in hypokalemic–hypomagnesemic (63%) and normokalemic–normomagnesemic (after potassium and magnesium therapy, 67%) hearts. However, decreased left ventricular apical 4‐chamber peak systolic longitudinal strain, left ventricle global peak systolic strain, and global torsion values increased after potassium chloride and magnesium replacement therapy.     

Kinetics of cisplatin binding to cellular DNA and modulations by thiol-blocking agents and thiol drugs.

DNA platination by cisplatin (CDDP) was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and ovarian cancer cells using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Plots showing the amount of platinum (Pt) bound to DNA versus the molar concentration of cisplatin in the incubation medium ([CDDP]) were nonlinear. For [CDDP] < about 5 microM, the amount of Pt bound to DNA increased slowly with added drug. However, for larger [CDDP], the slope of the plot increased significantly. To study the role of thiols in affecting cisplatin binding to DNA, cells were treated with N-ethylmaleimide, which modifies thiol groups, rendering them incapable of binding cisplatin. Analysis using high-pressure liquid chromatography showed that approximately 99% of cellular glutathione was modified by N-ethylmaleimide. A plot of the amount of Pt bound to DNA versus [CDDP] for thiol-blocked cells is linear, with a slope similar to that of unblocked cells at high [CDDP]. Neither S-2-(3 aminopropylamino)ethanethiol (WR-1065) nor mesna, when added at clinically achievable concentrations (i.e., < approximately 300 microM), affected DNA platination. However, DNA platination was totally abolished by millimolar concentrations of the drug thiols (approximately 1.25 mM WR-1065 or approximately 5 mM mesna). Thus, the data show that endogenous thiols intercept cellular cisplatin, but this mechanism is less important at high [CDDP]. Moreover, therapeutic concentrations of drug thiols do not significantly affect DNA platination. A simple model that reproduces the experimental results of the amount of cisplatin binding to DNA as a function of [CDDP], time, and thiol content is proposed. The model takes into account passage of cisplatin and thiols through the cell membrane, binding of cisplatin to cellular thiols, and platination of DNA.     

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on distraction osteogenesis

Investigators in the present study explored the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on distraction osteogenesis in a rabbit limb-lengthening model. HBO treatment was provided to participants in a small animal pressure chamber once a day during the latent period of distraction osteogenesis at 2.5 absolute atmospheres of pressure. Bone mineral density measurements were obtained through torsional testing. The control group received no HBO treatment. Animals were killed 8 wk postoperatively for biomechanical testing. There was a statistically significant increase in bone mineral density in the HBO group compared with that in the non-HBO group, but no statistically significant differences were observed between biomechanical parameters of the 2 groups. The investigators suggest that these results must be further studied through histologic examination to determine the stepwise effects of HBO during and after collagen synthesis.