Collagen nerve protector in rat sciatic nerve repair: A morphometric and histological analysis

Peripheral nerve repair is often complicated by fibroblastic scar formation, nerve dysfunction, and traumatic neuroma formation. Use of bio‐absorbable protective wraps may improve outcomes of these repairs. This study histologically compared the incidence of neuroma formation, connective tissue proliferation, and axonal regrowth in transected rat sciatic nerves repaired with and without tubular collagen nerve sleeves. Twenty Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent unilateral sharp sciatic nerve transection and microscopic nerve repair with four epineural sutures and were randomly treated with or without an encircling collagen nerve sleeve. Normal nerves from the contralateral sciatic nerve were also examined. At sacrifice three months later, the nerves were evaluated for traumatic neuroma formation, perineural scar formation, and morphometric analysis. Histological examination of normal and repaired nerves by a neuropathologist demonstrated healing, minimal Wallerian degeneration and no traumatic neuroma formation. Distal section analysis (nine nonwrapped, 10 wrapped), revealed no significant differences in total fascicular area, myelinated fibers per nerve, fiber density, myelin area per nerve, myelinated fiber diameter, axon diameter, myelin thickness, or G‐ratio. Significantly greater (P = 0.005) inner epineural connective tissue formation was observed in nonwrapped nerves (0.62 mm² ± 0.2) versus wrapped nerves (0.35 mm² ± 0.16). The ratio of connective tissue to fascicular area was larger in nonwrapped (1.08 ± 0.26) versus wrapped nerves (0.63 ± 0.22) (P < 0.001). This study demonstrated decreased inner epineural connective tissue formation with use of a collagen nerve wrap during primary repair of peripheral nerve transection in a rat sciatic nerve model. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:392–396, 2010.     

Improved Fracture Risk Assessment Based on Nonlinear Micro‐Finite Element Simulations From HRpQCT Images at the Distal Radius

More accurate techniques to estimate fracture risk could help reduce the burden of fractures in postmenopausal women. Although micro‐finite element (µFE) simulations allow a direct assessment of bone mechanical performance, in this first clinical study we investigated whether the additional information obtained using geometrically and materially nonlinear µFE simulations allows a better discrimination between fracture cases and controls. We used patient data and high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) measurements from our previous clinical study on fracture risk, which compared 100 postmenopausal women with a distal forearm fracture to 105 controls. Analyzing these data with the nonlinear µFE simulations, the odds ratio (OR) for the factor‐of‐risk (yield load divided by the expected fall load) was marginally higher (1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–2.77) than for the factor‐of‐risk computed from linear µFE (1.89; 95% CI, 1.37–2.69). The yield load and the energy absorbed up to the yield point as computed from nonlinear µFE were highly correlated with the initial stiffness (R² = 0.97 and 0.94, respectively) and could therefore be derived from linear simulations with little loss in precision. However, yield deformation was not related to any other measurement performed and was itself a good predictor of fracture risk (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.39–2.63). Moreover, a combined risk score integrating information on relative bone strength (yield load‐based factor‐of‐risk), bone ductility (yield deformation), and the structural integrity of the bone under critical loads (cortical plastic volume) improved the separation of cases and controls by one‐third (OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.84–4.02). We therefore conclude that nonlinear µFE simulations provide important additional information on the risk of distal forearm fractures not accessible from linear µFE nor from other techniques assessing bone microstructure, density, or mass. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

TIBIA AS DONOR SITE FOR ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFTING IN PATIENTS WITH CLEFT LIP AND PALATE: LONG TERM EXPERIENCE

Tibial bone grafts were studied in 137 patients with clefts of the lip and palate. Twenty-one had clefts of the lip and primary palate and 116 had complete unilateral clefts of the lip and palate. Bone grafting was performed secondarily or late secondarily. Bone was harvested from the proximal part of the tibia distal to the tuberosity through an incision about 15 mm long. The mean follow-up time after bone grafting was 5.5 years (range 2-11). There were no operative, or early or late postoperative complications reported (such as haematoma, fracture, or shortening of the limb). Harvesting time was about 15 minutes. The possibility of operating with two teams makes the total operating time shorter. Bleeding was negligible (less than 15 ml) and the amount of bone obtained was always sufficient. Patients were mobilised the next day and were back to full physical activity by one month. Indications for tibial bone grafting included facilitation of tooth eruption into the graft, giving bony support to the neighbouring teeth, making it possible to insert a titanium fixture, raising the alar base of the nose, and closing an oronasal fistula. Compared with iliac, cranial, mandibular, and costal donor sites, using the tibia took less time, gave less bleeding, made it possible for two teams to operate simultaneously, gave a smaller scar, and there were minimal complications and satisfactory quantity and quality of bone in all cases. The results suggested that the tibia is an excellent choice of graft for residual alveolar clefts in patients with cleft lip and palate.     

Effects of Roselle and Ginger on cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats

Aim:To evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa(Roselle)and Zingiber officinale(Ginger)againstcisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects.Methods:Ethanol extracts of H.sabdariffa or Z.o fficinale[1g/(kg.day)]were given p.o.to male albino rats for 26 days,which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p.injection(10 mg/kg body weight).Results:Extracts of H.sabdariffaand Z.officinale reduced the extent of cisplatin-induced sperm abnormality and enhanced sperm motility.Bothextracts restored the control level of malondialdehyde(MDA)(lipid peroxidation marker)in the cisplatin-treated testis.The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),reduced glutathione(GSH)andcatalase(CAT)were significantly reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the administra-tion of either H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale.Conclusion:Both H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale treatment increasedthe activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin-treated rats.The protectiveeffects of tested plants are,therefore,suggested to be mediated by their potent antioxidant activities.(Asian J Androl2006 Sep;8:607-612)     

Comparison of efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone and combination of triamcinolone with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars: Randomised control trial

The treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar is challenging with no universally accepted mode for permanent ablation. Conventional therapies yield unpredictable results, significant complications and require elaborate hardware.

Effects of upper-body resistance exercise training on serum nesfatin-1 level,insulin resistance,and body composition in obese paraplegic men

Background

As a recently discovered adipokine, nesfatin-1 is conducive to insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, energy balance, and probably obesity.

Fatal Ruptured Duodenal Varix: A Case Report and Review of Literature

The incidence of bleeding duodenal varices is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 35-year-old chronic alcoholic who died of severe fatal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a ruptured duodenal varix located in the second portion of duodenum. This diagnosis was suspected at endoscopy and was confirmed at autopsy. A review of literature shows 20 case reports of bleeding duodenal varices with two fatalities. While the duodenal bulb is the most common site of varices, the second portion of duodenum appears to be the next most common site. From all of the possible causes of duodenal varix, chronic liver diseases, mainly cirrhosis, remains the predominant etiological factor accounting for 30.7% of reported cases.