Relationship between foot sensation and standing balance in patients with multiple sclerosis

The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between the foot sensations and standing balance in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and find out the sensation, which best predicts balance. Twenty-seven patients with MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale 1-3.5) and 10 healthy volunteers were included. Threshold of light touch-pressure, duration of vibration, and distance of two-point discrimination of the foot sole were assessed. Duration of static one-leg standing balance was measured. Light touch-pressure, vibration, two-point discrimination sensations of the foot sole, and duration of one-leg standing balance were decreased in patients with MS compared with controls (p < 0.05). Sensation of the foot sole was related with duration of one-leg standing balance in patients with MS. In the multiple regression analysis conducted in the 27 MS patients, 47.6% of the variance in the duration of one-leg standing balance was explained by two-point discrimination sensation of the heel (R² = 0.359, p = 0.001) and vibration sensation of the first metatarsal head (R² = 0.118, p = 0.029). As the cutaneous receptors sensitivity decreases in the foot sole the standing balance impairs in patients with MS. Two-point discrimination sensation of the heel and vibration sensation of the first metatarsal head region are the best predictors of the static standing balance in patients with MS. Other factors which could be possible to predict balance and effects of sensorial training of foot on balance should be investigated.     

The effects of the synovium on chondrocyte growth: an experimental study

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of synovium on the proliferation of the cartilage tissue and chondrocytes using a rabbit knee model as an in vivo synovial culture medium.

Methods

Twelve New Zealand rabbits were used as the animal model in this investigation. Standard size chondral and osteochondral cartilage grafts were taken from, respectively, the left and right knees of all the animals. Two groups of 6 animals were formed: in Group I (synovium group), grafts were placed into the synovial tissue and in group II (patellar tendon group) behind the patellar tendon of the corresponding knees. After 4 months, samples were collected and evaluated macroscopically by measuring their dimensions (vertical = D1, horizontal = D2, and depth = D3) and volumes, and histologically by counting the chondrocyte number using camera lucida method.

Results

Macroscopically, the increase in average D1, D2, and D3 measurements and volume in the osteochondral specimens were significantly higher compared to the chondral specimens in both groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of macroscopic values. Histologically, the mean chondrocyte counts in osteochondral and chondral specimens for Group I (synovium) were 20.2 and 18.1, and for Group II (patellar tendon) were 18.7 and 15.6, respectively. The mean number of chondrocytes was found to be significantly higher in osteochondral specimens than that of chondral specimens in either group (P < 0.05). Overall average chondrocyte count was significantly higher for Group I compared to Group II (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Transplantation of the cartilage grafts into the synovial tissue in rabbit knees significantly enhanced the chondrocyte production compared with the group where the grafts were transplanted into intra-articular patellar tendon. The results of this study indicate that native synovial tissue may have the potential to be used as an in vivo culture medium for osteochondral tissue growth.     

Public attitudes to depression in urban Turkey

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine public attitudes towards patients with depression and the influence of perception and causal attributions on social distance towards individuals suffering from depression in urban areas. METHODS: This study was carried out with a representative sample in Istanbul which is the biggest metropolis in Turkey. Seven hundred and seven subjects completed the public survey form which consisted of ten items screening the demographic features and health status of the participants, and 32 items rating attitudes towards depression. RESULTS: The respondents' attitudes towards depression were very negative and nearly half of the subjects perceived people with depression as dangerous. More than half of the subjects stated that they would not marry a person with depression, and nearly half of the subjects stated that they would not rent their house to a person with depression. One-quarter of the subjects stated that depressive patients should not be free in the community. The subjects who considered depression as a disease and who believed that weakness of personality and social problems cause depression had negative attitudes towards depression. CONCLUSIONS: In Istanbul, people recognise depression well, but their attitudes towards it are fairly negative. The urban public has unfavourable attitudes towards depression and a tendency to isolate patients from the society. Notwithstanding the high prevalence, there is still considerable stigmatisation associated with depression.     

Clinical and histopathological observations of retinal sutures. Preliminary report]

One of the therapeutical methods in the great hole and ora serrata retinal detachment are the retino-scleral sutures. The study evaluates the tolerance of this type of stitches. Experimental investigations have been performed in rabbits with sutures of Ethilon 8-0 or chromic collagen 8-0 put through the sclera. Both segments--the anterior and posterior one have been taken under consideration. The eye have been enucleated on the 1st, 2d, 7th, 14th and 60th day after surgery and evaluated macroscopically. The specimen from the spot of stitching have been executed after fixation in formaline. Clinical observations, macroscopic evaluation of the enucleated eyes and results of the histopathological examination showed good tolerance of the retinal stitches through the tissue of the rabbits eye and indicate the possibility of a clinical utilization of this method.     

Visual acuity and refraction in pseudophakia]

Visual acuity with correction was checked in 86 persons with anterior and posterior chamber lenses in various postoperative periods. In the majority of examines of both groups in the late postoperative period the visual acuity was correct. The results obtained in both groups of patients were compared. The causes of astigmatism detected in some cases were considered.     

Review of fat grafting and the fate of the subperiostal fat graft

Fat grafting has been widely used over the past100 years for soft tissue augmentation. Despite a number of publications which show poor long-term results, it is still one of the most preferred soft tissue fillers. After liposuction became popular in 1980s, an easier method of transfer, lipoinjection, once again brought attention to fat grafting. New methods to increase durability of fat grafts were developed. Placing the fat graft into a well vascularized recipient site was one of the most accepted ideas. Fat grafting into the muscle and over periosteum showed satisfactory results in the long term. All the fat tissue transplanted into a recipient site will probably not survive; the area then contains necrotic fat tissue and this can cause depressions which are easily seen if the overlying skin is thin and has been previously traumatized. Placing the fat grafts subperiostally can be a solution to this problem. In our experimental study we compared subperiostal fat grafting with supraperiostal fat grafting in a rat model. Fat graft weight changes and histopathological examinations in both of the groups showed similar properties. Thus subperiostal grafting is an alternative augmentation technique in areas where the overlying skin is thin.     

Atypical clinical picture of uveal melanoma]

Presented is a case of uveal melanoma in the posterior segment of the eye. It has been accompanied by an inflammatory reaction of the anterior segment which made impossible the visual evaluation of the fundus.