An inadvertent test of the robustness of a 5:1 fasciocutaneous flap

The successful transfer is described of a fasciocutaneous flap of 5:1 length to breadth ratio on a severely traumatised leg. A preliminary delay had been carried out and the flap survived in its entirety.     

Loa loa in the anterior chamber of the eye: a case report

An unusual case of loiasis from Assam is reported here. Loa loa is a subcutaneous filarial parasite of man and is transmitted to humans by chrysops flies. The patient presented with foreign body sensation and visual disturbances of the right eye. Examination revealed a white coiled structure in the cornea. Routine blood and other investigations were within normal limits. A live adult worm was extracted and identity was confirmed by microscopy to be Loa loa. Patient was treated with diethylcarbamazine and steroid. We found this case interesting as the worm was present in the anterior chamber--an unusual site and there were no other positive findings besides the lone worm.     

Distribution of 125I-labeled [2-8]-leucopyrokinin, active analog of leucopyrokinin in rats

The brain and internal organs distribution of 125I-labeled [2-8]-leucopyrokinin ([2-8]-LPK), a truncated analog of leucopyrokinin (LPK), an insect myotropic peptide injected into the lateral brain ventricle was determined in rats. A high accumulation of this analog in adrenals and in the hypothalamus and hippocampus of the brain was found. A lesser but significant [2-8]-LPK accumulation in other internal organs and parts of the brain was also observed. The results of the present study confirm results of our previous study performed on the distribution of labeled native LPK in rats. A possible significance of obtained results for the brain function was discussed.     

Evaluation of apoptosis in the liver preserved by simple hypothermia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate and prolactin-modified histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution

Introduction

Organ ischemia is accompanied by cell death due to apoptosis. It occurs together with necrosis, which has more unfavorable consequences due to the release of cytokines that activate the inflammatory response cascade. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of apoptosis in porcine livers preserved by simple hypothermia for 12 hours using standard solutions (University of Wisconsin [UW] and histidine-tryptophan-glutarate [HTK]), and to evaluate the effect of prolactin (PRL) addition to the HTK solution.

Materials and methods

The study was performed on the livers of Great White breed pigs, after inducing 30 minutes of warm ischemia (WIT30), followed by 30 minutes of perfusion-cooling to 4°C, and 12 hours of preservation. Livers were evaluated after preservation in Ringer's solution (control); UW (control reference fluid); HTK and HTK modified by the addition of prolactin (20 UI/L. Apoptosis was assessed in liver sections by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling method after 12-hour preservation. We adopted a prevalence scale ranging from 0 to 3+, depending on the number of observed nuclei and apoptotic bodies (AB).

Results

Preservation in Ringer's solution yielded AB distribution at the 1+ level, with a lack of characteristic localization resulting from necrotic lesions. Analysis of the livers preserved in the UW solution showed high, 3+ level of AB presence. For the tested HTK solution, the observed ABs localization value was 3+, whereas in the PRL-modified group it was also 3+, but with a tendency to move from zone II to cluster III, which is important for liver metabolic functions.

Conclusions

PRL improved the preservation properties of HTK for porcine livers by maintaining a high apoptosis level. It may stabilize cell membranes thus reducing the oncotic necrosis, promoting increased apoptosis during simple hypothermia.