Identification of a Vibration Regime Favorable for Bone Healing and Muscle in Estrogen-Deficient Rats

Numerous whole-body vibration (WBV) devices of various forces are available on the market, although their influence on the musculoskeletal system is not yet understood. The effect of different WBVs on bone healing and muscle function was evaluated in rats ovariectomized at 3 months of age. 2 months after ovariectomy, bilateral metaphyseal tibia osteotomy and T-plate osteosynthesis were performed. Rats were divided into groups: intact, OVX, and OVX exposed to vertical WBVs of 35, 50, 70, or 90 Hz (experiment 1) or horizontal WBVs of 30, 50, 70, or 90 Hz (experiment 2) 5 days after osteotomy (0.5 mm, 15 min/day for 30 days). The tibia and gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were collected. Vertical vibrations (>35 Hz) improved cortical and callus densities, enlarged callus area and width, suppressed the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase gene, enhanced citrate synthase activity, accelerated osteotomy bridging (35 and 50 Hz), upregulated the osteocalcin (Oc) gene (70 Hz), and increased relative muscle weight (50 Hz). Horizontal vibrations reduced cortical width (<90 Hz) and callus density (30 Hz), enhanced alkaline phosphatase (Alp) gene expression (50 Hz), decreased the size of oxidative fibers (35 and 70 Hz), and increased capillary density (70, 90 Hz). Biomechanical data; serum Oc, Alp, and creatine kinase activities; body weight; and food intake did not change after WBVs. Vertical WBVs of 35 and 50 Hz produced more favorable results than the higher frequencies. Horizontal WBV showed no positive or negative effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of WBV on different physiological systems, and precautions must be taken when implementing WBV in the treatment of patients.     

Clinical assessment of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral lichen planus

The study objective was clinical assessment of the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). There were 23 patients aged 31–82 included in the study with oral lichen planus diagnosed clinically and histopathologically. In all patients photodynamic therapy was performed with the use of chlorin e6 (Photolon^®), containing 20 % chlorin e6 and 10 % dimethyl sulfoxide as a photosensitizer. PDT was performed using a semiconductor laser, with power up to 300 mW and a wavelength of 660 nm. A series of illumination sessions was conducted with the use of superficial light energy density of 90 J/cm². Changes of lesion size were monitored at one, two, five, and ten PDT appointments from the series of ten according to the authors' own method. The sizes of clinical OLP lesions exposed to PDT were reduced significantly (on average by 55 %). The best effects were observed for the lesions on the lining mucosa (57.6 %). The therapy was statistically significantly less effective when masticatory mucosa was affected (reduction, 30.0 %). Due to substantial efficacy and noninvasiveness, PDT can be useful in the treatment of OLP lesions.     

Evaluation of the role of staphylococci in the pathomechanism of conjunctivitis

International Ophthalmology - Determination of the association between ica genes and phenotypic biofilm formation in staphylococcal isolates involved in conjunctivitis, their antibiotic resistance...     

The design,synthesis and catalytic performance of vanadium-incorporated mesoporous silica with 3D mesoporous structure for propene epoxidation

V-containing mesoporous silica with 3D structure was prepared by a hydrothermal procedure using NH₄VO₃ as the vanadium precursor and with varied reaction mixture pH values (pH = 3 and pH = 5). The combined use of DR UV-vis and H₂-TPR techniques confirmed the successful incorporation of vanadium into the structure of the mesoporous silica material. The number of acid sites, evidenced by ammonia TPD, strongly correlates with the vanadium content. Propene oxidation with N₂O revealed the noticeable activity of the synthesised vanadium-containing mesoporous materials in epoxidation reactions. The activity of the synthesized vanadosilicates is compared with the performance of vanadium-supported catalysts (on mesoporous silica of 3D structures) prepared by wet-impregnation method. On the basis of TOF analysis indicating the activity of particular vanadium ions, it was evidenced that although the presence of isolated V species is crucial in propene epoxidation, the availability of the active species is of paramount importance for proper vanadium utilization.

Novel promising vanadium catalysts based on mesoporous silica of 3D structure, namely KIT-6, SBA-12, and MCF, for the direct propene epoxidation with N₂O.     

Long-Term Outcome of Laparoscopic Surgery for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background

As most pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are relatively small and solitary, they may be considered well suited for removal by a minimally invasive approach. There are few large series that describe laparoscopic surgery for PNET. The primary aim of this study was to describe the feasibility, outcome, and histopathology associated with laparoscopic pancreatic surgery (LS) of PNET in a large series.

Methods

All patients with PNET who underwent LS at a single hospital from March 1997 to April 2011 were included retrospectively in the study.

Results

A total of 72 patients with PNET underwent 75 laparoscopic procedures, out of which 65 were laparoscopic resections or enucleations. The median operative time of all patients who underwent resections or enucleations was 175 (60–520) min, the median blood loss was 300 (5–2,700) ml, and the median length of hospital stay was 7 (2–27) days. The overall morbidity rate was 42 %, with a surgical morbidity rate of 21 % and postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) formation in 21 %. Laparoscopic enucleations were associated with a higher rate of POPF than were laparoscopic resections. Five-year disease-specific survival rate was 90 %. The T stage, R stage, and a Ki-67 cutoff value of 5 % significantly predicted 5-year survival.

Conclusion

LS of PNET is feasible with acceptable morbidity and a good overall disease-specific long-term prognosis.