Arthroscopic verification of meniscus repair]

The purpose of this study was to verify the arthroscopic meniscus repair by second-look arthroscopy. From November 2001 to October 2005, 28 meniscus (18 medial and 10 lateral) were repaired in 26 patients (two patients had both menisci in one knee repaired). There were 11 females and 15 males. The average age at surgery was 25.5 (range, 13 to 52 years of age). The indication for repair was a full-thickness, vertical tear > or = 8 mm. Meniscus repair was combined with partial meniscectomy of posterior horn because of horizontal tear in 3 cases. In 1 zone 14 meniscus were injured and in 2 zone--also 14 meniscus, according to Cooper's classification. All patients had anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The average time interval between the injury and the repair was 22 weeks (range, 2 weeks to 2 years). The inside-out suture was used in 18 repairs, all inside--3 repairs, outside-in--2 repairs and a mixed technique--5 repairs. Arthroscopic evaluation of meniscus repair was performed on average after 15 weeks (range, 2 months to 37 weeks) since the suture. That was done during the second stage of treatment--ACL reconstruction. There were 78.6% of completely healed repairs, 10.7% of incompletely healed and 10.7% were not healed.     

Linear birefringence measurements of the in vitro human cornea

This paper presents results of an in vitro investigation of the optical anisotropy of the human cornea. Computer controlled imaging polarimetry and the Jones formalism were used to investigate the distribution of the birefringence and the azimuth angle across the surface of 12 corneas taken from the corneal bank. Each map of the birefringence and the azimuth angle has no rotational symmetry and is different for each cornea. The minimal value of the birefringence always appears in the corneal centre and varies from 9 to 43 degrees for different corneas. Birefringence of the cornea increases monotonically more than one order in the direction of the corneal periphery. Close to the centre of the cornea the azimuth angle is almost constant and varies significantly away from the optical part of the cornea.     

Cadaveric Dissections Based on Observations of Injuries to the Temporal Bone Structures following Head Trauma

One hundred temporal bones obtained from forensic autopsies were dissected to expose injured structures. Longitudinal fractures were present in 82%, transverse fractures in 11%, and mixed fractures in 7% of the cases. Facial canal injuries were present in almost half of the bones with longitudinal fractures (36/82), although cuts of the facial nerve stem were rarely encountered. Damages to the facial canal associated with longitudinal fractures were most frequently seen in the region of the geniculum. However, transverse fractures with facial canal involvement (7/11) most frequently occurred in the labyrinthine portion, causing a complete cut of the facial nerve. Injuries to the jugular bulb were also common (21/100) and associated with all types of temporal bone fractures. Observed damages to the auditory ossicles included disconnection of their joints or fractures of the malleus or stapes. Fractures of the incus were not observed. Injuries to the carotid canal were common (52/100), although an injury to the arterial wall was observed in only one specimen. The frequency and nature of damage in temporal bone fractures strictly reflect the type of fracture, especially in terms of facial nerve disorders: the most serious damage is observed with fractures that involve the otic capsule.     

Avantage double mobility press--fit cup in total hip arthroplasty]

The Avantage double mobility press-fit cup was devised by Dr. Bousquet in the 70's to bring reasonable response to a problem of recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty. The cup is attached to the femoral head by a bipolar polyethylene liner. The polyethylene liner moves freely inside a shiny--polished metal cup. The angular range of motion before impingement is increased by the mobility of the liner. The double connection (cup-liner, liner-head) reduces the stress on the metal cup and improve the stability of the prosthesis. The solution has proved to be efficient in reducing dislocation risk and maintains at the same time the appropriate range of motion. Between January 2004 and November 2005, 113 hip arthroplasties in 108 women with use of the double mobility cup were performed. The cemented version of the Avantage cup was inserted in 15 patients (mean age--76.9 years). Uncemented, HA coated implant was used in 98 patients (with mean age of 55 years). The mean follow-up was 20.4 months. No one patient was lost to follow-up. No postoperative dislocation was observed during follow-up. There was no unwanted leg lengthening greater than 1 cm. The Avantage cup may be indicated in any primary total hip arthroplasty especially in those with increased risk of postoperative dislocations. This cup enables a correct balance of the hip without a need of the unwanted lengthening of the leg.     

Brain uptake of radiolabeled N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the rat

N‐acyl‐dopamines are a novel class of biologically active lipids that have recently been identified in the brain and have the potential to interact with neural signaling pathways. This study seeks to determine the ability of N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, a synthetic amide of oleic acid and dopamine, to cross the blood brain barrier. We determined the tissue content of radioactivity in selected brain regions, in a short‐run study design, following injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine (0.4 µCi) into the internal carotid artery in the rat. These results were compared with intracarotid injections of [³H]dopamine and with intravenous injections of both radiolabeled compounds. The level of radioactivity was determined using liquid scintillation and was expressed as the percentage of its total dose injected per gram of tissue. We found that the 15‐min brain uptake of radioactivity, with no distinct regional variations, amounted to about 6% following the intracarotid [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, which was a significant 3–4‐fold increase over that following similar administration of [³H]dopamine. Intravenous injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine gave a much smaller yield of radioactivity in brain tissue samples which was still severalfold greater than that for intravenous [³H]dopamine. Qualitative thin‐layered chromatography screening showed the presence of unchanged N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the brain following injections. We conclude that N‐oleoyl‐dopamine has an appreciable ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier, which contrasts the limited transfer of dopamine alone. N‐oleoyl‐dopamine might exert physiological effects due to its known affinity for the central vanilloid receptors or to better satisfying the brain tissue demand for dopamine. The study suggests a potential pharmacological role for N‐oleoyl‐dopamine delivered exogenously in helping regulate the brain function. Drug Dev. Res. 60:217–224, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effect of sulphinpyrazone and alpha-tocopherol on platelet activation and function in haemodialysed patients

In 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis treatment the platelet activity and function were studied before and during antiplatelet therapy with alpha-tocopherol and sulphinpyrazone. In both kinds of treatment a significant decrease of ADP-induced and spontaneous aggregation was observed. Sulphinpyrazone exerts an inhibitory effect not only on platelet aggregation but also on platelet factor 3 and provokes a significant prolongation of the bleeding time.     

A rare case of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in an elderly female

Nasopharyngeal angiofibromas occur predominantly in males in their puberty and adolescence; the incidence in other age groups and in women is exceptional. This report describes a case of a 57-year-old woman with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma presenting typical radiological findings in computed tomography, MR imaging and angiography. The tumour was successfully removed and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. In 6 years follow-up the patient is free of symptoms.     

Effect of heavy metals on the aromatic system of benzoic acid

Raman and infrared spectra were made of mercury^II, cadmium and aluminum benzoates To better understand the mechanism of toxic action of heavy metals, comparisons were made of the effects of mercury^I, mercury^II, lead^II, cadmium barium, strontium, copper^II, aluminum, iron^III zinc, magnesium, calcium, yttrium, lanthanum^III neodymium^III, dysprosium^III, luthetium^III, lithium sodium, and potassium on the aromatic system of benzoic acid. Benzoic acid was considered to be model compound, representing a wide group of aromatic ligands present in enzymes. Oscillation (Raman, IR) and electronic (UV) spectroscopy methods were applied.Heavy toxic metals, particularly Hg^I, Hg^II, and Pb^II in contrast to Ca, Mg, Al, Fe^III, Zn, Y, and Ln^III perturb the aromatic system of benzoic acid by deforming the uniforming distribution of electron charges in the ring.     

Content of some heavy metal ions in various developmental stages of the social wasp,Dolichovespula saxonica (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera,Vespidae)

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology -